I've been thinking up this blog post for a few months already. It's somewhat of a collaboration of all the little things I've learned to help improve my pictures along the way, and I wanted to share those with you!
1. Calibrate!!!
I can't stress this enough! Until you finally do, you have no idea how off your computer screen colours actually are! For the first 8 months of my business I edited all my pictures on my laptop. I always had to crank the warmth in the white balance. Thought it was just bad Auto White Balance in my camera. When I bought my Mac desktop in September I was shocked at how different the images on my blog looked on the new computer! I couldn't stand the idea of my clients looking at my photos online or on their computers and seeing something totally different than what I saw on my computer! Yikes! So, pretty much the day after I bought my desktop, I bought the Spyder 3 Express calibrater. It's a little thing that plugs into your USB port and hangs over your monitor and goes through all the colours and figures out what your screen needs to be at in order to be the right colour. Let me tell you, the difference was insane! Not as insane on my desktop, but my laptop was a HUGE difference (you can use the Spyder on as many computers as you want, and it's portable too!) So now at least I know that the colours I've edited my pictures to be are true, and that's why I highly recommend ordering prints through me because my lab also calibrates their monitors so the colours come out pretty much exactly the same! I can't tell you how many photographer's pictures I've looked at where the colours are so off. They're probably good on their own computer, like I thought mine were, but in actuality they're pretty off.
2. Check your background!
This is so important. Look at what's going on behind your subjects when you're taking their pictures. There are so many potentially distracting objects out there. Not buildings and other normal background stuff, but little things like purses and cups or cars or anything else that takes away from the moment of the picture. We tend to focus on our models, which is a good thing, but we still need to keep our backgrounds in mind. Move your body so that the couple's bodies hide that stray garbage can in the backdrop, or move the couple all together if there's too much distraction, or move the garbage can! Set your scene! I still have to constantly remind myself about this. Too often than I'd like I end up having to delete an image because I didn't make note of what was going on in the backdrop.
3. Line 'em up!
Another big thing of mine is having straight lines. I'm uber anal about it. I'm one of those people that will get a twitch if I see a picture frame that isn't hanging straight. The same goes for my pictures. I level out most of my pictures, at least any that have an obvious line in them. It's a small thing, but it makes a huge difference. There's nothing worse that looking through photos taken at the beach and in every picture the horizon goes off at a 45 degree angle. When I first got my camera last January I was so busy focusing on how to use the camera and on my subject that I didn't even think about the background. I had some pictures with buildings in the back that were all tilted and it's been ever since then that I take time to notice my lines. That's just my style. If you like the tilted look, heck, tilt away!
4. Filter!
When you're going through your images, don't keep any that don't "wow" you. And don't keep any that are even slightly blurry, no matter how great the couple/subjects look. This was one of the biggest things I learned at WPPI and I'm so grateful for it! Nobody but you knows that that image ever existed so the clients will never wonder what happened to it! Instead of giving them a blurry image that makes them unsatisfied, why not give them only your crispest images that make them gasp in awe! And, along with blurry images, get rid of any where someone in the picture looks funny, or where there's bad lighting, etc. You are representing yourself and your work in your images, and your clients will show these images to their friends and family... if they like them. And if they don't, they might show them and say negative things, which is SO not what we want! Aim to make your clients rant and rave about you your work and their experience with you!
Those are my rambling thoughts for the day! I have been there, done that, and this is what I've taken from my own personal experience! Hopefully it will help someone else out there!
Thanks for reading!
Showing posts with label photographers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photographers. Show all posts
6.03.2011
3.11.2011
Stanley Park Engagement Session /LUNA & AYO
I loved this session with Luna and Ayo. I think it's been one of my favourites thus far. But then again, I tend to say that after every photo shoot! I think it's because after each photo shoot, after all the editing and everything is done, I look back and I think of ways that I could improve for next time. Not that I did a bad job during the shoot or anything, but I just think of new ways that I could improve and change or try different techniques, etc.
I'll be honest, I was a little nervous going into this session because it had been a long time since I'd done a couple's shoot, or any shoot for that matter! I was nervous that my skills would be a bit rusty. But they weren't. I was highly satisfied with the outcome of this session. Throughout the whole thing I implemented different techniques that I had picked up at WPPI or from reading blogs or just things I thought of on my own. I challenged myself to go outside of my comfort zone a bit and it paid off. Big time. Not to get a big head full of ego here or anything, that's not what I'm trying to say! I'm just so thankful for all the amazing knowledge I've gained from such talented people over the last few weeks and that I'm able to start using that knowledge in my own photographs and shoots and editing.
Luna and Ayo picked me up from my hotel downtown and we drove a little ways to some docks by Coal Harbour. It was a little chilly out but that didn't stop these two from being amazing models! A little photography talk now- the sun was so harsh on this day. No clouds in the sky, middle of the day. We were out on the water on some docks. I found a little bit of shade, literally a little bit, coming from this little shed thing beside us. There was light reflecting everywhere around us- off the water, off the white boats, off the dock. It was fabulous actually! At first I was a little intimidated with all this openness and bright sun but when I saw that patch of shade I sighed relief! I was so thankful that I had watched Jasmine Star's creativeLIVE workshop where she did ten poses in a 10 by 10 area.
Anyway, you guys were a joy to photograph. You have so much love for each other and it just radiates off of you! And Luna, you've got some fierce eyes! Love it! You're a Top Model watcher for sure, right?! haha.
Enjoy these photos, and I know I sure do!
This is just my most favourite image of the day, I would say. Love love.
I'll be honest, I was a little nervous going into this session because it had been a long time since I'd done a couple's shoot, or any shoot for that matter! I was nervous that my skills would be a bit rusty. But they weren't. I was highly satisfied with the outcome of this session. Throughout the whole thing I implemented different techniques that I had picked up at WPPI or from reading blogs or just things I thought of on my own. I challenged myself to go outside of my comfort zone a bit and it paid off. Big time. Not to get a big head full of ego here or anything, that's not what I'm trying to say! I'm just so thankful for all the amazing knowledge I've gained from such talented people over the last few weeks and that I'm able to start using that knowledge in my own photographs and shoots and editing.
Luna and Ayo picked me up from my hotel downtown and we drove a little ways to some docks by Coal Harbour. It was a little chilly out but that didn't stop these two from being amazing models! A little photography talk now- the sun was so harsh on this day. No clouds in the sky, middle of the day. We were out on the water on some docks. I found a little bit of shade, literally a little bit, coming from this little shed thing beside us. There was light reflecting everywhere around us- off the water, off the white boats, off the dock. It was fabulous actually! At first I was a little intimidated with all this openness and bright sun but when I saw that patch of shade I sighed relief! I was so thankful that I had watched Jasmine Star's creativeLIVE workshop where she did ten poses in a 10 by 10 area.
Anyway, you guys were a joy to photograph. You have so much love for each other and it just radiates off of you! And Luna, you've got some fierce eyes! Love it! You're a Top Model watcher for sure, right?! haha.
