Growing up I had watched my Father for years, sitting next to him as he worked in his darkroom developing black and white photographs taken with his 'Roliflex' and his 'Speedgraphic' cameras.
Then at 16 he bought me my first 'REAL' camera, a Mamiya Sekor 35mm. With this camera I began taking pictures of everything. Later that year I began taking photographs for the high school I went to in New Jersey. My photos were published in brochures the school used to promote their work release program for students. I began shooting news photos for three local newspapers in my area.
Three years later I bought a Hasselblad 500CM (2 1/4 square format) camera brand new for $800.00, and got a job with a local photography studio where I assisted the photographer/owner with weddings. This photographer was a master. He taught photography school at one of the better known photography schools in Philadelphia, PA., and I learned what would have been equal to a degree in photography without spending a dime. His studio shot three to four weddings every weekend. Every wedding was shot with two photographers using multiple strobes for all their wedding shots.
Today, I am still shooting weddings, as well as portraits, special events, school and graduation photos, but only now, I have moved from film to digital, and from dark rooms to computer screen. Wedding photography has evolved greatly since the 70's and so has the equipment. But, my objective has remained the same. That is to create the best possible photographic memories I can for my clients. Looking back at your wedding pictures in the years to come, and seeing images that tell the story as you remember it, is the challenge I embrace. I continue to pour both my heart and soul into those images.
I have since published photographs in several books, magazines and newspapers from New Jersey to Florida as well as having published several photography books and have numerous images being sold regularly, through stock agencies.
T H Van Sciver / Owner / Senior Photographer