2008 MPPA Photographer of the Year
click here to see the winning portfolio
All images on this site Copyright Robert Akers Photography 2008
Maine Photographer
Robert Akers
Photography is many things to many people. For some it is a way of keeping the family records, a family history if you will.
Each birthday, family gathering and holiday are photographed and placed in an album or box. Then they are carefully
stored away in a drawer, cabinet or attic. These pictures really do tell the family history, but why are the put away in storage
never to be seen again? The answer is not really that easy. In fact, it could be many different reasons. Lets look at some
ideas about why. The picture of Johnny on his fifth birthday really shows that terrific smile and the sparkle in his eye. It is to
bad the sparkle in his eye is a flash that was so bright now the whole side of his face is white. When the family picture was taken
in the back yard, Dad used the timer on the camera and he is in the picture too. We love this picture because the kids were so cute
at 4 and 5 years old. If only we could have figured out how to keep the dark shadows out of every ones eyes, oh and not get
those shiny spots on our foreheads. We would have definitely put this one on the wall.
Today it is even easier to take pictures than any other time in history. With digital cameras you can take a picture, download it
to your computer and print it out in ten minutes or less. Wow how great is that! So why doesn't every one have great pictures
all over their house? Probably the same reason every one doesn't make their own clothes. Any one can go to a store and buy a
sewing machine and some cloth. Just like buying a camera and some film (or a flash card). The answer is skill and talent.
Lets talk about the skill first. The skill in photography means having and understanding of light along with the tools to capture
it on film or a ccd. However to complete the process I believe there must be talent, an artistic element. Something
that makes a picture of a person or animal or house more than just what it is. When a picture tells a story and\or invokes an emotional
response, it then begins the transition from a picture to a work art. So if you put a camera, a craftsman and the artist together, what you
end up with is a photographer.
This is why at Robert Akers Photography we create the "Art of your Life". Hi my name as you may have guessed is Robert Akers. I have
been taking pictures here in Maine for almost 30 years. I have been a photographer for about the last eight years. I made the transition
from picture taker to photographer when I began to understand light. It was at this time the images I created began to come to life.
So I began to educate myself with the camera and the art. I attend seminars, worked with other professionals, joined photographic
associations, and had my work critiqued by master photographers. I studied artistic composition, artistic lighting, and color,
not to mention traveling around the U.S. to learn from the best photographers in the country. Now as a member of the Professional
Photographers of America and The Maine Professional Photographers Association I continue to learn and grow. Having won both local
and national awards for work done for my clients, I am encouraged to strive for excellence with my camera. My goal is to give you
pictures you can put on the wall that will tell the story of your family with grace and beauty.
Family Beach Portraits
So let me tell you a little more about the type of work I do. One of my specialties is Family Beach Portraits and we are doing
more and more every year. People love pictures on the beach. Here in Southern Maine we have some of the most beautiful
coastline in the world. A family beach portrait will include beautiful environmental portraits, individuals, and groups. Best of
all you are included in the planning of the location, clothing and choice of groupings. So why are these portraits getting so
popular with us? It's Fun. I can't tell you how many people tell me they hate having their picture taken. However, after
a beach session they are telling me how great it was. Why? The reason is very simple. Most experiences of people having
a professional picture taken was something like this. They get all dressed up, sometimes in clothes that are not the most
comfortable. Then they are asked to pose in ways that don't feel natural or comfortable. And finally they are asked
to smile in their uncomfortable clothes and uncomfortable pose. This is not what I do! So if you want to know what I do
give me a call.
Senior Portraits
Senior Portraits are something I really like doing. Because I get to work out of the box more than normal. Seniors want
to show off their personalities and interests. Most of the time they don't want their picture to be a cookie cutter of
what everyone else is doing. They want to be different. They want to look great, so everyone else will notice. This
is exactly the type of senior I want to photograph. Senior Portrait Sessions are designed around the interests of the
senior. Sports, Music, Careers and Hobbies are often included in the huge variety of images I make. When it is all done
making the decision of what image to use often a difficult one to make.
Children's Portraits
I am constantly amazed at the expressions of children. Innocent smiles to painful tears, and everything in between.
The true joy of play and learning and finally the bonds of love with parents and siblings. The images we get from these
sessions are some of the most cherished portraits we do. Parents will often talk of how much their child has grown since the
last time they had their picture taken. They tell me things like Johnny was so three in those pictures. As we all know Johnny will
never be three again. But the pictures we took will be there to remind us of how much fun three was. There is one more thing
I love about children's portraits. Innocence! Maybe it's the smile, maybe it's the big eyes, I wish I could tell you more about
what I mean by this. But as a parents, most of you understand.
Weddings
Maine weddings are so great. O.K. wedding's every where are great. But they are so much work. For everybody. So why
do I do them. Wedding photography for me is telling a story of the greatest day in some ones life. Well, two someones lives.
After I am done I can go though all of the pictures and relive everything through the images. I can see the anticipation in
the brides eyes when she was getting ready. I can remember how the groom was shaking when he was placing the ring on her
finger. The center pieces on the tables were magnificent. And how much fun the bride and groom had with all of their friends
dancing around them. It's a great story. Best of all, I get to tell the story with my images.