First off, I’d just like to thank you all for the outpouring of interest in my work, especially lately!

I love to hear that my work inspires you, and keeps you coming back time and again! Thank you.

I receive quite a bit of interest and questions daily about how I do what I do. People wanting mentoring, workshops, wanting to achieve the “look”.

I’ve been tossing around the idea of adding the whole workshop or online sessions into the mix…. so many different thoughts arise.

My mind and heart get torn in different directions.

For one, my number one concern in this business, is with my clients…and when I’m doing all I can to just keep up with fulfilling their needs & wants, there isn’t much time for anything else.

Time.

Here I am talking about time. I never thought I’d be one of those people who couldn’t find the “time” for something – as a kid I always thought that was a lame excuse.

As a wife, as well as a mother to 3 precious little girls, plus the demands of running a full time business….I know it’s not an excuse, but reality!

Time. such a concept.

Also, and this isn’t to raise a huge debate about who should and who shouldn’t teach… but I feel like once someone reaches a certain level of ‘expertise’, if you will, it is almost expected that they mentor.

I look around and everyone mentors. Sometimes I feel like some people just want a quick fix.

However, I do think it is great to try and learn and better yourself, and I understand that people want to achieve certain looks and want to be better overnight. It’s a fast paced world we live in – you got it… well I want it.

If YOU have something I want, then I don’t see why I can’t have it too…and NOW.

Who is qualified?

If everyone offers some sort of mentoring and there are thousands of resources online – so many helpful youtube videos or the list goes on and on…. How do we know who is qualified to teach?

If a person has never attended a workshop, class or been mentored elsewhere… are they even qualified themselves to teach…(me) ahem..

There are MANY different ways of coming up with the same results.

Are mine the best or most efficient? – most likely not….it’s just the way I do it.

The secret editing formula.

 There is no secret.

” I only know what I know.”

I’m not technical.

Seriously.

I know my few things and I stick to them.

 If I don’t like something, I will find out why I don’t like it and change it. I use Lightroom & Photoshop. I use my own “actions” I’ve created in both.

I spent hours just “messing” with different tools in photoshop – adjusting settings, watching youtube videos about what specific tools do…just so I could navigate around the program.

It. took. time.

Time. There’s that silly word again.

I am constantly  learning & pushing myself…. and I will never arrive.

What to know.

Know your instrument in this case your camera (which there are many basic beginner DSLR courses out there as well awesome books of knowledge)….

Know your light. Look for the light in your subjects eyes. Turn them around and around, bounce it back with a reflector- but find the light in their eyes….

if you know your camera and what settings you should use, what lens etc. and you can see the beautiful light in your subject’s eyes… the rest is how you view the world!

The rest is a reflection of  YOU!

I don’t think you can learn that from anyone else but yourself. Deep down your style is basically your personality (at least thats how I see it – am I right…maybe not…again, just my view).

I think that my work directly reflects me & who I am. How I see the world, how I view love, how I connect to people. How people respond to my quirky personality.

How do I get my clients to feel comfortable?

Probably my most asked question….

I’m a people person. I talk to anyone and everyone. I don’t worry if someone thinks I’m cray-cray- cause they are probably right!

I don’t have all of the answers, but I talk to anyone like they were my long lost friend! I’m happy – I smile and laugh with peeps.

 I don’t let there be room for silent awkwardness.

If I have an idea for a stylized session, I ASK them if they’d be interested…guess what? They always are interested in new exciting ideas!

If you have a certain idea that you’ve been dying to try out in a session – don’t be afraid to simply express to them that you’ve been wanting to do it!

They want your creative mind at work, that is why you are the artist!

Rut.

What if you are in a creative rut, a slump, or just feeling like you are spinning your wheels and would like to move forward?

Good news… It happens to everyone in the creative arts. You are not alone.

Don’t dwell on it, do something about it.

Start somewhere.

Look at things that are inspiring – outside of your line of work- for instance, if you are a photographer, don’t go looking at other photogs work, instead flip Pandora on and tune into

 a station that you typically wouldn’t listen to…. or grab a poetry book, take a nature hike and be inspired…..at least these are things that I do .

When I was young, my parents made me practice my piano. Made me do my lessons and I would whine and just want to give up at times.

