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Back to school

Photography is a never ending class. As soon as I think I've mastered a skill set, the technology changes or I hear of a completely new way to approach a challenge I thought I had conquered. Fortunately for me, there are quite of few local opportunities for expanding my knowledge and unending (impossible) mission to "learn it all."

At the moment, I'm attending the 2011 Wedding Photographic Society Convention and after just day one, I'm already feeling inspired, rejuvenated, and I can't wait to share the AMAZING live photo shoots they've put together.

Stay tuned...

Wedding Photographic Society Q2 Image Contest...woo hoo!

Tuesday was a tough day. Nothing traumatizing in particular, just one of those days when you're really glad the work day is over. I was feeling tired/stressed/overwhelmed and was ready to crawl into bed, but I knew I would regret missing the monthly WPS meeting. I needed a pick-me-up and boy did I get one. Not only did I get to catch up with my photog friends, I found out that I placed in the quarterly image contest and in 2 categories!!! What!? I know, I was stunned too. The image above placed 3rd in the artistic category and the image below placed 5th in the photojournalism category. Yay!

You can view all the AMAZING winners here.

{Wedding Photographic Society, Raleigh NC Wedding and Portrait Photographer}

Coming into the Light

I'm a natural light photographer. Mostly (like 90%) because I prefer softly lit pictures in pretty ambient light, but partly (the remaining 10%) because I'm not as comfortable with my flash and the thought of using off-camera flash - well that's just scary or it seemed scary until I attended Hobby & McNally's Flash Bus Tour.

I was afraid that most of the info was going to be completely over my head, but they explained in a way that just made good sense. It was almost like being inside their heads - they took a situation and broke down the available light and then what off-camera lighting they would use and why, even showing their mistakes along the way. Genius!

Armed with my swag bag of gels, frio gift card and other goodies, I can't wait to dust off my flash (yes, there's dust on it... that's how frequently I use it) and start practicing!

Thanks guys!

You've Got Mail

My mailbox has been getting a lot of action recently with the arrival of books (yes, they still make them!). Two of my favorite photographers have books out, so I've jumped on the band wagon to see what I can learn from them.

First up, Millie Holloman's Get-It-Together Kit.

Organized chaos. I thrive on it. Whenever I have too much time on my hands, I seem to stagnate. When I'm busy though, I'm super efficient. Why is that?

However, I'm quickly realizing that more photo shoots (woo hoo!) equals more photo editing, burning, mailing, printing, emailing, etc. (eh?), which leads to chaos (boo) and unfortunately, it's not really the organized kind... How do I keep up and still have a life?

Enter the Get-It-Together Kit. It's like she knows exactly what I'm thinking... and struggling with. I've already implemented one of her revelations and had an immediate payoff, which was pretty exciting. I can't wait to see what other gems I'll learn.

Next, Jose Villa's Fine Art Wedding Photography book.

*Sigh. I find myself drooling over his website and blog, which can be dangerous when a computer is involved. Thank goodness he wrote a book, so now I can just drool over its pages (much less costly) AND learn the method of his madness genius. His images are simply stunning - they're so creamy and delicious, that I could just eat them up (kind of craving a cupcake right now). And he's created a signature style that enables anyone to spot his photos a mile away. I'm still searching for mine, so any inspiration and "how-to" will be greatly appreciated.

Now I just need a rainy day to give me an excuse to stay in read away the day.

Happy Saturday!

{Raleigh NC Wedding & Portrait Photographer}

WPPI Experience Part II

As a painfully shy person who fits the introvert type to a tee, WPPI can be extremely overwhelming. Add in the element of not knowing what I was in store for and not knowing one single person (out of 15,000+) attending the convention, and this could cause a lot of anxiety. And for the first day or so, it did. I was anxious, but also really really excited, so much so that I sometimes had trouble differentiating between the two.

Luckily, I had my best friend (aka husband) there to support me (stop hitting the snooze darlin', you'll be late for class) and take fun excursions to take a breather from the constant talk of photography.

The excursions included a visit to the lion habitat

Fountain Show

Touring the lobby and Chinese New Year's display at the Bellagio

And just lots of walking and good eating in general


Once I figured out the flow of classes, room locations and struck up some friendly chit chat with my "line mates," the less stressful it seemed and more comfortable I felt being there. I even stepped out of my comfort zone and introduced myself... to strangers. If you know me, this is shocking.

