Liz & Chris {Couple Shoot}

So many pictures for these guys!!

Such a cute and sweet couple. I had so much fun shooting them.

Here is a teaser from their shoot!

Pablo Picasso, Why I Raised My Prices, and Is Your Photographer Cheating you?

When I was in highschool I started my "business"

Just started taking senior pictures for my friends.

I never really charged them anything though because I knew I didn't have the experience, the knowledge, or the proper equipment to do so.

An example:

When I went to college I started to build my business a bit more.

I would ask friends if I could take their pictures to practice, and then give them a disc of images for free for helping me.

An Example:

 

As I started to get a little better I eventually stopped doing free shoots and started charging only a small amount because I didn't want my clients to feel cheated when I knew there were much better photographers out there.

Now there are still photographers that are better than me.

There always will be.

But I have a style.

I have clients that continue to come back to me.

I know how to work my camera

I am going to school for this.

I have the experience to back myself up.

I have better equipment.

So I feel justified in charging a bit more.

What made me decide all of this you ask?

I have a photography teacher this semester that really put it in perspective for me.

Top businesses don't compete with terrible businesses who are in bankruptcy and have no idea what they are doing,

They compete with other top businesses

You wouldn't go see a doctor who was barely making any money, and who had never gone to medical school,

You would go to a doctor who knows what he's doing

Talented musicians don't need to compete with musicians who are tone deaf, don't know how to read music, sound like crap etc.

You go to a concert because you like the music.

You wouldn't go see a sucky musician just because it was cheaper.

Do you get where I am going with this?

 Uunfortunately for photographers, because of the digital age, anyone can afford a decent camera and can take a decent picture.

Professional photographers' biggest competition isn't other professional photographers it is amateur photographers.

because they are cheaper usually.

Now,

I in no way think that I am a top professional photographer.

However, I have been at this a really long time.

I have worked hard for where I am at.

I am actually going to school for this and a lot of other "photographers" out there have absolutely no training at all.

(not saying you have to go to school to be a good photographer, there are plenty out there who haven't)

In the past few months things like this have happened:

-I have seen people younger than me, much less experienced than me, and people with a lot worse equipment than me charging more than me and getting better business

-I have seen people who only use photoshop and photoshop actions get better business than me and charge more.

-I have had clients ask me why I don't charge more

-I have had clients give me tips because they don't think I charge enough

This made me think...

Why am I not charging more?

Self confidence.

I have a HUGE self confidence issue.

Even though I may know more than other photographers do 

Even though I may take better images than other photographers

I still think that I am not good enough.

So I am raising my prices because it's time.

Now I still am aware of where I live.

I live in a college town where most of my clients don't have a ton of money, so I sitll won't charge you top dollar for my images because I understand where your wallet is at.

Now I bet you are wondering...

Uh where does Picasso come into this?

Picasso said this, "Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist"

How does this apply?

Be careful on the photographers you choose (whether you go with me or not)

Some will claim that a crappy photo is good just because they are an artist and it's abstract or something like that.

Don't be fooled.

Picasso is a very well known abstract artist.

Many of you may not know this, but he can actually draw really well. He is a really good draftsman.

He is said to have said something along these lines, that he spent his whole childhood learning to draw like an adult, and it took him his whole adulthood to learn to draw like a child.

Only the photographers who really and truly know what they are doing can break the rules and still make it look good.

Here are a few things to watch out for when picking a photographer:

-do they know how to shoot on Manual?

-Are they using their on camera flash outside in the middle of the day

-do they know what the "sweet light" is

-Do they know what an F stop, ISO, or shutter speed is

-are they in it just for the money

Watch for people who are charging you outrageous amounts of money for photographs but don't even know the basics.

Photography is expensive and so you want to make sure you are going with someone who knows what they are doing, and someone who is going to give you what you want.

{And if you are sitting here reading this thinking "I'm a photographer who doesn't shoot on manual mode"

or

"I'm a photographer who doesn't know how to use my camera"

please do not take offence.

I made these mistakes too.

Just maybe do what I did and take a break from charging people.

Take a break from your business and just learn.

use people as models, and learn how to use your camera.

Study. Watch tutorials. Do what needs to be done to make yourself better.

I promise it's worth it!}

I'm still learning new things everyday, and it helps my business so much!

Lucas {Newborn Shoot}

This little guy was an absolute DREAM!

I don't think he cried once during the whole shoot.

He slept enough to get sleepy pictures and he was awake enough to get those sweet blue eyes!

Here is a teaser from his shoot!

Dschaak {Family Shoot:Mini Session}

Nicole won the mini session giveaway!

They were such a fabulously dressed family, and I loved our quick little shoot.

I did however learn that mini sessions are difficult for me.

Mainly because I have a limit on the amount of edited photos and I want to give them more!

{Soooo I may have a few extras on your disc Nicole :)}

Here is a teaser from their shoot!

Conceptual Photography: Second Attempt

So, after the other day I couldn't wait to get back out there and do some more conceptual work.

I grabbed my sister and dragged her up on top of a mountain in the cold and snow and shot away.

I never do conceptual work without thoroughly thinking it first.

I want to make sure I know exactly what I want before I shoot to try and eliminate wasted time.

Before I go on and show you the piece you should know one thing about me...

I LOVE WINDOWS!

I got this old beaten up window from a client, and I've been dying to use it in a shoot.

This piece doesn't really have any personal meaning to me it was just a cool idea.

And I think that's okay.

Not every piece is going to have some deeper personal meaning.

Sometimes it's just a cool idea.

"In The Window She Waits"

I am absolutely in LOVE with this photograph.

{Mad props to my sister who was freezing her butt off}

I decided to double shoot this trip.

I've had this idea in mind for the past little while.

The photograph was inspired by the song Bluebird by Sara Bareilles

{Give it a listen while you look at the photograph}

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMba8vsep9I

I decided to do this one as a self portrait.

"What It Means To Fly"

Whether people like the risks I am taking or not it really doesn't matter.

I am now starting to remember why I got into photography in the first place,

and that is making all the difference in the world.

Kyle & Sydnee {Engagement Session}

Okay.

I could say so much about this couple, but I won't because I know you just want the pictures.

BUT

I will say this,

These guys are such a beautiful couple! 

I was really inspired by the love I could sense that they have for each other.

So.

Here's the teaser from their shoot!