This feeling really hit me as I supported events throughout the Washington, D.C.-area for Military Appreciation Month in May and continued advocacy work through this month. One of the organizations that I connected with earliest is the National Military Spouse Network (NMSN). I'm currently a member and have photographed many of our key events over the past decade. If you are not familiar with the NMSN, it is a social enterprise that creates a community of military spouse professionals, businesses, academics and media to share expertise and craft innovative solutions on both balancing a viable career with the military lifestyle and laying the foundation for a successful career post military life.
I'm privileged to share the stories of our community and my peers through my work--and thankful for the spotlight it puts on our the unique challenges of our military lifestyle as well as possible solutions to address them. Below are some recent examples of how my work has done this.
1. The following feature photo is from an article in the Military Times, “Are military spouse employment programs working?” posted January 21, 2022.
2. The following article published in American Military News, “Major military spouse employment study included in 2022 defense bill – here’s who helped drive the effort,” features NMSN's work over since its founding and includes several photos that I've taken to document our efforts.
3. The article “Military spouses often choose their spouse's career over their own. This organization is changing that,” in Upworthy features Sue Hoppin, President and Founder of the National Military Spouse Network, as one of Tory Burch’s “Empowered Women”
About Photography by Trish Alegre-Smith: Our mission is to provide commercial clients and high profile individuals in the Washington, D.C. area portraiture (including headshots and group photos) and branding photography that feature their products, services and events. We discover and project your unique story that keeps you current in changing times.
Trish Alegre-Smith is a Washington, D.C- area native by way of northern Virginia, an Air Force veteran, and a military spouse who works with purpose-driven individuals and organizations who are looking to share their story through photos.
Related Links:
Military Spouse Network
https://www.nationalmilitaryspousenetwork.org/
Military Times article
“Are military spouse employment programs working?”
https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/2022/01/21/are-military-spouse-employment-programs-working/
American Military News article
“Major military spouse employment study included in 2022 defense bill – here’s who helped drive the effort”
https://americanmilitarynews.com/2022/01/major-military-spouse-employment-study-included-in-2022-defense-bill-heres-who-helped-drive-the-effort/
Upworthy article
“Military spouses often choose their spouse's career over their own. This organization is changing that.”
https://www.upworthy.com/military-spouses-often-choose-their-spouses-career-over-their-own
National Military Spouse Network Magazine article (Spring 2022)
“Standing Out in a Crowd”
https://issuu.com/nmsnetwork/docs/nmsn-magazine_spring-2022/24
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Hi! I'm Trish Alegre-Smith (pronounced: uh-LEG-ray SMITH) and I'm the principal (still) photographer and owner behind Photography by Trish Alegre-Smith. I'm a hobbyist turned full-time branding, event, and commercial photographer, Air Force veteran, community volunteer, military spouse and mother of school-aged children. And yes, I move between all of these roles as needed.
I skipped all of 2021 writing in my blog. I took a step back and worked on journaling by hand--trying to find my way again through all of the pivots I've made personally and professionally since March 19, 2020. I came back to what I set as my vision and mission when I started this business full-time.
Each post this year I'll share a little bit about what makes us who we are as a team and give a peek into what goes on in my head as I work through the year.
Looking forward to trying a different blog format as well that I hope works for you as well as it does for me.
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by Trish Alegre-Smith
One of our highlights in the last quarter of this past year was meeting and photographing Bob Woodruff of the Bob Woodruff Foundation at the 15th Annual Armed Services YMCA Angels of the Battlefield Gala.
Photographing events for non-profit organizations that feature the meaningful work that they do for communities that we support aligns with both our vision and mission. It’s why we really like doing it and why our event photography portfolio heavily features events from a handful of non-profit organizations.
We’re excited to have events like these scheduled through May so far. If you are a part of a non-profit organization or work with one who has an event coming up this year, contact us to let us know how we can help you.
by Trish Alegre-Smith
I have worked with many of you who follow my blog and on social media, but I’m not sure how many of you know my story of how I came to be a photographer (aka my “origin story”).
My interview with Amanda Huffman - Airman to Mom was a long overdue follow-up from the first time I met her and contributed to her first book with my story—focused on what I learned from my first deployment after 9/11.
I realized how uncomfortable I had been in the past with sharing personal details but working with Amanda has made it a lot easier. My experiences helped me get to where I am today and hopefully listening to my story will help you feel more comfortable with sharing yours.
By Trish Alegre-Smith
On October 12, 2021, I spoke at the National Military Spouse Network (NMSN) Summit's session on Grant Writing. As the in-house Grants & Proposals Specialist, I gave a behind-the-scenes look on how to "pop the question" and how to get the confidence to do the same. I shared tools and techniques for being successful at running a photography business that have been able to help other organizations. Watch it via the link below!
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by Trish Alegre-Smith
We celebrated our 10th magazine cover photo and feature story photos publication for Ameriforce Media in the June 2021 issue of Military Families Magazine and were also featured in the "Rapid Fire" Q&A section! I loved sharing some photography tips, on-the-job stories, and other wonderful aspects of working as a professional photographer.
Click here to view the article in the June 2021 Military Families Magazine online magazine
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by Trish Alegre-Smith
Click here to view the June 2021 Military Families Magazine online issue
Also in this issue:
Article about Trish Alegre-Smith in June 2021: Rapid Fire - Q&A with Air Force Veteran Turned Photographer
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As an intern I wondered (along with some of our clients) why photos are edited in the first place. And what is the definition of editing? From my understanding, any change to an image taken straight-out-of-camera (SOOC) is editing--whether that be cropping, resizing, or changing the appearance of the picture. Clients require edited photos so that the final product can fit its intended uses. Editing brings out the best in a photo if the limitations of a shoot location prohibited apt lighting or backgrounds. Retouching is a more specific type of editing. Retouching involves the process of manipulating an image to achieve a certain look. Some common uses of this can be removing a temporary scar or acne breakout in "post" if a makeup artist was not available for the photoshoot.
