Make a purchase in the SweetiePea Boutique shop 2/25 through 3/2 and you will receive 10 bonus entries!!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Make a purchase in the Baby Le Cradle etsy shop 2/18 through 2/23 and you will receive 10 bonus entries!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, February 11, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Meet Rachael from Simple Sally. . . .
What inspired you to open your shop?
I've been hosting my Photoshop templates I called "Tog Tools" for about 2 years on my blogsite, and honestly I was tired of having all of my products on so many pages. I wanted everything in one place.
When did you open your shop?
Literally just a week ago! But again, I've been selling products to Photographers for a couple of years now. The shop is just a new place for all of it
What was your very first sale?
In my new shop, Simple Sally, it was a handwritten initials set, which I am really really enjoying making!
What is your favorite item to make today?
The initials :)
Are you self taught? Or did you take classes to help you get where you are?
I'm self taught, yes. I read a lot online, and I always want to learn more about designing things & using Photoshop - now I've jumped into learning more about Illustrator and things.
Do you have any other jobs?
I'm a full time mommy and I'm also a lifestyle photographer for babies + children in central Illinois.
Describe your style in just three words.
Simple, clean, fun.
Do you accept custom orders?
Within reason, I do. I'll be expanding my offerings as time as goes on.
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
As far as Simple Sally - I hope it's thriving & full of even more simple, yet fun, products that photographers and small businesses can use in their business.
Where do you turn to for inspiration?
Myfonts.com - design-seeds.com, pinterest, my FB newsfeed, magazines, websites, etc
What was your last (non business related) book you read?
it's been awhile, I need a new good one!
What one color describes your personality?
gray
Have any pet peeves?
People chewing with their mouths open
Make a purchase in the Simple Sally. shop 2/4 through 2/9 and you will receive 10 bonus entries!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, January 28, 2013
newborn photographer feature | Jenne Dunham Photography
Category: newborn photographer feature, photographer feature
1. What inspired you to become a photographer?
I have a strong need in me to be artistic, yet I can't draw or paint or sculpt. Photography always was that outlet for me. Portrait photography in particular was just something I needed to do. I want to study the human face and really find the soul that's inside. I find it so fascinated in capturing who the person really is in their image.
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2. Describe your style in 3 words?
Clean, organic, simple.
3. What is in your camera bag? And what equipment did you start out with?
I currently shoot with a Canon 5DMKIII and a 50mm 1.2L lens for almost all of my work. I have the 100mm 2.8 macro for my macro images and if space is tight, then I break out my 16-35mm 2.8L. I also always have my Robin Meyers digital gray card and my Photovision Target and iPad (for white noise). When I made the transition to digital from film, I started out with the Canon 5D (original). I still have that as my backup camera and it has served me very well. The lens I started out with was the 85mm 1.8 and then moved to the 50mm 1.4.
4.At what point did you specialize? And what drew you to newborn photography?
December 2011 is when I announced that I'd only be accepting new newborn clients. I was drawn to newborn photography for a number of reasons. First, who doesn't want to get paid to snuggle with newborns all day?!?! Second, I found I really didn't enjoy giving direction to clients with older children so much. It's just so much easier when I just *do* the work (including the posing) for them! Third, I love the look of it - I think it's an amazing art form and I feel completely humbled and honored that families let me into their homes at such an incredibly intimate time.
5.When did you figure out your own style? How long did it take to find YOU?
This took awhile for sure! There was definitely a process of evolution for me. I started out with bold colors and bright, fun hats. Over time I came to realize that what I personally was most drawn to when it came to design and decor was very soft, organic, nature-inspired themes, so I started shifting my work in that direction. Just a few months ago I had a moment while editing where I felt like I finally really found myself - an 'A ha!' moment of sorts. I'm really happy about where I am now with my style though I'm certain I'll always be evolving.
6.What has been your best investment for your business? Camera upgrade, lens, prop, etc...
The one-on-one workshop I took with Keri Meyers really shoved my work to the next level. That was money very well spent (plus she's just a super sweet person)!
7. Are you self-taught or did you take classes to help you get where you are?
I'm both! My journey into photography really began in high school and continued into college. I then didn't do much with it until after the birth of my first child, when I was motivated to pick up the camera again. From that point I learned the bulk of it on my own with the help of reading and posting on various photography forums. I've also taken several courses online and an in-person mentorship which have really helped me a great deal.
8.Do you use natural light or studio lighting?
Studio! Initially I shot all natural light but found that it was difficult to provide consistent results to my clients since every shoot was in a new location (some tiny with very little available light). Since switching, I feel my finished work has improved a great deal.
9.How do you "get away" from business? What is your escape?
I really love to go walking around downtown, browsing antique shops with a mocha from Starbucks. That's kind of my perfect day.
10. What was the last book you read (not photography related)?
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened ( A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson. She.is.hilarious!!!
11. What advice would you give to somebody just starting out?
Learn to use your camera in manual and take a business course (preferably something specific to photography).