Enjoy these photos, and I know I sure do!
This is just my most favourite image of the day, I would say. Love love.
Seriously, they are TOO CUTE!
Yes, Ayo was pretty fierce, too. They make a good match!
Ok, seriously? So stunning! GorgeOUS.
Ayo is from England so this was a fitting backdrop for them!
Mmmm. So much goodness here!
Your eyes are like looking into a pot of bubbling hot dark chocolate! And that's a very good thing!
I adore Ayo's smile!! I couldn't not smile whenever he smiled!
Love.
After all the boating we drove to Stanley Park for a variation of nature and city backdrops.
I love the way Ayo is looking at Luna in this one.
Eeee!! This is a close second favourite!
I used a new editing technique with this one, thanks to the noted fashion photographer, Nigel Barker. (If you didn't read that sentence with your best Tyra Banks impression please re-read it now doing that impression. Thanks)
A little impromptu dance in Stanley Park.
Some people say direct sun on a person's face in a no-no, I say I like it in this picture. So there! =)
The End. Thanks for looking! Have a great weekend!
3.09.2011
Jasmine Star
I've ranted about Jasmine Star on so many occasions! She is one of the photographer's whose blog I've been following for a VERY long time! I found out about her before I even started my own business, so she was definitely a huge inspiration to me. That being said, there was NO way I was going to miss her talk at WPPI! She packed the house in the Grand Garden Arena of the MGM Grand, and even made most of us cry with her openness.
A lot of what Jasmine said that night I had heard in bits and pieces through other talks and workshops that she's done. But I always come away learning something new or being inspired in a new way. Here are some of the notes I jotted down from her talk...
-Why are you doing what you're doing? Pretty straight forward question, but it made me think.
-As far as your business goes, "You can't do everything well, focus on your strengths and outsource the rest." This concept was reiterated many a times this week through various speakers. I'm still determining what my strengths and weaknesses are, and more-so what I enjoy doing and what I could do without!
-Do I like the photographer I've become? I this touches on my post the other day about not being satisfied with where my priorities were at. But I've also been thinking about this on a more technical level, as well. I don't think I'm at the skill level that I'd like to be at yet, but I'm really happy with my progression. And that's the main thing, that I keep progressing and not get stagnant and settle for where I'm at because there are always new techniques to learn and apply.
-Don't try to make your photos look like someone else's. This coincided what Bobbi + Mike said about owning who you are, and what Becker said about finding out what makes you special and different from other photographers. I know that I'm embracing this more and more I take pictures. Defining who I am and what my style is. I'm still not fully there, but I hope I never really am. I want to always be striving to challenge myself.
-Big sacrifices lead to big changes which lead to big results. Enough said!
-What changes can I make in my own personal life? Jasmine wrote down some of the changes that she decided to make for herself and they were exactly the ones that I want to make as well. 1- family first 2- make sacrifices 3- learn to say no 4- stop getting caught up in comparisons. Then she challenged us to make two changes that would free up our time and better our business. The two changes I want to make are 1- Learn to say no so that I'm not over-working myself and hence giving me more free time to spend with my family and friends and enjoy life! 2- less social networking. Big one. When my daughter is awake, Facebook stays away. I've gotten better at this for sure, but I still need to wean it out a little bit more!
And finally, Dare To Succeed. I want to take her up on that dare. But I want to do it in a way that doesn't take time away from my family and allows me to run my business the best way that I can for myself and my family.
She had a great talk. At times it felt like she was speaking directly to me about the struggles that I've been facing in my quest to find balance. Can you see how all these sessions have just been building up on each other and why I needed so much time to process after I got home?! =)
After her session she was kind enough to hang around after and talked to us and even let us get a picture with her! Wow! So Star Struck at this moment! Don't mind me, I look a little too excited in this picture! Try to look past my owl eyes! Better yet, don't even look at me, look at the stunning Miss Jasmine Star!
Thanks for taking the picture, Justine!
3.08.2011
Bobbi & Mike
Bobbi and Mike's session was jam packed with so many good tips and full of inspiration. I took lots of notes during their session and compiled a few that really stood out to me and that I plan to implement into my business.
-You're not just a photographer. I loved this statement. I have always put the word 'just' infront of my profession for as long as I can remember. When I graduated and wasn't going to hair school yet I worked at a couple coffee shops. When people asked me what I did for work I'd say, "Oh, I'm just a barista." When I got my license for hair styling and was working at salons and then eventually at my own home I would still tell people, "I'm just a hair stylist." And now with photography, I often say, "I'm just a photographer." Seriously! What kind of job do I have to have in order to validate myself??? Geez louise! I am NOT just a photographer, I'm A PHOTOGRAPHER! And proud of it and of how far I've come in just one year!
-Own who you are. See last two sentences of previous paragraph! And along with owning who I am I want to own what I do.
-Show what you want to shoot. This concept has been on my mind for SO LONG now. I always think about this every time I post pictures from a shoot, or even ones I take at home of my daughter. Why should I post pictures on my blog or Facebook page that don't really showcase the style of images that I want to take? Take weddings for example. I'm not a stand-beside-each-other-and-
-Your Goal: To show the them that they are when they're alone in their living room. I love this! Bobbi was referring more about family shoots for this, but you can still transfer the concept to weddings and engagements. You want to create an atmosphere where the clients can feel at home. Along the same lines, Bobbi and MIke said to "put yourself in your client's shoes" and that "you're not going to get 'real' until you show it yourself", meaning you need to be real with your clients if you want them to relax and open up to you and your camera and be real themselves.
-Shoot every wedding as if it's your own. Touchez. Good point. In this case, put yourself in your brides shoes and, if you've been a bride yourself, remember how nervous you were the morning of your wedding and how everything really did have to be just right. Don't slack off for one wedding because you're not feeling excited about this particular wedding, whether the decor isn't quite your taste or the bride is a little too Bridezilla for your liking. It doesn't matter. Get off your high horse and do your job with pride and remember that this is HER day, not yours!
-The art always comes second to taking a beautiful picture. Your priority is to take flattering photos, NOT just taking photos that will look great in your portfolio. Mmm. This was a great point! It really echoed in my head for a while after! Every once in awhile, or probably more often than that, I come across a photo where I just LOVE the composition and the lighting and all the artistic aspects of the photo, but the bride's eye is squinting and/or the groom just happened to lick his lips at that moment. So much of me wants to use that image anyway, despite the risk of totally mortifying this poor couple that has hired me to document their wedding day forever! The last thing I want is for my client to NOT want to show their friends one of my images!! So, despite the fabulous composition and artistic layout, that image has to GO!
-When you give mediocre images that's all the client will see. This statement coincides with the previous one, but it really needs to be emphasized! Bobbi and Mike were so true in saying this, and that by giving your clients so many pictures, including the ones that are just ok, they won't see the handful of amazing images amongst all the mediocre ones. I need to work on this, big time. I need to only produce about 60 images from a portrait session/e-session, and have those be my 60 or so most favourite images. The images that really resonate with who I am and what my style is and what my branding is all about.
