You Asked, I Answered!

So, one of my goals is to blog more.. Not just about photography, but about anything and everything. I mean, it's MY blog, so I can do whatever I want, right?! :) I recently asked my fans on my Facebook Page to ask me anything they wanted to know. I told them all questions would be answered in a blogpost and here it is! A little bit of everything :) 

Brend Authier: What was your first photo shoot?

My first shoot when I started playing with the idea of starting LPC was with a couple friends. I took photos of their kiddos and some of my friend Jen who was pregnant at the time.

Here are a couple photos.. WARNING... This is not pretty!

My first paying session was done a lot earlier than I should have allowed. I was so excited about starting my business, I jumped the gun... By about a year. In all honesty, I had no business charging people in 2011... Or even 2012 for that matter. It is what it is and some of my clients from the early years still come to me for sessions. I can't thank them enough for sticking by and supporting me with my business growth and expanding photography skills! Here are a couple shots of Bryan and Kerrie from my first paid session...

Bryan is my tattoo artist, by the way. He's the best! If you're planning on getting some ink, check out his work!
https://www.facebook.com/bryan.merck.9?fref=ts&ref=br_tf 

Katie Hayes: How many hours a week do you work?

Of course this varies from week to week, but on average I work about 70 hours (Sometimes 50, sometimes 90 or more). Between shooting, editing, correspondence, putting together paperwork, updating my website and Facebook Page, preparing for sessions and planning new things to offer (classes, action store, etc) it takes a lot of time!

You know what they say... When you become an entrepreneur you stop working 40 hours a week for someone else so you can work 100 hours a week for yourself!

...But I choose to look at it this way...

Tiffany SHine: Where do babies come from?

A uterus.

Misti Wilkening: What kind of camera would you recommend to a mom who loves to take pictures of her kids?

Any DSLR would be great for a mom who wants to take lots of photos of the kiddos! The camera to purchase isn't necessarily the issue.. It's whether or not you're willing to take the time to learn how to use it and how to use lighting properly. If you don't have the time for this, then I would suggest just getting a point and shoot and save some money until you're ready to commit to learning your camera :)

I will soon have one on one lessons available to moms who have DSLRs and would like to learn how to use them to get better photographs of their children! I'm hoping to have this launched sometime in February 2014!

Misti WIlkening: How did you get started in photography? How do you lean more about photography? Do you take classes over time?

I was working as a Paralegal when I decided to start LPC. I had one child in school and two in daycare. My husband and I realized after daycare costs, the cost of gas and the time I was spending dropping off and picking up, I was only bring home around $100 a week... Hardly worth giving up precious time with my babies!! I started playing around with photography and focused on being a SAHM. I slowly found clients and started to build my portfolio and practice. I was so bad technically speaking!! It makes me cringe looking at my old work, BUT I LOVE seeing the progress I've made in just two years' time! 

The top image is from 2011 and the bottom is from 2013... Talk about huge difference!!

I haven't taken any photography classes.. I'm 100% self-taught. I learned everything I know from trial and error, YouTube, Google, following other photographers' blogs and Facebook pages, online workshops and tutorials, and researching EVERYTHING I had a question about!

Davie Meredith: How do you juggle four boys, married life and work and still maintain such a positive attitude?

Well, some days aren't as positive as they may seem! It's definitely been a challenge finding a system that works for my family and me... And it's still a work in progress.

My typical day starts out getting my older boys off to school. They choose to eat breakfast at school with their friends, so that makes things a little easier. I usually pull my computer out and do some work in the living room while the little guys wake up, eat breakfast and drag out every toy imaginable... I'll usually stop working mid to late morning and do a sweep of the house to pick up the morning mess and I'll play around with them until it's time for lunch. I fix lunch, lay the baby down for his nap and my 3-year-old goes into my bedroom or hangs on the couch with me while watching Disney Jr. and having his "calm down" time (he decide to stop napping a couple months ago). I'll pull my computer out and do some more work while the house is somewhat quiet then put it back and hang with the little guys when the baby wakes up. They get all wild and crazy for a while, but usually calm down just before the older boys get home from school, when the little guys follow them into the bedroom and they all hang in there for a while (or outside when it's nicer out!). Sometimes they wander into the living room, but they usually are pretty good about letting me work for a bit. When my husband gets home, I'll usually work for a while again then stop to help get kids ready for dinner, baths, homework and have some lounge time with the big boys. Once the kids go to bed, Adam usually zonks out on the couch and I work until midnight or so... Then it's off to bed and back at it the next day :) 

