My questions for you are this:
Do you enjoy your job, what's some pros/cons?
Yes. I love my job.
Pros:
1) I'm always learning and being creative
2) I get to spend lots of time with people and I meet new people ALL THE TIME!
3) I have a flexible schedule - there is no 9-5 (I don't like to have the same thing every day, I love that life changes...but I've gotten REALLY GOOD at using my calendar)
4) my photography "seasons" come and go (so I get some "down time" as well as a busy season)...lots of others, too.
Cons:
1) Being self-employed means everyone is your boss...you serve your clients and if you don't do it right, you loose business.
2) Your schedule really depends on what other people need - my summers are super busy and I'm booked almost every weekend.
3) When you have "seasonal work" you also have seasonal pay.
4) You are not only a photographer, but you are an accountant, graphic designer, costume picker-outer (for almost 80% of your portrait clients!), and office staff and you are CONSTANTLY working. There is no 9-5
How does one become a professional photographer as far as education/degree stuff?
I have a degree in Art Education. For me, this was a well-rounded degree. I train several photographers each year and my education degree has really helped me. If I were to do it over again, or go back, I'd get a double-major in Graphic Design and Business...but that would take a lot of work. I have really had to make up things and learn from talking with other photographers for the most part.
Would you recommend this career?
I would recommend photography as a career. My best advice though is to work for another photographer, someone you really admire and want to "be like when you grow up". Learn about the Art, the people-skills, and the business as much as you can. I worked for Kelly Brown Weddings for four years and I still entertain the idea of working for her again...it was an amazing and growing experience. I am really glad that I did it for so long because we worked through all kinds of things and I learned more than I would have any other way.
Where did you go to college? Did you take specific courses for Photography or did you simply fall into the job?
I went to Northwestern in Rsvl. I only have had 2 photography classes EVER! I took several graphic design classes while I was in college, but things change so quickly!
My first wedding was in 1999 and it was a friend's wedding in Rochester, NY. They asked me to do a slideshow for their MN reception and take candids that day. I LOVED it and they used my photos instead of their professional photographer's photos! I thought, "I can do this!" and I did. Then, I worked for Kelly for four years as I went to school and taught. The fourth year, my business was so busy and I was teaching full-time. I had 34 weddings that year. So, I quit teaching and quit working for Kelly. I shot 24 the next year on my own! Then, I was pregnant and shot 15 (by choice) and this year, I'm at 19 for myself and one for my associate photographer. I'm already booking for next year. God has truly blessed me.
What kind of camera do you use? Digital or Film?
Canon 5D
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 30D (back up)
I shoot all digital. That's another LOOOOOOONG story.
I hope that is helpful.
Please, keep sending your questions. I love to chat with you all.
If anyone has other comments on this, please leave them! I'd love to hear from you.
ali
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Hope Chest for Breast Cancer
I am honored to be a part of a new project!
A friend of mine, Korie Regan, is leading this project for the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer (www.hopechest.us). We are putting together a calendar to raise funds for the Hope Chest while honoring women, sharing stories of HOPE and helpful information on breast cancer. They have gathered 12 monthly stories on women that have experienced breast cancer and what gave them HOPE during that time. It’s going to be a really neat project that the Hope Chest will do every year.
Also…as a side note, you can honor someone by “purchasing a day” for $25 to celebrate them. Their name will be listed on that day either in “honor of”, “memory of” or in “thanks to”. Please let me know if you'd like the contact info to purchase a date!
And PLEASE feel free forward this on to all of your friends and contacts!
A friend of mine, Korie Regan, is leading this project for the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer (www.hopechest.us). We are putting together a calendar to raise funds for the Hope Chest while honoring women, sharing stories of HOPE and helpful information on breast cancer. They have gathered 12 monthly stories on women that have experienced breast cancer and what gave them HOPE during that time. It’s going to be a really neat project that the Hope Chest will do every year.
Also…as a side note, you can honor someone by “purchasing a day” for $25 to celebrate them. Their name will be listed on that day either in “honor of”, “memory of” or in “thanks to”. Please let me know if you'd like the contact info to purchase a date!
And PLEASE feel free forward this on to all of your friends and contacts!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Shutter Speed - in low light
Okay, and one more question...if I'm using like a 50mm and I'm f2.8 inside what would you set the shutter speed at if you're shooting in manual. I mean I know it depends on the light and stuff...but give me a ballpark.
I would never go under 1/100 when I am hand-holding and trying NOT to use flash or get motion. This is a general rule, but it's a pretty good one.
As I used to say to my Art students, you have to know the rules to break the rules. This means if you know how things work, you can then go outside the box. That way your "outside the box" is INTENTIONAL!
If you are trying to photograph motion, you'd want to go under 1/100. Like at a wedding dance, or when someone is running and you want to show their "trail".
