Hi there! Go here - http://emilyporterphoto.com/blog/contact/ :)

Thanks!! I used iMovie for the year in review one I posted recently. I spent hours working on the photo selections and flow, and tried my best to line it up to the beat. There's a stretch of time where it's off a little and it bothers me, but I had to stop spending all my time on it. :) It was a really fun project!!

Hi there! Thanks! I use a few different labs for print orders, but my two favorites are ProDPI and Photo Production Services. The auto-fulfilled prints on my client galleries are fulfilled by Mpixpro, which I also like.

We actually just changed our travel policy for engagement sessions after an exhausting season of dozens of out of town engagement shoots. We charge fifty cents per mile for every mile over 150 miles round trip for engagements and weddings. Hotel room for places more than 3 hours away. Flight + hotel for places more than 6 hours away. Hope this helps!! :)

I was obsessed with photography for almost a decade before "becoming a professional". I'd estimate that I shot well over 20,000 photos (lots on film) before charging one cent. :)

I'm only booking 20 seniors this year and already have 3 or 4 slots filled, so it really depends on when you'd be wanting to shoot. If you want your shoot in the pretty autumn-time, I would get in touch ASAP! October is my busiest month of the year. Have you visited the senior section of my site? If you want to book, definitely be sure to poke around on there - http://emilyporterphoto.com/blog/seniors/

Well, the background isn't dark because I still use a slow enough shutter speed to fill in the ambient light in the rest of the room, and I'm not afraid to use ISOs such as 3200 for the really dark receptions. A lot of the reception shots you see of mine actually show dancefloors as much more illuminated than they really seemed at the time because I like to use settings that capture a lot of ambient, natural light from the reception. Check out Zack Arias - he is great with flash/strobe work and a great teacher. He explains lighting in a basic, conversational way. I would HIGHLY recommend his One Light field guide (http://zackarias.com/news/onelight-field-guide-launch/) .. I even went to his workshop in July of 2009 and still bought the field guide two years later. He knows his stuff, and I think poking around his blog might help!

Hello! :) Without knowing what "level" you are at right now, I'd suggest just taking photos ALL the time! I think that helps everyone improve and grow, regardless of where they are. I've actually been using the iphone app Instagram a lot lately and as silly as it sounds, it's re-inspired me a little bit.. it's encouraging me to really look at the world around me and take it all in. If you are interested in portraits and just starting out, think about the friends/family/acquaintances you know who best fit the kinds of clients you want and photograph them. Never underestimate the power of facebook as far as marketing goes. But above all -- nurture the passion you have for photography by shooting as much as you can and want to, and don't overextend yourself-- people can take on too much too fast (this happens so often! it happened to me) and then the magic of it all starts to wear off a bit. And take lots, and lots, and lots of photos. :)

I had a day job when I started my business so I went cheap on everything in my life so I could afford to invest in equipment. I have never taken out a business loan and don't believe in spending money I don't have... so I've always just saved up for new equipment. It takes time and you really have to justify the expenses, but we have a great set up right now and will slowly continue to grow upon that.

I don't use lightroom presets. I use flash as needed- indoors and outdoors. Mostly indoors, though, and not all of the time. I don't use any gels.

If there were a small percentage of black and white shots, I would just give them to them. But not the originals.

There's really no "best" lens. Different lenses are great for different things. I love wide lenses (the 35 f/2 is a great, affordable wide lens) to help get a sense of scene. Bobby is currently having a love affair with long lenses, particularly the 70-200, because the lens compression is so great. Between the two of us, we use the following lenses on a wedding day - 24mm f/1.4G, 35mm f/1.4G, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4G, 60mm f/2.8 macro, sigma 85 f/1.4, 70-200 f/2.8 VR. We usually shoot getting ready stuff separately and when we see each other we'll switch lenses as needed.

Lots of times I shoot wide open, but for a few engagement sessions I will set it at 2.8 or 3.5 just to be safe, for the "mom" shots.

If the ceremony is outside, there's not a ton I can do. If the couple works with me ahead of time as they flesh out their day-of timeline, I will give them suggestions for when the best light is in the day. If the ceremony is inside but they want portraits outside, I position them in such a way that the light is slightly at their backs. This isn't always possible, but I like to scurry to the shade only as a last resort. Doorways can be helpful, too-- if you position people right at the edge, you can get some of the nice light from outside reflecting on them.

That's a great question. I think one thing that's important to think about is how the photographer(s) you're consider take photos in situations like your own. For example, if you are considering a photographer because you love all his/her outdoor shots, but your ceremony and reception are both inside, you should pay close attention to the indoor shots. Ask to see some full galleries of real weddings, preferably some within the last 3-4 months. Pick someone you'd love having a beer with. You'll spend a large portion of a very intense day with this person- always keep that in mind.

I just shoot a lot with the Nikon G series lenses, which I think helps somehow, even though I shoot raw. Sometimes I will push the saturation down slightly and the vibrance up slightly in lightroom.

I don't use any photoshop actions right now, though sometimes I will play a bit with Alien Skin exposure, especially for black and white photos.

I don't have anything planned right now, but I'll definitely announce anything on my blog/facebook page if something comes up.. :)

The problem with putting every cent you make towards the camera and FX lenses is that you will hurt yourself when it's time to pay taxes. I would upgrade to semi-nice FX lenses now because those lenses will make a HUGE difference in the quality of your photos.

If you're mostly doing portraits, I would buy the new sigma 85 1.4 first -- it's supposed to be a pretty great lens, comparable to the new nikon 85 1.4 but at less than half the price. Then maybe the older 35mm f/2... one of my favorite lenses ever.. both will set you back maybe $1200-$1300.

Get to know both of those lenses inside and out while you save up for the D3s. If you're shooting weddings, use borrow lenses or the lens depot to rent something really wide that will work on your DX sensor - like the 20mm f/2.8.

By the time you get to know these lenses really well and have saved up enough for a new camera upgrade, the D4 will probably be out by then. Or whatever the next flagship will be - I lose track. You get my point though. :) I am a big fan of investing in lenses over bodies, even in situations like yours. If you're dying for a great upgrade, I really do love the D700. It's a great step in between for you.

Hope this helps!! :)

They approached me - it was really fun and and hopefully I can do it again!!