How long have you been in business? 8 years

What percentage of your business is seniors? 95%

What do you think makes a perfect senior session? I Love it when a senior is so excited about their photoshoot that they are up for anything creative being added to their session.

What do you love most about photographing seniors? I LOVE to make them feel beautiful/handsome and making the session an experience to remember about their senior year with their Mom.

What would you say is the biggest challenge in your business? In Oklahoma it is the summer heat during my busiest time of the year with seniors and having enough room for all my couches and chairs in my home studio.  For a few months, a big challenge was on the farm where I have my old truck parked. They had a bottle fed calf that grew into a pretty good sized bull.  We called him Ferdinand because he just wanted to come over and be friendly but, he would come at a dead run sometimes and we would have to jump in the truck.  Ferdinand has since been moved to another farm.

Describe your photography style? I like the classic looks of studio photography along with a variety of locations to offer to fit their personality, using different lighting techniques, poses and furniture.

What motivates or inspires you in your photography? Fashion trends and colors, catalogs, along with attending workshops with photographers with diverse styles.  I’m known as the workshop queen because I want to add an assortment of technique, styles, and creativity to my sessions.

Twenty Questions Game…Just for fun!

Where are you from/live? I was born in Myrtle Point, Oregon, but only lived there a month and my Mom and Dad moved back to Oklahoma.  I live in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma which is a suburb of Tulsa in Northeastern Oklahoma.

Married? Yes, I’ve been married to David for 21 years, a second marriage that has been a wonderful adventure.

Kids? What are their ages? Don’t have heart failure—3 kids—Casey is 36, lives in Boulder, Colorado; Garrett is 33, lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Aubrey is 30, lives in Tulsa and just had our first Grandbaby Katelyn, 8 months at the end of this month.  OK so now you know I’m older, but I certainly don’t feel it and try not to act it!

Nikon or Cannon? Canon

What kind of camera bag do you carry? According to the shoot.  I have a rolling, top opening Lowpro that I wheel when I need all my different lenses, etc. on a location shoot.  I have a shoot sac that I like to use when I’m only going to need a couple of lenses and don’t mind carrying it.  I use it for vacation.

Favorite music to edit to? I love all kinds of music.  I was in Glee Club in Junior High and High School.  But my favorite is country music.  My daughter and I love concerts.  Going to Maroon 5 next.

Favorite Photoshop Action? I’ve made a lot of my own, but I really love my Totally Rad plug in to add textures.

A photographer that inspires you? Oh gosh, I have so many!  I like to get inspiration for those other than Senior Photography and then try to take bits and pieces of that look into my work.  Annie Leibovitz, Jen Hillenga, Maria Bernal, Joel Grimes, Mark Bryant, Kevin Jairaj-he did our daughter’s wedding.

Favorite Food? Pretty much everything!  Sushi-but I’m allergic to tuna fish so all the rolls that don’t have Tuna.  Steak and Baked potato–I mean I’m from Oklahoma.  Mexican.  I’m a salty and cheese eater instead of sweets.

Favorite place to shop? On Line, little boutiques, Anthropologie, and Dillards for shoes

Favorite drink at Starbucks? I don’t drink coffee, I’ve tried but it tastes like I’m drinking something burnt.

Favorite Guilty Pleasure? Well I can’t tell that!  OK- I can say shopping and traveling.

Favorite memory from when you were a senior? OH gosh it was so long ago!  I graduated in 1969–Woodstock and Man landed on the moon that summer.  Loved the clothes:  Mini skirts, mod, fringe, fur, headbands, scarves, which are all popular styles right now for Seniors.

Favorite Quote or Saying? Follow your heart wherever it takes you and be happy.  Life is brief and very fragile, and only loaned to us for awhile.  Wake up every morning with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen.

Favorite Workshop or photography event you have attended? Kirk Voclain’s Think Tank in Mexico and then in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; SYNC in Florida; After Dark; and sharing get togethers with my photography friends from different states where we have met up in Hawaii, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Texas.

Favorite Magazine? Professional Photographer’s Magazine

Favorite Vacation Spot? Everyplace becomes another favorite but four highlights are Italy, Hawaii, Colorado Mountains(where one of my sons lives) and the Carribean(where my other son lives)

Favorite Movie? Under the Tuscan Sun