***All images in this post are copyright  Tara Whitney.***

 

NEXT WEEK: Jessica Claire

 

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as i do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...



You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!
 

Tara, You are a person who is amazingly soulful and beautiful in the way you approach family and life and love.  It seems that you had a time in your career that made you really rediscover that philosophy.  I think it's safe to say that your journey to this moment has immensely blessed so many women who are inspired by your ablility to find joy in family, life, and love. Thanks so much for being here on Women and Business!

 

 

You are a mom and wife.  How many kids do you have and what are their ages?  How long have you been married?

I have known my husband Jeff since the fourth grade, but we didn’t start dating until high school. This November we will have been together for seventeen years. We have four children. Mckenna (14), Drew (12), Nate (10), and Anna (7). One thing that makes our family different than most is that our daughter Mckenna was born with an undiagnosed neurological disorder that causes severe delays in speech and development. So, I don’t have a typical fourteen-year-old daughter. Hormones yes. Boys and unlimited texting no.

 

What is the best thing about being a mom for you?

Simply being in the presence of these four people every day and having the pleasure of knowing them for their entire lives. The joy of being able to train them and raise them up to be people that eventually go out into this world and continue on our life story is something that blows my mind on a regular basis. Talking to them and listening and learning about who they are. Being able to grab them and squeeze them in my arms and nuzzle right under their chins with kisses and smelling how good they smell. Yes, even my twelve year old son still smells good to me. 

 

What is the best thing about being a photographer/business owner?

Giving the end product, which is relative to giving happiness, and knowing a piece of me will be in their home.

 

Why photography?  And why have you chosen to focus on families rather than something like weddings?

I was drawn to photography in my early adolescence. I used to beg to be the photographer on family vacations. I love everything about it. I think a lot of my love is rooted in the freezing of time. Photographing a moment and being able to hold onto it forever.

I don’t like weddings. Not as a guest, not even as a bride. I would be miserable if I had to attend weddings every weekend! It is as simple as that. (I’m an introvert.)

Families were a natural draw because of my own. I started out photographing what I would want of my own children. Of our own interactions. I knew the moments that were special to me, and I set out to photograph them for other people.

 

What do you do to help your clients be so comfortable with you during a photo shoot?

I don’t really know! I don’t TRY to do anything, or set out to do anything specific. I just try to get to know them. I try to make them laugh at me, or at themselves. I try to have a genuinely good time. I think we do.

 

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?

I don’t really like to tell other people what to do – but my best advice is to be yourself. You will only stand out from the crowd if you stay as unique as your fingerprint.

And, photograph whatever makes your heart sing.

 

How do you stay grounded and keep business/photography from taking over your life?

In my third year of business things really started heating up for me. And I got very swept up in all of it. I traveled all over the United States. I worked my butt off. I made a lot of money, but in the end, my personal life suffered. My family suffered. My marriage suffered. It didn’t take long for me to realize my mistake and to reign things in. I stopped traveling and limit the amount of sessions I do in a month. I want my focus in life to be on my family, and running our life together, with my business running smoothly in the background.

I recently changed how I schedule my sessions and work at home. I am using the first two weeks of the month for shooting, and the last two weeks of the month for editing, ordering, and other business miscellany. My first two weeks are very session focused, and I am out of the house quite a bit. My last two weeks are very home based, and I am strapped to the computer while the children are at school. It is working so much better for me this way. Instead of having everything going on all the time, I am able to focus much better on the task at hand.

 

What do you do for fun...that has nothing to do with photography?

I love to read. There are usually 3-4 books on my nightstand. I love to browse for music online and organize my iTunes playlists. I love to decorate and futz around my house. I love to thrift shop and could live in a flea market. I love to grab a drink and a meal with a friend. I love to watch tv in bed with my husband at night. I love laying at the pool in the afternoons while the kids play.

 

What are you most proud of as a businesswoman?

I am proud of being able to help support the way we live our life.

 

What do you do to keep your marriage fun?  

We are goofballs and have known each other a very long time. Our sense of humor is so synced that we almost don’t have to say anything to laugh. Most of the time we spend together is pretty fun. I am very lucky to have him in my everyday.

 

How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business?

We talk. A lot.

 

What is the best thing you've done to make your business successful?

My blog. 100,000 trillion percent. If I hadn’t started my blog I would not have this life. I started my blog as a way to connect with friends and family, before I had a business. Strangers started emailing me to ask if I ever photographed other people. Everything slowly snowballed from there into what I have today.

 

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?

I limit the amount of work that I do every month. I stay off the computer as much as possible after they are home from school. When I am with them, I am with them.

Being a photographer has made me a fuller person, and so a better mother.

 

We all know that portrait photography has it's seasons.  You can't really plan to shoot 2-4 sessions every single week because there are times of the year when that just doesn't happen.  What do you do to get through the slow times?  What do you do to get through October/November/December?

My slow season is actually Jan-March. After Christmas card season no one wants to think about family photo shoots. I consider it my vacation time. I love every second of it. We make sure we have savings to make it through those months.

 

It seems like you are excellent at enjoying every moment, staying in the moment with your kids and family.  How do you do that?

I’m not sure. It is just this grand desire within me to not let life pass me by. I want to LIVE. I want to EXPERIENCE. I want to LOVE and LAUGH and LEARN.

 

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?

Oh, I don’t do that very well. But I am learning. I am a professionally overwhelmed person. But I am changing that. I want to be done with that.

I am learning my limits. And I learning to set them strictly for myself to avoid burnout.

 

Your work is very organic.  How do you work with your clients to get that kind of feeling in your images?

I just talk to them like friends. I like to learn about who they are and what they like. I tease them, I make fun of myself. We connect on our commonalities.

 

What three products or things help you stay organized?

iCalendar, my iPhone, and my husband.