Sundays are our lazy days. Adam and I try not to work much, if at all and we all hang around the house in comfy clothes and do a whole bunch of nothing together! Adam and I find time to spend together on Saturday evenings/nights usually... We have drinks and play games like a little old couple :) For now, it works for us!

It gets exhausting sometimes... Okay... All the time... But I love it. I lose out on my dearly beloved sleep, but I'm able to keep my clients, kids and husband happy. 2014 is the start of a more set session schedule for me, so there will be more order and less scheduling chaos, which should help things run a little more smoothly :)

Here are the crazy, sweet, handsome, perfect men in my life! :)

Kelly Peterson: WOuld you ever consider having an apprentice? Why or why not? Would you enjoy teaching someone else in their journey to becoming a photographer?

Absolutely!! I have had a couple aspiring photographers shadow me for sessions and I am more than happy to teach those interested in photography. When my boys are all in school and I get my studio put together, I plan on taking in interns/apprentices to show them the ropes :)

I didn't have this luxury when I was learning what I now know, but I know how much easier things would have been on me if I had someone who was willing to help. I have an amazing relationship with my clients, so the fear of them leaving me for someone I taught just isn't there. Sure, there will probably be some people who go to a newer photographer because he/she is cheaper, but most of my clients are very dedicated to me, so I know I'll keep the ones who are meant for me! :)

Bree Holland: How did your photography journey start?

As stated above, I just started playing around with photography when I became a SAHM. in the fall of 2012, word started getting out about me and I was booking clients a little more regularly. 2013 was an insanely incredible year and I learned how powerful word of mouth really is!! Lots of work, lots of mistakes, lots of persistence and here I am!

Kathy Dake: What are your preferred camera settings? 

This totally depends on the situation! I choose to shoot in Aperture Priority mode. I would rather have control over the depth of field and correct any possible white balance issues when processing the RAW images than have to deal with changing settings constantly with different setups and busy, moving little ones! I keep my ISO at 100 outside and 200 inside (sometimes higher depending on the lighting). 

Here's a nice little cheat sheet I found on Pinterest for you :)

Kathy Dake: What is one other job you would want to pursue?

I went to school for Secondary Education, but after spending a lot of time in the classroom I realized my heart wasn't in it and withdrew from Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids. I went back to Kirkwood for two terms to become a Paralegal and worked for the best boss I ever had before leaving to be a full time mom.

I never saw myself doing something I wasn't completely passionate about, which is why I can tell you with 100% certainty I will never switch careers. I didn't even know it was possible to be so in love with a career until LPC took off!!

Mandy Ware: What's your favorite Dave Matthews Band song? What's your favorite moment from a DMB show? How many shows have you been to?

You expect me to pick a favorite?! Well, my favorite live song is #41. The way the crowd takes it over gives me goosebumps from head to toe! As far as my favorite song in general, there's no way I could pick just one! There's a Dave song that suits my every mood... When I'm feeling lovey dovey and actually like my husband, I love "I'll Back You Up..." When I hear "Two Step" and "Say Goodbye" I think of my mom which puts me in an awesome mood... When I'm pissed off at life, I love to jam to "Grey Street..." I have tattoos representing lines from "Grey Street," "#41," "Tripping Billies," "The Best of What's Around," and "So Much to Say." Still to come are "Ants Marching," "You Might Die Tryin'" and "Lie in Our Graves" before my sleeve gets filler added :)

I've been to 11 shows I believe... Apline Valley every year since 2008, Des Moines in 2009, Wrigley Field and Farm Aid 25 in 2010 and the Caravan in 2011 (2)... Here are some pics!

That's my super cool mama with me... We were on our way to Alpine in 2008... I went through a black hair phase.. Don't ask.

