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Guest Contributor

Curating a Follow-Worthy Instagram

by Guest Contributor Ling Wang

As a follow-up to my last blog post about how to gain followers on Instagram, I wanted to touch more on the subject of curating a gallery on Instagram that is follow-worthy and creates impact at first glance.

As a senior portrait photographer, Instagram is my social media platform of choice. While Facebook is still a force to be reckon with, it has become more fickle recently. We all feel the impact of their ever changing newsfeed algorithms.

For example, this photo below was posted on Instagram and Facebook with minutes from each other. At the time of writing, it has 79 likes on Instagram, and 5 likes on Facebook. Pretty big difference.

When I reviewed my analytics, I discovered that more people visit my website through tablets and phones than web browsers. This tells me two things: 1) My website needs to be mobile friendly. 2) My Instagram needs be my second portfolio.

By curating my Instagram like a gallery, the likelihood of potential clients following my account goes up, as well as future bookings.

I want to share with you how I curate my Instagram. Keep in mind there are always multiple ways of doing anything. This is just my method.

BE INSPIRING
It’s important to remember that most people follow your account to be inspired in some way. Whether your photography inspires them, the fashion, or the food photos. Whatever it is that you post, ask yourself “will people be inspired by this? Will this post make their lives better or move them in some way?”

HASHTAGS ARE YOUR FRIEND
Every time you hashtag your photo, you’re indexing it to be a part of a larger gallery of all the photos with the same hashtag. It’s smart and relevant way for potential clients to find you.

Some examples that you can use for yourself are: #(yourtown)photographer #(yourtown)(yourgenre)photographer #yourtown #yourphotographybusinessname

Also, be on the look out for feature accounts and their hashtags. Those are Instagrams that repost and feature multiple artists and their photos. This photo of mine was featured on @instasenior (my favorite senior portrait related instagram), and I gained almost 100 followers in a day. If you can land yourself a repost on a feature account, it’s massive exposure, so definitely pay attention to them.

SHARE COMMON VALUES WITH IDEAL CLIENTS
Great portrait photography is built on trust, and sharing commonalities is the quickest way to establish relationships.

I love animals, and almost 99% of my clients are pet owners. I know this because I visit client homes for ordering sessions. By posting a dog photo, I’m telling all dog owners that we share something in common.

Another thing I share every once in awhile are quotes, like the one below:

I thought it was a great quote. I know my target audience would probably like it, so I shared it.

Don’t be afraid to share who you are. By sharing your values, your ideal clients can more easily identify if you are the right photographer for them or not. Contrary to popular belief, it’s okay that not everyone is on board with your message or your values. You will never please everybody. It’s better to straight forward about who you are and brand an identity unique to you. That way you only attract the clients that are right for you, and you don’t have to bother with the ones that don’t care for you.

GIVE IDEAS
One of the most common ways I use Instagram is to give ideas. Whenever possible, it’s better to be inspiring rather than patronizing. Anyone can say, “so and so is gorgeous!” However, if you’re using a person’s photos as an example for future clients, that’s an even bigger compliment.

Instead of talking about how glamorous my senior looks in the photo below, here’s what I wrote instead, “Switching to a bold red lip half way or at the tail end of a session will give you a whole new look. It’s a quick change up, and it’s glamorous.” I complimented my senior indirectly, and inspired future clients with a new idea for their own session.

SHOW PEOPLE WHAT YOU DO
Most people love to see behind the scenes photos. You don’t want to do this too often, especially if the photos are similar, but posting behind the scenes every once in awhile will connect your audience to you.

The photo below was taken by the mother of a senior. Some senior moms really enjoy taking pictures. If you can tell they want to get more involved with the shoot, why not hand them your phone and ask them to take behind the scenes photos. Most have a field day with this task. With my senior moms, by the time I’m done with a scene, they’ve taken more photos of me than I took of their kids.

TELL A STORY

Storytelling personalizes photos. What you say or don’t say next to a photo can bring about a positive or negative impression of the photo and you.

For example, here are two possible captions to the photo below:

1) I’m so lucky to be in New York right now.

2) New York sparkles after the rain.

I opted for the second because it’s more descriptive, and it captures the imagination. It makes people want to see New York, whether rain or shine. It allows them to look forward to my next post about New York because it may be their next vacation spot.

The first caption doesn’t really tell anything about New York except that I’m lucky to be there. It may even come across as bragging, which is best to avoid.

NOT EVERY PHOTO IS GOLDEN
I have been known to delete photos after I post them if I decide they’re not strong enough for my Instagram gallery. It does hurt a little every time, but pruning out the so-so photographs for the really great ones, that’s what will make a difference in the long run.

I’ll be honest, when I started my Instagram, it was a mix of professional and non-professional photographs. I had very few followers because I was inconsistent. Once I started curating my gallery to only professional looking photos (meaning good lighting, proper exposure, etc), it made a world of difference.