 

What five suggestions do you have for women who are trying to have a more

whole, content, and blissful life?

Slow down.

Learn your limits.
Take care of yourself first.

Make time to laugh with your husband/partner/family.

Surround yourself with things you find beautiful and meaningful.

 

To see more of Tara's Work:

 

 

***All images in this post are copyright  Tara Whitney.***

***All images in this post are copyright Dawn Shields.***

 

NEXT WEEK: Tara Whitney

 

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as i do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...



You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!
 

Dawn,  You've accomplished a lot in the past year...your business has grown, you invested yourself into an emotional personal project, and won the biggest award at WPPI this year. You are a mom and wife and you're managing to run a thriving business, make time to create personally, and have a family life.  Even after such a big year it seems that you're keeping everything centered around your family.  Thanks so much for being here on Women and Business!

How long have you been in business?
I started out with no clue what I was doing in Aug of 2002.

 

How did you get started?  What drew you to photography?
Being a photographer was something I knew I wanted to be when I was about 8-10 yrs old. I got started by buying an SRL to photograph my own children. I never planned on making it a business.

 

How are you married with children?

I am married to a wonderful man, Sean, and I have 2 children who make me happy every day, Sierra 13 and Sutton 7.

 

What are some ways you keep family and business life feeling like they are both getting the attention that they need?
When I go home at 5pm I am home. That is my family time, photography time does not start until 8:30am in the next morning. There has to be a careful balance, in the end if I work every waking hour and end up with a hugely successful business but all my children remember is me working, then I have failed. During those moments when I want to have a set up in my home so I can work more I just try to remember one thing: when I'm in my last days of life it's my family I want to spend time with my not camera or computer. In the end it’s the way my children think of me that means the most. Photography always comes second to family!

 

 

Are you in a retail space or a home based studio?  

I own two homes on the same street, one we live in and one is my studio.

 

What made you decide on the space you have? It gave my business its own space but still kept it close to home. I also liked the idea of investing into something rather than paying rent.

 

 

What does your workflow look like?  Do you outsource or keep everything in house? 

Everything is kept in house.

 

 

What do you do to help your clients be comfortable with you during a photo shoot?

Make a connection and have fun. Everybody loves being around an upbeat happy person who they can connect with on some level.

 

 

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?

Learn from the best! Take workshops and learn your craft and advance yourself by taking 5 years off of your learning curve!

 

 

At WPPI this year you won the highest award for your album design.  Will you share a link to it here?

 

WPPI Award Winning Album

I suggest turning the HD to the on position or http://www.rangefindermag.com/storage/articles/dawnShields.html

 

What brought you to a place that made you decide to do a project like this?

When my sister googled my grandfather’s name and the search brought up the Alcatraz inmate roster. I knew without a doubt I had to know more, then the whole process began to unfold and I just moved forward knowing I was supposed to do this. Great friends stood by me and helped guide me when I needed them. When you are doing this type of an emotionally charged project you need those who love you to stand by you, it’s not easy.

 

 

Your album has brought emotions and reactions that range the gamut from loving the idea to having strong feelings against the project, how have you handled those reactions?
I have tried to convey to others this is a personal project it is meant to reflect my feels and my view of my grandfather’s life. I have not gotten upset with others over their feelings; it is a very different story than most have ever seen before in this type of competition therefore it is emotionally provoking. Some feel the need to applaud the album and others feel the need to let their feelings of dislike be known. In the end it is an art piece and no artist's work appeals to all people. Really I keep it in perspective; it’s about my life with my grandfather.

 

 

How did this personal project affect your personal life? How did it affect your business life?
In my personal life I saw my friends and family surround me with love as I worked within a very emotional place. On a business level I think it has made others see there is so much more to me than pictures with smiles. I'm a very deep person who has a lot to offer, I think those in business who thought they knew me just took a step back and said "wow, I want to know more about her, I never knew".

 

 

What are the three most important things you learned while photographing this project? 

I have an amazing family.

Who my friends are.

That love trumps all things.

 

 

What are you most proud of as a business woman?

That I have had the ability to hire great people, those you surround yourself with can help or hurt your business. My team is awesome!

 

 

What do you do to keep your marriage fun? 

Travel as much as possible so we are focused on each other, no phone vacations are the best!

 

 

What are the top three things you did when you were first getting started in business to bring in clients?

Wedding shows were key! Along side that would be bridal magazines. Friends and family were a huge help in getting the word out.

 

 

How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business? 

Safe is a strong word, we have stresses on our marriage because we own four companies. To be honest love and a real respect is the only thing that can keep a marriage safe. There are days when you are not feeling the love, which is when true respect is so important.

 

 

What is the best thing you've done to make your business successful? 

Getting an education through workshops. I think it took at least 5 years off of the learning curve.


 

 

When you are overwhelmed, what do you do to stop feeling overwhelmed?

Get in my car and drive to Starbucks, the combination of driving and coffee calms me.

 

 

What three products or things help you stay organized?

My PAPER booking book, old school I know :) My Boda bag, I know where everything is in it without looking. My team! Two have been with me for four years, without them I would be a mess!

 

 

What is something that you think women in the industry should not do?

Be blind to their own talent. We tend to always see the best in others and only see our faults.

 

 

What is something that you think women in the industry should do?

Stay true to who YOU are, not who some big name photographer is. Be inspired by others but realize your art is beautiful!

 

To see more of Dawn's work:

Website

Blog

***All images in this post are copyright Dawn Shields.***

***All images in this post are copyright Kelly Moore.***

 

NEXT WEEK: Dawn Shields

 

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as i do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...



You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!
 

Kelly, I've known you for quite a few years now and love the way you see the world through your lens.  You are a master with light, both natural and off camera and your processing in photoshop is gorgeous.  Since I met you, you've had a little girl, started a new business, and come to understand how to make family life and business life really work together in a positive way for your life.  I'm sure everyone is wondering how you manage to do it all.  Thanks so much for being here on Women and Business!