Now, I’m glad they  pushed me forward.

You don’t get anywhere without practice. and it may come easier for some than it does for others- but with (ahem) TIME

you can get better – you can branch out of your “C scale” – just try it. you might fall flat but I bet if you keep on keeping on,  you will make a lovely melody. (Cheesy -I know) haha.

As a Career?

Do I think Photography can be a career for everyone? No. Will everyone succeed in this industry if they follow a certain”magic formula” ? Probably not.

I DO believe everyone can take pretty photos and have fun doing so – maybe not as a career for every person who loves photography, but certainly a creative hobby!

 Please know that I completely encourage you in which ever path you are wanting to go, whether it be simply bettering your overall art, or starting to market yourself and your art in a business format.

An photography exercise:

Try to look at the world differently.

But don’t start with the world. Start with an object that doesn’t move.

object ideas: Flower(s) / pencils / fruit / cell phone / nail polish bottle etc.

Take your camera – take your object. 

Take 10 different shots of the object….all different angles. Move around the object, maybe throw the object in the air. Spill the object. Change your lens if you’d like to achieve a different look.

Come up with 10 different shots that you are happy with. 

Take them into your editing program. Start with one photo. Edit it the standard way you are doing today if you are happy with that type of editing. Take the next photo and push yourself – play with the “curves” layer add a gradient map to it… maybe change the saturation of the reds or greens for instance. 

Play in photoshop or lightroom and find the colors your eyes love. Maybe you love muted colors – or maybe you love a pop!  Try GOOGLE if you don’t know something off the top of your head. (really google works people)

Bet you didn’t know that you could get so creative with one little object!!

NEXT, make a collage of the ten pictures together  edited in your favorite style and email them to me at

heidihaden@hotmail.com .

I want to see what you come up with!! I want to encourage you! I want you to see that YOU can do this! 

I love to see people succeed in their businesses. I love entrepreneurship.  I sometimes push people harder in their businesses than I think they even care to be pushed…. because I know they can do it!

Look inside yourself. If you want it – Make It Happen. I’d like to give you a little push- a little nudge of faith in yourself – a little spark of encouragement to get out and DO.

Mentoring: So will I or won’t I??

Let’s just say… I’m focusing on my clients as my first priority  and

I won’t be traveling down that road this year my friends.

But that doesn’t mean I love you any less and I hope to keep encouraging and inspiring you in your journey forward!!

I will continue to try and answer questions as they come in, and get to more “Women In Business” posts – but again please know my clients come first

and my responses are sometimes delayed.

Thank you for your understanding!

(Don’t be too mad at me)

Feel free to “LIKE” and PLEASE share your thoughts!

Much Love ~Heidi

Awesome year.

Thank you.

Thank you to everyone who allowed me to capture and freeze memories and moments for you.

I am so grateful for each of you.

This year has been one full of lots of new life, I’ve enjoyed coming into your homes and photographing your family in your own element, with a lifestyle feel. Love the newborn lifestyle sessions and how many I was able to capture this year.

I’ve also enjoyed the families, high school seniors, corporate events and of course the awesome couples and weddings that took place in 2012!

So thank you for making these moments happen.

Thank you for your continued support and love that you all so graciously show me.

I am SO excited for 2013…..seriously……. but without any more rambling…. in no particular order… here is a look back on a spectacular 2012….. (it’s a big post…. bigger is better, right?)

Happy New Year friends, love you all.

~Heidi

Thanks for making this year amazing. Peace & love to you and yours in the New Year!

It seems as though the term “lifestyle” is everywhere you look these days….sort of like the word “vintage”… but that’s a different story altogether.

Lifestyle photography to me has a less formal, more everyday REAL look to it. Combine that with real expressions, raw emotion, true connections, it’s like posed and un-posed all at the same time. It is a controlled environment ~ with a bit of chaos! Lifestyle to me is the in-between moments that make up YOUR story.

Today, I’m going to talk about my passion for my style of Lifestyle photography, namely IN HOME Lifestyle photography….and why maybe YOU should give this type of session a chance!

