There is no way to accurately honor everyone that has had an impact in my journey without leaving someone out. I have been in forums for years, private groups, and still continue to ask questions, read information laid out for me (books, articles, interviews, forum threads) and learn as much as possible. The sources are endless and growing everyday. I may pull business advice from one person, color and tone help from another, and composition/perspective from another. I ask they answer, and I hope to do the same to those that ask of me.

This is going to be totally cliche but I am inspired by everything...and anything. From literature, music, movies, landscape, random color palettes, fashion, moods...the list is endless. It is what I do with it that makes it my style. I translate those inspirations into whatever visions or ideas that come to mind.

Now you ask one of the hardest questions to answer :). For me it took getting ready to throw out my camera a few years ago in complete frustration (still have the moments) and I wiped my website clean and started from scratch. I was advised to only show what I loved and what I wanted to shoot. So I did. And when I sat back and looked at it all...it was right there. Light, soft color palettes, strong dof, mood, emotion, moments, movement and more. They all fell together without me even having to try. It was a total "Aha" moment. From that point on...I shoot that way...I tackle all the shoots the same way with a consistent feel and edit style.

With all of that said...it took time and a lot of trial and error testing the waters from over saturated, dark and moody, black backgrounds, white backgrounds, actions, actions and even more actions, before I figured it out and stumbled onto something that I felt "fit".

I did portraits for years, and had 2 clients practically beg me to do their small weddings. I did, explaining that I had never done one and couldn't make big promises, etc. I think I made $500 on the first one :) Then I just took them as they came and added some second shooting in to gain portfolio and experience.

If I was to do it all over again....I would second shoot first. I made lots of mistakes early on and would not have if I had that experience under my belt first. Weddings are a tough field, high pressure, variables and challenges popping up on every turn, many more personalities to deal with and need to be able to adjust on the fly...fast.

Please see the last question answered...it is the same :)

I try to stay an inconspicuous as possible at weddings. If indoors I as for a reserved aisle seat that allows me to have an angle of the bride and an angle of the groom. I then shoot with two cameras, with two different lenses and they are set for each lighting situation and I do my best to time her walk with a quick shot of his reaction. It takes practice and patience.

I have only shot film at 1 wedding so far, but plan to start hybriding more in throughout this year. I do minimal processing to my current digital photos and shoot to get it pretty close to SOOC as possible. This helps when shooting film. I then just tweak the colors to match and go with it. There is not perfect blend...that is the reason one day I will go all film.

My studio is only about 400 sq. So not large at all, but is one single space with windows on two sides, lofted ceilings and pale gray paint. I am not a "studio photographer" but for what I need it for, newborns, occassional child, maternities during the winter, it is just what I need. I like light, air, and minimalist in my images...the studio has all that in a nice neat little package.

I am personally not a part of any online forums and the ones I have been a part of in the past, I have quit due to a lack of open minds ;). I am in a few smaller groups targeted to specific things or locations on Facebook that I am active in and find those immensely more helpful.

I do hear that Bloom Forum is pretty good, but again, you have to watch out for cattiness, close minded people, and realize that there are a billion paths and directions to take in this industry and one persons right way, might not be the right way for you. Approach it to learn and soak up information, but brush the rest off.

I do design and print my own labels. They are basic with my company information on them. If you follow me on Instagram you can see an image of some of my packaging...but I am currently updating that this month. Similar...but a few changes...images will follow when I am done :)

That was a private studio that we rented for the day. The studio no longer exists now :(

I listen to a little bit of everything...but country...no hate...just never been a fan. My iTunes spans from Rachmaninoff, Yellow Wolf, Black Lab, Sia, Dead Sarah, popular R&B, etc. It is all over the place...but I love it all for different reasons....just depends on my mood.

Sure thing! Time to pay it forward. I learn a lot from others (then and now), I want to do the same for people that can learn something from me.

I only use the clone tool on specific spots as needed. I prefer not to "smooth" the babies skin. I like them to look as real as possible, but I do help out red spots, extreme blotches. I personally leave milk bumps (unless a singular large one).

Thank you for the question. I have done my own branding and packaging so far, so I am not the best source. I have wanted to work with Finch Design though.

awww Thank you! :)

Enough time in my life to do everything I want to do/experience. Long healthy lives for my family. Calm, healthy earth.

Do you have this problem with other lenses? You can also set the camera on a tripod or sturdy flat surface, take an image of a still object in similar light, and if it is not soft, then it is user error. Also try different lenses to rule out camera/lens. If it is user error, then practice and spreading your feet quite a bit will help steady your body. Also try leaning on walls, trees, fences and things to get steadier if needed. Or kneeling on the ground can help too. Test the camera first on still objects to see if it is the lens or camera.

I personally have not, but I have heard other complain. I am not sure if it is camera or user error. Are you shooting wide open? Or in a backlit situation when you are having the trouble?

I will see what I can do! I am crazy busy right now but I know it was fun for many :)

awww! Thank you :) So many help me, and I still find myself searching for answers from others, why not pay it forward when I can?