Bethany is a wedding and portrait photographer in the Austin, TX area. She is another incredible photographer that I of course met through an online forum (I’ve met some of the most amazing people that way) and is seriously just as beautiful in person. I also credit Bethany for a lot of the positive growth in my own photography over the last couple years, she and Vicki were placed in my life at a time where I needed a lot of direction. So a year and a half ago when I had the chance to go to Austin for a photographer get together, I jumped on it. I learned so much being in the company of other talented photographers and came home with a few lasting friendships that I cherish. Bethany is someone that I admire for her personal strength and her ability to capture people as they are, no pretenses. Her images are full of personality and emotion.

Who are you? Seriously. What makes you Bethany? Give me a little bio, please.
Way to start an interview. The very first question just happens to be completely loaded, thank you. Who am I? I wake up every morning and ask myself this very question. Ok, maybe not really. But kinda. I know who I am very well, but am constantly on a journey of self-improvement and discovery. Now that I’ve danced around this question, I’ll try to answer it the best way I can. I am Bethany. I am a woman, a mother, a documenter of life, a cook, a housekeeper, a bookkeeper, a chauffeur, a child wrangler, a teacher, a dreamer and a hopeless romantic. I have been blessed with being in the business of photography for 5 years now; it is truly one of the best things that has ever happened to me. My business honestly started as a hobby, something I could call my own. I was a stay at home mother of two boys, and with the birth of my second son, my photography journey really began. Turns out, it was a blessing. My second son was diagnosed with autism at 30 months old, and ironically I had unknowingly documented his slow decline in development. I have also been blessed with documenting the steady growth and progress he makes. Now as a mother of two amazing boys and a beautiful little girl, I am so thankful for being given a talent I love so dearly. I am just a girl, with amazing children, and a kick arse job trying to keep my dreams alive and bigger than me.

What type of photography do you specialize in? Why?
My work has transitioned from strictly portrait work to weddings in the last three years. I also dabble in commercial work, and have started a wonderful adventure in fashion photography….but weddings are my joy. For two years, I wouldn’t touch weddings. There is no do over, and I knew it was of great importance to really know my craft before I took on that responsibility. After a call from an amazing client needing a photographer in a pinch for a friend’s wedding, I decided to help. It was that wedding that planted a seed of love into my work, it was such a high. There is a euphoria that surrounds the day two lives join that simply cannot be matched. There are no worries, the world disappears, and for those hours nothing else matters but the love that is so overwhelming. Words cannot express how much I love, appreciate, and find joy in my work. I will never stop being amazed or thankful.

Why Photography?
Because, for me, it is love. I feel alive and present and aware when I see the world through a glass lens. I feel at home. I don’t know how to describe it other than that, it’s honestly amazing to me.

How would you describe your style?
Just like me…..flipping awesome! Oh. Wait. You mean really? Welcoming. Fun. Urban. Emotional. Creative. Natural. Raw. Organic. Crazy. Me. Did you want complete sentences here? Cause I’m not capable of using them.

How did you come up with Paisley Day?
Paisley Day is a collaboration with myself and my amazing business partner, April Orr. April is a ridiculously talented wedding planner, her eye for design blows my mind constantly. I started by myself 5 years ago, as Bella Amadis Photography. When my wedding business started booming, we ended up working at a ton of weddings together, or referring clients to each other. So, a little over a year ago we started toying with the idea of starting a business together. We saw many brides exhausted by dozens of vendor meetings and recognized a market for providing a “one stop shop” for our target market. A year ago, Paisley Day was born. What started as a side project, has blossomed into a booming business providing brides with some of the most exceptional and talented wedding professionals in the Greater Austin area. We are constantly amazed by the opportunities that have come our way since we combined our arts. Of course, Bella Amadis is still in full swing, driven solely by amazing clients that keep coming to see me every year. I seriously, seriously have the most rad clients. Ever.

What would be your perfect photo shoot?
At every wedding, I require that the bride and groom set aside at least 20 minutes where I can run off with them. That slot of time, beyond everything else, is always my favorite. It is so important to me that they set aside this time, and the images we get in that time are always their favorites. In those moments, nothing else matters. The rush of all of the people stops, the world grows quiet, and the air is saturated with love. I don’t even exist to them, but I am there. Watching them interact, seeing their faces just beam with amazement, listening to the sweet laughter, and the tender conversation. It is truly one of the most amazing things in the world. Love never stops blowing me away.

What can’t you live without? (Besides me)
What else is there??? I mean, you make my heart so happy and the way you speak to me? Wow. You complete me. It’s sort of like this video

If I was being picky, and had spare room in my heart for anything outside of you, it would be the following items. I would also like to note I am always taking donations of these things:
Cheese.
You.
Chocolate.
You.
Camera and a great lens.
You.
Music!!!!
You.
Amazing friends.
You.
Great jeans.
You.
Flip flops.
You.
Love.
You.
Hope.
You.
Faith.
You.
My fantastic family.
You.
My beautiful babies.
You.
Jesus.
You.
And a pocket knife, every girl should own one.

