Inspired, A Very Special Project | Jobrina Holfeit Photography

This Thursday’s edition of Inspired features a wonderful and talented natural light photographer. Jobrina Holfeit, based out of Arizona, has a very special ability in capturing emotion. Her beautiful process and lovely subjects fill her portfolio with a body of work that not only represents her talent, but also the kind of person she is. Genuine and Amazing.

You can find Jobrina’s website HERE and her Facebook page HERE.

Hi Jobrina!

How would you describe yourself in three sentences? 

First and foremost I’m a wife to my amazing, handsome, supportive husband of 13 years and mom to our 8 year old smart, sweet, miracle son.  I’m a country girl at heart and I tend to be somewhat stubborn and pretty much take on a lot without anyone’s help when offered, I need to work on that and try and let go at times (LOL).

What sparked your passion for Photography?

As I was younger I always loved having a camera at my side but it wasn’t until our son was born that I loved capturing every.single.moment and just fell in love with the emotions that came with that!

Whats in your camera bag?

Canon MarkIII (my new baby!) 85L 1.2 35L 1.8

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

Canon 50D and 50mm 1.8

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

85L 1.2, nothing beats the bokeh on this lens and its tack sharp!

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

It goes without saying but practice, practice, practice!  And make sure you are really ready for the “business” part of it all, definitely have policies and guidelines in place!  I’ve had to really learn the hard way myself at times (I’m a huge people pleaser).

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

Meg Borders.  Her images just caught my eye, they are so sun-filled and dreamy!

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

Anything of my guys…..my son and hubby!!!

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

Easy question….my family, hands down!  I want to always be able to have those amazing memories!!!

Describe your style in 3 words.

Capturing emotions, connections and just plain fun.

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

I’m embarrassed to say this has happened twice (you’d think I learn my lesson the first time), but in two separate instances while I was photographing a session, I happened to stand on top of an ant pile, while wearing flip flops, was bitten so badly that I totally lost it right in front of my clients!  I tend to keep an eye out for where I plant my feet after this. LOL

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

I will say I have gotten a lot better at this but to this day I have to remind myself to not compare myself to others in the industry and trust that my clients choose me because they love my work!

Favorite time of day to shoot is?

Two hours before sunset and as it gets to that “golden hour”.

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

I would love to be an Interior Designer.  I am taken with all facets of home design from construction to the finished product!

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

I have attended college, Marketing.  I have no formal education in Photography, I am self-taught.

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

I’m always talking, I love finding out more about them and take a sincere interest in the story of their lives and I’m never, never taking myself to serious, clients seem to like that and it makes for all of us to feel more comfortable.

What are your photography related goals for 2013?

To update my blogsite and brand.

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

I love to take on a personal project for each year, this year I’m participating with a group of other fellow photographers where we post once a month a “letter to our children” and I also invest in several online or in person (if I’m lucky enough) workshops as often as I can.  And biggest “Aha” moment would be when I learned and worked so hard to nail manual exposure, it makes a world of difference to get that shot correct straight out of camera, this changed my whole way of editing….editing should just “enhance” an image!

Biggest Photography related insecurity?

That a client will not LOVE their images (such a huge fear!).

Digital or Prints?

Both.  Digital is most popular but I want my clients to see how their images should look like in print, so my digital packages all include a full set of them!

How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

I continue to try and stay true to myself and to feel confident with my brand and product that I am all about.

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

I believe a lens but not sure which one.  Right now I feel perfectly versatile with the two amazing lenses I have.

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

An extra battery!

What would you say your biggest muse is?

Without hesitation, my son.

Fun stuff:
 
Favorite Color: Kelly Green
Favorite Season: Summer!  Oh the smell of it all, doesn’t get any better!!!!
Biggest Guilty Pleasure: Reality TV
Pet Peeve: Disrespect!  A “please” and a “thank-you” (with a smile) can go a LONG way!!!!
Favorite Pandora Station: Hmmmm, I’m all over the place with this one.
Studio or On location: On location
What did you want to be when you grew up? A Flight Attendant.  I cringe at this now as I’m not a very good “flyer”….eeeek!
One thing no one knows about you is: In the past couple of years I’ve become very chlostaphobic!  I hate having this feeling!!!!
Pc or Mac: Mac
Lightroom Or Photoshop: Photoshop
Film or Digital: Digital
Props or No Props: Majority of the time no props but it really just depends on the kind of shoot.
If you could travel anywhere it would be: Greek Islands!
Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Half Full
Favorite photo ever taken:

This one of my hubby and son, I just love genuine laughter and when it’s coming from the ones I love, even better!
Raw or Jpeg: Raw
Favorite Music to Edit to:  None.  Crazy I know, but I’ve found that it’s too distracting.
Most valued material possession: My wedding band and as strange as it might be, my son’s name tattooed on my wedding band finger that my hubby and I both have and got for our 10 year wedding anniversary.
Processing Style: Airy, Hazy and Natural
Coffee or Tea: Neither.  Water!
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? Im a HUGE sports fan, most particularly NFL fan and if I was able to photograph any player and their family from my beloved Arizona Cardinals, that would be insane!
What kind of Camera bag do you rock? My Kelly Moore 2 Sues in Walnut