 

 

What is a day with your family like?
The perfect Saturday with my family begins with sleeping in :) Once we get up and dressed, we might visit a local joint for lunch.  After lunch, we would make a trip to the park down the road from our house.  When we get home after a hard day of playing, a quick nap to recharge is only appropriate! 
We love to grill, so for dinner we all pitch in.  To wrap up a perfect day, it must end with a bonfire and smores.  Of course, this isn’t every day, but it’s my favorite day!



How do you separate business and family life?
It’s not always easy, especially when you work out of your home.  For me, I’ve had to make sure I have plenty of time off to spend being a mom and wife.  I take off the summers to concentrate on this.  I know it’s not normal for a photographer to take off the summer, but it’s what works for me.  I’ve also had to learn that I can’t do everything.  I’ve learned that saying no is an awesome thing!



You just had a Posey a little over 2 years ago. What was the hardest part of that transition for you? What was the best part of that transition?
The hardest part for Kelly and I was that we could no longer come and go as we pleased!  We were such, “fly by the seat of your pants” people, but that all changed!  I also think I had this idea that I could take Posey anywhere, and that she would adapt to my lifestyle.  Well, Posey turned out to be one of the most strong willed children I’ve ever met.  All that to say, we had a HUGE adjustment in store for us.
The good parts of being a mom far outweigh any tough parts.  No one can explain to you how much you will love your child.  I was never the “motherly” type, so I worried that I wouldn’t be a good mom, but it’s been the best thing that has ever happened to me.   I would definitely say the best part of the transisition is that you have a little person in your life that you love more that you could ever explain!



How long did you shoot while you were pregnant with Posey? What precautions did you take in case you went into labor early? How long was your maternity leave?
I photographed my last wedding 1 month before Posey was born, however, I most likely won’t do that again!  I was miserable! 
As a precaution, I let all my clients, that wanted to book with me in my last trimester, know that I was pregnant, and I even gave them the option to find another photographer.  I let them know that I would bring an assistant to the wedding who was capable of shooting the wedding if something happened to me.  Luckily, everthing went smoothly, and I was able to shoot all my weddings. 
I began shooting about 4 weeks after Posey was born, and it was definitely too soon for me.  Next time, I think I'll wait at least 6 weeks. 



How do you structure your work week? Your year?
I take off on Mondays.  I take a maximum of 2 sessions per week, and I take time off over the summers.



How are you juggling two businesses and a family? How do you have time for it all?
When I began my newest business,  it was pretty crazy at first.  I don’t think I realized how much extra work it was going to be.  About 2 months into it, Kelly and I sat down and re-evaluated our situation.  I’m having to delegate tasks, cut back in some areas, and learn to not stress about it!  I don’t have time for it all!



What changes have you made in the last year to your workflow?
Simplify!! I’ve learned that sometimes simple is better.  I don’t spend as much time in photoshop.  I try to get things as close to perfect as possible in camera.  I’ve also simplified my products that I give my clients.  It’s easy to get caught up in the newest most fancy albums and products, but I try to keep it clean and simple.



How do you edit? It looks like it takes a long time to get such gorgeous images?
I don’t spend much time editing!  Most of the techniques I’m using, I’m getting in camera.  From there, I do most of my editing in Camera Raw.  I spend very little time in photoshop.



How do you stay so inspired and fresh from wedding to wedding, session to session?
It’s not easy :) I think the answer for me is shooting less so that when I do shoot, I’m not burned out.


What 5 things have you learned as a mother and business woman over the 2 years?
1. Money can’t make you happy
2.  Sleep is good
3. No matter how exotic and cool the location I’m shooting is, I would rather be at home with my family
4.  Some babies just cry a lot
5. I like to cook.

What do you think sets you apart from other photographers and business people?
That’s sort of a trick question, because there are no two photographers that are alike.  I would say, my eye and the way I see light sets me apart.  Luckily, I get bored easily, so this has pushed me to stay interested in photography by exploring light.


You have created the Give Me Moore session that has become extremely popular. You have a long waiting list each season that you do them. How did those come about and what do you think has made them so sought after?
The Give Me Moore sessions have evolved into something all their own.  They started out as a simple one day workshop where people came to learn, and they have turned into a chance for me and my student to be creative with lighting in an amazingly style shoot. 
The number 1 reason they are so sought after is because Brandi Howard (my BFF, office manager, and shoot stylist) .  Brandi is an incredibly talented person who has a knack for creating something out of nothing. 



What does your workflow look like? Do you outsource or keep everything in house?
I do everything myself.  My workflow is super simple.  I shoot raw, process in ACR, run a quick batch in PS, and I’m done!  It takes me about 3 hours to run a wedding now!



What are your three favorite creative tools and how do they help you to be inspired?
My canon 580 flashes….they help me explore with light
My camera...
Alien Skin: Exposure….It’s a filter set that I use on ALL of my images.



You were in a beautiful retail space studio and you’ve moved your studio into your home. What was the catalyst for that?
Posey.  My whole outlook on life changed when I had Posey.  I was spending so much money on my studio downtown, but really it was just an office.  When we built a new home, I decided it would be smarter to bring my studio home. 


In what ways do you think you’ll keep evolving?
Hopefully in every way!  There are different seasons in everyone’s life, and I want to enjoy every season.  Who knows what I’ll do next.  As a photographer, I want to do more personal work that I don’t get paid for. 



What key business idea did you learn in the last 6 months?
I recently began a new business and adventure.  I’ve designed a new line of camera bags for women that don’t look like camera bags.   I had no idea how much extra work it was going to be!  

