“Hi! I’m Sally, and I am a lover of light, joy, whimsy and authenticity, and I am absolutely giddy about human connection and expression, which I see all around me, all the time, in the faces and lives of my husband and five beautiful children. I love dreaming, reading, traveling and coffee. I hate cold.”
· Newborn photographer: Nghi Le Photography
· Wedding photographer: Amber Anderson Photography
· Lifestyle photographer: Pinkletoes Photography
· Most inspiration person: Kate T Parker
Name the first thing that comes to mind when you think of:
· Prop vendor: goodnight mouse
· Photography Book: Understanding Exposure (Brian Petersen)
· Photography Blog: Zoe Berkovic
Did you go to school for photography or were you self- taught? If self-taught, what helped you the most? I went to school for Fine Arts, which helped IMMENSELY with understanding things like composition and color theory. I learned most of the photography and photoshop basics from Scott Kelby books and many hours logged on photography forums.
What has been some of the hardest things to overcome in your business? I’m way too nice and a big huge pushover. I give in pretty easily. I am getting better, but I just get so attached to everyone, I want to hand them the moon, and I am always surprised when it bites me in the bum.
Do you have any tips for photographers just starting out? Take your camera EVERYWHERE and take as many opportunities as you can (without driving your family too crazy). If you see a location that looks pretty, write it down or snap it with your iPhone, and make an effort to go back and try it. Find people to go on photography “playdates” with you and look for opportunities.
If for some reason you couldn’t be a photographer what do you think you would be? I would probably still be painting crafts for children’s bedrooms, which is what I used to do.
What’s the best lesson in photography (business or shooting) that you’ve learned so far? Find YOUR voice. Be inspired by other people, but ultimately, you’ll never feel accomplished as an artist if you only ever do what you see from others. Consider what you want to do, and say, with your work, and then work with all your might to make it happen.
What are your thoughts on props? Keep your props simple and have them make sense. Ask your clients before the session what matters to THEM and try to work tasteful, simple props into the session. But don’t go overboard.
