YES! I use and LOVE ShootQ. It seriously saved my business and my sanity!

Not always. It never hurts to stick yourself out there and ask. I took on interns last year when I wasn't looking for one (I've actually learned that I prefer to pay someone and have consistency in my business)

Depends on how busy I am, but my contract says somewhere between 6-8 weeks to view proofs, and then discs come following client approval - possibly up to 12 weeks. And yes, weddings have a longer timeline.

Are we talking bridal or fashion? It's different for both. But for bridal/weddings, I use and love TwoBrightLights. They're pretty awesome and definitely affordable!

Sucky.

Wow - there are so many variables here... like how you're positioning the people, sunlight, settings - I wish I could tell you some magic recipe, but I would say to try shoooting on Program if Manual isn't working for you. You should be on a higher aperture (program will adjust given the conditions) and maybe bump up your iso slightly

um, I guess I'd go for the 24-70? I don't shoot Canon or zooms - so I'm a little out of my area here....

My second shooters are in-house shooters - meaning they're hired by me. They do sign a non-compete for both starting their own business as well as second shooting for other photographers in a competing market. I'm not strict with assistants, however. Both of my employed second shooters have been trained by me personally and are not aspiring to own their own business.

Yes! If you can upgrade to the D700 - DO IT! Full frame made a huge difference and the D700 was the single most important business purchase I made in 2010.

I'm a big fan of prime lenses. Generally speaking they're a bit more expensive, but a good business investment either way.

Finao! (and thanks!!)

I have a little list of people I highly recommend and highly recommend my clients contact them. It makes a huge difference. I'm fortunate enough that my clients trust my opinion enough to go for it :) I don't charge - I just put them in touch.

Sadly, I don't follow too many anymore. But, my favorites are Elizabeth Messina and Jose Villa... and I have a little girl-crush on Jessica Claire. I feel like one of those "I'm a Yankees fan because they always win" kind of people - I wish I had some not-as-popular faves... but I'm so out of the loop sometimes! I'm always really impressed by photographers I stumble across randomly.

Don't be afraid of your flash. Bounce it off the ceiling for more even lighting and play with the manual settings and stops on the flash to get more ambient light.

PS - I'm totally BSing that last part ... I just played around with it until things looked pretty. So don't be too amazed :) It's just a little dumb luck sometimes!

I don't do a ton of print orders actually... I just blog whenever it's ready. Usually they see the blog before anything else.

I have one higher profile client who leads a very public life and wants to maintain some privacy in their personal life. I completely respect and understand that... and so, I won't publish their shots. Also, if something is being picked up (or submitted) to a magazine, I can't post it until it's been published. They only like to publish new and fresh content.

No, I usually just pop in and ask. Generally, they don't mind (as long as it doesn't interfere with business), although I've had some say no. So we just go somewhere else. Always have a backup plan. True story: I have had the cops called on me for trespassing (but it was TOTALLY worth it!) Sometimes a little risk pays off! - Oh, wait, politically correct man in my head just woke up from his nap and suggested that I not recommend trespassing as a means for getting a great shot..... :)

It's not about "getting in" - it's about proving yourself as an artist and business owner. Venues don't like taking gambles on "new" photographers because it's their name on the line when they're referring out. Best bet is to work for a bride who finds you on their own and shoot at that venue. Prove your work (first), professionalism (second) and consistency - and then submit the photos to venues. I take good care of my friends in the industry and in return, they feel comfortable recommending me to their clients. When it comes to magazines, I'm not really "IN" with any of them - I just submit my work when I feel it's a good fit for what they publish and hope they like it enough to pick it up. After I started getting published, more blogs contacted me for work, so it just kind of picks up on it's own.

Shoot RAW, basic correction in LR, convert to JPG and final edit in PS.

I shot Canon back in the DAY (like, the days of film). I had an old Rebel. I have a little point and shoot canon now... but it's just so I don't break my little baby Nikon :)