Building a Photography Business One Click at a Time

February Photo Prompts

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:43:00 +0000

Just a quick reminder to join us with our February Photo Prompts (click the photo above to see a full size). We'd love for you to post your photos on our Facebook wall or leave a comment below linking us to your blog.

Unfortunately, I fell a bit behind on my photo prompts this week. But here is a quick recap of a few images I did manage to capture......

February 13: Hearts

February 14: Valentine

Here are the Valentine's Day cupcakes I picked up for my kids, YUM!

February 15: Mug Shot
I love my zebra mug!

Beauty is All Around Us--Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:58:00 +0000

I've been having fun playing with text and textures thanks to Kim Klassen's Beyond Layers class. It has been a great learning experience. I feel like I'm looking at everything with a new set of eyes........

BEHIND THE LENS: With Hena Tayeb, Belleville, New Jersey

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

We are super excited to introduce Hena Tayeb from the great state of New Jersey. We typically showcase professional portrait photographers on our site so we are happy to introduce something new with the brilliant and bold work from Hena. Hena and her family love to travel the world. Her photographs are in limited editions. They capture the amazing view from her lens where she captures unusual abstracts and angles allowing the ordinary to appear extraordinary. It is with great pleasure that we introduce Hena!

Your Name: Hena Tayeb

Your studio/business name: Hena Tayeb Photography

Location: Belleville, New Jersey

Website: http://www.henatayebphotography.com

Blog: http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/henatayeb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HenaTayebPhotography

Your Style

In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography?

Architectural, abstract, unique, bold and beautiful. My clients get a look into my heart, my soul and the way I see the world. I zoom in and bring to light the details of things I see around me.

Are you self-taught or classroom trained?

Classroom trained I suppose. It was my minor in college.

How many years have you been a professional photographer?

4 years. I started right out of college.

Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years?

5 years.. I would like to have exhibited my work in more than five different galleries by then. But mostly I’d just like to have my work in more homes, on more walls and bring the beauty I see around me into others lives.

Is there a photographer who inspires your style? Who would that be?

There are so many brilliant photographers out there each with a different perspective, a unique take on the world. It is difficult to pick just one.

Favorite location to take photos?

I have been fortunate to have been able to travel and I find each fascinating and beautiful in its own unique way. I have yet to think of one as a favorite. I have a deep love of architecture and old buildings, churches and cathedrals are always a favorite of mine.

Favorite vacation spot?

Anywhere I haven’t been before, where I have my husband, my baby boy and camera with me is perfect in my opinion.

Your Business

What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer?

I was always an artist at heart, as a child I drew and painted, as a teen I wrote and when I went to collage I chose photography as a minor. It was my way of expressing myself. I just never had the encouragement to turn it into a profession. The pivotal moment came after I graduated college and I started to upload my photographs onto RedBubble. The amount of praise I received there gave me the courage I needed to put myself out there. It was after that I could say to those who asked that I was a photographer.

What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you?

Blogging, I would say has worked the best for me. But it was only after I started to become more active, posting regularly, sharing more about me and my family instead of it always being about work. Featuring other artists and most importantly reading other peoples blogs and building relationships.

What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you?

I have yet to be surprised by a customer.

Favorite print lab?

American Frames.. I love their quality, professionalism and their packing.

Your Gear

Are you Canon or Nikon: Canon

If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be?

My Canon Ultrasonic 90mm – 300mm

What brand bag do you carry your camera in?

I rather not say, not proud of my choice.

What gear would we find in your camera bag?

Camera (obviously), two lenses, an extra memory card, charger.

Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan?

Natural Light

Are you PC or Mac?

Your Tips and Tricks

What post processing tools do you use?

Lightroom and Photoshop

Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg?

Both.

Best advice you would give a new photographer?

Don’t worry so much about pleasing your teachers; the problem is not you it’s them. (And I know that is not a great message but I had some not so nice teachers. Photography especially and she made me feel horrible every day until I stopped caring about her, kept my head down and did my best.)

What site do you use for your photography and why?

http://www.henatayebphotography.com I think it represents me well.

What Else Should We Know?

What was your worst photography experience?

I just had the worst two in the last 6 months. The first was when we were in Canada. I couldn’t find my converter for my charger. We looked around for one in our area but everyone kept trying to sell us the pricey universal converter packages which we did not need. We needed just one little $2 converter. We thought we’ll get one on the way or when we get there. Two days later and we still haven’t found one and my battery is running low and I can’t take the pictures I want to take and we had seven more vacation days left. The tension was mounting. Not fun. We eventually found one but it is not an experience I want to repeat. The second experience was worse. We were in Aruba and I am mid taking pictures when my memory card is all full and I was in a hurry to take it out to put in another. And when I turn the camera on afterwards it gives me and error signaling that the camera is broken. Had to buy a new one when I got back. L

What would surprise people most about you, whether it is photography related or not?

I’m not sure. I’m a very tiny person, less than five feet with a great big voice. I don’t think many people expect that.

And just because we want to know you, fill in the blanks

Three things I can’t live without….

My family. My Camera and my hard drive. I wish I had more….. time and sleep

The best thing about being a photographer is…

being able to capture moments and memories. Being able to focus on the smaller components that escape the eye.

The most important lesson I ever learned was…

relax, everything does not have to be in it place, things don’t always go according to plan.

My favorite time of day is…

It used to be the mornings..before my mornings began to start at 5am. Now I enjoy any and all quiet moments. Usually the time my husband comes home and my son manages to stay awake and see the excitement on his face.

February Prompt: Hearts

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:37:00 +0000

by: Kristina

Have you been following along with your February Photo Prompts? We hope so. We encourage you to post photos on our Facebook page and/or leave a link to your photos below. We'd love to see your images.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we thought a good prompt for today would be Hearts (tomorrow's is Valentine). Below is my image. I processed it with Kim Klassen's Revolution texture and the Florabella Action Milk and Honey.

Happy early Valentine's Day!

Six Word Memoirs. What is Yours?