What is the best thing you’ve done to make your business successful?
I think with this new business one of the things I’ve learned most is how important our social media can be.  Twitter, Facebook and Blogs have been the number one thing that have made my new business successful!


What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?
That’s simple…take time off.


What three products or things help you stay organized?
Workflow board
Client Folders
Google Mail



What is something that you think women in the industry should not do?
Compare themselves to other photographers.  It’s so easy to look at other people and feel inadequate.  The truth is, we are all different, and don’t need to try to run our businesses the same.


What is something that you think women in the industry should do?
Make sure that their business doesn’t take over their life.   Make yourself stop working to make dinner, don’t stay on the computer all night, exercise or spend time outside, learn to say no!!!

 

To see more of Kelly's work go to:

Website

Blog

Kelly Moore Bag

 

***All images in this post are copyright Kelly Moore.***

p

***All images in this post are copyright Kristy Behrs of Wrecklessgirl Photography.***

 

NEXT WEEK:  Kelly Moore

 

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as i do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...



You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!
 

Kristy, You have a wandering spirit and real curiosity about people and places.  Talking to you feels like the layers could go on forever of the life you've lived and the person that you are.  I think that shows in your work and your approach to life.  Your journey is so inspiring...I'm so glad you're here. Thanks so much for being here on Women and Business!

How long have you been a photographer?  How long have you had a photography business?

 

When I was in high school, I borrowed my cousin's Pentax K1000 film camera to take a photography night class at Rogue Community College. I'd become a fine artist much earlier in life, but a professional photographer when I could intentionally expose imagery and sell my services and works to clients in 2005. Officially, five years.

 

 

Where is your studio located?

 

I like to say I'm based both out of Southern Oregon and the San Francisco Bay Area as I spend most of the year traveling and shooting equally between the two locations. I don't have a need for a portrait studio, but one of my goals is to open an artist's studio in Grants Pass, Oregon and showcase the art work and music others create. My small, artsy, growing hometown is becoming very art-friendly and I hope to encourage this kind of growth in our community.

 

 

What made you decide to live in Italy?  How long are you going to stay there?

 

Family. My Czech grandmother passed away last year, leaving behind a clever catalog of our family history and genealogy. Her husband, my half-Italian grandfather, now on his own, doesn't have such a well-laid out family record. Therefore, I committed to studying Italian language last year to be able to have conversations with my relatives and learn more about our family history. A restless spirit, I can't deny that I'd done much traveling around the states and was feeling a mighty urge to explore the world; my little Italian knowledge and ancestry strongly encouraged me to move to Italy. I felt a calling. I'll be here indefinitely, which could mean another week or five years. Whenever that fateful wind blows.

 

 

What have you learned while you've been in Italy?

 

I've learned how to cook with my heart; I used to abhor venturing into meal planning and preparation, but now I'm able to throw random grocery items into a pan with a little olive oil and call it dinner. I've also learned that no matter where I go in the world, I'll find helpful people with huge hearts, kind smiles, and open homes.

 

In terms of art, I've learned so much by being on my own in a foreign place/country with no official portrait client base yet. By photographing (anything:) architecture, strangers, moments, nature, and abstract subjects, I've learned even more how to shoot intentionally, tell a story without needing to direct it (be more of a photojournalist), find and encompass beauty where others may see none, be more spot-on with my exposures, and get more creative and flexible with my processing. I'm able to take my time editing/processing and trying new techniques I may not have had time to with clients. Lastly, I've learned how to radiate honesty about my life through imagery thought it may only shine light on bits and pieces and places of it.

 

 

What is your favorite part of your adventure so far?

 

One day, my new friend Massimo randomly picked me up in his untraditionally american Jeep 4X4 for a drive to the beach north of Naples, Italy. It was the perfect day: slight warm breeze, cool, fresh air, accompanied by lots of laughter. I'd just spent a few hellacious months traveling couch-to-couch, city-to-city, and I needed a day to just BE.  i remember sitting on the wet packed sand with my new Italian friend; with a short stick, I wrote "OGGI" in thankfulness for being allowed such peace after the storm.  In Italian, oggi means today. Sometimes the best adventure is respite from adventure itself. 

 

 

Are you starting your photography business there in Italy?  If so, what are you doing to get your business growing?

 

Yes. My goal is to live and shoot weddings in Italy (and all over the world) every summer because, aside from my family connections, I can't think of a better place to commit one's love to each other. It's an incredibly romantic and unusually magical and colorful place. I wouldn't even necessarily suggest getting married in the traditional and over-populated and polluted vacation hotspots in Italy, but I'd recommend a handful of villages I've passed in my travels that would be so dreamy to be married in! I'm networking with international wedding planners, stylists, as well as unique venues all over Italy, North to South-there are so many treasures in between. I want to make these lovely places available for American couples to be inspired by! My goal is to find and connect professionally with a few unique Italian venues, destination photographers, and wedding planners.

 

 

What is your approach to business?

 

Honestly, when I first found myself officially in business, I was going through a divorce and was also dealing with a bit of depression (which has always loomed even in jovial times). I look back and I see how that detachment from the world also poorly affected my photography business. I learned so much from that time and now I find myself transforming into a person who truly appreciates and takes care of her clients and other photographers as well. I'm so grateful that I get to create art and interact with people in this way, and every day, I learn how to use that positively by applying more care to the business aspect of things. 

 

 

What do you do to help your clients be so comfortable with you during a

photo shoot?

 

I am silly. And in the beginning, we laugh a lot. I always let my clients know that the first ten minutes or so of shooting, the images 'won't count,' which makes them loosen up a lot--when they know that nothing is required of them. Settling back into their comfortable skin allows them to be naturally beautiful and photogenic. Usually after those ten quick minutes, they become perfect models. I'm a director and a control-freak, so I make sure to give my clients something to do or hold, and that makes anyone a little less nervous--I encourage comfortable positioning so they can relax into the enjoyment of moment making and image capturing.