Anything else we should know?
I’m secretly a ninja.

Share some of your favorite images:

Thank you so much Bethany! If you are in the Austin area and want to contact her, and you know you do, here she is Website Facebook

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Vicki is a child photographer based in Springfield, MO. Vicki is another crazy phenomenal photographer I met on a forum as I first started getting serious about photography. I can honestly say that I didn’t really like her that much at first, but what initially turned me off is exactly what I’ve come to love about her. She is honest. There is no sugar coating. I started the way most photographers do-taking pictures I loved and having family that “loved” everything I did, pushing me to possibly pursue this as a business. I believed family and friends and felt like I knew how to take fantastic pictures but then I started sharing them on forums and having someone actually critique them stung. A lot. At first I wondered what she knew that made her feel like she had that right, and then I started studying her pictures and *duh, lightbulb moment* realized she really knew what she was talking about. Her pictures had something to them I wanted to emulate-they were soulful, they drew you in without all the fluff and *gasp* they were stunning (and properly exposed LOL). That was a moment that forever changed my portraits. It made me realize how much I needed to learn. There is so much more to photography than pointing the camera at a pretty subject and getting a pretty picture. And even technically correct photos can lack vision, what leaves you somehow changed after seeing the photo rather than just an oh that’s nice. I credit Vicki with pointing me in a direction of growth and still go to her on occasion when I need a kick in the butt.

Who are you? What makes Vicki tick? Give me a little bio, please.
I am your friendly neighborhood crazy person, I mean, photographer. The thing about me is that you can never take me seriously. I love to have fun. I love to laugh. I always try to make sure my clients have a great time during their sessions. Yes, I’m a complete nut-case and I’m proud of it. It’s what I do.

As for photography, I fell in love with the camera at a young age. I was probably ten years old or something and my sister, Carolyn, and I snuck into my parents bedroom, searched through their stuff (I won’t even tell you the effect finding my dad’s underwear drawer had on us. It wasn’t pretty) and discovered my mom’s camera. It was an old Vivitar 110 camera. Ya know, one of those skinny long monstrosities that looked like a chocolate éclair? Yeah, it was awesome. We decided we wanted to play photographer so we broke into my neighbors backyard (we were little hellions, I tell ya) and took turns posing around the large cherry trees that adorned his property. I still have the pictures from that day and I will occasionally look at them to remind myself of where it all started. Back then, I sucked as a photographer.

After that day, I was hooked, officially and completely. It wasn’t until high school, however, that I started to take my hobby more seriously. It was when my journalism teacher unwisely gave me a SLR camera to take to a school sporting event. It was my job to capture those awesome action shots where you could actually see the sweat pouring from the athletes while in mid-jump. I tried, but failed miserably, realizing I still sucked as a photographer. That’s when I began to devour all things photography. I read everything I could about the subject and practiced as much as I could. I finally started to get better.

Photography was a hobby my husband and I shared. Later on, we started to take impromptu road trips across the country. We would leave home with nothing but a change of clothes and a camera. Those are some of the best days of my life. The resulting pictures are simply priceless to me today.

As for education, I minored in photography in college. I was actually pre-med with a photography minor. Great combo, eh? My college professor was a complete jerk but he made me stop and think about the images I was taking. He made me realize there should be more to the process than capturing the scene they lay before me. He taught me to capture emotion, life. For that I am thankful. I have also taken the NYIP (New York Institute of Photography) course. I took it as sort of a refresher a few years after college.

Other than photography, I have many hobbies, although finding the time to enjoy them is nearly impossible. I love to read. I’ve always had a passion for books. I also love to write. My friends have been begging me for years now to write a novel. I may do so one day, therefore prepare yourselves. I love to sleep, but only manage a few hours a night. Don’t ask why. It’s pretty lame. The most important thing in my life is my daughter, my drama llama, my muse. She’s my life. I wouldn’t be here without her.

So, yeah, that’s me in a nutshell.

What type of photography do you specialize in? Why?
I specialize in child photography. I enjoy it because I can be myself around them. I can be the complete goof that I am and not worry about it. Children simply amaze me. I love their sense of wonder. I adore their simplicity. I love to capture their very soul in an image. It’s a very spiritual process for me.

I also photograph high school seniors. I love them because they actually listen to what I ask of them. I love their diverse personalities. They make me feel younger by being in their presence.

Why Photography?
I had no intentions of becoming a professional photographer. For years, it was only a hobby for me. However, several events in my life made me realize how important photographs were. Life is fleeting, loved ones are gone before you know it. That knowledge spurred me to take photography further. I wanted to help others capture their loved ones in images. Therefore, I decided to go into business and I never looked back.

