Inspired, A Very Special Project | Velvet Owl Photography

I am so excited to jump back into these. I have SO many amazing photographers I get to feature here again this year. It has been such an honor to be able to really delve into the minds of so many talented and wonderful individuals and I know you will love them as much as I do!

First up is Velvet Owl Photography. Heidi who heads up this business is inspiring. Her processing is so rich and dreamy and the connection she has with her clients is just so wonderfully obvious. She also runs a series called Women in Business and was so kind to feature me last year HERE.

You can find her Website HERE and her Facebook presence HERE. You can also find her Blog HERE.

Hi Heidi!

Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?

I am an upbeat, positive, happy, people person who loves life. I am a daughter, sister, wife and a mommy 🙂 I love my family & I love all things artsy.

One of Heidi’s First Images ever taken.

What sparked your passion for Photography?

My children. I wanted to freeze every moment. It progressed from just snapping shots, to really understanding what makes a photo into a piece of art ~ what spoke to me… once I tapped into it, the passion to create just continued to grow.

Whats in your camera bag?

Oh you know, a little of this, a little of that….. I have a couple Nikon D700’s, 70-200mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4, 45mm f/2.8 tilt shift/ macro, Sb800 flash ~ plenty of memory cards

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

I started out with a Nikon D90 ~ that baby did great! However the ISO capabilities are a little challenging when shooting in low light…especially for indoor weddings ~ but it definitely served its purpose when I was just starting out!

If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?

I would have to say it would be my 50mm f/1.4. This lens I probably HAVE shot an entire session with, it is versatile and I just love the look I can achieve with it!

What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?

If you want to do it… then DO IT! Do your work first though, put in the hours, the practice, the studying. Just because you got a brand new DSLR for Christmas, and the quality of the photos seems so much better than your phone shots…..doesn’t mean you are ready to start charging…and even if you do, you may soon run into some problems when people expect you to actually be a professional…. My advice is to take your new camera and shoot anything and everything. Know your camera inside and out. Know what you would have to do in ANY lighting situation… Prove to yourself that your art is what you want it to be, and it will be obvious to others as well. Then there is the whole business side of things…. Often times it is hard for the “artist” type to run a solid business. Photographers have a reputation for being a bit flaky… you would be surprised by how many people thank me for just simply responding to their emails….like truly thank me. just remember if you want your business to suceed you need to be grateful for EVERY inquiry, respond promptly, have prices that reflect your work and your area, and deliver your art in a timely manner as well.. of course have all of your licensing & insurance in your back pocket too (a good book keeper can also help show you how much you need to be making to sustain a proper business). Those are just a few things that I think help to make you a great business person…. oh yeah, and smile.

What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

I would say I was very inspired by Simplicity Photography (Angie Monson) work when I just started out, loved the bold colors! I guess that would be who my first “photographer crush” would have been :).

What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

My kids, lifestyle, every day stuff…. but a lot of times “shooting for myself” has to be worked into the clients session. I love to talk about themed ideas or stories to create with my clients. I like to keep each session somewhat unique and relevant to each family, by doing so, I get to infuse my ideas and keep my creative side alive in the sessions. Can’t let things get stagnate! Must keep things fresh and happening! 🙂

If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?

I actually don’t have anyone in particular. I don’t know if that’s a bad thing, but it’s not something I’ve ever thought about. I love the unique things about people ~ anything that makes a person different than the next. It would have to be someone with a phenomenal personality…. Great personalities photograph best 🙂

Describe your style in 3 words.

Happy. Lifestyle. Connective.

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

Layed down on the ground to get a different perspective, stood up and had a pile of dog doo pressed into my clothes… luckily it was near the end of the session!

Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?

I’ve always been a pretty strong and opinionated person…. but it is hard, at times, to not let others negative opinions and “I heard it through the grapevine” junk just roll off your shoulder. I think that this has been a challenge, that I have learned how to overcome. You can’t please everyone. Remember to surround yourself with positive people who will lift you up, people who will support you… and ask yourself, if the “business relationship or friendship” is beneficial or if it is a handicap. Same goes for clients. There will be clients who you simply can’t please either. Yes, this was a hard one for me to overcome. ” I can do it all” right? No. And maybe I choose NOT to do it all. I now explain to potential clients that if they don’t love my style, if I’m not a perfect fit for what they are looking for, I will happily refer them to someone else! Less stress, keeping positive, and moving forward with the right friends and clients…..win, win.