Harrison (Me): What is the editing process like for you? In what order do you go about fixing up the images?
Trish: Before I do anything else, I back up every image—to both my hard drive and a secure offsite location (unless requested otherwise by a client). My initial culling starts with throwing out any photo where the face looks distorted, eyes are closed (and not for emotional effect), and where there are inappropriate photobombs in the background (and the foreground isn’t worth keeping). Sometimes I’ll keep a few “bloopers” to tell the full story of a session.
Then I pick the top 25%. I usually know which ones these are right away as I view a gallery of my images on the monitor. From these I start with my initial edits, correcting for color and adjusting to keep a consistent look--then cut this selection by half.
In my final selections, I go through each one, retouching as required and putting in artistic edits that bring out the subject.
Me: This simple process can take a long time but it’s good to have a set process every time you edit to quickly narrow down the images. This minimizes the amount of pictures that require extra attention for editing or retouching if needed. Do you have a limit on how much retouching you will do?
Trish: I try to keep retouching on people as natural as possible. I retouch anything that is a temporary change/condition (i.e.blemishes, errant hairs, frizzing, small marks, speck on clothing, etc). I work to avoid the “photoshop fail” where you retouch so much that a face or body becomes unrecognizable or unbelievable. You are your brand and we see the beauty in everyone’s uniqueness. Hence our mantra: “So Your Life”.
Me: Everyone has bad days and one day of bad acne or a scab from a minor injury isn’t a permanent feature of you. This retouching helps show the real you and allows you to be proud of your look and what you represent. For a photo of yourself, how much, if any, editing and retouching would you do?
Trish: The same amount of editing and retouching that’s done for our clients. If I had a bad makeup day (because I couldn’t get my makeup artist to retouch me), I fix any mistakes that I made. In summer, I retouch my mosquito bites--especially the ones that inevitably end up in the middle of my forehead.
Me: It’s good to see the same rules apply to you. The power of editing is shown less in the retouching ability, but is more seen in fixing the image to highlight the person of interest and their actions. How much time does it generally take to edit headshots and profile pictures?
Trish: 10-15 minutes per photo, including time to step away and come back to it so as to not overcorrect the image. If backgrounds need to be changed, it takes longer since there’s more to look at to make any changes look seamless. I make sure that private information (e.g. license plates or house numbers) or anything that would flag as inappropriate gets removed.
Me: What is your proudest editing work?
Trish: Retouching photos of loved ones used during memorials or funerals because it means so much to the loved ones who are grieving. Most of the time I’m taking candid photos originally shot on someone’s phone—often extracting only part of an image and replacing a background. None of these photos were ever intended to be enlarged.
Me: These kinds of photos are on display for everyone attending the funeral or memorial and it is the first image friends and families see when they walk in. Grieving for a loved one is a very tough time and it means so much to have a high quality picture of the deceased to be remembered by all. When hiring a third party to edit, how do you decide who to contract the work to?
Trish: I always want a personal referral and a portfolio of their work, so I pay to have them do a few sample images to check if they’re editing the way I edit. I normally use another editor for bulk editing the hundreds of photos we take of events. I do select 25 “hero shots” that I do the final editing for the event.
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These additional editors aren’t used too often but they seem to be vetted carefully to match the style and produce similar final products that match the quality of images that Trish produces.
When it comes to editing, we want to represent your personal brand as well as your personality in its own unique way. The final image conveys a connection to your work and demonstrates the look that you desire and it will be something you are proud of. Schedule a consult with us to learn how you can be the recipient of a final product that portrays the best you through our hard work and dedication to the perfect images.
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Have you checked out our cover photo of America's Vet Dog, Sergeant Cleo? We just got his "pawtograph" of the cover in the mail! So what went on behind-the-scenes? Take a peek with out latest blog post from our summer intern, Harrison:
One hot summer day, I had the opportunity to tag along with Trish and be her assistant on a magazine cover photoshoot with an Air National Guard therapy dog. Between carrying her heavy bags and giving the dog belly rubs, I got to witness the behind-the-scenes of this kind of photoshoot. Before we even arrived some prep work was needed. This was just a little bit of research, figuring out how to obtain clearance to get me on Joint Base Andrews, and bringing the right equipment. We brought two bags in case a lens got dirty or scratched or if a long lens was needed. We also brought a cleaner in case the dog licked the camera and a flash in case more lighting was needed. When we arrived, Trish took some establishing shots from the outside of the Air National Guard Readiness Center (ANGRC) to give context on where the dog worked. We then walked up to the building and were immediately greeted by Sergeant Cleo and part of his team.
Sergeant Cleo is a mix between black lab and golden retriever and was full of energy. He is a therapy dog that is used by the ANGRC’s mental health team. The Reserve and National Guard Magazine wanted to do a cover story featuring him and we were there to take his photos.
As soon as we arrived at the building Trish began taking photos. She took pictures of the building and of the dog right away. The two things we needed today were a cover shot and lots of feature shots for the magazine story. However, the story was not yet written so a wide range of shots would be needed. After taking photos with Sgt. Cleo and his team in the lobby, Trish decided to follow him around for a bit for a day in the life. Walking around the building, Trish found some great lighting spots in the hallways and took some pictures of Cleo with a social distancing sign. In the offices, she slowed the shutter speed on the camera and opened the aperture to allow more light to come in. For the last part of the shoot we went outside to the front of the building during Cleo’s playtime and Trish got a little bit dirty in the grass getting on his level to take shots of him playing with his toys in front of the former Air Force fighter jet out front.
