Inspiration Monday...Featured Photographer!

I am very excited to share today's beautiful work with you. The featured work of Sarah from Sarah Driscoll Photography blog is emotive soft and dreamy. Each image is story telling and filled with the most beautiful light. Please take some time to read a bit about Sarah and look at her lovely imagery.

 How did you come up with your business name?

Well, it's just my name…so that's pretty self-explanatory. Though I almost named my business after my blog which was originally "Diapers & Daisies" but I didn't want it to limit my clients to only babies…so I made a switch and put my name in there! 

 What brought you to photography?

Honestly I have always loved photography, but I never really knew what I was doing. In fact, I kind of sucked at it. Plus, I assumed that I would need to study it in college if I ever wanted to be great-- and I wasn't okay with being just mediocre. So, when I started my mommy blog, Diapers & Daisies, I slowly started to teach myself the basics in order to enhance the prettiness of my blog posts. Then, little by little and bit by bit, I just started soaking it all in. One day I woke up and realized I didn't suck anymore.  That was a good day :-) 

What do you like to shoot?

I love nothing more than shooting my four children (though now I am lucky enough to photograph other people's children and families). I especially love capturing the moments that are real. I am not much for poses and back drops; and I much prefer to capture my children engrossed in their adorable little lives than smiling directly at me. 

 Who is your favorite muse?

My four year old daughter is my muse. The way the light seems to follow her, the way she always seems to be in the perfect stance, and the way her face makes the most fabulous expressions. Everything she does is perfection to my lens. 

 What is in your camera bag?

Sigh. My camera bag is a bit lame. As of a few days ago I only owned a Canon 6D and a 50mm 1.4. But, after having some focusing issues with my 50, I just bought a Sigma 35 1.4-- and I am desperately in love. Other than that I have an expo disk and a some macro extension tubes!

 What kind of camera bag do you rock? 

Oh my gosh, this is even more embarrassing then whats inside. I recently walked into a camera shop with my camera and bag and the owner laughed and said, "you are carrying around a 6D in that piece of crap?" I blushed and went home and ordered something on Etsy. That was 4 weeks ago and I am wishing that I didn't order it from Hong Kong. I am not even sure the brand. I have my eye on a Kelly Moore but the wallet is still hurting from the 35mm. BIG DREAMS! 

 Photoshop or lightroom? 

I am 100% Lightroom…I don't own Photoshop. Though I'd love to learn!

 Jpeg or RAW?

I shoot in RAW, always. 

 In three words how would you describe your photography style? 

Soft, emotional and light-inspired. 

 Top 2 favorite photographers and why? 

When I found Summer Murdock's work everything started to make sense to me. The way she uses light and captures childhood absolutely makes my heart flutter. I am seriously considering driving across the country for her to photograph my family. And Candice from Blissful Maven Photography because her photos are unique and raw. The way every single one of her photos have such amazing texture and depth inspires me to get better and better. 

 Favorite season to shoot in and why?

Right now, I love shooting in Spring. But anytime I have the sun shining from behind some trees or bursting through my kitchen windows, I am insanely happy to have my camera in hand. 

 what is your non photography related downfall? 

Pizza. Definitely pizza. I could eat it for every meal everyday, forever. 

 What is your most embarrassing moment on a shoot to date? 

Well I have only had like 6 or so shoots with "clients" so far, so nothing embarrassing YET. But you probably just jinxed me :-)

 What is your one best piece of advice to give someone just starting out? 

it's been said before but my best piece of advice is to be you. No one else. There is no one more youer than you, so if you stay true to who you are and what you love, your art will reflect that.

 If you weren't photographer what would you be, any dream careers?

I would be a stay at home mom forever. There is nothing I love more than spending time with my children. They are my whole heart.

What is you goal for photography for the next 3 years? 

I would like to go from part time to full time eventually. I would also really love to teach others and become a mentor at some point in time....especially other mamas looking to capture their everyday with their babies. 

If you would like to continue to follow Sarah's work her Facebook again is here Sarah Driscoll Photography blog. Go show her some love. Until next time, XOXO!

Inspiration Wednesday...Featured Photographer!

Again, we will be moving in about a week and a half now so I will get back on track and sort out the chaos. Let's move onto this beautiful feature. Today's work is so soft and dreamy. Story telling, fun and playful. Please take a moment to read a bit about Nina of Nina Mace Photography and look at her beautiful work. 

How did you come up with your business name?

I toyed with lots of ideas around my business name but eventually decided on my name as I really am selling me and my style. 

What brought you to photography?