DOUBTS PEOPLE HAVE TOWARDS IN HOME LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

• First off, I tend to get a lot of worried moms letting me know that they don’t think their house is fit for photos… Let me just tell you that I haven’t come across a client’s home yet that I couldn’t find a decent area of light for photos….Even if we have to move some furniture around (the controlled environment) we will be able to find somewhere to shoot. You’d be surprised, but a doorway can be a perfect place for photos…
• Secondly, the questions arise about little ones not cooperating because of being in “their territory”. I find this to be exactly the opposite actually…. I come into their environment and BECAUSE of that I am able to capture them exactly in their element…they usually end up warming up in no time and show me all around their favorite things.
• Lastly, it’s not the “Traditional” photos that I’m used to and I’m worried that I will invest in this and not be able to give family and friends what they’ve come to expect year after year . Well, this is true. It’s not the stiff , uniformed …SAY CHEESE photos that you may be used to. And certainly there isn’t anything wrong with traditional portraiture… but do your research and see if this is a style that you are interested in, you, along with your family & friends, just may be pleasantly surprised…

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN CONSIDERING A LIFESTYLE SESSION

• Are you wanting to capture this time in your life with glimpses of HOW LIFE REALLY IS, the way you live it everyday? Notice I said glimpses… don’t worry, if you have a huge laundry pile of clothes in the other room… we don’t have to document that 
• When you look at an image that isn’t so staged, do you envision yourself and your family there…. do YOU relate to those images, even if they are of strangers? Maybe because it’s more than just a pretty smile, and a pretty outfit… but it’s a story that maybe you have lived as well.

• Ideally, of course,  you will end up with a nice amount of REAL LIFE images to look back and love in the years to come. One thing to consider before going into a session is letting your photographer know what your main objectives are. Do you want to end up with one large canvas mount over the fireplace, or are you looking for the coffee album with a collage of most of the photos. It’s always good to give your photographer a heads up on what your end result wish list might be.

• When scouring the internet, be sure you do your research on your photographer. Ask around, you want someone who will roll with the punches, who can interact without hesitation, who is patient, but ready for when the moment suddenly strikes….(by the way, look no further, e’hem ).

• Think about those special interactions, or split second moments, where it can be elevated from a snap shot with your phone…. to a unique piece of art. How cool is it, that an outsider, is welcomed into your  home and sees your life as art. Just watch how meaningful those everyday tiny little moments become, when you get to witness how beautiful your life is from your photographers point of view.

• You may think you don’t have any props…. okay, I hate to burst your bubble here, but there is more to photography than props. REALLY! I love myself some good props, they have their place, don’t get me wrong… but imagine if you were capturing  something deeper that which knitted hat to replace the last one with. Maybe seeing the beauty in the things that are minimal… maybe a true connection with the subjects in the image.

• So perhaps the backgrounds aren’t “Technically” perfect…. it’s life & it’s home. Both of which  are, in my opinion, UNperfectly perfect.

• It’s about finding the beauty in those in the imperfect things.  It’s not a flawless setting, nor is it out-of-this-world smooth as wax skin, or fake made up hair and makeup…I embrace the scrapes on toddler knees and the true flaky newborn skin….It’s about capturing a piece of time that evokes that amazing memory, of a time that so quickly passes. It’s YOUR story exactly how you experience it daily.

• Everyday activities ~ the first things that you think of when you mention your child… What does your child do, say, love to play with at THIS moment in life? Those are the precise things that make this type of photography real. Forget the stiff pose while he holds his Tonka truck… Let him PLAY with that and capture the real feeling. Maybe it’s painting, coloring, dress up, musical instruments…. let it happen!

• “I am afraid that we won’t look natural if we don’t know how to pose.” Well this is the photographers job to guide you and your family thorough. If your photographer is me, you will be “set up” in a certain way and directed into a relaxed and very natural pose…however it’s usually the moments between that pose that end up being the winners.

• With Lifestyle photography, there is usually always an implied context or story to the images. Something to notice in the individual photos…. usually more than just a pretty pose like I stated before.

