***All images in this post are copyright  Shan Renee.***

NEXT WEEK: Cheryl Muhr

{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 }

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

Shan,  You have been working in photography since you were a young girl at your dad's side.  I love the way you are able to see and create lighting situations that are intimate and dramatic.  The effort you put into lighting gives your work a great cinematic sensibility.  You've gone through times of being too busy and come out on the other side having a stronger marriage and better life.  You have some great ideas and tips to share.  Thanks so much for being here on Women and Business!

How long have you been a photographer?

I have worked as a professional photographer since 2003.  I worked as an apprentice for one year before starting my own business.  I am focused mostly on weddings and all they entail, but I also shoot families, seniors, and maternity.

What drew you to photography?

I have loved photography for as long as I can remember.  My dad introduced me to photography when I was very young.  He was a serious hobbyist who had his own darkroom.  I would spend hours with him developing pictures from the age of about 6.  He gave me my first point and shoot when I was 7.  I took pictures of everything then we would develop them in the darkroom together. 

Is photography your only job?  Are you the primary breadwinner in your family?

Yes, photography is my only job.  There was a time when I was the primary breadwinner, but now my husband and I share the responsibilities equally.

Are you married?  Do you have children?

I am married, but I do not have children (yet).

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

My workflow is fairly simple.  After a wedding, I download and back up twice - once to an external hard drive, and once to DVD.  I sort and do basic editing in Lightroom.  Then, I choose my favorite files and fully edit them for upload to an online gallery as well as for use in slideshows and albums.  Then, my wonderful assistant designs an album and creates a DVD slideshow.  Our album designs and slideshows are custom designed for each client.  Roughly 2 weeks after the wedding, the client receives a DVD slideshow in the mail and an email with the link to their online gallery and album design.

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

I don't know that I have a specific formula for helping people feel at ease.  One thing I have found that definitely relaxes and excites my clients is to constantly exude enthusiasm about the shots as we go.  I get very excited while I am shooting, and I let it show.  I will jump around and screech with excitement (sometimes even when I'm not in love with the shot).  The enthusiasm is contagious!  And, the more confident I am, the more my clients are too! 

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

I think two of the best things you can do is constantly educate yourself and network!  The more you know, the more tools you have in your toolbox.  I love to constantly push myself and keep growing.  This industry is very competitive, so you must stay on top of the newest technologies and such.  Networking is also very important.  If you shoot weddings, word of mouth is extremely important.  Brides will pass your name on for a time when they are in wedding mode themselves or with their friends.  But, the people in the wedding industry think about it everyday!  It is definitely to your advantage to have a strong network with other vendors and photographers in your area.  Also, don’t ignore the business side of things!  I made the mistake early on of not keeping great records…get a good program and keep up with everything!!!!

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

I love to read – mostly medical mysteries, science fiction, and nonfiction.  Ted Dekker is my favorite author!  I love anything to do with water – swimming, skiing, scuba diving. 

What are you most proud of as a business woman?

The thing that makes me happiest is knowing my clients love the images they receive.  I make it a priority to know my clients and to give them a product they will be happy with. 

What do you do to keep your marriage fun? 

My husband and I are good at playing together and being silly.  We have learned to prioritize fun time together.  Also, we love to travel.  Even if we take a short overnight trip, we try to get away with each other as often as we can.  It helps us break away from the norm and feel refreshed.

You love to use dramatic light.  How do you see those great lighting situations?  What have you done to train  yourself to notice where cool light is?

The first workshop I ever went to, Joyce Wilson said, “Light is your hero.”  I have made that my philosophy for years.  I will seek out good light more than specific locations.  If I love a location but don’t like the lighting, I will create it myself.  I like to pre-visualize my sessions…I am definitely a planner.  I speak with my clients in advance about outfit choices, style, location, mood, etc.  Then, I scout locations based on the tone we are trying to achieve.  I will also plan my lighting at each spot.  Sometimes this amount of planning isn’t possible.  I think that is where training your eye is important.  I constantly look at magazines, books, websites, etc.  I like to evaluate each shot I love and decide why I like it.  Is it the light?  Pose?  Then, I try to get in the photographer’s head and see how they executed the shot.  By studying lots of shots, you train your eye.  Also, there is nothing that replaces just getting out there and trying things!

What is your best advice in using off-camera lighting?

Practice and keep it simple.  Almost all of my lighting is done with Canon 580 EXIIs and Pocket Wizards.  When I wanted to learn off-camera lighting, I kept it simple at first.  I started with one light off-camera.  After that felt comfortable, I added to it.  Practice in a low stress situation before trying to add it at a wedding or sometime stressful.  I think the most important thing is to visualize it before you shoot.  Try to determine what the light will do before you shoot.  Do you want your flash to balance the ambient situation?  Do you want your flash to be the main light?  What are you trying to achieve?  I think many people feel intimidate by flash, but if you know your equipment and what you are trying to achieve, you can create any situation you can imagine.  The first thing I wanted to learn was to light my subject to bring down the background.  So, I read and studied lighting and my equipment then went out and practiced until I was comfortable. 

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

Word of mouth has been my greatest advertisement.  I definitely went over and above for my first clients to achieve word of mouth.  Small things make a huge difference.  Learning how to optimize my website was also important.  I am blessed to be married to a man who knows how to do that for me.  That definitely helped things grow quickly.  Networking with other vendors was also important. I would send free prints to florists, bakers, locations, etc. 

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

I think you have to work to achieve that.  While my business is home-based, it is separated from our living area.  You have to have some separation of home and business.  So, we plan our time each day.  It has taken years to figure it out and reach that point, but we have learned to schedule and guard our time.  I know when you are first starting or feel busy it is hard to walk away from the business.  But, it is vital to guard your time.  We have made a pact that we will have a certain amount of time each week where business is not allowed.

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

I think it is vital to push yourself.  Keep learning, growing, creating.  Don’t be satisfied with the same thing.  I have a rule about going to locations a certain number of times.  Or if I return to the same place, I have to change it up.  I try not to do the same thing twice.  I think that has been important in my success.

What three products or things help you stay organized?

Financial software – Quicken or QuickBooks (whatever works for you)

Microsoft Outlook

My assistant

(I am more traditional about organization – more paper based calendars, folders and such)

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

Your business is important but not at the expense of your faith or family.  It can be so overwhelming to run a business.  It is also very fun and exciting.  That combination can lead to an imbalance in your life.  I believe maintaining balance is extremely important.  It can be very difficult, but in the long run, it is worth it!  Also, don’t over-promise and under-deliver!

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

Make your own rules.  This is your business.  You have the freedom to do what you want with it!  I am currently revamping my business to add more of what I love and remove the things I don’t enjoy.  Your business doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. 

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

Create goals and write them down

Stay organized

Maintain balance

Make time for yourself

Be yourself

To see more of Shan's work:

Website

Blog

***All images in this post are copyright  Shan Renee.***