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:03:00 +0000

by Kristina

A couple of weeks ago, Kim Klassen introduced the Beyond Layers group to SMITH Magazine and the Six Word Memoirs. I had not heard of this project until her post and then two days later I saw links and references to it popping up all over the place...funny how that happens.....

Little did I know that there is a series of bestselling books on the subject and that the project has been featured in numerous magazines and tv and radio programs. You can see the full list of press coverage here. It is impressive! And check out this video regarding the book; you will be inspired!

Inspired by the website and encouraged by Kim to come up with my own six word story, I've been writing down various versions at night over the past couple of weeks. It is actually a great exercise. It has made me think about where I am, where I'm going, and what I want to be........

Here are just a few of my six word stories.......

Midwestern gal living the California dream
Worrywart who is learning to relax
Thought it was one; had two
Forty-four and wanting much, much more
Grateful for family, friends and camera

What is your six word story? You can share it on Smith Magazine's Website and if you'd like to share it with us, please leave your story in the comments below.

By the way, if you have not signed up for her Kim's Beyond Layers class, it is not too late. It is 52 weeks of inspiration, motivation and creative challenges. I am loving it!

February Prompt: Shadows

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:23:00 +0000

Are you following along with our February Photos Prompts? We hope so. Here is my photo for today:

Yoga Shadows--Namaste!

BEHIND THE LENS: Nicole M Stuart Lewiston, NY (Greater Buffalo Area)

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:49:00 +0000

We are so excited to feature Nicole M. Stuart from StuStuStudio Photography on our blog today. You can see from her photos that she absolutely loves her job. We love her enthusiasm and the extra little touches she provides for her clients. Thank you Nicole for sharing your passion with us today!

Your Name: Nicole M Stuart

Your studio/business name: StuStuStudio Photography

Location: Lewiston, NY (greater Buffalo area)

Website: www.stustustudio.com

Blog: Twitter/Facebook: www.facebook.com/justsaytheword

Your Style:

In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography? Clients describe my photography as fun and creative. I’ve been told that I make a family feel comfortable right away and that it shows in my photographs. I love children so when I photograph them, it is not a job it is a joy, I absolutely love it.

Are you self-taught or classroom trained? Both. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the SUNY@ Fredonia specializing in photography however there are so many things as a photographer that you just learn from experience.

How many years have you been a professional photographer? This is tough question for me as I have been photographing for over 15 years but not on a regular basis. About 6 months ago I really started advertising and utilizing the social media to market myself and have been pleasantly surprised at how busy I have been :).

Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years? I have so many ideas and ambitions I can go on forever in this category...I am just going to continue to learn and grow everyday as a photographer and artist and see where destiny leads.

Is there a photographer who inspires your style? On the portrait side I am inspired by so many but not one in particular. On the artistic side of photography, yes.

Who would that be? Freeman Patterson, I have always been fascinated by his use of light....it is breath taking. Favorite location to take photos? Anywhere outside with natural light! Favorite vacation spot? Love Cali but would have to say... Cape Cod, Mass. This is my families vacation spot, we have created so many memories there through out the years. :)

Your Business:

What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer? This stems back to 10th grade in high school. I was obsessed from my first photography class. I would stay after school whenever possible just to work in the darkroom, (yes darkroom). I was never the same after that, every where I go, my camera goes.

What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you? Having a refer a friend program. I put a little saying with a few cards in a clients final cd package which has worked out really well. I give the referring client a discount on their next session. The 2nd is posting my work on facebook. I have gotten so many jobs from friends viewing my posts.... I am so thankful!

What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you? I can’t say I have had any surprising questions as of yet...

Favorite print lab? Right now I am using Mpix.

Your Gear:

Are you Canon or Nikon (or –other): Canon

If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be? Canon 50mm 1.4

What brand bag do you carry your camera in? Canon•

What gear would we find in your camera bag? Canon 3Ti, Canon50mm1.4, Canon efs 18-135mm, canon430exII (flash), and of course Burts Bees lip balm! :)

Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan? Natural light all the way!

Are you PC or Mac? Mac

Your Tips and Tricks:

What post processing tools do you use? Programs: I still use Picasa (have purchased lightroom but have yet to really dive i). Photoshop of course. I am a big fan of Florabella Actions but also ty to edit myself so that I continue to enhance my own photoshop skills.

Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg? I actually shoot in both but usually edit the raw image.

Best advice you would give your 20-year old self? Don’t wait to fulfill your dreams in life. If you want to do something throw yourself at it and do it!

Best advice you would give a new photographer? Utilize the resources available on the web, you are your own best teacher!

What site do you use for your photography and why? I host through Zenfolio for client viewing.

What Else Should We Know?

What was your worst photography experience? I don’t consider any of them bad but instead learning experiences!

What would surprise people most about you, whether it is photography related or not? hmmmm.... I don’t start editing until about 11pm which means I don’t get much sleep, it is over rated these days any way.

There is just not enough time in a day for me right now so I figure if I want my dreams to come true, I need to work for it.

Tell us something else you’d like us to know: I have an amazing husband and a beautiful 2

year old son that make me smile everyday! :)

And just because we want to know you better, fill in the blanks.....

Three things I can’t live without....My family, My Camera, Never thought i would say this but my Computer!

I wish I had more..... lenses The best thing about being a photographer is...capturing the joy and beauty of every day life. It opens my eyes to so many new things!

The most important lesson I ever learned was.... Be true to yourself and the rest will fall in place.

My favorite time of day is...morning

Getting Organized--Creating an Organized Office Space

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:43:00 +0000

by Kristina

One of my resolutions for this year, was to get more organized and to clean up my office space. I'm fortunate in that I have a separate office in our home but it has become the catch all space for our entire family. Sound familiar?

Office {Before}

This is the room located right off of our entryway where backpacks are tossed, school papers and bills are left in piles on the desk and bags from shopping excursions sit until the contents are put away. It is a room where toys end up collecting dust between craft bins overflowing with ribbons, glue sticks and stamp pads.

It is also a space where I edit photos and work on my social media projects as well as a spot where my kids do homework and play World of Warcraft (until I kick them off--despite their pleas of "just until I level up.").

