Ana’s favorite quote…

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” –Oprah Winfrey

Name: Ana Brandt

Business Name(s):
Anamaria Brandt Photography, Inc.

Where do you live?
Orange, California

Website URL(s):
Main Web Site: http://www.anabrandt.com
My Pregnancy-Baby work http://www.bellybabylove.com
TAoPaN: The Art of Pregnancy and Newborn
http:///www.theartofpregnancyandnewborn.com

What is your favorite subject to shoot?
Depends on the day! Depends on the time. Portraiture is my thing – starting with pregnancy.

And, on that note, what would be the perfect photo op for you?
I don’t believe there is one perfect photo op that would ever be it – because I am always trying to do better. I work around people’s energy and it really affects me in a shoot. So my perfect shoots are when people are just open and relaxed and trust me.

When you’re processing your images, what process do you use consistently?
Sharpening and working my levels. I do a lot of black and white work so my curves and levels are very important to me.

Who is your biggest inspiration in our industry?
Anne Geddes and Ansel Adams. Is it ok to have two? Ansel for his black and white work. It is how I learned in school and for years I studied his work. Anne because she has single handedly led the photography world in newborn art.

How would you define your style?
Simple. Classic. Hopefully timeless.

When you’re on location, what do you always bring with you?
My camera and reflector.

Please share with us some of your favorite images you’ve taken over the years.

Let’s chat business!

Do you have a “business” Bucket List? If so, what’s on it?
Hmmmm – my list is very very very long. Too long for this blog. I am looking into getting a second studio – perhaps by the beach – that’s a big one. My bucket list changes, because as my business changes and my kids grow my mind will adjust to what will work with my family. We used to live by the beach and want to go back there (its only 20 min) and I shoot a ton at the beach, so that’s at the top of my mind at the moment. But when that will happen – I have no idea. So in the meantime, other things come in mind daily!

What marketing tactics have been successful for you?
Well constantly communicating with my clients for one. I send out email newsletters/promos, etc. 2-3-4 times a month, depending upon the time of year. Someone always needs something so by constantly sending things out, it may appeal to one client one week and another client another week. When my clients don’t hear from me, business slows down. I also have a pretty successful baby plan and many of my clients on my plan refer other clients.

Can you share a bit about your marketing plan?
Well I have several. I have marketing all year around that is seasonal. My clients have come to depend on long time traditions at our holiday times. These are very important – so much so that we book Santa in July and by August he is usually 99% booked. I have clients that plan to just come for the seasons, but end up using me each year for their children/family photos too. I also work on displays all year round for pregnancy and newborn. I never stop looking for display or marketing ideas that wrap around the pregnancy-newborn stage. Most of my advertising and displays are all around the early stage. This is important, so that all year round we have pregnancy and newborn – regardless of the economy. I mainly specialize in pregnancy-newborn. While I market all levels of portraiture, this is my main focus.

Do you use old-school print methods to supplemental digital or social media marketing?
This year I sent out a postcard mailing to 2000 of my clients. There was no call to action, but simply to let them know that all of our promotions will be listed on our social media outlets – Facebook -Twitter – Blog and Website. I knew I had a ton of clients who weren’t on my email newsletter, or facebook, etc. so by sending out a snail mailing, it showed people the need to visit us at any of these sites for updates and promotions. Because of that mailing many of our clients signed up on our email newsletter, and also booked sessions. I believe you do need to reach out via snail mail every once in awhile. People do love printed matter, especially with photographic images – and I am not sure that will change any time soon.

Do you have any tips for photographers coming into the business?
Know your craft – your equipment – your style. Back in the day, there were no forums and hardly any websites filled with eye candy and tools. I spent days in fields and beaches learning how to use my camera, reflector, filters – whatever tools I had. Then I spent years learning how to pose woman in pregnancy and newborn babies – all with barely glancing at another photographers work. Many times, I tell people to just bury yourself in your own work. Don’t look around at websites and other places. If you need inspiration – go ahead – sneak some speaks – see what you see – find what you like. Then go to work. Book sessions, shoot anything and everything and develop your own style. People will come to you for you – and your work – regardless of the price.

With that being said, know what’s out there. Know your competition and pricing. Don’t be afraid to raise your prices 3 times a year if you need to as you grow. But don’t go from 0 to $100.00 overnight either. Photography is a life long process. I don’t think its a jump in quick type of business. As artists, our styles and tastes change – they evolve. We need to allow ourselves to change and grow along with this and know that it is ok. It is ok to be new, fresh, young and naive. It is also ok to be older and coming back a second time around to renew a craft. Allow yourself the time and energy to grow and evolve into the artist you want to be.

Let’s get personal….