I would never go under 1/100 when I am hand-holding and trying NOT to use flash or get motion. This is a general rule, but it's a pretty good one.
As I used to say to my Art students, you have to know the rules to break the rules. This means if you know how things work, you can then go outside the box. That way your "outside the box" is INTENTIONAL!
If you are trying to photograph motion, you'd want to go under 1/100. Like at a wedding dance, or when someone is running and you want to show their "trail".
Newborn Photos
Hey you! Okay... so I'm doing my FIRST newborn photo shoot, and I'm SUPER nervous!!! I was wondering if you could give me a few tips???
I'd love to give some tips. Honestly, I used to find newborns to be THE HARDEST to photograph. They are so tiny and they surely don't say where you put them. (Unless you are lucky enough to have them sleep soundly for part of the shoot!)
For example...what lens you use... I was thinking my 50mm because it goes to F1.8...
Any special poses that work well...what to do if you're in a low light situation inside a house, because I'm assuming you don't usually do newborn shoots outside...
I'll answer these two together...I like my lowest f-stop, but it can be hard to keep a baby in focus. Their little bursts of moment are somewhat random. So, no matter what settings you are on, make sure to refocus almost every frame. It stinks to come home and see your "favorite" shot is blurry.
My favorite portrait lens is my Canon f/2.8 24-70.
Key things about posing newborns (all the way until they can hold their head up on their tummy):
1) Put babies in their NORMAL environment and position. Don't try to make a newborn do tummy time and think you'll get a great shot. You might - once in a blue moon - but your best bet is putting her in a place she normally lays. This is often Mom's arms or in the boppy...
2) Don't shoot up a baby's nose. I think this is the #1 "issue" I have with people's pictures of their own children. Look at your shots often - that is the benefit of digital. Make sure you're framing the baby well.
3) Don't tilt the camera so that the baby looks like she is laying on a slant. If you angle your camera, make sure the baby's eyes are above her shoulder...does that make sense? (I wish I could draw you a picture!) I'll try to take a photo of my daughter and show you tomorrow...if I don't, someone please email me and remind me.
4) Put the baby in a place she doesn't belong - a fireplace mantel, basket, bookshelf, kitchen table...add a few props
5) Simplify. Find a minimalist space in the house.
6) Look for texture. It's beautiful to have texture behind the smooth baby skin.
7) Open shades and find natural light. Shoot during the day when light is bright...if you are shooting inside.
I am realizing these tips fit for most portraits.
Also, HOW do you get it so all you see is the baby and the parents hands and the rest is all black in the background.
I take the picture with the parent wearing black long sleeves, and put them in front of the darkest background they have at home. Then, I alter the saturation and contrast to make it more dramatic.
Thanks so much Ali, I know you are such a pro, I feel like such doofus asking for your advice!! = ) = ), but you are SO good!! (I just looked through your newborn pics to get some inspiration!! = ))
Thank you for your complement. I am honored to be someone people look to for inspiration. That is beyond what I ever imagined!
I'd love to give some tips. Honestly, I used to find newborns to be THE HARDEST to photograph. They are so tiny and they surely don't say where you put them. (Unless you are lucky enough to have them sleep soundly for part of the shoot!)
For example...what lens you use... I was thinking my 50mm because it goes to F1.8...
Any special poses that work well...what to do if you're in a low light situation inside a house, because I'm assuming you don't usually do newborn shoots outside...
I'll answer these two together...I like my lowest f-stop, but it can be hard to keep a baby in focus. Their little bursts of moment are somewhat random. So, no matter what settings you are on, make sure to refocus almost every frame. It stinks to come home and see your "favorite" shot is blurry.
My favorite portrait lens is my Canon f/2.8 24-70.
Key things about posing newborns (all the way until they can hold their head up on their tummy):
1) Put babies in their NORMAL environment and position. Don't try to make a newborn do tummy time and think you'll get a great shot. You might - once in a blue moon - but your best bet is putting her in a place she normally lays. This is often Mom's arms or in the boppy...
2) Don't shoot up a baby's nose. I think this is the #1 "issue" I have with people's pictures of their own children. Look at your shots often - that is the benefit of digital. Make sure you're framing the baby well.
3) Don't tilt the camera so that the baby looks like she is laying on a slant. If you angle your camera, make sure the baby's eyes are above her shoulder...does that make sense? (I wish I could draw you a picture!) I'll try to take a photo of my daughter and show you tomorrow...if I don't, someone please email me and remind me.
4) Put the baby in a place she doesn't belong - a fireplace mantel, basket, bookshelf, kitchen table...add a few props
5) Simplify. Find a minimalist space in the house.
6) Look for texture. It's beautiful to have texture behind the smooth baby skin.
7) Open shades and find natural light. Shoot during the day when light is bright...if you are shooting inside.
I am realizing these tips fit for most portraits.