After 4 days of classes from 8am to 8pm plus lots of fun activities in between, I was exhausted, and felt like this.

But, strangely enough, I also felt energized and had a huge smile on my face. Kind of like this one.

And would do it all over again in a heart beat. Can't wait for 2012.

The Perils of Posing

I'm finally feeling comfortable shooting in manual mode, and actually, I've come to prefer it since I have complete control over the composition of the picture, which is great for a control freak like me. I've even gotten to the point where I'm not constantly thinking about and over analyzing the settings, I'm just doing it, and if it it works, YAY! If not, I figure out what I did wrong (Ah ha! I metered for the building behind the people rather than the actual people. Silly me.) and move on.

So now I feel like that next huge hurdle I have to overcome is posing.

Realization Moment: Not only do you have to figure out your camera, you mean you have to figure out what to do with the people too?! This is getting harder...

Luckily, I've come across some great tidbits of information that are a little more helpful than my previous standard of telling people to "look natural or act like you love each other, while sitting awkwardly on this really uncomfortable rock/itchy grass/ice cold sidewalk." Which is usually followed by their look of "is she for real?" I, immediately sensing their sense of apprehension, quickly alleviate the situation with the always assuring, "don't worry, it looks great... completely normal...I promise." Yikes.

So, to help with the serious awkwardness of the posing situation, I now scour magazines (Vogue, InStyle, Southern Weddings Magazine), catalogs (J.Crew, Anthropologie), the classics (photographs/paintings/sculptures in my favorite museums) for inspiration. I'll then add these bits o' inspiration to my very own look book. A day or two before the shoot, I'll scan through them. I find that once I'm actually at the shoot, I tend to have forgotten the specifics of the exact pose, but the general idea remains, so I create something that's my own - for better or worse.

"pondering posing" pose

Thanks to Kate Nordstrom for the photo. You rock.

Process Overload

I'm back! And whoa, where to begin? It's taken me a few days to process what just happened, but my paralysis due to excitement and taking in an overwhelming amount of information is finally starting to subside and I'm ready blog again! 

I've never felt more inspired and validated in my mission. One overarching theme I found throughout my classes that I especially took to heart was that we, photographers all have passion, we all have cameras, but what sets us a part is our vision and not just the vision to compose an image. It's the vision of your business, your brand, but even more importantly, you - and where you see yourself going. It's so easy to see another photographer's portfolio or website or blog and want to make your own image look similar (what were their settings, what actions did they use, how did they get that lighting), but then you're not being true to yourself and selling your images - you're selling theirs. I especially took this to heart because I've been struggling to find my voice in my images and brand. There are so many photographers' work that when I see an image published in a magazine or blog, I know it's theirs immediately and I'm left wondering how they found their vision and can remain so consistent in it without losing creativity. I know it's not going to happen over night, but I feel so much closer to figuring out my own style and am ready to build a brand on it. Until now, I've been in reactive mode - I've responded to photo shoot requests without envisioning how they'll represent my brand. I've been trying to take "pretty" pictures, without a vision. It was a wake up call and just in time since it's time for me to create a real brand and website. I'm excited.

Part II of my WPPI experience is coming soon...

Vegas Baby, Vegas!

I'm on my way to Las Vegas for my first trip to the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International convention where I'll rub elbows with 15,000 other photographers... (yeah, you read correctly, 15k!), take classes led by many of my heroes (with 2,000 of my closest friends), take a spin around the ginormous trade show to see what's the latest and greatest gear and enter lots of raffles to win free stuff! Needless to say, I'm excited, anxious, and overwhelmed by the amazing opportunity a convention of this magnitude offers a newbie such as myself. I definitely will feel like a fish out of water, but am heading into with my eyes wide open. I'm ready to learn... to take my business to the next level, and I think WPPI will give me that kick in the butt I need to keep motivated, inspired and moving forward.

To alleviate some of my anxiety (for me, new = scary), I've created my personal collage of preparedness. I'm a planner, so I think these items will help me survive the craziness that will likely ensue. 

1. Flats! With a convention this large, there will A LOT of walking involved, so flats will be a must.

2. Sharpies! I've claimed my love for them before, so it's a no brainer that I've already got a fresh set ready to go.

3. Agua. I'm notoriously bad about forgetting to drink enough of it. I'll need to stay focused for the long days & nights, so hydration will be key.

