Have you seen Avenue 7 Photography? If not you are missing out! BP4U Photography Guides is so excited to be featuring her this week! Read more to learn about Wendy and her awesome photography!
Hi, I’m Wendy. I love everything PINK and Frogs. They are just so darn cute! I must have coffee, chocolate, and wine! I have four beautiful kiddos, and an amazingly supportive hubby who is equally talented. Chloe and Bailey own us. They are our two cute little mini Schnauzers and my practice subjects. I love spending time with the family and of course, capturing as many family memories as possible.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a photographer? I’ve always taken a camera everywhere with me but I would have to say I took it serious when the movies “Where the Heart Is” came out. I can remember saying outloud, “wait, I can do that!”
When and how did you start out in photography? We took our kids to a restaurant downtown and that day the sky was amazing. It was so blue and the clouds were like cotten candy. I had my trusty Nikon 35mm and captured what I thought was breath-taking. When I had the film developed, it was beyond my expectations. The color, amazing…the clouds, yes…cotten candy. 🙂 I started practicing as a “professional”.
How would you describe your style? spontaneous + romantic + energetic and most of all FUN!
What’s in your gear bag?
Nikon D90, gripped
Nikon D700, gripped
60mm 2.8 Macro
50mm 1.8 Macro
70-200mm 2.8
24-70mm 2.8
Nikon SB900 Speedlight
One lens you can’t live without? Currently, it’s my 50 mm 1.8 Macro. LOVE! It works amazingly with my D90. I love this camera. It’s almost like an extended limb.
How did know when the right time to start charging was? It was 2009, after I was LEGAL.
How much did you charge for your first session and how much are you charging for the same type of session now? $50 and the customer also received a CD of edited images with a print release. I am now charging $125 for a session and $175 for newborn sessions.
How did you market yourself when you started out? Word of mouth mostly. Facebook and my family.
We are going to play a game… name the first person that comes to mind when you think of…
- Newborn photographer: don’t laugh, Anne Geddes
- Wedding photographer: Jasmine Star
- Lifestyle photographer: Jen Burgess Thompson, she was an amazing photographer, person, mom, wife…. <3
- Most inspiration person: aside from Ansel Adams and my amazing hubby, my dad. He is my hero. I miss him dearly. He is the one person who always believed I would do great things.
Did you go to school for photography or were you self- taught? 99% self-taught. I’ve taken a couple of classes but practice, practice, practice!! After a while, my kids got really tired of seeing the camera so I practiced on my puppies. I had treats and they were totally there. 🙂
What have been some of the hardest things to overcome in your business? Time management…seriously. the days just run away from me and before I know it, it’s bed time!
Do you have any tips for photographers just starting out? Practice! PRACTICE. Find a photographer that you can shadow or even shoot with when possible. Post to blogs, ask for tips and pointers and no matter what, never take anything personal. There are people that have been in this business for a long time and believe me, sometimes their tips can hurt but at the end of the day…listen, take notes. 🙂
If for some reason you couldn’t be a photographer what do you think you would be? Well, believe it or not I think I would do something with the disabled. I am a firm believer that everyone deserves a chance at something. We are all destined for miracles.
What’s the best lesson in photography that you’ve learned so far? It’s about the family and the memories that you are capturing. If you keep that in mind, you will always have a successful business.
What are your thoughts on props? I could spend every single penny I have on props. My aunt is amazing and also makes tons of baby props for me (MomCave Creations) but I honestly use very few props in my photography.
I have a closet FULL of props and tons of ideas but at the end of the day, I get lost in the moment and end up using two at most per session. I do have some mini sessions scheduled this fall with tons of props and I am so excited for September to get here QUICKLY. 🙂
Avenue 7 Photography | Facebook
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