Case in point, let me share with you this not so glamorous example from last year when I had no idea what I was doing with Instagram:

I thought whoever made the Ariel balloon figure had mad skills. Nobody else thought so. The photo had zero likes. Why? Because what is cool to me isn’t always cool to others. Plus it added no brand value. No one was going to hire me because I took a filtered iphone photo of a balloon mermaid. I didn’t even add a funny caption, so the post was essentially useless.

If you really feel that you need a place to post whatever you want, a personal Instagram account in addition to a business account is a great idea. I have a personal account, which very few people know about. It is for my family and myself, and I don’t care to curate it for the public. There’s no pressure involved, and it’s just for fun. If Instagram is that for you, then that’s brilliant. Do that! But if you use it for business, don’t mess around. Have a plan for when you post, what you post, and why you’re posting. Curate your brand, and your bookings will follow.

ADDITIONAL TIPS
1)Post your photos during times when your target audience is likely to look. It varies from demographic to demographic, and it also varies depending on which day it is. Just experiment.

2)Instagram allows you to change your Instagram name. If you started with a name you didn’t want to keep, you can change it.

3)Limit the amount you post every day, and never post photos in succession. Your Instagram followers are pruning their own newsfeeds. If it takes them awhile to get to their friends’ photos because you’ve just posted five in a row, they’re going to contemplate unfollowing you. Just be courteous to your followers. You want to add value to their Instagram experience, not clog up their feed.

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About the Artist: Ling Wang is a portrait photographer from Houston, TX with a penchant for travel, music, and the creative arts. Before photography, she was a musician and recording engineer. She discovered her love for photography while photographing bands and artists in college. Currently, she is also mentoring a few photographers on how to launch their business legitimately.

Visit Ling at her WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST pages today!

 

Photographer Spotlight

Photographer Spotlight: Christina Greve

We are thrilled to welcome the amazing Christina Greve to the Blog today! Take a moment to learn more about Christina, and visit her website Christina Greve.  Thank you so much Christina for taking the time to share your work with us today!

Where did your inspiration for photography begin?

At first it seemed as if the inspiration came out of nowhere. I already had a wonderful career in psychology that I enjoyed very much. When I wasn’t working with my clients, I painted. I’ve always been very creative and for many years I painted colorful abstract art. Even though I received positive feedback about my paintings, I was never truly pleased with my work—and honestly, the experience was more of a struggle than a joy. For a while I had a feeling that perhaps painting wasn’t the right way for me to express myself creatively—it often felt forced, not inspired.

Then one day while I was out shopping, I happened to walk by a camera equipment shop when out of the blue I felt a strong, spontaneous urge to buy a camera. It was so powerful that I entered the store and bought a DSLR camera with a lens. It was such a strange experience because it was as if an inner force took over my body and bought the camera. At that point I knew absolutely nothing about photography, nor did I know what I wanted to photograph!

While driving back home with the camera in the back seat of my car, I actually felt sick. What am I going to tell my husband!?! I wondered. How would I explain that I spent so much cash without talking with him about it first. Oh dear, I thought. As soon as I came home I hid the camera in the closet and it remained unopened for quite a while.

A short time later a loved one passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. I fell apart with a big bang. The grief was unbelievable and unbearable. I couldn’t function and had to take time off from work. During this period of grief, I started to take pictures. Quickly the camera became my friend—and my escape away from the pain I was feeling.

Not only did photography help me through this very difficult time in my life, it also gave me a whole new life and a wonderful new way for me to express myself creatively. Looking back now, it all makes sense to me. I know I was meant to do discover photography. Today, photographing women and teaching photography workshops is my entire career.

How would you describe your photography style?

Bright, fresh and happy with a touch of romance and glamour. I specialize in fashion-inspired portraiture for girls and women, and I also enjoy lifestyle photography.

Did you study photography in school or are you self taught?

I am 100% a self-made photographer. I struggled SO much as a beginner and had no one to turn to for help.  I was so desperate at one point, that I drove all the way into the city, to the shop where I bought the camera, to ask them for help with the settings. I will never forget the salesman’s arrogant laugh, and how he made hints that maybe a housewife shouldn’t try becoming a photographer!

I became extremely angry and thought to myself: I wish there was a special place for women to learn photography, a safe enviroment where no one laughs at one another, and where there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Today, four to five years after that humiliating day in the camera shop, I´m proud to say that I have created that safe learning space with my workshops. By combining my experience in psychology with my journey in becoming a professional photographer, I am able to offer a safe and inspiring environment many budding photographers seek when starting out.

Do you shoot Canon or Nikon?  What model? And what is your favorite lens?

I am definitely a Canon girl and currently shoot with a Canon 5D mark iii. I also love the Fuji X-E1, which is much smaller and easy to bring on the go.

My favorite lens is the 85mm f/1.2. I use this one for all my professional portrait work. But I recently fell in love with the 90mm macro lens, which is great for both lifestyle and portraits.

Yet actually, I don’t believe that the camera and equipment matters much. It´s like golf: winning is all about the golfer, not the club. You can shoot great pictures with any camera, even a toy camera or your iPhone.What matters most is the passion and creativity that a photographer brings to a shoot. My personal motto is: never put gear before creativity. Which is also a great way to save money too. 🙂

Do you have any tips for photographers on how to find the light?

