Inspired, A Very Special Project | Pixel This Photography

Kicking off this Tuesday’s Inspired Project with the awesome Laurie, of Pixel This Photography. From Laurie’s studio, to the heartwarming op love sessions she does she has an eye for special moments and captures them just beautifully. Based out of Illinois, I love her gorgeous outdoor locations as well, and even more so how she uses them. Laurie is an all around talent and I am excited to feature her here!

You can find Laurie’s Website Here, Facebook Here, and Google+ Here.

Hi Laurie!

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

I tend to get along with everyone because I’m very easy going.  In a large group or around people I don’t know I’m shy and quiet, but once I’m comfortable with people we can’t stop talking.  When people get to know me they find out I’m a bit silly and a lot sarcastic (but I think that’s another reason people like me)… and let’s not forget that I’m extremely humble.

What sparked your passion for Photography?
I am not sure what sparked it – I feel like the spark was always there and it just grew with time and nurture.  I grew up taking photos of everything once I was allowed to borrow the family camera, and my parents bought me point and shoot camera for Christmas one year.  I went to camp as a little girl with 4 pack of film, and half way through the week I had to buy more at the gift shop.  I remember digging through the cabinet with the family photos looking through all of our pictures.
My dad used to be into photography and taught me some basics when I was in high school, things like the rule of thirds and a bit about aperture and shutter speed.  I was given an old ‘yardsale special’ DSLR in college that I used to photograph everything from the kittens in our yard or trips to the mountains or the beach.

What’s in your camera bag?
Band-Aids, baby wipes, lens cloths, safety pins, spare batteries, flash gels etc.
Cameras: D700 and D200
Lenses: 70-200mm 2.8, 24-70 2.8, 14-24 2.8, 105mm 2.8, 50 1.4, extension tubes, SB 900
I’m a bit like a boy scout – Be prepared.  I have a hard time traveling light, because I’m afraid I might want/need something I left behind.

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?
I learned on a Panasonic Lumix FZ20, but right when I started business I got a D200, 50 1.8 and 18-200mm.

If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?
Indoors 24-70mm and outdoors 70-200mm.  I work with a lot of small kids and you can’t pose them the same way you do seniors or adults, so I love zooms!  The 70-200 is fantastic for outdoors and beautiful bokeh, but not as great for indoors unless it’s a larger room.

What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?
Friends and family will probably encourage you to go into business before you are ready… they will be well meaning of course, but they probably know little about photography.  Many professional photographers (myself included) have looked back at our early work and wished we hadn’t jumped in quite soon!  And I’ve noticed that those who don’t jump in right away improve so much faster… they can experiment and try new techniques, while if you’re on a paid session you are more likely to play it safe most of the time.

And it’s hard to start a photography business – there is a lot of business too it, and a lot of competition.  A lot of people will tell you this… and they are right.  But, I want to tell you that if you really want it, if you really are dedicated to learning to shoot professionally and learning the business side you can do it… but don’t expect clients to just flock to you even if you are the most amazing photographer ever.  You have to earn your clients.

Also, don’t worry if you are not amazing overnight.  It’s a journey, and we all travel our own path.  Some find their way a bit faster than others, but if you keep going you will find your own way!

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”   ― Ira Glass

What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?
http://www.facebook.com/ScottCarlPhotography – I fell in love with his waterfall and nature images.
The first newborn/portrait photographer crush was Carrie Small (http://www.carriesmallphotography.com/).

What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?
Besides my own kids, macro and landscape (especially lightning photos)!

If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?
Alyssa Ray.  My first born, a sweet little girl who wasn’t with us for very long.  We have some snapshots but I longed for professional looking portraits, and a photo of all my kids together.

Describe your style in 3 words.
Bright, Clean and Fun!

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?
The time I arrived, lugged in my studio equipment and props into the clients home (I was doing studio on location as I didn’t have a studio or space at home), and realized I forgot my camera bag (camera included).

Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?
Some of the challenges I’ve faced have brought me to where I am today – I believe that what is meant to be will find a way.

Favorite time of day to shoot is?
Golden hour at night

If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?
Scrapbook – I used to scrapbook a lot but I’ve been so busy with photography that I’ve fallen way behind.

Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?
I’m mostly self-taught, but I did take a weekend class with RMSP (Rocky Mountain School of Photography), a Speedlight class with Nikon, and an online workshop with Clickin Moms.