• “Is it believable? Can it be real?” The MAIN thing is that it IS real and believable. With only a little  guidance from your photographer, like directing you in the way of the best light or suggesting an activity….. you can have everyday interactions with TRUE emotions frozen. When you look back you will remember what you felt in that instance.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE SITUATION

• So now that you have a clearer understanding of the in-home Lifestyle approach to photography…. What do you think? While every photo session doesn’t need to be done like this, I do believe everyone should invest and capture it at least once in their lives. Whether it’s a relaxed of day baking cookies with the grand kids, simple little activities and routines or welcoming a new baby into the world….you will be so glad you tried it!

P.S. Be watching my FACEBOOK PAGE for an upcoming promotion this winter on IN HOME LIFESTYLE SESSIONS!! You won’t want to miss it!!

Thanks for stopping by ~ feel free to share this post with anyone considering this type of session!

Much Love ~Heidi

INTERVIEW WITH SPANKI MILLS PHOTOGRAPHY | The Woodlands, Texas

 Hi Spanki! Thank you so much for taking some time to let us get to know you and to let us pick your brain for some in site on how you go about operating your own business! Let’s start out getting to know a little about you! Are you married? Do you have any children?
Yes, I have been married for 13 years. I was told at a young age I might have trouble conceiving…BUT clearly they were wrong, I have 4 kids! My oldest son is 12, I have 11 year old twin boys and we got our girl (AKA the devil child…thanks to her dad) who is 6 going on 16!

What is the best thing about being a mom for you?
That is a tough one. I think it is the fact that you can totally be yourself around them and if you make a mistake they love you no matter what. My family is truly my best friends!

What is the best thing about being a photographer/business owner? How long have you been in the business?
I have been in business 4 years this October. The thing I love about it the most is it is my creative outlet. Anyone who knows me knows I can not add, subtract, spell, or know anything about history… I am an artist through and through. I can color with the best of them! Prior to being a photographer I was a professional faux painter, you can give me paint, colors, paper and pencil, camera, etc I will make something with it… you give me a text book and I will hyperventilate.

Why photography?  And what is your favorite subject to photograph?
Like I said interior design and painting is my background, I have always had a camera in hand… ALWAYS! I never thought or knew you could make a career out of photography. It never even crossed my mind until we moved from our bigger city to a tiny country town and I had to give up my career of painting. I wanted to embrace being a stay at home mom with my last little one and my camera was a natural way to hold on to those moments. It snowballed for me and here I am now. My favorite things to photograph are seniors and kids.

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in their own business in general?
Know your strengths and weaknesses! If you know what you are good at then you will know that it is the OTHER that you will need to focus on first! For me it was business (like I said I can make anything art. But having to be responsible for ANYTHING is a struggle for me) So the most challenging thing from the start for me was all things business and that is what I have needed to focus on and spend time and money on getting help with.

How do you stay grounded and keep business/photography from taking over your every day life?
Oh wait…who said I know how to do that? Ha. seriously. I don’t!! I wish I did and I am VERY much so working on it but I am still so far from “grounded”. I have always thought of my business as my baby. Just like all my other “real” babies, they need nurturing. More in the early stages of development they need to be fed every so many hours…as they get older they can stand on their own two feet. I am just now getting to the point where it can stand on its own with my help but I am no longer waking up every two hours in the middle of the night to make sure it is still breathing!

What do you do to relax…that has nothing to do with photography?
I get away with my kiddos. I am queen of checking them out of school just so we can have a day together of FUN, away from the house, away from my office and away from my phone! The other thing I really enjoy to do is to walk or jog. I like to de-stress outside, alone, quietly.

What are you most proud of as a businesswoman?
Oh that is fun. There are a few things… first at how far I have come in the past few years. I am a self taught photographer with NO business experience. It has been nothing but a huge struggle but I have realized I am stronger than I ever knew… I have wanted to give up so many times but I have kept pushing. I was determined and even though I am still facing new struggles each day, I am still fighting. The other thing I totally take pride in is how drama free my fans on my FB page are. I love love love all the friendships I have made and I am NOT a fan of drama, my facebook page is a place I can go to and be ME and they can be them and it is very friendly and an encouraging environment.

