Friday 5

1. Do you ever worry that your friends are looking for a discount?

I would love to cut all of my friends a deal but I am running a business and want to be fair to all my clients. I've made it a point to not give discounts to friends so that one friend doesn't feel snubbed when they don't get a reduced price. The only sessions I conduct for free or at a reduced rate are for my immediate family and sessions I conduct to build my portfolio in a particular area.  

 2. Your daughter is stunning! Do you just take a million pictures of her!?

Um... no. I'm horrible! You would think the daughter of a photographer would be sick of having her picture taken, but in my situation that is not the case. Aside from snapshots when she's doing something funny, I am usually so busy with client images that my own "sessions" are quite neglected. It wasn't until just a few weeks ago I bothered to have my own pictures taken for the first time - ever! I feel bad that I don't take more "professional pictures" of my little girl and that is definitely a resolution I have for 2012!

3. What gear is on your wish list?

Wish list indeed - it will be years before I can save enough to buy everything I'd love to own and shoot with! I would love the 85mm 1.4 lens - it's beautiful for portraiture. A little limiting though since you need so much space between you and the subject, which is why I have not seriously considered replacing my 50mm with it. I'd also love to buy the 28-70mm 2.8 to have on hand for weddings, but I love renting this lens from Lens Pro 2 Go. I would also love to have the 35mm 1.4, which would come in handy when I need just a little more room than the 50mm can give me.

4. Have you ever lost or botched client files?

No - and I hope I don't jinx myself. I have heard of this happening to other photographers, which is why I always download my images immediately following a session. I don't clear them from my memory cards until the card is full several days/weeks later, just in case. However, I have heard of quite a few programs that can magically recall images recently deleted from an SD card. I always keep those on the backburner, just in case.

5. Besides getting your gear ready for sessions, is there anything else you do? Jumping jacks, pep talks? :o)

I try to relax as much as possible before a session so that my stomach condition doesn't trigger. I prepare the night before to help. I do my best to leave early in case I do need to stop, get lost, etc. It's always my goal to arrive before the client. I love to pump myself up in the car with good jams - for a while it was Flo Rida's "Club Can't Handle Me", and lately it's been Lady Gaga's new album!


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Friday 5

1. Do you use Lightroom?

I don't - I know a lot of photographers that love it, but I am not one of them. When it first came out, I gave it a try. However, it is just so slightly different than Photoshop that I found it hard to navigate and use. I can't use Photoshop Elements for the same reason - actions and menus are organized differently and I am a person of routine. I actually use Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) and LOVE it. I love how streamlined it is to transition my file right into Photoshop to put on my finishing touches. Just a personal preference!



2. How do you keep all of your files organized?

I organize them as such: Session Type - Last name, First name. So, on my computer you'll find Newborn - Doe, Jane. Within a client's specific folder, I have additional folders entitled Roughs (SOOC and unedited RAW/Jpg Files), Finals (edited images), Proofs (web sized blog sneak peeks), and Selected (client choices).

3. What is the busiest time of year for your business? The slowest?

Right now is by far the busiest! I am booking faster than I ever have. Fall is a busy time because of the changing of the leaves and "holiday card pictures". Things will slow down in January - it is a calm after the storm that is the winter holidays. Things will remain quiet (and too cold to shoot outside) so many of my sessions will be limited to indoor newborn photography. Things pick up again in March as it starts to warm up.

4. Is it hard to be a photographer with a child? How do you conduct business while still considering yourself a full-time stay at home mom?

A lot of people have a misconception about stay at home working moms, that we "have it made". In a sense, we do. I know I feel that way. However, there is a drawback. The one issue many don't understand is we're never off the clock - we can't leave work at the office. When my daughter naps or goes down for the night, that is when I go to work. It is important to me to not be glued to the computer editing images when she is around, so I conduct most of my business after hours. My house keeping takes a beating because of this... Being attentive to my daughter is also why I prefer to conduct most communications with my clients by email - it allows me to focus during the day on being a mom, but also making sure I can give clients my full and undivided attention when discussing business and the details of working together.

As for conducting sessions, I couldn't do it without the support of my family, that is for sure! I am very lucky to live just minutes away from my parents, who are always more than willing to look after my little girl for an hour or two while I sneak away to a session. On the weekends, my little girl spends one on one time with her Dad or they accompany me to a location so they can play outdoors while I am off with a client. Still, there have been many times where she cries when I leave, and I cry a little bit too. I love my job, but I love being a mom too!

5. Your clients always look so well put together. What do you recommend as far as putting outfits together without being matchy matchy?

