Conversations with Philip Guerette

Today we’d like to introduce you to Philip Guerette.

Hi Philip, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m originally from Maine, and after attending The Hartt School in Connecticut, where I studied acting, I spent seventeen years living in New York City. There, I continued to act on stage, both regionally and in NYC, particularly drawn to classical theater. I first picked up a camera about a decade ago while living there. I had grown frustrated with survival jobs and thought finding a way to make money in between gigs with a camera was more appealing to me than waiting tables or bartending. I started by taking headshots for actor friends but soon fell into an opportunity as one of several in-house photographers at The James Beard House. There, acclaimed chefs from around the country would be invited to prepare a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings for discerning guests. I had prior experience working in restaurants and loved the idea of interacting with the culinary world in this new capacity. Photographing food and chefs in action combined so many of my passions. Needless to say, I was hooked! This opportunity opened other doors where I was able to continue taking pictures of food & beverage and the people who worked to prepare and provide those experiences. After a couple of years of this, my wife and I moved to Los Angeles in 2016, and I continued to find work as a food photographer and grow my business. I’ve worked hard over the years at improving my skills and find myself in a position where photography has become my full-time gig. I enjoy a roster of fantastic commercial and editorial clients.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I know I’m not alone in this, but the pandemic was a HUGE challenge. I had been working diligently to build my business and had a variety of regular clients who were keeping me pretty busy. Then it all came crashing down. My clients were not prioritizing photoshoots and there was no work to be had. I did my best to make lemonade out of lemons with the situation. I secured a small EIDL loan and purchased some lighting equipment that I had been interested in. I spent much of my time in my garage, which I had turned into a makeshift studio, improving my skills with lighting. I took some online classes. With no paying work, I decided to shoot a fine art photo series which I absolutely loved. It allowed me to really utilize the storytelling skills I had acquired as an actor with the creative and technical skills I was building as a photographer. I got some of this initial work into various exhibitions and gallery shows. It opened up an additional avenue of my work that continues today. I came out of the worst of the pandemic a much stronger creative and technical photographer.

I had, however, lost all my food & beverage clients. The landscape had changed, and I needed to adapt. I’ve spent the last year and a half hustling to build my business up again. I’ve found that as the quality of my work has gotten stronger, the array of clients has widened as well. I’m always working to improve my skills as a photographer and small business owner, learning to market my services effectively, increase revenue, etc. It’s a constant challenge, but I love it!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work encompasses culinary photography for commercial and editorial clients. My background working in some impressively fancy restaurants, including the acclaimed Eleven Madison Park in New York, gives me a deep understanding of the food and hospitality world, as well as the people who work to provide those experiences. I do a lot of work for restaurants, cafes, and bars in the Los Angeles area. In addition to that, I shoot for food & beverage brands, which encompasses product and lifestyle work for marketing, social media, website updates, and events. I have the capability to set up an on-site photo studio and often find myself doing so for various clients around town. I consult with brands on strategy and messaging and can produce all aspects of a shoot, from hiring stylists and assistants to procuring studio space, props, rentals, and all aspects of post-production. I enjoy collaborating with a diverse range of clients and helping them meet and exceed their unique photography needs.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love books about creativity. Here are a few that I keep coming back to for inspiration.

Free Play, by Stephen Nachmanovich
The War Of Art, by Steven Pressfield
The Gift, by Lewis Hyde
Signs & Symbols: An Illustrated Guide To Their Origins and Meanings.
Complete Works of William Shakespeare

Contact Info:

• Website: www.philipguerettephotography.com, www.philipguerettefineartphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipguerette/, https://www.instagram.com/phillygstake/