Now that 2012 is here, the days of a clutter filled room are behind me. Over the past few weeks, I've been purging, organizing and tidying up. Real Simple Magazines from 2006 have been recycled. Books from college have been let go (do I really need Kotler's Marketing 101 book?) and boxes of checks from 2002 have been shredded (I'm a total pack rat!).

Office (After}

All these things have been replaced by rattan baskets from Ikea, magazine holders (with only current issues) from Target and the various clay creations my kids have made now neatly hide CF cards, flash drives and batteries.

Everything has a place!

My office is now a space that I love working in and one that inspires me. Photos hang on peaceful, french blue walls (favorites that I took of my kids as well as prints from Camp Shutter Sisters), inspirational blocks remind me to breathe and trust the universe and jars are filled with multi-colored Sharpies and colored pencils. Best of all, twinkling lights illuminate all of these treasures (thank you Camp Shutter Sisters and Susan Case for the idea).

So here is to 2012! A year for learning and creating in a space that feels like home.

We'd love to see your creative space. Please share a link below or post a photo on our Facebook page.

DIY Instagram iPhone Cover

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:04:00 +0000

I have been wanting a new case for my iPhone for quite some time now and had my eye on the Instagram cases from Casetagram . But then one night, while on Pinterest, I found this terrific tutorial on making your own Instagram inspired photo case by the Ambitious Procrastinator (love that blog name, so cute!).

With this great idea in my head, I decided that I needed to make one too. Right. away. I get obsessed when I see things that I love....really....I think I have a problem. :)

The hardest part of the project was finding a clear iPhone case. I searched all over the South Bay and ended up finding one at a kiosk at the mall. My key requirements for the case was that it needed to have a clear back and that it needed to have rubber sides.

Note: I first tried a hard shell case and decided I didn't like that because it was too difficult to take the case off and on. I have the iPhone macro, fish-eye and wide angle lenses from Photojojo, so I needed a case that was easy to slip off and on.

Anyway, like I said, finding one was no easy task. The one I ended up with cost $19.99 and was not a name brand...it was some off brand called Wireless (imported from China).

On to the project........

For those of you who are not familiar with Photoshop Elements, follow the tutorial from the Ambitious Procrastinator. She used Word to make hers and gives great directions. For those of you who have Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. All you need to do is:
1. Create a new blank file that is 2.25" by 4.5" and open the images you want to include.
2. Drag and drop your images on to the canvas and resize them to fit. You can create any kind of collage grouping you like, you just need to play around with it.
3. After you've created a collage that suits you, print it out on a 4x6 piece of photo paper. I actually liked using the glossy paper for this project (and I had a ton of it).
4. Cut out your image and round off the corners.
5. Place the collage into your case and trace the lens/flash area with a pencil.
6. Using either a craft knife or hole punch, cut out the lens/flash space. I used a hole punch--I'm craft knife challenged. I tried using it and the hole I cut out was jagged. Using the hole punch, suited me better. :)
7. Insert your cool Instagram photo collage into your case and you are set!

The great thing about this project is that if you are like me, you are constantly adding new photos to your Instagram feed and now you can change out your designs as you snap new favorites. Here are a few other examples I made that are waiting to be cut out...

Project 366 Update--January Mosaic Photo Collages

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:25:00 +0000

By Kristina

Hard to believe that one month has already flown by in my Project 366 (only 11 more to go).

As it turns out, I actually have two different projects going. One on my iPhone, capturing images through Instagram. I figured I end up taking pictures with my iPhone daily so why not catalog them using the Project 365 App? And my other Project 366 is a combination of photos taken with my Canon 7D and my iPhone (sometimes my iPhone pics are the only ones I have for the day) that I have saved on Flickr.

How is your project coming along? Do you need some inspiration? Check out our February Prompts to help you get clicking for the next 29 days! I've printed a copy for myself and posted on my wall as a reminder. No more last minute photos for me........

January Instagram Photos Using Project 365 App--

January Mosaic of Project 365+1 Photos (Using both a Canon 7D and trusty iPhone)

Created using Big Huge Labs Mosaic Maker

DIY Bottle-Cap Photo Thumbtacks and Magnets

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:55:00 +0000

I saw these easy to make bottle-cap thumbtacks on Martha Stewart's website. You can watch a video of her version here. I thought they were so cute and decided to whip some up using my leftover crafting supplies from my last photo magnet project. Note: this is a simplified version, on Martha's site they used resin to fill the caps which is a nice touch but I was fine to do without it.

Anyway, all you need are some bottle-caps, a 1 inch circular hole punch, Modge Podge, thumbtacks or magnets, and a strong adhering glue (like Goop). Using Photoshop Elements, I printed out a contact sheet of photos that were approximately 1.5" x 1.5". I then punched out circles using my hole punch (the 1 inch size is a perfect fit). Using the Modge Podge, I glued the photos into the caps and after they dried, I added another thin coat on the photo to seal it.

I then glued the tacks onto the backs (you could also use disc magnets) and waited a few hours for it to completely dry before pushing them into my bulletin board.

The project took me under an hour to assemble and cost the equivalent of a 6 pack of beer. :) Looks pretty good, eh?

Photo Prompts for February

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:29:00 +0000

by Kristina

Having completed our first Project 365 last year, we know how sometimes you can find yourself at a loss of what to photograph. So we thought it would be fun to put together a list of photo prompts for the month of February. We'd love for you to join us and play along. Feel free to link to your images below or post them on our Facebook Wall. You can download a copy of the prompts at Media Fire.

If you are looking for other avenues to get you creatively clicking, be sure to check out the many inspiring groups on Flickr.

We Love Paper Coterie

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:08:00 +0000

Paper Coterie is one of our new favorite ways to document our photos and share memories. Their customizable books, calendars, journals, and cards are BEYOND awesome.

I ordered a number of their beautiful calendars and books over the holidays as gifts for my friends and family and they all absolutely loved them! The quality is fantastic and their designs are simply gorgeous. I really can not say enough about their products!