 

             

What is the most important thing you're doing right now?

 

Following my dream.

Not giving up.

Fighting for an unimaginably bright and inventive future.

Being grateful every minute for what I do have and not focussing on what I don't.

Warding away negativity and depression (a constant battle).

Shooting imagery for myself:  Photographing constantly. 

Being wreckless: unable to be destroyed, without devastation, holding onto wholeness and completeness that I only find in my Maker. Which circumscribe all the above.

 

 

What future projects can we look forward to?

 

VAGABOND BOND

I started VagabondBond last year after placating my nagging desire to be connected to other travelers and free spirits. We've already completed three beautiful projects and will have about one per month, as well as numerous posts each week from each of the eleven vagabonds. I'm incredibly inspired and encouraged by this community's amazing imagery, music, videos, and writings from their life's journeys. www.vagabondbond.com

 

WRECKLESSGIRL

My Wrecklessgirl blog is in a constant state of change. From the time I opened my Blogger account, I've felt like I'm always moving from one project to the next, but I think that's something that keeps me and my readers on our toes. My great fear is that I stay stagnant, un-moldable--this fear keeps me propelled forward into unknown territory (literally or figuratively in my art's direction). I've been a writer since I can remember, so I'm also trying to find ways to integrate my short stories and poems into my blog and works of art.

www.wrecklessgirl.com

 

WRECKLESS WORKSHOPS 

Although I'm not much of a workshop girl, I love teaching. My amazing high school art teacher invited me a couple years ago to come teach about photography to her advanced art students. I'm devoted to doing this, if not ever year, multiple times a year. This summer, I'm teaching a small-time workshop for beginning and intermediate photographers in Southern Oregon. I'm really looking forward to learning more about people and art through this experience and I'll be posting my experiences on my blog.

www.wrecklessworkshops.com

 

WRECKLESS ELEMENTS

Lastly, my blog design business is always growing and adding new projects and services. I recently dove headfirst, with a design friend, into Wordpress design. I love that, with web design, your options are virtually limitless: there's always something to learn and to upgrade to. I'm finding I love photography blog design as much as I love photography itself because it's challenging and eclectic. Wreckless Elements--blog design for photographers--has already added on one web designer and one graphic designer, and I look forward to adding another graphic designer as well as an expert programmer to the list of Wreckless conspirators. 

www.wrecklesselements.com

 

 

I love  your logo.  What did you do to come up with your look and feel of your logo/website/blog?  How did you know what you wanted?  What process did you go through?

 

Thank you so much! I found my graphic designer as I followed her design work and knew her husband was a tattoo artist. I asked her if it would be feasible for him to sketch a tattoo based on a concept I'd had in my mind for quite some time.  He offered up a handful of different drawings for me to choose from. My designer made the tattoo sketch into a graphic illustration and I was ecstatic with the results. Sadly, she's taking some time off of designing now. I believe my new logo (and the process I obtained it) encompasses the artistic freedom I take with my clients and my processing as well as with my entire approach to life: Walk in freedom and love and be Wreckless. I redesigned my own blog based on these new elements and immediately felt that I've never been so close to emanating all that my business and my person stands for.

 

 

You've started another business, Wreckless Elements. How are you fitting that into your schedule?

 

Elements fit itself into my schedule. My photoblog design company is something I created because I was becoming a bit overwhelmed receiving so many inquiries from photographers and artists who needed help tweaking their blog template. I knew it was going to be a part of my life, but now it's taking up so much of my creative time, I almost consider it an equal amongst my major passion, photography. LIke I mentioned, I now also offer Wordpress and Squarespace design services and have a web and graphic designer coming on board. A total geek, I learned web design (HTML and CSS) ten years ago, so it's only fitting that it found an artistic and lucrative place in my life. And for that, I'm grateful.

 

 

You have a very unique way of seeing the world and putting things together.  What inspires you?

 

Symmetry, Lines, Intersections, Patterns, Placings

Seeking out the extraordinary in the seemingly mundane

Finding the story beneath the ground and in-between the lines (and there always is a story)

Discovering and facilitating passion

Newness: whether it be something I've seen for the first time or something I've noticed (but always seen) for the first time

Reflections

Music, music, music

Writings, poetry, and old, smelly books

Numbers and mathematics

Interesting and uncommon color palettes

Anything I'm able to manipulate and control

The organic accompanied by the man-made or destroyed

 

 

What do you do for fun...that has nothing to do with photography?

 

Art really envelopes and fuels my entire life: I love playing the piano (classical or improv), hiking in the woods, swimming while having beautiful conversations with one of my best friends in Oregon after working out at the gym, playing Sudokup (competitive Sudoku with my Norwegian friend), shooting pool (I'm quite the shark, if only ambitiously so), learning new languages, researching history, teaching high schoolers about photography (forgive me, that has to do with photography), being around babies and children (family and friends), writing poetry and stories, learning about politics and government (present and history), thrift shopping (though, sadly, that doesn't exist in Italy), tumblr'ing & blogging, and making random crafty things. 

 

 

What are you most proud of as a business woman?

                        

This was a really difficult question for me. I'm proud that I haven't given up yet, that I haven't quit. I've been discouraged, but I haven't lost sight of my Dream; in fact, I've dreamed even bigger. I believe some of my encouraging family and friends and my God are to be credited for every part in that.

 

 

What are you most proud of as a woman?

 

As a woman, I'm proud for being stronger than I ever thought I would be. There were times in recent years when I thought I would literally not survive another moment; yet, not only did I survive, but most of the time, I made the most of my aching and striving. Not to say I was, by any means, flawless and unscathed, but I breathed and prayed my way through the extremely trying times and came out the other side stronger, wiser, and better for the living. I'm naturally an introverted and shy person. I think all that I've been through in the last years has taught me to stand up for myself more and take more initiative than I'm naturally inclined to do. I like to think that "Wreckless" was something that was god-breathed in me ten years ago, and that it became a talisman to carry with me through my entire life, in order to survive it and thrive.