My clients are amazing at this! I am always impressed how coordinated everyone looks while still remaining individually presented. I think it's important to remember to work with shades of color, not one specific tone. If you're wearing brown, explore tans for the kids. If you're wearing blue, explore navy, royal and pastel blue for members of your family. Another way to pull in more colors to tie everyone together? Accessories! Head bands, belts, bracelets, shoes.

Pinterest is another amazing new tool. I find fashion inspiration on it all the time! Keying in "photo clothing ideas" brings up tons of possibilities!


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Baby Airbrushing

A few weeks ago I happened to find myself on a photographer forum in a discussion about infant photography. I feel like I am still getting my feet wet in that area, which makes me so excited about all the upcoming newborn sessions I have! Anyway - the discussion turned to whether or not to airbrush an infant's face to remove redness, dry skin, baby acne, and other skin conditions characteristic of new babies. One photographer was very adement that airbrushing newborn photos was wrong, that babies are perfect the way they are, and it is a crime to change or edit their skin.

As a photographer - and a MOM - I could not disagree more.

Baby acne is a common problem. My own little girl had it as an infant. Of course when she was born, she was perfect. I don't remember her skin being red or blotchy at all, despite it appearing so red and uneven in her first photographs. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen (and not so secretly I breathed a huge sigh of relief she wasn't funny looking). However, a few weeks after she was born her acne hit. It was brief and went away on it's own. When I remember her as a baby, I remember her skin being flawless and perfect. That is what I wanted her photographs to look like.

When I work with parents during a newborn session there is a lot of downtime while we wait for baby to cooperate. In getting to know the family, I also typically address a few things - whether or not they'd like me to use props, if it is alright if I remove a diaper, if I may pick up and hold the baby, and if there are things they'd like me to remove or edit, such as the baby acne. I have never had a mother ask me to leave the acne or redness on their child's face. In the case of this argument, I think airbrushing wins. As long as the baby doesn't start to look like plastic (which I am sure I have been guilty of in the past) or you're airbrushing out characteristic details like birthmarks (without the consent or request of a parent) I think some cleaning up is absolutely necessary and okay.

Here is my sweet little girl and my image straight out of the camera. Look at those big blue eyes! Okay, sorry. Getting off track. Notice her skin? The uneven coloring, the red "pimples" and a lot of texture on her forehead. She was also molting or something because she was peeling like whoa.

The first thing I did was to use the Patch Tool  to remove the red spots and white fuzzies. Using the patch tool you simply draw and select around the area you need to edit and drag and drop your selection to an area you want to replicate from - so in this case, I dragged my selection to "clean" patches of skin.

Already a vast improvement. Next, I apply Coffeeshop PowderRoom skin action to my image. This creates a number of layers I can edit to improve my image - a skin smoothing layer, eye define, and eye brightness. I will use this to soften and blend in her skin and bring out the blue in those baby blues - she gets those from her dad.

Almost done! Now I've smoothed out the skin and brightened up her eyes just a tad. Now I want to work on the coloring and finish up my image. The white balance, or color tone, of the image is a little cool which means I would like to warm up the photo and add some yellows. This will also help make her skin a bit more creamy. I love Florabella's Vintage Photoshop actions Retro Vintage. I reduce the opacity of the action layer to 77% - a fine line between an "effect" and "natural look".

As you can see, it is an improvement from our straight out of the camera image while still sustaining her natural beauty. Airbrushing should be used like makeup - enhance what is already there - not cover it up.

Roll over the image with your mouse to see the before and after. Thanks for reading!

Camera Bag Review

When I first began my career as a photographer, I had a camera, a lens, and a battery charger. Over the years, things have drastically changed. At any given moment I would say my bag of gear weighs more than my 22-month old. Going from such a small stock of gear to my present and growing inventory had long since created a need for a better storage solution.

My old camera bags. The first two were never meant to be camera bags - that I recall. They were our video camcorder bags - so small for my SLR's that I had to attach my flash bag on the strap as it would not fit into such a tight space. When I began shooting weddings I knew I needed more gear and more space. Then came the diaper bag. That's right - I unloaded the diapers, wipes, lotions and toys from my diaper bag to shove in camera gear. Well, in my defense it does have lots of pockets and compartments. =)

It was time for a change and with my birthday coming up I knew I had to indulge myself, my growing business and take care of my precious cargo. I researched for months. I was finding myself very indecisive. I looked at Kelly Moore Bags, Epiphanie... but their stock was always limited and while their customers raved over how cute their bags were, the quality and craftsmanship for the price left much to be desired. I don't remember how I found my way onto Etsy, and more specifically Gypsy Rose Handbags, but there is where I found my very new, very custom, very awesome camera bag.

