Digital Wedding Forum - Wedding photography's home on the web.

Location - Laguna Beach, CA
Business Name - Bisson Photography/Laguna Albums
Years in Business - 22 Years
Number of Posts - 7,422
Website - www.bissophotography.com &  www.lagunaalbums.com
Blog - www.tonybisson.com
PM - Contact Tony

DWF - Let's start off with a little bio, tell us a little bit about yourself.

TONY - Born in Wilmington DE. I had a keen interest in all things visual at an early age and imagined my dream job as a director of television commercials as a six year old. Started my first business venture at seven selling candy and trading cards to kids at school for their lunch money. I even made side deals with the local liquor store owner to get hard to find inventory. I have been self employed for all but one year of my working life.

At twelve my family relocated to Huntington Beach CA. I took to the beach lifestyle immediately and have not lived beyond the smell of the ocean since. My father introduced me to photography through Polaroid cameras as a kid. By the age of 13 I had my own darkroom and made Photography my career choice before I started high school. I earned an AA and certificate in commercial photography and then went on to assist local photographers and shoot model portfolios for agencies.

I opened my Laguna Beach Studio in 1998 and am now making the transition from photographer to full-time album company owner which is my current passion and long term career goal.

DWF - How did you become a wedding photographer?

TONY - I was struggling to make money as a commercial/fashion photographer in the recession of the early 1990's. A guy who I was assisting had a wedding photographer wife who could get me extra work on the weekends as a second shooter. When I saw how often she was working and what she was making in sales, I became interested. When I learned that weddings paid up front I was convinced.

DWF- Who or what inspires you as an artist?

TONY - Movement and the split second that separates ordinary photos from the sublime.

DWF- If we needed a photographer today why would we book you? What makes you unique?

TONY - People tell me that they book me because of the artistry and emotion that they see in the work. I believe that my ability to connect with people helps me the most in sales.

On the job I use my experience to do quality work very quickly which has resulted in many industry referrals over the years. The ability to think clearly and act under pressure has served me very well at weddings.

DWF- If you had to pick a favorite "Tool of the Trade" what would it be? and why?

TONY - Whatever the top of the line tower is at the Apple Store. Photography is computer work.

DWF - Care to share your favorite photograph? and tell us a bit about it?

TONY -

It makes me happy to see a father who has a good relationship with his daughter on her wedding day. It must be a very emotional time for him to give his baby girl away. My last wedding was a refferal of the father in this photo.



This is just a cool moment frozen in time. When I first met them I had just raised my prices to what for me seemed like too much. They drove over 180 miles to meet me and brought friends who also booked my top package on the spot. That boosted my confidence for the rest of the season.

There are few perfect PJ photos. This is as close as I have come.



This was my favorite wedding of my entire career. It was a destination wedding on a Thursday at an unusually quiet Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel - a venue I have worked more than any other. It is also my favorite place on the coast. At the wedding I bonded with everyone like family and everything about the day was absolutely perfect. They even fed me the guest meal for the first time in 15 years of working there. After the wedding the album and portrait orders seemed to never end.

This cheerful picture hangs in my studio enlarged to 43 inches. I will never get tired of it because it reminds me of how great this business can be.

DWF - How about some final words to live by?

TONY - Strive for a life rich in simple pleasures. Seek not to acquire possessions but meaningful life experiences and connection with others.

Slow down. Don't feel like you have to compete with everybody. Pick a goal and get there at your own pace and on your own terms.

Accept what you are.

Don't fear strangers. Everyone you meet is a young soul who is struggling to make sense of this life just like you are.