10 Questions to Ask Your Photographer

So I was scrolling through some blogs, and I ran across this particular one through a Digital Photography School.  (I’m constantly researching places online to improve my skill and technique).   I thought it would be interesting to post the questions and my answers as if I was asked.

kimheadshotjuly2016

Original questions can be found at http://digital-photography-school.com

Q1. What kind of gear do you use?

  • Camera body –   Canon Mark II EOS 7D
  • Lens –   My go to lens is my Sigma Art 35 mm.  I use this for my volunteer work and for all my newborn sessions.   For outdoor portraiture like family, I use my 70-200 IS II Canon …  I also have a good variety of other lenses like macro and wide angle for different other scenarios I may run across.
  • Tripod – I have no idea, lol.  I do know it’s a pretty good one.  It was a present from my husband.  When I upgrade my studio I do want a dedicated camera pole without the wide tripod legs so people do not trip on them.
  • Filters –  I use a polarizer sometimes for my sigma, otherwise I do not really use filters unless I’m doing landscapes and want to mess with colors straight in the camera.
  • Flash –  Alien Bee with a PLM system and Westcott Spyder Daylight in the studio (where I do the majority of my shoots).    On location I have one of the top Neewer strobe flash.  I don’t know the model make or anything.  It’s something to get me by until I can get the Canon.   I mainly use my IceLight since I’m not a camera flash person anyways, I prefer to use reflectors if I can get away with it.
  • Camera bag – I don’t know.  It’s a really pretty used to be expensive leather one I bought second hand from another local photographer.  I love it soooo much though!    I do have a fancy Canon bag too as a back up.
  • Mention others, if any.    Light monitor, pocket wizards, ….   I just have a lot of stuff.  LOL

Q2. Which is your favorite lens? Why?

Sigma Art 35mm.   It’s amazing how wide open this lens can go and keep your subject tact sharp the majority of the time.  It’s also a super quiet lens so I can work close to baby and not wake them up with a loud shutter noise or be the most annoying person at the wedding ceremony with my super loud lens.

Q3. When you go in one of your travels, what all you take with you? Why?

I usually take my Rebel and a good zoom lens on big family trips.  I usually do not feel comfortable taking my expensive camera with me on travel unless I know I’m going to take professional shots.

Q4. Among the gadgets that you own, is there something that you wish you hadn’t bought? Why?

The Neewer strobe lights C-300.   They are cheap and can get you by when you are first starting out, but beware because the little buggers can catch fire if you shoot it off more than a few times a minute.  Not exactly idea in a studio setting.   Good thing they were only $100 each.

Q5. In the field, what are your settings?

  • Aperture –   1.8- 2.0  (really depends on how many people are in the shoot, but this is typical newborn setting in the studio)
  • Shutter Speed – 200
  • ISO – 125
  • White Balance – K Custom with a grey card shot
  • Focus – Manual/Auto     Auto
  • Image Format – RAW/JPEG    RAW CR2.

Q6. What kind of tools do you use for post processing? Explain your work flow.

Light Room, Photoshop CC, Topaz

Q7. How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

Workshops, School, and Practice Practice Practice!!!!!

Q8. Among your works, which one is your favorite? Why?

Newborn & Birth Photography.  There is something about taking baby’s first portraits and first moments in life is something so precious.

Q9. Whose work has influenced you most?

Ana Brandt, Caralee Case, Jennifer Nace, & Julia Kelleher

Q10. What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

How expensive photography is!!!   Even if you do not do it as a business, photography can certainly put you in the poor house for sure.  lol.    If I see someone else use something and I like what comes from it, then I’m like.  Oooooh!!   I must have it!   I’m also a prop hoarder.  They probably should have help groups for people like me.   “Hi, my name is Kimberly, and I have a prop hoarding problem”

 

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