FAQ: Blogging, Style, & Education

I’ve considered blogging FAQ’s countless times before. I’ve even had full posts ready and waiting for the “publish” button, only to chicken out. Because really? I’m no big ‘authoritay’ on the subject of photography. But what’s encouraged me most recently are all the questions I’ve been receiving via email, Facebook, Formspring, and our newly instituted mentor sessions… From high schoolers pondering their future careers, college majors re-deciding their college majors, and new photographers looking to learn and grow their businesses. So without further ado, here are a few of the questions I get asked most. Again, I don’t claim to have all the “answers.” Like, at all. But if this post helps any one reader out there, or helps spark conversation in any way, then that’s all I could hope for. :)

Q: How do you stay motivated to blog on a regular and continual basis without burning out?

A: Ahh, blogging. It’s hard! Time-consuming. And takes constant inspiration. But it’s also completely doable. FUN. And rewarding in so many ways. When I started my business, I knew that blogging would be essential to my growth as a photographer and a businesswoman. I also knew that if I didn’t come up with a schedule for blogging consistently, my word-of-mouth marketing could hang in the balance. At any one time, I can tell you what will be blogged a month from now. It sounds a bit OCD, I know.. But scheduling out blog posts challenges me to stick to my guns. And because of this consistency, my blog readers know they can always expect new entries on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Because that’s what works for me. And it’s what keeps people coming back. At least, I hope so.. ;) (We’re now toying with some new ideas for a couple new blog series. But more on those as they come!)

Q: There’s a certain softness and realness to your pictures that I really enjoy. What tips might you have for a photographer still trying to develop his/her style?

A: Not gonna lie, this one stumps me a bit. If there’s one thing I hear most from my clients when meeting for the first time, it’s that they are drawn to the “softness” of my images. It got to a point where I heard it so often I had to ask, “What do you mean?” And the answer lies in this: My clients equate “softness” with realistic, non-contrasty images. A know a lot of photographers have a love for high-contrast. I am not one of them. That is to say, what is of lesser contrast I make up for with sharpness. Specifically, via Kevin Kubota’s Magic Sharp, which gives an insanely realistic feel to images like I will never understand. LOVE it. As for style… I don’t necessarily feel that I’m done developing my style. All I know is that I yearn to grow. Developing your “style” takes shooting, shooting, and more shooting. It takes experimenting with what made you fall in love with photography in the first place. It takes practicing until it feels right..

Q: I’m super interested in photography and have recently thought a lot about going to school for it with the goal of becoming a full-time wedding photographer afterward. Do you have a degree in photography? What should I do?

A: I do! I attended the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and earned my bachelors in photojournalism. With that said, I’ve actually learned the most about photography from myself. From my own experience, school teaches you about solid composition, story-telling through images, and how to stick to firm deadlines. Which, of course, are all priceless to success as a wedding photographer! But there is no school that teaches wedding photography. (At least, not that I know of!) Photography  schools don’t teach you how to interact with clients or market your brand – the most essential aspects of the job. With that said, the majority of wedding photographers have zero formal training. And that’s great too! Because the beauty of photography is that it’s ART. If you have a passion for it, you CAN make it happen. With, or without formal education. Find a mentor. Attend workshops. And read up on the industry! By no means should you feel that without a degree, you can’t follow your wedding photography dreams. If anything, I’d encourage taking classes in marketing, public speaking, and public relations to start you off solid. Remember, wedding photography is about 85% business and 15% shooting.

Happy Thursday, friends! Any and all feedback and/or questions is more than appreciated and welcome! In the meantime, here’s my blogging baby dog!

XOXO!!