Amanda, what camera do you use and what is your favorite lens?
Canon 5D Mark II, 50mm 1.4

What has been the most helpful critique you ever got on an image?
Just to make sure the finished product is polished and natural. Nail the shot in camera, but also follow up with beautiful post processing so that your subject is sweetly perfect.

What 3 words would you use to describe your style?
Unique, Colorful, Sweet

Where do you pull your inspiration from?
From all over… hats, blankets, room themes, magazines.

What is one specific way that you balance work and family?
This has been a HUGE struggle for me. The first two years of my business absolutely consumed me. I actually took several months off to re-assess things and spend time with my family. Now, being back in action I have made it my rule that I will not work weekends, I will only accept limited sessions, and I do my best to not be on this computer when my kids and husband are at home.

Best biz/photo advice?
To do YOU, to make your business your passion, your style. Create your niche. Don’t follow others.

What have you learned the hard way?
To not work weekends. Do what you need to do and arrange your sessions for during the week while kids are at school, or hire a Nanny. Weekends are for friends and family.

How does your business deal with the rise in photographers. What have you done to standout and compete?
I actually kind of keep my eyes straight ahead. I don’t worry too much about what other photographers are doing. I strongly believe that if you create a niche for yourself and stay true to your style, then you will have clients. Even though there are oodles more newborn photographers now than 4 years ago, I know that I still offer a product that is unique from others.

Where have most of your 2012 clients come from (besides WOM)?
Sorry, but yes – word of mouth. And Facebook. I am horrible about updating my website and haven’t even gotten around to finishing my blog. I probably don’t have the best business model… but I love posing babies and I offer my clients something special. Too much work has kept me from all those marketing details.

What has been the best workshop or convention you’ve attended so far?
By far the Jinky workshop that I did in July of 2010. Barb Uil is such an inspiration and her portraiture is breathtaking and stands alone.

What is your most popular product?
CD of images

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by Kelli France | Editor-in-Chief

Because of the anonymity of the Internet, it’s easier than ever for people to say mean things online.

In the last few weeks I’ve had a few photographer friends and acquaintances who’ve been bullied on the internet.

I always tell my children: “It’s okay to be angry but it’s not okay to be mean.”

If you are a Mama I’m sure you’ve uttered these words (that your Mom probably said to you) at least once: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”

I think we as adults need to remember to take our Mother’s advice and be nice or be quiet.

DEALING WITH DRAMA:

I’ve been impressed with how my photographer friends/acquaintances who were bullied online dealt with it. They simply turned the other cheek. They were full of grace and killed with kindness, regardless of the harsh things that were being said about them.

Sometimes as a mother and yes, even photographers, we deal with occasional drama. I have discovered something about myself lately: I am capable of being calm, kind, and in control in the midst of drama.

To be in this state of mind, I have to do what the “psycho” (aka Kevin Nealon) said on the movie, Happy Gilmore: “Rise above it. Harness in the good energy. Block out the bad.”

So when my daughter starts arguing with me about pretty much EVERYTHING, I simply go to my happy place by turning on some uplifting music and ignore her.

“Rise above it. Harness in the good energy. Block out the bad.” 

When I read about drama on Facebook, I close it out.

“Rise above it. Harness in the good energy. Block out the bad.” 

If I get a not-so-nice email from someone who is probably just having a bad day, I take a break from emails and talk to my happy husband.

“Rise above it. Harness in the good energy. Block out the bad.” 

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Do you post on your blog only to hear crickets? Do you sometimes feel like you are talking to yourself (and maybe your Mom) on your blog? Do you need some LOVE?

Chic Critique is here for you, girl. In 2013, we are doing a weekly feature on our blog every Saturday called “BLOG LOVE” where you can showcase your  blog posts on Chic Critique for lots of love.

SWEET BENEFITS:

• Use this as motivation to blog at least once a week
• Boost your SEO: your thumbnail will link back to your own blog for lots of publicity and SEO lovin’!
• Get blog comments from our fans
• Show off your work
• Get published! One of your images might be featured in an upcoming issue of Chic Magazine

It’s so easy! HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

You must be a member of Chic Critique forum to participate 

1. Post some pics on your own blog with a link back to Chic Critique
2. Every weekend, submit your permalink (not your main blog address) from your own blog post to the frog icon (see sample below) to our weekly Saturday “Blog Love” blog post
3. Your image will then show up as a thumbnail on OUR blog and allow our readers to click on your image to check out YOUR blog.

Need a reminder? We’ll help remind you in our weekly newsletter and on Facebook so be sure to become a fan and subscribe to our newsletter.

ENTER YOUR BLOG POST IMAGES FOR THIS WEEK BY CLICKING ON THE FROG BELOW:
Don’t forget to leave a comment on the other entries because that is half the fun! Also, submit your photo early since those seem to be the ones who receive the most comments.

