The Unzueta family. Photo courtesy of Amy Grimme Photography

Ginger Unzueta is a mother of three and part of a Marine family living in Central Florida. Ginger’s passion for life shines in her photographs, which capture some of life’s most precious moments. Her family and child portraits are stunning thanks to fantastic work with natural light, but it’s the photos Ginger snaps during military family reunions that simply leap from the screen.

My first camera was…
A point and shoot model I had as a child.  I really don’t remember a time in my life that I didn’t have a camera. My first “real” camera was a Canon SLR. I was enamored with all of its capabilities in comparison to a point and shoot. After we had our first child, we bought a DSLR Canon Rebel. I currently shoot with a Nikon d700.

Photo by Ginger Unzueta



I got started in child and family photography because…
I wanted to share this God given talent with other parents. I realized not all families had the resources or time to capture the everyday moments of loved ones. I cherish these moments because time with our children goes by much too quickly. I feel like it is so important to record these events with your family and to “get in” the pictures, too. I need to be better about that myself.

I wanted to become a photographer because…
I don’t remember consciously ever deciding to become a photographer. I feel like it has always been a part of who I am. After we had our first daughter, I knew that I didn’t want to forget all of the milestones and amazing every day moments. I knew I had a lot more to learn to capture the type of images I was longing for. I began reading and studying and shooting as much as I could.

Photo by Ginger Unzueta

I would describe my style or shooting philosophy as…
Real, authentic, and a bit nostalgic. I am a lover of gorgeous light. I love sun and haze. I want my photographs to tell a story. I want them to evoke emotion and to inspire families to continue to make such loving memories together.

Some of my industry role models are…
This question is hard. There are so many amazing people in this industry. I can’t say that I have studied any one photographer and dream to be like them, rather, my hope has been to evolve into my own style. Over the last year, I’ve been involved with a forum called the Bloom Forum. I can’t say enough wonderful things about the moderators and members. It is an awesome place for growth and encouragement. In addition, I recently participated in a workshop called Finding the Light. This was an amazing two months for me. The techniques and knowledge I gained on natural lighting were phenomenal.

Photo by Ginger Unzueta

I think photography is important because…
We never get today back. It is a way to save all of those memories and, in an essence, re-live them over and over again.

One family I photographed that I’ll never forget was…
My friend’s reunion with her husband after his 10-month deployment to the Middle East. I knew firsthand the feelings she was experiencing. There is such a surge of emotions from nervousness, relief, and thanksgiving. There are not enough words to describe the surge of emotions both the deployed loved one and the family that’s been home are feeling. Capturing such a “real” and “intimate” reunion will allow for them to reflect years down the road on this life-changing experience in addition to sharing with generations of family to come. It is pretty amazing!

Photo by Ginger Unzueta

The one thing I want my child and family photographs to communicate to deployed mothers or fathers is…
I want each photo to be a vivid reminder that family members are back home waiting for them and that, most importantly, they love and support them. Throughout my husband’s several deployments to the Middle East, he always cherished receiving photos of our family. No matter how difficult or busy his days were, seeing photos of the children and me made “everything” just fine for a short few moments. Although thousands of miles away, he was with us again as he viewed each picture…priceless!

A dream gig would be…
My husband and I have always said we’d love to go on a mission trip together. What a privilege it would be to capture photos of families in other cultures. There are so many people around the globe that have never seen themselves through photographs. This would be an incredible gift to share.

Photo by Ginger Unzueta

Mount your iPad with the Tether Tools Wallee Connect for video calibration.

Tether Tools gear isn’t just ideal for shooting still photography – there are various ways to put our workstation solutions to use when shooting video as well:

• Tether Tables – Having a laptop workstation on set is ideal for production managers who want a portable working solution to access files, update scripts, develop editing notes and keep an all-around organized workflow going for the crew.
• Studio Vu – Viewing footage on a monitor for the crew to see is important when on a film set. The Studio Vu allows you to mount any monitor to an existing c-stand.

Connect your iPad to the camera via the Connect Bracket and Zacuto Adapter for use as a teleprompter.