Since this shoot took place during a pandemic, we had a little more work to ensure the safety of everyone involved. We packed wipes and hand sanitizer in our own bags and of course everyone had masks on with the exception of Sgt Cleo. In the initial photo with the team of about ten people, they spaced out on the stairs all facing the same direction--seconds before the picture they removed their masks for a quick smile. When we walked around the building, one person carried a half-gallon hand sanitizer dispenser. Only two people were allowed in each elevator so we took the stairs everywhere.
However, even with masks, there was something distinctive about the change in a person's demeanor when Sgt Cleo came running up to them. His happy face and lolling tongue combined with an intense tail wag made most people’s eyes light up. And you could just tell they had the biggest grin on their face. Cleo’s job was to boost morale and from what we saw, it was working like a charm. Every single floor had cubicles and offices with Cleo "merch" and many airmen had treats or toys for the lucky dog. Toward the end of the day he ran down the chaplain hall and behind some wall we heard someone yell “CLEO!” in excitement--we found him lying down right next to the chaplain.
With the photoshoot done, Trish began her editing process and I learned exactly what goes into a cover shoot and the intricacies of taking pictures of animals. It was cool to see what goes on behind the camera and the steps taken to help take the best images possible. This behind the scenes is different for every type of photoshoot, and each person has their unique method. To get your own photoshoot with Trish, schedule a consult with us today.
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Recently, our summer intern, Harrison, interviewed Trish with some of the most frequently asked questions for portrait sessions:
Q: How do you choose locations and time of day?
A: I prefer to choose locations that mean something to the clients that I’m photographing—a place that ties them to where they live or work. I tend to choose outdoor locations based on seasons. In the fall, I have local park areas that create this incredible cascade of fall leaves that are my signature for fall portraits. In the spring, there are a few places with cherry blossoms that I use for spring portraits unique to northern Virginia.
Harrison: This area has a lot to offer in terms of unique and/or beautiful backgrounds that can provide the perfect place for a portrait. The season depends on location and now, since parks are extremely crowded during the pandemic, the time of day is important to get to places at their least busy hours.
Q: Do you allow pets to be in the photos?
A: Yes! We love pets—for their spontaneity and what they bring to a portrait session.
Harrison: Pets will always bring a level of cuteness to every shot and they are a prominent and dear member of many families and couples.
Q: What are the best poses for the family?
A: The closer that family members can be to each other the better. We put the central subject(s) (whether it’s the parents, grandparents, or children, etc.) in the center and arrange other members around them.
Harrison: The close proximity of the family members definitely exhibits the love for one another. As my mom always used to say, “Come close, act like you love each other.” But in general, Trish wants people to stand as they do naturally, whether that be folded arms, hands on hips, or anything else. Sometimes there will also be leaning poses and it’s important that these feel natural and comfortable because it makes the smiles more genuine.
Q: How do you get the family to look the most natural in portraits?
A: I have a book of “dad jokes”—seriously—to help break the ice if I don’t know the family. If I know them, we usually catch up on what we’ve been up to recently having an “everyday” conversation. To show what I need a family to do in portraits, I’ll play a game of “Simon Says” so that each person can mimic or mirror how I’m posing. It makes it fun even when it’s unfamiliar for them.
Harrison: These kinds of jokes and light-hearted conversations must make the experience far more casual so they feel relaxed and don’t get tired or distracted as easily during the photoshoots. The natural poses really make you feel like the smile isn’t super forced.
Q: What kind of outfits are best for fall shoots?
A: Clothing and accessories in muted and neutral colors are my recommendations so the client stands out amidst the burst of color of fall leaves that I tend to photograph in the fall. We have a stylist that can assist with final outfit selections as well.
Harrison: So the dull color is brought forth despite the vibrant colors all around? And does this mean that clients should wear the same colors or should each family/group member wear slightly different shades?
Q: How many clients do you usually get around this time of year?
A: For portrait sessions, this is my busiest time of year. In previous seasons, I’ve taken over 100 portraits between October through December.
Harrison: Wow. That’s a lot of shoots and thousands of images to go through. Schedules and workload overall must be packed for you. I guess lots of people want their portraits done for their cards before the holidays.
Q: Do clients ever use props or other creative things to put in their pictures?
A: Yes—and they are highly encouraged if an item means something to them or represents their brand (for branding sessions).
Harrison: Props can definitely be used for humor purposes or to make the photo fit in with the backdrop better if there’s some sort of scene going on.
Q: What has been some of your best work with family portraits?
A: When we lived in Germany, there were so many incredible vistas and historic buildings to use as a backdrop for portraits. It was inspiring for both myself and the families that I photographed—and it showed in every photograph.
Harrison: I can imagine all the great locations that Germany has to offer. Holiday cards from over there must outdo most people’s here.
Q: How do you get young children to behave for photos?
A: I don’t. I incorporate their natural reactions in the photos and actually work with the parents to get comfortable with more candid portraits to get the best results.
Harrison: Natural poses definitely allow children to not feel forced and therefore they won’t throw a fit about having to take lots of photos. I know I never liked doing fake poses for thirty minutes waiting for the perfect shot but something normal would give more freedom.
Q: What equipment do you use?
A: I have at least one Canon full-frame camera and a backup in the bag, an 85mm lens and 24-105mm lens, and a flash to use on-camera or off-camera if needed.