It’s important for me to say that not all people find the light easily, at least not at first. I know because I used to be one of those people. It´s been the most difficult thing for me to learn in photography. I think most people can see the light, but to find the right light that will make your photos outstanding is different. For some people this process comes naturally, but for others not so much. I remember the first time I gave my daughter a camera, she came back with perfectly lit images. My mouth dropped because I had struggled with this myself for years! My point is, never give up. If you find it difficult to find the right light, keep pushing.

The best way to learn this is to look around you before you take the picture. Take a moment to investigate the room or the area. Look for soft light. Avoid harsh sunlight. Avoid dark shadows and look for something in between. If you are inside make sure to photograph near a window. If there is too much sunshine coming in, dark shadows will appear in your photos. If so, try to cover the window with white fabric to diffuse the light and make it softer.

If you are outside, look for some open shadow, which basically means that you place your subject in the lighttest area of a shadow or in a place that’s not facing the sun directly. The best time for beginning photographers to capture portraits outside is on overcast days, when the sun is lightly covered by fluffy clouds. Then you can place your subject just about anywhere, as the soft clouds will diffuse the light and flatter your subject.

Never be afraid to experiement. This is the best way to learn about light. Devote a day to taking test shots (you can always delete them). Grab a teddy bear or an object you can move around easily. Place it in various spots to see how different light works. When you see something you like, take notes about the circumstances: how you found that light and what you did to get that particular picture. As you get better, test it on a person. The more you take time to practice without putting pressure on yourself, the faster you will find the perfect light. 🙂

What is your favorite subject to photograph?

I love shooting food, still-life, flowers, but most of all I love shooting portraits of women! I am absolutely fascinated by people and I love to study faces. The face reveals so much about a person: their life story can be found in all the little details of their facial features, and I marvel at how a person unconsciously expresses their thoughts, fears and joys via their facial mimicry. The way psychology and photography are inter-related fascinates me. I love how a single portrait can change the way a person sees themselves and thinks of themselves. Over and over, I’ve seen how women start to blossom after our session. They go out more, dress differently, feel better about themselves—and they become more confident. What’s not to love about that?

Hearing a client say. “This has been the best day in my life,” after a photoshoot is without a doubt one of the best compliments I could ever receive, A compliment like that goes straight to my heart. As a photographer you get a chance to do something special for the people you photograph: you can give them a great day, help them change the way they view themselves, boost their confidence and give them memories to treasure. Being a photographer is so much more than working with a camera. I know it may sound deep, but I see photography as a healing, both for me and the women I work with.

What is a good lesson you have learned this year in photography or in your business?

I learned an important lesson this year: that doing what brings you joy also brings self-love. When we do what we love we become filled up with love—and that love can’t help but spill back into how we treat ourselves and how we work creatively. Joy can give us so much energy that we find the courage to change our old ways and go after our dreams.

If you could encourage a new photographer in one area, what would it be?

My main advice would be to stop comparing yourself to others and to be proud of and thankful for who you are. Most photographers are not born great—they become great by growing into their potential. When you put in the effort, when you work hard, when you continue to experiment, learn, and test, and when you keep playing with your camera, you will grow and become better. There is no shame in being a beginner—and it´s no shame to ask for help as you grow as a photographer!

Challenge yourself to kick fear in the butt. There is no doubt that it can be very emotionally daring to expose yourself and your photography to the world. That’s because you put so much of yourself into your work. People can sometimes be quick to judge you and act critical—and when they do, it can hurt. So if and when this happens to you, I hope you´ll remember that they will respond to you based on their taste, and that their taste is simply different than yours. Therefore, stay true to yourself and don’t let anyone take your passion for photography away from you! Also, remember to notice all the positive feedback you get. Fortunately, there are so many supportive people who love photography—and they’ll be there to cheer you on.

What do you love most about being a photographer?

Oh gosh, where shall I begin? 🙂

Photography has changed my life in so many ways: it has opened countless new doors; it’s enabled me to meet amazing and talented people; and, I’ve learned more than I ever have about life and creativity.

I love the freedom and the exciting challenges that come with running my own business. A typical workday does not exist in my life. Each day brings something new, and I think that´s why I never lose my passion or get bored. I love the personal connection with my clients and students. There is tremendous joy in sharing your passion with like-minded people!

What I love most is that I never feel like I´m at working. In many ways I feel like I´m just having fun in one big playground!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I´m so happy with my life as it is right now, that I hope it will be the same in five years time. I know it´s a boring answer, but it´s true. I feel so blessed to be able to do what I do, to be creative, to take pictures and to teach photography.

I´m so thankful for my friends, my family and my amazing network of bloggers and photographers. There’s only one longterm goal that comes to mind: to travel more and live abroad occasionally. The great thing about my job is that I can work from everywhere. I absolutely love that flexibility.

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About the Artist: Professional portrait photographer and life coach Christina Greve celebrates, supports and coaches photographers and creative souls to create a career and life that they love. Christina is known for her elegant and dreamy photography style. Her portraits are very much inspired by whimsical fashion, beauty and glamour.

