Spring Quarterly

Mike and his wife and business partner Jessica run a 8000 sq. ft. studio in Lewiston, Idaho. They have two sons, Keaton and Cade. Their main studio, Ridinger’s, the Art of Photography, is a third owner studio that  has been in business since 1917, and specializes in relationship portraits.

Mike is like a kid in a candy store when it comes to his camera room and all the tools he uses to create his images.  While being a firm believer in the traditional lighting and posing that has paid the bills for years, he is constantly growing in his art and bringing new and edgy styles to mix it up.  And if you know Mike, that’s the only way he can stay somewhat focused at work.  After 28 years he has  been fortunate enough to collected all different photography toys to play with (just ask Jess) … which result in an amazing variety of images for his clients.

My has life changed… in a portrait studio in the last 10 years… from going to digital to our country going into a recession… Mike and Jess have figured out how to role with the punches and still come out as the leading photography studio in their area.  “Team Ridinger” has worked!!!  Mike taking care of the photography while keeping his skills honed and fresh (this makes it super easy for his staff to sell him and the images he creates) to Jess focusing on the business and the ever so important “client experience”.  Separating themselves from novelists has been the focus in their studio.  Being open minded to change is the key to their success.

Both are firm believers in the “Pay It Forward” concept, and are actively involved in photographing terminal children in conjunction with the Jackson Baldwin Pay It Forward Foundation. Jackson was Keaton’s best friend from kindergarten till Jackson passed away from cancer the day before his 10th birthday.  Mike is also are involved with NILMDTS. As photographers, we all have a gift that goes beyond the obvious, that photography becomes a screaming need, not just a want. Mike recently returned from his second trip to Ecuador where he went with a team of photographers to photograph orphans to help give them a sense of history, and to help raise awareness to their needs. Out of that trip Dando Amor was born, a non-profit organization dedicated to immediate improvements in the lives of the orphans.  These causes have blessed Mike and Jess’s lives more than they ever expected.

Mike was just awarded his craftsman Degree at Imaging USA. He is a past President of Professional Photographers of Idaho.  After coaching at Light Pro Expo and speaking at several state & local affiliates along with being selected by PPA last year to be a speed shooter, Mike joined the team at After Dark, demonstrating his lighting and posing styles in a hands on environment. Mike has a knack for teaching in a way that is easy to comprehend and is a popular instructor everywhere he goes. He is regarded by many as one of the best mentors in the industry and loves to share his knowledge. His way of teaching is very easy to follow and understand, breaking things down to their basic element. Mike believes in getting it right in camera and using Photoshop to enhance, not fix. Lighting and posing are at the top of his list of things that are important to be successful.