How would you describe your style?
I would say my style is fun, yet emotional. I try to keep things authentic and uncomplicated. I don’t use many props or a lot of equipment, choosing to focus on my subject instead. My goal is for someone to look at one of my images and feel an emotional connection. I want them to see beyond the exterior of my subject and peer into their very soul. Oh, and I want my clients to cry. That’s always fun. {snort}

What would be your perfect photo shoot?
A beautiful spring day with perfect lighting. A child that is a bit shy by nature but full of curiosity. A parent that respects my art and will let me do my thing. All I need is my camera, a couple of lenses and perhaps my reflector and I’m a happy camper.

What can’t you live without?
In terms of photography, I can’t live without my camera, reflector, 50mm, 85mm and 24-70mm. Those are the things I use the most. I’ve come to realize that tons of equipment doesn’t make you a better photographer. Learning to use what you have is all you need to do to create a beautiful image.

Outside of photography, I cannot live without the internet. Seriously, I’m completely addicted. Facebook and Twitter own my soul. I love my cars. I love my books. I love my BlackBerry. Most importantly, however, I love my little girl. She makes everything worthwhile.

Anything else people should know? What else do you do?
I love music. I can play several instruments. I don’t play them well, mind you, but I play them nonetheless. I enjoy playing the guitar, piano, drums and on occasion the trumpet. I use to be able to play the violin, but it’s been years. Maybe I’ll try it again soon. I would love to learn to play the didgeridoo because I think they are funny.

I’m constantly writing. I love to write stories for my daughter, although, they’re usually silly little things that will make her laugh. I have written some other things, original works I guess you can call them, but I’ve never shared them with anyone. I’ve been working on a project with some others, though, and hopefully it will lead to greater things. And like I said before, I may take on a novel sometime.

What are you listening to?
Well, seeing how I’m crazy, my musical preferences usually reflects that. I have a very eclectic taste in music. My favorite musical style is classical. I love Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart and all the other greats of that era. I love everything from old 80s heavy metal to grunge to pop to hip hop and even some rap. Seriously, I love it all, except most country. I find country music lacking in talent these days so I avoid it as much as possible. When people look at what’s on my iPod they usually hand it back to me scratching their head. Here are a several artists I enjoy:

Augustana
Chairlift
Damien Rice
David Cook
Etta James
Evanescence
Finger Eleven
Foo Fighters
Green Day
Gwen Stefani
Incubus
Jewel
Journey
Katy Perry
Kelly Clarkson
Kevin Rudolf
Kid Rock
Leona Lewis
Lifehouse
Lincoln Park
Lostprophets
Madonna
Muse
Michael Buble
NIN
Otis Redding
Patsy Cline
Pink
Radiohead
Simple Plan
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Thriving Ivory
Timbaland
Van Morrison

Okay, that list makes me sound relatively normal. Trust me though, I’m not. Oh, and I’m secretly in love with Glee. Don’t tell anyone though.

Share some of your favorite images and why you love them (silly forgot that part so I’ll give commentary )

*award winning*

Vicki’s photos are all about showing the real person. Her sessions are fun and capture the essence of childhood. Just look at the eyes in the photos, there’s a real sense of connection with the person.

Thanks Vicki! If you are in the Springfield area, get in touch with her-you won’t regret it! Website

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Jackie Charlebois is the owner of Jax Creations in Sandpoint, ID and the surrounding area. I met Jackie on a photography forum (I’ve met some fabulous people that way) and now stalk catch up with her on Facebook and her blog. She is an absolute sweetheart (she sent me the perfect card during a *crappy* time in my life LOL), a mommy, and a successful photographer. Her newborn portraits make me swoon, I’d fly her down here if I could to take pictures when I’m finally blessed with another child. I love her outdoor work with seniors and families and her weddings are stunning.

Who is Jackie? Give me a little bio, please.
Jackie is a quirky, fun, loving, caring, blessed child of God. Anyone can make me happy with a candy bar or pizza and a cute pair of shoes! I am comfortable in my yoga pants and a t-shirt although I love dressing up. In fact if I could live in a costume of some sort, I probably would. If I didn’t have to chase a baby around the house I would be one of those moms in a dress, pearls and heels and a cute apron… but of course, you wont find me in that now…LOL

What type of photography do you specialize in? Why?
I specialize in newborn and children. I also accept 3-5 weddings a year. I love doing newborn and children sessions because there is this magical innocence of it all. I love weddings because honestly I am just a sucker for love.

Why Photography?
Well back in the day my “real” job I was an aesthetician… I loved it – especially when I got to treat skin a.k.a pop pimples… I know its gross but for some odd reason- I love it LOL. I also was a make-up artist at that time. I started working PT for a modeling agency and other photographers. I always loved taking pictures but working along the other photogs, I started learning a lot… when I moved up here in Idaho, my SIL was the one that pushed me into opening a business. I never thought someone would actually PAY ME to do photos of them… sometimes I still feel that way- but I am glad they do because I truly LOVE LOVE this “job”. I really feel blessed!