4. More flats! I'm kind of obsessed with these boots and I would get bored with just one pair of flats, so a second (or third) pair will keep my feet happy.

5. iPod Touch. I've loaded it with all my music (duh), but also my creativeLive downloads of Jasmine Star - just in case I feel the need to review...

6.  Zone Perfect bars. Should hunger strike, I'll be prepared.

7. Notepad. Lots of notes to be taken, so I've gotten a brand new notepad to give me plenty of space for the tasty tidbits of info I must not forget.

8. Business cards! Network, network, network. 

9. Green tea. Just in case I feel like I need a little pick me up in morning and the end of the line for Starbucks is across the street (I've heard this is very likely given the number of photographers in one place), this way I'll still be able to get my daily jolt.

I can't wait.

Photo Shoot Giveaway Update!

The drawing is this week! Donate now for your chance to enter. More info can be found here!

Photo Shoot Giveaway

{Thanks to Kate Nordstrom for the above photograph!}

That's right. I'm giving away a free photo session in the Triangle area!

Questions? I'm sure you have a few.

Why?
It's for a great cause. Beatrice's mom, whom you may remember from here and here, has created Team Bea, which will walk in support of the March of Dimes campaign on April 30th. Beatrice Kate was born 11 weeks premature and the March of Dimes was instrumental in her survival. You can read all about her story on the family's blog.

Who? 

The whole family is welcome to join in the fun, as long as there are no more than four people (pets won't count towards the max and they're invited too of course). 

What?
An hour session and hi-res disc of digital images.

When?
The drawing is still TBD and Bea's mom will provide more info on her blog. I'll update this info as soon as I know, but the sooner you donate then the more likely you are to win one of her great giveaways.

Where?
Your home, local park, city square... anywhere really, just as long as it's within the Triangle area. I have a list of recommended places if you'd like some suggestions.

How?
To register for a chance to win the photo shoot and lots of other great giveaways, you'll just need to "like" Laura Simson Photography on Facebook (you can find the "like" in the top right corner of my blog) and make a donation of at least a $25 to Team Bea. More info on donating can be found here on the team's March of Dimes website.

Still have more questions? Feel free to shoot me an email.

Good luck!

Year In Review

When you're trying to move forward, it's important to look back to see how far you've come and twenty-ten has definitely been a year of firsts for me. My first blog post, my first client, my first second shooting opportunity, my first solo wedding shoot, my first business card, my first upgrade to a "professional" camera (Canon 5d MarkII!!!), and my first photography conference. This also makes you realize how far you have to go though... a business plan, logo/blog/website design, more engagements, more wedding bookings, more networking, more second shooting opportunities, more referrals, more classes, more conferences, more equipment - it's enough to make your head spin.

I feel like I'm on the right track, but it's daunting nonetheless.  Sometimes I wonder if my end goal of being a full time photographer, shooting about 25-30 weddings a year, plus lots of family and baby portraits is too lofty - there's so much talented competition and it seems like everyone a photographer nowadays, BUT I have confidence in myself that I can do this. I can meet these goals. So my top ten goals for 2011 are (I'm scared to put this in writing, but here it goes)...

 1) Book 6 weddings (if you know of anyone in need of a wedding photographer, send'em my way. My pricing starts at only $1,500 - it's a steal!)
 2) Reach out to more photographers in my community and start second shooting! My goal will be to second shoot for 5 weddings
 3) Redesign my blog, create a website & Facebook group page
 4) Reach out to wedding vendors & start networking. My goal is to send vendors a disc of images for their use after every shoot
 5) Enter a photography contest
 6) Blog at least 2-3 times a week - this is going to be tough, but I can do it... fingers crossed
 7) Slide shows! Everyone loves a good slide show, so my goal will be to create a slide show for all wedding/party shoots
 8) Collateral - create brochures, CDs, trinkets to handout (who doesn't love freebies and I happen know good salesman, who may be my husband), and a sample wedding album
 9) Participate in online photography forums - so much to learn and at no cost! Score!
10) Twitter. I have an account, but really only use it to follow people and rarely ever tweet myself, so it's time to step up and start tweeting

So there you have it. It looks like it's going to be a very busy year for me - I better get started now!

Here's a recap slide show of my year. More slide shows to come!