How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business?
Yikes. I don’t! I am human. I stress and take it out on those closest to me. But early on we realized that we can not talk about my business. My husband is a GREAT business man, so I’d turn to him for help. He is a problem solver and wanted to help, but like I said this business is my baby and even though I wanted to talk bad about it didn’t give him the right to! He’d try to help me solve problems in a very matter of fact manner, but these problems were emotional problems for me, it wasn’t his fault…he wasn’t a photographer, he didn’t have any emotional connection to my work like I did and he had no clue how or why photographers do what they do. So I’d get upset and we’d end up fighting over it. I still turn to him for help every now and again, but he now knows to listen and not try to solve any problem. Most of the time if he lets me talk long enough I figure it out myself!

What are the top three things you did when you were first getting started in business to bring in clients?
The FIRST thing I did was make sure I could consistently produce a quality product before I ever “set up shop”. You get one chance to make that first impression, do not call yourself a “photographer” until you can produce images worthy of that title. That being said, once you do “set up shop” charge what you and your TIME is worth and give yourself a cushion allowing you for growth. I promise it will be harder and more time consuming that you think, that cushion will allow you to grow without losing or offending clients. The third thing I did was valued myself, my work and my time and set boundaries on what I would and wouldn’t do. If you don’t have confidence in yourself no one else will either. You can give yourself away for free or close to it but all you are doing is letting others know you don’t believe in yourself and your product. You have to show others with your action who you are as a photographer.

What is the best thing you’ve done to make your business successful?
The BIGGEST thing I did that helped my business grow was realize right off what types of clients I wanted and where they were, then I networked with local businesses that targeted the same clientele that I was. Networking with local business is hands down the best thing I have ever done for my growth.

What do you do to keep your children from feeling like your business is more important than them or that you love your computer more than them?
Ouch. Again I know I am not perfect and like I said in the very beginning…thank goodness kids are more forgiving of you than sometimes we are of ourselves. I try hard to remind my older kids that mommy does have to work to afford all the things they want to do that cost money. I also try my hardest to give them my attention when they are around. I work when they are in school, and some when they get home until dinner time, but I really try to shut off after dinner. I leave my phone in the other room so I am not tempted to pick it up and check it. I have to constantly remind myself that there is nothing so pressing it can not wait until I get in my office the next morning!

What is in your camera bag?
I am seriously one of the most simple shooters EVER!!! I carry my Nikon D700 with my 50mm 1.4 attached and if I remember I will bring my reflector. That is it. I do own the 85mm and the 35mm and this summer I SWEAR I am going to put them on my camera for the first time ever…hold me to it, I have owned them for a while now and never have even tried them out! :/ I love my 50mm and don’t have a real need to change so I haven’t!

And finally, what three pieces of advice would you give women who are trying to find balance in their business & their overall lives?
1. Remember your number one job is your family. You will get a lot further with a lot less bumps with their support.
2. You need to value yourself before you can expect anyone else to value you.
3. The BIG one for me: Realizing right off that everything that goes wrong with your business in the end is YOUR FAULT. The minute something doesn’t go your way, dissect the situation and IMMEDIATELY fix the problem so it won’t happen again.

Thank you so much for your wise words Spanki! Thanks everyone for coming by and reading another segment in our Women In Business Series! Be sure to leave some love in the comment section!!

INTERVIEW WITH Munchkins & Mohawks Photography / Pennsylvania

Hi Tiffany! Thank you for sharing some business insight with all of those reading today! I am thrilled to feature you and your gorgeous work in our Women In Business Series! Okay let’s jump right in.  How long have you owned your own photography business?
Munchkins ans Mohawks is going to their 3rd year.

How did you know photography was your destiny….what type of subject(s) are your favorite to photograph?
From the second I picked up a DSLR I knew this was it. I was totally obsessed. Being able to share with others the way I choose to view the world, was so fulfilling. It is my connection with  humanity. How I give back. I really love little ones. Their innocence and take on life makes me just joyous. I kinda wish I was a kid again!

Are you married? Do you have any children? If so how do you best balance your family time with your work time?
Balance??? What is that?! It is pretty much organized chaos here at any moment. My husband and I have three beautiful babies at home. Our “original baby”, as we call him, is seven. Our middle child, the first girl, is three and the baby just celebrated her first birthday. So between kid activities, church, and work our plates are full. I really try to do what I am good at and delegate the rest. It has taken me a while to get to a place where I feel like I am beginning to get a grasp on it all . I am constantly evaluating and reevaluating my priories to make sure I am keeping my focus where it needs to be. Really though, I think this is one of the toughest parts of our careers. I can frequently be seen working away at 2 am, thank Heavens I don’t need much sleep…..shhhhh- don’t tell my husband that though!