I worked in marketing as a Brand and Marketing Communications Manager for 15 years, and having children prompted a career change. I loved working full time, and had some brilliant adventures & opportunities to travel all over the world (I used to work for a major oil company and look after the Formula 1 Powerboat racing) but I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss out on my kids growing up. I had always been interested in photography, and having my second child (I have a son and a daughter now), prompted me to take the leap into a new career.

What do you like to shoot?

Kids, kids, kids and even more kids! I have photographed weddings, events, and undertaken corporate and commercial work but every time I come back to photographing children. I love to mess around with children, and being able to give parents images of their kids that they love, is very fulfilling. I also like working with couples that are expecting, and then going back to photograph their new arrivals. I like working with babies but prefer to work with babies over 3 months so I can get more expression and smiles from them.  

who is you favorite muse?

My daughter. She is only 4 and incredibly complex already. She can go from complete angel to stroppy teenager in a matter of minutes, and I want to be able to capture all of her different sides, so I can share the photos with her when she grows up. 

What is in your camera bag?

Canon 5diii, 7d as back up. 70-200 2.8 (my favourite lens), 24-70 2.8, 35 1.4, and speed lights. The next lens on my wish list is the 135. 

 What type of camera bag do you rock?

I live in the UK but one of my friends has just bought me back a shootsac from the US. I might just be in love  I also have a lowpro rucksac and a Calumet small suitcase.

photoshop or Lightroom?

Photoshop

Jpeg or Raw?

Raw 

In three words only how would you describe your photography style?

Vibrant, joyful, bold 

Top 2 favorite photographers and why?

Kate T Parker, for her ability to bring a child’s personality into an image. 

Lisa Lucky for her beautifully clean and colourful editing, and use of light. 

 Favorite season to shoot and why?

Tough question! I photograph mainly outdoors and have learnt to love the seasonal changes we get here in England (its extreme to say the least!!). My clients love Spring, and when the Bluebells are out this time of year is incredibly busy. That said I think I prefer autumn the best, those beautiful warm colours and long golden evenings are my favourite times to shoot. 

what is your non photography related down fall? (example:  chocolate, soda..)

As with most people chocolate but also I tend to pick things up and then bored quickly. I join the gym and then stop going, buy a bike then stop riding, and now my latest hobby is running. I’ve just started the couch to 5k programme and I’m into week 5 – at the start I could run for 1 minute and this week I’m about to run for 20 minutes. I’m really enjoying it, but come back and ask me in 6 months’ time how I am doing ;-) 

What is your most embarrassing moment at a shoot to date?

When I have gotten to the end of the session and realised I have been calling the child the wrong name for 2 hours…over and over again. And the parents were too embarrassed to correct me! I didn’t realise until I got home and received an email from them thanking me for my time photographing Amelia not Emily! 

 What is your one best piece of advice to give someone just starting out?

Even when you are portfolio building, have a view as to what your pricing will be. Although you will be working with these customers at less than your full price (or even for free) it is good if you can convert them into long term customers when your prices do go up. Also if these sessions are with clients who are your target audience, their friends are likely to be, so they can become your clients of the future.

 If you weren't photographer what would you be, any dream careers?

I always wanted to work in TV and it wasn’t for such unsociable hours I would have considered joining a production company as a runner to get started. I went to the X factor this year and chatted to the production manager and thought what a cool job

 What is you goal for photography for the next 3 years?

To continue to build my brand around children’s photography and grow my business to include training for parents with DSLRs. I would also like to do more commercial work for children’s footwear and clothing brands. 

If you would love to continue to follow Nina's work follow her Facebook page here Nina Mace Photography and her website here Nina's website. Go show her lots of love. Until next time, XOXO!

Inspiration Tuesday...Featured Photographer!

I got behind a bit so I am sharing some inspiration posts throughout this week. Today's feature is Abbi of One Sock Pictures. Beautiful natural lifestyle images. Her style is clean, bright and soft. Please take a few minutes to read about Abbi and see some beautiful imagery. 

 How did you come up with your business name?

I wanted something that would reflect my raw style of shooting with kids and families.  While working with a friend, bouncing around ideas for names, my youngest son walked in and he was only wearing one sock.  It reminded me that he is usually only wearing one sock, and I'm always finding random socks around the house in the oddest places.  I laughed and said, "I should call it One Sock Pictures because that sums up our life!"  And that was it.  The name stuck with me, and became the perfect fit.

 What brought you to photography?