How would you describe your style?
Hmm. My style. Well most of my work is in the studio – which I love… It works great for newborns and small babies. I would have to say that my style reflects the relationship of the family. The joy of the child, the beauty and the pure sweetness of the babies. I like to capture the moments – whether it’s a baby’s soft wrinkles, fuzzy back, the small details of their hands, or a child running outside, blowing bubbles, jumping on the bed or in a tickle fight with their parents… its all about THAT moment. These kiddos grow SO fast L and its important to keep capturing LIFE!

Do you prefer studio or on-location and why?
I like BOTH. The studio is great for small kiddos – 6 months and younger and I love location for older kiddos and families. I feel that when a family or child is outside or in their own home, there is a lot more personality that comes out and shared. I love to be able to use the natural light of the sun or get that perfect golden light in a photo, but I also love having my controlled light – comes in handy when things are not to perfect outside – like being COLD!

What would be your perfect photo shoot?
Hmm my perfect session… I have had plenty of them- it could be a simple thing as a sleepy newborn, a smiley little one, a fun family, a beautiful bride. A perfect location setting would be an overcast day and some sunbeams shining through. Makes me think that God is smiling down on me.

What can’t you live without? (like that chocolate wine LOL)
Ohh I think there are a lot of things I can’t live without… The obvious is of course is my faith, my family, and my camera… but what people don’t know its that I LOVE shoes… even if they KILL my feet, I have GOT to have shoes. I cant live without Old Navy – love that store, chocolate with some kind of nuts, my fave wine, good music and the sound of kids laughing!

Anything else people should know? What else do you do?
I am a mom is 4. sometimes more… depending who is around the house LOL. I DESPISE dust and this house collects dust like MAD – drives me insane! I am anal about my kitchen- I hate laundry. I value a good friendship, a sucker for love and babies and I LOVE being a girl! I recently found a magnet that made me laugh. It says.. “all work, no pay- makes Jackie a housewife” I think what made it funny was that it was the only one that had my name on it… I am a housewife – and most days its great… and somedays, just like every other mom, its not so great. I mean really, who really enjoys poopy diapers, screaming kids, a dirty house and left over hot dogs and cheerios? Another thing people might not know about me is that once upon a time I used to be a figure skater. My fave thing was to be thrown around by my skating partner… that was a thrill you just can’t describe! One more….. I am a HUGE supporter of MOPS. That place got me through some troubled mommy times. It was so wonderful to be able to have someone going through the EXACT things that I was. We all think that we are the only mom that was yelling at the kids to hurry up to catch the bus and then felt guilty about it… but the truth is- there are LOTS of moms who go through the same thing!! I love MOPS!!

Read any good books lately?
Yes!! I think my fave book of the year is The Shack. Its one of those books I can’t stop thinking about.

And since I love food, what’s your favorite thing to cook?
Well lets start with eating. I love Pizza and bbq chicken. I could eat those every day for the rest of my life.. oh and steak. MMM I love me some steak! To cook I love to bake. And Pioneer Woman is the place I go for yummies. My fave thing to bake is her Apple Dumplings. The guys around here love them!

Share some of your favorite images and why you love them.
baby images with hats are my weakness.

again .. another weakness. Love these shots. I think I love them because they are a challenge. Not every baby can do this. Its fun to see what kind of fabrics/ textures we can play with

This baby was a miracle baby. Born WAY too early – he is a true miracle for being able to make it home to his mommas arms. It was a blessing for me to be able to photograph him- and I am so glad I did!

I LOVE those baby details.. they change so quickly. Babies have those lips that you just wanna kiss, the feet that you cant stop touching, and the baby fuzz you cant stop feeling

and who doesn’t love little baby butts???!!!

This is one of my fave senior photos from this year. I think we found the ONLY flowers in our area during this time. It just says so much to me

This pic I just LOVE!!! Makes my heart melt seeing a daddy playing with his child. The sun was perfect and the colors were amazing. This daddy just loved his family – as you can see!

just another photo that makes me smile!

this wedding was like my dream wedding. It was all about color and SHOES!!!

Thank you so much Jackie! If you are in Jackie’s area and want to contact her (and I recommend you do ), here she is  Website Blog Facebook Baby listing

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Speaking of birthdays, I just had one 27. A year closer to 30. Honestly, I’m probably in the minority here, I just don’t see the big deal about 30. But I did sit back and think about where I thought I would be compared to where I am now. I changed my mind a lot about what I wanted to be when I grew up. A photographer really wasn’t one of them because I didn’t realize that could actually be a career. But I always wanted to be a mom. And it’s one of the things that I am most happy about in my life. I constantly question whether I’m doing a good job at it, if I’m good enough, but when my boys tell me how much they love me or climb up in my lap just to cuddle it washes those doubts away. I knew I’d be married, and at some points I hoped I’d be married to my dear husband (remember we’ve known each other 22 years) but I don’t think I planned to be married at 20. Our plan was to start kids around 25, I have a 5 year old LOL. Of course I dreamed of being much wealthier, I mean who doesn’t? But as I look back on what I wanted then versus what I have now, I really can’t think of hardly anything I wish was different. I’ve got a wonderful family, a roof over my head and food in my belly and that’s more than a lot of people can say.

