Hey guys, so it's occurred to me that in the realm of the net I am not
as personable on my business page as I'd like to be. So I've decided to
spend the morning searching for unique questions to answer for all of
you in an attempt to get you better acquainted with me.
First, many of you haven't seen me - so here's an incredibly amazing iphone pic of me sporting Saints attire with my daughter:
Anyway, without further ado here are some questions I've found to give you a better understand of who I am as a person, a mother, a business woman, and photographer. Enjoy!
1. Which is worse: failing or never trying?
Ironically, or not because I picked this question myself, I just posted something about this on facebook. I think failing IS never trying. :)
The human mind's natural reaction to judge everything, sometimes it is difficult for people to rationalize their judgements of one another fairly and logically. I think we could all use a little more willingness to accept others for the way the are without assuming something negative or incorrect. :)
3. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
I happen to be a very honest, open and loyal person, I would defend my friend in a heartbeat. :)
4. What's something you know you do differently than most people?
I don't think I do many things differently than most. I'm very passionate about a lot of things, when I have an opinion ... I strongly believe in it. But over the years I've come to find that a lot of us... aren't as different as we think we are. :)
5. Where did you grow up and what were your earliest creative interests?
I grew up in Illinois, mainly Rock Falls though I did live in Amboy, Dixon, and Harmon as well. I started drawing when I was very little. I started winning art awards in Kindergarten and my talent in fine arts just sort of continued to grow all through childhood and in to adulthood. I attempt to draw in my spare time still. I've taken up a game called 'sketch phrase' which I am abnormally obsessed with.
Exhibit A:
Yes, only slightly obsessed.
I also took pictures from a young age as well. I remember HAVING to have a Polaroid camera in middle school, etc. But it wasn't until high school that I began messing around with digital editing which I've been doing since I was about sixteen or seventeen. So, just over 10 years now. :)
6. Where do you look for inspiration for your pictures?
Everywhere, I guess. Sometimes I get ideas through my client's
interests and other times I'll do research on posing techniques, etc.
I've never been the type of photographer who claims to draw inspiration
out of thin air without any outside influences. {Nor, for the record...
do I believe this type of person exists. Art imitates life, etc. We are
all inspired from something} If I see something I like that fits
the mold of what I offer as a photographer... I will incorporate my
version of things. Most of the time though, I try to just get a feel for
the client's and go from there. :)
7. What is your favorite style of photography?
Modeling has definitely been among my favorite types of portraits to shoot. I think I enjoy it so much because I'm able to utilize my own ideas and put them in motion... there are a lot of ideas I have that don't necessarily fit in to family portraits or wedding... a bit more edgy or specifically a sort of fashion magazine style that doesn't work for family portraits and so on is something that really appeals to me. I think to date, these have been my favorite portraits. It's really allowed me to explore creatively and showcase the end product from what I had envisioned.
This is likely one of my most popular images to date:
8. What goes into creating the environment necessary to get the images you envision?
Often times it all depends on the subject. For small children, I prefer candid photography ... so I will tend to let them run the show and just go with the flow. Occasionally I will do themed sessions, for these shoots I will spend time putting together the right props, etc. Most of the time, I prefer the focus to be on the personality of the clients so I don't tend to clutter the environment too much with props.
On the other end of things, it helps to have cooperative subjects as well. People who listen to your professional opinion on things like lighting conditions and poses, etc. Most of the time, I've found that my clients are more than willing to listen to the advice I have about shooting conditions as they realize this is what I do for a living and I know the best circumstances to achieve decent portraits. Lighting especially is crucial to portraiture, so listening to the suggest times in which to shoot and where is always very helpful.
Other than that, I really just tend to take things as they come. :)
9. If you weren't a photographer what profession would you pursue?
I enjoy helping others, specifically children. I did go to college {though, did not finish} and the goal I had in mind was to attempt art therapy that specifically focused on children in children's hospitals. Whatever I would do, art would be incorporated. I live and breathe art. :) For a while I'd considered getting in the tattoo industry as well, but ultimately I have learned that I am far too anxious for that. I'd worry that someone did not like their tattoo... or that I'd mess up a permanent mark on someone's body. Just too much worry involved in that. haha.
