The Little Crown Photography

What inspired you to become a photographer?
What first inspired be to become a photographer was the simple ability to take a good picture of something very small, specifically a lady bug. I started taking pics in and around my house and never thought I'd become a family/wedding photographer. As I learned how to use my camera more, I fell more in love with photography. I found out recently that an ancestor of mine was a photographer and even made his own camera! So it kinda runs in my blood. The
thing that inspires me most now is that photography is the only way you can stop time -- you can literally hold memories in your hand. 

What is your style of photography?
I don't think I have much of a style! I like clean shots, with the glow of sunset light. I like nature as a backdrop if possible. Being an Arizona native I love shooting in the desert with mesquite and mountains. 

Who is your favorite to shoot?
I love it all! I love the challenge of newborns, I love the playfulness and smiles of children, I love capturing memories that family's will have for a lifetime and I love the fast-paced, hard work that goes into shooting weddings. Each and every single one of these leads back to what inspires me most: stopping and capturing moments for people. 

Which of your images do you love the most and why?
Aside from all of the above, I also love journalism style photography. I've been working for years on a collection of images from my hometown, a small mining town in Southern Arizona. These images are my favorite because there is a deep story behind them and they intertwine with my roots. 

Do you have a dream location that you would love to shoot at?
London or Paris would be fun
 
Name one thing that you think sets you apart from other photographers?
I never think about what sets me apart from other photographers, I only try to be the best I can be!
 
What are the top three things you wished you knew when you started your business?
First, I wish I valued my editing time more in the beginning. You can't edit 100 pictures for family sessions, it's just too much! Second, it's OK to let clients see negatives! Give clients an option on choosing pictures they like, which may differ from what you like. I used think that my favorites were always gonna be their favorites too, which isn't always the case! Third, I wish I knew how helpful it is to have assistants on hand!
 
What advice would you give to those starting out?
Keep shooting, keep your camera handy and ready to shoot at all times. Share your work, get critiqued! Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. 

What's your most prized camera piece?
My "Big Mama" lens, a Canon L-series 70-200 2.8 

Do you prefer Lightroom, Elements or Photoshop?
I prefer Lightroom + Photoshop
 
Favorite editing style-
A love a sun-kissed look, wispy light with peachy or muted blue tones. 

Random Fact about you-
Photography is not my only love! I also also love nail polish and blog about it on Cute n' Easy Nail Designs: www.cuteneasynaildesigns.com
The Little Crown Photography is located in Tempe, Arizona.
Find TLCP on FACEBOOK and WEB.
Contact TLCP  through email at [email protected]
 
 

S*Lemons Photography

What inspired you to become a photographer?  
I've always had a passion for photography, even at a young age. My mother was a photographer and I've been in the modeling industry... So seeing all the ins and outs of what happens from in front of the camera inspired me to learn more about what went on behind it also. Growing up I always had a camera on me, my mother at a
young age would buy me those disposable camera's (before digital age) and would have me practice and takes photos of what I thought was interesting. At the Age of 22 I bought my first DSLR and began the road to learning all it's capabilities inside and out. I have two children so it was always fun for me to photograph them and watch them grow, being able to capture all these moments myself was amazing. Starting out I wasn't perfect , but I strived everyday to learn how to photograph correctly in natural light! In  the year 2008 I began a VERY scary adventure… Starting my own business!  I started out photographing outdoors in natural light, I did this for 5 years until May 2013 when I opened my doors to a Studio, MY OWN STUDIO! Such a thrilling, yet unbelievably SCARY, adventure to a new step in building my ever growing business! I’m so completely blessed to have the support of my family, friends, town, and clients (new and old)!  Being able to give beautiful images to my clients and create pieces of art on their walls that mean the world to them is such a amazing feeling! I find my self going to the store, bank, or just in town and running into people I have photographed, or future client perspectives, and getting the most amazing feedback from them! It warms my heart and lets me know that not only is my job and career my PASSION, but other people can see the joy that I have through my photos! Each session is treated with such delicateness, getting to know the client and preparing for their individual sessions. Family, Maternity, Newborn, Children, High School Seniors & Weddings~ Let me be the photographer to capture your memories of a lifetime!
 
What is your style of photography?
One could say my style is candid at times, emotional at others, yet always artistic with a fresh perspective. 

Who is your favorite to shoot?
 
Which of your images do you love the most and why?
I love newborns and children the most, being able to capture that innocence , and that childhood carefree joy. The smile of a child warms the heart and soul. 

