Introducing Thistle and Muse Photography!  Thistle and Muse is a yearly member of The Seniorologie Directory and our Member Share for this week!  Amy Bruss is the owner and describes herself as a free spirit who loves to photograph seniors!!  Get to know Amy by reading her interview below and checking out her work here.  Thanks Amy!!

How long have you been in business?  a photographer for 5 years, on my own for two.

What percentage of your business is seniors?  35%

What do you think makes a perfect senior session?  i think high school seniors are some of the coolest people in the world, so when they have a great attitude mixed with an open mind to locations, time of day, clothing choices & my zany ideas, the session should totally rock, and it usually does.

What do you love most about photographing seniors?  their budding personalities, fashion sense, and the fact that i can capture images that truly reflect who they are.  no cheesy smiles, no rules, no limits.

What would you say is the biggest challenge in your business?  I think my biggest challenge is trying to create a product that is totally different than what my local competitors are doing, while at the same time, staying on top of running a business.  i DO NOT want to end up broke and frustrated!

Describe your photography style?  very loose, un-choreographed, fun, modern and fresh.   my main goal is to have an insane amount of fun to get those natural, candid, fun images.

What motivates or inspires you in your photography?  many things!!  i LOVE fashion, so catalogs are key, as are my magazines and blogs.

Twenty Questions Game…Just for fun!

1. Where are you from/live?  i am from and live in a quaint and charming lake town in southeastern wisconsin

2. Married?  yes  

3. Kids?  two monkeys, no wait ~ two boys, ages 4 and 5

5. Nikon or Cannon?  i shoot with a Canon Mark II 5D

6. Favorite Lens?  go to lens is my 24-70mm, f/2.8, but i seriously am in love with my 85mm, f/1.2, esp. for senior girls

7. What kind of Camera Bag do you carry?  only the Jill-E, large rolling camera bag (in Badger red, my favorite color).  fits absolutely EVERYTHING i could possibly need on a shoot, plus packs away perfectly in the seat in front of me on a plane when i have to travel.

8. Favorite music to edit to?  Gheez, i have so many pandora stations!  I guess it changes depending on my mood!  I love everything from country to hip-hop!  

9. Favorite Photoshop Action?  that would have to be MCP color fusion.  Yum!

10. A Photographer that inspires you?  Syke Hardwick.  I grew up and live in the country, so I appreciate her love of nature and creating the most amazing scenes from them.

11. Favorite food?  Sushi.  and swedish fish.

12. Favorite place to shop?  Gheez.  You’re killing me here.  i seriously LOVE to shop.  However, any local boutique no matter where I’m traveling is good- love the unexpected find.  My go-to stores are Jcrew and Anthropologie.

13. Favorite drink at Starbucks?  earl grey skim latte please!

14. Favorite Guilty Pleasure? 🙂  Umm…swedish fish and a glass of wine???

15. Favorite Memory from when you were a senior?  Youzers.  I seriously loved high school.  I guess my favorite memories were camping trips that proved to be, umm,….(yes, you fill in the blanks).

16. Favorite Quote or saying?  Umm…whatever…

17. Favorite Workshop or photography event you have attended?  SPA last year, (Senior Portrait Artists) in Palm Springs.  I am sad to say, they are not doing it anymore which makes me very sad.  It truly rocked.

18. Favorite Magazine?  Hmm…JCrew, Anthropologie, Veranda, Rangerfinder, Cooking Light, Professional Photographer, Traditional Home, whatever junk catalog comes my way.  I am really loving these online magazines now too!  Rue, Lonny, Houzz…

19.Favorite Vacation spot?  Utah or Colorado for skiing.  The best and my fav.

20. Favorite Movie?  Geepers.   I LOVE movies!  I guess it really depends on who I’m with and the mood i’m in.  If it’s with my kids, I’d say Finding Nemo, but if I’m by myself, I’d say…I can’t say!  too many good ones out there, in every category.  Just watched Sarah’s Key last week…cried my eyes out.