How does the family handle things when you’re working or traveling a lot?
Well I don’t really travel a lot. I have only taken 4 trips this year and one was to NY with my family. When I do go, I take the red eye and I fly in and out. I literally leave a workshop to catch my flight. I never linger ever. It is important for me to be home as quickly as possible. My workshops are not ,more than two days, so I will usually take a red eye – do a workshop later that day – then leave the following night. I have 2 more trips to make – both are quick plane rides and I will be gone less than 48 hours. I am then taking a break from traveling for at least 6 months or more.

Please share a family image with us!

What do you do to unwind?
Lay in the pool or sunbathe. Walk the dogs. Sit on the floor and do crafts with the kids

What’s your favorite music?
Oh my depends on the day truly. I can tell you I don’t like rock or country – how’s that? Everything else is good. I love music, movies and tv! I think it’s such a great pleasure in life. Sometimes I can dance to Hannah Montana with my girls, or listen to Christian singer Jana Alayra with the kids in the car – other times its Pink or Lady Gaga – if I want to work out it could be something else – sorry no straight answer there!

Your favorite TV show(s)?
Oprah of course. Fun comedies such as Entourage, Modern Family, Family shows like Parenthood – I love TV and my TiVo is full of shows to watch when I get really lazy!

We sure do appreciate you taking the time to spend with us this month!!
Thank you so much!
my pleasure – thanks for asking!

If you are a member, you can watch it and all the upcoming webinars FREE!

Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Prescott Valley Arizona
Posts: 4,293
Alexander Photography – http://www.alexanderphotography.com/

Karen Alexander is a very active member on ProPs!
She’s any awesome photographer too! She spoofed a newborn session and came up with this! How clever. The images are way cool! Enjoy!

Here’s my new little “niece” Gracie.

Yes she’s my puppy niece. My BIL had his “best friend” Buddy a blue healer for 16yrs and was very devastated when he died a few years ago, Jeff is a perputual bachelor and Buddy was his family so he never thought he would ever get another dog and especially a healer, but the breeder called him up and said he was saving one for him (for free).

He really hesitated about taking one he just didn’t feel ready but they called and said there were only two left and come get one, he wanted a red so that it wouldn’t remind him of Buddy too much but by the time he went there this little girl was the only one left waiting for him.

It was so sweet seeing how much he loved this little girl, so we had to spoof and do a buch of the “newborn” style poses.

In a few he cracked me up so much ’cause he tottally looks like a new daddy so in love with his new baby.

Thank you Karen!
Check out Karen’s website!
Alexander Photography – http://www.alexanderphotography.com/

Alexander Photography specializes in pregnancy portraits, and newborn photography, We are located in Prescott Valley AZ, Serving the portrait needs for maternity and newborn clients in Northen Arizona including Prescott AZ, Prescott Valley AZ,Cottonwood AZ,and Sedona AZ, We also serve clients from Phoenix AZ, Scottsdale AZ, Tempe AZ, Mesa AZ, Glendale AZ,and other surrounding areas.

Name: HEATHER KALLHOFF

Business Name(s):
KALLHOFF PORTRAIT DESIGN
ORANGE PEEL BACKGROUNDS

Where do you live?
WATERTOWN SD

Website URL(s):
WWW.KALLHOFFPORTRAIT.COM
WWW.ORANGEPEELBACKGROUNDS.COM

What is your favorite subject(s) to shoot?
ANYTHING/ANYONE THAT ALLOWS ME TO HAVE MY CAMERA IN MY HAND

And on that note, what would be the perfect photo op for you?
ANYTHING THAT ALLOWS ME TO PUSH MY CREATIVITY…I LOVE TO BE CHALLENGED

When you’re processing your images, what is your process that you use consistently?
I ALWAYS USE PHOTOSHOP…ACR…MY PROCESS IS JUST TO BE CONSISTENT.

Who is your biggest inspiration in our industry? ROD EVANS

Define your style?
I WOULD LIKE TO THINK I’M ARTISTIC, CREATIVE, AND THAT MY IMAGES PORTRAY THAT AND THE HONESTY OF THE SUBJECT.

When you’re on location, what do you always bring with you?
REFLECTOR/OCF

Please share with us some of your favorite images you’ve taken over the years.

Let’s chat business!

Do you have a “business” Bucket List? If so, what’s on it?
I DO…IT’S IN MY 101 LIST… http://www.prophotogs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101802

What marketing tactics have been successful for you?
LIMITED EDITIONS IN THIS ECONOMY

What type of marketing materials do you use?
I AM FAIRLY “GREEN” IN MY APPROACH, EVERYTHING IS DONE VIA EMAIL. THIS IS AN AREA THAT IS NEED OF CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT FOR ME.

