It’s become a tradition at Midwest Photo Exchange to feature images from our customers as our Facebook cover photos. This January we once again asked people to send in their best Facebook cover photo-sized images. The resulting entries were outstanding, and the most we’ve ever received for a cover photo contest. Narrowing it down to our three favorite images was a daunting task, but we ended up with three outstanding cover photos from three outstanding photographers.

We wanted to get to know our winners a little bit more, so we asked them a few questions. And after you finish reading, enter our February Photo Contest, where you can win a Sony RX100!

Jaclyn Fischer

How did you make this image?

I made this image with a tripod mounted 5D Mark II body, 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, off-camera flash, and some seriously funny people. I actually set the camera to shoot in black and white with the sharpness and contrast bumped up. This makes it easy to upload quickly without editing. This is obviously a compilation edited together in Photoshop. I started doing ‘photo-booth’ style photography strictly to capture my awesome family and their goofiness. It’s become a presence at family gatherings and friends parties; hopefully I can make a sweet book one day to embarrass everyone.

What genres of photography do you generally work in? What do you like about this kind of photography?

I mainly work in portrait photography.  Weddings, engagements, family, seniors, and boudoir. I love this kind of photography because people are awesome and incredibly funny. When someone hires a photographer for any of these things its because they want to be photographed and I love that enthusiasm. I love shooting and getting creative with the sessions. Everyone has a story to tell; how they met, where they’re from, where they’re going, and each story is different. I love shooting, but I love editing even more, that where my art techie geekiness flourishes. Photoshop is a powerful tool.

What made you want to be a photographer? When did you start taking photographs?

I have a pretty artistic background so photography was just another outlet for that passion. My childhood friend and I started messing with cameras at a really young age and it has always stayed with me. I only wish I would have started working professionally sooner. It’s pretty awesome getting paid to do what you love; that is a rare gift.

Where are you based? Do you photograph for a living?

I am based in Columbus, Ohio, and I am currently working my way up to being a full-time professional photographer. Everything is happening so fast!

Where can we find more of your work?

My company name is Coley & Co Photography. Coley (Cole-ie) is what my grandmother calls me and she is definitely a huge part of my artistic background. After struggling through the confusion of creating a website I finally have one up and running! It’s www.coleyandco.com or you can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coleyandco or just follow my (new) blog at http://www.coleyandco.com/blog.

Keith Papke

How did you make this image?

The lighting for this was a relatively simple setup.  I boomed a single Profoto 300watt head with a soft box way above the subject shooting straight down.  The canvas on the floor of the boxing ring provided enough reflection to fill in the shadows and give detail to the entire area.  I handheld a wide angle lens from a seated position opposite the subject.

What genres of photography do you generally work in? What do you like about this kind of photography?

I generally work in commercial photography and most of the time it involves a single person.  Everything from athletes to CEO’s.  I like this kind of photography because it allows me to interact one on one with the subject and the genre allows me to spend a lot of time stylizing the shot and play with different lighting scenarios.  I prefer big shoots with crews and lots of lighting and styling.  I am beginning to branch out into product and architecture now.

What made you want to be a photographer? When did you start taking photos?

I was working on a degree in Film and Television in college and in my last semester of my senior year I took a black and white still photography course.  I knew after the first day of class that this is what I had to do with the rest of my life.  I can say that I fortunately began my career shooting film and learned how to develop and print in the darkroom.  I had always been fascinated with the images that I would see in magazines and wanted to be that guy someday.

Where are you based? Do you photograph for a living?

I am based in a small town in North Carolina called Fuquay Varina.  It isn’t far from Raleigh, NC, which is where the majority of my work comes from.  I work full-time as an owner of a photography and video company and it is how I make a living.

Where can we find more of your work?

My website is www.originalmindproductions.com.

Michael Altimier

How did you make this image?

I took this image while hiking through a part of Olympic National Park called the Hoh Rainforest. Easily the greenest place on earth. I took this with a Canon 40D through a Tamron 17-50 lens. It’s comprised of 7 or so photographs stitched together. I got lucky with really great light that day. Most of the trip up had been sunny, but on that day fog rolled through the forest and set a great mood for those shots.

What genres of photography do you generally work in? What do you like about this kind of photography?

Typically I like to shoot portraits and (attempt to) tell stories. Lately though, I’ve really liked exploring landscapes. I think my storytelling background effects how I shoot landscapes, though. The best landscapes either appear to have a story to hide or provide the viewer with a stage to imagine one.

What made you want to be a photographer? When did you start taking photographs?

I made a decision to pursue visual arts very young and have been shooting since I was in high school. When I was young, photography seemed to be the best excuse to go to far off and exotic places and get paid to do it. Good work if you can get it. My love of travel is at the root of most of my photos.

Where are you based? Do you photograph for a living?

Based here in Columbus, and, at least for a time, I worked as a photographer and designer for a local magazine until it went belly up. Now I work as a designer at an advertising agency and shoot freelance here and there.

Where can we find more of your work?

www.alti-photo.com is the best place to see my work.