We purchased our first DSLR about three years ago.  When using the auto settings became aggravating, I threw myself into learning manual.  As I started shooting more often for my own family, friends began requesting that I shoot for them also.  Eventually, I decided to start a business.  It's been a character-defining journey for me in so many ways, having to find my own groove and learn to shoot what moves me.  I had a rocky start!  God has used it to bring me to myself and cause me to work on things I didn't even know were there.  Photography also came into my life at a very low point, and having something to focus on and work at that only involved myself was therapeutic.  I started seeing my life in a new light, noticing the details that made it unique and special even in the midst of the chaos.  

 What do you like to shoot?

Real life!  Real interactions, things that go unnoticed, details that will long be forgotten if they aren't documented.  I love the mundane and ordinary because it really is extraordinary.  In shooting kids and families, there is so much realness there.  Daily life can be so messy when you are raising a family!  It creates beautiful stories.  If I had more time and opportunity, I would like to try street photography.  

 who is you favorite muse?

Well, I have three boys, so you can imagine the things they get themselves into.  My teenager prefers to stay out of the way my lens, but my younger two and their antics get captured quite often.  Never a dull moment!  Aside from my own children, I have several amazing friends in my life with younger kids and I have nearly as many photos of them as I do my own.  Two adorable girls, in particular, grace the pages of my blog and fan page on a regular basis and have become part of my brand, along with my own boys.  Each of them have their own little personality and I always look forward to the chances I get to capture them.  It's like opening the pages of a familiar story book and finding out what will happen next.

 What is in your camera bag?

I keep it simple - a Canon 5D Mark II, a 35mm 2.0, and an 85mm 1.8.  Although the 85mm makes beautiful portraits, the 35mm rarely leaves my camera body.  I want to get as much of the story as possible, so a wide angle works best.  There's also a lens pen, battery charger, extra battery, card case, and some contact solution in there.

 What type of camera bag do you rock?

A Jo Totes satchel-style bag.  It's the perfect size because it holds the equipment I use with just enough room for a few miscellaneous items.

 photoshop or Lightroom?

Definitely both.  I start out in Lightroom and finish up in Photoshop.

 Jpeg or Raw?

This might get me kicked off the island, but I almost always shoot Jpeg.  Given the right situation, I would choose RAW, but for what I do on a regular basis Jpeg works for me.

 In three words only how would you describe your photography style?

Raw

Relaxed

Sincere

 Top 2 favorite photographers and why?

Jennifer Tonetti-Spellman hits the top of the list.  She is the first real life documentary shooter I came across, and opened up a whole new view of photography for me.  Her work is incredible.  Aside from that, she is a kick-butt teacher who pushes me to stay true to my own voice.  If I need a realignment, she is the go-to person.

The other would be Molly Flanagan.  Her hard core storytelling style amazes me.  She takes daily life and turns it into something that hits you in a deep place.  I end up going back to her images several times, soaking in all the details of life they encompass.

 Favorite season to shoot and why?

Anything but winter!  I am not a fan of the cold at all and have very few outdoor winter images.  Considering Indiana weather, that doesn't leave me much!  Summer is probably my favorite, though.  There is so much to do and so many fun things to shoot.

 what is your non photography related down fall? (example:  chocolate, soda..)

Dr. Pepper, chocolate, a good book, and Netflix.  

 What is your most embarrassing moment at a shoot to date?

Before I realized my niche is in-home storytelling, I tried imitating what was popular on blogs and Facebook with props and posing.  I agreed to do a newborn shoot even though I had zero experience with it.  Needless to say, it was not a success.  I was awkward, unsure of what to do, and drenched in sweat from the stress of it all.  It was embarrassing and almost made me quit photography altogether.

What is your one best piece of advice to give someone just starting out?

Stay away from all the Facebook pages and blogs that cause you to doubt yourself and compare!  How can you tap into your own creativity if your mind is being filled with everyone else's stuff?  Those pages are great when you can share and be inspired or supported.  But when it gets to the point that you feel defeated, weed it all out.  Make space and time for figuring out your own style and voice, and be content in the journey of growing your skills.  This is something I still struggle with, and wish I would have been more diligent about in the beginning.

 If you weren't a photographer what would you be, any dream careers?

Fresh out of high school, I started college to become an editor and writer.  Although that was never finished, I think I would still enjoy something in that avenue of work.

 What is your goal for photography for the next 3 years?

Grow my business to the point of having a steady client base, keep learning new skills and practicing the ones I have, and just enjoy what I do.  It means so much to me when I can help families see and document the special things about their life.  Mostly, I want to keep shooting.

If you would like to continue to follow Abbi's work follow her Facebook page here, One Sock Pictures. Go show her lots of love. Until next time, XOXO!