Portraits though I do shoot a handful of weddings per year.
Film or digital?
Digital 100% up until this year. I’d say now I’m 50/50 and hope to eventually be 100% film!
How long have you been shooting professionally?
3 years now.
On location – a good field, meadow, client’s home (wherever there is good light)!
What drew you to photography initially?
I remember sifting through my grandmother’s old box of photos & asking all sorts of questions. I loved the smell and feel of the images and all the stories they held. That just transferred into my love of art as a young adult when I began to really dig into different mediums (painting, drawing, writing, photographing) for expressing myself. When my first son was born in 2004, that camera really became my best friend – and with the birth of my second son in 2008, the professional journey began.
One of the very first photographers I came across was Leah Zawadzki & soon after Deb Schwedhelm. There was something almost magical in the way they saw their children and subjects, and years later they still continue to be at the top of my list. I studied the images of those whom I admire(d) most to see why it is I find myself so drawn to their work. I love to imagine the story behind the portrait, and it pushes me to tell my own stories – through my own work.
Who or what continues to inspire you most, personally and professionally?
I find myself influenced by my mood, the seasons, music, and my own kids – sitting back and documenting them as we go about our every day life. They are my muses and a constant source of inspiration.
What do you enjoy most about being a professional photographer? What do you enjoy least?
I have loved the people I’ve met (peers & clients alike) and the time we have spent getting to know one another – whether it is through a workshop/forum or during our session together. It’s really important for me to be as authentic as possible, so that those surrounding me feel comfortable and at ease! These relationships are golden in my mind, and I’m so thankful for the connections.
My biggest struggle in this business is probably ensuring I’m shooting enough for me, staying as true to my art as possible, to avoid burnout. Of course it goes without saying that I want to be sure I’m giving my clients as much of me as they deserve, while still giving my children 100%. The balance game is T O U G H.
Gosh this question always feels tricky. I’d like to think my style is clean with a touch of whimsy, full of light and true to my documentary core.
What camera do you use in your work? What lens is your most used? Most fun?
For digital I shoot with a Nikon D300 & film a Nikon F5. My favorite lens? I only shoot and own primes so I’d say the 35mm and 50mm. The most fun? Tough! Lately I’ll say my film F5 hands down – that and my vintage Polaroid SX-70.
In which mode do you prefer to shoot?
Manual. I haven’t looked back since I learned.
RAW or JPG?
RAW all the way.
What program(s) do you use for post-processing? What is your favorite tip you can share with our readers regarding post-processing?
I currently use both Lightroom and Photoshop CS4. For digital I bring my RAW images into Lightroom, crop there if need be and a few exposure fixes – then finish it off in CS4 with a quick Florabella and/or Lilyblueaction. For film I simply upload my scans, do a quick rotation if need be and occasionally an exposure fix. I’m still very much learning and finding the right balance of my settings + the film in camera is the leg of the journey I’m currently on. I don’t do any color edits or run actions on my film scans though.
Learn your s-curve and use it well! Just a tiny pop of the curve can really change your image. Love it!
Do you prefer color or black and white images? What determines how you’ll process each image (or which film you’ll use)?
Gosh it really, truly depends. Certain colors, tones, textures photograph better in black & white and others in color. I love a really grainy black & white so I enjoy low light images converted. Or I’ll pop in some Ilford black & white film and shoot away! Most often with digital I envision the image when I shoot it (in either b&w or color) and of course with film I am committed by the type of film I currently have in my camera!
Do you ever find yourself in a creative rut? How do you overcome this?
Oh all the time. Truly. This usually happens when I’m not shooting enough personal photos (either of my own creative notion or of my family). I enjoy pulling my SX-70 out during these times or shooting some intentional film – to really force myself to see the image, find the perfect light, frame it as I want… and then wait. Waiting on film scans is like waiting for Christmas morning. It reminds me of the true beauty in this art, brings me back to the raw place, and I find myself feeling re-inspired and ready to tackle the work again.
What has been the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given regarding photography?
To just be myself. To find who that artist is and push her to new limits. I try to do this all the time.
Tell us about your most favorite portrait session, most fun commercial assignment or dream wedding.
A lavender bubble bath, the Twilight series, and a frosty cold Stella. Not necessarily in that order :)
Where is your dream getaway? And… would you take your camera with you, or leave it at home and enjoy the moment?
I really enjoy the slow-paced, quiet type of getaway – a mountain top cabin or a tiny cottage in the woods. I would bring my F5 and just a roll or two of film, force myself to carefully shoot only what I truly wanted to remember from the time there. Namely my kids, nature, the feeling of it all.
Do you offer any products or services you’d like to share with our readers?
Last year I revealed Fly – which later became a guide. It is my heart and soul – it was written from one struggling and burnt out photographer to another. The goal is to strip away everything you think you need to be and to do, and to allow your soul to truly soar! The guide is an instant download and allows you to Fly, at your own pace. You’ll be invited to our songbird-only facebook group as well as receive the bi-monthly newsletter – meant to encourage you to keep Flying & push yourself even further. With nearly 100 songbirds in under a year, I am just giddy at the amazing camaraderie of women who have come together and shared of their souls with each other, and me.
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