Inspired, A Very Special Project | Summer Murdock Photography

    Summer has a poetic feel to her imagery. The way she manages to marry lifestyle with just enough whimsy is special and rare. The soft beautiful colors and gorgeous light in conjunction with her beautiful subjects (most often her gorgeous children) make for magical photographs. Following her on Facebook is such a treat and I am completely giddy when a new image pops up in my news feed. Not only is she a great photographer she has a great soul that just really resonates deeply with me each and every time she shares something new.

    You can find Summer on Facebook HERE and her Website HERE. You can also find her on Instagram HERE.

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

    I am a wife, mom to four kiddos, and a photographer. I love diet coke, string cheese and the beach a little too much. I don’t take life too seriously.

    What sparked your passion for Photography?

    I have always been attracted to imagery. I used to walk around my neighborhood as a child and take pictures with my polaroid camera of my cabbage patch kids…yup. I wish I could find some of those images. Photography was one of my many majors in college. I only wish I would have stuck with it instead of settling for psychology. Like many photographers these days, the birth of my first child really started the obsession that I have with photography today!

    Whats in your camera bag?

    Canon 5D Mark II, 27-70L 2.8, 50 1.4, 135L 2.0
    What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

    A Minolta SLR film camera was what I first began to learn on YEARS ago. I really got a handle on shooting with my Canon Rebel and a 50mm 1.8.

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

    I love my primes but I guess I would pick my 24-70 because of the ability to change focal lengths so quickly. It takes flattering portraits as well as being able to tell a story and show the whole scene. It’s a lot easier to capture the fast moving subjects I usually shoot with that lens! I wish they made a 24-70 1.4. That would be the perfect lens. A girl can dream right?

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

    PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. If you don’t shoot on a regular basis you will never get to where you need to be to start a business. Shooting for yourself, without the pressure of what the clients want is the fastest way to find out where your heart is and what your true”style” is! And you have to understand light and how it effects your images. Interesting light makes anything magical!

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

    Well, since I will only book one client a month right now, the majority of what I shoot is for myself. I have a number of personal projects going on. In fact the majority of the images shown in this interview are shots that I took just for myself!

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

    Annie Leibovitz back in my college days. When I started getting back into it after I had kids I would say Rachel Devine. I came across her work on Flickr back in 2008 and fell in complete love with the way she was capturing her children in such a simple, genuine, and real way. About that same time I ran across Leah Zawadzki’s gorgeous, soulful work. I think my photog crush was divided pretty equally between these two ladies. Their work helped to change the way I looked at photographing my own kids

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

    Give me a time machine because I would absolutely LOVE to photograph my parents as 3 year olds.

    Describe your style in 3 words.

    Light filled, authentic, and effortless!

    Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

    On one of my very first paid sessions, my camera battery went dead near the end of the shoot. Luckily, we were about done and I had already gotten everything I needed. NEVER again. I always have an extra charged battery.

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

    Oh man, there have been too many challenges to list This has been such a process. Figuring out where I really shine was one of the biggest challenges. I also have a really hard time being able to balance everything. I love what I do so much…bordering on obsession. It’s been really hard for me to figure out how to balance motherhood and photography. I finally resolved to take a 2 year hiatus after my 4th baby was born. I have just started booking clients again but for now only one session a month. I have to keep my priorities straight. I have realized that when I take on too many clients, I start to forget why I love this in the first place and I just don’t have time to be the mother that I want to be. BALANCE, BALANCE, BALANCE!

    Favorite time of day to shoot is?

    I bet you have never heard this before…the golden hour of course!

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

    Maybe graphic design? I would need to take a lot of classes to be able to do that though!

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

    Only formal education was my B&W film class I took in college 15 years ago. Lots of time was spent in the darkroom which was hard for an impatient gal like myself. I didn’t get a firm grip on shooting in manual until after my second baby was born! I’m mostly taught by google and lots and lots of practice.

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

    Just by talking, asking questions, and being myself. I also try to let them know before the shoot how things will go so they know what to expect. I think that helps a lot!

    What are your photography related goals for 2013?

    I want to explore shooting underwater more and start to shoot film a little bit again too!

    One of Summer’s First Images shooting film!