Q: How long does it take to edit and send back the photos?
A: Portraits require the most editing in my workflow. To include retouching, it takes us about a week to cull through the photos, edit and retouch as required for the final selections.
Harrison: Wow, that’s a lengthy process. I guess portraits require more background editing as well since there can be distractions or photobombs and the like.
(Additional note from Harrison:When I assisted in a family portrait, I noticed a couple things Trish did. She was constantly engaging with the family and made sure everyone was in a comfortable position. For every location she adjusted the ISO on her camera due to changes in lighting and shifted the subjects over to make sure the setting sun was falling perfectly on their faces. We checked out each photo spot prior to the portrait session to find out exactly where she wanted the family to be positioned. This preparation helped make the whole process far faster.)
There are a lot of aspects to a good portrait. Location, lighting, outfits, and poses all play into creating the right shot. We can be your professional photographer that makes this process simple because we help plan out exactly what you need to build that perfect shot. To plan your portrait session, contact us today.
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Kicking off my favorite month of the year with a guest appearance on Drop and Give Me 20! Listen as we get real about what it's really been like for us over the past year and how we're doing now.
Link on Germono Advertising Company Website
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by Trish Alegre-Smith
My interview with FOB: Financial Operating Base podcast debuted! It’s my first podcast interview of the year—and it shares the turns that I’ve taken during this unusual year to keep the business going. It's Episode 2 of their 3rd season. I discuss my journey of establishing my photography business.
This Memorial Day was unlike any other that I've experienced--and even more so as a photographer here in the D.C. area. At the same time last year, I was photographing the last Rolling Thunder in Washington, D.C. for Ameriforce Media and for my friends who were participating in the event. I thought then that it was a bittersweet Memorial Day weekend as we celebrated the last gathering of its kind that had become a tradition here. Little did I know how different this year would be.
My weekend would normally consist of early days arriving at the war memorials in D.C. before sunrise each day--documenting all of the activities that happen as we remember the fallen. I would greet the National Park Service personnel and volunteers who cleaned the memorial areas of trash (and abandoned scooters) from the daily visitors each morning before the next rush of tourists arrived. I would photograph the different groups who set up temporary exhibits all along the National Mall. I would walk through each one as I read the stories of fallen service members as told by those who knew them best. And I would find camaraderie with my fellow veterans and military families who balanced both celebration and remembrance of those we had lost.
This year was more muted in our remembrance as we didn't have the large public events that mark this weekend in our nation's Capital. We watched the annual National Memorial Day Concert on PBS from our living room as part of "watch parties" on Facebook. Weekend barbecues with our neighbors consisted of bringing out our grills to our driveways and our patio sets to our front yards so that we could see each other from a distance--celebrating "together but apart." We checked in on our friends who recently lost a loved one but couldn't visit the veterans cemetery this weekend and put together remembrance cards to share. And we took the time to remind our kids again what makes Memorial Day both special and important.
What hasn't changed is the time that we've spent together as a family and the time that I've taken to remember this weekend. I once again look back in my archives of the memorials and funerals for veterans that I've been privileged to photograph. And we are still grateful for the sacrifice of our fallen service members, whether killed in action or later in life as a result of their service, as well as the loved ones that they left behind.
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I’m a photographer—and I support other photographers by purchasing their work, attending workshops, and hiring other professionals for our own family portraits at least once a year. But school photos are often images that I either skip buying or find the smallest package that I can get away with.
With our first kid, we bought every photo package that was taken (including the digitals on a CD). We even loved the less than perfect pictures. We ended up having so many prints we didn’t even have enough family and close friends to give all of them to. Then we noticed a difference when our eldest went from daycare and preschool to “big kid” school. The photographers had to take shots of soooooo many more kids in a limited amount of time. Depending on when our kid had her photo taken, her hair and outfit either looked the same as it did at drop-off or she looked like she ran through a windstorm on her way to the photographer. How many of you can relate to this?
I could also tell when she was rushed for her photos and into the poses. Growing up with a photographer at home, she’s used to “modeling” for me when I’m trying new concepts or setting up lighting. She doesn’t need much direction on what to do. So when we get a less-than-flattering photo back we’re not thrilled. Even worse, when we volunteer as parent-helpers on photo days we get to see some of the bad habits of photographers that are trying to get through the volume but have lost touch with (or never learned) the elements of a good portrait. We have seen and connected with some really great photographers at our kids’ schools (and have purchased their photos) but we’ve unfortunately had our share of those who are not.
So then it was our turn to take on a school picture day after another photographer canceled and couldn’t reschedule. Most of our experience with high-volume photography is with corporate headshots. On the other hand, most of our experience with children’s portraits are during our family portrait sessions. So we had to merge both types of experiences to come up with school picture days that both parents and kids would like.
We set up three days with a 3-4 hour photo window each day and one makeup day the following week to cover 80+ preschool students. It gave us just enough time that we didn’t feel a need to rush a child through any of the poses.
We did have our share of challenges:
Despite all of the challenges, our reward came from the sweet smiles and heartwarming photos we coaxed out of our shyest little clients. It made all of our work worth it and showed me that school photos can be as great as our private portrait sessions. Whenever we could we adjusted hair, outfits, and poses to get the best possible photos. we enlisted the help of teachers and volunteers to get the best reactions out of the kids and to make them feel more comfortable in front of the camera and the lights (which can be incredibly bright). We wanted to treat these kids with the same care we give our corporate clients—even literally holding their little hands when they needed reassurance.
If you could plan the ideal school picture day for your child, wouldn’t you want it to be like this too?