-There are going to be enough people who DO like you. So encouraging. How often have I thought to myself, "what if they don't like me? Or my pictures? Or my personality?!" Who cares?! There are enough people out there who do. Even if it's just my mom. Big deal! I've said this before and I'll say it again, I'm doing this for me, in a sense. Yes, my clients are a big part of it too, but as far as the artistic, creative stuff goes, that's all me! So if you don't want to hire me because I don't care if my skies are blown out in order to properly light my subjects face then please find a photographer who does care about properly exposed skies!
As you can see, Bobbi & Mike's session was jam-packed with so much knowledge! I was busy writing for most of the talk! I hope you enjoyed my ramblings and do check out their blog for some good reads and great images!
I don't have any pictures to share from that session. Sorry! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend, I sure did! I'll have to write about it another time. Today I've been lying in bed with one of the most severe headaches I've ever had. And just overall not so good. A couple hours nap didn't help the headache ease up either. Thankfully my mom lives near by and didn't mind coming over to help take care of Cheyenne while I try to not wince in pain every time I move my head. Fun. I hope your Tuesday is starting out better than mine!
3.07.2011
[b]ecker
Becker was the first session that I attended at WPPI. It was a couple of hours after we arrived at the MGM Grand and I was pumped for the start of an amazing week! Here are a few of the things that Becker said that stood out to me...
"Figure out what makes you special and different and figure out how to let people know about it."
We don't need to fit another photographer's mold when it comes to our own artistic style and creativity in photography. I'm still thinking about this for myself and what I think makes my images different and special compared to other photographer's images.
"Do whatever it takes to deliver an outstanding and remarkable experience to your clients."
Becker talked a lot about the whole overall experience that you make with your clients and your aim being to get your clients to rave about you and your services. Your personality and attitude are of utmost importance when dealing with a bride and groom. He said that "it is more important to be personable than professional." Not to say that being professional isn't important, but if you're going into a wedding all business and no personality, that'll affect the outcome of how your couple's relay their experience with you to their friends and family. After the wedding day is over, don't let up on your services, either. You need to keep your game on until you've delivered the final products, and even after that you want to maintain a great relationship with your clients.
"People don't always remember what you say but they remember how they felt."
This kind of branches off from my previous paragraph but the truth in it is so valuable. He said to "invest in relationships and improve your client experience." I think that I'm a very personable person, so maybe that will be part of what makes me different and special from other photographers? Becker said that your "#1 goal is to make sure the bride and groom are having a good time" on their wedding day. You can make sure this happens by making them "look and feel beautiful by genuinely caring for them and taking pride in what you do."
I have way more notes that I wrote down from his talk but these were the main things that stuck with me and that I want to really aim to improve in my business when dealing with couples or families for portrait sessions. Tomorrow, notes from Bobbi & Mike's session!
Here's a photo taken from the stage at [b]ecker's session. Can you spot Frances and I in the crowd??
Here we are!
3.04.2011
You Define You
During Tamara Lackey's session at WPPI, she quoted this quote by Tony Schwartz:
"Is the life you're leading worth the price you're paying to live it?"
I reread this quote yesterday as I was going through my notes from WPPI and I was struck, once again, by how much this quote resonates with me and my life. When I first heard it during Tamara's session it almost brought me to tears. Is my life, as I'm living it right now, worth the sacrifices I have to make to get it to this point?
I submit that it is not.
I haven't blogged much since coming home from WPPI, as you have seen, but I love that I haven't. Sounds strange, right? Let me explain this further.
For a few weeks/months now I've been struggling with the whole work/life balance scenario. I fully admit that I have been royally sucking at it. I didn't have boundaries. I didn't have a time and place when work ended and being a mom/wife/friend began. It all merged into one big mess of a day and life. I've cried many tears over this matter, I wish I would have figured this out sooner. I struggled so hard with this passion and desire of mine to succeed in my business but to also be a great mom and a loving wife. I was at the point where I couldn't give 100% to any of those areas. I couldn't go full force into the photography thing because I had a toddler to take care of and a house to manage and a husband to love. Yet, I couldn't be a great mom or wife because my mind was always partially thinking of photography and what I needed to do or could do to further my business.
I never thought I would encounter this problem, ever. I have never been in a job or career that I loved and that was more than a job but a passion and a creative outlook for me. But here I am, in love with a job that inspires me and fulfills my creative side. I always knew that I wanted to be a stay at home mom, but I never in my wildest dreams ever thought that I would find a career that I actually wanted to work at. Sometimes I thank God that I had a baby before I took up photography because I don't know that I would have wanted to have kids when we did because I love it that much. But, I never would have picked up a DSLR and fallen in love with it had I not had Cheyenne. She was the reason I started my business. She was the reason I fell in love with photography, with capturing real moments.
So why has my life/business gotten to this point? Because I've been looking at other people's businesses and recommendations and taken them on as my own.
Why have I let other people define what the Photography industry/business should look like for me? Did I even consider the fact that of these photographers that I listened to, not one of them had children to take care of? Some didn't even have spouses.
Newsflash: I DEFINE WHO I AM AND HOW I RUN MY BUSINESS AND WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME!
Yes, I could blog every day, but that takes up a LOT of time (really, it does) and it takes away precious time with my daughter that I will never be able to get back. One day all my kids will be in school and I will have so much more time to pour into my business, but right now, I'm a stay at home mom with an amazing little girl who deserves all of her mom, all day. Not just the physical part of me that hardly has time to sit and play with her because I have to read the comments on my blog, or email this client back, or update my website, or try some new marketing strategy.
So, that's why I love the fact that I haven't blogged much lately. In its place I've been able to go to the drop-in play gym with my daughter and watch her hang from the monkey bars for the first time; I got to watch her splash in puddles with so much excitement; I got to do puzzles and make soup with puff balls on her little Ikea kitchen. I will never regret doing any of those things in place of blogging.
I will go into so much more detail next week about all the things that I learned at WPPI and how each speaker impacted my life and business in a huge way.
So now my challenge for you is this: YOU define YOU! It's great to get ideas and inspiration and whatnot from other professionals in your industry but if it's causing you to make sacrifices in ways that you would one day regret, then it's not worth it. Not right now. Define what's important for you and your family and develop your business plan around that. Now THAT you won't regret.
Again, ask yourself: "Is the life you're leading worth the price you're paying to live it?"
"Is the life you're leading worth the price you're paying to live it?"
I reread this quote yesterday as I was going through my notes from WPPI and I was struck, once again, by how much this quote resonates with me and my life. When I first heard it during Tamara's session it almost brought me to tears. Is my life, as I'm living it right now, worth the sacrifices I have to make to get it to this point?
I submit that it is not.