Visit her at her WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Guest Contributor Post-Processing

Why Layers Matter

by guest contributor Amanda Padgett

Why should we use layers? Why are they important?

Bottom line – layers give us total control over the changes we wish to make to our photos. 

  • We can alter how much or how little of a change (like brightening/darkening, etc.) is applied to the image.
  • We can change our minds about changes during the edit process by going to a layer and lowering opacity or deleting it, without having to hit the “undo” button a hundred times and starting over.
  • We can go back into an edited image file weeks or months later and undo changes we made (if saved as a .psd file with layers open).

Layers are the individual steps you take during the edit process. They build on each other, blending from the top and going down. Edits or changes on the layers can be minimized/altered through use of masks or layer opacity.

Think about layers like transparencies on an old overhead projector. Each transparency can have different pictures or text, then another one laid on top of it with new pictures or text, blending into the layer below it. If you change your mind about a word or picture, you simply go to that transparency layer and alter or erase whatever needed.

The same goes for layers. If you use layers to edit, you can go back and change, tweak, decrease, increase, mask, or delete the change made on that layer. 

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Types of Layers

  • Duplicate/pixel layer—all the pixels from the layer you choose are copied over again. These do not come with masks but  you can add them on.
  • Adjustment layers—small changes to your image, can be accessed over and over. Comes with a mask.
  • Blank layer—empty, no pixels or change. You can put color on blank layers. Mask can be added to this layer.

 Note: Masks are explained in this tutorial.

Adjustment Layers

  • Adjustment layers are considered “non-destructive edits”
  • You can access and alter changes made in adjustment layers over and over (unlike changes made on duplicate/pixel layers).
  • Most used adjustment layers for photographs are: Levels, Brightness/Contrast, Hue/Saturation, and Photo Filter

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While I know this post doesn’t answer the 101 questions people usually have about layers, I hope it at least sheds some light on why they are important and why Photoshop and PSE users should edit on layers. If you have a question about layers that was not answered here or in the tutorials I linked to, please leave it in a comment – the answer may come in the form of a new tutorial. :-)

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Hello!  I’m Amanda, a quirky, introverted Mom of four, who is passionate about helping others learn their cameras and editing software. I also currently homeschool my four kids, ages 13 to 6, all whom run away when they see me carrying my camera.

Visit me at my WEBSITE and FACEBOOK page!

 

Guest Contributor Post-Processing

Photoshop Elements or Creative Suite?

by guest contributor Anna Gay

When it comes to Photoshop Elements and Creative Suite, people are often unsure of which program will be better suited to their needs. While the differences between Elements and Creative Suite are many, varied and highly technical, here are a few very basic points to consider in choosing which program is right for you.

Pricing and Access

Photoshop CS is now included in Adobe’s Creative Cloud, which means that you can have access to CS for $19.99 a month with a student/educator discount, and $49.99 per month for the non-student edition.  Even better – Adobe is offering a very special “Photoshop Photography Program” which includes Photoshop CC and Lightroom Desktop, mobile and web,  plus feature updates and upgrades as they are available, 20 GB of cloud storage for file sharing and collaboration, and a Behance ProSite. And it’s just US $9.99/month when you sign up for a one-year plan.

However, if you need to be price-conscious and would like to own the software, Photoshop Elements is a great alternative. Elements is not included in Creative Cloud, however, it can be purchased individually for a one-time payment of $99.99 through Adobe (currently available through Amazon for only $64.99).

The Differences & Similarities

For basic photo editing, Elements may be all you will ever need. You can crop, brighten, add contrast and adjust color balance, to name a few features. Elements also has features that automatically adjust redeye, tone, color, and soften skin with one click of the mouse.

If you shoot in RAW, keep in mind that you will need to download the plugin Adobe Camera Raw in order to bring your images into Elements for editing.

Photoshop CS is similar to Elements in terms of the design, how it looks and functions, but CS will give you more control in fine tuning your images. CS also gives you more control over tone curve adjustments, allowing you to make more specific changes to highlights, shadows, and the Red/Blue/Green tone curves.

Both programs will allow you to use downloadable actions. If you are purchasing actions, make sure that if you have Elements, you download actions that are made specifically for Elements. The same thing goes for Creative Suite.

Try Them Both

Finally, if you are still unsure, give them both a try! Adobe offers free trials of their products, so working with both Elements and Creative Suite will give you a better idea of which will work best for you, without having to invest up front.

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About the Author: Anna Gay is a portrait photographer based in Athens, GA and the author of the dPS ebook The Art of Self-Portraiture. She also designs actions and textures for Photoshop. When she is not shooting or writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband, and their two cats, Elphie and Fat Cat.

 

Photographer Spotlight

Photographer Spotlight: Kristin Rachelle Photography

We are thrilled to welcome the talented Kristin Brown to the Blog today! Take a moment to learn more about Kristin, and visit her website Kristin Rachelle Photography.  Thank you so much Kristin for taking the time to share your work with us today!


