Professional Fine Art Portraits

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. My specialties are maternity, newborn, baby, family, children, boudoir and high school seniors. I am now venturing into pet photography and love it! I shoot mainly with natural light, however the studio is available for maternity and newborn if the client so chooses.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Be sure you like your photographer before you hire them to capture the most important times in your life! Having a great connection with your photographer is very important. Be sure you are on the same page, ask lots of questions and be sure you are fully aware of all their policies before you book.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I consider myself a commissioned based photographer, meaning I only take on a limited number of sessions per month in order to provide the highest quality service.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Artistic freedom and the ability to work from home. I have time to spend with my family and the flexibility to choose when and how I will complete the tasks needed to run my business. I love that I can edit photos in my PJ's while sipping my coffee!

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Can I purchase a CD? Yes, after a minimum purchase requirement is met, a CD (digital negatives) can be purchased.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. Q. How much work goes into producing my images?
A. The value of a photograph can not be based on the paper and ink to print it. Each image produced during your session represents hours of preparation and work before, during and after the session, many sleepless nights spent in education to learn the craft, countless hours spent on website upkeep and blogging, many thousands of dollars worth of equipment to make the images, edit and store them and time spent away from my family to serve my clients with the utmost love and care.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I was an artist before I even picked up a camera. After a detested art class in high school, my then neighbor offered her 35mm Minolta to me and suggested I take a photography class. That was it for me - I put down the brushes and picked up the film!

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Education, education, education. And then...continued education! This is a tough and VERY competitive business. Learn the dynamics that effect your market area. Get GREAT equipment, not just good equipment. Don't sell your time or products for less than you are worth. Don't give away your time! This is the worst mistake I see up and coming photographers make. In the beginning it may feel strange to charge for your time, but you have to start somewhere. If not, all you will be doing is hurting other photographers and yourself.