 

 

What are the top three things you did when you were first getting started in

business to bring in clients?

 

I started a blog and blogged often, which encouraged me to shoot more, even if I wasn't posting client's shoots, I was learning so much about photography and developing my artistic direction in the process.

I gave my clients Mini Moo Cards (with favorite images printed on one side and their gallery information, my website, and business info printed on the other side) for referrals and for sharing and dispersing amongst friends (usually teens and seniors/graduates) www.moo.com

I facilitated in-studio/home slideshows and print/product ordering sessions. 

 

 

What is the best thing you've done to make your business successful?

 

Treating my clients with respect, returning inquiries and correspondence quickly and thoroughly, and being enthusiastic about our collaboration has always been a sure-fire way to keep business coming back and encourages new clients to inquire about my business.

 

 

What do you do to keep your family strong?

 

Communcation, communication, communication. Focusing on the commonalities and appreciating and being understanding of the differences.

 

 

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?

 

I am a big-picture girl. Like I mentioned, ideas are always brewing and I can see clearly the big picture, the final product, the end result. This is, while inspiring, very overwhelming. If I jot down and solidify the macroscopic and work my way down to the microscopic (the details, the little things), I can easily maintain a sense of peace and feel like I'm doing everything I need to do to work toward that big picture. Surely, this is the only way for me to not be overwhelmed: to take baby step by baby step. Also, listening to music and exercising regularly helps me maintain a steady, level-headed, and encouraging pace while I work toward grandiose goals. It wasn't until recently that I recognized my obsessive compulsive, controlling tendencies and starting asking for help, and this collaborating has returned unimaginable benefits such as wonderful new friendships and reciprocal encouragement and inspiration. 

 

 

What three products or things help you stay organized?

 

Things by Cultured Code (Thank you, Mr. Andrew Shepherd): a task-organization program for Macs

My Moleskine notebook: I always have a thousand ideas cooking in my brain, so I need a quick go-to medium so I don't forget my current or future to-dos and random ideas.

Mint.com (a financial planner and organizer)

 

 

What is something that you think (single) women in the industry should not do?

 

Constantly compare themselves to other business women who may have more emotional and financial support and become bitter because of it.  Create your own destiny, it's all yours. The mountain you climb may be larger, but imagine your view from the top! 

 

 

What is something that you think (single) women in the industry should do?

 

Focus on what you do have. Know that you will probably struggle more because you're on your own, but don't be discouraged by what you don't have. Let family and friends care for you. Enjoy them. Embrace your wholeness and press forward knowing that all your striving will amount to something unfathomably spectacular soon down the road … as long as you don't give up.

 

 

What five suggestions do you have for women who are trying to have a more whole, content, and blissful life?

 

Travel! Explore! Go somewhere you've never been.

 

Do something that takes you out of your comfort zone (and I don't necessarily mean destructive, just something new and different for you)

 

Provide for yourself a quiet hour. Write down, "I WANT…" and spend the next hour jotting down any and everything that comes to mind. (You will be SO surprised by what you didn't even know you want!) This is the most physical form of listening to your heart.

 

Keep your body healthy by listening to it every day. Exercise and seek information about staying emotionally and physically in shape.

 

Give: we all have those occasional thoughts that we desire to give someone something, whether it be making a pie for our widowed grandfather, donating money to a  charity, donating our time to the local soup kitchen on saturday, or leaving a meaningful hello note on the car of a friend. Find the time to give, because you know you have it.  Give some of what you do have, even if you have a little: it will mean the world to someone. Last year, I was incredibly ill for an entire month. This friend of a friend I barely knew heard about it and came by my house with fresh homemade soup every day for lunch. I was so weak and couldn't move from my bedroom and she literally saved my life. It was a small thing that meant the world to me.

 

 

To see more of Kristy's Work go to:

Website

Blog

 

***All images in this post are copyright Kristy Behrs of Wrecklessgirl Photography.***

 

***All images in this post are copyright Laura Cottril.***

 

NEXT WEEK: Kristy Behrs of Wreckless Photography

 

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as i do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...

You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!

 

Laura,  

I met you a couple of years ago through email and we became friends.  I'm not sure how we found each other but your emails were so genuine and real and beautiful.  It has been amazing to watch you over the past couple of years, see the struggles and losses that you've experienced, and witness this beauty in you come out through all of it...and even transform your photography.  You've generously shared the spotlight with me and other women when you could have had it all to yourself.  You are person of depth and compassion and I'm blessed to know you.  I'm excited to hear how your journey over the past couple of years has changed your business and art.  Thanks so much for being here on Women and Business!

 

Davina, thank you so much for the opportunity to be on your website! I feel we have come full circle since I first emailed you! I am grateful for your gift of letting me share my story. I sincerely hope that it will illuminate a path of self-examination, clarity and purpose for your readers. I want to also thank the previous women photographers interviewed! I always glean some good nuggets or find myself nodding my head while reading. I even made friends with Melanie Mauer after contacting her because of her interview! :) www.melaniemauer.com

 

How long have you been in business? Do you work from home? 

I’m in my seventh year of business. I work out of my home because I like the flexibility of not having to “make rent”. I have a home office and do my consultations and sales in my living room. This situation has served me well as I took time off to have a baby and also be there for my family during time of illness.  My work is natural light so I can do indoor window light for maternity and babies, but most of my work is outdoors or in client’s homes. We are currently remodeling our living room to be more efficient for my business purposes while becoming more beautiful and designed to integrate my colors and bird nest theme. It is very exciting to have a fresh start and a soon to be beautiful room to work from! I would attach photos but it is still in cocoon phase, yet to bloom into a butterfly!