Where did your inspiration for photography begin?
My inspiration for photography began with my second child. I had always loved taking pictures, but once I got my Canon Rebel Xti, I became obsessed with photography. I don’t use that term loosely either. . .I seriously had dreams about it and photography consumed my thoughts 24-7.
How would you describe your photography style?
I would say my photography style is clean, warm, and relaxed. I am not really a true lifestyle photographer, but I’m also not a very traditional photographer either. I fall somewhere in the middle.

Did you study photography in school or are you self taught?
I am self taught. I perused forums and devoured tutorials and any online resources I could.
Do you shoot Canon or Nikon? What model? And what is your favorite lens?
I shoot with a Canon 5D M3. My favorite lens is probably my 24-70L lens. It’s the most versatile and is a workhorse.
Do you have any tips for photographers on how to find the light?
Practice! I know it sounds cliche, but there is no magical way to learn light other than practicing. Of course, there are always certain times of the day that are better than others (sunset!), but you can find great light any time of the day depending on where you’re at. For outdoor sessions in wide open spaces, I am a huge proponent of the hour before sunset though.
What is your favorite subject to photograph?
I would say my favorite subject to photograph is a 6 month old baby. They can’t run away from you yet, they are normally sitting up, and they are just insanely cute at that age.
What is a good lesson you have learned this year in photography or in your business?
You get what you put in.
If you could encourage a new photographer in one area, what would it be?
Enjoy the ride. It’s a great life experience learning and being passionate about photography. It’s also a roller coaster and you will have highs and lows on your journey.

What do you love most about being a photographer?
My favorite part is watching my repeat clients families grow and being a part of their lives. I have had some families with me since the very beginning and I’m so incredibly grateful for them!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully still running my business and evolving with the industry.

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About the Artist: Hi! My name is Kristin Brown and I am owner of Kristin Rachelle Photography in San Diego, California.  I am mom to three kids, Madyson age 10, Brayden age 8, and Cayson age 6.  I have owned my business for about six years and am known mainly for my beach sessions.  I love to dance, I love iced coffees, and I am also usually singing everywhere I go.

Visit Kristin at her WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER pages here

Business & Marketing Guest Contributor

How to Gain Instagram Followers

by Guest Contributor Ling Wang

If you’re a photographer, and you’re not utilizing Instagram to its full potential, you may be missing out on engaging an audience that is ready and happy to pay for your services at a premium.

Particularly, if your target market are teens, high school seniors, and couples in their 20’s, your Instagram account is going to be more important than your Facebook page very soon.  If your target demographic hasn’t already switched over, they likely will, and you will want to be at the forefront of that technology.

Here are 6 Steps you can take to gain Instagram followers quickly and keep them:

Follow people in your target demographic

Try to follow new people every day that are related to your market.  If you’ve recently just posted a photo of a wonderful client, check out his or her followers and follow them.

Many people will often check out who it is that followed their account. When they see their friend’s picture on your account, it’s even more likely that they will follow you back.

In general, following others is a good way for them to discover your account.

Engage with the people you follow

This sounds like a no brainer, but so many people just browse their Instagram feed and don’t engage.  If you genuinely like a picture, don’t just skip to the next one.  Double tap to like or comment.  Engaging with your followers and people you follow will go a long way in building relationships and building a tribe of people that care about what you post.

One way to get people to engage with you is to post a photo and ask a question related to the photo.  (ex: Which edit do you prefer? Black and white or color?)

Find Common Ground

Try to find common ground with your ideal clients and be intentional about your posts.

Post things that would interest your ideal clients, and you’ll find them emailing you inquiries.  If you find yourself in a slow season, and you don’t have a ton of photos to post, then find photos of outfits you like, and talk about how amazing it would be if one of your clients showed up wearing something like what you just shared.

You want people to know your values?  Share them in quotes.

You like tattoos, and you want to photograph more brides that like them too?  Share photos of tattoos you think are cool.

This is how offbeat brides find offbeat photographers.  They share common interests.

Curate your Posts

Think of your instagram as a real, physical gallery that potential clients can walk into and see if they want to buy your art.  This gallery contains your photos, your values, your likes, and what you desire for you clients to like also.

You’ll want to show your best work because it’s likely that half of your clients will see your portfolio on social media first, before they see your website.

Sharing anything less than professional quality photos will dilute your brand.

Which brings me to my next point…

Limit your personal posts

I’m all for infusing your personality into your business, and showing your clients that you are relatable.  However, there should be a line between business and personal life.  If you’re out until 4 AM getting drunk and wasted, and you post your party photos on instagram, do you think parents will want to send their children to you for pictures when they see that?

Also, certain demographics are fickle.  I photograph teens and seniors.  The moment I veer to a topic that doesn’t interest them, they will unfollow me immediately.  If you are posting pictures of your kids, and your business has nothing to do with children or babies, you are probably losing potential followers that love your work but just don’t care for your personal posts.

When it comes time for them to book a photographer, they might not think of you because they’re following some other photographer’s instagram that is posting things that interest them.