Anywho, over the course of our crazy month we celebrated a wedding of a family member, a few birthdays (including my momma’s the day after mine, a surprise party for an uncle and a dinner out for my father in law), and even attended a Suns basketball game as a family with tickets gifted to us from my in-laws that we rode the light-rail train to (I think the kids enjoyed that even more than the game ).  And then came tax time which was apparently the perfect time for my computer to die. Sadly, it is still dead so while I work off the dinosaur laptop I have no pictures to post I also have been informed by a few people that not all of my emails are reaching me or going back out. If you need to reach me please contact me through my personal email for the time being until I can straighten that out kayla.renckly {at} gmail dot com (replacing at and dot for spam reasons). Scheduling will be light at the moment for personal reasons but I will do my best to accommodate.

With all that, I’m trying to jump back in here and attempt to shake off this blogging slump! I hit a wall and couldn’t think of anything to write about so why not talk about me right? LOL I’d rather talk about pretty much anything else. While my computer is ill, I’ll be sharing with you some of my fabulously talented photographer friends that inspire me daily. I hope you enjoy hearing from them and love their work as much as I do!

P.S. I have lots to share as soon as the computer doctor, aka my husband, has a chance to perform surgery-lots of pictures and look for an upcoming special in May (hint-think lace).

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One of the first things you should do after saying yes and announcing your joy to everyone you know is to decide what your overall budget is. In 2009, according to The Knot, the average wedding budget in the US was $28,385 (not including the honeymoon) with $2,444 spent on photography following the traditional 12-15% of the entire budget. After you have determine what your budget is, it’s time to decide what the most important items are and what portion of the budget they deserve.

Once you know what your budget for a photographer is, it’s time to do your research. Start searching for photographers in your area  – both online and recommendations from friends and family. Recently married friends can be some of your best resources but make sure you check their vendors out for yourself to make sure they match your style. Look over potential photographers’ websites and blogs thoroughly, do you like what you see? Do the images speak to your vision of your wedding day? Contact the photographers you like to make sure they are in your budget range and to check their availability for your date.

It’s time to meet a few photographers in person, unless you are having a destination wedding where you should at least speak on the phone. How do you know they are the right one for your day? There’s lots of questions you need to ask but more importantly you need to know what the answers should be. What’s the point in asking the standard list questions if they don’t actually answer what you really need to know?

What is your approach to photographing a wedding?
Have them describe how they photograph a wedding -  before you mention what you would prefer (anyone can say they are what you want when they know what to say). Do you want a photographer who blends in to the background and allows the photos to happen naturally? Or do you prefer a photographer that conducts the day and poses every shot? Maybe you prefer a photographer that helps move the day along and lightly directs portraits but still captures images as they happen? Make sure that their answer matches what you want. Remember the photographer will be at your side throughout the day and you want them to feel more like a friend than one more stress to deal with.

Can we see some of your work?
It’s an obvious question but not for the reason you think. Most wedding photographers hone their skills as the “second shooter” (an additional photographer, not always experienced) or even just taking casual photos at a friend’s wedding. It’s a great way to learn but the pressure is not the same if you are assisting another photographer as it is when you are on your own. The other issue is that the images may not be their “original” work. That is not to say they did not take the picture but snapping a photo of another photographer’s setup does not show their own style.

Can we see a whole wedding?
Every portfolio will display a photographer’s best work and those that they feel best show their style, but they may not show a wedding from start to finish. It’s important to see an entire wedding to ensure that the quality of work is consistent and that you still love their style. Whether you see it on the computer screen, in prints or an album, make sure you see at least one.

Who will be photographing my wedding?
You need to know if the person you are meeting will be the one photographing your wedding. Do they hire other photographers to shoot their weddings or do they photograph the weddings themselves? It’s also important to know if they use a team or if they work solo. Make sure you see the work of whomever will be there on your wedding day and try to find time to meet them all in person if possible.

What else do you do?
It is important to know if they are a full-time or part-time photographer. This isn’t a deal-breaker for most people, but it may be for you. Are they overbooked putting your photos at the bottom of  a long to do list? Are they an occasional photographer that may not be prepared for the event? The important thing to know is what priority your wedding will be and will they be available for you as needed.

Do you use professional equipment/backup equipment?
This is much more important than the “what brand of equipment do you use?” qustion. There are several brands/types of equipment and unless you know a lot about the specifics of them all, it doesn’t really matter which one they use. However,  it does matter that the photographer is using professional grade equipment, not entry level or even the point and shoot camera you use for every day snapshots. It’s also important that they carry backup equipment of similar quality in case the unexpected happens and something fails. The “do you use film/digital?” question is only as important as you want it to be.

What do you do in case of bad weather?
If you plan to have an outdoor wedding and it is forced indoors due to weather, it’s important to know that your photographer will still be able to provide top notch photos no matter the circumstances. Ask  questions specific to your wedding venue/date and make sure you are comfortable with the answers. Look at examples of similar situations when possible.

