photography, paint, creativity....

some of the things on my scattered mind today. i have spent hours and hours on the computer editing this week. after the winter months with fewer shoots, i'm not complaining! and i have to say that with my new computer, the process is definitely quicker. but i'm getting ahead of myself. i'm going to try to answer questions that i've received via comments or emails recently regarding primarily photography...with a few other tidbits thrown in.

so here we go:

*what kind of camera do you use and what is your favorite lens?

i have the canon 20D. i love my 50mm1.4 lens the most. but i have to say, your lens preference is going to depend on what type of photos you take. i like to take a lot of close-ups and tightly cropped shots, with a small depth of field. if you take lots of sports or event photos, this lens won't be your favorite. when i shoot a wedding or big event, i typically rent a lens that will do specifically what i need it to do....zoom, wide angle or whatever. my camera equipment is very simple and i like it that way. i will continue to invest in new lenses and i plan to update my camera this year...but i won't just be buying lenses without knowing for sure, that i will use them often.

i can't answer the question of what kind of camera i have, without this disclaimer: this particular camera will not insure that you will be able to take great photos. i think a lot of folks think all they have to do is buy the right camera....not so. the first photos i took with this camera were terrible. i had used a film camera previously, so the adjustment from film to digital was a bit overwhelming. and even if i had gone from point and shoot digital to the camera i have now, it would have been a huge step. so if you really want to take great photos, just know that you will need to invest a LOT of time in studying how it works. i don't want to discourage you-but i also don't want to give you any false impressions that will cost you time and money...that you don't really want to invest. so just go into it prepared to study and you'll be fine.

*how did you get into photography as a business?

it really wasn't that intentional. the whole interest in photography initially was because of scrapbooking. i was getting more into scrapbooking and just wanted to take great photos for my pages. i got an email from tara over 4 years ago, asking if i wanted to do a page swap...which i did; and that one friendship changed everything for me. i got her photos in the mail for our swap, and i was so inspired by the depth of feeling, and clarity of her shots. we started chatting via IM and haven't stopped! if we go a day without chatting or at least a quick email, it's rare.  talking with her, i learned so much...and not so much the technical stuff, but just her attitude about why she takes the shots she takes. anyway, this post could quickly turn into a tribute to t! as i learned and became absorbed in taking better photos, it was a natural transition from taking photos of my family and friends, into taking photos of their friends and it just grew from there. there was a time when i decided definitively to go for it and make it a business, but that honestly happened after taking lots of photos for others. i think i was just scared....of failure and pressure to do well, for people who were willing to pay me to do what i love and hold so close. one decision i made early on, was to have this happen very naturally....mainly by word of mouth and not typical advertising. i think that was a good decision. i do consider my blog a form of advertising, to be honest. i think the exposure has been a very good thing. plus potential clients are going to know before their shoot, what my style is like and they know they are not going to get canned looking or studio type shots. it's going to be much more candid and real. not sure if i answered that question very well. i'm just writing from my heart.

*what should i wear?

i would shoot a question right back...what do you feel good wearing? or what feeling do you want when you look at the photos? determine that, and you will know. if you want photos that are fun, whimsical and playful-wear colorful and trendy clothes...like the photos of maggie i posted yesterday. if you are looking for drama and emotional shots, wear something more classic. if you love b/w photos, wear something with contrast. the one thing i usually recommend is that not more than one person in a group, wear pattern. i did a shoot once of a family with two boys and they both had on stripes and so did the dad. it was a little distracting.

*how much do you charge?

of course this is the most common question of all. and i just want to clarify this, with more of a *why it costs what it costs* for photos.  i have discussed this recently with other local photographers and i think it's okay to address it here. i don't want to sound overly self-promoting, i really just want to explain the process, so maybe it will be more understandable, because i'm pretty sure i wouldn't get it, if it wasn't my job now. doing the actual photoshoot is just a small part of the process. the real time consuming part isn't seen by the client. i think it's typical for me personally, to spend up to 8-10 hours editing a shoot and creating an online gallery or ordering print proofs. that is probaby a conservative estimate. so the sitting fee, isn't really just about the time shooting, it's also about the talent of the photographer(hopefully!). i know that for me, my family/friend photos are the first thing i would grab if my house were on fire....and i've never regretted a penny i spent on photos. in fact, i wish i had spent more when my kids were little. i didn't have a good camera or a lot of money, but in hindsight i would rather have great photos, than a nicer car or new furniture. now that time is gone and i cling to the few photos i have. i think money spent on photos, a cleaning service, babysitters(when you have small kids, so that you can go out with your husband and invest in that relationship), and tivo(sorta kidding and sorta not)-are things you won't regret. nice plug, right? i truly do mean it though.

