hi! so here you are! whether you just picked up a camera or have been doing this for years, you might be a little bit curious about my methods of business and photography. this page offers resources i use on a daily basis, as well as a few words of advice to starting photographers.
** W O R K S H O P t o b e a n n o u n c e d i n A u g u s t ! **
how i stay inspired:
my friends and family- keeping them a priority helps me stay fresh and keeps me loving photography.
taking breaks- one of the best decisions i've made in my business was deciding not to book any weddings between january and march. it was tough to say no, but i'm so glad i did. now each year i come back to wedding season refreshed and super excited to start again!
setting goals- this is huge. i set a new and different goal for every shoot i do whether it be to try a new technique, concept, time of day, or composition to create that one jaw dropping photo. i also have monthly and yearly goals to keep me in ship-shape.
making friends with other photographers- having friends who don't mind talking photography all the time is amazing! :D since photography can be very isolating at times, it's so rewarding to have friends who know what you're going through and can inspire and challenge you in the field.
wedding magazines- i choose magazines over blogs because the presentation can be more creative, but i'm picky...only the best will do for this kind of inspiration. i look for magazines with limited ads, incredible layouts, and features that reflect my style.
journaling to clear my mind and refocus
pursuing other passions- for me that's dance, music, and cooking. don't let all your time be consumed by your business; enjoy life!
what's in my bag?
1 canon 5D mark ii
2 canon 5D's
15mm 2.8
16-35mm 2.8L
24-70mm 2.8L
50mm 1.4
50mm 2.8 sigma macro
70-200mm 2.8L
200mm 2.8L
also in my bag:
2 580 EX II flashes
2 transceiver pocket wizards
a shootsac
a think tank airport international roller bag/luggage
what do i use for editing?
adobe lightroom
adobe photoshop
kubota actions
boutwell actions
who designs my websites?
bludomain designed and hosts my main website
squarespace hosts my blog and i designed it
do i shoot jpeg or raw?
100% raw. better color, better detail, better depth, and easier editing...the only downside is the terrible amount of space the files require!
helpful resources for starting photographers:
how to win friends and influence people by dale carnegie (read it!!)
do you offer internships?
currently, no.
advice for beginners?
-first, do some soul searching. establish boundaries for your personal and business life. running and owning your own business can (and probably will) consume your entire existence if you don't set boundaries for yourself. what will you (and what won't you) sacrifice for your business?
-pay attention to the business side. don't skip the necessary steps like becoming a legal entity, getting insured, creating a business plan, setting up bookkeeping, and identifying your pricing strategy. please. :)
-shoot every day! expand your creativity by coming up with a vision and then shooting it. you'll grow so quickly if you really devote yourself to it. (and shoot in manuel!)
-learn. see what's out there. what style are you drawn to? what techniques do you need to learn? how can you learn them? take your time learning and find a mentor.
-finally, stop looking at everyone else, set your fears aside, and embrace your approach to photography. hello freedom. :)