I haven't blogged much since coming home from WPPI, as you have seen, but I love that I haven't. Sounds strange, right? Let me explain this further.
For a few weeks/months now I've been struggling with the whole work/life balance scenario. I fully admit that I have been royally sucking at it. I didn't have boundaries. I didn't have a time and place when work ended and being a mom/wife/friend began. It all merged into one big mess of a day and life. I've cried many tears over this matter, I wish I would have figured this out sooner. I struggled so hard with this passion and desire of mine to succeed in my business but to also be a great mom and a loving wife. I was at the point where I couldn't give 100% to any of those areas. I couldn't go full force into the photography thing because I had a toddler to take care of and a house to manage and a husband to love. Yet, I couldn't be a great mom or wife because my mind was always partially thinking of photography and what I needed to do or could do to further my business.
I never thought I would encounter this problem, ever. I have never been in a job or career that I loved and that was more than a job but a passion and a creative outlook for me. But here I am, in love with a job that inspires me and fulfills my creative side. I always knew that I wanted to be a stay at home mom, but I never in my wildest dreams ever thought that I would find a career that I actually wanted to work at. Sometimes I thank God that I had a baby before I took up photography because I don't know that I would have wanted to have kids when we did because I love it that much. But, I never would have picked up a DSLR and fallen in love with it had I not had Cheyenne. She was the reason I started my business. She was the reason I fell in love with photography, with capturing real moments.
So why has my life/business gotten to this point? Because I've been looking at other people's businesses and recommendations and taken them on as my own.
Why have I let other people define what the Photography industry/business should look like for me? Did I even consider the fact that of these photographers that I listened to, not one of them had children to take care of? Some didn't even have spouses.
Newsflash: I DEFINE WHO I AM AND HOW I RUN MY BUSINESS AND WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME!
Yes, I could blog every day, but that takes up a LOT of time (really, it does) and it takes away precious time with my daughter that I will never be able to get back. One day all my kids will be in school and I will have so much more time to pour into my business, but right now, I'm a stay at home mom with an amazing little girl who deserves all of her mom, all day. Not just the physical part of me that hardly has time to sit and play with her because I have to read the comments on my blog, or email this client back, or update my website, or try some new marketing strategy.
So, that's why I love the fact that I haven't blogged much lately. In its place I've been able to go to the drop-in play gym with my daughter and watch her hang from the monkey bars for the first time; I got to watch her splash in puddles with so much excitement; I got to do puzzles and make soup with puff balls on her little Ikea kitchen. I will never regret doing any of those things in place of blogging.
I will go into so much more detail next week about all the things that I learned at WPPI and how each speaker impacted my life and business in a huge way.
So now my challenge for you is this: YOU define YOU! It's great to get ideas and inspiration and whatnot from other professionals in your industry but if it's causing you to make sacrifices in ways that you would one day regret, then it's not worth it. Not right now. Define what's important for you and your family and develop your business plan around that. Now THAT you won't regret.
Again, ask yourself: "Is the life you're leading worth the price you're paying to live it?"
1.31.2011
FAQ /inspiration
This seems like a fitting post for today because I feel like I've been inspired from all directions lately! I'm not sure how to condense inspiration because for me I'm inspired by people, places and things, and they inspire me emotionally, spiritually and creatively. It's hard to separate these because when I'm inspired emotionally and spiritually it kind of flows into my creativity. So I'm just going to throw out all the different avenues of inspiration in my life, in random order.
1. Ikea. I love Ikea. More specifically, I like their catalogue and the rooms they have set up in their stores. "Fresh" is one of the words that I use to sum-up my photography style and I feel like everything in the Ikea store and catalogue fit into this style! I was browsing through their catalogue last night, coming up with so many new ideas of how to redecorate my house and that same inspiration comes out in my pictures and post processing. One day I will have an office that looks like this as far as organization goes. It's true. I've already made plans in my head!
2. Along those same lines, I love the brochures you get at the paint store with the different room colour ideas and stuff. Again, always fresh colours and decor! I'm currently thinking of re-painting my living room, something in a grey tone. We'll see what ends up happening! I got these rooms from Benjamin Moore.
3. My husband introduced me to a British show a few years ago that I actually quite enjoy. It's about cars. Yes, I enjoy it. It's quite humorous. It's called Top Gear UK. I just love the videography in it. The contrast, the angles, the lenses. It's all so beautiful.
4. I also get posing inspiration (as well as clothing inspiration) from magazines or clothing store ads, like Vogue and Banana Republic. Movies are actually good for posing ideas too.
5. My friend has a blog that is definitely uber inspiring. Her words, the imagery that her words evoke in my mind, her dreams and goals, her photos. I love reading her posts and think you should too!
6. I have a massive list of photographers that have and still do inspire me, but I'll keep it really short for right now. These two photographers were my biggest inspiration to start my own photography business. I could go on and on about all the things I love about them, their images, and their businesses but I'll let you just see for youselves... Jasmine Star and Jamie Delaine.
7. And last, but most certainly not least, I'm inspired by my family, and my daughter more specifically. I think having a baby and taking lots of pictures of her has definitely made me a better photographer. I can see life through her eyes, somewhat, and love trying to get that on camera. I don't know that I would have the same "eye" for my images if I wasn't a mom yet.
That's a brief summary of what inspires me. If you want to hear more you can take me out for coffee and I'll fill you in then! In the meantime, look for inspiration all around you.
Life has been a little non-stop for me lately, hence the lack of consistent blogging. Tomorrow I plan to take time to bring order and routine to my life so that this state of chaos and over-stress-edness will end and never return!
1. Ikea. I love Ikea. More specifically, I like their catalogue and the rooms they have set up in their stores. "Fresh" is one of the words that I use to sum-up my photography style and I feel like everything in the Ikea store and catalogue fit into this style! I was browsing through their catalogue last night, coming up with so many new ideas of how to redecorate my house and that same inspiration comes out in my pictures and post processing. One day I will have an office that looks like this as far as organization goes. It's true. I've already made plans in my head!
2. Along those same lines, I love the brochures you get at the paint store with the different room colour ideas and stuff. Again, always fresh colours and decor! I'm currently thinking of re-painting my living room, something in a grey tone. We'll see what ends up happening! I got these rooms from Benjamin Moore.
3. My husband introduced me to a British show a few years ago that I actually quite enjoy. It's about cars. Yes, I enjoy it. It's quite humorous. It's called Top Gear UK. I just love the videography in it. The contrast, the angles, the lenses. It's all so beautiful.
4. I also get posing inspiration (as well as clothing inspiration) from magazines or clothing store ads, like Vogue and Banana Republic. Movies are actually good for posing ideas too.
5. My friend has a blog that is definitely uber inspiring. Her words, the imagery that her words evoke in my mind, her dreams and goals, her photos. I love reading her posts and think you should too!
6. I have a massive list of photographers that have and still do inspire me, but I'll keep it really short for right now. These two photographers were my biggest inspiration to start my own photography business. I could go on and on about all the things I love about them, their images, and their businesses but I'll let you just see for youselves... Jasmine Star and Jamie Delaine.
