[Ken Bracewell]

Are there any professional photographers out there? We are preparing to produce a brochure and need to supplement some of the pictures which were taken previously.
We're currently in Florida, but would prefer to shoot something the first week of August in Newport, RI.
Thanks,
Ken

[Loren Schweizer]

There are many in Fort Lauderdale.
One guy who seems to be awfully busy is Mike Whitt.

[JWY]

I have used Mike Whitt and highly recommend him. Be sure to get heli shots

[brunick]

i photograph !

just for myself but you can see some pictures here: http://jannick.deviantphoto.de/

but it would be a long trip to the US "just" for some picture

take a good photograph at the place you're at, there should be a lot of them

regards jannick

[yachtbrokerguy]

Here is another vote for Mike Whitt. Besides doing hundreds of yachts already, his wife is the director of the Florida Yacht Brokers Association and his son owns Vona Signs, which specializes in boat names. Now there is a family that is in the marine industry.

[Ken Bracewell]

Hey guys. Thanks for all the input. I've used Mike a few times in the past too and always found his work to be good. Two things though:

-No offense to Mike, but so many of today's (and last decade's) brochures look like THAT brochure. OK- _nice scenery_place said boat here_ bottle of champagne in a bucket on the bed_graciously smiling stewardess serving a croissant_waterskiing or snorkelling picture_etc. I'll bet you get the picture. To me THAT brochure conjures images of looking at a brochure while sitting in my living room at home. It doesn't conjure images of yachting.

I am hoping to avoid production of THAT brochure. I've got a dozen of them from past boats collecting dust in my office closet and find them uninspiring. Even when I show them to my non-yachting friends, they lose interest after the first couple of books. I'm talking about everday Joe's that should be awed with each one! Again, no particular offense is meant toward Mike, but I would like someone who can think outside the proverbial box.

- I am also looking to supplement some of the Bahamas photos we already have with some New England shots and some aerials. That being said, I would ideally be interested in someone in Newport. Onne Vanderwal has come to mind but I think he may be $$$$$.

I am going to work with Mimi Steadman on production.

Thanks again Forum!

[AMG]

I don´t know any of the photographers you are mentioning, but as an ex-boat-photographer myself I know what you mean.

BUT, in my experience this happens because the clients usually ask for it! I bet any of the mentioned guys would love to work in a more exciting manner, B&W or whatever if you just ask them!

It is the same as with John Munford and all his classic mahogany yacht interiors, I know he loves to make more contemporary interiors as well, but the clients still come to him for the classics...

[YachtForums]

This discussion took an interesting turn. I agree the photographic settings appear to be duplicated from one boat to the next, but how could it be done differently? Would it be better to have people included in shots? Or make the settings less formal? Westport just finished the 164' photo-shoot in Mexico, in which they used the scenery to convey a sense of adventure and possibility. Here's an example...

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by YachtForums

Would it be better to have people included in shots?

That is something I've often wondered about. It seems that almost nobody ever wants their yachts to looked "enjoyed". This goes for many magazine features as well. Most reviews looks like something from Star Trek, where the crew beam down to a colony only to find it completely devoid of life. Everything is there, except for the people to enjoy it.

Not everyone is like that, but it seems the majority would rather show "still life" instead of "real live".

Originally Posted by YachtForums

Westport just finished the 164' photo-shoot in Mexico, in which they used the scenery to convey a sense of adventure and possibility. Here's an example...

Definitely something different. At least it's not another picture of perfect white beaches, palm trees, and beautiful aqua-blue waters. Not that there's anything wrong with that... but it's already been done.

[JWY]

Originally Posted by YachtForums

Would it be better to have people included in shots? Or make the settings less formal? Westport just finished the 164' photo-shoot in Mexico...

Nice shot of the Westport. I agree about the sterile, unused look of the yachts in brochures. They look more like a recommendation for the stewardess. The good news is that the industry has for the most part gotten away from the "lounging chics" as part of the boat decor.

I vote for environmental shots. However, I once ran a full page ad (in a well known international yachting magazine) of an expedition yacht in which my graphic artist placed a picture of the 81' vessel in the midst of a 40' wave in a hurricane, and I did not get one phone call. It was a great piece of art but was unfortunately an experiment that did not work for imparting my message.

BTW, my recommendation for Mike Whitt was based on helicopter shots of yachts at sea that I have requested on behalf of clients. Both clients and I were pleased.

[outmywindow]

Most Brochures are created for Yacht Charter purposes, therefore you need to sell the; lifestyle, dream, adventure, toys, exotic ports etc.
Just having pictures of a Yacht says nothing.