Inspired, A Very Special Project | Pinkletoes Photography

This very late edition of the Inspired Project is one I am over the moon to get started!! Michele Anderson is one of the most amazing lifestyle photographers I have had the pleasure of coming across. I love her creative perspective and the way her love of real life moments just shines right on through her work. Her beautiful image processing, her gorgeous use of light in every way imaginable just make me swoon! I am going to dive right in because I am so excited to have the honor of showing her off right here!!

You can find her Website HERE and her Facebook page right HERE.

Hi Michele!

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

I am often over-inspired, overwhelmed, and overjoyed. Oh wait…that’s three words, not three sentences ;-0

What sparked your passion for Photography?

It’s always been there (even when I was a little girl, I would set up photo shoots with my dolls), but the real love didn’t come through until I watched a homebirth photo slideshow. I was blown away!

Whats in your camera bag?

http://pinkletoesblogstalker.com/photographer-faqs.html

 

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

Canon Rebel XT and a 50mm 1.8. They started my business.

One of Michele’s images just starting out!

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

I guess my 50 1.4…it’s the most versatile, but it would be *really* hard for me.

 

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

Get all of your ducks in a row as much as you can before opening your doors. It’s really tough to make it up as you go along like I did, LOL.

 

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

Jinky. I still love her 😉 She knows that.

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

Oh, good question. Wow. I’ve never really thought about it. Johnny Depp? He’s so odd. It would be fun, but a challenge for me.

Describe your style in 3 words.

Authentic (my past workshop attendees will have a giggle at that), emotive, and imperfect.

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

Um, when I walked right into a pool w/ my brand new phone in my pocket.

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

Every. Single. Day. I have pump myself up and regain confidence in my work. There’s just so much talent out there, it can be overwhelming if you start comparing yourself.

Favorite time of day to shoot is?

1 hr before sunset.

 

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

Be a midwife. But I would still take photos…even with my cell phone ;-).

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

I have a BS in Communications, but never had any formal photography education. My marketing classes have done more for me than anything!

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

I talk to them. About them. About their kids. I make jokes. I laugh at myself.

What are your photography related goals for 2012?

Well, I’m trying to get more focused on my work as opposed to workshops and resources for other photographers. And in turn, I’m hoping to have more focus on my own family and household.

How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning?

My clients keep me growing and learning. Every session is different with it’s own demands and vision and challenges.

Any Big Aha! Moments?

Um, realizing that I’m not the best and I never will be the best. It’s good to embrace that.

 

Biggest Photography related insecurity?

Focus. I wish I could embrace soft images, but tack sharp has been drilled into me.

Digital or Prints?

Digital. It’s the 00’s, baby.

How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

I feel like the Pinkle Toes experience is unlike any other photo session my clients may have had. It’s less about the images and more about the event itself. The images just happen to be a nice reminder of the happy event.

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

I want to invent the perfect camera bag.

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

See above 😉

Fun stuff:

Favorite Color: Lately, it’s sea foam green.
Favorite Season: Fall.
Biggest Guilty Pleasure: I love baking.
Pet Peeve: People who send vague e-mails or leave vague VM’s. I gotta have some clue as to why you wanted to talk to me!
Favorite Pandora Station: um. itunes?
Studio or On location: On location!
What did you want to be when you grew up? An architect at one point, but I never had any clear vision, really. Thank goodness for photography.
One thing no one knows about you is: I’ve been bitten by a snake.
Pc or Mac: Mac.
Lightroom Or Photoshop: LIGHTROOM ALL THE WAY!!!
Film or Digital: Digital, but I wish I knew how to do film.
Props or No Props: Props, but only if they mean something to the family.
If you could travel anywhere it would be: I remember seeing this blue lagoon cave place in Italy on the Travel Channel. Wish I could remember exactly where/what it was…
Glass Half Empty or Half Full: It’s a Fresca can and it’s almost completely empty.
Favorite photo ever taken: By me? Oh man. Tough call. Lately, this one makes me happy. ( It’s a pic of my mom holding my baby girl. The pic she is holding is actually her holding me…30 years ago. This image is so important to me because it was at that point I realized just how important this job is for me. It cemented this quote I once heard: “The true value of a photograph isn’t realized until about 30 years.”) And okay I let her pick a second because well she’s Michele LOL!)

Raw or Jpeg: RAW
Favorite Music to Edit to: Lately I’ve been rocking out to Ed Sheeran.
Favorite Quote: “Do what makes your heart leap.” Someone told me that when I was trying to decide whether or not to quit my job and be a SAHM. Little does she know, but that woman changed my life forever.
Most valued material possession: All of my photos of my kids.
Processing Style: Lifelike.
Coffee or Tea: Fresca.
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? The Afghan Girl…when she was a girl.

What kind of Camera bag do you rock? Big ol rolling Tenba. Not attractive, but it holds everything and is functional.