hmmm, i don't know exactly how that image was created... my guess in photoshop. when i shoot a back-lit subject, i just move side to side until the sun is where i want it in relationship to my subject. for example, see this maternity session i recently posted on my blog. the shots at the end are takes seconds apart from each other, just getting a different look by moving with the sun. http://kirstinroper.com/blog/2011/10/07/tenille-bryson-baby-bonzai/

you will have to shoot into the sun, at sunset, and overexpose a few stops for what your camera is reading. i will always take a few test shots and figure out my exposure.

hmmm, I usually keep my white balance set to 5880K when shooting outside. I think this helps me get the right skin tones, especially because I love a back lit scene. other than that I don't do too much to make any colors "pop"

I think the best way is to look for assistant opportunities. lots of times photographers will post on facebook if they need help... and don't always expect to bring your camera and shoot. you can learn a whole lot from just watching how someone works.

my husband & daughter

yes, pretty much,unless I see something that needs more attention. I will adjust curves and dodge & burn sometimes. But I do not run any actions or anything like that. I have made my own action for black & whites, that is just a slight curves adjustment and gradient map. I would say that you need to know what tools do what, just so you know how to get the look you want when editing.

yes. it is so much harder than having a 9-5 job because there is deffinitetly a busy season, and sometimes you have to rush editing/orders for clients. I have spent too many nights staying up until the wee hours of the morning trying to get an album finished, or whatever it is. I have just made it a point to tell my clients how long it takes me to get their photos to them, and remind them again at the end of their session. I always tell them the first time they see their photos will be in story format on my blog, then I usually mail out their CD that day. I think this helps me to not get too far behind, and I can plan things out more, allowing for more time with my baby. This is what works for me, I think you just have to find what works for you and go with it!

I don't think there is anything I do that should be kept a secret. You can ask me anything, and I will tell. I post pretty much every session on my blog, and all my photos can be seen on my proofing site. I do think some photographers get caught up in being another vendor, and getting featured on wedding blogs, and forgetting about the real people. I did it for a while, but soon realized that sort of thing doesn't make me happy.

yes, my suggestions are 1 - learn how to say no, and 2 - shoot what you love, even with a degree in photography, it has taken me quite some time figuring out what the important things in life are, and how to show them in my images. those little in-between moments and real emotion - that is what I love.

oh, and I don't really do mentoring sessions, but would love to start!

I only shoot with prime lenses. And I have 2 bodies, so I usually keep my 105mm f2 on one, and my 50mm f1.4 or my 35mm f2 on the other. I love the 50mm for the wide open aperture, and am looking to get the 35mm 1.4 in the very near future.

Absolutely no actions! I use camera raw and adjust my blacks, and curves. Then I will fix white balance and colors only if needed! I like to keep things simple and natural.

Hello Sharon!
I really just tell people to be themselves. If I am shooting a family session I just tell them to play with their kids, and pretend that I am not there. If I am shooting a couple, I always tell them to do different things, just talk, walk together, kiss, etc, and have my camera ready at all times! Those in-between moments where they just laugh naturally are the very best!

I started shooting with my grandpa's old Nikon in my high school photo class. I have loved it ever since.