About Rob Greer, Pasadena photographer

The information found here will provide you with some insight into my personal character. Here I also explain why I'm passionate about photography.

My Artistic Style

Rob Greer
photo by Kaye Kittrell

[ click to enlarge ]

In my photography, I strive for uncluttered compositions where my subjects are casually isolated from distracting surroundings. But instead of adhering to a truly minimalist approach, I work to create a sense of openness through my framing and selective areas of focus. As a result, viewers often see my photography as clean, natural, and contemporary. I warmly embrace those labels.

Artists also often speak of motivation. For me, my motivation is linked to the idea that through my photography I can share my interpreted view of the world. And hopefully through that perspective, others can gain a closer understanding of my view on life. Perhaps that's one reason why my greatest joy is when I'm behind my camera. I gain great satisfaction from the seeing, the doing, and most especially the sharing--my photographs of people, nature, and life.

Although I'd hesitate to cite a specific photographer as my inspiration, I do admire the works of several artists including Dorothea Lange, Richard Avedon, and Ansel Adams. I'm also impressed by the works of many lesser known modern-day working photographers whose work I constantly review--for stylistic and technical inspiration. To learn more about these artists, please review my short treatise titled Favorite Photographers.

Professional Biography

My First Known Photograph

Pasadena Photographer Rob Greer's First Photo

[ click to enlarge ]

I received my first camera on Christmas day in 1979. It was a plastic Kodak Ektralite 10, one of the most popular point and shoot cameras of its time. However, as some of my first photographs can attest, any sign of innate talent wasn't immediately evident. But I did love taking photographs.

As years passed and my photography matured, I realized the limitations inherent in point and shoot cameras. I eventually purchased a consumer grade Nikon SLR and a single zoom lens. This change in equipment helped improve my photography, but my creative growth was hindered by my lack of disposable income. Purchasing the latest camera and lenses while also paying for the development of prints proved cost prohibitive for my then meager means.

With success in my chosen professional career came the funds needed to finally extend my photographic pursuits. Significant change also came in 1999 when I acquired my first digital camera. Even though the quality of those digital images was relatively poor compared to images captured by my film camera, I was enamored by the technology and the immediate gratification provided by digital photos and therefore I persevered in the use of my new tool. But I hadn't yet abandoned my exploration of film photography--a fact that was soon to change.

In the early days of 2004, I finally came to the conclusion that digital capture was the inevitable definitive direction of professional photography. With rapid advances in digital camera technology, electronically captured images had finally reached a level of maturity where I could achieve results superior to what I could create using even the best 35mm film camera.

And when I made this commitment to change my photographic tools, I came to embrace photography with a renewed passion. That passion continues unabated even today. I've never been more alive as a photographer. And because my passion is also my profession, I'm able to do what I love and harness that excitement when photographing both my professional and personal projects.

Photography-Related Education

My professional development as a photographer continues as I review the latest news, information, and techniques presented on Web sites, online forums, in magazines, and through e-mail distribution lists. I'm also in close, daily contact with a select group of photographic colleagues with whom I share ideas and my work for the purpose of critical review.

And although I've participated in many conferences, seminars, photography courses, and workshops over the years, my photographic studies have focused primarily on my own paths of study and research--and of course practical experience. There's no substitute for picking up a camera, taking many photographs, and then spending countless hours editing and processing those photographs with an eye toward constant improvement.

Personal Biography

I grew up in a rural area of central Louisiana where my strong work ethic was firmly established. My first real-world job experience occurred as a pre-teen when I was employed by a local produce farmer. This position primarily involved the planting and harvesting of sweet potatoes where harsh working conditions were flavored with harsh language and a strong sense of camaraderie. Since those early days of back-breaking work, I've held many jobs. Over the years, I've also been a busboy, lifeguard, repo man, pizza maker, hotel clerk, sandwich maker, grocery produce clerk, U.S. Marine (combat veteran), community college instructor, technical writer, salesman, Web site designer, dot com founder, Internet entrepreneur, beach volleyball player, certified inline skating instructor, eBay Power Seller, senior software executive, and of course professional photographer.

And over those intervening years, I've also found the time to realize my educational goals. I hold a Master's degree in English from Northwestern State University and have pursued advanced coursework toward a Ph.D. (which remains unfinished). I moved from Lafayette, Louisiana to the Los Angeles area in 2001. And yes, I still retain a slight accent. My passionate photographic hobbies include fine art and nature photography. I also collect books--specifically modern first editions. My personal library holds over 2,000 novels, many of which are signed by their respective authors or contributors. I live in Pasadena, California.

Clients and Publications

My photography has been featured in several print publications including America West Magazine (Now US Airways), The New York Times Book Review, Dolls, Profit Magazine, and Extended Retail Solutions Magazine. Some of my clients include Nikon, Oracle Corporation, Penguin Group, Anchor Blue, Grey San Francisco, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Northern Trust Bank, WESCOM Credit Union, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and many other regional and local customers.

Photographic Specializations

Some of my specialties include wedding photography, individual and family portraits, actor and actress headshots, corporate headshots, business card photos, infant and children photos, pregnant mothers, special occasions, anniversaries, retirements, event photography, birthday parties, fashion photography, Web site product photography, architecture, lifestyle photos for advertising, fine art nude photography, and nature photography.

Available to Pasadena and Los Angeles Area Clients

In addition to working as a photographer in the Pasadena area, I also accommodate photography clients in the Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Eagle Rock, La Canada Flintridge, San Marino, Sierra Madre, and the South Pasadena areas. And although those locations may be only minutes away from Pasadena, I also serve the photography needs of clients in Burbank, Diamond Bar, Glendale, La Crescenta, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, and the San Gabriel Valley. Even if you're located in Brentwood, Encino, Hollywood, Los Feliz, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, or are a citizen of the Pomona Valley, I'm a photographer that can meet your needs. In fact, if you're located anywhere in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area or anywhere in Southern California, I'm happy to talk to you about your photography project.

Camera and Lighting Equipment

Although a talented photographer can occassionaly create stunning images with even simple photographic equipment, I'm committed to the ideal that for paying clients I must always select the best available tools. I would never use consumer-quality, failing, or antiquated equipment for important client projects. I've developed a comprehensive Equipment List if you'd like more information on the type of photographic equipment I could bring to bear on your project.

Opportunities for Models, Makeup Artists, and Stylists

I'm sometimes willing to assist select attractive actors, actresses, and models interested in building photographic portfolios on a Time for Print (TFP) or Time for CD (TFCD) basis. I'm also always searching for talented makeup artists and stylists who might be qualified and interested in joining my team. If you're interested, please take a look at my section devoted to Model, Makeup Artist, and Stylist Opportunities. And if you're not sure what Time for Print means, you may want to take a quick look at my article titled Understanding the Mysteries of TFP.

Helpful Articles

From time to time I've written articles dealing with various aspects of photography. Some of those articles include:

Remember My Site

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