Favorite time of day to shoot is?

Evening light, right before sunset. mmmmm.

If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?

Maybe I’d just do less work in general & be a better housekeeper haha! Oh, I’d come up with something else to do for a business. I always thought it would be fun to design handbags, or clothing, or maybe I’d do some graphic art stuff….

Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?

Not for photography.

What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?

I talk… and talk… and talk. I laugh and smile and ask questions….and laugh and talk some more…. believe me, no one likes an awkward silence between strangers…. just talk! 🙂

What are your photography related goals for 2013?

I’d like to get more into the business and corporate arena. I want to continue to better my art, and strive for my photography to speak louder and stronger than before. I want to continue to serve my clients and gain their trust and rewarding smiles. I will never quit learning and pushing forward…. and in 2013 I may even begin teaching!

How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments?

That is easy. I will never “arrive”. If you “arrive” and never push yourself forward, that means it’s over, you’ve made it to the end, congratulations you’ve “arrived”. I believe my journey is never ending, always evolving, that is what is most inspiring to me, that is what drives me. There are so many things to discover, new techniques, different ways of doing the same technique, new and exciting technology etc….

Biggest Photography related insecurity?

Since I’m self taught, sometimes I have doubts if I am using the correct “whatever” or doing it the proper “way”…. In the end, all I know is what I know, and how I make it to my final product.

Digital or Prints?

both.

How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

I am me! That is the greatest thing that will set you apart from someone else. Doesn’t matter if they “found” that secret location, or used the same props or pose as you did, or undercut your prices by a mile…. no one will be YOU. When a client wants YOU to photograph their session, simply because you are YOU, it is an amazing thing.

What do you think your next photography related investment will be?

It probably won’t be for a little while… since I just purchased a second camera body and my newest 45mm tilt shift recently. I can’t say I am dying to have anything at the moment, I know, it’s unheard of! haha

If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be?

A camera! (Go Nikon haha)

What would you say your biggest muse is?

Probably capturing true, raw, emotion…..love and happiness in particular. That is the true source for my inspiration. I like the occasional “darker” or “moodier” shot… but for the most part, happy and joyful emotions come across in my work, because I feel like that is the biggest part of who I am.

Fun stuff:

Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Season: Summer
Biggest Guilty Pleasure: Frozen Yogurt
Pet Peeve: Debbie downers
Favorite Pandora Station: Regina Spektor at the moment
Studio or On location: On Location
What did you want to be when you grew up? Teacher
One thing no one knows about you is: I’ve never had a cavity
Pc or Mac: MAC
Lightroom Or Photoshop: Mostly Lightroom, with a touch of Photoshop
Film or Digital: Digital
Props or No Props: Mostly no props ~ or if there are, they mean something to the client.
If you could travel anywhere it would be: New Zealand
Glass Half Empty or Half Full: half FULL!
Favorite photo ever taken: I don’t think I could choose only one… but one of my favorites would be a photo I shot on a wedding night ~ where the light magically formed a heart above the couples head…I didn’t notice it until I was editing and converted it to B&W, pretty cool when luck chimes in once in a while!

Raw or Jpeg: Raw
Favorite Music to Edit to: It varies…. I’m the kind of girl who has a place in my heart for ever genre…there is always a song playing in my head.
Favorite Quote: “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”— Marilyn Monroe
Most valued material possession: wedding ring or my cameras haha.. no , I’m going to stick with wedding ring…
Processing Style: warm, clean, clear, it’s bold with a smidgen of haze
Coffee or Tea: Coffee, although at the moment I’m drinking tea
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? I would choose a music artist. Someone to photograph while they were playing their instrument…. Jack Johnson by the surf with his guitar, or maybe Alicia Keys and an amazing piano…..
What kind of Camera bag do you rock? Kelly Moore Hobo!