What are the top three things you did you did, when you were first getting started, to bring in clients?
There are a few things that really helped me gain a solid start. I shot a lot. Like everyday.  I offered specials to friends and neighbors to continue to keep sessions rolling in. Then, constantly blogging and staying active on facebook was and still is super important. When you are connected to them, they see you, they think about you, then they NEED you again! I am always sure to tag my clients in their images to generate more traffic to us. Their friends see their images and need a Munchkins and Mohawks session of their own! And lastly I made local connections- with boutique shop owners and mom’s groups. I went to where my future clients were. I became active in our community, established friendships and the progression to business relationships was natural.

What camera do shoot with? Favorite lenses?
I shoot with the Nikon D700. My go to lenses are the 70-200 2.8 mm and the 35 1.8 mm

In owning your own business, what have you found to be your greatest struggle?

Balance for sure. When you have a 9-5 you go to work then come home. As a business owner I am constantly connected. While I love being accessible to clients it is a struggle to cut that off to dedicate to family time as well. I have set office hours now and have recently acquired a studio space to create some separation. I want to be 110% present at whatever I am doing

What are you most proud of accomplishing as a business woman? I still pinch myself that people pay me to do this!  I feel a sense of pride being able to translate my passion into a successful career

What was the BEST business decision/or change of direction, that you have ever made in your business venture?
Saying no. By staying true to my brand I have honed in on exactly what makes my heart sing. I truly only shoot what I love and therefor put my whole heart into each commission. It is hard at first for sure. The fear of hearing crickets can be stressful, but if you step out on faith and continue to push yourself in the direction that you excel at you will be successful.


What are three things you wish someone would have told you when you were just starting out in the photography world?
First I would get your policies in black and white NOW. I think not knowing what you don’t know is hard. Talk with other photogs that have been there and done that.  Get a mentor and ask away! I know most of us have probably had a few clients that helped us realize how important it is to put everything down before the session so that all policies are clear.

Have you attended any workshops or online forums that have helped you get to where you are? What was your favorite of each?
Long long ago it started on a mommy board. There was a DSLR hobbyist board where other moms would share tips on how to shoot their kids. There are quite a few of us that have continued to grow on as professional photographers . I also have been blessed to be part of an online private mentoring group. It has allowed me the opportunity to ask for critique in a safe place. I feel like that was and continues to be the best place for growth. When receiving honest feedback I am able to have a clear view on where I stand.  Being part of a community of people that are doing the same thing as you is so important. Clickin Moms is another forum I frequent.  The vibe there is just awesome. So many working toward the same goal- all in different ways. You can learn so much from so many different perspectives. There are some amazing talents as well as some new on their photography journey. I try to give honest critique to other on there as well. I think it is important for me to give back the way it was given to me.


And finally, what are five things that you couldn’t see yourself without in this business?

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY AND CHECKING OUT THE WOMEN IN BUSINESS SERIES, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THEM!! Leave some love for Tiffany, or click the “LIKE” button, I’m sure she loves the feedback as much as I do!!

Much Love, Heidi

• ALWAYS stay true to yourself. I know it’s extremely hard to not compare, but understand that being YOU is going to get you further than you could ever imagine.
• Keep your eyes open. Inspiration is all around you in many shapes & forms.
• Be VERY organized. Over organize if anything. Keep tabs on anything that has to do with your business.
• Don’t shut yourself off to growth. Allow yourself to constantly learn new things whether it be about photography in general or even the business side of things.
• Understand your brand and what you are portraying. I know we all love to take photos, but know that your brand makes a huge staple in what will make you stand out amongst the rest.

Hi Tristian ! Thank you for taking some time to give us some insight into how you run your successful headpiece & accessory boutique business! I just adore all of your creations, absolutely precious! How long have you been in business?

Thank you so much! I have been in business since Gracylu, my daughter, was about one year old, so we are entering into our fourth year and couldn’t be more excited!