[ois skin="Duplicate of Did you like this post?"]

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It’s Freebie Friday for all Chic members! You know you want stylin’ clients this year and the best way to get well-dressed clients is to educate them on what to wear. All Chic members get FREE What-to-Wear guides from I Adore Your Style {value of $48/yr} to teach your clients how to be more stylish. You can showcase them on your blog (who doesn’t need more blog content?), send them in a newsletter, or email them to individual clients whose sessions are coming up.

Each style file comes complete with UP-TO-DATE corresponding links of what’s retailing right now for every outfit!  That means your clients can go buy those clothes online today!
Monthly style files include one family ensemble plus an additional file for either couples, seniors, children, or babies.
What-to-Wear Guides are only available during the current month so be sure to download your January WTW Guides by February 28th.

Download yours HERE in the forum

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by Kelli France | Editor-in-Chief

Chic Critique loves working with other fabulous resources for photographers, including Design Aglow.

I’ve recently been working with them on 2 projects: 1) sharing my marketing ideas in their amazing Photographer’s Marketing Guide and 2) being a Featured Artist on their up and coming ProjectLife 365!

I’m gonna share a little about both of these projects with you.

PHOTOGRAPHER’S MARKETING GUIDE

Do you have 1,001 ideas for the New Year but have no idea where to begin? Do you start, but never finish, projects? The Design Aglow Photographer’s Marketing Guide is a 41 page guide that has the answers to these questions that will help you plan, organize and act in a way that will ensure success in the upcoming year. Check it:

PROJECT LIFE 365:

If you are an Instagram fanatic like me, then I’m sure you’ve already heard about the exciting new Project Life 365 by Design Aglow.

Project Life 365 is an interactive photo a day challenge that helps you develop your creativity by guiding you through daily prompts that engage your imagination.

I am honored to be a Featured Artist on Project Life 365. Project Life also offers a Field Guide where I, personally, share some of my own phone-photography tips.

Join the #projectlife365 fun at www.projectlife365.com and follow me on Instagram at @kellifrance and @chiccritiqueforum 

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Rena, what camera do you use and what is your favorite lens?
Canon 1Ds Mark III and 5D Mark II. My favorite lens is the 70-200mm 2.8 ISL

What has been the most helpful critique you ever got on an image?
An important bit of advise I had received when I initially began pursuing commercial and fashion editorial work, was to shoot ‘real moments’ rather than just portraits.

What 3 words would you use to describe your style?
Vibrant, Authentic, Happy

Where do you pull your inspiration from?
I think you can find inspiration anywhere, you just have to look. I have found inspiration looking at other photographers’ work, illustrations, art, movies, books, songs, poems, an outfit can inspire me, colors, props, you name it. I enj

oy keeping up on fashion magazines, commercial and fashion photographers.

What is one specific way that you balance work and family?
That can definitely be tough at times especially when your ‘job’ is something that you really love and enjoy. you can easily lose track of the hours you spend on the computer and neglect the people and things that are the most important in your life. I find that if you try and keep to a schedule and set ‘work hours’ for yourself then that helps. I also try and set aside a couple days a week where I don’t work at all (if I can) especially Sundays so I can go to church and spend time with my family.

Best biz/photo advice?
I think it is fine to look at other photographers work and ask yourself what is it about their work that you like but not try and copy them. Find your own style…also you don’t always have to fit in with the standard either. Just because everyone else seems to be doing it, doesn’t mean you have to too. Find what drives you and makes you feel excited and inspired and shoot that!

What have you learned the hard way?
One thing I learned as a photographer, is to always shoot variations of each ‘look’ for your commercial/editorial clients. I did a photo shoot with a celebrity where they were wearing a hat and I failed to get any shots without her wearing it and the magazine ended up hating the hat! Needless to say, after kicking myself for not getting any shots without the hat, I had to spend quite a bit of time in post removing the hat and replacing it with the top of her head from other looks. Always get a variety from each outfit as you never know what the client will end up liking and how it will look within the layout of the feature.

How does your business deal with the rise in photographers. What have you done to standout and compete?
Who you are as a photographer can be what sets you apart form the ‘competition’. Who I am (my personality, being fun and easy to work with, etc.) is equally important to my photography.

Where have most of your 2012 clients come from (besides WOM)?
Most of my clients have been from me just getting out there and making connections (for my celebrity, commercial and editorial work). I also do actor headshots and those has come from agent and manager referrals.

What has been the best workshop or convention you’ve attended so far?
I really don’t know what has been the best but probably the most memorable would a convention in San Diego back in 2003. I had just started pursing studio photography and went to a workshop by celebrity photographer, Jerry Avenaim. It was great to see how other photographers worked, to hear their stories and learn editing techniques they use. I believe that there is always room to grow as a photographer and something new to learn.

What is your most popular product?
Digital Files

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