Right now you can save 75% off of their new Love products by using the code FBLOVE (hurry and place your order as this fabulous deal ends tomorrow, January 27). They are perfect for Valentine's Day gifts.

We also encourage you to LIKE their Facebook page to learn about other deals and promotions as well as to connect with other photography enthusiasts. We know you will be inspired!

Less is More From Beyond Layers--Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:23:00 +0000

by Kristina

BEHIND THE LENS: Ann Beck Photography, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:57:00 +0000

We found Ann Beck from Ann Beck Photography on Pinterest while looking for photo display ideas. She had a fabulous display guide on her blog and after looking through all of her wonderful photos, we wanted to get to know her more.

As you will see below, Ann's style of photography is candid, fresh and fun! You really get a sense of her client's personalities from the images she captures. Thank you Ann for allowing us to feature your beautiful work today. Here's to Diet Cokes, iPhones and faster metabolisms. :)

Your Name: Ann Beck

Your studio/business name: Ann Beck Photography

Location: Dallas/Ft Worth Texas

Website: www.annbeckphotography.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/annbeckphoto

Twitter: www.twitter.com/annbeckphoto

Other: www.ifightlikeagirl.info, my ongoing breast cancer photo essay

Your Style:

In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography?

Assuming I’ve done my job right, they’ll say fun, natural, candid and casual. More of a playdate than a portrait appointment, each session becomes a fun family memory, with bright and real portraits of all the best moments, your life archived perfectly.

Are you self-taught or classroom trained?

A little of both. I took photography classes as part of the yearbook staff in high school, and a lot of graphic design/advertising classes as part of my communications degree in college. But beyond the basics, most of it was on my own, or with friends who are either professionals as well or serious hobbyists.

How many years have you been a professional photographer?

I officially opened for business in the fall of 2004, but the first 3-4 years was very part time. Once my youngest was in school full time I began working more at marketing, to build and grow the business into a full time business more than a side project.

Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years?

I’d say just right along the path it’s going already.. I’m a huge planner, so very few things have happened accidentally, and I feel like I have things set up to continue on par. I’ve got a really loyal core group of clients who have become more like family, and between their referrals and a pretty steady stream of new clients, I can’t really say I need more business. My husband and I just purchased a new home that has quite a bit of land that I’ll be able to use for sessions, which I am *so* excited about, and there are plans already in the works to build a full studio on the property as well. I’ve also been developing my commercial work, and hope to keep that up as it’s a nice change of pace and a style I really enjoy. Between all of that… it should keep me busy for the next 5 years!

Is there a photographer who inspires your style? Who would that be?

Not sure I can pick just one! I have a long list of bookmarks in my photo inspiration folder, some I like for the more natural style, some I like for the editorial look, some I don’t even care about their photography but I like their marketing techniques! My biggest inspiration probably comes more from family photo albums. None of my parents were by any means photographers, but I love to see which images made the cut, and to notice what details stand out to me, years later, so that I can try to capture those for my clients. The picture of my brother and I wrestling on his twin bed means a whole lot more to me than the Olan Mills portrait of us gazing into the distance… I want to be able to lock those memories in a little, beautiful, time capsule for my clients and their children.

Favorite location to take photos?

I always prefer to do sessions at the clients’ homes, mostly for the reasons above. There are just so many personal elements in your own home that cannot be recreated at a park. Plus, for selfish reasons, it gives me more of a challenge, to find the light in a new place, use everyday belongings and make them unique enough for portraits.. so fun!

Favorite vacation spot?

Ha! Who has time for a vacation? ;) I suppose anywhere with my family, any time we can get together away from it all is precious!

Your Business:

What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer?

I don’t think I had one… I have been that friend with the camera for as long as I could remember. Whether it was my plastic 35mm I toted on family vacations, high school yearbook assignments, or just out with friends… I’ve always felt a near-frantic need to record and immortalize the moments and memories I enjoy. I earned a Journalism degree and had a successful career in TV news for a number of years, but still always kept up my photography on the side, truly as a hobby and nothing more. But the more photographs I took, the more I wanted to take, and in turn, the more requests I began to get. It just sort of happened naturally and I haven’t look back since!

What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you?

I don’t do a lot of concerted marketing efforts, but rather think of myself as one big billboard. I’ve never done a mass mailing or taken out a print ad, but instead I try to give each and every client the very best possible experience I can. From the first phone call or email until delivery and beyond, I want the entire process to be fun, easy, and memorable. That’s been pretty much all I’ve needed to do.. I keep my clients happy and they keep returning, and they bring their friends!

What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you?

Gosh I could write a book on funny comments from clients, the most surprising things are probably not PG enough to share on a public website. ;) I’ve learned not to take offense to anything, I think as photographers we get so consumed in the business it’s hard to see past the details, think like a client. There are so many options out there, there’s a lot of information for them to digest, it’s natural that they would get confused by products, prices etc. If my clients are continuously asking “stupid” questions, I think that means I’m not doing MY job right in keeping them informed and on the right page.

Favorite print lab?

WHCC all the way! I’ve tried just about everyone, and keep coming back. Their customer service is insanely good, turnaround time is incredible, and even with specials and sales, their prices are almost always the best.. in the rare times when they aren’t, I usually stick with them anyway because I know I can count on them to deliver a good product, and that’s easier than taking a chance to save a few dollars.

Your Gear:

Are you Canon or Nikon (or –other):

Canon all the way! I prefer the richer depth of the Canon to the higher saturated colors of the Nikon. But I always tell people that’s a Ford vs Chevy question.. everyone thinks the brand they have is the best, when really the differences are so minute it doesn’t make much of a difference at all. As long as you love what you have and it works for you, go with it!

If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be?

I rarely ever change lenses mid-shoot, almost always have my 50mm 1.4 on my 1ds Mark II. Sometimes I switch to the 35mm if I’m in a small room. Never use zoom lenses.

What brand bag do you carry your camera in?

I have a fabulous jill-e medium leather in bright red. I’ve had it for two years now and it still looks brand new, despite the beating I give it! I’m kind of ready for a change just for style but can’t bring myself to get rid of this perfect bag!