10. What story does your family always tell about you?
I can't think of any specific stories. ....Though every time I complain about my daughter's strong willed, stubborn personality my mother kindly reminds me of how much alike she thinks my child is compared to myself as a child. :) {For the record, I'm still that way...haha.}
11. Are there any photographers whose work you admire?
For the classics, I'd say: Dorothea Lange, is one of those photographers... that you remember seeing as a child. Or I do anyway, so I definitely admire her. I'm very into lifestyle, real candid portraits as well as vintage portraiture. Sometimes I look at these old photographs and I think, what it must have been like to live in that time... I think things were definitely much more simple.
Today, oh gosh there are so many... I have really taken a liking to 'Blue Dandelion Photography.' That's the first one that comes to mind.. but I see work all the time I admire. Photographers today are just brilliant everywhere. It's a really great thing.
12. If you could describe your photographs in three words, what would they be?
Fun, Real, creative.
13. When you hire another photographer, what do you look for?
Honestly, I haven't hired another photographer for portraits ... yet. But I need to. For my wedding, I chose a photographer whom I knew personally and who I trusted would do a good job. She was experienced and had shot MANY weddings, so that of course eased my mind and I knew I didn't have to worry about the photos. She allowed me to edit my own photos... so that was actually nice to have creative control over how they looked. But first and foremost an image is easier to edit if it is properly taken. So, she made my part of the job easy.
For family portraits, I will be choosing a photographer who's style most resembles that of my own work or who uses similar editing techniques etc. I really like the idea of a candid session with my family, so I'd like a photographer who can go with the flow and not attempt a really posed and structured session. Someone who can work in any environment and just go for it! :) And obviously I like them to have the knowledge and know-how to photograph an image properly or in an aesthetically pleasing manner... someone who understands their camera and how it works with light, etc.
14. How has being a mother shaped your photography?
Well, I use my children ...my daughter specifically, as my subject any time I learn something new or want to try a new technique. My daughter has become the spokes person for my learning and nearly every new client I meet always comments on her photographs. So I think she just may even be working in marketing my business as well. :)
But aside from that, it's taught me how to really work with children in order to get photos. To be patient and not pushy, to let them set the comfort zone and to understand that sometimes children will be your most difficult yet still the most rewarding clients. My children are very difficult to photograph. They hate doing it, they complain... they even have been known to throw tantrums. So they have helped me with finding ways to re-direct other children who feel the same way. I always think it's better to let them decide when they're ready as opposed to attempting to push them in to doing something they do not want to do. So I guess... short story long: they have given me patience. :)
15. Any advice for new photographers wanting to start a career in photography?
I think when you start any career like this you should make sure it's something you truly love doing. Most photographers are not making a killing, so starting a photography business to 'make money' is the wrong approach. Start a photography business because you LOVE photography, because this business is .... EXPENSIVE. haha. Equipment seems to always need upgrading and the longer you're in it the more pricey it becomes. But truthfully, fancy equipment doesn't make a photographer good. Knowledge and passion are the key factors, in my opinion. Also, though the equipment helps a great deal, it's not a necessity. However, eventually you will find a burning to desire to have things that simplify getting a good shot so that you can focus more on making your photos unique. It's much easier to edit images that are shot right 'in camera'. I think the best advice I ever read was to get out of the mindset 'Oh I can fix that later in photoshop.' :)
It's really easy to become discouraged, like any field; photography is extremely competitive. You will deal with people who try to bring down your spirit. Many new photographers face an onslaught of criticism from veterans who forgot they were once amateurs too. And in my opinion, I don't know when the amateur phase truly passes... I still feel that in many ways I am an amateur myself. I think the important thing to do is be the bigger person.. it really reflects poorly on a person's character if they criticize you for no reason. But also, stand up for yourself... in a classy manner. I have taken criticism over the years and I am sure more will come, but I always keep with the mindset that no matter what anyone says.. they cannot bring me down. If people like your work and want to hire YOU for their portraits.... those are the things you should focus on.
But I always think it's important to remain grounded and not get a big head. I am the type of person who enjoys sharing my achievements with others. When I feel proud of myself and my accomplishments.. I wish to share those with others. And, I personally feel being confident in yourself is a really beautiful thing and it should be discouraged less often! It's important to remember that being confident is one thing... but statements like 'I'm the best at this or Only the best from me' etc are unappealing and they limit you... because we can always 'get better'. Once you think you're 'good enough', you stop growing.
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