The reviews for Judy's work (the woman who crafts each bag by hand) were impeccable. Nobody was questioning her craftsmanship and everyone raved about how many compliments they received on their bags. The first thing I noticed upon looking at the bag listing was the amount of padding (aka protection) in each pocket and throughout the bag - something I'd been unimpressed with in viewing other manufacturers. At the Etsy store you can customize your fabric, interior color, add pockets, zippers and ask for other specifications desired for your bag.

When it arrived (packed with care) I was blown away. It was far better than I'd even imagined (I went with the Large Hobo style). The quality and craftsmanship was amazing. It was just as good as anything you'd find manufactured for a large retailer - but better. Think of the difference between TJMaxx and Prada... This is Prada people.

The gear I carry with me varies from session to session, but much of what you see above is what I'll tote around with me for larger scale shoots. 2 camera bodies (obviously using one to photograph the goods!), flash, lenses, battery charger, lens wipes, memory cards, camera remote, cell phone, pens, business cards, wallet, and yes - even fruit snacks. At some events you never know when you're going to eat.

It all fit with ease into my bag. The bag closes at the top with a clasp tightly to secure the gear, followed by the Boho flap which also clasps at the bottom of the bag. A perfect fit. There is over an inch of padding on the bottom of the bag with a hard base to help protect the equipment and help the bag stand upright. The fabric is a twill/canvas - very durable while still being flexible. The strap is adjustable and can be suited for different heights and body types.

Lastly, I just couldn't resist adding this accessory to my purchase. A camera strap cover! Goodbye bright yellow Nikon advertisement, and hello to matchy matchy! =) There are 2 reasons this strap was worth every penny - first, the peek-a-boo lens cap pocket and second the added padding. Carrying around a heavy camera body is taxing on the neck and shoulder and this will certainly ease the pain!

So there you have it. I would like to clarify I was not paid in any way for this review or "advertisement". I just love the product and want to share what I've found because there ARE other options out there besides the big name camera bag companies - and cheaper too! As Judy says "there is a difference between home made and hand made" and she makes that completely clear with the workmanship and love put into her bags. If you're in the market, whether large scale or small, she has something to offer you in her shop. Check her out!

Why buy professional?

Whether or not to require your clients to purchase prints from you vs. handing over a disc with the high-res files on it has been a long standing debate for an up and coming photographer. I understand the argument from both sides: as a professional, I want my work to be displayed and reproduced properly as a true representation of my quality of work and as a consumer, I want to spend the least amount of money but get the most bang for my buck.

Obviously, that creates a problem.

That's why a few months ago I began offering the DVD of images from portrait sessions as a "gift" to any client who purchased $25 worth of professional prints. I found it to be the greatest compromise between photographer and consumer, and more importantly a way for a client to see first hand the difference between professional prints and that of oh, let's say, your favorite neighborhood Warehouse Wholesaler. A place where I think I buy gas and hot dogs more than anything else... 

Look closely at the prints below. On the left is a professional print and on the right the bargain print. The first thing I noticed when I compared the two was how "muddy" the bargain print is. The colors are dull and there is a blue undertone to what should be a black and white image. Second and most importantly is the loss of detail. Look at the subjects and you'll see how much more depth there is in clarity, detail and shades of the professional print. Lastly, and what I can't illustrate in pictures, is the quality of paper. Professional paper is top quality, completely archival and much thicker than bargain printers. By touch alone you can conclude where each print came from.

Now let's look at a color image. Below is an image of my sweet little girl when she was just a few weeks old. It is displayed proudly in my front room and it remains my favorite image from her newborn session. Why is it my favorite, you ask? Those beautiful, fall colors (she was born in October)! Colors that are clearly muted and dulled in our bargain print. Sad panda. In a professional print your blacks are true blacks - they're not gray and they're not navy. Notice how much more detailed the weaving of the basket is in our pro print.

While some photographers aim to make a large profit on their prints ($50 for an 8x10? Really...?) I aim to simply cover my cost of the print, that of the web gallery and other photographer related expenses while providing quality images that reflect your investment into the session and the investment of time and talent I've applied to your images.

The logic is this: if you buy a state of the art 65" 3D high definition TV, are you going to watch VHS tapes on it? Keep that in mind when you work with a professional photographer. If you're going to invest in custom photography, remember to invest in the final product. =)