There's my mom with me again in 2009 at Alpine Valley! :) She's the best!

FAVORITE SHOW MOMENT!!

Here it is, Mandy! The best moment of any DMB show I've been to! This photo was taken in Des Moines in 2009 (obviously my camera settings weren't correct.. This was before my photography days!) during the Ballpark Tour about 30 seconds before Dave rubbed my pregnant belly (yes, my son, Jett has been blessed by the touch of Dave). He squeezed my mom's hand and we both looked at each other, screamed and started crying from excitement. 

We're losers, but it was awesome!!

The "After" picture from our Dave encounter...

We have a picture of us with Dave from Alpine 2010!... Told you we were losers!! haha

Here's a close 2nd for "Favorite Moment!" My husband and I were at Wrigley Field with my little brother and his girlfriend in 2010. Mitch and Ashley went in to watch Jason Mraz, but I insisted on standing by the busses until it was cloer to showtime... My waiting paid off! Adam and I met Tim Reynolds and he was the nicest guy ever! SO humble and polite (and super short!!).

A couple hours after we met Tim, I saw a man walking up the sidewalk and thought, "Wow, he really looks like Dave!" Next thing I know he says, "Excuse me." and rubs by me to get to the bus entrance! Only Dave Matthews could throw on some sunglasses and a hat and walk down the sidewalk outside Wrigley Field at one of his own shows without anyone noticing! SO glad I was prepared to snap this :)
...Again... Before my photography days!

Oh, wow! We all look so young! Anyway, this is Farm Aid 25 in Milwaukee in 2010. Our friends Whitney and Brandon joined us for this trip. It was cold, windy and rainy, but we had a blast! It was awesome to see Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, WIllie Nelson and Nora Jones :) Too bad for the boys, we stuck them with the nosebleed seats!

My hubby came with me to Chicago in 2011 for the DMB Caravan... I swear it was over 100 degrees that day... Adam even threw up.. Could have been the pork from the pop up stand though :)

The lawn crown at Alpine Valley in 2012.

These guys made our day at Alpine 2013! They had an extra VIP parking pass and gave it to Mom and me as we were in line to park.. We ended up getting parked right next to them! There was another guy parked on the other side of us selling REALLY goo tickets, so we bought those and sold the tickets we had... THEN these guys wanted the new tickets we bought to be closer to the edge of the row where their group was... We ended up swapping tickets and they gave us $100.. We ended up 2 rows ahead of these guys in the VIP section (our original tickets were in the very last row of assigned seats) for an extra $30 each. It was an awesome show!!

Ooh.. And I painted my mom's toenails while we enjoyed drinks in the sun :)

Going back and looking through all my old pictures and thinking about how much fun I always have at/before/on the way to DMB shows has really made me realize how flipping AWESOME my mom is! How many people can truly call their mom their best friend?! I CAN! Love this woman :)

Mandy Ware: What's one part of photography you wish you had the skill/time/patience for?

I miss Birth Stories soooooo much! I can't wait to get back to doing them when my boys are older! Being "on call" so to speak for Birth Stories doesn't mix well with a SAHM of 4 young kids.

I don't have the patience for weddings (brides, rather), but that's fine with me... I don't wish I did them nor do I wish I had the desire to do them. I'm so happy with my clients and the type of photography I do. Of course, I'm always learning new skills and always wanting to make my next session better than the last and I hope that never stops. If it ever does, I'll know my carrer as a photographer is over.

Kim Browning: Would you recommend photography as a full time career? Does it pay well?

There is really no black and white answer to this. Photography is definitely not a career for everyone! Although LPC is my full time career, it sure didn't start that way! It has taken over two years to get to where I am and I definitely am nowhere near making the amount of money I was making when I worked full time outside the home because I'm still having to invest most of my income in new props, backdrops and equipment. Right now, it is a nice cushion in a one-income household of six. By this time next year, I believe I will be consistently making what I made when I worked outside the home, if not more. 