We all know you have the OrangePeel Backgrounds, can you tell us more about it?
SURE, IT STARTED OUT OF A NEED TO SOLVE A PROBLEM I HAD IN MOVING TO MY NEW STUDIO FROM MY ROCKIN OLD FOAM WORLD…I SPENT ALL OF LAST YEAR WORKING, SHOOTING ON THEM FOR MYSELF, AND FROM THERE…THIS HAPPENED. I WAS INSPIRED BY FATHEADS AND A POTTERY BARN TEENS CATALOG. I’M AMAZED AND HUMBLED BY THE SUPPORT FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHIC
WORLD THAT HAS HAPPENED…AND HONESTLY, I’M JUST A PROUD MAMA WHEN I SEE OTHERS MAKING MONEY IN THEIR STUDIOS USING THEM. I USE MINE DAILY…

Got any tips for new photographers coming into the business?
PLEASE LEARN YOUR CRAFT. UNDERSTAND POSING, LIGHTING, AND BUSINESS ETHICS. BE INSPIRED BUT PUT YOUR TWIST ON IT. THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN THIS INDUSTRY, JUST TWISTS AND TWEAKS. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, MAKE SURE YOU ARE STILL PUSHING, LEARNING, INSPIRED AND INSPIRING TO OTHERS. YOU DO NOT GET ANYWHERE BY CLIMBING OVER PEOPLE…YOU GET
EVERYWHERE WHEN YOU LIFT OTHERS UP AND THEY DO THE SAME TO YOU!

Let’s get personal….

How does the family handle things when you’re working, traveling a lot?
HONESTLY, IT’S HARD. I’M NOW DIVORCED, AND SO, I DO NOT TRAVEL TO SPEAK OFTEN. I MISS TEACHING AND HELPING OTHERS, BUT MY FAMILY DESERVES TO HAVE A MOM, MORE THAN I NEED TO BE LEAVING THEM, ALL IN THE NAME OF BUSINESS, AND PERHAPS EGO.

Please share a family image with us!
THE MOST RECENT I HAVE OF THE THREE OF US IS FROM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO IN ITALY…

and then sis and i were photographed by rod evans a month ago…kyle will only be photographed NOW if he is with his horse.

In your spare time, what do you do?
I AM TAKING PAINTING LESSONS, I WATCH MY CHILDREN RODEO, AND WORK ON MY HOUSE…PLAY WITH MY DOG BUSTER

What’s your favorite music?
MMMM, I LOVE EVERYTHING…CURRENTLY ON MY IPOD IS RAY LAMONTAGNE, LAURA PAUSINI, SIA, LADY ANTEBELLUM, ROB THOMAS, PS I LOVE YOU SOUNDTRACK

and TV shows?
I’M TOTALLY INTO THE REALITY HOUSEWIVES FRANCHISE…IT IS MY GUILTY PLEASURE! I DIG ANY OF THE HOME AND GARDEN RENOVATION/STAGING SHOWS, AND OF COURSE, THE TRAVEL CHANNEL.

We sure do appreciate you taking the time to spend with us this month and we’re very excited to have you Heather!! Thank you so much!

Hey Ya’ll! Leave Heather some love on the blog! and come visit her forum over on ProPs, pick her brain on how to become a VERY successful photographer!

Thanks again Heather!!
Cher

LaVelda and I are so excited to be continuing on with the great traditions that Cher and the members of ProPhotogs have started!
I have been a member for almost three years and have seen so many changes in the industry and in the forum in that time. We have had the opportunity to meet many of you at the ProPs convention, at PPA Imaging, WPPI and other seminars and we look forward to meeting even more of you. We are looking forward to keeping ALL the great things at ProPs and adding even more benefits for its members. We are not going to change what is there, we are only going to add new services for you. We look to you, the members, to give us suggestions on things you would like to see brought to the forum.

Cher has done a wonderful job of pioneering a place for photographers to learn and share their passion for photography. In a time that blogs and forums were in their infancy, she had the foresight to give this passion a place to bloom.

We want you to feel free to contact us with any ideas you have that will aid you in your quest to further your education. Either by Private Message or via my personal email, dougbox@aol.com, I want you to feel comfortable to give LaVelda or I your views or insights.

We have the Forum and the Blog, both great places to share and learn and I want to bring an educational leg to the mix. With streaming video lessons, monthly photo classes, assignments and critiques, I want to give a “Hands On” feeling to online learning.

We look forward to helping each and everyone of you to increase your knowledge, grow your business and take your photography to your next level.
Please let us know if us can help you in any way, our door is always open. And if you are ever in Central Texas, stop by and sit a spell!
I hope to see all of you at PPA Imaging in San Antonia in January of 2011.