What can we expect for proofs and when can we see them?
Have the photographer define what their proofs are. Generally photographers will take many more photos than you will ever see. There’s a good reason for this. Usually several photos are taken that are nearly identical to ensure that an important shot is not missed. They are then whittled down to get rid of the shots that are unflattering – eye blinks, people looking the wrong way, someone walking through the shot, etc. It would be overwhelming to go through 10 group photos; besides, who wants to see photos that they don’t look their best in? Ask if their proofs are fully edited, partially edited, or straight out of the camera. Find out how long after the wedding you can expect to see your proofs. It usually ranges from 3 to 12 weeks depending on how many photos a photographer takes and the amount of retouching they do to each photo. Also ask how they will be displayed – do they provide printed proofs or are they online and how long are they available.

How do you back-up/store my images and for how long?
This is VERY important. From the moment the photographer takes the photo to the time they are delivered to you, you need to know that the images are secure. Equipment has been known to walk away during weddings taking images with them. A photographer needs to secure the memory cards during your wedding to ensure that they are not lost during down time. Once they upload them to their computer, they need to back photos up in more than one location. Hard drives failures happen often and the last thing you want is your images lost forever. Make sure they tell you that they are backed up in at least two locations, preferably one of them being an off-site location. Another important question is to find out how long they store your images, especially if you do not receive digital images.

Do you provide digital images?
This is not a question that will be important to everyone. If it important to you then you need to know whether they will be low-resolution or high-resolution and what your restrictions will be. Generally, low-res images are watermarked and not suitable for printing. These are provided for your use online and are watermarked for both your protection as well as the photographer’s. No photographer wants their work stolen or claimed by anyone else and you do not want unscrupulous people taking your images for a use you would not approve of. Hi-res images are usually able to be printed to a size of at least an 8×10. Restrictions of how they may be used are placed on them (ie. personal use only with no commercial use) and the copyright remains with the photographer. Ask your photographer if digital images are available and whether or not they are included in your price. You should also ask if they will be retouched.

Can you provide references?
It is important to ask for references to ensure that the photographer you are thinking of hiring is as good as they say. Find out if the previous couples are satisfied with the photos/products they received and how the photographer performed during the wedding. Did anything go wrong and how did they react? Obviously if they were recommended by a friend this isn’t quite as crucial, but it’s still a good idea.

Do you provide emergency coverage?
What happens if they are unable to be present at your wedding due to unforeseen circumstances? If they are in an accident or become ill what is their policy? Most photographers will do their best to be at your wedding no matter what and will try to find a replacement if necessary. Find out if the photographer that would replace them is as qualified as they are.

Can you photograph “this”?
Do you have a special request or something unusual that you want photographed? Make sure to ask your photographer if that is something they can accommodate and if they happen to have examples of a similar request.

What will you be eating?
Yes you need to ask this. Unless you are only scheduling your photographer to be available for a couple hours, you need to provide a meal. This goes for the other vendors as well. The last thing you want is for your photographer to pass out during your reception and miss important shots. Make sure your caterer is prepared to feed your vendors though most will ask you what you want to provide ahead of time.

Make sure the photographer you choose is insured, behaves and appears professional, is committed to and understand the importance of capturing every detail, and that the photographer provides a solid contract. Ask yourself if you like their personality and style, do they make you feel comfortable? Do a search for their name and look at the entries to make sure they don’t contain negative reviews or possibly even news stories about the photographer not delivering the photos. Choose your photographer wisely and not solely on price. Remember, there are no wedding day do-overs.

If you have any questions or ideas for future posts please let me know. Photographers feel free to use this on your blog as long as you link back and give credit

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I get asked a lot by both photographers and clients what my policy is on letting my clients post their images to their blogs and facebook account. I personally love it when my clients post their family pictures on their blogs, facebook, etc. It shows me that they truly love their images! I encourage my clients to copy their pictures from my blog to use on the internet. Here are a few do’s and don’ts that you should think about when reposting your images:

1) DO ask your photographer what their specific policy is on taking pictures off of their blogs. Some photographers encourage it and some don’t allow it. If this is important to you this is something you should ask BEFORE you hire your photographer!

2) DO include your photographer’s name and website under the images (a link would be super nice!). That’s just the polite thing to do

3) DON’T crop out their logo. Most photographers use their blogs to advertise their work and do so as a courtesy to give their clients a sneak peek. If a client crops out the logo then how will other people know who took the picture?

4) DON’T edit the picture in ANY way. Taking the pictures is only half of a photographer’s job. The other half is editing. If you think you can do a better job or want to edit out some of your wrinkles or use selective coloring please don’t. That is super insulting. If you don’t like your photographer’s editing enough to want to edit it yourself than maybe you need to find another photographer next year.