A photography business isn't just about photography... Running a business is hard. Really hard. As a small business owner, my job is that of Head of Marketing, Payroll, Accountant, Receptionist, Human Resource Manager... The list goes on and on! I currently work about 70 hours a week and I'm still investing money into my business so I see little to no income from sessions and packages. Some people assume running a photography business will be a great way to make some fast or easy money.. Hell, no! It's not fast and it's not easy... I don't just "push a button all day" like some people may think.. Actually.. Only about 5-10% of my time is actually spent shooting sessions. Building any business takes time, skill, patience and dedication. There are plenty of times when I felt like I'd been kicked to the ground, but I always got back up and dusted myself off. I've sacrificed a lot of time with my family and friends and learned the hard way that, although my business is incredibly important to me... My family comes first. 

If photography is your passion and you're ready and willing to put countless hours into learning the latest techniques, finding your "right" client, pricing yourself, etc... Then YES, I recommend photography as a full time career. I am happier than I have ever been and I know 100% that photography is for me. The best advice I can give anyone interested in starting a photography business is to be prepared for the bad that comes with the good... And deal with people saying things like this to you allll time time...

Luke Green: How many times have Adam and I beat you and Becky at Catch Phrase?

Almost all of them. Your wife sucks at that game... Here is my official request for switching up teams! haha

LOVE YOU, BECKY!

Crystal Loy: What's your most embarrassing moment?

Oh, man! I'm kind of a dingbat so I have a lot of would-be embarrassing things happen to me.. But I don't embarrass easily at all, so it usually doesn't phase me! I can think of a few times when I was a kid when I was embarrassed, but nothing that really jumps out as an adult... I usually just go with the flow of whatever stupid thing I just did and go with the "laugh at yourself before they can laugh at you" thing!

Crystal Loy: What's the most user-friendly editing program you've found? DO all/most editing programs have layers? (I hate layers!)

I have only ever used Photoshop Elements 11 and Photoshop CC to edit my photos... Elements is easier to lean because there are less tools available (and very affordable at around $100). These programs do have layers (and they are your FRIENDS!) Layers make it so you can make adjustments to one part of the photo and mask out the rest of it..  Layers and layer masks are INCREDIBLY useful!

I always edit to make my subject's eyes pop.. Now, if I didn't have layers and layer masks to work with, I wouldn't be able to focus on just the eyes. When I do something like this, I run my changes and add a black layer mask (white reveals, black conceals.. Remember that when working with layer masks!) I use a white brush and paint over the areas I want the changes from that layer to appear and voila!

Miss Isla has gorgeous eyes as is on the left, but I did a little work to give them a little extra pop and sparkle on the right.. Thanks to LAYERS! :)

My newborn composite images (head in hands, etc.) would not be possible without layers! See the question at the very bottom from Larin! :)

Crystal Loy: What's been your favorite Mini Session so far? What's your dream Mini Session you would like to create?

I loved the Sugar Rush Minis! They were so much fun to put together and I love the bright, bold colors! I would LOVE to make a Unicorn Mini work! I would need a miniature pony though, so I'm not sure how feasible that is :)

Lindsey Gilbert: Do you ever want to tell critics to F off even though it's wiser to be the bigger person?

Um. Yes.

Larin Larson: WHen you are taking newborn pictures and you have someone hold the baby, how do you edit the hands out?

This is a GREAT question and I'm so glad someone asked it! Photos like the one below are actually two photos merged together to create one photo, also called a composite. 

Photos like this are created using layers (Crystal Loy!!). I use Photoshop to edit my photos and I've added some screenshots to try and illustrate how these are created. First, here are the two photos I used...

I drag one photo and place it on top of the other and lower that layer's opacity to 50% to line the images up.

Next, I change Layer 1 to 100% opacity, add a layer mask and start painting with a black brush at 100% opacity over the area I want to use the background photo for (the area showing Mom's hand in the bottom part of the photo in this case).

Once those steps are completed, I clean up the edges to be sure all parts of the photos are aligned correctly, crop and edit as usual! :)

You can find many tutorials on this process online... That's how I learned! :)

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THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!

Thank you all for asking such awesome questions!! I had a lot of fun putting this post together, so I will definitely be doing more posts like this in the future!! 

Thanks, everyone!!