Sincerely,

Doug and LaVelda Box

Every year Doug and I host two to four seminars at our ranch!  We have a lovely place and a 3000 square foot studio to host our seminars. Our studio consists of a classroom, kitchen, living room, camera room with two bays for hands-on learning! We also have some beautiful spots for outdoor  photography.  It’s a great place to learn portrait lighting and posing. Doug also spends quite a bit of time on teaching business so you can learn to market your photography studio, learn sales techniques, learn to price your portraits, and much more. As of right now, we have two upcoming seminars. We have only ten spots available , and the first seminar already has 6 attendees.

August 27-29, 2010-Begins Friday at 10:00AM and ends Sunday at 5:00PM

October 22-24,2010-Begins Friday at 10:00AM and ends Sunday at 5:00PM

We are possibly looking at some dates in November.

Location:

2504 County Road 235, Caldwell, Texas 77836

Cost:

$595.00 Includes the cost of the seminar, food, and workbook

Lodging:

We have a bed and breakfast four miles from us that many of our ladies who attend love to stay in! I will help with these arrangements.

King bedroom with private bath-$75 a night

Queen and Double bed bedroom with bath-$70 a night

Twin bed bedroom with half bath-$60 a night

(Find a roommate and split the price!!!)

We also have some hotels in nearby Caldwell and College Station.

If you are flying into College Station, I am available to pick you up at the airport!

Give us a call at 979-272-0900 or go to Texas Photographic Workshops.com!

One of the complaints I have heard about getting a critique from your peers is there is too much fluff, not enough honest critiquing! People want an honest assessment of their work. It will help you grow. Sometimes your peers are not sure how to critique or honestly don’t know what could be improved an image.

So I decided to put up a place where members of the forum can receive honest critiques. I will personally critique your images. And so you wont be intimidated, I have broke the critiques into four categories: Newbies, Seasoned Pros, For your CPP, For Competition Prints. Wow, where else can you get someone with 35 years experience, who is a qualified PPA Juror, who has judged at PPA National Judging  five times, at WPPI judging  five times, at over 50 state and regional judgings and countless other judging opportunities including at local county fares. Every where I judge, people want honest, qualified, compassionate critique. People want to know what you think AND how you can improve your image. That is what I will provide.

But here is the great part, I have a new “Video Critique” feature. Instead of having to read the critique, you can listen and see! I can point to the print (with the cursor) and talk about specific area and verbally talk about the image. Here is an example of the new video critique,
http://www.screencast.com/t/YWU3ZDRjZDc

We would love to have you as a Premium Member so you can join in the fun and learning.

Sincerely

Doug Box

Welcome to ProPhotogs, a place for all photographers. LaVelda and I are excited to be the new owners of ProPhotogs. If you are a photographer that wants to learn about lighting, learn about business, learn about posing, learn to sell more photography, learn about photography equipment or anything photographic, you have come to the right spot.

I have been teaching photographers for………let’s just say a long time. I love it. I love seeing the light bulbs go off in someone’s head.

I encourage you to join the forum. I am in the process of adding a lot of new educational features. We will have a place for me to critique your work, a whole section of learning videos that will include subjects a studio lighting , outdoor photography, natural light photography, posing, corrective posing, off-camera flash and much more.

So join now, for less than 28¢ a day, you can have access to over one million posts of photographic information. See you there!

For everything there is a season and it has become my time to change, much as the seasons do. First and foremost, ProPs has been a huge part of my life for the past 6 years. I birthed it, nurtured it and brought it to what it has become today. I believe I have taken it as far as I can. I believe that it has so much more potential, so with that said,

After much soul searching, I decided that I would hand the reins over to someone who could take proPhotogs to the next level and beyond. When I made this decision, I went to someone in the industry I trusted. He has always lead me in the right direction and I knew he would give me great insight on my decision.

I went to him for advice, never dreaming that he would be the one to take the reins. But as I have always said, everything happens for a reason.

It is with great excitement that I am announcing that Doug & LaVelda Box are the new owners of proPhotogs as of today. I have always seen Doug with a passion for photography, a passion for teaching. He is unique and genuine. Doug has over 35 years experience in the industry, is on the PPA board, Past President of Texas PPA and currently Executive Director of TPPA. Doug is one of only 4 people in the world with over 1000 PPA merits. He is also a member of the Prestigious CameraCraftsman of America.

He has taught in 47 states in the US, plus Canada, Mexico, Scotland, Wales, England, China, Ireland and on 5 cruise ships. He is also a qualified PPA juror. I feel with his passion and expertise he will be there for you all, to learn, grow and succeed, taking your passion to your next level.

As for me, I’ll be around. I hope to keep the great friends that I’ve made here and through proPhotogs. You all know how to contact me, cher@chersalo.com, 251-545-9241.
I wish you all great success in the paths you choose and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the love and support you have given proPhotogs through the years.

Much Love,
Cher