Venturing Into the Unknown

Venturing Into the Unknown

My latest project was a commercial photography shoot for a card game by Keymaster Games. The game is called Fuego. I was advised that it would have an ultra-lounge, fiesta feel with a touch of Uno.

Music photography in The Basement

Music photography in The Basement

How do you review the performance with only one song? They escort you out of the building to secure your camera gear in your car before coming back in to watch the show. I’m just not going to drive 25 minutes to pay $10 - $20 in parking to photograph one song, and risk having 10k in gear stolen out of my car in order to write a concert review (without pay) to support an artist who does not want me there.

Audition Training Images at Kings Island

Audition Training Images at Kings Island

I often tell clients that come in for portrait and headshot photography, it does not matter what they wear as long as it makes them feel comfortable. It will show in their facial features and create the best imagery possible. I realize, the same holds true for me. If I have it in the back of my mind that I should be doing some other photography rather than the assignment in front of me, I’m not going to get the best imagery possible either.

Indian Run Falls: Proposal Photography

Indian Run Falls: Proposal Photography

In order to keep the surprise, we moved forward with the proposal, but the photos did need some extra retouching. There is a lot of AI tools to choose from to retouch photos. I tend to stay in Photoshop with a modest array of AI tools that help me keep the integrity of my focal points.

Inniswood Metro Garden: Engagement Gallery

From time to time, I like to display galleries, so other clients know exactly what to expect from their session. I always shoot a little dark to ensure that when editing in post-production, all pixels have information that can be edited. This is the end result of a professional photography session at the best floral park locations in the Columbus area taken earlier this month in Columbus, OH.

Park of Roses: Planning a Proposal Session

I interact with you and bring out the best I can for the best photography. I help calm nerves, and creates candid reactions that are worthy of a photograph.,That’s the kind of support I offer when photographing weddings … and proposals!

Photographing the Lifetown Luncheon Event at the Greater Columbus Convention Center

Over the past 2 years, for one of my clients, I have been the event photographer for more than 20 events. When I first worked these events for them, they used to tell me what to expect at the event and I was given direction on what they’re hoping to capture. They would request I show up a little early and maybe even give me a little direction as to how to get the shots.

Photographing Talent for Kings Island: Camp Snoopy's Beagle Scout Acres

It is similar to wedding photography or event photography, but with some limitations. With wedding photography, you should be allowed to capture everyone at the ceremony and reception in the moment. With this type of photography you’re only allowed to capture the likeness of people if they agree to signing a waiver.

Learning the Hard Way — SEO and business profile listings

On April 3, 2024, I received an email from Google that said tehy had disabled my business listing for the reason that the “Business Did Not Exist”. Right, right. Nice try scammers. Fast forward 6 weeks and I’m having a conversation with my wife about how the market must just be slow and that people may not have the budget for photos right now. I’m making about half as much as I was in each of the last 3 years since the pandemic.

Studio Portraits with Mike H

Studio Portraits with Mike H

I understand if you have gone to a photography studio before, every photographer sets up their own individual process. It can be even scarier when you’ve never been to a photographer before. I also know from my own experience as a photographer that I don’t know what to expect either from client to client.

Editorial Photography for nikkei.com in Upper Arlington, Ohio

Google has declared that my business does not exist. This means I do not exist online when someone is looking for a professional photographer in the Columbus area. I currently have no listing or reviews, so while I try to fix their viewpoint, I’m, once again, taking every assignment that comes my way.

Commercial photography at Kings Island: Snoopy Soap Box Racers

It was the hottest day of the year so far, but that didn’t stop me from getting the shot from atop a 10’ foot ladder. The coaster is surprisingly fast at the beginning as it literally ramps up. These commercial photography sessions are always a lot of fun because I love capturing the action and I have a 20-year background in marketing!

Event Photography for Berne Union High School in Sugar Grove, Ohio

Event photography allows me to showcase my talents as a fly-on-the-wall-photographer capturing great candid moments for a very important day, even if the graduating class is only 55 people. It is a great opportunity for me to be invited back year after year for my business, but it also helps me check myself.

Completing the Process: The Cybertronic Spree

I returned to these images several months later to realize, I might be able to make it work. Most of the images were backlight with a flood of blue from the front. If I went the usual route for editing these photos, I could not publish them.

Getting the Shot: P!nk

 The RAW file was dark and grainy. I needed to back out of the blue and add in some pink. First I adjusted the levels in Camera Raw, just like you would also do in Lightroom classic. I almost always leave the shadows alone. I used to be afraid of the dark, but now I embrace it like a sith lord.

Sports Photography at the OSU Horseshoe

Sports Photography at the OSU Horseshoe

Certainly not the first time I’ve photographed during an OSU game, but it was the first time I was allowed to photograph in the horseshoe during an OSU game. The first time I shot on campus during an OSU game was for Home Depot a sponsor for ESPN College Gameday. When you’re photographing for a sponsor rather than for the media as an editorial photographer, you may sometimes get special privileges.

The Fox and the Bear

If you’re in the US and looking to book a consultation, engagement, couples, or wedding photography with Harry Acosta Photography, you can schedule your session here!

Photographing for Wagyu Beef Day!

Photographers, hold firm in what you are willing to do and make it an official policy, Be consistant with everyone. Make it part of your brand or it could damage your business. Steve has contacted me about another photo session since, but I declined. It wasn’t too complicated, I was already booked.

P+ G Pitch in Cincinnati

If you’re in Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton or Cleveland, OH and looking to book event or marketing photography with Harry Acosta Photography, you can schedule your session here!