12. Where do you look for inspiration? In person: locations, antique and thrift stores.
I browse antique shops a lot hoping something will just jump out at me but most of my inspiration comes from textures. I'm a textile junky and love fabrics so if I see a great backdrop, I build my set around that or likewise a great hat or headband, I'll build it around that.
13. Who is your photographer crush??
She's not a newborn photographer, but Meg Bitton. If I can ever afford to travel to her I'm definitely hiring her to photograph my family. Her work is beyond amazing.
14. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In my own studio space (traveling isn't the most fun thing ever with all that gear!) still shooting newborns. I also plan to be teaching newborn workshops regularly at that time. Hopefully I'll also have an office manager!
15. What's your favorite color?
Right now it's teal.
16. Have any pet peeves?
Yes. I don't like it when people talk during movies and when drivers don't pull forward into the intersection on unguarded left turns. I also really don't like being interrupted, but then, who does?
17. Your go to lens?
My 50mm 1.2L!
18. Married? Have kids? If so, tell us about them! :)
Yes, I've been married for 15 years and have 4 kids. My oldest is an almost 12 year old girl in 6th grade, following by an almost 9 year old girl in 3rd grade, and then 6 1/2 year old twin boys who are in 1st grade this year! My kids are my whole world.
19. anything else you want to share? mentor? sell anything?
Yes! I'm now taking names of those interested in online mentorship sessions with me as I plan to release those soon. I also run a little prop shop called Moon Valley Design which offers timeless hats and headbands for the newborn photographer. I also have a 4-in-1 action which creates a nice matte effect with the option of black and white and 3 different color tints which I offer in my shop. http://moonvalley.bigcartel.com/
Monday, January 14, 2013
newborn photographer feature | Nancy Alcott Photography
Category: newborn photographer feature, photographer featurei pretty much have a serious crush on our next featured photographer :) her photos are so natural and beautiful ...
meet miss nancy alcott :)
1. What inspired you to become a photographer?
My brother, my Father and my daughter. My brother is an amazing photographer, my Father bought me my first camera, and my daughter changed my world in the most amazing ways I could imagine.
2. Describe your style in 3 words?
clean, modern, soft.
3. What is in your camera bag? And what equipment did you start out with?
I started out with a canon 4D, and today I carry with me a canon 5D Mark II & III, a canon 50mm L1.2, canon 85mm L1.2.
4.At what point did you specialize? And what drew you to newborn photography?
Quickly after deciding babies + children were all I wanted to photograph, I heard of the great Kelley Ryden and I popped in to spend a day with her. It was life changing.
5.When did you figure out your own style? How long did it take to find YOU?
I'm still finding me because I strive to constantly change things up as often as possible.
6.What has been your best investment for your business? Camera upgrade, lens, prop, etc...
Honestly, my 50mm and my assistant, Randi. Both are tireless and both are invaluable to me.
7. Are you self-taught or did you take classes to help you get where you are?
Aside from taking a one day workshop, I'm completely self taught both in photography and photoshop. This may be a bit limiting, but my groove is my groove, and it works for me.
8.Do you use natural light or studio lighting?
I'm a natural light girl, and always will be.
9.How do you "get away" from business? What is your escape?
The best escape for me is ironically to spend time with more kids, but this time it's my own two little ones. There's nothing more soul fulfilling for me than being with my family.
10. What was the last book you read (not photography related)?
The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time. It's an amazing story from a Autistic man, and it speaks to me because my 4 year old daughter has Autism.
11. What advice would you give to somebody just starting out?
Take risks, shoot for free to gain experience both with your camera, your subject(s) and your client skills. Look to assist established photographers you like to gain hands on experience.
12. Where do you look for inspiration? In person: locations, antique and thrift stores.
Etsy, Pinterest and Antique stores for props, and the combination usually results in a lot of dollars well spent.
13. Who is your photographer crush??
Kelley Ryden + Tracy Raver, Caroline Tran.
14. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hosting workshops in a big beautiful natural light studio (I only shoot on location now), and ensuring I know just a little more about Math than my kids. Hopefully.
15. What's your favorite color?
Green.
16. Your go to lens?
canon 50mm L1.2.
17. Married? Have kids? If so, tell us about them! :)
I'm incredibly lucky to have my gorgeous husband, Günther, and we have two amazing kids - my daughter Amstel, 4, and my son Zealand, 2.
18. anything else you want to share? mentor? sell anything?
I'm considering giving newborn posing workshops here in San Francisco in 2013, and would love feedback from photographers interested!
thank you so much for sharing with us Nancy!!!
to follow her beautiful work on Facebook go "like" her page HERE :)
Monday, January 7, 2013
the fabulous crave photography is giving away a 50mm 1.4 lens AND mentoring session AND templates ... thats crazy! make sure you enter this one!!
http://cravemyphotography.com/blog/business-jump-start-giveaway/
http://cravemyphotography.com/blog/business-jump-start-giveaway/
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