What gear would we find in your camera bag?

As I said, just the 1ds MarkII with the 50mm lens, my 35mm 2.0, a backup battery, few CF cards, lip gloss and little goodies to hand out to kids after the session! (Love Oriental Trading for their great selection of tiny, cheap trinkets!)

Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan?

ALL natural light. Actually never shot with artificial lighting in my life.. even if we are indoors at a client’s home, you can always find the light somewhere. Sometimes it forces me to be a little more creative, but that’s a good thing!

Are you PC or Mac?

PC! I actually have a brand new 19” MacBook Pro sitting on my desk, I just can’t make the switch. Again, Ford vs Chevy... I just have been PC so long that I can find the buttons and clicks in my sleep, and having those tiny functions in different places stressed me out too much to stick it out. I do use just about every other Apple product, so I thought I’d like the consistency. Maybe someday?

Your Tips and Tricks

What post processing tools do you use?

Photoshop, but very lightly. I was lucky enough to learn photography on film, so I perfected my basics without the crutch of being able to “fix it” later. I know enough Photoshop to tweak my images.. a little boost in contrast, warm them up, sharpen for print.. but not enough to clone heads or salvage an underexposed, out of focus file into something printable. I actually take pride in my poor editing skills.. I’d much rather be able to create a beautiful image with the camera than capture a decent shot and digitally configure something beautiful out of it. I think it’s become far too heavily used by photographers, and it saddens me to see perfect, natural, real children edited into plastic skinned, white eyed, super-sharp little robots. Kids are naturally a little messy, and that’s how I like them. Life is naturally imperfect, editing the pictures to look so only changes the record, not our memories, and that’s just not what I’m about.

Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg?

Jpeg. I went through a Raw phase when I first started but I found if you are shooting in Manual (and know how to properly expose, white balance, etc) there really isn’t a big advantage to Raw, it just took up more disc space and slowed down my edit process.

Best advice you would give your 20-year old self?

Ha! Enjoy your metabolism.

Best advice you would give a new photographer?

I always tell people interested in the business to focus on the business end. Unless you really want to keep it a hobby, the business end is ten times more important than the photography end. You have to REALLY want it.. long hours, serious focus, and not long hours editing or shooting (the fun stuff) but long hours doing paperwork and taxes, creating marketing plans and following up with clients. I actually really love the marketing part of the business, but not everyone find this stuff as fun as I do, and I have seen so many really talented people burned out way too soon by the monotony of the back end. But it’s worth it!

What site do you use for your photography and why?

I had a bludomain site for years and loved it, but so many people I know are switching to Ipads or only accessing internet on their phones, so I wanted something non flash. I was keeping up a blog and a separate website just for clients, with FAQ and product info, so it made the most sense to combine them all. I now have a website with a built in blog and a section for clients.. soo much nicer to have it all in one place, and easily accessible to anyone! Also, as a side note, I’m reworking a lot of things on the blog this January, so if you check it now please come back again soon so you can see the new & improved version!

I do use StudioCloud for client contact information, bookkeeping, and online proofing (mini sessions order online, but everyone gets a preview gallery) and really love everything about their system. I was even able to embed the proofing aspect into the blog site, so it really is all connected.

What Else Should We Know?

What was your worst photography experience?

Hmmm nothing really stands out, although I did lose three clients’ worth of images in a computer crash a few years ago, that was horrifying and humiliating, having to go back and explain that their precious memories were gone forever. But on the plus side it taught me a valuable lesson, and I’ve been great about backing up ever since.

What would surprise people most about you, whether it is photography related or not?

I guess my age.. I look very young, it’s probably the number one comment from new clients.. I look too young to be a photographer, too young to be a mom, sound so much older on the blog, etc. I AM young (33) so there’s a little truth to it, but I’m certainly not the high school or college student people seem to think I resemble. But I’ve always been a little “wise beyond my years,” or so I’m told, so I guess I should get used to it!

Tell us something else you’d like us to know:

One thing I’ve really enjoyed is using my photography for charitable projects. From small things, like complimentary sessions for families in need, to bigger projects, like my photo essay I Fight Like a Girl, photography is a wonderful gift you can give to those less fortunate. It helps that there is virtually no cost to the photographer, if you find a local organization that could use new images for their website or to promote an event, you can give them that huge value with only your time, and maybe a CD to transfer the images. It’s a great option for those who don’t have a ton of cash to donate to favorite charities, but want to be involved. And keeping projects like that on my radar keeps me totally focused and grounded.. to photograph a family with a parent or child facing almost certain death, knowing these images will soon be all they have left to hold on to, is both a great honor and a tremendous responsibility. And it makes all those other hassles, like the client who wants you to change the color of their shirt with your magic computer, so much less stressful!

And just because we want to know you better, fill in the blanks

Three things I can’t live without….

Assuming the obvious like family and friends are off the table… First diet coke, the one and only vice I have, I drink way too much but can’t bring myself to stop. Next my iphone, it’s my clock, my calculator, my calendar, my lifeline to help and humor, my outlet for online shopping and lately, my onthespot camera of choice for capturing little moments with the family. And finally,

I wish I had more…..

Time, money, all the usual clichés can go here.. really I wish I spent less time wishing for more and enjoying what I have!

The best thing about being a photographer is…

Wow! There are so many things I love about this job, but I’d have to say that moment when a parent says “This picture is just SO her..” because I know, as a mom, what it means to have a physical representation of the magic that is your own child.. every now and then I get an image like that of my girls and I find myself drawn to it, just looking over and over at every little detail of the little people I love so dearly. To be able to give that to my clients is truly an honor that humbles me daily.

The most important lesson I ever learned was….