 

 

What does your workflow look like?  Do you outsource or keep everything in house?   

I am a big fan of Jack Canfield’s www.thesuccessprinciples.com. Jack is the Chicken Soup for the Soul author. I was fortunate to go to his one-day Success Principles seminar in March and it really lit my fire and motivated me to set a course for my life instead of meandering down the river, wherever it may lead. One of Jack’s principles is to work from your “core genius”. This is the place where you are at your very best. All other things should be handled by someone else. Professionally, I consider my core genius to be consultations, sessions and sales. I would be happiest being the “face” of my business. Although I get satisfaction from retouching and other work, I get bored and frustrated at long hours on the computer. So those are areas I outsource. For those of you who say they cannot afford to hire someone, I say raise your sitting fee $50 or more and use that money to outsource editing or what you need. You will burn out trying to be a one woman show! If the clients think you are too expensive, they are not your clients. Someone new will show up who will value you.

 

Jack Canfield is a big advocate for defining your life purpose. I thought I would share mine with you! The more you share your goals, the more people can support you in them and the more you believe in them yourself!

 

My five life goals right now are:

1 Be the Face of my business

2 Health through fitness: Strong back!

3 Personal fine art project resulting in gallery show and book

4 Obtain my PPA Master’s Degree

5 Financial Freedom!

 

From each goal I create action steps to progress toward each goal completion! Anything I do, I think, does this take me towards one of my five goals? After my last two years of transition I felt a little lost, this book and workshop really got me motivated to take charge of my life’s direction and purpose again.

 

You've had an emotional past year and a half or so.  Will you tell us about it?

Two years ago my niece (then 4 ½) was diagnosed with leukemia (ALL). A month later my dad was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. It was the hardest, scariest and saddest time of my life. I will be honest with you. If you can’t imagine what it is like to lose your parents, it is everything you imagined and more.

 

During this time I made myself 100% available to my parents and my sister.  I slowed down and then stopped my business in order to spend time with my dad. I did my best to support my sister and her family with backup reinforcements. With the support of our extended family I had the opportunity to be there for my parents through my dad’s last year. I count myself blessed to have had that time. It was the most personal, moving and intimate time.

 

How has it changed your perspective/life?
It made me stop and really look at what the heck I’m doing with myself. I regretted being so focused on building my business that I would put my family “on hold” for the fourth quarter in order to fit in “one more sitting…one more…”. I changed my perspective from building my business to being present in my life. I put my business in a clear second place. I am committed to visiting my mom regularly and being available for my kids after school. I quit working on Saturdays, as well as Sundays. Another interesting thing that happened is I realized and owned my “value.” Time away with my clients was time away from my family. I easily raised my prices to a place where I felt it was worth it to trade time with my family. After setting my boundaries for my business, I looked at my relationships with my clients. I only lost one client with my changes and that was not a fit for me any way. My clients who love me still come to me and understand and respect my changes.  Interestingly, these changes have not hurt my business but helped it.  You do not have to sacrifice one to get the other!

 

My new business goals are not necessarily to do more sittings. They are to do the right amount of sittings to maintain balance. If I want to add more, I need to add them in my slower months. My other goals are to work smarter. By outsourcing and being the “face of my business” I am able to take on more work without drowning. By developing products and a plan for each category (maternity, baby, children and families) I have products to offer that are hard to resist. Another big help is when I go to the client’s home for the consultation we can walk around, take measurements and plan their displays before I take the photos. This also gives the client a rough idea of what their investment will look like and they can plan for it. Work smarter, not harder. A great added benefit (to my clients) is through these steps I get to know my client better by spending time with them and providing more value.

 

How has the past year changed your work?

The biggest change to my work is the awareness and urgency of photographing our parents and grandparents. Whenever I have the opportunity I strongly encourage my clients to include their parents and grandparents. My life experience has taught me how important this is. I have a great client that reminds me when I forget that the work that we do as photographers is a gift to our clients. Our work is done when the job is delivered but for the client it is only the beginning of their enjoyment of our work. For them, we have created lifelong treasures and memories to pass on.

 

When my dad got sick we did family portraits. As a photographer I should have done this a long time ago! Now when I look at those portraits I am so thankful we have them. I get it in a real way, because I have lived it.

 

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?

My biggest message to women just getting started in photography is to know what you are getting into and figure out WHY you want to be a photographer. Is it to make money? Is it for creative expression? How much time are you willing to put to this venture? Do you have kids and how old are they? How will you balance your work and family time? Will you be able to go to bed at night with your husband or will you be on the computer?

 

I want to share a little eye-opening tidbit from the PPA Benchmark study. You need to make $100,000 in sales in order to make a $35,000 salary. And that is before taxes. Yes, $100,000.

 

If you are a mom looking to make a little money on the side while you raise your kids this is especially important. I started out with a two-year old, and then two years later had another baby. I spent the first few years of my business working to pay the babysitter and my start up costs. In the big picture I was building my client base. I had access to lots of moms with small children, because I had small children. Those clients are now loyal friends. That is golden.

I had a realization about the money thing. At first my goal was to build my business to make the money I made at my corporate job (before kids). J Then I realized that owning my own business brings me a lot more than monetary rewards. I get creative expression, flexibility, personal growth. All of these are rewards as well as the money. What valuable benefits can you get from owning your own business in addition to money?

                       

What do you do for fun...that has nothing to do with photography?
I love to read, ride my bike, visit with friends, dream.

What are you most proud of as a business woman?

Breaking down my fears and personal barriers to grow and achieve things I never dreamed!

 

What do you do to keep your marriage fun?