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I realized that in the past five years since we offered seasonal family portrait sessions for our clients, I’ve never written about our experience here in our blog. Surprisingly, we encounter some of our most stressed and worried clients when booking our family portrait sessions. Between the unpredictability of the weather (for our outdoor sessions) and the same level of unpredictability from my littlest subjects, parents can be a bit frazzled trying to get ready for the shoot.
Family photo sessions push me creatively and keep me on my toes throughout each session. My first priority is to relieve as much stress as I can from the beginning and show our families how fun family photos can be. Most of our family sessions are under 30 minutes and we usually get our best shots within the first 15 minutes (when everyone is fresh). It’s enough time so a family doesn’t seem rushed but short enough that I can keep everyone’s attention and enthusiasm going.
So how does an “imperfect” photo end up as “the shot” you use on your holiday cards or share with family and friends?
The most important thing for us is that each and every family member leave one of our sessions feeling great about our time together—and the results that they see in the final photos. Their photos should remind them of happy moments from that day and not the stress of getting their photos taken. Think about when you grab candid family photos on your phone—do you focus most on what you were wearing that day or what you were feeling and doing?
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Step 1. The First Date: Also known as the moment that I first meet the potential client(s), this first contact can happen: at a professional networking event; at a scheduled consult following a referral from a current client or finding us online; bumping into me while I’ve taken my office mobile (I’m writing this at my local public library in between appointments); or meeting me at one of our on-location events. Photography is an art form and artists produce our best work when we connect with our subject. The client also has to find out if I’m the photographer that understands and can ultimately visualize their story and its message. This step may take more than one meeting and involve many messages back and forth. If it turns out that I’m not the right fit I offer names of other photographers that may be a better choice for a client’s needs.
Step 2. The Storyboard: For me this is where the fun part of the process begins. With our client we take a closer look at the story and figure out what it should look like in a series of visual images. One of the most popular ways to do this is to use Pinterest boards to pull examples from across different websites. I also use an actual board in my office to “pin” ideas from industry and local magazines where clients may extend their marketing or look to be featured. This step can easily take a couple weeks if not a couple months depending on how many final images and looks the client needs.
Step 3. The Plan: Anyone who really knows me can tell you that I always operate with a plan and a schedule—and it's the hardest thing for me to let go of planning while on vacation. Visual branding sessions can be as simple as being shot in-studio with just the client and myself. Most sessions involve hair styling, makeup, several clothing changes, lighting, props and multiple locations. Planning keeps both the client and myself on schedule and helps the client budget for what their business needs today versus what it can afford in the future. We do plan multiple sessions over time for most of our clients to ensure fresh visual content and to spread cost.
Step 4. The Session(s): The time finally arrives to execute all of the plans and see for ourselves how our preparation has paid off. There should be very few surprises (if any) during the session helping clients feel more comfortable in front of the camera when it’s their time to shine. We’ve used the first three steps to build trust in each other—when I make adjustments during the session the client trusts that it’s in keeping with the overall look and vision. Personally this is my favorite step in the entire process because it’s the first time that I get to see how everything we have envisioned comes together in my viewfinder.
Step 5. The Polish: We narrow down all of the photos taken to the top selections from the sessions. We then edit the photos so that they reflect the overall look, feel, and style that the client is looking for in online presence and marketing materials. I’ll also suggest photos for a particular use that fit the storyline and templates provided for websites or print. This step can take anywhere from a week through a month depending on the volume of photos taken and customization required for the final images.
Step 6. The Delivery: For our clients, this is when all of the hard work comes together and is actualized. They get to see and use the final products and we get to celebrate with them when we see our work published.
Do you have a visual brand or images that convey who you are? Does your business have a visual story that shows what it does and what makes it unique from others in the same industry? It’s never too late (or too early) to start putting a visual brand together. Take the first step of thinking about what your ideal visual brand and photos would look like if you started in a new position or launched a new service/product today.
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It can be a time-consuming process working on your website, social media accounts, and preparing your marketing materials. You may be so busy that choosing photos which keep your visual story consistent across platforms is low on your priority list. So where do you start? Here's what I recommend:
1. Get your Headshot(s). You are the face behind your business so make sure that it is featured. If you have top team members who back you up make sure that they are featured too. Keep the background, lighting, and posing for the headshots consistent for your team. Use the same headshots for: profile photos; on your “About” and “Meet Our Team” descriptions; and in your marketing (e.g. business cards).
2. Plan ahead to Photograph your Events. From professional conferences to local community engagement or meetings that you host there are opportunities to take photos of you and your team in action. The ideal situation is a public event or well-publicized conference so that you can tie into other publicity for these events (e.g. posting your photos on social media with event hashtags) where photos and posting are actively encouraged. You can use these photos as "action" shots in your blog posts describing your experience or involvement in an event. Also think about using these in your "About" description on your website (sharing what you do well or as an example of your client base). Like your headshots make sure that these photos feature you and your team. If your photos include others make sure that you have their express permission to use them. (Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and I do not offer legal advice on how to have correct permissions for photo use. Consult with your legal resources for appropriate guidance).
3. If plans in Step 2 fall through, put together a Photo Session Where You Work. This is a great option that lets you have the most control over how your photos look and allows you to take your time. The photo above is of me (sans the glam) that shows you exactly how I look when I'm working in my studio or on location. I'm posed in front of one of my portable headshot backdrops using natural lighting to demonstrate one of my many techniques and poses. Your setup can be as simple as this and still be effective at conveying your message. Planned sessions like these can give you photos that are ideal for your website and social media account banners and headers as well as your printed marketing materials.