I think it would be to always try and put yourself in someone else’s shoes before making judgments or decisions. Whether it’s the car that just cut you off on the highway, the customer that keeps arguing the same minute point, or the child who’s spent the entire day fighting and crying, everyone has their side to the story. The person in the car might be speeding to see a loved one in the hospital, the customer is more than likely just confused by linguistics and needs a more clear explanation, and that child could use a nap and a hug. From business to personal, taking that extra second to see things from the other person’s point of view has never steered me wrong. Even when I know I still disagree with them, I can make a better argument in my favor if I can identify exactly where the problem lies, and approach it from that perspective. Everyone just wants to be heard, and I’ve never met a person who didn’t appreciate hearing a conversation start with “I understand.”

My favorite time of day is…

The first ten minutes after I’ve dropped everyone off at school. Not only is the house perfectly peaceful, I love the promise of a new day.. clean to-do list, fresh diet Coke.. for about ten minutes I feel blissfully invincible. And then, you know, the rest of the day barrels me down before I can get half of it done. But I always start my days thinking this might be the day to make it happen!

Free Instagram Template for your Favorite Shots

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

by Tina

Happy Chinese New Year! With this being the Year of the Dragon we have a free Photoshop template for our readers!

I've been on a bit of an Instgram kick ever since my hubby bought these -> new lenses from Photojojo. Since every photo you post on Instagram is square, just like Polaroid snapshots, I thought I would make a new template to share with all you Instafans out there.

20" x 20" Photoshop Template on Moms Who Click

You can replace the text in the upper middle square, or even replace it with another image. I am planning on making a series of these using a theme with similar colors, shapes and face shots.

If you like this, leave a comment. Tell us what other template you would like and we'll try to come up with some more to provide for everyone.

To download the template, click here. It will take you to the mediafire site to download. And don't forget, -share the love!

Friday Freebies: Free Blogger Icons from Moms Who Click

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

To stay current with the latest links for your blog, such as your Pinterest and Instagram, you may want to customize or add these blog icons to your website.

We showed you how to use Photoshop to create your own icons. We are happy to share them here if you would like to use these for your own blog. You will have to customize the colors using the eyedropper tool in Photoshop. It's a great way to unify your site and color coordinate it at the same time.

Here are the icons we are providing. These are all in PNG format so that you have a transparent background. Using Photoshop use the eyedropper tool, to select a color from your own blog banner or background and customize the icons. To download these Blogger Icons plus a PSD file for the Flickr icon, click here. If you have questions, leave a comment. Enjoy!

DIY Photoshop Blogger Icons

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Check out our new Blogger Icons toward the upper right. These are the icons for our RSS, Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, Pinterest and Instgram links. These make it easy for our readers to get updates and share the love.

Recently K updated our banner. To make this more cohesive I came up with a super simple button that incorporates the colors K loves in a simple icon. Here's how I did it (click on any image to enlarge it):

Step One:

First create a new layer that's 1"x1"

Step Two:

Choose the Elliptical Marquee tool

Step Three:

Draw a circle, filling in the square. Then select, "Edit - Fill - Foreground Color". I've already done a color select using the banner K created and used the eye dropper tool to collect the orange color.

Step Four:

Here's the completed circle filled in with the foreground color that I choose by using the eye dropper tool and selecting the orange used in the banner.

Step Five:

Create a new layer for the smaller circle inside the larger circle

Step Six:

I created a new small circle and filled it in using the eyedropper tool and selecting the darker green from the banner. I use the paintbrush tool to fill it in.

Step Seven:

Duplicate the layer that has your new inner circle.

Step Eight:

With that duplicated layer selected, move that new circle to the right. Use the magic wand tool to select that new duplicated circle (see the dotted lines that indicate it has been selected).

Step Nine:

First, use the eye dropper tool to select a new color from the banner. Then select the brush tool (making sure that new circle is still highlighted).

Step Ten:

The new circle has been filled in.

Ta-Da -- the new icon has been created.

To make the other icons, such as the Instragram one, I create a new circle and insert that image in the middle. You can use the same PDF file with this circle and just hide the layers that are not needed.

We'll make this set of files available later in the week so you can grab them and customize them yourself with colors from your own banner.

Enjoy!

DIY No-Sew Camera Bags

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:52:00 +0000

Since I've been on a crafting kick lately, I thought I'd repackage our DIY camera bag tutorial from last year. These are super easy to make and inexpensive to boot. All you need is a cute bag, some 1" high density foam (found at Michaels or Joann Fabrics), a hot glue gun, scissors, and a bit of time. And you can whip up something like this:

or this:

While I don't have a step by step tutorial photographed for you here, making one is easy.

Here is what you will need:

Stylish purse that will hold your camera and a few favorite lenses (I found mine at Marshalls for under $25)
1" High Density Foam (approx. $7)

Scissors
1/2 yard of cute fabric
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks ($4.00 for glue)
Optional: Cardboard for base (cereal box will do)

The Steps:

1. Cut 3 foam pieces that are the length of the sides of your bag and the bottom of the bag.

2. Wrap each piece (like a present) using your material (1/2 yard should be enough for this project) and hot glue to secure.

3. Cut smaller pieces as dividers (based on the width and height of your purse) and wrap them in your fabric as well.

4. Optional: Cut a piece of cardboard that is the same size as the base. Glue the base piece of foam to the cardboard before wrapping in fabric. This helps give a little extra bit of protection to the bottom of your bag.

If you have a purse to repurpose or are looking for a great gift for a fellow shutterbug, this is the project for you!

Here are some other great links with photos that show "HOW TO" make these bags too (they are listed in no particular order):

BEHIND THE LENS FLASHBACK: WITH ALEX BEADON

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Almost exactly one year ago, we posted the interview below with the very talented Alex Beadon. As we predicted (and so did she), 2011 was a great year for Alex. Her photography business and following has blossomed. She has a beautiful new website, is making and selling gorgeous actions and is always out there creating, learning and sharing her photography experiences and knowledge. After reading the interview below, we strongly encourage you to visit her website. We know you will be inspired by her passion and creativity! Thank you Alex for being one of our first Behind the Lens series interviewees. We are thrilled to know you and love watching you and your business grow!

