Children & Preschool Photographer

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

A. I most commonly photograph newborns and children with their families. I also work with several private preschools and provide fun, candid school photos.

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

A. Make sure you choose a photographer with experience and whose style you like. It can be tempting to opt for a friend with a new camera or a great deal that you find on Craigslist but you risk missing out on photographs from important events that can't be redone. Your newborn won't be newborn for long!

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. How much experience do you have?
Can I purchase digital negatives for my files?
What will I be able to purchase within my budget?
What if I need help selecting what to wear?
Do you have a studio?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. It's important to find a photographer whose style fits what you're looking for. Do you prefer studio or on-location? Traditional? Candid? Contemporary? Digitally processed or not? Examine a photographer's portfolio. Is their overall body of work representative of the type and style of photographs you want?

Glimpses of Soul Photography provides candid, lifestyle photography. I tend to do a mixture of both black and white images and bold colors. I shoot on-location which means your home or favorite outdoor location.

What is your budget for your session and gallery purchases? What type of items are you hoping to purchase - albums, digital files, wall displays, etc.? I can help you determine how to best display your images in a variety of mediums if you need assistance.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love that I am doing something I love. I get to play with great kids or work with precious newborns and provide their parents with amazing images. I love it when the photos bring tears to their eyes - the power to move someone that way is an excellent feeling.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Constantly. I am always reading, trying to keep up with what's going on, what's new and how to improve. I attend serious workshops ever year or two with industry-leading photographers to push my own work and improve my skills and watch DVDs and read tutorials from home when I can.

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

A. For someone who has decided to pursue photography professionally before they've attended college, I would suggest a major in Business and perhaps a minor in Photography. Strong business skills are equally, if not moreso, important as strong photography skills and something many photographers struggle with. Starting with a good business foundation would be a great asset.

I would also suggest that people practice, practice, practice. It's very common now for people to get a camera and decide that photography would be an easy way to make money. A true photographer can handle any lighting situation, has backup equipment, has proper insurance, continues to educate themselves and can guarantee a good output. Having a camera and getting good feedback on your images from friends does not necessarily mean you are ready to go into business.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. I am able to relate to children very well. I have come across very, very few children who I haven't been able to win over and almost always leave a session with a child wanting to know when we can play again. Quite often I hear "wow, she's usually very shy!" I am fun and good at making silly faces and goofy noises. Because of all of this, I am able to get natural looking photos and kids don't even realize we're "working."