7. And last, but most certainly not least, I'm inspired by my family, and my daughter more specifically. I think having a baby and taking lots of pictures of her has definitely made me a better photographer. I can see life through her eyes, somewhat, and love trying to get that on camera. I don't know that I would have the same "eye" for my images if I wasn't a mom yet.
That's a brief summary of what inspires me. If you want to hear more you can take me out for coffee and I'll fill you in then! In the meantime, look for inspiration all around you.
Life has been a little non-stop for me lately, hence the lack of consistent blogging. Tomorrow I plan to take time to bring order and routine to my life so that this state of chaos and over-stress-edness will end and never return!
11.25.2010
FAQ /post processing
This week I've had a few people ask me about my workflow/post processing (ie: editing). So I figured I may as well write a post about it in case anyone else is interested in knowing what goes on behind the scenes!
What is your workflow process like?
Here's a quick run-down of what I do:
1. Take pictures
2. Come home, upload pictures onto computer
3. Import pictures into Lightroom
4. Go through all pictures and purge, getting rid of any blurry ones, blinking eyes, funny faces, etc.
5. Edit all pictures in Lightroom
6. Export edited images into JPEGs
7. Go through JPEGs and fine tune any that need touch ups, and convert to Black and White - this is all done in Photoshop CS5
8. Pick favourites, enhance, add watermark, resize
9. Post pictures on Facebook and write blog post
That's the main gist of it.
What kinds of tinkering are you doing in post? Do you play with saturation or curves? It looks like you're adding some vignetting?
My goal is to do as little tinkering as possible. Ultimately I'd love to have my pictures as close to perfect as possible SOOC (straight out of camera) as possible. Since I'm just using a more basic, entry level DSLR I can't expect that right now. I take my pictures using Auto White Balance but it's always off. It might be easier if I explain what I do using pictures. So this is what this image looked like SOOC.
It's got potential but the colour is pretty dead. Not my style, AT ALL! I tend to like my colours slightly on the warm side too, no one likes to look sick in their pictures!
So, first off, I use my sliders and adjust the white balance (Side Note: I shoot in RAW all the time which allows more room for adjusting your images in post. And I shoot in Manual mode.) Once I've got my Colour right I move to the Brightness and Contrast sliders. I like to crank my contrast quite a bit. I like my images to pop. I'm not a fan of soft images. Then I slightly add a little "Light"ness to the image and drop the "Shadows" a fair bit using the sliders as well.
I don't touch the saturation. I decided that I want my pictures to look clean and fresh and not overly processed. It's either full colour, or black and white. No in between. And I want to stay consistent with that.
(And, no, I don't do any vignetting (making the corners darker) because it didn't go with the look and feel of the pictures that I wanted to have. Plus, it's extra time editing that I don't want to have!)
So, after doing all that, here's what we got...
Much better!!
Now I'll take that image and open it in Photoshop and add a few enhancements using my Kubota Actions, add my watermark, resize for the web, and VIOLA! Picture is done!
I hope that made sense. I do hate showing my pictures SOOC because they're not the quality that I am happy with! But I know how much I appreciate it when other photographers show their images SOAC so I'll do the same in hopes that somebody appreciates it!! haha.
Enjoy the rest of your Thursday. Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers!!!
PS: I have no idea why it's making such ginormous spaces between my paragraphs! I swear it doesn't look like that when I'm actually writing!
What is your workflow process like?
Here's a quick run-down of what I do:
1. Take pictures
2. Come home, upload pictures onto computer
3. Import pictures into Lightroom
4. Go through all pictures and purge, getting rid of any blurry ones, blinking eyes, funny faces, etc.
5. Edit all pictures in Lightroom
6. Export edited images into JPEGs
7. Go through JPEGs and fine tune any that need touch ups, and convert to Black and White - this is all done in Photoshop CS5
8. Pick favourites, enhance, add watermark, resize
9. Post pictures on Facebook and write blog post
That's the main gist of it.
What kinds of tinkering are you doing in post? Do you play with saturation or curves? It looks like you're adding some vignetting?
My goal is to do as little tinkering as possible. Ultimately I'd love to have my pictures as close to perfect as possible SOOC (straight out of camera) as possible. Since I'm just using a more basic, entry level DSLR I can't expect that right now. I take my pictures using Auto White Balance but it's always off. It might be easier if I explain what I do using pictures. So this is what this image looked like SOOC.
It's got potential but the colour is pretty dead. Not my style, AT ALL! I tend to like my colours slightly on the warm side too, no one likes to look sick in their pictures!
So, first off, I use my sliders and adjust the white balance (Side Note: I shoot in RAW all the time which allows more room for adjusting your images in post. And I shoot in Manual mode.) Once I've got my Colour right I move to the Brightness and Contrast sliders. I like to crank my contrast quite a bit. I like my images to pop. I'm not a fan of soft images. Then I slightly add a little "Light"ness to the image and drop the "Shadows" a fair bit using the sliders as well.
I don't touch the saturation. I decided that I want my pictures to look clean and fresh and not overly processed. It's either full colour, or black and white. No in between. And I want to stay consistent with that.
(And, no, I don't do any vignetting (making the corners darker) because it didn't go with the look and feel of the pictures that I wanted to have. Plus, it's extra time editing that I don't want to have!)
So, after doing all that, here's what we got...
Much better!!
Now I'll take that image and open it in Photoshop and add a few enhancements using my Kubota Actions, add my watermark, resize for the web, and VIOLA! Picture is done!
I hope that made sense. I do hate showing my pictures SOOC because they're not the quality that I am happy with! But I know how much I appreciate it when other photographers show their images SOAC so I'll do the same in hopes that somebody appreciates it!! haha.
Enjoy the rest of your Thursday. Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers!!!
PS: I have no idea why it's making such ginormous spaces between my paragraphs! I swear it doesn't look like that when I'm actually writing!
11.03.2010
FAQ / Equipment
Again, I'm going to start this FAQ post off by saying that this is only my opinion and these answers are based on what has worked for me up to this point in my business.
Reader Question:
What camera equipment do you have?
-Canon Rebel XSi camera body*
-Canon 18-55mm f/3.4 lens*
-Canon 50-250mm f/4 lens*
-Canon 35mm f/1.4 lens (Edited on 03.07.2011)
-Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens
-Macro lens/Wide angle lens*
-Canon 430 EX II flash
-Tripod*
-Reflector
-3 camera batteries
-4 8GB memory cards
The ones with a * beside them are from the original kit that I bought off Ebay. And I never have all of these things with me at the same time! (Except for weddings.) The flash has been lent to me from my mom and a few of the other smaller items I've purchased off Ebay for almost pennies.
Reader Question:
What lens do you use for Portrait Sessions?