5) DON’T try to print from the files on the blog. For me specifically I know that the files I upload to my blog are too small to be printed in a 4×6 size. It’s not cool to invest in a family session and then print the images off of the blog and not pay for prints. Make sure you know how much the prints cost before the session to avoid sticker shock. Same goes for scanning prints that you already bought. Not cool (and illegal)! Some of my family members are guilty of printing images off of my blog. It makes me cringe when I see them FRAMED in their homes with my logo still on there! To be fair, I’m also not great at emailing them the file when they ask for it

*used and edited with the permission of the author*

Ok so now you ask what exactly are your policies on this?
I have no problem with you copying the images from my blog to use on Facebook, MySpace, your family blog, etc. In fact if you ask I will even email you the watermarked copies of the blog pictures and any that you order. BUT you are not allowed to edit them in ANY way. Do not crop out the logo (or really even crop at all) and give credit to the photographer (please tag me if we are Facebook friends). If you would like I will post them on Facebook and tag you in the photos so that you can share them without having to worry about it. You are in no way allowed to edit your photos-I edit them in my style which is what you hired me for. The photos are a representation of my work-I do not want my work associated with your bad edit. Do not print these photos either, they are a low resolution to protect me from theft and you from unscrupulous people stealing them and using your image for a purpose you may not like (think advertising for a disturbing product, it’s happened to many people). If you have any other questions on what you can and can not do with your photos, please ask me. You don’t want to accidentally break a copyright law that could cost you a lot.

If you have any ideas for future posts please let me know!
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Often customers wonder how I choose to crop their photos or how their photos will look at each size. Most cameras (including mine) produce photos that are a 2:3 ratio (equivalent to a 4×6 or 20×30). This means that when you want an image of a different ratio (ex. 4:5 or 8×10), some of the image must be cropped away. As a photographer, I try to take into account for this and leave extra room within an image to allow for an appealing crop that doesn’t lose important parts of the image. Even then not all images will look good at all crop sizes. To help compensate for these differences, I proof my images at a 5×7 size so that it is a pleasing crop somewhere between the more rectangular 2:3 (think 8×12) and the nearly square 4:5 (think 8×10). When you order your prints at a different crop ratio than your proof shows you need to remember there will be a difference between your proof and your final print. I will use my artistic judgement when I crop at these ratios to ensure that all important elements are included and that the image is still appealing. If I feel that a certain crop will not work for an image, I will let you know so that we can make a decision together for the best choice of the display of your portraits.

Here is a visual to help you see the differences a crop will make on one image.

Please keep this in mind when you order prints from our session.

If this doesn’t answer all your questions on the topic please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to help. If you have any ideas for future posts please let me know!
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Photojojo is more than just a quirky name. The first thing you see when you hit their website is the phrase “We believe in doing one thing, and doing it very, very well. We find the best photo shiz anywhere.”

They sell some really unique camera gear and kits for cool projects (think pinhole camera, sun prints). Where else can you find a Super-Secret Spy Lens, a Motherboard Frame, a Helmet Camera Mount, and a Bottle Cap Tripod all in the same place? They even have a book (Photojojo! Insanely Great Photo Projects and DIY Ideas) full DIY photo projects like how to create temporary photo tattoos. **Hint: this would make a great birthday present for me in March

So now on to my review. For Christmas my husband and I decided to pick out our own gifts and keep them small. I knew what I wanted: a sweater dress from an online boutique that I’d been eyeing forever waiting for my size to be in stock (I’ll review that lovely store when I finally get a picture in my dress ) and a slim case for my point-and-shoot (aka p&s or purse camera) so that I could throw it in my purse without my keys destroying it. I had searched online and in stores for awhile trying to find just what I wanted without a lot of luck except for at Photojojo. I kept coming back to it-the perfect little compact camera case. It’s made of neoprene (think wetsuit) which makes it water-resistant and hand washable, it has a sturdy core and fleece lining to protect the camera, and there are 3 different varieties (Hoodie, Pouch, and Scoop-which I don’t see at the store at the moment). I wanted a case that closed but was easy to open so I chose the “Hoodie” (which also has a small pocket for batteries or memory cards and a wrist strap). Now came the dilemma: red or polka dots? Seriously. I love polka dots but red is my favorite color ever. I resorted to eenee meenee and got….RED! Besides as I’m writing this I decided I could get the polka dot one for my phone and to put my driver’s license, debit card, and business cards when I’m on a shoot rather than bringing my purse. Psttt…somebody let my husband know that’s what I want for Valentine’s Day, k thanks.

Here is my beautiful case:

Not only do they have fantastic products at reasonable prices, they also have fabulous customer service with fast shipping and free shipping on orders over $50. So go check them out at the Photojojo store and follow them on Facebook to get heads up on sales and new products.

Oh did I tell you that they send a little dinosaur with their orders? Well they do and my boys thought that was awesome!

