How
did you get started with photography?
I
always had a love for photography, so as a child my poor parents had to pay to
develop many rolls of film. My dad had been into photography as well, so
he gave me some basic pointers. After I was married and had my own
children I decided it was something I wanted to pursue professionally.
Do
you have any formal training?
While
I am mostly self taught (forums, books, researching online, networking with
other photographers) I have also taken a few workshops. The workshops
were great building blocks, but time and practice helped me to find my style
and really hone my skills.
What
types of photography do you do and why?
Professionally
my main focus is young children. I love working with newborns, babies and
toddlers.... they are a lot of work (you can't really tell them how to pose)
but that's one of the things I love about it! There is something amazing
about getting some great shots from even the most hyper of toddlers, and
nothing as sweet as getting some newborn snuggles in between poses.
Personally
I also love photographing landscapes and macro, and experimenting with new
techniques.
What
kind of equipment do you use?
In
my camera bag I have:
D700,
D200, 14-24mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, 105mm macro, 50mm 1.8.
In
my studio I use Einstein strobes, several soft boxes, various fake floors
(including wooden one I custom made, and I love the candy floor style for
bringing my studio on location). For backdrops I mostly use the diamond
cloth, but also have some muslin and candy drops.
Earlier
this year I purchased and installed the track system, which has cut down my
prep time for my studio work greatly. I no longer have to remove wrinkles
from my backdrops prior to sessions (because they are hanging instead of folded
and put away) which saves a ton of time, but I also do not have to guess which
backdrops they will want to use ... then half the time they bring in an outfit
that goes with one I didn't choose to prepare and I end up spending more time
editing out the wrinkles! My repeat clients even commented on how cool it
was and how much faster it was to change the backdrops.
What
size is your studio?
Around
500 Sq feet - it's a bit of a funny shaped room but it works well for my office
and studio space.
Any
tips or tricks you'd like to share with others?
I
have a favorite quote, which I think is important for everyone to read
(especially those just starting out).
“Nobody
tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who
do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this
gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s
trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing
that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints
you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know
who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work
doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through
this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you
gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of
work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story.
It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and
your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out
how to do this than anyone I've ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal
to take awhile. You've just gotta fight your way through.”
― Ira Glass
Laurie Yuenger, with Pixel This!
Labels: improve my photography, photo background, photo lighting, Photo Supplies, photographers studio lights, Photography backgrounds, photography lighting
How
did you get started with photography?