My go-to lens right now is my 50mm f/1.8. I bought that lens off Craigslist about a week after I got my camera kit. I knew the style of photography that I wanted to do and the kit lenses just wouldn't get me the same result. The f/1.8 is very reasonably priced for a wide aperture prime lens. I've had a few issues with mine but I bought it used so there could be some damage to it that I don't know about. But overall it's been great! I also bring my 18-55mm f/3.5 lens with me incase I want some wider angle shots.
Reader Question:
For weddings, and any kind of shoot for that matter, do I need more then one camera?
I currently only have one camera body. There's no way I could afford to buy another camera right now (the next one I'm buying is over $2000! It' s the Canon 5D Mark II.) For weddings I can definitely see the plus side to having a second camera body on hand so that you can have 2 different lenses mounted at the same time and just switch back and forth (especially for during the ceremony). But that's not a feasible option for me right now.
For Portrait Sessions you would only really need one camera. At least for me. So I make the couple wait 30 seconds while I change my lens? No big deal. So far, none of my clients have rolled their eyes at me in annoyance for taking time to switch my lens!
One thing that has been great for me is renting lenses. I did this for the last 2 weddings that I shot and it was a great way to get a feel for the lens and to see if I like it or not before investing a large amount of money in buying one. I've rented from both Beau's and Leo's in Vancouver.
Having done this (renting lenses) I have now come to the conclusion that I love the Canon 35mm f/1.4 lens. That will be my next photography purchase for sure. I love the wider angle to it and the wide aperture. It was the main lens I used for the last wedding I did and I loved it. Perfect for low light situations. I'm not where I want to be in my camera/lens collection yet but I realize it takes time. This is not a cheap industry. But with time, and more bookings, I'll get there!
So, in conclusion, get what you can afford and practice as much as you can with what you've got until you can upgrade.
Reader Question:
What camera equipment do you have?
-Canon Rebel XSi camera body*
-Canon 18-55mm f/3.4 lens*
-Canon 50-250mm f/4 lens*
-Canon 35mm f/1.4 lens (Edited on 03.07.2011)
-Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens
-Macro lens/Wide angle lens*
-Canon 430 EX II flash
-Tripod*
-Reflector
-3 camera batteries
-4 8GB memory cards
The ones with a * beside them are from the original kit that I bought off Ebay. And I never have all of these things with me at the same time! (Except for weddings.) The flash has been lent to me from my mom and a few of the other smaller items I've purchased off Ebay for almost pennies.
Reader Question:
What lens do you use for Portrait Sessions?
My go-to lens right now is my 50mm f/1.8. I bought that lens off Craigslist about a week after I got my camera kit. I knew the style of photography that I wanted to do and the kit lenses just wouldn't get me the same result. The f/1.8 is very reasonably priced for a wide aperture prime lens. I've had a few issues with mine but I bought it used so there could be some damage to it that I don't know about. But overall it's been great! I also bring my 18-55mm f/3.5 lens with me incase I want some wider angle shots.
Reader Question:
For weddings, and any kind of shoot for that matter, do I need more then one camera?
I currently only have one camera body. There's no way I could afford to buy another camera right now (the next one I'm buying is over $2000! It' s the Canon 5D Mark II.) For weddings I can definitely see the plus side to having a second camera body on hand so that you can have 2 different lenses mounted at the same time and just switch back and forth (especially for during the ceremony). But that's not a feasible option for me right now.
For Portrait Sessions you would only really need one camera. At least for me. So I make the couple wait 30 seconds while I change my lens? No big deal. So far, none of my clients have rolled their eyes at me in annoyance for taking time to switch my lens!
One thing that has been great for me is renting lenses. I did this for the last 2 weddings that I shot and it was a great way to get a feel for the lens and to see if I like it or not before investing a large amount of money in buying one. I've rented from both Beau's and Leo's in Vancouver.
Having done this (renting lenses) I have now come to the conclusion that I love the Canon 35mm f/1.4 lens. That will be my next photography purchase for sure. I love the wider angle to it and the wide aperture. It was the main lens I used for the last wedding I did and I loved it. Perfect for low light situations. I'm not where I want to be in my camera/lens collection yet but I realize it takes time. This is not a cheap industry. But with time, and more bookings, I'll get there!
So, in conclusion, get what you can afford and practice as much as you can with what you've got until you can upgrade.
10.14.2010
FAQ /first look
There are two ways to schedule the portrait session of your wedding day (that being the bride and groom and bridal party pictures). One way is the more traditional way of taking the pictures right after the ceremony, the bride and groom seeing each other for the first time as the bride walks down the aisle. The second way is to take the picture before the ceremony, allowing the couple to have a First Look.
Each way has it's pros and cons. The traditional way of seeing the bride for the first time when she walks down the aisle is sweet because everyone gets to see the groom's expression as he takes in her beauty for the first time. There is so much anticipation for that moment when the doors open and the bride is revealed.
The First Look is my preference, as a photographer and as a bride. Here's why I think this. For one thing, you have so much more time for pictures, which makes it a more relaxed atmosphere and I can get all my ideas and inspirations into the photos because I'm not pressed for time. For the bride and groom it means that you get to have an intimate moment with each other on your wedding day, just the two of you and me taking pictures of the moment he first sees you and his honest and real reaction. You get to embrace and kiss and soak in each others beauty and handsomeness alone, without 200 people watching you. It also takes away some of those nerves that have been lingering in your stomachs all morning. You now get to fully enjoy each other and what the rest of the day will bring. You get to soak in the entire ceremony, all the guests and decorations, so much more. This was a huge reason why I chose to do a First Look when I got married (5 years ago tomorrow!). I'm a very emotional person (and that's an understatement!) and I knew that if I saw my groom for the first time as I walked down the aisle I would most definitely be crying the whole way down the aisle, and through the entire ceremony. Every picture would have my lip curled out and my eyes red as tomatoes and a kleenex glued to my nose. Pretty picture, no? =)
I loved the moment I first saw my husband. We met outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery. He waited with our photographer and faced the opposite direction that I was coming from. I walked alone along the sidewalk and came toward him, his back to me, the photographer taking pictures as I approached. When I neared my groom he turned around and we smiled. HUGE smiles. And tears. From me. And we embraced. We had time to tell each other how beautiful they were and how happy we were to be spending the rest of our lives with each other. When it came time for me to walk down the aisle at the ceremony I was composed and collected. I was able to look around and make eye contact with some of my guests and see their excitement for us. Of course I had to tear up at some point in the ceremony (during the vows) but that was about it. I fully enjoyed the ceremony and can remember so many moments from it which I wouldn't have been able to do had I not seen James before the wedding. Plus, the wedding day is already so busy and so full of people that you don't really get much time alone with your husband that day. The First Look gives you some time to be alone. To be a couple. To be husband and wife without people around you constantly.
That's why I prefer the First Look! Don't get me wrong, there is still beauty in waiting to see your groom for the first time at the ceremony, and I admit that I usually look at the groom when the bride is revealed because the look on his face when he sees his radiant wife-to-be for the first time is priceless.
