Conversations with Ciprian Boitor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ciprian Boitor.

Hi Ciprian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started doing photography about 3 years ago. I love all types of art and wanted to try my hand at digital photography. I love interacting with people and getting to know more about them. Photography gave me a venue to learn about people and capture them at their best. I experimented with various types of photography including wedding, family, and pet photography. Through this process I learned a lot about myself and what I wanted to do with photography. I remember doing wedding photography and not really connecting with the medium. The fast-pace and working with large groups did not connect with my style. Of course there are memorable moments. I will never forget being at a wedding, taking pictures when suddenly one of the guests tripped and did a belly flop onto the ground, narrowly missing falling directly onto a small child! I discovered that I enjoyed the slower, reflective pace of individual photography. I am a deeply reflective person, an introvert who loves to read and loves a good story.

I eventually settled on headshot photography as a wonderful way to tell someone’s story. This medium allows me to provide highly personalized photos that bring out the essence of the person. Most people tense up when a camera is pointed at them and provide a forced, grimace that pretends to be a smile. My job is to make the person feel comfortable and really enjoy the process. I have a natural curiosity and truly enjoy getting to know the person that I am photographing. Yes, the technical expertise of lighting, positioning and other aspects of the craft are very important but even more so is that personal connection that allows me to connect with another human being and showcase their personality. That is what I am after. We all have an innate need to connect and headshot photography is a perfect way to create that connection.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a very rewarding journey. I have loved all aspects of the experience. I took online classes to constantly hone my craft and talked to other photographers. Photography like any art requires a lot of practice and patience. I think one of the challenges is that it is easy to get lost in the mechanics of the photography and not move beyond that to connecting with the individual. We live in a disconnected culture and people have a longing and need to be truly seen and heard. I make it a point to really slow down and make sure that I understand what is truly important to the person that I am working with. It is not simply about taking a picture; it is about telling their story.

One of the biggest challenges has been getting client referrals. I have used several online platforms to get referrals and those can be pretty frustrating when they do not result in getting to work with clients. I have learned to network and get my name out there organically. I have also built my own website to better showcase my work and allow potential clients an avenue of reaching out to me. I have really enjoyed learning about marketing and networking because doing headshot photography, like any endeavor, is about so much more than snapping a picture. I am a lifelong student and love the thrill of learning something new and getting really good at all aspects of that field.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in headshot photography. I have a natural curiosity and love to make the person laugh and feel at ease. I explain the process and engage the client in meaningful conversation about their own life. For my most recent headshot session I got to speak with an aspiring actor. He shared parts of his life and what led him to audition for the upcoming final installment of the fast and furious franchise. I have also done headshot photography for a local musician and encouraged her to sing one of her songs during the photoshoot to allow her to connect to the session and be herself. This allowed for an organic expression of who she was as a person that was reflected in the final product. I love creativity and look for ways to bring out what is unique about the person. In this fast paced world I like to take my time to make sure that the photos tell the story of the person I get the privilege of working with. I make it a point to connect with the person by sharing a bit about my life as well. I love talking about my beautiful wife and three awesome kids as well as my faith in Jesus Christ. These are the things things that I am passionate about and love to share with others. Photography is about telling the person’s story and it is very important for me to build trust so the person that I am working with knows that I will tell their story accurately.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Everyone has a unique story and wants to be seen. I think that eye contact is incredibly important because the eyes communicate where the person is looking and what they are interested in. Think about the a mother and child looking at one another, for example. That interaction communicates a sense of trust, complete attention and love for the child. Of course when the mother is upset at what the child has done she can stare daggers directly into the soul of the child as only mothers can 🙂 My point is that eye contact communicates deeply with the other person. My job is to invite the person to allow themselves to be seen via this medium of headshot photography. It is my responsibility and pleasure to tell that persons story in a way that reflects who they are. We face a lot of pressure to put on masks and hide to fit in. I think it takes a lot of courage to allow yourself to be seen for who you are. It is your story to tell the world and I want to make sure it is told properly, with elegance and honesty.

Through this process of becoming a photographer, I have gained the confidence that I can journey from a simple idea to the unbelievable satisfaction of seeing that idea come to life in the form of headshot photography. This incredible adventure has laid the foundation for my next venture. I am on the cusp of starting a non-profit group home in the Nashville area. My dream is to create a Christ-Centered group-home for teen boys that provides them and their families with the support they need to heal and have the tools to mature into healthy young adults. I get to use many of the skills that I have learned through my headshot photography work and apply them to this new adventure. I know that I can’t do it alone and I am grateful for God’s leading and the collaboration of a close group of friends and soon to be board of directors. My hope is that I can incorporate headshot photography into this group home by teaching the youth photography skills, among the many supports and resources that I want to wrap around these vulnerable youth. The non-profit will be called Kingdom Treasures because each child is a priceless treasure that deserves to know their true worth.

Pricing:

• $120 Headshot Photography

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ccboitor.wixsite.com/boitorphotography-1