bwuphoto.com

Feb. 1—Most everybody has a camera these days and the ability to capture any moment they may prefer. But often those pictures have a short life span, earning a moment on social media or perhaps forgotten in a digital cloud.

Lindsey Miller wants to take pictures of her clients that last a lifetime, that are framed and hang in family rooms and are passed from one generation to the next.

“My goal is to ultimately create artwork that they will love and cherish for the rest of their lives,” she said. “That might be an album. It might be something for their nursery. The sky is the limit.”

Miller recently opened up studio space above Pear Tree Gallery, 331 E. Market St., and is ready to work with families and individuals in need of portraits or those looking for commercial photography options such as real estate or branding.

Miller found her love of photography while working in marketing and social media. Her husband saw her passion and bought her a camera for her birthday.

She started taking photos for her friends and when she reached a point in her career where she was ready to try something new, photography was the answer.

“Since I had already started growing my photography side it just made since for that to be my next venture,” she said.

Lindsey Miller Portraits became an official business in August 2021. During warm weather she was able to be outside with her clients but then found herself inviting them into her home during the winter months.

When she decided to have an official studio space, a friend told her to reach out to Teri and Tom Partridge, owners of Pear Tree Gallery. They had space upstairs, they told her, but described it as raw. What Miller found waiting for her was perfect.

“I walked up here and I thought ‘this is really cool’,” she said. “Teri Partridge was my art teacher when I was 10 years old (at Columbia Middle School). I thought that was so cool to grow up and work in the same building as her. I just loved (the space) as soon as I came in here.”

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Miller also said another positive aspect of working above Pear Tree Gallery is the fact that the art store offers so many framing options. Until moving into the space, Miller was only able to offer her customers canvas prints. Now, she can partner with Teri and Tom Partridge and provide everything from photography, prints and framing in one building.

Miller found that many people who work with photographers—or even do the photography on their own—often ended up with digital photo files that never got printed. She wanted to step in and help those needing pictures while also removing a lot of the extra work such as printing and framing.

“What I offer is more of a full-service type of experience,” she said. “Instead of me taking their pictures and just sending them the files to figure out what to do with, I meet with them. We create a session theme that matches their personality and matches what they want for their home.”

Based on the time she takes to get to know the people she is photographing, she’s able to come up with creative ideas that captures her subjects’ personalities and interests.

She also takes care of orders and framing so that a customer has a piece to hang in their home without a hassle.

Miller said there are those who want to have a quick experience that is wrapped up in a small amount of time, but she looks for customers who want to invest time in the project. If the project includes children, that’s a bonus.

“The crazier the kids are the more fun shots we get,” she said. “High schoolers are fun, too. They are a little more reserved than little kids but I love to shoot them. And, of course, families as well. But I would definitely say my favorites are kids.”

Miller will put several weeks into a photography shoot. One week she meets with her clients to learn what they are looking for, who they are and what interests them and to make sure everyone feels comfortable together.

From there, she will begin working with the clients to build a photoshoot, discussing clothing, settings and other options with them. Then it’s time to take the pictures.

“I think a great photo is something that shows the emotion of someone with their family,” she said. “That’s kind of my job to pull that out of them.”

Because of her commitment to her clients, Miller only takes a limited number of customers each month. She said it’s best book in advance if a photo is needed by a certain time.

She also advises those looking for a photographer to consider how personalities match up, what their needs are (Something fast? Something meant to last generations?) and what they are willing to do on their own (printing and framing?).

But if someone is looking for a family keepsake, a captured moment of emotion, Miller is the photographer for them.

For more information, photo samples and tips on setting up a shoot, visit lindseymillerportraits.com. Miller is available for social media and marketing consulting.

Arri and Rotolight have reached an agreement in their legal dispute over the latter’s CineSFX special effects patent, the companies have announced.

Arri has agreed a settlement with the UK-based lighting manufacturer and no longer contests Rotolight’s patents. According to a joint official statement from the two firms:

“ARRI has agreed to a settlement with Rotolight, relating to Rotolight’s cinematic special effects “CineSFX®” patent portfolio in the US, UK, and Europe. ARRI no longer contests the validity of Rotolight’s patents and has withdrawn its Inter Partes Review in the US accordingly. Simultaneously, Rotolight has withdrawn its US District patent court action against ARRI. All ARRI products will continue to be offered as always. ARRI and Rotolight respect intellectual property and value fair competition”.

The dispute began back in 2021 when Arri objected to a number of patents Rotolight was awarded for its CineSFX and Magic Eye effects, claiming they weren’t new technology but rather refinements of Arri’s own inventions. Rotolight disagreed, stating that it developed its technologies internally with the help of Emmy-winning visual FX artist Stefan Lange.

Rotolight also found itself playing defence last year over the same patents in lawsuits filed by Vitec (now Videndum), which is the parent company of brands such as Manfrotto, Lowepro, Gitzo, Joby and Litepanels, the latter of which also disputed Rotolight’s claim to its technology.

Rod Aaron Gammons, CEO, Rotolight, said: “Rotolight invests millions each year into research and development in order to bring its customers the latest in lighting technology and innovation. However, such investments can only be made with the knowledge that those investments and the intellectual property, which underpins them will be respected. We are therefore pleased to have reached a settlement with ARRI, and shall continue to take all steps necessary to protect our intellectual property from ongoing infringement. In so doing, this will allow us to continue to invest in bringing industry-first innovations to market. Any other infringing companies should now proactively approach Rotolight directly, to secure a licensing agreement on reasonable commercial terms.”