4. Use your images in short marketing videos. There are many options (some even free) to put together your still images (i.e. photos) into a marketing video that's under a minute long. You can upload this video on your website and post it in your social media. This is one thing that can help you stand out from the crowd and really weave together a consistent story or message in a succinct way.
All of these are options to get you started if you're looking to stand apart from others in your industry. It would give you more images to choose from (other than stock photos) and personalize your online presence and marketing to feature you and your brand.
]]>L is for “letting go.” For one day we can give ourself a “pass” in criticizing all of the little mistakes we make as experience teaches us what we need to learn to be better—in our profession or business. We can stop looking at all the flaws in photos of ourselves and look at the features that make us unique and embrace them.
O is for "opportunities." Instead of tackling a challenge this week it’s time to look for any new opportunities to grow personally this week. Whether it’s reading a book, taking a class, visiting a new place, or trying a new exercise there’s one opportunity out there to give you a fresh perspective.
V is for “value your time.” How many of us work late or get up early to fit one more hour to get work done. Make time for yourself this week (aim for one hour) to do something that you “want” to do and not “have” to do. Bonus points if it has nothing to do with meeting a goal.
E is for “enjoyment.” The most important part of showing ourself extra care is finding the joy that we forget to look for day-to-day. Our mind should find rest or elation for a small period of time so that we can recharge ourselves.
So what's one way to see if you have been showing yourself some LOVE this week? Take random photos throughout the day as you go through your activities. At the end of the week take a peek at your camera roll and see what you've been up to. What story do those pictures tell? Do they tell you that you took some time for yourself this week?
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What makes photos you post for your business or your professional brand different than your personal photos?
Those that have followed my work over the past few years know that I’ve spent much of that time living in Germany—and picked up a few things. One cultural difference you learn working there is that even though you may not enjoy every aspect of work—even when you’re doing what you love—you put your head down and get through it. Then you give yourself time to relax or celebrate afterward. Generally you talk about and do only work while at the office—saving what we as Americans would consider “watercooler chat” for after work hours.
So how does this saying apply to photos for your professional branding? This comes down to the story that you want to tell. Your profession or business may have started with you and have a big part of yourself in the brand. However, this isn’t necessarily the same “side” (warts and all) that your closest family and friends get to see. You want your clients to get to know you but you may want them to see you in a certain way.
So how do you make this happen?
Photos that define your professional brand require more research and a lot more planning than your personal and family photos. You’re also sharing your story with a different audience and need to craft your images to match that story. We all work on this over time and make changes as our service or product evolves—including me. So take a look at what you have now and make a plan to improve what you have.
]]>"What should I wear?" This is the first and most frequently asked question from our clients when we schedule and plan their headshots. For many their go-to ensemble is their “power suit”—the dark blue, black, or grey suit paired with a crisp, white, collared dress shirt and tipped off with a tie or scarf. Sound familiar? It’s a safe choice—and as long as it fits well this look works for most. However, you don’t need to tie yourself down into thinking this is the only way to go.
Take a look at your closet and start putting together work ensembles that coordinate and you think would make you look your best. Not only would you need these for your next headshot but also is a great way to organize your work wardrobe for important interviews, meetings, and networking events.
]]>There are quite a few "firsts" that as event photographers we get to document for our clients. One of these events is a shower for a couple's first baby. This wasn't our first baby shower that we've shot but it reminds us that common elements can be found across each event.
1. Mom-to-Be or Parents-to-Be (for a coed shower) are the feature of the event--and most of the photos should include them with either their guests, their gifts, or the games. It's tempting to take wide-angle photos that take in the entire scene of the party. Of course you want to remember how everything in a scene looked to share with their child when they're older (or with family members who can't be there). However, the reason for the celebration can get lost when you try to put too many things into one picture.
Most of the photos should have the mom-to-be/parents-to-be with a focus on their face(s). It's their reactions to the activity around them and well wishes received that most family and friends really want to see.
When a wider shot is taken, place the mom-to-be/parents-to-be in the center of the scene or in a place where it's clear to the observer that they are interacting with their guests.
2. The "Not-To-Miss" shots are the opening of the baby gifts. We're always amazed at the originality behind gifts from guests at baby showers. From how a gift is wrapped to what guests find that isn't on the registry, there's no limit to the level of "cuteness" during these moments. Baby gifts are actually our favorite time to have the camera out during the shower.
The shot of a newborn "onesie" on top of mom-to-be's stomach is a classic that most moms like to have.
Capture the look on a parent-to-be's face as he or she is reading a card from a guest. A smile, laugh, or tear is usually guaranteed.
If a guest is willing, have them sit next to the parent-to-be as his or her gift is being opened so that parents can remember who gave the gift for "thank you" notes later (and include the photo with the note).
3. We can't forget about centerpieces. Friends and family who host baby showers put a lot of effort into the small touches like centerpieces, cakes, table setup, games, etc. Especially for handmade items make sure to take detailed shots of each item to include in the shower's photos. It shows appreciation for the creators of these unique pieces and allows parents-to-be to revisit the care and effort that went into making their celebration special.
4. Plan group shots of guests with Mom-to-Be or Parents-to-Be. Friends and family--most of the time--like having a shot with the mom-to-be or parents-to-be as a souvenir. We like taking these shots on our cameras and also offering to take a quick shot on a guest's camera. Most guests are not comfortable having candid photos of themselves posted on social media but they don't mind posed and composed photos (that they approve of) being used to celebrate the event.
Most importantly, if you're hosting the shower try to get someone else to take the photos. A professional event photographer (like us) is perfect for making sure that every moment is captured as the guest(s) of honor would like it.
