Focus on the Forums

There are a ton of photography forums out there. Some are amazing. Some are just getting started. Some, I could live without. Each has it’s own little culture and mix of people and styles, so some are a better fit for me than others. Online forums can be a great place for learning and networking with other photographers, as well as keeping up with the latest trends and techniques. I am involved with two that are focused on professional portrait photography, and they have been great educational tools for me. Then there are a few places I drop in on because I’ve made friends with some of the other photographers, or there is a certain emphasis on other types of photography that I just enjoy looking at. You can find most of them in the blogroll links to the right.

For today, we’ll stay in The Republic. For Texans and the surrounding states, TexasPhotoForum is a great place to network with other photographers in our region. You’ll find people at all levels of experience, from brand new hobbiests to full-time professionals who have been in the business for many years. They have some really amazing nature photographers over there, so it’s fun to go and see what the regulars are posting from their excursions. It is a free board (with the option to become a premium member) so it is easy to go check out. But as with any board, the value is in posting and getting to know people — you will always get more out of a forum membership if you post than if you just lurk. We’re all busy, but the little bit of time you spend getting to know people will pay off. They’re having a membership drive right now so if you go and look around, tell them I sent you.

It will be another busy week in the studio but I hope to be able to post a few entries this week. Another big thank you to Jennifer Nace for being our featured photographer this month. You’re a hit, Jen!

August Featured Photographer: Jennifer Nace

Waseca Photographer Jennifer Nace attended our Minnesota workshop earlier this year and she’s become one of my favorite people. She’s got such a positive outlook and you can really see how she takes everything she’s learned and immediately starts incorporating what will work for her work and her business.

Where are you from? What kind of work do you do?
I’m from a small town in South Central Minnesota. It’s about an hour south of the Twin Cities. I kind of photograph anything LOL- newborns, babies, kids, families, seniors and take a limited number of weddings. We just built a brand new studio that I LOVE so I do mostly studio work.

How long have you been in business?
2 years exactly.

What drew you to photography?

I got started the same way a lot of us did. I started playing around with photoshop and digital scrapbooking in 2005. Before my 2nd son was born, Idecided to get a Digital Rebel XT so I could catch the little smiles and stuff that I missed with my crappy point and shoot. He was born March of 2006 and at that time knew NOTHING about photography. I started making birth announcements and cards online around this time, and in June of 06′ my friend had a baby and asked if I’d snap a few pictures with my ‘nice camera’ to use for her birth announcement. I taped a white sheet to my wall and did some horrible newborn images. After she sent out the announcement I had made, people started asking where she got the pictures taken and soon random people started emailing and calling. At this time I figured I should learn how my camera worked LOL. I joined a few forums and soaked up SO much information. I have pretty much been crazy busy ever since! Every session has been a learning experience.
I really feel like things happen for a reason and feel so blessed to finally have found my passion! Before this, I really felt lost and didn’t know WHAT I wanted to do with my life (besides be a Mommy

What’s your favorite age to photograph?

I really love the variety of ages I get to work with but I’d say my favorites would be 7-9 months or 3-4 year olds.

The one thing in your camera bag (besides your camera) that you couldn’t live without:

My 24-70L lens

Some of your inspirations:

Fashion and Bridal magazines. I also love visiting other photographers websites.

Favorite non-photography sites:
www.gap.com and www.gymboree.com LOL LOL. What can I say- I like to shop

What was the best thing you learned at the workshop?

Oh, I learned so much. I completely changed the way I set up my collection pricing. The first client with these collections bought the largest package and I had a $1500 sale! I also love how Shelby shoots from different angles– for instance, from the side so the shadow side of the face is to the camera- Mom’s love this shot and I try to do it with every session now.

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Thank you, Jennifer! Be sure to check out her blog, because she has some lovely portraits up. Here is some more of her beautiful work:

Featured Photographer: Shannon Holden

This month’s Featured Photographer is Shannon Holden, a natural light photographer based in Atlanta who came to our workshop in Georgia last summer. Her lifestyle photography captures the spirit of babies and children in a fresh, unique way. Here’s what Shannon has to say about her experience in the past year:

Since your workshop, I’ve found myself working with natural light in a new way. I find myself studying and experimenting with the light in more precise and deliberate ways. And I have a renewed appreciation for my baby plan and have gained some new baby plan clients who are already proving to be great blessings to my business. The shift in perspective I gained at your workshop has been a huge improvement for my career.
Thank you!

Thank you, Shannon, for agreeing to be our Featured Photographer this month! I’ve really enjoyed watching you incorporate these little things this year! You can view more of Shannon Holden’s work at http://www.shannonholden.com.

Looking for a few good photographers…

Welcome to the new blog! Let me tell you something: WordPress is NOT like anything I’ve ever used before. But I think that ultimately the move from outside hosting will be good for the blog and the site in general.

I am in search of a few good photographers for two different projects:

First, I’d like to expand my blogroll, so if you’re interested in exchanging links (or if you’ve already got me on your list of friends) let me know so I can link back. I’d be happy to link to photographers outside of New Braunfels.

And second, if you’ve been to one of my workshops, I am looking for some non-local photographers to feature on the blog. We’ve featured former student Charity Plasse in the past, and I’d like to feature someone new about once a week. So if you’d like to be featured, please shoot me an email at workshops@shelbylane.net. I am not likely to be able to feature everyone, but I would love to share what y’all are up to these days.

I hope you all had a safe and happy holiday weekend! The studio is closed today but I will return all photographer calls and emails when I get in tomorrow.

Featured Photographer: Charity Plasse of Mobile, AL

I love hearing back from past workshop attendees, so I decided it would be nice to showcase some of them when they give me updates on what they’re doing with their businesses. It is so wonderful to hear from people who have taken ideas and run with them, to change their business for the better. Charity Plasse is one of those great go-getter photographers. She is so much fun in person (and online) and we have some really weird stuff in common, including our taste in scrolly stuff. Her work is lovely and her business is about to take off like a rocket. She’s taken all her ideas for marketing and has made those ideas realities: it seems like every time I talk with her she’s got a new partnership in negotiations or a new display going up. Her follow through is fantastic.

Not only is she letting me feature her work, but she also wrote a great little blub about her experience at the workshop.

“Attending the Shelby Lane workshop was one of the best investments I have ever made in my business! Shelby talks candidly about her own business and shares what has worked and what hasn’t, without holding back. Her approachability and willingness to share help to set the tone for a relaxed learning environment. She welcomes all questions and answers them thoroughly.

“Marketing, building and maintaining a client base, lighting, shooting, editing, and pricing were just a handful of topics covered. I can honestly say that as a result of this workshop, I have seen improvements in EVERY area of my business.

“Whether you are just starting out or you’ve been in business for years, you will leave re-energized with lots of fabulous ideas that you can begin to implement right away. Well worth the cost of attendance! I can’t recommend it highly enough!”

Thank you, Charity, for your kind words AND for being an inspiration to me to get busy with my own ideas. I think you’ll have an amazing 2008.