Photo Talk Forum Blog

Jessica Gwozdz :: Be Inspired :: Member Spotlight

Katie Loerts — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:27:37 +0000

Photo Talk Forum member, Jessica Gwozdz is our member spotlight – she’s always willing to share the details and we’re grateful to have her with us. Here’s a little getting to know you from Jessica…

“What an honor to be featured here at Photo Talk! My name is Jessica Gwozdz. I live in the Chicago area and am a mom of two. I have a 9 year old daughter, a 6 year old son, and a super-handy husband nicknamed MacGyver (because he can literally build a rocketship with a paperclip and piece of duct tape).

Like many of us, I had another life before photography although in my case photography was always entwined somehow. I worked as a biomedical engineer for several years before my daughter was born in late 2002. At that point I was taking pictures for family and friends (on film, ever hear of it? Ha, ha!). I had already been contemplating quitting engineering for a couple of years to pursue photography but I felt guilty. I was making good money, I had so many years of education, and it seemed somehow wasteful to walk away from that for the chance I might possibly be able to be successful as a photographer. My daughter’s birth gave me the freedom to let go of the guilt and finally turn my passion into a reality.

I took the leap and have never been happier. I work from home and am able to set my hours around my kids’ schedules. I have dedicated space in the house for my shooting room and showroom. I have thought about moving into a retail space but I honestly really do love working from home and my family has been so supportive of my business goals. One of the biggest advantages to working from home is the lower overhead and the ability to ride out the ebbs and tides in this ever-changing marketplace.

I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to lighting so my niche has become studio portraiture. I would describe my style as bright, crisp, and clean. Even though my work is created in a controlled studio environment, I strive to have a relaxed and fun feel.

In 2010 I became a Certified Professional Photographer thru the “Certify with Sandy” program. I am a mentor at ClickinMoms and also teach a beginners studio lighting workshop there. It’s really a lot of fun to “talk shop” about studio lighting intensively for 4 straight weeks. I never realized how much I would enjoy teaching – I am having a blast!

I know this blog feature is about being inspired, so I want to talk about inspiration. I am inspired everyday by my kids, my clients, and by the amazing and beautiful work I see fellow photographers creating. I am also inspired by photos I see in advertisements. Sometimes I find myself looking at product ads and mentally dissecting the lighting patterns to see if I can recreate them. This may sound crazy, but a couple of years ago I participated in a self-portrait challenge that involved a photo a day for an entire year. I learned so much during that year because I was able to try things on myself that I wouldn’t normally try with a client. That year opened up a whole new level of creativity and courage for me.

Here is sampling of some of my favorite images, both client work and from my self-portrait project.

Thanks for reading my feature. I feel so blessed to be able to do something I love and to be in the company of so many amazing and creative photographers!” :: Jessica Gwozdz

Win a UnDfind Waistshooter Bag!

Katie Loerts — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:49:54 +0000

We’re really excited about this giveaway with UnDfind! To Enter click here. It’s so easy to win and everyone gets to be inspired by each other’s photos. Here’s little bit more info about our friends at UnDfind…UNDFIND specializes in the creation of fashionable designer bags and carrying cases for portable consumer electronics such as notebook computers, photography equipment, and general gadgets. The concept was conceived to fill a desperate market need for unique solutions for personal technology carrying cases that are not only innovative and cross-functional, but also stylish in appearance.

Visit the Photo Talk Forum Facebook Page and UnDfind on Facebook! This giveaway is open worldwide. Shipping not included. International winners pay international shipping rates while domestic winners pay domestic shipping rates.

Happy May Day! A New FREEBIE for members!

Katie Loerts — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:15:13 +0000

Something just for fun! You can download inside the forum –> http://bit.ly/MayDayFreebie!

Love This! Andy Bondurant’s: The Collective!

Katie Loerts — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:35:11 +0000

We want to thank our spotlight Andy Bondurant for sharing with us this month. The advice given in regards to social media, blogging and how to manage workflow has been helpful for everyone. Some of our favorite posts were about, Developing a Social Media Plan, Finding a schedule that fits – Maker vs. Manager, Executing a Social Media Plan, and How to Write a Better Blog Post.

You can download Andy’s Fast & Easy Marketing Presentation by clicking here. And be sure so sign up for The Collective newsletter – it’s full of solid information (and some fun stuff too!). Thanks again Andy for sharing with us this month!

What do you give your senior clients?

Katie Loerts — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:17:02 +0000

Lori Nordstrom just posted some photos of what her studio is giving this year to their senior clients. Take a peek, ask questions and share with members what you are doing. Click here for more

How’d they do it? Congrats to Kimberlee Kay Photography!

Katie Loerts — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:09:59 +0000

We are proud of members Kim d’Escoto and daughter Kayla of Kimberlee Kay Photography, their photo was recently featured on the “Print Life” blog of Color Inc Pro Lab on April 18th. Here’s what Kim had to say about their image…

“An added perk to this special recognition was that baby happens to be my newborn nephew, the first boy welcomed by my sister and brother-in-law and their six daughters! My daughter & photography business partner, Kayla, and I photograph all our shoots together, and as in this photo, we bring our portable studio to the family’s home where parents and baby can relax and be more comfortable. Kayla and I alternate being behind the camera and assisting, which is especially nice at newborn sessions because they can last for hours. In this particular shot, I created the set and she captured & edited the photograph. We work so closely during a shoot and our styles are so compatible, sometimes we can’t even remember who shot which photos afterwards. It’s fun to see the work of our hands and hearts appreciated by others out there.” – Kim d’Escoto

The Photovision Vault

Katie Loerts — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:47:42 +0000

Have you heard about the PhotoVision Vault? It’s the latest offering from PhotoVision, giving all photographers an opportunity to watch free full-length education segments on demand. Each week, the PhotoVision Vault unlocks a new video starring top photographers in the industry, sharing tips, techniques and important fundamentals. There’s no sign-up or log-in necessary! You simply head to www.photovisionvideo.com/vault, choose the device you’ll use to play the streaming video and start watching. Topics range from newborn and wedding portraiture to lighting and marketing essentials.