Share your Instagram link everywhere

Instagram isn’t just a phone thing.  People can follow your account through their browsers.  So share your link on twitter, facebook, your website, business cards, and mailing list.  Mine is http://www.instagram.com/lingwangphoto .   Your’s should follow a similar format as well.

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About the Artist: Ling Wang is a portrait photographer from Houston, TX with a penchant for travel, music, and the creative arts. Before photography, she was a musician and recording engineer. She discovered her love for photography while photographing bands and artists in college. Currently, she is also mentoring a few photographers on how to launch their business legitimately.

Visit Ling at her WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST pages today!

 

Photographer Spotlight

Photographer Spotlight: Amy Cannon

We are thrilled to welcome the talented Amy Cannon to the Blog today! Take a moment to learn more about Amy, and visit her website Amy Cannon Photography.  Thank you so much Amy for taking the time to share your work with us today!

Where did your inspiration for photography begin?

Well, I come from a very artistic family.  Both of my parents are incredibly creative! My mom would always dress me in the cutest outfits and my dad would photograph my siblings and me on his 35mm film camera. (I was QUITE the little poser at 3 years old!) So naturally, I had an appreciation and love for photography at a very young age. After graduating college with a degree in Musical Theater, I purchased my very first SLR camera and started taking theatrical headshots for my friends. It took me all of 10 seconds to totally fall in love with that camera and want to take it everywhere with me! Then, like MANY other moms, when my first baby was born, my son Cooper, I become completely camera obsessed. My camera was a staple item in the diaper bag. I didn’t want to miss a single thing! I wanted to make sure I documented as many moments as I possibly could.  It didn’t take long before other parents began to notice my work and started asking me to document those moments for them as well. After that, everything just fell into place and I couldn’t be happier! I really LOVE what I do.

How would you describe your photography style?

Artistic and non-traditional. I love to capture the innocence and beauty of children through creative angles and unique perspectives. I want my photographs to resemble art, not snapshots.  I love timeless looks that could be displayed on my clients walls for years and never seem ‘dated’.  Something that makes you smile every single time you look at it.

Did you study photography in school or are you self taught?

I’m self-taught. Just about everything I’ve learned is from trial and error, asking questions, reading books, watching online tutorials and PRACTICE! LOTS and LOTS of practice! I did however take a class once to learn the basic technical functions of a camera. It was incredibly helpful and I totally recommend something like that to ANYONE, not just aspiring photographers, but anyone who wants to feel like they have TOTAL control over their camera. I also try to budget money to take workshops and online editing courses as much as I can so I am constantly pushing my creative limits and further my skills with new techniques. Even if you walk away from those classes having learned ONE new thing it’s so worth it!

What camera do you shoot with and what is your favorite lens?

I’m a Nikon gal. I have a D700, which I use for all of my studio work, and a D3s which I use for all of my lifestyle and outdoor photography. I have a wide array of lens’ but the two that never seem to leave my cameras are my 85mm, 1.4G and my 70-200.  I LOVE those lens’ SO MUCH!

Do you have any tips for photographers on how to find the light?

I have found myself in SO many situations where the lighting was NOT in my favor.  Of course your first instinct is to panic.  But the more experience I gained, the more patience I gained as well.  Now, I really look at the light and take my time figuring it out. If I am outside, I stand still and really try to see what direction it is coming from and then I have my subject stand while I take a test shot.  Then I look at their eyes.  Are they full of sparkle or are they squinting?  Is the light falling on them softly or do I see harsh shadows?  Really look.  If it isn’t exactly how you want it to look then MOVE. Sometimes even a change in body angle or a few feet the opposite direction is enough. I also tend to underexpose just slightly because I feel that postproduction tends to brighten my images making them just right.

What is your favorite subject to photograph and why?

KIDS- FOR SURE!  Each age has it’s own kind of innocence and beauty that is pure magic when captured.  I love how children are just THEMSELVES.  They aren’t worried about how they look.  They’re only concerned about being themselves. That makes them pure JOY to work with.  Even when they make you work EXTRA hard to get a great capture of them, it is SO worth it.

What is a good lesson you have learned this year in photography or in your business?

That it is exactly that- A business. We as artists put a LOT of time, effort, money and HEART into what we do. We have policies in place to protect our work and our business.  We spend hours educating ourselves so that we can offer the very best to our clients. Stay true to the policies you have in place-client or friend.

If you could encourage a new photographer in one area, what would it be?

Take time to explore and find your style.  Discover what makes you happy and what you REALLY enjoy shooting.  When I first started I took every photography opportunity that presented itself; parties, baptisms, headshots, families, you name it!  I wanted to see what made me feel fulfilled and what didn’t seem like a good fit.  Those situations are also a really great way to learn how to shoot in ANY and ALL environments!  You are forced to be quick on your feet and really rely on your technical skills to get you though the shoot! Then, as you explore those different opportunities, you quickly discover what you love and what you DON’T.  What fits your creative vision and your particular style. Embrace what fulfills you and turn away what doesn’t.  You can’t (nor should you be) the ‘photographer for everyone’.

What do you love most about being a photographer?