Originally posted on January 25, 2011

Our Moms Who Click BEHIND THE LENS is going global! We first came across the amazing work of Alex Beadon after she found us through our blog and left a comment. We promptly checked out her photography site and blog and were blown away at the beautiful images she has captured. Even more impressive is how Alex has been able to find her true passion and realize her potential at such a young age. We are going to keep an eye on Alex, we know she's going to to be a major force in the world of photography. We know for sure, 2011 is going to be a great year for Alex Beadon! And now, without further ado we would like to introduce you to - Alex Beadon!

Name: Alex Beadon

Studio/business name: Alex Beadon Photography

Location: England

Website: http://www.alexbeadonphotography.com

Blog: http://www.alexbeadonphotography.com/blog

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/alexbeadon

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alex.beadon.photography and http://www.facebook.com/groups/alexbeadonsphotoshopactions/

Other: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexbeadon

Your Style:

In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography? My clients always express their awe at the unique and beautiful way I captured them within their surroundings. I’d like to think that’s how they would describe my work and that that’s why they hire me – for the unique way I see the world with my imagination.
Are you self-taught or classroom trained? Self-taught.
How many years have you been a professional photographer? I’m at the very beginning of my photography career. I still have a long way to go and I’m really looking forward to it!
Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years? In five years I hope that I will have narrowed down the type of photography I offer. I hope that I will be both a great photographer and businesswoman. I hope I will be able to work internationally. I hope that I will be able to help and make a difference with my photography. I hope that I will continue to use my personal photography as a way to grow professionally. I hope I will take big risks.
Is there a photographer who inspires your style? Who would that be? There are many photographers who inspire me but the list is constantly growing and changing. I’m inspired by people who are constantly trying to better themselves, their art, push boundaries and live outside of their comfort zones. To me, growth and change is so important and inspiring all at once.
Favorite location to take photos? I have a love for big, natural, open spaces. Fields, oceans, forests at sunset or sunrise.
Favorite vacation spot? Anywhere with the people I love and care about the most.

Your Business

What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer? The realization that if I could spend my life doing what I’m passionate about, I would always be rich in happiness and have love in my heart, and that is worth everything.
What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you? Utilizing my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/Alex.Beadon.Photography) has been so pivotal to my business.
What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you? I’m not sure, can’t think of anything too surprising.
Favorite print lab? I’ve only just started printing my work, so I’m not able to comment on that just yet :)

Your Gear:

Are you Canon or Nikon (or “other”)? Canon :)
If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be? My Canon 50mm 1.4
What brand bag do you carry your camera in? Kelly Moore.
What gear would we find in your camera bag? Canon 5d mark ii, Canon 50mm 1.4 Canon 28mm 1.8, Lots of batteries and memory sticks
Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan? Natural light all the way, and I must admit off camera lighting intimidates me. Not for long though, because it’s on my to-do list of things to learn ;)
Are you PC or Mac? Mac.

Your Tips and Tricks

What post processing tools do you use? Adobe Photoshop CS5. I make most of my own actions.
Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg? Jpeg.
Best advice you would give your 20-year old self? If I could send a message to myself a year ago, I would tell myself to love more, shoot more and worry less. I would tell myself to stop comparing my work to others, and to create images that speak to my soul instead of creating images similar to everyone else. This has been so important in taking steps to discovering my style.
Best advice you would give a new phographer? My first answer was to shoot as much as you possibly can. But the truth of the matter is that if you’re passionate about photography, you won’t be able to stop shooting anyways. So, a better answer is to read the manual, understand your camera and the way it works; learn about light, and most importantly – experiment.
What site do you use for your photography and why? I have my website to showcase my work (http://www.alexbeadonphotography.com), my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/alex.beadon.photography) and I’m also trying to keep my flickr page updated (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexbeadon).

What Else Should We Know?

What was your worst photography experience? Forgetting my battery at home when traveling. Annoying!
What would surprise people most about you, whether it is photography related or not? I’m not really sure, I try to be as much of an open book as possible.
Tell us something else you’d like us to know: 2011 is going to be a great year for me :)

And just because we want to get to know you, please fill in these blanks...

Three things I cannot live without....1) My family 2) My boyfriend 3) My camera
I wish I had more....hours in the day.
The best thing about being a photographer is....Seeing the final product for the first time.
The most important lesson I ever learned was….Not to judge anyone, to see the best in everyone and try to appreciate them for who they are.
My favorite time of day is…There's a time of day right after sunset, right before it turns pitch black where the whole sky is a bright shade of blue. It's wonderful and I always love seeing that beautiful, bright colour in the sky

Please click this forward, share this with your friends and colleagues!

One Word Project--Getting Focused

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:42:00 +0000

I'm so excited about the Skinny Mini Class I've been taking with Kim Klassen. I thought I had a fairly good (albeit basic) understanding of Photoshop Elements, but oh my am I learning little tips and tricks and short-cuts that are truly making a difference in my editing abilities. I can't believe that after only 4 short tutorials, how much I knowledge I have gleaned and there are still 6 more lessons to go!

Here is a photo I edited using some of the great tips from Kim's class. As you can see, I've incorporated my One Little Word theme into this image. I've been thinking about my word a lot lately...FOCUS....and feel the ripples of change starting to take effect.

For example, I've been using Photoshop Elements for years.....but now that I have taken some time to FOCUS on this tool by participating in a class, my understanding of the program has totally increased. Really! I recommend you check out Kim's classes. She is an excellent teacher and has fantastic videos that walk you through each lesson.

How have you been incorporating your word into your daily life?

My Mini Macro Lens: iPhone 4S

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

by Tina

For Christmas this year my husband presented me with a fun set of lenses for my iPhone 4S. Since I take my iPhone wherever I go, I carry these lenses in my purse and whip them out when I need them. I love them!

These work with nearly any smartphone camera. They simply snap on with a little magnet that you attach to the back of your smartphone camera lens.

These were purchases from PhotoJoJo, a store we love.

Simply adhere the tiny disk to the back of the iPhone (there's even a little indent for the flash). I have all three lenses, which includes a fish eye, macro + wide angle and a zoom lens.

Just place the lens you want to the magnetic disk.