If you have any ideas for future posts please let me know!
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From one traveller to another (life)
by Jesh De Rox

you are where you are.

let’s start with that. it’s true, after all, and denying it, fighting against it, pretending otherwise amounts to nothing more than a waste of these precious few moments of life we’re gifted with.

you are where you are.

and it is a lovely place to begin. even if it’s painful, even if it’s not where you saw yourself 10 years ago, or 10 months, or 10 days. it’s lovely because it’s what you have, and what you have is so much more than so many others are gifted with,,, more than you often give yourself credit for.

imagine yourself on a map. are you limited as to which direction you can go? certainly there are circumstances of terrain that may provide greater ease or challenge, but the vital truth is and will always remain that any direction is available to you.

even if it’s a direction you’ve never gone before, even if it contains unknowable obstacles,,, the power of choice rests or rises with you.

you are where you are.

and you, as the traveler, now have the privilege of deciding where to go from here. just as, where you have been in no way dictates where you must go, it is equally true that your past cannot decide your future.

yes, it can be scary to leave the paths you have worn, over so many years of dusty repetition, but when the roads you know don’t take you to where you know, in your heart, you must be,,, it is time to quit lamenting the fact and blaze off bravely in the direction of the undiscovered.

what a miracle that you have feet! what a miracle that they will take you in absolutely any direction that you tell them to go! you are blessed with a vehicle far more marvelous and sophisticated than anything the human mind has yet to or ever will conceive.

it is one thing to sit upon the sidelines of life and bemoan your fate, and it is another entirely to shake yourself free of mentally-cobwebbed ideas and start moving.

move!!!

move until your amble becomes a walk, until your walk becomes a jog, until your jog becomes a run, until your feet find their gravity-escaping rhythm and you take flight.

are you facing a fire? it is when you are stuck – motionless – that flames burn the worst,,, remember when, as a child, you moved your finger through the candle flame fast enough, it had no power to touch you.

remember the joy of that, the triumph in it, my friends, and move.

move until the air before you becomes a cool wind on your face, until the scenery rushes past in a celebration of your speed.

move until you find yourself in the clearing you are looking for. i promise you, it exists on the other side of whatever lies between you and that place of rest.

when caught in the frustrating mazes of life, we are often closer to freedom than we realize. a view from above adds the clear perspective we are blind to when we think only on ground levels.

when you cannot go left, and you are blocked from going right,,, when the way in front of you is too tangled, and you know you must leave what is behind,,,

go up, my friends, go up.

you will find there the far-view,,, drink in the picturesque scenery of hope that every weary traveller at some point needs.

you are where you are.

perhaps because you are learning things now that are seeds for blessings in days to come, for plantings you have not yet imagined.

you are where you are.

perhaps because you are accumulating experience that will someday be the common ground on which you meet the love of your life, your greatest friend, or your self.

you are where you are.

because the sometimes difficult, but ground-shaking truth is,,,
you are choosing to be.

we can’t always control where the winds of this life blow us, how far they might veer us from the flight-paths we’d projected,,,

but until the moment our last spark of life passes from this vehicle of our body and moves into the next,,, it remains our choice to rise up from wherever we are, no matter the obstacles, no matter the challenges, no matter the odds, and to move, one precious step at a time,,,

footprint by footprint, handhold by handhold, until at last we find our home.

i love you so much, my beautiful friends, i pray every day that the wings you’ve been keeping secret will one day be loosed.

until that day,,,

jesh *
posted with author’s permission

I hope you are as inspired and touched by his words as I am. And since I’d hate to leave you without a photo, here is one I went back to today and reworked from a different perspective:

If you have any ideas for future posts please let me know!
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*Part 3 of a 3 part series*
Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?
compiled and written by Marianne Drenthe

The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and ability to control various factors during the image taking and making process. Photographers, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur all benefit from this ability to manipulate pixels. However, with flexibility comes a price. Digital camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into creating a work of photographic art.

We all know that you can go to the local Walgreen’s and pay a $1.99 for a print – as a client you may wonder why you may pay upwards of $50, $70, $90 for a custom photography print. Photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at x store?”

The truth of the matter is the answer to this question is multifaceted. Much of the cost of a photographic print produced by a professional photographer has a lot to do with the time, equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer not to mention expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

The cost of TIME

Approaching it from a time standpoint, let’s imagine that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love. This photographer is traveling an hour to your destination to photograph your session. Here is an example of a time break down:

* session prep time (30 mins – 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
* one hour travel time TO session
* 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
* 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
* one hour travel time FROM session
* 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
* 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
* 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
* 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
* 2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
* 1 hour sorting through and checking order
* 30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
* 30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
* any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

In this example, the time spent per client can range from just under 13 hours to 19 hours – dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to ONE session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot (aka SESSION FEE) you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.The COSTS of Maintaining a Custom Photography Business:

Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run from $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.

Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.

Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip many of the intricate details. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES to BANANAS:

Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $19.99 for an 8×10 “sheet” or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. In February 2007 leased photography retail space by a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation? The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough – those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10). The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait services in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the “loss leader”.

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:

Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc..

Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.

I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment.

Originally posted at http://www.professionalchildphotographer.com, posted with permission of author.

If this doesn’t answer all your questions on the topic please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to help. If you have any ideas for future posts please let me know!
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