Taken in Canada during the Vancouver workshop meetup. I can’t tell you how surprised we all were to find a rainbow!

Speaking of workshops – yesterday one of our attendees from our upcoming Texas workshop Meet up contacted us to say that sadly she had a personal tragedy and needed to sell her seat. The workshop is in August and in Round Top. If your interested in purchasing her place please contact us ASAP at childphotographers@gmail.com. The workshop has already ‘just’ started online (dont worry we can catch you up)…

Over on facebook, we had another request for a Q&A friday however this time its Saturday. Oh well! So Q & A saturday it is.

So here we go :

Q : Kylie : Backlight photo tips would be great.

A : Hi Kylie, For me the biggest thing about back-light is to allow myself to make mistakes. I really enjoy letting it creep into the lens and haze over the frame. Most of all, I guess I just try not to be afraid of it, or afraid of making the mistakes with it that I do. Unfortunately its too much of a beast to explain my fav techniques all in a few sentences in a blog post however for the most part I don’t use a lens hood (I tend to like letting the light in), I prefer to shoot in the late afternoon (to soften the light), and I love using the subjects themselves as the sun shield.

Q : Feather : I would love to know your thoughts about the selling of digital files to clients. An extremely touchy subject as to whether to or not. At least half of my inquiries ask if I do and when I say no, I don’t hear from them again Thanks Barb

A : Hi, I sell my digital files, as well as individual prints and albums etc. If your thinking about adding digi files to your packages.. 1. Make sure you price them accordingly. 2. Make sure you give your clients a log-in to your print lab if they so wish, so that the prints are printed well.

Q : Jacqui : Do you lie awake at night and create your awesome images???

A : Hi Jacqui, how nice are you! Well, I guess maybe I do sometimes however most of the time I’m too tired for that!

Q : Alice Seidel : 1. What is/are your fave lenses?

A : For portraits I always recommend starting with the 50mm. However I adore my primes (50mm, 85mm, 100mm, 200mm, 35mm). I shoot canon so all L series. I also love the 16-35mm and the 24-70mm.

q : 2. How do u think of such FAB ideas?

A : I truly am inspired by my clients – and love collaborating with them.

Q : 3. I’m a starter and i do shoots on weekends and still work an office job full time, studying photography, and hope to come to a workshop of urs next year in Adelaide! Do you have any tips for us starting out? It feels like I can’t put 100% in because of the work issue, and also theres alot of start up expenses. I have the basics, but would love so much more, Tips please… how did you make it so big? You’re ah-mazing x

A : Thank you! =) My biggest piece of advise is to charge accordingly. There is no point in charging next to nothing and jumping in to early. Wait, work hard on your photography and it will fall into place.

Q : Carol : Your colors are out of this world… How do you get them??? Just your actions??? What are your faves???

A : Hi Carol, Thank you – I do use my own actions : http://www.ittybittyactions.com however I also start in lightroom, and tweak before or after actions always. Lately I have been using the delightful set the most as the results are more up-to-date.

Q: I have to say first… I really admire your work. You are on a different level of greatness….. you make me want to be a better photographer! I just have a few questions
1. Do you have any plans to come to the states anytime soon?
2. What kind of camera and lenses do you use the most?
3. How long have you been in business as a photographer? And have you always just focused on children or do you do weddings, or other things also?
4. How do you reach children that are not cooperating AT ALL and not responding to you? I usually don’t have that problem but I had one little girl try and hit me!!!!!
Anyway… thanks so much for doing this! I hope to meet you one day in the States.
Rebecca Powell from Kentucky!

A : Hi! Thanks so much! Firstly, I have no plans to do shoots in the states unfortunately. I hope to in maybe a few years time however that will take awhile to organise. I shoot using Canon (1d mark iv, 5d mii) and all L series lenses (see above). I have been doing photography since 2002, however been in business since I think 2005? (I cant remember). 5 years maybe? I have photographed a few weddings however my heart is in child photography for sure. As for kids that are not into it, I would offer a reshoot – no point in not having fun. I have had that happen and we just call the shoot and try another day. Thanks for your qs!

Q : Carolina : I really admire your work! Your an amazing photographer! I look forward to hopefully attending one of your 2012 workshops, hopefully in Melbourne
I’m just starting out in photography – so I have 2 questions to ask. 1. What were your short & long term goals when you started out in photography? Who did you admire, who did you ask for advice & how did you first start up your business? 2. What is your favorite lens for children & baby photography? And why? Hope it’s not too many questions, I’m just eager to learn everything possible from truly amazing photographers.
Thanks! x

A : Hi Carolina, thank you! =) Well that first question is a long one to answer. I found online groups very helpful. I also did a camera basics course when I first started photography and that was truly one of the best things that I ever did. It gave me a good grounding as to understanding how to work my camera. I shot with film too for awhile – and in the darkroom. And also completed a darkroom course. Both of which were a lot of fun however I adore digital photography because of the results mostly for my work anyway. However I’m glad I started out that way (not because its super kewl to be doing film work now, but more so because it gave me an understanding of exposure etc). I started my business after I had been shooting for a I think 3 years?! (goodness honestly I cant remember) and had been featured a few times in mags etc. I think that gave me the confidence to charge. I often get asked “when do you know your ready”, and I think for me it was knowing that others believed in me and my ability..not just friends and family however others as well. My long term goals back then were the same as now : Take photographs that my clients enjoy! I hope that answers your q and good luck with everything you do!

Q : I find it most challenging to get a family to loosen up and ditch the pose-y stuff. Any tips?

A : Absolutely – reflect the results you want I think is the biggest thing for me. Also take time……take a lot of photographs (to the get the right expressions) and have fun! =)

Thanks for your q’s!!!