My husband is so amazing. Through the last two years he stood by me unending. I am focusing now on renewing the fun in our relationship again. We continually tell each other how lucky we are and how much we love each other. One of the foundations of our relationship is laughter. We love to make each other laugh. He is so great at being constant while I go on my wild ride. J We have date night every Tuesday. Sometimes we read in bed together, other times we go out. It’s just nice to be together with no demands.

 

You are a mom, how old are your children?  What do you do to help them feel part of your business life?  Not ignored because of your business life?

My boys are now nine and five. I have tried to minimize the impact of my business on them but the reality is I am out a couple sunsets a week photographing or to a meeting or class. We make it an opportunity for them to bond with their dad making pizza or pancakes. It is a balance, too many sunsets away puts stress on the family.

 

We are doing Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover as a family and have a Debt Thermometer on my office door that my son created. As we pay off debt the boys get to fill in the thermometer with red sharpie. When it is time for me to work I remind them that by my working we will have money to pay off our thermometer and then reap the rewards by meeting our goals. For them, they are looking forward to bunk beds! It is super powerful to have finances be a family conversation. All the baggage that comes with it disperses when you put it out in the open and all work on it as a team.  www.daveramsey.com

 

 

What do you do to keep your family strong?

One of our favorite things is to get all ready for bed then read chapter books to the kids all piled up in our bed. After that it is easy for my husband and I to continue reading and then have a decent bedtime. No TV, no computer. It is hugely bonding, fun and good for us! Our favorite books are the Lands of Elyon series. Each chapter is a cliffhanger. Or clift-hanger as my son puts it. J

What do you do to KEEP from feeling overwhelmed?

Focus on my list and do one thing at a time. Also hold to my boundaries. When I make an exception with my boundaries many times I regret it. Look at my color coded calendar and just focus on TODAY.

 

When my dad was sick I was training for a half marathon walk with TEAM in Training. TEAM in Training raises funds and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Being part of an organized event forced me to get my butt out the door and do the training. I really believe that exercise grounded me and helped me manage that stressful time. Also the huge support of my teammates was so valuable.  www.teamintrainging.org I also participated in Davina’s Move it Monday contests to have accountability and support!  Commit to Move it Monday! You won’t regret it!

 

Now I calendar my workouts in and workout with friends. If I go for a quick walk in the morning, my head is cleared and I am more efficient.

You have entered a number of competitions.  What have you learned from those?

I’ve heard people discount competitions and certification programs, but to me they are a structured way to challenge myself to do my best work. I joined a study group in order to prepare for the PPA Certification exam and it was a great way to build friendships with other photographers as well as go over the material as a group. Our local affiliate has also found the Certification study groups to be a meaningful way for new members to make friends and get involved in the group. I am going for my PPA Masters degree as a way to challenge myself. I know they only accept the best of the best and so I look at it as a game. I select my images I think will do best and email them to photographers whose talent and opinion I respect for feedback. The best way to learn is to receive feedback on your work. When I first started out I apprenticed for Lisa Evans, an amazing storytelling portrait photographer. I did forty portrait sessions that year outside of my apprenticeship and received critiques from her on many of those in order to apply the concepts I learned. It improved my work immensely!!! www.lisaevansart.com

 

 

What three products or things help you stay organized?
1 My color coded monthly calendar. I can glance at it and see what is happening based on color.

2 My list of five things to do that day. Another Jack Canfield thing. It helps me stay focused and gives me satisfaction when I check off the completed items.

3 My list of five life goals keep me focused on the big picture. I have them taped to my computer screen so I can look at them often.

 

What is something that you think women in the industry should do?

Respect other photographers work and marketing efforts. There is room for everyone.

Connect with other women photographers to gain support and share ideas.

Make time for yourself: exercise, socialize and rejuvenate

Find your weak spots and either delegate or work to improve that trait or glitch in your business. It will help you immensely.

 

You have been published by professional magazines within the industry.  How did you do that?

I feel really lucky to have been published but when I think about it, it was more than luck. It was networking. I attended a Making More Money conference and was so excited about the things I learned I thanked all the PPA staff for putting it on. I shared with them what our local affiliate was doing with the certification study groups and got to know them face to face. PPA asked me to be in an ad for the Faces of PPA!

 

My first publication was Rangefinder and my friend www.heatherwhiting.com suggested to them that they needed to have more Northern California photographers in their portrait issue. She suggested me and a few others who made it into the magazine. Heather is a master net worker, not afraid to call anyone to ask a question or favor. I need to hire her as my agent as she makes me feel like a movie star the way she introduces me to people. J I think that another way to get published is to get involved. I was on the board and also President of my local affiliate which provided me a way to meet other photographers in my area and state. This networking is a great way to get your name out there. Another Jack Canfield-ism: “be the “host” at every gathering you attend. Introduce yourself to people and then introduce people to each other”!

 

Share your success with others: when PPA asked me to be in their magazine and talk about balance I immediately thought Davina should be in the magazine too. She has taught and advocated balance for women photographers devotedly! Having more photographers weaving their ideas for balance together in the article was so powerful! Davina gave me hope when I was in the dark with my business burnout and personal struggles. It felt good to give back to someone who really deserved the spotlight. J

 

 

What five suggestions do you have for women who are trying to have a more whole, content, and blissful life?

1)     Go to bed early! Take care of yourself! Exercise regularly.

2)     Look outside the industry for inspiration such as Jack Canfield or other motivational speakers. Or hang out with a bunch of creative people who are NOT photographers. Share ideas and inspire each other.

3)     Meet up with your friends for lunch, read, replenish.

4)     Look around at the important people in your life and make time for them now. Put it on your calendar ahead of time before it fills.

5)     Your photography is your creative gift. It is part of your life, not all of it.

To see more of Laura's work:

Website

Facebook

Blog

 

***All images in this post are copyright Laura Cottril.***