I have been in business since June of 2010. I still shoot families, children, and newborns in addition to seniors. I really hope that in a few more years I will be able to focus solely on seniors!

This has actually been a crazy year for me and my business. Right after I was featured on Seniorologie I found out I was pregnant with my second baby! Pregnancy doesn’t sit well with me and I had to cut way back to make sure I didn’t end up on bed rest. I finished out my senior season and then focused on learning everything I could find while taking it easy! My two biggest and best finds were Michelle Moore’s senior breakout session and her posing guide (which is way more than a posing guide). She has always been my favorite senior photographer so it was so amazing to learn from her. I also blogged stalked all my favorite photographers, took notes on what I liked (yes, actual notes- I used to be a teacher), and brainstormed some great ideas that I can’t wait to use this year! Now that my little one is here I am just getting ready to start shooting again! I cannot wait!

Last year I had 13 seniors (9 girls and 4 guys) in addition to my non senior shoots. I had two amazing senior models from two different high schools. All but one of my seniors was a referral from my models. Because of my pregnancy and newly expanded family, I was unable to do senior models this year (I’m cutting back all my sessions this year). I currently have only 4 seniors on the books and will probably only take one or two more! Next year I will be back to a more full time schedule and my senior model program (which obviously works big time)!

I love how excited seniors are about their sessions. It’s so much fun to be able to work with a senior, plan out our location and outfits, and really get to know each other. I love being able to incorporate who each senior is into their shoot.

 

It depends on the senior. I’m so impressed that most of my seniors contact me themselves. They know what they want and bring me ideas. I help them refine what they are looking for and plan the details. I had seniors last year who wanted to show their love of water, music, the city. They brought me the ideas and I ran with them. I’m also totally willing to do all the planning if that is what the senior wants!

I am so much more confident now! The biggest change in my photography has come from slowing down. When I started out I felt like a needed to be clicking my shutter constantly. Now I take my time to really set the image. I take less pictures that are way more quality. If somethings not working the way I wanted it to I tell my senior (though I always make it known that MY idea isn’t working, not them) and we try something different. I feel so much calmer at my sessions and I think my seniors feel relaxed.

During each of my sessions I aim to try something new. My ideas definitely don’t always turn out the way I envisioned but sometimes they are amazing. My editing is where I’ve grown the most. I do far less than I use to. I color correct, fix blemishes and minimize under eye circles. I try to leave my images as natural as possible and let my gorgeous seniors shine through.

The business part of photography is definitely where I have my struggles. I have a creative mind so keeping books, taxes, etc. are so hard for me (and so boring!). I’m lucky to be married to a business man who keeps me on my toes (and my books up to date). I think the best thing I did was hire an accountant for tax purposes.

It’s so cliche but I find my inspiration everywhere. I talk to each senior to get inspiration for their sessions. Of course I also love reading the blogs of my favorite senior photographers. I also subscribe to a few teen magazines. Not only are they fun to read (trauma rama anyone?) but they are full of ideas.