Also, HOW do you get it so all you see is the baby and the parents hands and the rest is all black in the background.
I take the picture with the parent wearing black long sleeves, and put them in front of the darkest background they have at home. Then, I alter the saturation and contrast to make it more dramatic.
Thanks so much Ali, I know you are such a pro, I feel like such doofus asking for your advice!! = ) = ), but you are SO good!! (I just looked through your newborn pics to get some inspiration!! = ))
Thank you for your complement. I am honored to be someone people look to for inspiration. That is beyond what I ever imagined!
Friday, May 8, 2009
"Picture Style" on Canon 5D Mark II
I just bought (and received) the Canon 5D Mark II. I hope that I love it, because it was a BIG investment.
Kendra, my associate photographer, and I have been talking a lot about color of images right out of the camera. It's interesting how each camera takes images a little differently. We wanted to find a way to make sure they are more similar an ready RIGHT OUT OF THE CAMERA...less editing = less time = less cost.
Here's my experiment tonight.
I went into my camera and changed the "picture style" several times to see how the colors would change. The camera was set at ISO 800, f/1.8 at a 1/40 on HIGH RES jpg (NOT RAW).
Hopefully, this will be helpful to someone other than myself. I learn better by talking through things, so I figured I'd do it on my blog.
PLEASE feel free to continue this conversation by writing comments on here about these settings...anything you observe in my images or things you've done on your own.
The image below was set with the camera setting "standard"
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 0
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set with the camera setting "portrait"
Sharpness - 2
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 0
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set with the camera setting "landscape"
Sharpness - 4
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 0
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set with the camera setting "neutral"
Sharpness - 0
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 0
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 0
Color Tone - -3
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 0
Color Tone - 3
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 3
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 1
Saturation - 1
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 1
Saturation - 2
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 1
Saturation - 1
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 1
Saturation - 2
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 3
Saturation -1
Color Tone - 0
Kendra, my associate photographer, and I have been talking a lot about color of images right out of the camera. It's interesting how each camera takes images a little differently. We wanted to find a way to make sure they are more similar an ready RIGHT OUT OF THE CAMERA...less editing = less time = less cost.
Here's my experiment tonight.
I went into my camera and changed the "picture style" several times to see how the colors would change. The camera was set at ISO 800, f/1.8 at a 1/40 on HIGH RES jpg (NOT RAW).
Hopefully, this will be helpful to someone other than myself. I learn better by talking through things, so I figured I'd do it on my blog.
PLEASE feel free to continue this conversation by writing comments on here about these settings...anything you observe in my images or things you've done on your own.
The image below was set with the camera setting "standard"
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 0
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set with the camera setting "portrait"
Sharpness - 2
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 0
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set with the camera setting "landscape"
Sharpness - 4
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 0
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set with the camera setting "neutral"
Sharpness - 0
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 0
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 0
Color Tone - -3
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 0
Color Tone - 3
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 0
Saturation - 3
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 1
Saturation - 1
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 1
Saturation - 2
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 1
Saturation - 1
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 1
Saturation - 2
Color Tone - 0
The image below was set at
Sharpness - 3
Contrast - 3
Saturation -1
Color Tone - 0
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Sunshine and daytime pictures
Also - I've been having some trouble with sunny day pictures. Any advice - I know earlier mornings and later afternoons are better, but I've also heard some say to use a fill flash, some say no flash, a reflector, find shade ...... What are your best suggestions?
Bright, direct sunshine is one of the hardest "issues", I think. Great question.
A couple things you can do...
1) find shade - this is typically my #1 suggestion. But blotchy shade is almost worse than no shade at all.
2) shoot directly into the sun - utilize it! if you have an f-stop of 5 or higher, you get those beautiful hexagon shaped sunshines. you'll get silhouettes, so plan on it and use it to your benefit. if you don't want silhouettes, you can flash.
3) fill flash - this can work, but often there is less contrast and from my experience, lenses don't seem to focus as well when shooting into bring light.
4) plan on dramatic shadows! sometimes these can be really great in photos...experiment!
I haven't used a reflector, so I am not able to comment about it. Sorry.
Bright, direct sunshine is one of the hardest "issues", I think. Great question.
A couple things you can do...
1) find shade - this is typically my #1 suggestion. But blotchy shade is almost worse than no shade at all.
2) shoot directly into the sun - utilize it! if you have an f-stop of 5 or higher, you get those beautiful hexagon shaped sunshines. you'll get silhouettes, so plan on it and use it to your benefit. if you don't want silhouettes, you can flash.
3) fill flash - this can work, but often there is less contrast and from my experience, lenses don't seem to focus as well when shooting into bring light.
4) plan on dramatic shadows! sometimes these can be really great in photos...experiment!
I haven't used a reflector, so I am not able to comment about it. Sorry.
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