Tom Meinhold

Tom Meinhold Photography | San Luis Obispo, California, USA

tom[at]perfectphoto.com | +1 (805) 541-1411

Q&A with Tom

How did you get into taking pictures for a living?

Back when I was in ninth grade I borrowed my father’s camera for a field trip and I never gave it back. I ended up going to Brooks Institute of Photography. After graduation I jumped in with both feet and never looked back. It is the only career I have ever had. I feel that I haven’t worked a day in my life.

Tell me about your 360º photography studio setup! For starters, what kind of camera do you shoot with?

Here at Tom Meinhold Photography we are all Canon. My main camera is a 5D Mk III and my back up is a 6D. We have a 1900 sq foot studio, and in the camera room we have a solid white cove that is 16 by 16. We can photograph objects as large as motorcycles. We also have three sides of the studio that have white backdrops to create an enclosed tent. This is great for specular objects.

What type of products are you particularly good at creating 360º views of? Do you have a specialty?

We haven’t been doing 360 for very long but, we like hats right now. I would like to utilize the the size of my studio and photograph some larger products. I think a motorcycle would be a lot of fun.

Describe your ideal client for shooting a 360º view.

The ideal client is someone who is very particular about their products and can appreciate a high quality of goods and services.

For 360º photography, do you prefer shooting in high volume or low volume?

Here at Tom Meinhold Photography we can service clients of all sizes. Our studio is large enough that we can have more than one photoshoot going at a time.

What kind of things do you do for fun? You know, outside of work?

My wife and I have been raising a family for the last 17 years. Our lives have been consumed by their activities. My daughter dances and my son is the QB of our local high school football team. The pride that I feel watching my kids is hard to describe. My son and I also ride dirt bikes when we can find some free time. A highlight this year was my son and I kayaking in McCovey cove during game five of the world series. This is something that I will remember the rest of my life and I got to do it with my best friend.

Who are some clients you’ve done work with in the past?

Some of the clients that I have done work for include Bonipak Produce, Madonna Inn, Rancho Harvest, S. Lombardi & Associates, Barnett Cox & Associates, Putnam Accessory Group, Castoro Winery, Justin Vineyards, Alex Trebek (Creston Farms), William Hearst and Family, Steve Molnar Construction, Verdin Marketing, and Ocean Park Hotel Group.

How does your pricing work for 360º product photography?

We like to keep ourselves flexible on pricing. For example when we photograph hats, it runs about $50 per hat. However we will negotiate “price” for a higher volume client.

What’s a memorable project you’ve worked on in the past?

As a photographer I have got to do a lot of fun things. Underwater photography in the Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle. Photograph every room at that Madonna Inn (all 110 of them). But the most memorable would have to be in 2000 I was part of a team of photographers that went to photograph President Bush’s inauguration. This was a real treat for me.

What’s the best way for someone to get in touch with you?

I like all kinds of communication. Email is great, however I don’t mind hearing someone’s voice on the phone. It may be old school, but you can learn a lot from someone by hearing their voice.

Contact Tom