]]>From December through March we get a lot of cold, grey, and wet weather in our part of the world. It makes for less than desirable conditions for our portrait clients. This season we ramped up our in-studio shooting and just wrapped a spring product marketing shoot for one of our favorite clients--Caitlin Hoffman, Senior Consultant at Thirty-One Gifts.
Caitlin is a military spouse who moved her business for a second time over a year ago (and first time overseas like us). We’ve watched her business grow since the first time we took her headshots here. In this session we wanted to capture the confidence and passion that she had for her products and give her images that she could use in her marketing materials.
Like most of our small business clients she overcame numerous challenges to succeed. We’re happy that we can be a small part of that journey and document that success visually for her.
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This couple were up for anything--and had fun with their portraits even though it was chilly and windy outside.
There were happy tears all around as this couple reconnected for the first time after a long deployment.
Parents don't often get a chance to have pictures as a couple. This photo was the first formal photo for this couple together since their kids were born.
You can't tell from this portrait that their kids were playing and running around with boundless energy behind the photographer. These two only had eyes for each other--and the look on their faces tell you everything you need to know.
From senior portraits to professionals' headshots the two biggest hurdles that I face with my clients are:
Ewing's Sarcoma is a cancerous bone tumor that occurs most commonly during puberty, when bones are growing rapidly (Source: Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, John Hopkins Medicine).
Pediatric cancers are not linked to genetics or family history.
It is the number one cause of death by disease in children.
60% of children who survive will suffer effects later in life to include infertility, heart failure and secondary cancers.
(Source: CureSearch for Children's Cancer.)
Despite the intensive treatment (to include chemotherapy and upcoming tumor removal), Leighton has managed to keep his family's spirits up as well as his own through this challenging time. He's fortunate to have health insurance that covers the cost of his care. So in celebration of his birthday month--which coincides with Child Cancer Awareness Month--he wants his family and friends to help raise awareness for Ewing Sarcoma and childhood cancers. One of the ways was through the #gogoldforleighton photo project.
Of course the photographers in our group--both hobbyists and pros--jumped on this. Our images are posted in the private Facebook group for Leighton. Those of us with public social media profiles have also shared the images created. We'll curate the entire portfolio of images on our website's gallery at the end of the month. The purpose of this project is to inspire and raise awareness for Childhood Cancer through the month of September.
If just one more person becomes motivated to learn more about Childhood Cancer and do something to help spread the facts or find a cure then we would have given Leighton the only gift he wanted from us this year. If you would like to make a donation towards pediatric cancer treatment for other in Leighton's name you can go to his page in Birthday's for St. Jude.
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First Course: Tortellini in Broth with Parmesan Tuiles.
This was the first time that I ever had tortellini in a clear broth. For a summer meal it was the perfect first course--light with plenty to bite into. The tuiles were the perfect complement--delicate in structure but strong in flavor.
As I was setting up this shot I started getting tips from experienced commercial and food photographer turned traveling chef, Rosie Goodman. She was sitting across from me at the table and was watching me composing the photo. She had me come in very tight to the dish (not concentrating on shooting the entire thing) and focus on just one element that caught my eye. In the case of the first course it was the parsley. The effect was textbook perfect for a food photo.
Second Course: Chicken Paillard and Fresh Salad
Simple but good. Can you guess what I focused on for this shot?
Dessert Course: Semi-Fredo Citrus and Limoncello Dessert (Custard Base)
Timing was everything for this course. It had to be plated and served quickly (not quite ice cream but needed to be served cold to keep its texture) so I didn't have a lot of time to set up and take this shot. I focused on the Amaretto cookies sprinkled across the top for this dessert. The simplicity of this plating is deceiving since it takes a lot of care in preparation to make the perfect custard.
This was my first time working on food photography. I couldn't have asked to have a better experience--working with a friend and then with direction with a photographer with over three decades of international experience in the commercial field (working with an agency out of New York). It was an impromptu photography workshop and dinner out all rolled into one.
You never know what chance meeting may bring you. Sometimes you don't need to look for opportunities--sometimes they find you.
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These tips don't just apply to those of us who are living away from our home country or hometown. My neighbors like hearing about and seeing photos of our life in the States. You should take the time to photograph those everyday moments with your home, your neighborhood, and your hometown as the backdrop. It's as simple as grabbing whatever camera you have and just committing to taking a few snaps a day.
]]>Do you own a home-based business? Please share below in the comments on what your workday looks like.
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Different ways of lining up a group for a portrait are one way to make you stand out from the crowd.
How about yelling a cheer instead of a standard smile?
What about including the scene or background as an equal part of the portrait?
A few other things to think about when eating up a group portrait:
There are general rules of thumb that you can follow for taking a group photo but don't let that keep you from making your group show why it's more than just a collection of faces.
]]>This is a question I get asked at least once a week from potential clients who view my headshot portfolio.
I have posted a couple shots from my iPhone of the spring flowers blooming in my portrait garden (otherwise known as my backyard). One of my Facebook fans asked how I could get that look where the flower in front (foreground or center) is completely in focus while the rest of the scene (background) is slightly out of focus (effect also known as bokeh).
The photos in this post were taken with my iPhone 6 (for some truly incredible photos from around the world also see this iPhone 6 gallery). I don't use any digital zoom. I also used the Camera app that is installed when purchased and made no additional edits to these photos.
I moved my iPhone very close to the flower that I wanted featured. I then tapped on the screen for the specific area that I wanted in focus. Most times I had to move the iPhone forward and back until I was at the right focal length to get the camera to focus on the flower that I wanted. During this entire time I'm checking my screen for composition--does it look like the picture that I want to take?