Hope that made sense! And I'll still photograph your wedding if you don't do a First Look! =) Your wedding day is all about you and how you've envisioned the day to go. And if seeing your groom for the first time when you walk down the aisle is what you've always imagined it to be, then that's what we'll do and it will be fabulous!
This is what our First Look was like 5 years ago....
Ahhhhh the memories!!! I have a special blog post all ready to go for tomorrow. Tomorrow is a special day. A very special day. Much reflecting and reminiscing will be done!
Each way has it's pros and cons. The traditional way of seeing the bride for the first time when she walks down the aisle is sweet because everyone gets to see the groom's expression as he takes in her beauty for the first time. There is so much anticipation for that moment when the doors open and the bride is revealed.
The First Look is my preference, as a photographer and as a bride. Here's why I think this. For one thing, you have so much more time for pictures, which makes it a more relaxed atmosphere and I can get all my ideas and inspirations into the photos because I'm not pressed for time. For the bride and groom it means that you get to have an intimate moment with each other on your wedding day, just the two of you and me taking pictures of the moment he first sees you and his honest and real reaction. You get to embrace and kiss and soak in each others beauty and handsomeness alone, without 200 people watching you. It also takes away some of those nerves that have been lingering in your stomachs all morning. You now get to fully enjoy each other and what the rest of the day will bring. You get to soak in the entire ceremony, all the guests and decorations, so much more. This was a huge reason why I chose to do a First Look when I got married (5 years ago tomorrow!). I'm a very emotional person (and that's an understatement!) and I knew that if I saw my groom for the first time as I walked down the aisle I would most definitely be crying the whole way down the aisle, and through the entire ceremony. Every picture would have my lip curled out and my eyes red as tomatoes and a kleenex glued to my nose. Pretty picture, no? =)
I loved the moment I first saw my husband. We met outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery. He waited with our photographer and faced the opposite direction that I was coming from. I walked alone along the sidewalk and came toward him, his back to me, the photographer taking pictures as I approached. When I neared my groom he turned around and we smiled. HUGE smiles. And tears. From me. And we embraced. We had time to tell each other how beautiful they were and how happy we were to be spending the rest of our lives with each other. When it came time for me to walk down the aisle at the ceremony I was composed and collected. I was able to look around and make eye contact with some of my guests and see their excitement for us. Of course I had to tear up at some point in the ceremony (during the vows) but that was about it. I fully enjoyed the ceremony and can remember so many moments from it which I wouldn't have been able to do had I not seen James before the wedding. Plus, the wedding day is already so busy and so full of people that you don't really get much time alone with your husband that day. The First Look gives you some time to be alone. To be a couple. To be husband and wife without people around you constantly.
That's why I prefer the First Look! Don't get me wrong, there is still beauty in waiting to see your groom for the first time at the ceremony, and I admit that I usually look at the groom when the bride is revealed because the look on his face when he sees his radiant wife-to-be for the first time is priceless.
Hope that made sense! And I'll still photograph your wedding if you don't do a First Look! =) Your wedding day is all about you and how you've envisioned the day to go. And if seeing your groom for the first time when you walk down the aisle is what you've always imagined it to be, then that's what we'll do and it will be fabulous!
This is what our First Look was like 5 years ago....
Ahhhhh the memories!!! I have a special blog post all ready to go for tomorrow. Tomorrow is a special day. A very special day. Much reflecting and reminiscing will be done!
10.01.2010
FAQ /In The Beginning
Again, I'm probably not the most qualified person to write FAQ posts but I've been getting emails with questions so I thought I'd answer them in one big blog post! My answers are based on what has worked for me thus far in my business and if it helps you out in some way or another, then fabulous! If not, then you'll find some other way to find your answer.
Reader Question:
How did you get so many people in the beginning for your photo shoots when you were just starting out? Did you charge your first clients or did you use them as practice and then start charging once you had products to share?
When I felt comfortable enough with my camera I offered free photo sessions. Basically I put the word out on Facebook that I was looking for models to be willing to let me take their pictures for practice, for free. In return, as a thank you, I would give them a CD of the edited images (approx. 100 images). I got lots of responses from this and it definitely improved my confidence and my picture taking skills. I wasn't too picky at first about what type of shoots I did since I obviously needed experience with every genre of photo shoots. Later on I would pick the shoots that I wanted to either work on or just emphasize in my portfolio.
If someone specifically contacted me to do a photo shoot for them then I would charge them. I started out charging $50 for about an hour session and all images (approx. 100) on disc. I raised my rate for every 4 or so bookings. I think I went from $50 to $60 to $75 and so on, until I launched my website and my official business and now a portrait session starts at $120.
Reader Question:
Where do you print the pictures?
I've been getting my prints done through White House Custom Colour printers.
Reader Question:
How did you get the pictures in the beginning to showcase your work when you were just starting out and had no clients?
My 'portfolio' is all online. Mainly on this blog, and now also my website. The blog is what allows potential clients to see a whole session's images and to see consistency in that and what my overall style is, etc. After I've done a few more weddings then I'll put together my own Album to show potential brides and grooms what images they can expect and what the Albums look like and the quality of the printed images through a professional printer. I'm also planning on putting together a sort of album to compare different printers and the difference in quality clients would get by printing their pictures from Walmart versus printing through my Professional Printer. There really is a huge difference.
Reader Question:
How have you become more established? Do you think your Facebook page helped?
Honestly, most of my clients have found me by word of mouth. And most of my clients are all somehow connected to the very first paid photo shoots that I did! It's quite unreal, actually! But, yes, Facebook has been a huge Marketing tool that has worked to my advantage. I have traffic stats on my blog and website and Facebook is over and above the highest traffic source that brings viewers to my blog and website. Plus, on Facebook you can tag your clients which enables all their friends to see your work, and it keeps going from there! It's an upward spiral, really. That's why the free sessions really aren't that bad to do. You tag your friends in them on Facebook and you keep spreading the word.
Along that same note, you have to realize that you won't be making a profit within the first year of your business. At least that's true for most of us! I guess that's common for any business, though. My advice: Do the free photo shoots. I did my first wedding for free (I was the 2nd photographer, but not working for the main photographer) because I just wanted to have the opportunity to shoot a wedding and have some pictures to show that I can do weddings. People need proof that you're capable of doing a wedding before they hire you. I had quite a few wedding inquiries after I posted the pictures from that first wedding. So yes, you might not be making any money for your first few shoots, heck you might even be losing money, but in the end you'll more than make up for it because people will see what you're capable of and start booking you and before you know it you'll have more bookings than you know what to do with! (I'm definitely not at that point yet but I'm striving for it!)
It's important to have good equipment, it doesn't have to be the best, just something that will produce good quality images. And then you go from there. I started out with my Canon EOS Rebel XSi with 2 kit lenses and the next week I already bought a new lens (off Craigslist) because I knew the type of pictures and style that I wanted to achieve couldn't be done with the lenses that came with my kit. But you can rent lenses, too, which lets you play with them before you invest in them, and they're pretty cheap to rent.
