They're a simple online PDF that the client views. Almost like a mini-magazine ;) It goes through everything & it is much easier to send than always writing an essay to each inquiry. Keeps things a bit more streamlined!

So many venues of inspiration for me! A lot comes from my prior dance background, which certainly helps! I also admire many fashion magazines & I am constantly just trying to keep things fresh & fun!

I find myself just constantly utilizing a simple S-Curve, constantly! I then just mask out the areas I don't want & use brushes with different opacities to create the effect I am looking for :)

The selective color option just gives you much more range which how you can transform certain colors in the images. For example - You can tone down the reds in a photo if the skin has too much red. I also use it to create different fun color effects! I also sometimes like to throw in some magentas/cyans into my blacks as well!

The 85mm 1.2L is at the tippity top of my list :)

I currently use bludomain.com for my website template and prophoto for my blog template. Love them both!! :)

My watermark is actually made by me! :) Very simple text. Just chose a font, created a new document with a white background, type in my text in black, flatten the image, go to edit > define brush preset and that's it!

I actually made a resolution this year to not use actions at all, or very little. In general though, when I do use actions you can find my favorites to be:

Sara Kiesling's Actions
Jordan Voth's Actions
Florabella Actions

In general though, I've been creating custom adjustment layers using curves, levels & selective coloring to create my own custom creation on my images. I probably won't ever sell actions since I edit each photo so differently but you never know! ;)

Thanks for the kind words!!

Ah, pricing. Truly, if there was one part of my business I would like to work on a bit more, it would be just this! When I started out, I allowed myself to start VERY low on the pay scale. I've had to deal with that since then & slowly work my way up to where I envision myself.

While there really isn't a specific way to price or exact rules, it's really hard to say. It depends on how you plan to offer your services. Time, travel, talent, editing, etc. You also have to factor in what type of products you will be giving your clients. From this point, you need to sit down and outline things. I personally have always offered a disc with my sessions. I hope to change this one day and offer a full service with prints. It's really all based on personal preference. If I could go back though, I wouldn't have started out so low. I know there are lots of options out there for people, but there are also A LOT of potential clients out there for your price range too.

Best of luck to you!!

Hah! Oh gosh. I have some pretty funny one liners ;) I mention to my teens all the time that I LOVE the look of feeling carefree, fun & natural. Almost as if they were in a spread of Seventeen or Teen Vouge. Allow them to have silly moments. I always bring out the funny (or at least I hope I'm humorous) and mention things like "smizing" (smiling with your eyes) and it tends to make the girls laugh a bit. I also dance around with them and act a fool. Another fun key point I mention to them is that I'm not taking a video. All I am looking for is that ONE frame. So if they feel silly doing something (moving around, etc) it won't matter because it'll end up being some of their favorites ;)

Well first off, congrats! That is always a great thing to be asked to do. I've never personally second shot a wedding and traditionally don't feel very educated with Wedding Photography, but in this scenario it would come down to a couple factors:

- Are they requiring you to edit your own images, or are they requesting the RAW files?
- Are they wanting you to do the portrait work or just the small details & reception work?

It's definitely something I would consider if you're genuinely interested in wedding photography. It's a great way to dip your feet into things & see how things work :)

It's funny because I do the Brenizer Method a few different ways and still haven't found my consistency in doing it. Sometimes I use a tripod, sometimes I do it freehanded. In general though, I've personally found myself locking in my focus and using continuous shooting while holding down my shutter. Sometimes this fails me though :P Being that I am still super new to this technique, I'm working out the kinks ;) Definitely read up online though! Others probably explain it better than I ever could!

Make sure of a few items!

+ Are you shooting wide open? This will allow the most light into your camera.
+ You may need to up your exposure a bit. While every backlit shot will differ, I tend to expose for my models skin and if need be, overexpose the background.
+ My other little "secret" is to use Live View on my camera if I am really having trouble with focusing on a heavily sun filled image.

If you'd like to also check out this old blog I made out last year going over this similar topic: http://stephaniepana.blogspot.com/2011/06/sun-flares-backlighting-shooting-raw.html

Hope this helps! As always, practice practice!

In general, getting those natural candid/lifestyle shots can sometimes be a bit tough. WIth couples & families, I always feel like giving them an actual activity or some type of movement makes it feel natural. For example, having a couple dance slowly together or a family reading books together. Sometimes you literally just have to be very secretive about how you're shooting. Allow people to feel comfortable around you, but also give them their space when needed.

Also, don't start off with candid moments. Get all of the "posed" stuff out of the way first because people need direction when there is a camera in their face for the most part ;) Once they warm up a bit for about 15-20 minutes then try some more fun ideas.

I currently have been using a Canon 5D Mark II along side with an 85mm 1.8 & the 50mm 1.4. Simple set up! :)

Most of the time, I've never asked for permission at any of the locations I tend to shoot at. Majority are public places but there have been instances where I go onto abandoned property. I've only had one instance where an officer came, who was VERY understanding. Didn't get in trouble, just told to ask permission next time. Can't say I didn't have a mini heart attack though ;)

For the most part though, I tend to know if a place will give me a hard time or not. Use your gut ;) If it is private property, possibly take the time to see if you can contact/speak with the owner. Doesn't hurt to ask!

Posing is something I take a lot of pride in. I want my clients/models to feel as comfortable as possible. Breaking them out of their comfort zone is sometimes what I have to do. In general with my seniors, music is played, laughter is abundance and it really comes down to assuring your clients. YOU have to feel confident in what you are telling them to do. I usually do the poses with them, give them direction from head to toe, I'll even have them do segments of the shoot where I make them dance around, use some real laughter - ANYthing that will break the ice.

As long as you keep the energy up, posing should feel very natural. I tend to keep my posing rather simple and just throw in minor adjustments to make it fun & different!

Oh goodness! I am so sorry it took me so long to even see this. I took a bit of a break from Formspring for a bit. Congrats on going official in the books! I know the feeling & it's such a great feeling. Also somewhat nerve-wracking ;) In general, I've always noticed that people enjoy others who take the time to stay involved in the community, offer feedback and stay true to themselves. If you're looking to get more clientele, maybe offer a discounted session for a casting call for a special type of session or theme you've been wanting to try. The more people you photograph, the more your work is getting out there! :)

Best of luck!

My personal journey with Photoshop & editing in general has been all self taught by trial & error. Very rarely do I read any tutorials/blogs/videos. I'm more of a hands on learner and will just keep trying new things to see how they work and that has always seemed to be a good technique for me!

I do not. Always, always natural!