Now you have a macro lens for your iPhone. Right now all three lenses are only $49.00 plus shipping.

Definitely a cool little lens that you can have a lot of fun with!

I carry mine in this little red pouch from the Container Store.

Here's what all three lenses look like.

Here are some macros and zoom images taken with these lenses. You can also view them on my Instragram page.

One Little Word Project

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:39:00 +0000

by Kristina

This year I'm participating in Ali Edward's One Little Word Project. I heard about this project through my blogging/photography communities and decided that this would be a great project to be a part of.

The idea is to pick a word for the year that will be your driving force.....your mantra.. a word that you can reflect upon as you go about your daily life. The word can be a thought, feeling, verb, or noun. It doesn't really matter. The important part is finding a word that resonates with you.

After contemplating words like SIMPLIFY, BE, EXPLORE, CREATE, DREAM, EXPAND...... I decided on the word FOCUS. I think it stood out because I realized that the word list I was creating was all over the map and as much as I wanted to explore new ideas, I also wanted to simplify my life. So for me, FOCUS seemed to be the shoe that fit. It is a word that I can apply to my life in so many ways........

Focus on my photography business and the types of work I enjoy doing most (family and children's lifestyle photography).
Focus on the projects at hand before adding more to my plate--I think this is why I sometimes feel so scattered.
Focus on my family--creating quality time without distractions.
Focus on my friendships--new/old, in real life and online.
Focus on what I'm doing right now...in this moment.

I'm looking forward to 2012......a year where I will have a little more focus. What is your word? Please share in the comments below.

Shoot the Moon--Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:47:00 +0000

A little full moon flare.....now to try and get one of those full moon shots that shows all the craters....

BEHIND THE LENS: Diana Foster, The Studio 56, Greater Kansas City Area

noreply@blogger.com (Moms Who Click) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:31:00 +0000

We are so excited to kick off the new year with today's interview featuring Diana Foster from The Studio 56. We found her beautiful work while participating in the Picture the Holidays prompt in December.

As you will see from her images below, Diana is a lifestyle photographer who strives to create a photo session that is unique to the individual she is shooting. Whether the subject is surrounded by flowers or an urban building she caters to each subject's personality. Her sessions are unscripted, casual, candid and often unexpected. She captures each subject in their element. As she states, "it's often when we least expect it that the perfect photo happens."

After you read this interview, be sure to check out her video to see her in action and truly become inspired.

Your Name: Diana Foster

Your studio/business name: The Studio 56

Location: Greater Kansas City Area

Website: www.thestudio56.com

Blog: www.thestudio56.com/our-blog

Twitter/Facebook: www.facebook.com/thestudio56, www.twitter.com/thestudio56

Other: www.flickr.com/photos/22136210@N02/

www.linkedin.com/in/thestudio56

Your Style:

In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography? A belief in capturing everyday life in beautiful and unexpected ways, drives my art. Inspiration comes from being awake enough to recognize a compelling story just waiting to be told. Being in the moment allows me to find the visual message in simple, everyday objects and events. My hope is to invite viewers to explore the world around them with fresh perspective.

Are you self-taught or classroom trained? My response is that I am both self-taught and have also taken some classes: Nikon School, Creative Photography Workshops, on-line courses. My photography journey began many years ago in High School with an awesome mass media teacher (years ahead of her time) We had a darkroom and were able to shoot on-location during the school day. My best friend and I did an independent study with this teacher, wrote a poetry book and shoot all the accompanying images. Even had it copy written.

How many years have you been a professional photographer? I launched my business in 2009.

Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years? Equal to my love for portrait photography is my passion to shoot stock images. I hope to build this division of The Studio 56.

Is there a photographer who inspires your style? Who would that be? One of my favorite photographers is Tracey Clark. http://www.traceyclark.com/ She is the founder of Shuttersisters. http://shuttersisters.com/ If you have not checked out her body of work or need a bit of inspiration, please visit her!

Favorite location to take photos? It is so difficult to choose one favorite location, but a flower garden has to be up at the top of the list.

Favorite vacation spot? My absolute favorite place to vacation is anywhere near water. Oh, and anywhere that I am with my hubby of 33 years!

Your Business:

What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer? Mass Media class in high school launched my love for capturing life through a lens. After 25 years in the most meaningful career I could have every imagined, this special educator re-potted herself as a small business owner. Launching The Studio 56 has been a true joy.

What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you? Social media is a fabulous marketing tool for photographers. Whether it be Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flicker or your blog, it is an avenue (free by the way) to introduce the world to your ART.

Favorite print lab? HHColorlab www.hhcolorlab.com

Your Gear:

Are you Canon or Nikon (or –other): Nikon baby!

If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be? My absolute favorite lens if Nikkor 60mm lens

What brand bag do you carry your camera in? Tamrac backpack camera bag

What gear would we find in your camera bag? Nikon D300s, Nikon D50, Nikor DX 18-55 mm, Nikkor 18-200mm, Nikkor Macro 60mm, Nikkor 50mm, Tamron 10-24mm 3.5-4.5

Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan? I am a natural light and on-location photographer. Natural light is most compelling in my book.

Are you PC or Mac? PC user here

Your Tips and Tricks:

What post processing tools do you use? I am using Photoshop Elements 10.0 for post processing images. Also, am a big fan of Kim Klassen’s textures. http://www.kimklassencafe.com/

Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg? Usually Jpeg

Best advice you would give your 20-year old self? Be happy. Be barefoot happy!

Best advice you would give a new photographer? Live with your eyes wide open!

What site do you use for your photography and why? I have a Wordpress siteblog. www.thestudio56.com

What Else Should We Know?

What would surprise people most about you, whether it is photography related or not? I grew up in a musical family. We had a family band (Patridge family of sorts).

And just because we want to know you better, fill in the blanks

A few things I can’t live without…. Faith & Family

I wish I had more….. not a thing!

The best thing about being a photographer is… A career, passion, hobby with incredible creativity and freedom

The most important lesson I ever learned was….Believe in yourself!

My favorite time of day is… early morning!