***All images in this post are copyright  Barb Uil of Jinky Art.***

NEXT WEEK: Shan Renee

{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!
 

Barb, Your work is gorgeous and natural and fun and captures the whimsy and sweetness of childhood and family relationships.  You make life and photography feel so simple and easy.  I love that you are doing such a great job managing family and business.  You make it all seem so natural!  I'm excited that you are coming to the USA for a tour of workshops...as I'm sure many other photographers are as well.  Thanks so much for being here on Women and Business!

You are married and a mom.  How many children do you have and how old are they?
I have 3 girls - 1 year, 7 years and 9 years. 

How did you get into photography?
My website use to be a "photoblog" back in the day when photoblogs were a new thing.  We were putting pics of our day to day activities on there and then it snowballed from there.

Do you have a retail space or a home studio space?  What made you settle on this choice?
I have a home office, as well as a studio that I work out of if required at another location.   I think my style of work more lends itself to this set up as I shoot as much commercially as I do for family portraits.

What does your workflow look like?  Do you outsource or keep everything in house?
I am the queen of outsourcing - the only thing I dont outsource is the "taking photos" and photoshop.

 

What do you do to help your clients be so comfortable with you during a photo shoot?
I think its important to just be yourself.

What are you most proud of as a business woman?
I think being able to support my family soley.  Its something I never dreamed I would be able to do. My husband is a stay at home dad.

 

What do you do to keep your marriage fun?
We spend all day together, so its lucky we are great mates.  We travel a lot for work, so I think that helps us as we just stay busy and focused.

 

Your sessions are so creative.  Do you let your clients lead or do you brainstorm ideas and make plans for a session?  How much guiding do you do in a session?

Thank you! =) I do abit of both, its a collaboration.

Do you have a method to your shooting style that helps you get great action images, beautiful portrait images, and those perfect detail images all in one session?  Is there some formula or thought process you go through to make sure you see and capture all of those things in a session?  How long are your sessions, typically?

I always try to capture different angles rather then just the standard one of each scene.   My sessions usually last around 1 - 2 hours.

What are the top three things you did when you were first getting started in
business to bring in clients?
Blog every sesssion, reshoot when the quality wasnt up to scratch, and wear my heart on my sleeve.

Your work has a very nostalgic feel to it without having the overdone vintage look at the same time.  How do you do that?
Well, Im so pleased you think that as its really where my heart is at.  I just love the nostalgic feeling with a realistic twist, which is kind of how childhood really is.   I think my biggest thing is really trying to see throug the childs eyes. Sometimes I set up stuff too much and it takes over - I just get "pretty pictures". What I really love to do is get "pretty pictures" with a twist. And I dont acheive it every time.

You do both commercial and portrait work and workshops.  How do you fit all of them in to your schedule?
With much craziness.  hehe.

Do you have editors that work for you?  How do you keep up with the amount of time you have to spend on the computer culling, editing, and photoshopping?
I do all that stuff. I just work at the sessions slowly. I never sit down and work on one sessions to its end because I find I rush it and miss opportunities - even to brighten up a leaf that could have made a photograph sing.  So I take my time on this to ensure I dont miss things.  Other then that it doesnt take long to work on a singular photograph - these days photoshop is so nifty things can be done in a jiffy.

Do you have ordering appointments in person or do your clients purchase and see everything online?  How has this choice helped your workflow and time management?
I upload to a gallery and my clients choose from there. Im happy with this as Im not a sales person.

How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business?
Ahh, well...............thats a very good question.  Its not always safe. We both work very hard to juggle family and business life. Its hard work - theres no two ways about it.

 

What do you do to keep your children from feeling that they come second to your business...or computer?  

Why that’s just part of understanding mum goes to work to help support the family.  They know why Im working so hard.  We spend alot of time together and travel together always so that helps.

 

You travel quite a bit.  How do you make this easier on your children?  How do they feel about how often you travel? 

My kids have the travel bug now. Penny announced the other day that she had spent way too long at home and needed to go some where and stay in a hotel. The kids LOVE it. I think as they get older and get stronger friendship they will likely be less likely to want to come with us. We will just cross that path when it happens.

You have a tour planned to in the states.  How did that come about?  Are you bringing your children with you? 
The kids are coming - as always. We receive so many requests for workshops in the states, so we thought - why not!

What do you do to get such beautiful color? 

A mix of exposure (I have to say that..its true!), and photoshop.  My actions are at http://www.ittybittyactions.com

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed? 

I walk away.   Its important to put everything down, turn of the computer and walk away. I tend to have what we call "Down weeks" where I spend very little time working due to the heavy workload of previous weeks.

 

What three products or things help you stay organized?  

People!  I have a fabulous team of people around me - ask any workshop attendee who has witnessed the scurry of stuff that goes on. Im truly lucky.

 

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

Be nasty to each other online!!!!!!

 

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

Be loving to each other online! There is so much talent, and so much work for that talent.

When are your next workshops here in the states?  

It’s in July - we are super excited.

 

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

Let it happen and run with it, rather then seeking it out.  I tend to wait for the opportunities and so far it has worked.

Want to see more Jink Art work?

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***All images in this post are copyright  Barb Uil of Jinky Art.***