Secrets and whisperer are a couple of words that mesh beautifully. The knowledge of secrets is integral to the existence of a “Whisperer.” Indeed it follows, a whisperer is much more than a person who whispers. In the Robert Redford movie, “The Horse Whisperer,” the term “whisperer” indicated a mastery of the secret language of horses.
Secrets: At the Heart of the “Whisperer” Society
Couple’s Comfort Zone- Special Place & Setting.
In fact, the Free Dictionary defines the term as “a person who is able to tame or control animals. He does so, especially by talking to them in gentle tones: a horse whisperer.” Yes, at first the secrets did belong to the animal experts. Then the term became indicative of the mastery of any art or science. As a result, the expert talents of Sterling Photography International is evident.
Other adorable examples would be the “Bass Whisperer,” and the “Whitetail Whisperer.” (By the way, we are relieved to note that the Whitetail Whisperer hunts with cameras. But read on to see how portrait artist J.R. Sterling has become a whisperer.) We have heard of a “Violin Whisperer,” a “Sailboat Whisperer,” and a “Tennis Whisperer.” And you might have met the Automobile Whisperer. He is that brilliant shade-tree mechanic who diagnoses a car more accurately than any computer.
Secrets of the Portrait Whisperer
Very quickly, the term became popular for any type of expertise that could help human beings. Whisperers are the wizards of the 21st century. Whisperers are coaches, gurus and experts. And they know how to speak the secrets of shared languages. A Portrait Whisperer is a photographer that makes you feel comfortable with the camera, the pose, the situation of creating your modern portrait. Quite often the tennis coach or the violin maestro will work one-on-one. He works much like the photographer who creates your individual headshot or portrait. However, any photographer will tell you it can be far more difficult to capture the essence of two or three or more humans together than one person.
Secrets of Style, Technique and Communication
Experience and education give a photographer clues and secrets for working with twosomes. Photography for couples has become a specialty all its own.
Secret Number 1 of the “E-Sesh”
Special Moment Inspired by Engagement “Whisperer”
Modern couples look longingly at magazine-style layouts of romance, style, authenticity and adventure. And Sterling knows it. As an experienced photographer for modeling portfolios and commercial shoots, he knows the fashionable journalist “look” of the moment.
Secrets of the Great Communicator
Likewise, one of his biggest secrets for photographing couples is the art of communication. He can evoke the emotion and style that will tell a couple’s unique story. And the resulting photographs will lack that cookie cutter appearance typified by so many engagement shooters.
On the one hand, Sterling creates unique and creative moments. As the great photographer, Edward Steichen, once said,”Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man.”
On the other hand, Sterling also knows couples want to please parents and grandparents with simple old-school style formal shots of smiles at the camera.
Secrets of the Science of Technology and the Majesty of Light
Sterling Photography is far from being trapped between glossy glamour and classic traditions. Sterling knows how to mix it up to keep stiffness out of either kind of image. He has complete
command over his equipment, mastery of his technology. Camera skills come naturally to him, freeing him to “whisper” to the people who are his subjects. (Remember, this type of whispering has nothing to do with volume.)
And all of his images show his respect for gorgeous light, and how to use it, manipulate it. He uses it to flatter every couple, no matter what their body type or unique features might be.
At Sterling Photography, we know that all the camera technique in the world won’t help a photographer who cannot communicate with the couple. He is there to document a couple’s relationship, commitment and even passion. And yet those are very intimate things. One might even say secrets.
Exploring the Secrets of a Couple’s Comfort Zone, With Each Other– and With Romance.
Engagements offer Special “Alone” Moments.
Sterling believes he can find a couple’s secret magic. He uses the intonation of his voice, the force of his energy, and the confidence of his personality. Once a couple is relaxed, he knows it’s up to him to capture their magic. And sometimes simple directing and prompting will create that magic spell. Simple words like “Look at her.” Or “Look up at him”can be worth 1,000 pictures.
Under his guidance, even introverted couples quite often surprise themselves. And they surprise each other as the moments touch their souls. Sometimes the very couple who expresses reluctance at kissing or hugging in photographs becomes the couple who mysteriously can’t hold back spontaneous embraces. Many of the impulse moments become poses in their portrait story. Sometimes the very couple who fears to smile, cannot stop laughing with sheer joy at Sterling’s “E-Sesh.”
By the way, you probably already know. But just in case you don’t, an “E-Sesh” is 21st-century slang for “Engagement Session.” And Sterling loves to create them. He creates the Couple’s “E-Sesh,” not only for formally engaged couples, but for anniversary couples, best friends and lovers who might not ever marry.
It does not require a diamond or a Wedding Date. Any couple can have a Sterling “E-Sesh.” The only requirement is that you want to share your magic at this certain place in your time. As Ansel Adams said, “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving…”