We caught up with Ed Pierce, owner and host of PhotoVision, and got the inside scoop about why he’s sharing free education and what’s new with PhotoVision.

Q: Why did you start the PhotoVision Vault?
Ed: When I began PhotoVision over fifteen years ago, my goal was to share high-quality education with the photographic community at a reasonable price.

The PhotoVision Vault developed out of the need to show the world PhotoVision is more than just DVDs and my desire to give back by offering free segments from our top PhotoVision speakers. There’s a wealth of information that all photographers can explore, no matter what skill level they have. The Vault gives everyone an opportunity to see PhotoVisions unique approach for free.

Q: What will we find in the PhotoVision Vault?
Ed: The videos change each week (some even more often than that!), and we’ve tried to give photographers a mix of topics. You might not be a wedding photographer, but posing and lighting techniques of a wedding photographer may inspire you to try something new when you’re shooting a high school senior session. We’ve got a schedule up on the PhotoVision Vault site so that anyone can see what’s coming up. All of the segments are full-length – no teasers – but once they’re locked back up, they’re gone!

We’ve got some great videos lined up with some hot photographers (Zach and Jody Gray, Lori Nordstrom, Sarah Petty) and we’re excited to be able to offer many of these segments in HD.

Q: For those who may not be familiar with PhotoVision, can you share a little bit about what it is?
PhotoVision is on demand, high quality photographic education, What makes PhotoVision education unique is that all of our segments are produced in the real working environments of our photographers. Every year, the PhotoVision film crew hits the road and travels to the featured photographers’ studios. The segments are filmed in the photographers’ camera rooms or at their favorite locations with actual actual clients. You can see how these photographers deal with workflow, marketing and sales consultations. It’s pretty amazing to see them actually working, rather than just standing up on a stage talking about what they do.

Subscribers can choose to receive bi-monthly DVDs, each with over three hours of educational content filmed in HD. In January, we rolled out our streaming subscription options, so you can watch segments anywhere you have an Internet connection. Some subscribers are addicted to watching segments on their iPhones or Android device or on their iPad because it’s so easy. Photographers are busy, so PhotoVision works on their schedule, whenever and wherever they want.

Q:Where can photographers watch free segments in the Vault or get more information about PhotoVision?
Ed: Free segments are at www.photovisionvideo.com and if you’re interested in learning more about PhotoVision and the 500 hours of great content we have, you can visit www.photovisionvideo.com. We hope you check our the schedule to see if your favorite photographer is in the Vault soon! (Hint: Lori will be in the Vault starting April 25th…)

Curious About Sport Photos?

Katie Loerts — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:26:31 +0000

A different kind of sports spread by Michael Cerizo! See the raws and how he created this awesome photo! Details inside the forum –> http://bit.ly/CerizoSports PLUS, take a peek at a pretty ballerina session that was shot at the park –> http://bit.ly/CerizoBallerina. Thank you for sharing with us Michael!

Attend the Thrive Workshop! AND find out how you can win a complete STudio Makeover!

Katie Loerts — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:21:18 +0000

Our February Spotlight, Karen Carey has invited you all to join her Thrive Workshop and enter to win a complete Studio Makeover!

The Thrive Workshop is designed to increase your sales and make your studio more profitable. Period. You can put your camera down this time because this workshop is all business. Karen Carey and Mara Blom Schantz will guide you through a weekend workshop guaranteed to change the way you approach your business. Learn how to sell yourself, brand, market, price, present and make sales with your retail photography. Plus, learn how to set up creative fees, licensing fees, estimates, contracts, file delivery and representation of commercial photography. You will prosper, be successful and flourish! Karen’s workshop is Augsut 28-30, 2012 in California. To register and gather additional details, visit their website at: KarenCareyPhoto.com

We also want to be sure you enter to win a complete studio makeover and transform your studio and life! Photo Talk Forum is also giving a 1 year subscription to the winner. Karen and Mara are accepting applications – apply at ThriveMakeOver.com

Kasey Marsh :: Be Inspired :: Member Spotlight

Katie Loerts — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 07:46:28 +0000

Say hello to our most recent member spotlight, Kasey Marsh! We love that Kasey shared a ton of seriously cute and well-done images inside the forum for members to use as inspiration. She caught our attention and we wanted to share with you all too. Check out her threads inside the forum…Birth Announcements and Infant Favs.

We asked Kasey to tell us a little more about her studio and photographic style…thanks for sharing Kasey! “Hello, I’m Kasey Marsh of Monkey Tree Photography in Houston, TX. My specialties are weddings & infant portraiture. My wedding style is very candid, expressive, lovey-dovey and colorful! I love providing my clients with works of art that incorporate their love for one another– the goal is to remain a calm, nurturing presence on the wedding day and watch their story unfold. My infant portraiture style is very simple, soft, sweet, and special… the goal of these sessions is to provide breathtaking infant portraits, but also to capture some sweet little moments between the family as well. I shoot both home and studio sessions, whatever is most comfortable for the new family.”