1. How did you get started in photography and when did you start your business?

I got my degree in Graphic Design in college, and did that for a few years, until l later ended up in sales for a printing company. Once I started having children, and it reignited my passion for creativity, and founded my love of digital photography. I always loved photography, however I never put the time into it and really nurtured that passion until I was pregnant with my first child. At that point, I became obsessed about learning everything I could.

2. Where are you located? Do you have a studio space or do you shoot on-location?

I have a store front studio space in Elk River, MN. A suburb northwest of Minneapolis. I do shoot on location for seniors and families, or outdoor shoots, however I shoot all newborns at my studio.

3. What do you shoot with and what are your favorite lenses?

I shoot with a Nikon D700, and my go to lenses are my 50mm (for most of my newborn work) and my Nikon 24-70 2.8 for the family/sibling shots. I just recently got the Nikon 105mm macro lens, and loving that too!!

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4. Do you shoot anything other than newborns?

I love everything about babies! Their smell, their skin, their lips, hands and fingers, feet, hair on their ears... everything! I love photographing newborns the most of everything I shoot, I feel they're the most rewarding and satisfying sessions. I love capturing those moments for families, and capturing Mom, when she's not feeling her most beautiful, and showing her just how beautiful she is with her new angel. I also shoot babies, families and seniors. I do shoot a wedding or two a year, if it's the right venue and situation.

5. How would you describe your style & where do you find your inspiration?

Real, ever-evolving, modern ... I strive to capture true emotion. Music inspires me and so do my kids. Stories I read, books, beautiful weather, love, God... I'm inspired by random things all the time. Walking through Home Goods will usually inspire an idea or 10 :)

6. Have you taken any photography workshops and/or training?

I did an editing workshop several years ago when I was just starting out, and also attended a workshop with Son Kissed Photography (Kristen Mackey) last year. I have a degree in graphic design, so that helped out with my photoshop learning curve, however it's pretty obsolete now! It's been over a decade.

7. Where do you like to shop for your props? Do you have favorite vendors?

I am co-owner of the Studio Prop Shop, so we make a lot of our own hats/headbands/pant sets (been a little too busy to create new things for a while though), but of course I love to pick up new things at Home Goods, JD Vintage Props,  Roses and Ruffles, Knits and blooms, Zoe & Oliver, Trinket & Pixie to name a few .

8. Please share with us your top 5 favorite images!

To pick 5 favorites is REALLY hard... it changes all the time. I really love the moments between siblings, when they're super sweet and you capture that perfect moment, or with Mom & Dad so in love with their new little ones. These images had something special about each of them that I truly love.

 

9. What are the 3 things you wish someone would have told you when you started?

You need to have a good working knowledge of how to successfully run a small business. I wish someone would have told me how important it is to have a solid business plan and goals to understand what you need to charge in order to make a profit, and have a successful business.

It's not just about creativity and passion for photography and/or babies, which I think is why there are SO many new photographers out there, thinking it's so easy to start a photography business. The business portion of it is a whole other beast when you don't have experience in that, or a desire to do that part.

It is also hard to balance work and family life when you work from home at all, which I do most of my editing from home. It is important to have a set schedule if you have children and a family looking for your attention as well.

 

 

10. Lastly, tell us about YOU! Who are you, other than a photographer?

 

I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a dreamer, and a coffee lover. I love the Lord and am grateful everyday for my blessings in this life. I live with passion, purpose and hope, and have a future with my sights set high!

 

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Would you like to be our next Spotlight Photographer? E-mail us at info@newbornphotography.com with the subject “Spotlight Photographer.” We look forward to featuring you!