Well, first and foremost I love the ability I have to capture ever step of my children’s lives.  My home is covered with prints and canvases of the kids. (I’m running out of wall space!) It’s the BEST art to have. Every time I look at them I smile. I also love the fact that I am able to capture OTHER families’ memories for them to enjoy. It feels so good when I have a client tell me that the photos I took for them made their heart skip a beat. A friend of mine once referred to me as ‘a professional memory maker’…what a compliment!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Aside from being happy healthy and doing what I love as much as I possibly can, I would LOVE the opportunity to shoot a children’s clothing line. From the concept to the casting and everything in between, I LOVE to create, push myself and I always welcome a good challenge!

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About the Artist: Amy Cannon is a member of the National Association of Professional Children’s Photographers and currently resides in Long Island, NY with her Broadway husband Mike and their two kids- Cooper and Camryn. Amy Cannon specializes in creative portraiture and is known for using her musical theater degree and silly voices to get genuine laughs from the kids that she works with.

Visit Amy at her WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM pages here!

Celebrity Mentor Photographer Spotlight

Photographer Spotlight + Celebrity Mentor: Melanie Weyer

We are so excited to welcome the amazing Melanie Weyer to the Blog today! Take a moment to learn more about Melanie, and visit her website Melanie Weyer Photography.

The best news… Melanie will be featured as our “Celebrity Mentor” in the Pretty Forum for the entire month of May so come on over and ask her anything you like.  Thank you so much Melanie for taking the time to share your work with us today!
Where did your inspiration for photography begin?
It started with my children (now ages 8, 6, and 5). I bought my first Nikon D90 to capture images of them, and it evolved from there.

How would you describe your photography style?
In a word, simple. For me, it’s about focusing on the subject, and the connection with the camera. I am not a “smiley-smiley” photographer.

Did you study photography in school or are you self taught?
Self taught.

What camera do you shoot with, and what is your favorite lens?
Nikon D3X, Nikon D800, and a Nikon D700. I don’t really have a favorite lens, as it depends on the shooting situation…but I do love my prime lenses.
Do you have any tips for photographers on how to find the light?
Always look for catchlights in your subject’s eye
What is your favorite subject to photograph and why?
High School Seniors are my favorite…it is such an exciting time in their life, and I love being part of that

What is a good lesson you have learned this year in photography or in your business?
Don’t overcommit yourself – it will impact your business negatively, and you will burn out quickly.

If you could encourage a new photographer in one area, what would it be?
Figure out what you love to photograph most, and focus on that. If you love what you are doing, it will show.

What do you love most about being a photographer?
I have always been a predominately left-brained person, so I love the right-brain workout I get from photography and post-processing. Also, after having worked a corporate job for 14 years, I love that it allows me to be home with my 3 children.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Such a hard question…but hopefully still continuing to grow as a photographer, and doing what I love.

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About the Artist: Hi! I am Melanie Weyer, a natural light photographer specializing in High School Seniors and Children.  Fine Art Portraiture is where my passion lies. Aside from shooting, I also teach online post-processing workshops.  I reside in the Richmond, VA area with my Husband and three children, ages 8, 6, and 5.  I am so excited to be here on Rock The Shot this month, and am looking forward to answering all of your questions!

Visit Melanie at her WEBSITE | FACEBOOK pages here

And don’t forget, you can ask Melanie anything you like in the Pretty Celebrity Mentor Forum for the entire month of May!!

Business & Marketing Guest Contributor

Why You Need To Stop Selling Digital Files

by Guest Contributor Veronica Gillas

I realize that there are drastically different opinions about this subject, but after a conversation I had recently with a client, it had to be written.  Over the weekend, I saw a client whose newborn I photographed, and we sat down to proof the images from their son’s session. I see my clients in their homes to present their images to them, and we review their photographs, measure spaces and decide which of their portraits to hang on their walls. I bring Starbucks (of course) and some tasty treats and we make an afternoon of it.

While I was there, she mentioned that they had maternity photos taken, but none of them were up on the walls. When I prompted her as to why, she told me the photographer had given her a disc of images (which she had printed off at Costco) but she hadn’t had the time to put them up. They were still sitting in the envelope that they came home in.

Long ago and far away, I sold digital files.  Clients could purchase the digital downloads and print away to their hearts content. What happened when I handed over the files though was a different story entirely. My art was not up on their walls, but instead ended up on social media sites like Facebook.  My heart broke a little bit.

The creative side of me cringed after this revelation, but I realized that if I wanted to continue to offer a high-end service, I had to stop selling digitals and start selling what my clients wanted: tangible products.

It dawned on me that my custom service wasn’t so custom after all.  I watched the trend towards clients only falling in love with a handful of their photos, but then not knowing what to do with them. As a result, print orders were small (or non-existant) and the client never ended up with amazing work in their home.

During my design consultations with clients, I started prompting them for what they intended to do with their images, and what they would like the focus of their session to be. This let me know exactly what I would be looking to suggest to them during proofing, and what their goals were for their session.