• Wallee iPad Mounts – Using the iPad as a teleprompter, clap board, time keeper, set reference chart, or complete video planner? Then you’ll need a place to mount the iPad to your film gear. The Wallee iPad system offers complete video integration using various options – our Zacuto Adapter for Wallee or the Easy Grip System used with the Wallee Connect.  And Tether Tools new Connect Light makes it easy and simple to mount the iPad within a film production setting.
• StrapMoore – When it comes to cable organization and keeping gear from getting damaged, the StrapMoore is just about the best grip friend you can imagine. Keep powerbricks attached to camera stands, prevent cords from dragging or getting caught under rolling stands, or simply use it to keep anything you need nearby.

Use the StrapMoore to keep powerbricks, cords and cables from getting caught under-foot or under rolling camera stands.

Want to see all of these solutions in action? Tether Tools will be at the 2012 NAB SHOW April 16-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center showcasing workstation solutions for video and film. Be sure to stop by the B&H Photo-Video-ProAudio Booth #C11022.

Photo by Richard Vier

Once a Las Vegas car salesman, Richard Vier returned to the mountains of Utah (where he was born) after two short years in the sales industry. A photographer’s playground, Utah’s capricious landscape is oftentimes the catalyst for long drives and spur-of-the-moment photo shoots for Richard, who didn’t pick up his first DSLR until after his second daughter was born. Primarily a portrait photographer, Richard’s main goal right now is to expand his commercial work.

My first camera was…
A Sony point and shoot, but I consider my first real camera to be my Canon EOS Rebel XT (350D).

I wanted to become a photographer because…
I originally bought the XT to take better pictures of my daughters. At the time I was a graphite portrait artist. Once I realized the creative possibilities that photography offers, I was done for.

Photo by Richard Vier

My first paying photography job was…
A wedding. I had taken family pictures for a good friend of mine and he knew a couple that was getting married and couldn’t afford a wedding photographer. He hired me as a wedding gift for them.

I would describe my style or shooting philosophy as…
Fluid. I always plan for each shoot. I have shots in mind and when possible, I scout locations and get a feel for lighting. But I quickly learned that a session never turns out exactly how I imagined it, and if I am aware of the lighting, focused on the moment, and open to the idea that a photo shoot is a collaborative effort between me and my subject, I will be surprised by the shots that become my favorite of the day. It’s the unexpected and organic nature of the craft that really feeds into my creativity during a shoot.

Photo by Richard Vier

Some of my industry role models are…
Two immediately come to mind, and I’m sure they are a familiar name to many who read this.  David DuChemin and Joe McNally. David is a visionary. His book, Within The Frame, is dripping with inspiration. The man showed me how much a portrait session is an intimate interaction between photographer and subject. How very personal and revealing a session can be. There is honesty in his work, a very human approach, and it makes an impact in his photos.  Then there’s Joe. He is a true student of light. After reading his work I realized just how much there is to learn about the color and nature of light. That has guided my most recent interest and I will be buying studio strobes to further expand my palette.

I knew there was no turning back when…
I noticed that I was viewing the world differently. There was a paradigm shift. I slowed down and started noticing things that just weren’t there before. Life is rich and full of color and beauty. I process things differently now. I am a better person because of photography.

Photo by Richard Vier

If I could choose one dream gig, it would be…
An assignment with David DuChemin. His work cuts straight to the heart of what makes a powerful photograph. I can’t imagine all the things I could learn from that man.

Before I got started in the industry, I wish somebody had told me…
Just how much of the business aspect of the craft I should learn. It has been a challenge getting things off the ground in that regard.

One thing no one could have ever prepared me for is…
The immense satisfaction that comes from taking a good picture. I never thought it would be so addictive. I haven’t picked up my graphite pencils since buying my first DSLR. There is always something new to learn. My next venture will take me away from available light and the limitations of a single speedlite into the creative opportunities that come from monoblocks.

Photo by Richard Vier

My favorite piece of gear is…
My camera, but that should be a given. Take away any lighting, the battery grip, the expensive L glass, tripod…any of it.  Give me my camera and even just the nifty fifty and I will still be able to feed into my creative appetite.

My current setup is…
Canon EOS 7D, Canon EFs 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro, Canon 400mm f/5.6L, Canon 430EXII, various reflectors, plus all the great Tether Tools, Manfrotto, ThinkTank, Wallee and EyeFi gear I was fortunate enough to win in the Tether Tools Top 20 contest.