Do you have a dream location that you would love to shoot at?
I would absolutely LOVE to shoot in Paris among the couture gowns, included with exotic animals. High fashion and artistic!
 
Name one thing that you think sets you apart from other photographers?
I believe my love for my job sets me apart, I generally LOVE what I do. There is a saying that says If you truly love you're job, you'd do it without pay. And that's
exactly me!
 
What are the top three things you wished you knew when you started your business? 
To be successful. For people to see my passion trough my images and to one day own my own studio!
 
What advice would you give to those starting out?
Learn your camera, Learn the do's and don'ts of photography, and learn how to adequately use Photoshop, Elements, or Lightroom before you start charging. When you first start out you want to WOW your clients! I have grown so much even while having my business...
 

What's your most prized camera piece?
My 18-250 Macro Zoom Lens
 
Do you prefer Lightroom, Elements or Photoshop? 
Photoshop CS6 but I have been known to mix, using Photoshop and Elements together...
 
Favorite editing style-
 I don't actually know if I have a FAV editing style...I do love when I can be creative with a photo and layer images together to make one amazing final product!

Random Fact about you-
 Random fact about me is that I'm scared every day of failing!
 
What inspired you to become a photographer?
There is an array of different things that inspired me to be become a photographer! My Kids, Nature, animals, people... I always made it a point to have a point and shoot camera, I took it every where I went, especially before kids, I wanted to document everything! I always had a different view of things through a camera, I like capturing things in a way that people have not ever seen them! When I had kids, I loved photographing things like my daughters curls, my sons beautiful eyes.. but not just those things, I wanted to document everything! All in all, it's my kids that keep me going, watching them grow and knowing that I will have these amazing images that document their lives makes all this worth it! Turning this into a career has been a dream come true.

What is your style of photography?
My style is very much inspired by the family I am photographing at that time- so I would say that my style is connected. I would also consider myself a lifestyle photographer. It's really important to me to be present during the photo sessions, to bring my heart and soul to the session and connect with my subject and tell the story of their relationships. I love to make images that tell the story of who a person is, my favorite images are often of customers I have known for a long time
because I develop a relationship with the child and then communicate who they are through photographs! To me, the creative process of achieving a great image
is a collaborative effort between myself and the subject.

Who is your favorite to shoot? 
Oh goodness, that's a hard one! They are all my favorite in different ways. But, if I has to choose one I guess it would be children, you can capture so much character in children's session!

Which of your images do you love the most and why? 
I have many but my favorites are the up close facial profiles!

Do you have a dream location that you would love to shoot at?
I want to shoot a Disneyland or Disneyworld before it opens (weird I know) or Europe!

Name one thing that you think sets you apart from other photographers?
My style, I want my images to be as unique as I am! I have lengthy conversations with clients before their shoots so I can combine my style and their personality together! 

What are the top three things you wished you knew when you started your business?
There were many things that I wished I had known. Probably the biggest were: 1) Set your pricing, even when starting out, at a level to ensure reasonable workload and income. 2) Early on, try to find a group of photographers, online or locally, for mutual learning and support—it’s invaluable. 3) Actively block out time for your personal life, family and kids.

What advice would you give to those starting out?
Be yourself, use inspiration but make it yours, put your work into the photograph! Also, learn the ways of photography before you start charging or making it a profession, put your camera on manual and learn!

What's your most prized camera piece?
Definitely my Nikon D600 and my 50mm 1.4 

Do you prefer Lightroom, Elements or Photoshop?  
Elements11

Favorite editing style-
Simple, clean, Elegant

Random Fact about you-
I was mauled by an Australian Shepard when I was two and the doctor said I would I would never have a normal face and that I would need reconstructive surgery when I turned 18!  I'm 27 and my face is normal with a few scars!

K.Rathbun Photography is located in Montague, Texas
Find KRP on Facebook
Contact K.Rathbun by email: [email protected]

 

Stephanie Patton Photography 

What inspired you to become a photographer? I'm not sure if one certain thing inspired me. Both of my grandmother's ALWAYS have a camera in their hands every time I see them and I inherited that from them! As far back as I can remember, I always had a camera when I was going to family events or out with friends; I always wanted to capture the moments.

What is your style of photography? I would say my style is natural with a touch of nostalgia. I love to shoot outdoors with natural light whenever possible and when I edit I try to enhance my subjects features.