What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?
I just be me.  I love to chat and have fun!  If I have to do much posing I make it a bit uncomfortable, get ready to snap, and say ‘Okay, now that you’re totally uncomfortable, smile naturally!”  When I pose people together and they look bored or unsure, I say “Now pretend like you like each other!” or “Oh yah, I can feel the love there”
If they are worried about their kids behavior I remind them that I am in fact a mom too, and that I work with a lot of kids, and that I totally understand that it is normal (or even expected) behavior.  As moms (or dads!) it’s natural to worry that someone assumes we are a horrible parent.
I also tend to take my cues from the client – if they are quieter, so am I, if they joke with me I will pick on them and joke back (a lot).

What are your photography related goals for 2013?
I started a 365, but it turned into a 52 after the first month…  My main goal is to catch up on all the personal photos I put off editing to work on client’s images.  Sorry mom, I’ll get them done soon…. really.

How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments?
I am a perfectionist and I will obsess about whatever I’m working on and making it as perfect as I can which really pushes me to grow and learn.  I am very critical of my own work, so I use that to learn from and improve my work.
One of my biggest aha moments was simply realizing how important light is!  The direction of light can really make or break an image… it can draw your attention to a specific area, it can make the subject look more flattering, and even set the mood of the entire image (soft or dramatic)!

Biggest Photography related insecurity?
Skin tones!

Digital or Prints?
I prefer to sell prints, because it’s such an awesome feeling seeing that huge mounted print as you are packing it up, and seeing the clients face and they look at them.  I do sell digital images but at a price point that makes me happy.

How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?
By being me!  I have an easy going personality, and am able to connect with moms as well as dads easily, and by my level of work.

What do you think your next photography related investment will be?
I am torn between education and more gear!  Classes are always great (the more you learn the more you realize you have to learn still…), but I would also like a camera with video to expand my business offerings.

If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be?
I love all my lenses and tools for different reasons, and different types of images, and same goes for the rest of my stuff!  But whatever you have, know how to use it, that is more important than having ‘the’ thing, is to have what YOU need and what YOU know.
My one ‘MUST’ is having a backup camera, because you never know when your camera will throw a hissy fit and quit mid-session.  While this isn’t quite as important for regular family sessions it is very important for newborns, events, and wedding photography – or anything that is a onetime deal.

What would you say your biggest muse is?
Little ones!  I love babies and toddlers, and the sweet little things they do.  I feed off of the energy of the kids.

Fun stuff:

Favorite Color:
Dark Blue
 
Favorite Season:
I love them all – at the end of one I am usually quite ready for the next, and the joys it brings (spring flowers, water fun in summer, fall colors, and winter snowflakes).  So my answer would be the next one!
 
Biggest Guilty Pleasure:
Chocolate/sweets
 
Pet Peeve:
Adults who act like they are still in HS (or worse yet, like toddlers!).
 
Favorite Pandora Station:
Today’s Country
 
Studio or on location:
Both!  I love each for their own reasons, and I love variety.  My work really shines in the studio though, where I can control the light instead of finding it.
 
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Pediatrician
 
One thing no one knows about you is:
I like to talk too much… I don’t think there is anything left that no one knows!
 
Pc or Mac:
PC
 
Lightroom or Photoshop:
Both
 
Film or Digital:
Digital (but I want a film camera as well, to play and experiment)
 
Props or No Props:
Props
 
If you could travel anywhere it would be:
I would love to go overseas, off the beaten track.  I don’t want to hit the tourist areas, but the little known villages and ‘off the beaten path’ areas.
 
Glass Half Empty or Half Full:
Half full, and why not add more!
 
Favorite photo ever taken:
I can’t pick just one… but many of my favorites are from Op:Love ReUnited sessions
 
Raw or Jpeg:
Raw
 
Favorite Music to Edit to:
Country (but I usually have a sitcom on the Netflix going on my iPad sitting next to my monitor – I mostly just listen to it though)
 
Favorite Quote:
“Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom.”
― Terry Pratchett
 
Most valued material possession:
Scrapbooks
 
Processing Style:
Clean
 
Coffee or Tea:
Pepsi
 
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be?
I’d rather photograph someone less well known, I don’t follow Celebrity’s and unless they are really, really, really popular I don’t even know their names.
 
What kind of Camera bag do you rock?
Lowepro Fastpack 350