Why would I offer 25 digital files to a client who really only wants 3 large framed prints up on their wall and a Storybook Album of their entire session? I had not been listening to the needs of my clients, and it was doing myself, and them, a serious disservice. The truth is, that if you are only offering digital images, your clients are not getting any value for their investment and the chances of them returning to you are small.

If you’re not doing in-house proofing sessions, you need to start today. Bring a measuring tape, samples of albums, canvas, birth announcements and framed prints, the images and recommendations for your clients.  Every single time I have recommended a collage, or been able to put an album sample in a client’s hand, they have purchased it.

Remember that you are the professional, and you are being hired to provide a highly customized service to the client that does not end after you have wrapped up the session and completed edits. Market yourself as a full service studio, post photographs of your finished products and encourage clients to send in images of their art on their walls for you to share with others. It might seem like a difficult leap to make but in the end, you and your clients will be better off (and happier) as a result.

I do lose clients to budget photographers who charge $250 for a session with a disc of images, but it is something that I am okay with, and you need to be okay with that too. My clients chose me because they value my work and the service I provide. Now they might not walk away with 25 digital images, but they do have stunning collages of framed (by me) portraits on their walls, customized birth announcements to send to family, framed gift prints for Grandparents and stunning Heirloom Albums to show off to friends.  Your clients will be absolutely in love with their art, and in love with you, too. I guarantee that if you ask them, not a single one will miss “the disc”.

 It is important to mention that while I no longer offer digitals, some of my Collections include the soft copy of their corresponding portrait.  When I hand over these files to clients, I always suggest a print lab (usually Mpix, which is a consumer Division of their professional lab) to them where they can get better quality than budget outfits like Costco or Shutterfly.)

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 About the Author: I am a natural and studio light photographer based out of Portland, Oregon.  I specialize in the portraiture of newborns, families and children.  I love playing ring around the rosy with our 6-year-old, re-enacting the epic light saber battle between Darth and Luke with our 9-year-old, and napping with our 8-month-old.

 

Business & Marketing Guest Contributor

Managing Time for Creatives

by Guest Contributor Shannan Painter

You’re in the middle of FINALLY sitting down to work on some bookkeeping when a friendly little chime alerts you that someone commented on a post you wrote on your Facebook business page. You think “I’ll just take a quick peek. It IS marketing after all.”

Twenty minutes later, you’ve watched a viral video that made you cry, taken a quiz to see which pop star you are, and crept on that “other photographer’s” Facebook page that you are convinced is stealing all your business. And come on, she’s not even that good.

WTH happened?

If you’re like me and are right-brain dominated or live mostly in your creative side as opposed to your logical, rational side, you might be an easy victim of reactionary workflow: spending all your energy trying to keep up and responding to each incoming thing, as opposed to being proactive and structuring your day.

You might be right brained if…

You’ve ever been in the middle of one task, and suddenly gotten distracted by another pressing need, and as a result left the first task unfinished.

You’ve ever found yourself wondering where an hour went while sitting at your desk working, and nothing got accomplished.

You easily forget appointments or tasks.

You constantly feel “busy” even though your business revenue doesn’t really say you are.

Why most organizations systems simply don’t work for you

Guess who is making most of the organizational tools: the people to whom organization comes naturally! The people telling us how to organize our creative brains are the ones whose socks and underwear are all folded neatly into symmetrical little rows! We try to conform to their brain and thought patterns and end up more frustrated than before, because it just doesn’t work for us.

So what DOES work?

Well, that depends. We all have a unique combination of creativity and structure. There are photographers who are exceptional at organizing and planning. And then, there are the rest of us. I used to write a “to-do” list willy-nilly on random post-it notes, pieces of scratch paper, the notepad in my phone, dry erase boards, and anything in plain sight frankly. But then, I had no “plan of action” to accomplish those tasks. In the same way that you can’t simply say “I want to make six figures this year” and then sit back and wait for money to come rolling in, you can’t just write up to-do lists without figuring out when and how you will get things done.

I used to hate the idea of scheduling. I remember interviewing a very successful photographer who told me she scheduled everything and thinking “I could never do that!” The truth is, that I have found MORE freedom in putting a plan on paper. I am more focused, and less stressed, because everything has an allocated time. If something comes up in my day that I didn’t plan for, I am also able to make adjustments to the structure I already have as opposed to reacting and panicking! Want to know more about time blocking and planning? I found this wonderful FREE tool that I use each morning from Just a Girl and Her Blog: check it out here.

{For further reading on organizing your creative mind, check out Scott Belsky’s article HERE. Reference note: The term “reactionary workflow” taken from this article.}

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About the Author: Shannan Painter is a newbie photographer who has spent the last 5 years working with the left side of her brain helping small businesses organize their accounting and taxes. She decided to take the big step and pursue her dream of becoming a professional photographer in 2013 after adding a third boy to her house that was already full of super heroes, trucks, and sports equipment. She and her husband, who is a local TV meteorologist, play pick-up games of basketball in their free time and like to take road trips to Lake Minnetonka with all 3 boys, and their dog Growler.  

Visit Shannan at her WEBSITE | FACEBOOK page today

 

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