What do you get when you put the traits artistic and personable into one? Craig Mitchelldyer with Mitchelldyer Photography We are excited to share an exclusive interview with Craig and a few of his favorite images. You’ll have to check out his website to see more, as we were instantly in awe. Serving areas from Portland, Oregon to Orange County, California, who knows where you’ll see him next!

Champagne: How/when did you get into photography?
Craig: I started taking photos professionally in 1998 and was hired as a staff photographer for a local newspaper in 2000. I worked for the newspaper shooting news, sports and features until my daughter was born in late 2004. Then I quit the paper to freelance fulltime. That is when I started shooting weddings. I still shoot for a lot of newspapers and magazines and shoot a lot of sports as well, which helps me when shooting weddings. Really, a wedding is just a big football game with nicer clothes.

Champagne: What are 4 things you love about being a photographer?
Craig: Everyday is something new. One day I will be shooting a wedding in Portland, the next day I’m in a helicopter flying over Mt. St. Helens, then next day I’m shooting a college football game, its a lot of fun.
I love meeting new people and learning new things about people, locations, etc. I have a lot of friends I would never have if not for photography
I love making people happy. For the most part, people hire me to take photos that make them look good. When I was in high school, I played sports, but I was just a mediocre athlete, but I could always make my friends look like stars and I like doing that with all my subjects.
A 4th thing I love is a having a job where my kids can hang with me. My kids are my whole world and I am so lucky that I can spend a lot of time with them even while working. They hang out with me at the studio everyday I do not have a shoot and it makes me think I am the luckiest person around.

Champagne: What are 1 or 2 unique things you can share with us about yourself?
Craig: I ride a Harley, have 2 kids, Jordyn 4 and Carter, 1 a dog named Lexi and 3 cats. I hope to never see a person giving cats away on the street ever again because my daughter looks at me and says “daddy can we have another kitty” and I can never ever say no. She’s got me wrapped around her finger.
I grew up in Klamath Falls, OR a small town in Southern Oregon

Champagne: Tell us something that sets your business apart.
Craig: I think my style of photography is unique. I use lighting in a way that most people do not and I think it really makes my work stand out from others.
I have also started doing photo/video fusion which is very fun and as far as I know I am the only Portland photographer offering this service. (You can view my latest video here: http://vimeo.com/5539747 or embed it into this post.)

Champagne: If you could sum up your company’s motto or mission in a sentence or two, what would you say?
Craig: I think photography is just like any other business. It’s all about customer service. It doesn’t matter if your working a wedding, working for a wire or a newspaper editor or a big time magazine art director, remember the customer is always right. Making deadlines, following up on things, good communication, etc are all things that I think keep people coming back to use my services. I basically try to shape my business as a business I would want to use.

Thank you Craig for taking time to meet with Champagne!

Cheers!