How did you first decide that this industry was for you?
I started out constructing my daughter’s bows and headpieces when she was a baby and toddler, but the moment that I truly felt that this was my calling was when I made my very first bridal headpiece for my friend Taylor’s wedding. I then began to become more partial with the bridal and couture designs rather than the bows and such.

What do you do to make yourself stand out from other similar businesses?
My business has always relied on Christ through everything and he has been with me when business is good and when it isn’t so good…I love what I do and my eye for creativity is key to my creations.


How important is great photography to showcase your work?
VERY important! Not only is it a great way to advertise for my business, but it captures my headpieces in ways that you don’t see them on any given day. I love all of my talented photog friends and they are another important part of my business.



It is obvious that you are a creative person and that a lot of that is already in your blood, but where do you find other inspiration?
I get my inspiration in many ways from photography, magazines, nature, and even praying! My mind is always spinning no matter where I’m at and it allows me to see art in almost anything I come across.


Do you do all of the hands on work yourself, or do you have helpers/assistants that help you? How do you keep up with all of the orders?
I do majority of the work but I have helpers that assist me when I have large orders to keep up with. Having three small children makes it very difficult to find the time to dedicate to my orders but with the help of my family I manage to get it done in a timely manner.


How do you know what you should charge for your work? This seems to be a reoccurring question for a lot of women out there, they don’t want to “rob” people, yet they don’t want to work for “free” either. How did you decide what your time/art is worth?
This seems to have been a questionable issue since the beginning and to be honest I still struggle with it today…

Do you have a family? Children? If so, how many?
I have a beautiful family that I love more than anything! I have a husband, Clay, and three small children. My oldest, Harrison, is five. Then there’s Gracylu who is four. And my newest baby, Atticus, is nine months old! He is growing up so fast!
How do you find balance between your business and your family life? Do you ever take time for yourself?
That is actually one of my goals this year is to take time for myself. It seems like I am always putting something else before myself, which is fine, but I know that it isn’t always healthy to continually do that.

What have you found to be the most successful thing that you have done to better your business?
I think customers make a business so I aim to keep them satisfied so not only will they stay loyal but also tell others.

Customer service is so very important and word of mouth is one of the best advertising tools ~ what have you found to be YOUR best advertising tool? How do you get your name/product more known?
Those are very important advertising methods and I usually heavily rely on WOM, however facebook is important as well as any other social networking that is available today. I also rely on my photog friends to display my creations in an artistic and creative fashion!


And finally, what 3 tips of advice would you give other women out there just starting out in business, or trying to better their own businesses?
Having your own business is difficult, in so many way. My first tip would be to make sure your priorities are in order..mine being God, family, then business.
Second is to make sure you are able to market yourself credibly and branding yourself efficiently.
Third is to be willing to give more than you receive in your business especially in the beginning. You won’t get anywhere unless you are willing to get your name out there by sacrificing a little profit here and there!


Thanks again for your words of wisdom Tristian, it was a pleasure featuring such a successful business woman this week!
Thank you for the opportunity Heidi! I hope that I can inspire other women out there who desire to have their own business and do what they love!

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS WOMEN IN BUSINESS INTERVIEW PLEASE LEAVE SOME LOVE IN THE COMMENT SECTION!

Don’t forget to visit the GRACYLU ORIGINALS FACEBOOK PAGE !

Hi Kara! Thank you for taking the time to share with everyone a little insight into how you run your successful photography business & letting us just get to know more about you! First off tell us a little about YOU! What are a few things you love, that maybe have nothing to do with photography or your business! Thanks so much for having me! I’m excited to be a part of your Women in Business Series. So a little about me and a few things I love…. I love decorating. If I wasn’t a photographer, I’d seriously consider going back to school to become an interior designer. I love making things looks pretty in the spaces that surround me everyday.

I also have a love hate relationship with working out. I love how I feel after I work out but I dread heading to the gym. Getting fit is something I’m really committing myself to in 2012. And lastly, if sleeping were a hobby it would be pretty high on my hobby list – I can never get enough sleep. It’s nap time? I’m on it lol. In short that’s me other than being a photographer, wife and mom.

Where are you located, and how long have you been in business? I’m located in Mesa, Arizona and have been here for 3 years. I began my business in Seattle, WA in 2003 and then moved in 2006 to South Carolina where I resumed business once I was settled. I’ve moved a lot!