Also, read read READ!!! I can't stress this enough! I spent hours and hours and HOURS, reading different forums and articles and so many blogs! I still do, actually! There is so much invaluable information out there and there really are a lot of photographers that love to help out other photographers with their FAQ posts (which is why I plan to do them myself! Give back to the community, kind of thing.) One of the forums I frequently visit and write on is OpenSourcePhoto. There are so many helpful photographers on there (and some who need to have an attitude check), and SO MANY topics that it's quite overwhelming! I look at magazines and other photographers blogs to get posing ideas and I have a scrapbook type of thing where I cut out and glue in any poses that inspire me and I want to remember to use one day. I also save pictures I find online into a folder and look through them before shoots sometimes.
Basically, it takes time to flourish in this industry, as I'm learning all the time. But if you have the heart and passion for it, you'll get to where you want to be eventually! There are still so many things that I don't understand or am still learning about. Keep taking pictures. Keep loving it. And keep being inspired! But most importantly, do it for you. Do it because you love the art. Don't let someone take away your passion. I had that happen to me at the beginning of my journey when I had some people (other photographers online) to critique some of my photos and I started doubting my abilities and stuff because they pointed out some technical faux-pas's with my photos. But then I realized I don't care what other people think about my pictures. I don't follow all the rules. I don't care if I don't follow all the rules. I take pictures as I see them unfold in my mind and in my viewfinder. And people are obviously liking what they see since I'm still getting bookings. Even if I never made any bookings I still wouldn't change the way I take pictures. It's my style and my interpretation of the world and my surroundings, and no one can tell me that my interpretation of something is wrong.
That got really long, but I hope it made sense! Feel free to email me with any more questions you might have! vanessa@vanessavoth.com
Reader Question:
How did you get so many people in the beginning for your photo shoots when you were just starting out? Did you charge your first clients or did you use them as practice and then start charging once you had products to share?
When I felt comfortable enough with my camera I offered free photo sessions. Basically I put the word out on Facebook that I was looking for models to be willing to let me take their pictures for practice, for free. In return, as a thank you, I would give them a CD of the edited images (approx. 100 images). I got lots of responses from this and it definitely improved my confidence and my picture taking skills. I wasn't too picky at first about what type of shoots I did since I obviously needed experience with every genre of photo shoots. Later on I would pick the shoots that I wanted to either work on or just emphasize in my portfolio.
If someone specifically contacted me to do a photo shoot for them then I would charge them. I started out charging $50 for about an hour session and all images (approx. 100) on disc. I raised my rate for every 4 or so bookings. I think I went from $50 to $60 to $75 and so on, until I launched my website and my official business and now a portrait session starts at $120.
Reader Question:
Where do you print the pictures?
I've been getting my prints done through White House Custom Colour printers.
Reader Question:
How did you get the pictures in the beginning to showcase your work when you were just starting out and had no clients?
My 'portfolio' is all online. Mainly on this blog, and now also my website. The blog is what allows potential clients to see a whole session's images and to see consistency in that and what my overall style is, etc. After I've done a few more weddings then I'll put together my own Album to show potential brides and grooms what images they can expect and what the Albums look like and the quality of the printed images through a professional printer. I'm also planning on putting together a sort of album to compare different printers and the difference in quality clients would get by printing their pictures from Walmart versus printing through my Professional Printer. There really is a huge difference.
Reader Question:
How have you become more established? Do you think your Facebook page helped?
Honestly, most of my clients have found me by word of mouth. And most of my clients are all somehow connected to the very first paid photo shoots that I did! It's quite unreal, actually! But, yes, Facebook has been a huge Marketing tool that has worked to my advantage. I have traffic stats on my blog and website and Facebook is over and above the highest traffic source that brings viewers to my blog and website. Plus, on Facebook you can tag your clients which enables all their friends to see your work, and it keeps going from there! It's an upward spiral, really. That's why the free sessions really aren't that bad to do. You tag your friends in them on Facebook and you keep spreading the word.
Along that same note, you have to realize that you won't be making a profit within the first year of your business. At least that's true for most of us! I guess that's common for any business, though. My advice: Do the free photo shoots. I did my first wedding for free (I was the 2nd photographer, but not working for the main photographer) because I just wanted to have the opportunity to shoot a wedding and have some pictures to show that I can do weddings. People need proof that you're capable of doing a wedding before they hire you. I had quite a few wedding inquiries after I posted the pictures from that first wedding. So yes, you might not be making any money for your first few shoots, heck you might even be losing money, but in the end you'll more than make up for it because people will see what you're capable of and start booking you and before you know it you'll have more bookings than you know what to do with! (I'm definitely not at that point yet but I'm striving for it!)
It's important to have good equipment, it doesn't have to be the best, just something that will produce good quality images. And then you go from there. I started out with my Canon EOS Rebel XSi with 2 kit lenses and the next week I already bought a new lens (off Craigslist) because I knew the type of pictures and style that I wanted to achieve couldn't be done with the lenses that came with my kit. But you can rent lenses, too, which lets you play with them before you invest in them, and they're pretty cheap to rent.
Also, read read READ!!! I can't stress this enough! I spent hours and hours and HOURS, reading different forums and articles and so many blogs! I still do, actually! There is so much invaluable information out there and there really are a lot of photographers that love to help out other photographers with their FAQ posts (which is why I plan to do them myself! Give back to the community, kind of thing.) One of the forums I frequently visit and write on is OpenSourcePhoto. There are so many helpful photographers on there (and some who need to have an attitude check), and SO MANY topics that it's quite overwhelming! I look at magazines and other photographers blogs to get posing ideas and I have a scrapbook type of thing where I cut out and glue in any poses that inspire me and I want to remember to use one day. I also save pictures I find online into a folder and look through them before shoots sometimes.
Basically, it takes time to flourish in this industry, as I'm learning all the time. But if you have the heart and passion for it, you'll get to where you want to be eventually! There are still so many things that I don't understand or am still learning about. Keep taking pictures. Keep loving it. And keep being inspired! But most importantly, do it for you. Do it because you love the art. Don't let someone take away your passion. I had that happen to me at the beginning of my journey when I had some people (other photographers online) to critique some of my photos and I started doubting my abilities and stuff because they pointed out some technical faux-pas's with my photos. But then I realized I don't care what other people think about my pictures. I don't follow all the rules. I don't care if I don't follow all the rules. I take pictures as I see them unfold in my mind and in my viewfinder. And people are obviously liking what they see since I'm still getting bookings. Even if I never made any bookings I still wouldn't change the way I take pictures. It's my style and my interpretation of the world and my surroundings, and no one can tell me that my interpretation of something is wrong.
That got really long, but I hope it made sense! Feel free to email me with any more questions you might have! vanessa@vanessavoth.com
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