| home : news : houston/russia | June 29, 2010 |
| 6/25/2010 8:57:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | |||
By Terry Pellman Staff Writer RUSSIA - A Russia-area woman is on her way to expanding her own business in photography. "Cindy Saunders Pics" is the result of a mother's desire to capture memories of her own children's early days. Now Cindy Saunders is finding herself in increasing demand to do the same for others who wish to have important moments preserved. Saunders explained, "I've always been one of those people who always had a camera with me." When she became a mother, Saunders found - like many new parents - taking pictures of a child was an enjoyable thing to do, attempting to catch each new thing the child would do. She laughs when thinking how often her second child had to "get dressed up" frequently to serve as the subject of Saunders' blossoming avocation, as she was starting to hear encouraging comments from friends and relatives who saw her photographs. Those acquaintances were impressed with the images and began to emphasize to Saunders that she possessed a definite talent for photography. Soon she was experimenting with settings, using sheets and pillows for backgrounds. She knew that she was on to something when the comments revealed that others looking at her photos thought they had been done in a studio. After having four children, Saunders decided two years ago, "It's the time to do it." She was taking photos for relatives when she was asked to do a senior photo shoot for a friend's graduating student, an event she described as "a big door opening." She agreed to take the photos but with the understanding that the friend should have a back-up plan. She knew she had done well with family photos, but she still lacked the confidence to go beyond relatives. However, the results were positive, and Saunders thoroughly enjoyed the experience. By word of mouth and a banner on the Russia-oriented website The Fish Report, more work came her way. Now she is working for people she did not previously know, doing all kinds of photography. Much of her work is local, but some also involves doing photos for businesses outside the immediate area. Saunders can be reached at 295-4077, or by e-mail at contact@ cindysaunderspics.com. She also has a website at cindysaunderspics.com. You can also see samples of her work on Facebook on the Cindy Saunders Pics page. Saunders finds subject matter everywhere: "People inspire me to take pictures." She explained that when she looks at people, she envisions the kind of photo that would be possible. The work is fun for Saunders. She even stresses to potential clients that the shoot should be fun, and that she may not conduct the shoot in a style in which they are accustomed. She has found that subjects may not realize that the manner in which Saunders may have them pose will result in such unique images and expressions: "The more I'm with them, the more they inspire me." One of her favorite shoots involved a senior photo for a boy who had an artistic streak of his own. He was scheduled for his photos on a 24-degree day ("He was such a trouper"), but followed through on having his pictures taken outdoors: the results were captivating. Saunders enjoys senior photos in general. She finds seniors to be great subjects, as they are energetic and ready to forge their own way in life. Her goal is to capture that burgeoning sense of freedom on camera: "This is the one time you get to be a free as you want." She is looking forward to an upcoming senior picture shoot in which old buildings in Piqua will serve as the background. Through doing some work for a Dayton-area business, Saunders came to associate with a woman from Illinois who has worked as a model for many years. The model is readying a Chicago display of her images, and Saunders was asked to do photos for the event. She admits to being "teary-eyed" upon being asked to do the shoot. Most of Saunders' work is done on location, according to the needs of the client. However, she does have a studio in Covington, for those who prefer a more traditional setting and as a backup for bad weather. The studio is located in a section of a building shared with Above and Beyond Salon on High Street, complete with a display window. Saunders feels that one's home is a good setting, because people take so much care to make their homes a positive reflection of themselves. On the other hand, outdoor photography is her favorite, due to the natural appearance the sun and other elements provide for people. Track and field photos are becoming a growing interest for her. She is hoping to expand her work in that area, and enhance those action photos with an artistic aura. Such photos also require the photographer to find the best position from which to shoot, whether that be lying on the ground or standing on a fence. Saunders says that people sometimes laugh at the lengths she will go to get just the right angle for a picture. Saunders also does wedding photos, allowing her to have some involvement in a long-term interest in wedding planning. She has found that all details of a wedding are of great interest to her. She also enjoys taking pictures of vehicles, and looks forward to doing more. She is planning to try some motorcycle photos. Saunders loves doing black and white: "You really see people's true emotions." She feels that in some cases, colors distract from the actual subjects of the photo. This is especially the case in baby photos, in which the child's small features are more vivid in black and white in comparison to color. Most of the advertising she does is in black and white, as are most of the photos she displays on her blog. Saunders was born in Kingston, Ontario, but she graduated from Graham Local High School. Her husband Rob is chief of maintenance for the Midmark Corp. jet aircraft. Saunders knows that she is a perfectionist. She says, "I pray before I go each time, and say, 'This is going to be good'." She adds, "There's just no aspect I don't love." Saunders said she has told people, "I am like a kid in a candy store. I love it that much." | ||||