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

    Shooting on a regular basis has done wonders for my photography. Especially shooting in my house. It has really helped me to understand light. Shooting in the same place and trying to make it look different from what I shot the day before has been really good for my creativity. Of course, working on projects and doing things outside of my comfort zone push me as well! I’ve learned I can’t be afraid to try new things. Sometimes I fail, but I almost always learn more from failing than from the times I succeed! For me my biggest AHA moment was when I realized that light was everything in an interesting image. It’s all about the light (and composition and emotion)!

    Biggest Photography related insecurity?

    My lack of a lot of formal training and wondering if I’m actually any good at this?

    Digital or Prints?

    digital

    How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

    Maybe it’s really naive, but I don’t even worry about that. I think you have to focus on what you do best. When you shoot from your heart and what you love, people will naturally be attracted to it. There will always be those who won’t appreciate what I do and I’m ok with that!

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

    I think I dream every night about owning the Mark III. I have had some serious focus issues lately with my camera!

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

    Besides a good camera and lens? A rubber band to tie long hair back. It’s never good when your own hair creeps into the frame.

    What would you say your biggest muse is?

    Can pretty light be a muse? I’m most inspired by light..and of course my kids!

    Fun stuff:

    Favorite Color: gray
    Favorite Season: summer
    Biggest Guilty Pleasure: super lame reality tv
    Pet Peeve: Getting behind someone in line at a store who wants to split their purchases up into more than one transaction. I mean I pick my lines based on the amount of people waiting in them. When you want three separate receipts for your stuff, it’s like you are three different people in line. That drives me absolutely nuts!
    Favorite Pandora Station: I don’t listen to pandora!
    Studio or On location: location
    What did you want to be when you grew up? marine biologist
    One thing no one knows about you is: I’m kind of an open book so this is a hard one for me…how about I’ve never had a manicure in my whole life.
    Pc or Mac: mac
    Lightroom Or Photoshop: 100% Photoshop.
    Film or Digital: digital
    Props or No Props: no props…unless it is a natural part of the story.
    If you could travel anywhere it would be: Pretty much anywhere I’ve never been. I LOVE going new places but I’m a little obsessed with the ocean and the beach so number one on my list is staying in one of those huts over the ocean in Bora Bora!
    Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Mostly half full…but I’m a realist so there is a little bit of half empty in me.

    Favorite Photo Ever Taken: Picking a favorite image is incredibly hard for me. My favorite tends to change with the weather but this image of my daughter is one I always come back to. I love it obviously because of the motion and the light in her hair. I am one of those photographers that obsesses about capturing some gorgeous light in hair. I also love it because it brings up all kinds of childhood memories for me. Looking at this image just reminds me of the carefree childhood days of summer. Running around barefoot until the sun went down each evening. I can almost feel the warmth on my feet looking. To me this just captures the magic of childhood!

    Raw or Jpeg: raw
    Favorite Music to Edit to: Right now I’m obsessed with the Bahamas Barchords album… particularly the “Caught me Thinking” track. It may or may not be on constant repeat on both my computer and in my car right now. I tend to be obsessive like that.
    Favorite Quote: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” author unknown
    Most valued material possession: Hands down my external hard drive! My camera is a close second.
    Processing Style: Not sure what to call it…natural with a little bit of dreaminess?
    Coffee or Tea: diet coke
    If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? Maybe Dave Grohl’s family. I have had a bit of a crush on that guy since the 90’s.
    What kind of Camera bag do you rock? Ketti

    10 Lovely Comments  •  Leave a Comment for Sarah

    10 Beautiful Souls Commented

    1. You’re such an amazing artist, Summer. Your radiant personality, though, is what pulls me in and makes me want to know more. You’re a gift.

    2. amy grace says:

      summer, you are just an explosion of talent and joy and kindness. this is an extension of that. wonderful interview and pictures and YOU. xo

    3. Fun interview! Lovely images! I love that she only takes one shoot month and knows her limits and that her priority is being a Mom to her 4 munchkins. Her kids are lucky to have her capturing their lives.

    4. Summer, your work, is one of my favorites. I love the way you capture childhood and light..and I love your personality. It’s been so fun getting to know you this year.

    5. Carolyn Buford says:

      Summer, you and your work are awesome and inspiring! Love it!

    6. Marie says:

      What a great interview and Summer is one of my all time favorites!!

    7. Sarah, thanks so much! Such an honor…and your intro made me smile…you are the best! xoxoxo

    8. Tavia says:

      How fun to read! I love your work Summer!!

    9. ali says:

      loved reading more about you summer!

    10. jordan parks says:

      Love seeing your work featured here, Summer!

    Leave a Lovely Comment

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