This type of shot takes regular practice to consistently shoot well. It also adds proof that it isn't the equipment that makes a photographer as much as our skill at using our equipment to create memorable images.
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This choice has not been an easy one while being assigned with my husband in Europe. The agreement with our host nation that allows me to live and continue to operate my business over here has a number of unique requirements (see the attached graphic).
I have always preferred (as well as most of my clients) shooting on-location. My current restrictions just make this a non-negotiable requirement for operating my business. I've also pursued a lot more freelance work than I expected.
Despite the challenges and restrictions I still think of myself as fortunate that I'm still working. The ability of a military spouse to run a business overseas is determined by both the host nation and the local installation. It took almost 12 weeks but I jumped for joy when I finally got my letter from our base that my license to operate as a Home Based Business was approved. There are locations overseas where this isn't an option at all.
So I have no excuses for keeping on track with my second main goal for 2015--bookings!
Are you also an American operating a home-based business overseas? What are some of your unique challenges that you've had? Please post in the comments below.
]]>As I get ready for another Christmas Pageant this year with my eldest I have sound bytes from Christmas songs dancing in my head. Instead of trying to block them out I found it easier to just go with it for this week's blog post.
With the "Twelve Days of Christmas" in mind and the end of 2014 looming I looked back on the top twelve takeaways from getting my start as a photographer here in Germany:
12 Months of Festivals: If there's a reason to celebrate there's a festival that makes it happen. This time of year the Weinachtmarkts or Christmas Markets can be found in many cities and villages through the beginning of January. Day or night there are local vendors, food, music and decorations that easily fill my camera's frame. There's no shortage of subject material, just a shortage of time to get to it all.
11 Digits For My Phone Number: And this doesn't include the country code. And it isn't necessarily the same for anyone else's phone number here. I did a little dance when I finally memorized my own phone number. I completely depend on my contact list for everyone else's number.
10 Wineries Within a Short Driving Distance: These are just the ones that I've discovered so far. I've captured stunning landscapes that have changed with the season with a short detour up a local or country road.
9 Months of Overcast Skies: There are some days that I wish this were an exaggeration. Despite the temperate climate in south Germany the rain that makes the forests and fields so green can cast a sense of gloom all around. I'm grateful for all of the windows and overhead lighting in my house--keeps my energy up throughout the day. And I've learned from the landscape photographers here the importance of filters when you can't wait for the skies to clear on a shoot.
8 Hours a Night to Recharge: I have many days that I push late into the night and get up before dawn just to get caught up with work. But eventually the exhaustion sets in and my productivity and creativity slow down. I now try to get off of all electronic devices just after my grade-schooler goes to bed and I don't check them again until an hour before my first kid wakes up in the morning.
7 Hours of Winter Daylight to Work With: This is balanced out in the summer with an almost sixteen hour window of light daily. It's forced me to rework my shooting schedule and work more on my lighting techniques.
6 Months to Settle In: This is the amount of time it took for me to feel like most of the pieces in this new stage of my life have finally come together. It's the first time that I feel like I have a firm footing as to what I'm doing and where I'm going in 2015.
5 Hours of Internet a Day: One of the only drawbacks in living in a quaint German village in the southern countryside is a slow internet connection for most of the day. I get about five reliable hours a day--with a longer window on the weekends. My office hours tend to revolve around these window.
4 Types of Batteries: This is what I carry around on average in my camera bag--especially on a shoot. Just glad that most of my equipment was dual voltage before moving here. Everything else I've moved to being powered on rechargeable batteries (dual voltage chargers) which has made it easier to bring my equipment wherever I want to shoot.
3 Different Currencies: What you'll find in my wallet at any given time with the amount of travel I've done and the upcoming travel that I've planned for this year. Being here it's just a short drive, plane or train ride to another country.
2 Continents to Work From: I've continued to see the clients that have supported me all through this move on my trips back to the U.S. And I've slowly started building my client base here in Europe with both Americans living abroad and locals.
1 Experience of a Lifetime: The challenges here are trivial in comparison to the opportunities of being in a new place and out of my "comfort zone". I wouldn't wish for my life to be any other way--I just take each day as it comes and put the rewards ahead of the disappointments.
This is a good time to take a look back on what you've done but don't take too long to dwell on them. Just find the lessons you need to take with you and chart your path for the coming year. Read my next blog post for what I have in store for 2015:)
1. I'm thankful for the support of my American clients back home. My past clients have been my "cheering squad" and built the network that has kept my business going through my move. Their support on Facebook, Twitter, and via personal referrals has been a gift that I never expected but I'm happy to have received. What really surprised me was how many of my clients had connections here in Germany even though their businesses operated solely in the U.S.
2. I'm thankful for the time that local photographers, artists, and business owners have spent getting to know me and welcoming me into their community. I'm the "new kid on the block" and I'm not expected to spend more than a couple years on this side of the Atlantic. I was hopeful yet unsure of how I was going to be received. It's taken some time just to be good acquaintances (an adjustment from the speed of American networking events) but it has been well worth the relationships being created.
3. Finally, I'm thankful for my family and friends who have supported me as I build my business in another country. This move has required more flexibility from ourselves and our family's support network than any other single event so far in our lives. Something as simple as a kind message or as difficult as some tough love have kept me on track despite all of the worries, self-doubt, and unexpected challenges that I've encountered.
Thank you for reading my blog and following me on my latest adventure! I hope you're spending this weekend with your own friends and family. And if you're heading out for holiday shopping remember to support your local or online small businesses:)
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