Pixiq

You want the best, latest, fastest information. “Going Pro” is a new kind of blog which I hope to evolve into a very personal tutorial platform. My name is Sara Frances, and I’m here to be your source. I’m a veteran professional photographer and postproduction digital imager/enhancer. I work in portrait, event, commercial, art photo and photojournalist realms. 

Early on in my career I received an offer from National Geographic - which I decided to decline; however the documentary stance remains my core approach. I’ve photographed some 4,000 weddings, mitzvahs and events. Hasselblad published some of my portraits of theatrical performers as well as landscapes of Hawaii volcanos. I won Kodak’s Impact in Applied Photography commercial award, and twice the Hallmark prize for photographic jigsaw puzzle design. My most recent books are highly manipulated iPhone imagery portfolios. I love it all!

Like you, my dream some decades ago was to be a business owner and independent artist. I’ve made it happen, though it wasn’t easy. ”Going Pro” offers helps and hints that will give you a leg up in your quest for expertise, inspiration and profitability with your photography. Yes, I’ve earned a variety of academic degrees and professional awards, but what you want to know is what I can do for you. That means questions are always welcome! But as Bill O’Reilly says, “Make your questions and comments relevant and pithy! No bloviating!”

The new buzz word for what we do is Fusion. Driven by the explosion of new imaging equipment and techniques, Fusion is a hybrid of still photography and videography, graphics, music, animated stills, voice over, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro and of course web applications. Fusion selects subject pertinent elements and fuses them together to tell our clients’ stories in unique ways. And yes, there’s another part to “we”. His name is Karl Arndt, master of the digital video and editing component, as well as head of the household - at least part of the time!

Together we are “Foto Griots”, a name from the French West African tradition that means the village muse and historian, advisor to the tribe, teller of tales of insight, culture, skills and expression. My blog “Going Pro” will help you advance your own professional persona.