Who is your favorite to shoot? (newborns, children, family, weddings etc.) Newborns are hands down my favorite! All my babies aren't technically babies anymore, so that gives me the chance to cuddle new babies! A new life is one of the most precious things in the world.

Which of your images do you love the most and why? I'm not sure if I honestly have a favorite image. Each image means something to me and reminds me of a specific time in my profession, which is special to me in its own way. I like looking back through my portfolio and seeing how much I've grown.
Do you have a dream location that you would love to shoot at?  I would love to shoot somewhere tropical like Hawaii, somewhere with old castles like Ireland and then Paris of course!

Name one thing that you think sets you apart from other photographers?  I'm very laid back.  I've noticed a lot of people think because you're a professional, you can't be yourself.  I disagree.  I'm always myself and I've noticed it puts my clients at ease and we always have fun at sessions.

What are the top three things you wished you knew when you started your business?
  How to shoot in manual, photography isn't as easy as everyone thinks
and camera gear is VERY expensive!

What advice would you give to those starting out?  Take your time, learn your equipment, learn to shoot in manual and don't be afraid to ask others for questions or advice. 

What's your most prized camera piece? Canon 24-105mm 4.0L lens

Do you prefer Lightroom, Elements or Photoshop?  Photoshop

Favorite editing style-I like to keep it simple and natural for the most part and add a little touch of a vintage feel to my images.

Random Fact about you-I'm 6ft 2!
Stephanie Patton Photography is located in Lake Jackson, Texas.
Find SPP on FACEBOOK and WEB.
Contact SPP through EMAIL or PHONE 832-622-3401


 
Woo-Hoo! How exciting we get to see a new photographer every Friday from now on but to start this off with one very talented lady just makes this even better. I came across Ashley Crawford Photography's Facebook page through mine and what caught my eye was her "Hello There" default image. Clicked on the link and ta-da, I fell in love. It's not the standard stand here, smile and snap. Her work looks so free and in the moment. Her work is eye candy! So lets be in awe together as we check out her work and start stalking her Facebook page.

Ashley Crawford Photography

What inspired you to become a photographer?
     I definitely never set out to become a photographer, it really all fell into
place and came from a love of editing. Essentially, I needed photos to work on!
It evolved into what it is now by being surrounded by the beautiful
relationships I am so lucky to encounter.

What is your style of photography?
     I would describe my style as a little dreamy, sort of colorful and very fun.

Who is your favorite to shoot? (newborns, children, family, weddings etc.)
     My favorite type of session would have to be engagement. I am most inspired by the love I get to witness by just hanging out with a couple.

Which of your images do you love the most and why?
     Personally, my favorite images are of my daughter. But of course, I'm a little biased! Professionally, there is a photo of a mother and her two sons that gets me every time. I'm not even sure I can put my finger on it and it's certainly not the most technically correct photo I've ever taken. Something about her face is just pure love and pride to me.

Do you have a dream location that you would love to shoot at?
     Living in Nebraska, I dream of taking photos on a BEACH! Otherwise, I would love to photograph a couple in Rome. It felt very romantic to me when I was there so I think that would really be a beautiful place to showcase that emotion.

Name one thing that you think sets you apart from other photographers?
     My overbearing emotions! Can definitely be a strong point or a weak point. I have never not cried at a wedding and I often tear up in newborn sessions. I develop an emotional connection to my subjects extremely easily.

What are the top three things you wished you knew when you started your business?
     Keep track of EVERYTHING. Business is business and friendships are
friendships. They do not always mix successfully. That Lightroom existed.

What advice would you give to those starting out?
     Don't let other photographers condescend you! Teaching is one thing but the negativity in this business can be so discouraging. There are people with real talent that are talked out of it before even starting and I find that sad. Shoot everything. Find a rock-solid contract and use it.

What's your most prized camera piece? 
     My brand new 5D Mark iii is incredible but the 50mm 1.2L is still my best
investment. I fall in love with it over and over again.

Do you prefer Lightroom, Elements or Photoshop?
     LIGHTROOM. Photoshop is great and has it's own set of strengths but Lightroom is the workhorse! Talk about a time saver.

Favorite editing style- Ethereal + candid.

Random Fact about you-
People with fake animal heads on. Absolutely
terrifying.

Ashley Crawford Photography is located in the Omaha, Nebraska
Find ACP on FACEBOOK and WEB.
Contact ACP through EMAIL or PHONE at (402) 415-8756