Inspired, A Very Special Project | Monica Wilkinson Photography

I am so excited for this interview!! Monica is not only talented but a joy to be around! I met her this year at WPPI in Las Vegas and she was as genuine in person as she is online! When I think of her work the word Soulful comes to mind. From her beautiful processing to the stunning and captivating images she shares of her daughter I have been a long time fan and will definitely continue to follow her work!! I love her eye for detail and she’s not only incredible at capturing people but just about everything else she sets her camera too!!! Her Candy project on her blog makes my mouth water!! So time to get to know this lovely lady!!

You can find Monica’s Website HERE

Hi Monica!

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

A mother to my two daughters and a wife to my loving husband. I am a bit quirky and shy until you get to know me. I am a perfectionist with a little bit of OCD tendencies.

What sparked your passion for Photography?

In 2007 my husband bought me a Nikon D40x for Mother’s day. I had always loved taking pictures, but after receiving my first DSLR it definitely became more of a passion. I love taking pictures of kids from newborns to seniors. I love their playfulness, their quirky little smiles, their soulful little eyes and their all around good nature. My other love is macro. When I am not photographing kids..I am photography anything and everything up close!

 

Whats in your camera bag?

I shoot with the Nikon D700..love the ISO capabilities. My lenses include the 50mm/1.4, the 85mm/1.8, the 105mm/2.9, 28-75mm/2.8, the 14-24mm/2.8 and the Lensbaby composer.

 

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

My first camera was the Nikon D40x, used that for about 6 months and upgraded to the D90. I loved my D90 so much and still have it for a back-up. I might even still be using it except for the fact I live in Seattle and needed the higher ISO capabilities of the D700. We have a lot of dark, gray, overcast, days in the winter!

 

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

I would probably use my 50mm.
This lens is super sharp and has a great focal length and is quick to focus. I use it when shooting newborns inside and when shooting kids running around outside. It is also nice and small so it fits in my bag easily when I do not want to lug around a lot of gear!

 

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

To slow down. You do not need to start charging as soon as you get a camera. Sit down and write out some goals for yourself. Make a realistic timeline of when you would like to accomplish these goals. Practice on everyone until you get your images to a point that you can produce a gallery you are proud of on a consistent basis. Know as much about the business side as you can. You will need to know about business licenses, insurance, taxes, marketing etc. Starting a business can be rewarding, but it is also a lot of hard work and can be challenging at times!

 

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

I love the simple, clean images from Patti Schmidt, the artsy more creative processing from Andee of CRAVE and the creative style of Shannon Sewell. They are all so special in their own ways!

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

I love to take macro images..macro is so challenging, but so fun. Last year I challenged myself to take macro shots of candy all year long. There was no reason to do it, I just did it for fun! You can see the images from my personal challenge here.

I also love to take pictures of my girls.

 

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

My father. Cancer took him at the young age of 48. I would do anything to have some nice photos of him.

 

Describe your style in 3 words.

Fresh, fun, real.

 

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

Luckily I haven’t had one yet!

 

Favorite time of day to shoot is?

Late afternoon or early evening. i am not a morning person AT ALL!!

 

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

Travel the world…but that would take money too!!

 

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

I graduated from Oregon State University with a BS in Health and Human Performance and went on to work in social work. As far as photography is concerned, I am self taught and have learned almost everything I know from being on Clickinmoms! 😉 Oh and a lot of trial and error!

 

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

With children, I jump around, make silly faces and pretty much act like a fool.

 

What are your photography related goals for 2012?

To spend more time photographing my girls. They are the reason I started this journey and I feel like I have lost some of that on the way. I tend to take less and less pictures of them each year and that makes me sad. This year I hope to capture them at least once a month in a way that shows their true beauty. However, I better get on that..the year is almost half over!

 

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

By being a Teaching Assistant in the Clickinmoms workshops and mentoring students, I feel like I am always pushing myself. Teaching is a great way to learn. I learn new things from the students each workshop! I am a big fan of photographers helping each other!

 

Biggest Photography related insecurity?

Looking at other’s blogs and then comparing my own work to them. I had to stop looking at blogs. I am pretty confident with my work until I see everyone else’s beautiful work. Then I tend to think mine is not so good. I need to stop doing that and be happy with my work!! Easier said than done!

 

Digital or Prints?

Both

 

 

How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

I feel like I get great connections with children and I have a great patience with newborns. My newborn parents always tell me they can not believe how quickly I can get a newborn to sleep.

 

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

I would love to get the D4, the 135mm/2, the 70-200mm/2.8…these are all on my list! 😉

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

Your camera! 😉 Oh and wipes. I am a HUGE fan of wiping down kids faces before sessions!! Saves so much time in post processing.

Fun stuff:

Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Season: Fall
Biggest Guilty Pleasure: Apricot ale, reality TV and gossip magazines.
Pet Peeve: people sliding their teeth on their fork, smacking or any other annoying bad table manner!
Favorite Pandora Station: Coldplay or Adele
Studio or On location: Studio for newborns, on-location for everything else.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A chiropractor or a singer, even though I can not sing…at all!!

Pc or Mac: Mac

Lightroom Or Photoshop: Lightroom for culling, storing, basic edits. Photoshop for more creative edits.
Film or Digital: Digital
Props or No Props: Both. I love props if they are simple and classic, not overdone.
If you could travel anywhere it would be: Australia
Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Half full!

Raw or Jpeg: Raw!
Favorite Music to Edit to: The playlist of songs on my family blog.
Most valued material possession: My wedding ring and my dad’s watch.
Favorite Quote: Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. Albert Einstein
Processing Style: rich and vibrant
Coffee or Tea: Passion Fruit shaken ice Tea from Starbucks! Not a coffee drinker at all!
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? Robert Downey Jr. I have a mad crush on him!
What kind of Camera bag do you rock? I have a Ketti for everyday, a Kelly Moore for sessions, and a Epiphanie Clover for traveling..it holds everything I need plus my laptop!