 How did you first get started in photography? Being the youngest in my family means there aren’t a lot of pictures of me as a baby/child. Of course there are pictures but not the same as a first child. So I’ve been intrigued with pictures since I was young, excited when my parents dug up another picture of me from when I was a toddler. That’s when I realized how important pictures are. They’ll be passed down from generation to generation. And once time passes, that time is gone forever. So I’ve been obsessed with preserving it. In High School I got my first Nikon 35mm SLR camera and practiced on fruit trees in my parents backyard. But studies pushed my interest aside. When my son was born in 2002 I become obsessed with preserving every moment of his life and that’s when my passion reignited and I went back to school to learn more about photography.

Are you married? You mentioned one son, how many children do you have? How do you best manage your work time with your family time? I am very happily married and I have two children, Tyler (9 years old) and Brielle (6 years old). Balancing running a business and spending time with my family is something I endlessly work on trying to properly juggle. I love what I do but I know the time I have with my kids is so short and it’s time I won’t ever get back. So I opt to choose my family over work much of the time while still keeping my business going. That means limiting the number of sessions I do per month so I can properly focus on those clients but also have time to enjoy and be with my kids and my husband.

What camera body do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens to use? I shoot with a Canon 5D MkII {switched from Nikon once I went digital} and my favorite lenses are my 24-70L f2.8 and my 70-200L f2.8 lens. Both offer so much flexibility and sharpness!

How would you describe your photography “style”? How did you go about developing and perfecting your look? Oh tough question….I would describe my style as fun yet moody, real yet whimsical, colorful yet a little vintage. It’s really difficult to put into words your own style of work.

This sort of plays on the last question here, but “How important do you think it is for a photographer to be consistent to a style?” “Do you think it’s okay to switch post processing styles up to fit the mood of certain images, or do you think it’s better to keep things unified when displaying your work or say your website, or blog, facebook etc?” Good question. I definitely think maintaining your style is important but in keeping with your style it’s also pertinent that you edit each image or session to fit the mood. If you’re photographing a little girl dressed in a little vintage dress then I think the mood says vintage so the processing should fit. But your style should come through no matter what processing method you use. I use a variety of processing looks but I think I still have a distinct style.

 What is your favorite subject(s) to photograph? My favorite subjects to photograph are children – 3 year olds particularly. They do what they want to, they’re genuine in their emotions and you always get the ‘real’ them. But I also love siblings – the interaction you can get is fun. But any age children I enjoy – toddler through teens as well as families.

 What editing programs do you use ~ Would you share a little insight into your workflow? I use photoshop CS4 right now. This busy season felt I had to do something about my workflow. I took on more clients than I typically let myself and didn’t want to be buried in editing day after day. So I decided that the day of the shoot I will also edit the shoot. So my clients had their gallery up and ready the next day. It was such a relief to have it done and ready for them to view and order time sensitive things like cards and other gifts for the holidays. There are exceptions to the turn-around but for the most part I’m trying to keep to a quick turn-around and efficient workflow.

That is awesome!! Okay almost done here, promise!  What has been your best form of advertising? How do you bring in new clientele? My best form of advertising is ‘word of mouth’. I don’t really ‘advertise’. Facebook is another great way to share recent work and attract new clients. My blog has also been great for advertising and showing snippets of my sessions and my commercial work.

And finally what are five pieces of advice or helpful hints that you would give anyone who is looking to better their businesses?

* Try everything! Experiment. You won’t know how to do something if you don’t try it.

* Even if you’ve been in this profession for a number of years your learning doesn’t stop. This industry is changing all the time and it’s pertinent to be aware of the changes and emerging software, products, and gear.

* DON’T compare yourself to other photographers. Stick to your style and perfect it.

* Get together with local photographers and develop friendships but don’t talk shop or about other local competition when you’re together. Friendships are important in this industry. It’s lonely if you’re so afraid of the competition that you keep to yourself.

* Shoot for yourself so you don’t get burned out. Make it fun so the passion and enthusiasm remains.

 Love it Kara! Thank you so much Kara! It has been a pleasure featuring you this week! 

Readers please leave your comments and feedback for Kara & this series if you enjoy it!!