Inspired, A Very Special Project | Bleulips Vintage & Urban Style Portraiture
Oh where do I even begin with this FABULOUS lady! Sasha Holloway of Bleulips is one of my favorite photographers to stalk. She is not only insanely talented and incredibly awesome at her craft but there is so much personality. If I had to choose ONE photographer I got to live next door with it would be her. At the risk of sounding over the top I love her and her photography that much! Sasha is getting ready for a big move to Georgia after being deployed with her family in the UK. I am really excited to continue to watch her work in her new home state! She is one sassy, gutsy mama and her work just transcends her awesome personality! No more gushing. I am gonna let you see for yourself!
You can find Sasha’s Website HERE and her Facebook Fan page HERE.
Hi Sasha!!
Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?
I’m a firm believer in dancing and singing in public, and I think I’ve mastered the stanky leg. I used to rock combat boots, but now I rock paint on my fingertips and a camera around my neck. I have the biggest laugh in the room and love doing it often.
What sparked your passion for Photography?
My travels around the world one can only remember so much mentally all the beautiful things these amazing countries we are surround by have to offer, it’s where my love of street photography began as a teen.
Whats in your camera bag?
Nikon D90, Nikon D800, 85 1.8, 50 1.4, 35
What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?
Minolta film camera and when I went digital I started with the Nikon D40.
If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?
It would be my Nikon 50 1.4 it’s an amazing piece of glass for what I do. I love the bokeh it gives me, and since my shooting style is wide-open it’s perfect for me. I love the depth it gives my images. It’s on my body 90% of the time.
What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?
The first thing you don’t want to do is compare yourself to others. There is so much information out there for you online in forums, facebook groups and in books to help you , but you will not really learn until you PRACTICE shooting daily and everything. You don’t want to solely rely on people to hold your hand every single step of the way. Get offline at some point and really sit and think about what you want out of it. Pull out that pen and paper and start writing out your business plan.
Remember that if you are going to start a business you really need to learn and understand the business side of photography. Find your own style by doing not copying. Inspiration is everywhere and we all know that NOTHING is original but you can make it original to you and your brand. GOOD LUCK!
What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?
My mentor Kimberly Scott. I met Kimberly in the craft industry and her flickr account blew me away, she was the one that really gave me hardcore advice about everything. It’s a pleasure to also call her a great friend.
What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?
I love street photography.
If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?
Nicole Hill, Sanaa Lathan, Janelle Monae and Marilyn Monroe
Describe your style in 3 words.
Vintage, urban and distinct
Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?
When I passed a “little” gas and tried to play it off. My client nicknamed me “tooty booty”.
Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?
I allowed the self-comparison and validation monster get to me. It took me too long to figure out what I wanted to do because I didn’t understand why I couldn’t do those awesome things. Once I got offline, pulled out the paper and wrote down what Sasha wanted to bring to the table it was easy to figure out what was best for BLEULIPS and my BRAND. I know it’s easy to say “well you have to do what pays the bills”, well at some point you have to also be able to pay the bills by doing what you LOVE and if that means taking a step back to figure out HOW to do that and still be happy then that’s what you have to do and that’s what I did.
Favorite time of day to shoot is?
Very early morning. I love love the mornings. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve been spoiled by the beautiful foggy mornings in my part of the UK or just the way locations looked at 800 in the morning but I love it.
If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?
I would continue being artistic. I was apart of the craft industry for many years. I’m published in scrapbook magazines, worked for manufacturing companies and love art journaling. The first room in my house when you enter is the craft room. It’s full of plenty of things to keep my mind occupied and busy.
Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?
I have completed both college and grad school but nothing for photography that was formal education. I am self taught and invest in several workshops every chance I get. I would love to be able to attend a workshop in person again when I get back to the states. If I go back to college using what is left of my GI Bill I’d go for Graphic Design.
What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?
I have pre-consultations with my clients for standard sessions. We meet prior to the session in a relaxed environment, so that by the time session day roles around the only ice we’re breaking is for the camera. At that point I keep reminding them how amazing they look, show them how they look with my silly expressions and we have normal conversations (well those that are filled with laughter). I always tell them that the first 5-10 shots don’t always count because I know they’re very nervous and most of the times I get amazing shots within the first 3.
What are your photography related goals for 2013?
I am in the process of moving from overseas to my home state of Georgia since we are retiring. My main goal is to get back, settled, and really focus on getting my business off the ground. I’m currently designing a few blog boards and album templates now and a few other things that I’m adding to my brand for photographers. I want to be able to continue to give back to the community using my talent. I hope to kick off my boudoir business as well. Which will be called BLEUDOIR.
How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments?
I sign up for workshops and read books suggested that see offered in facebook groups and forums like Clickin Moms. I try to do personal projects but I keep putting them on the back burner so I tend to practice using my kids a lot. I think my biggest Aha moment was STOP SHARING EVERYTHING online, in groups with my friends and just do it. My motto is “don’t talk about it be about it”. Once I stopped doing that and just did it .. everything fell into place.
Biggest Photography related insecurity?
Being able to nail my vision and hoping people understand it
Digital or Prints?
BOTH
How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?
I believe in my brand first and foremost, I set myself apart because of the experience I offer and the product that I put out. My style is completely different than those around me and that is what I strive for, to be different. We are all unique in our own way.
What do you think your next photography related investment will be?
A new piece of glass. Probably the 24-70 or 70-200.
If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be?
Extra memory card
What would you say your biggest muse is?
People in my lfie
Fun stuff:
Favorite Color: I have three (red, black and white)
Favorite Season: Summer
Biggest Guilty Pleasure: Buttered popcorn
Pet Peeve: People that do not say THANK YOU
Favorite Pandora Station: Prince
Studio or On location: On location in hopes to have a studio someday
What did you want to be when you grew up? Flight Attendant
One thing no one knows about you is: I am a survivor of abuse and molestation
Pc or Mac: MAC
Lightroom Or Photoshop: BOTH
Film or Digital: BOTH
Props or No Props: Hmmm both LOL
If you could travel anywhere it would be: I want to go back to Egypt
Glass Half Empty or Half Full: half full
Favorite photo ever taken:
I chose this image as my favorite, because it’s from an Op Love lifestyle session I did. It ended up being a favorite of mine, because for the longest I couldn’t figure out why I didn’t want to capture families after one bad experience, and it made me realize it’s not about me not having love for family portraiture it’s the way I went about my vision, and it was all wrong in the beginning. I had to find different ways to capture what I love and still have control over my business, yet being able to deliver. I realize that I would love to capture families as long as it’s lifestyle, in their environment and most natural setting in their homes.
Raw or Jpeg: RAW
Favorite Music to Edit to: Mixture of Tupac, Bruno Mars, Janet Jackson, Pink and more
Favorite Quote: There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you” — Maya Angelou
Most valued material possession: a teddy bear with my sons footprints on it
Processing Style: vintage and urban
Coffee or Tea: BOTH
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? Pink
What kind of Camera bag do you rock? Kelly Moore B-Hobo
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