*because photography is my passion and my job, i have to draw a very fine line. because of the time involved, i need to keep a balance. nobody asked about that...but that's another thing i'm recognizing and thought i would share, because i know some of you are contemplating starting your own business.

*one more thing. i think that God put this passion in me. it's like i can't NOT take photos. i have to. i need to. i'm driven to. when i'm in the zone during a photoshoot...i do things i wouldn't typically do....i have no concept of time, or where i'm at (sometimes i stumble or even fall, because i'm not watching my feet, i'm just into who i'm shooting and their interaction or look), nothing is more important to me at that moment than capturing what i'm shooting. it's unlike anything else i've ever done or been a part of. so if you relate to what i'm writing, go for it. nothing will stop you.

*another question i get a lot...unrelated to photography-what is the paint color on your living room walls?

funny thing. that is one of the only rooms in our house we haven't painted since moving in! so it's not my choice! BUT, i do have the original paint can, that the previous owners left. it's a custom color, no idea if these numbers will tell all, but i'm just passing it along-diamond vogel, DE1E32, the base is DE-1532 Midtone. maybe just have them mix a pint and try it? it is a nice neutral color and the main reason we haven't painted over it, is that 1. it is good for skin tones for photos 2. i want pink walls and tom is NOT having it! so they will remain this color until one of us budges :)

*here's another cool thing i wanted to share. fiskars is offering FREE downloadable projects! here's a link: projects. all you have to do is click on the links from each designer and print it out. the great thing is, this is just the beginning, there are plans to update this on a regular basis! check it out!

we finally hung the canvas i ordered a while ago, in our family room. i also took everything off the built-ins and rearranged. i only added a couple of new things, so i won't post the overall photos i took..most people probably wouldn't even notice the changes...but it feels so good to me!

i adore this tonka toy jeep i got last weekend. i left a bid on it at an auction and got it! it's the perfect color, plus both tom and i love jeeps...and it's been well loved.

when we moved into our house, i knew i wanted the family room to be more whimsical, casual and colorful than the living room. so i have tried to accessorize it this way. collecting fun colored frames, books, even toys, and i think it works. the living room is much more feminine and sort of shabby chic. aka tom's room and my room.

during the rain shower yesterday, i did a shoot of sweet luke. he is all boy, at only one year old.

he even let me hold him and snuggle him a bit...and now he has a piece of my heart.

my dear friend vic is coming over for lunch today. she is actually bringing lunch. and when she asked me if i had any preference for what she brought, i told her she could bring me a poop sandwich and i'd be happy! i just can't wait to sit and talk and hang out! our conversation never wavers....we could chat for hours and never run out of things to say! she called last night and asked if i wanted mustard or mayo on my poop sandwich :)

have a great day! God bless you!

Comments

[tara pollard pakosta]

awwwwwwwww reading this post made my heart melt. thanks b! not a day goes by that i don't think of you and want to chat it up...lol
i am so glad you went for it with photog. you are awesome at it! i know a gifted person when i see one!!!!!
love ya!
t

[Lynn]

Love this post! Love the inspiration we get and see from others around us! You are truly mazing at what you do! Gorgeous pics!

[Jeane]

What is this thing about poop. The other day another blog keep talking about poop. I must be dense and totally missing the humor with this.

[ejmumm]

Hi Becky,
I know I am a lurker and I read often without commenting; however I just wanted to tell you that when I am having a bad day you can always inspire me with your words of wisdom and your cheerful demeanor. I am thankful you are willing to share your life with the world and I think so much of you. Thank you so very much... In addition, thanks for giving me a good laugh today. It was a laugh that was enough for me to barley catch my breath because the poop sandwich struck me so funny.
Blessings,
ejmumm (Beth) :0)

[lisa truesdell]

your love and your passion shows in every photo you take. =)

[kim in Camas - ScrapToMyLu]

thanks so much for all the info. I was JUST looking at buying the 50mm 1.4
but I also need one to zoom in for my sporting events....I think I'll take your advice and rent one and see what I need.

[Barb]

I'm one of the people who has been pestering you with these questions, so I really appreciate the time it took to answer them. Your work really inspires me. Thank you.

[melissa deakin]

an amazing post, as always, becky!
so inspiring.
:)
thanks for sharing all you did!

[Jana]

I loved what you had to say about just letting your photog business evolve naturally by word of mouth rather than by advertising, pressure that sort of thing. I feel the same way and although it might be slow-going at times I think it'll pay off in the long run and the folks who contact me are ones I won't have to convince to hire me!

[Angel]

Thanks so much for what you have said about your business. I am in the same kind of situation in Middle TN! God is blessing my business as I get started. I am having the absolute pleasure of shooting photos the way I love and I so appreciate what you said about the editing being the most time consuming! I don't think people always understand that part.