The Cool Kids

I grabbed a glass of wine, took a seat (probably at the edge of my seat) and prepared myself - for what? I wasn't exactly sure, but I knew I didn't want to miss it. I was at Red Room with about 20 other photographers I look up to, whose blogs and websites I stalk constantly - the people who've conquered and are continuing to conquer what feels like the impossible to me. They're full time. They have a lot of great clients who've trusted them to capture and memorialize their lives. I find myself trying to soak in everything they say, as if each word they exhale is the secret to success. I'm realistic though, I know there isn't really a "secret." Still, just in case they had one up their sleeves, I didn't want to miss it.

I was attending the monthly meeting of the WPS. This month's meeting topic was to reveal the winners of their wedding & portraiture contest and they pretty much knocked my socks off. You can view the winners here and see what I mean....

....

Oh, good, you came back. So yeah, you can see why I might feel a bit intimidated, but I also felt motivated and inspired to create amazing images that make you say, wow and feel proud.

As Nemo's friend Dory once said (yes, I'm quoting a Disney movie, you can judge), "just keep swimming, just keep swimming." And that's exactly what I plan to do. Except I'll be shooting, not swimming...

Retro

I feel like I went from crawling to running without really learning to walk. I know my camera well, but still have a lot to learn about photography. So when my dad offered to get out his old film SLRs from the 70s, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try my hand at shooting "manually" in a whole new way - and with no instant feedback to let me know if I'm getting it right. I'm kind of nervous about the amount of film I may waste, but excited to learn and hopefully get some great photos (fingers crossed). 

Here's my gear. Wish me luck!

Roadtrip!

Tomorrow I will be in the same room with some AMAZING photographers, you might even call them photography rock stars, whose work I stalk, analyze and swoon over endlessly. It's the WPPI Roadtrip and it's coming to a city near me! Okay, not really in my neighborhood, but DC isn't so far away and I would I know having done the long distance relationship for quite some time between DC and Raleigh. But back to my roadtrip! I have to confess... I have NO idea what I'm in store for, but I'm really excited to find out. I've got a fresh notebook and pens all prepared (such a dork) and am ready to absorb everything and anything they say or show me. I cannot wait!

Love letter

Dear Macro Lens, 

I know we've only just met, but I think I'm love. You've done for me what I've been LONGING to do for quite some time now... shoot up close and personal. I'm a details girl, and details are definitely your thing. It's a match made in heaven.

Love always,
Laura

Professional

Before I arrive at a shoot, I tend to have a nervous energy that just won't quit. Even though I have a plan in place, I know that when you're in the moment, things happen. Good things you weren't expecting that make you say to yourself, hey, you might be decent at this. But the anticipation kills me. I just can't wait to see what I'm going to find. I was having just such a moment while I was waiting for Mia's hair cut to wrap up, when another salon patron looked at me, examined my camera and asked nonchalantly, so you're a professional? I froze. Not sure what to say. Hesitated another second while he continues to stare, waiting for answer that seems like it should be obvious, but is obviously weighing on me. Yes, I say, I am. Just to see what it feels like. And it felt pretty good.

Butterflies

I had a great Saturday. As soon as I woke up, I knew it was going to be a good day. It was my first shoot at a wedding as an assistant/second shooter and I think it exceeded my very high expectations. I got to take a few shots with my own camera and then spent a good period of time switching out lenses, cards and holding cameras while Leah worked her magic. I learned SO much just by watching her and I'm pretty sure I had an ear-to-ear grin on my face the entire time. By the time the reception rolled around I was given her second body 5d to shoot with - and I was so excited I had to restrain myself from shouting, wow, look at that shot, oh my gosh, now look at this one! Though I did lose my "cool" a couple of times when I was especially proud of something I had captured and ran to show her immediately. I realize now that I may have let my "newbie" shine through a bit too much, but it was hard to contain my excitement. Note to self, act more like you've done this before next time... (fingers crossed there is a next time!)

I'm currently shipping my images over to Leah so she can go through the gazillion shots we took and burn a copy of mine for me, so for now I'll just post the pre-wedding shots we took around the Butterfly house at the Life and Sciences Museum where the wedding was held. Great location and the staff there was really helpful at making everyone feel at ease for a fantastic wedding day. It was fitting for me that the wedding was at a Butterfly house since I had so many butterflies in my stomach that day, but once I held my camera and took that first shot, I felt at home - like this is what I should be doing.