DEAR PHOTOGRAPHER

Be Inspired session feature by Rachel Lipsmeyer of Rachel K Photo

June 6, 2017June 6, 2017by hellodearphotographerLeave a Comment

Tell us about your approach to the work you do, your time in the business and a few personal facts about you.

I first became interested in photography because I wanted to capture the places I went when I traveled. Then my sister had her first baby, and I helped her document her pregnancy and all my nephew’s first milestones. Soon after others started to ask me about photos, and it all spiraled from there. Since then, I’ve moved my business across the country, gotten married, and welcomed my own little boy. Owning a small business is not without it’s struggles, but it is also one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done! Since

What about this session was most memorable?

Their connection. The sisters to each other and to their husbands. There is so much joy and excitement for a family with a baby on the way, and doubly so within this one, as they awaited two new additions! They were both having little boys too, so you know those cousins are going to grow up being the best of buds!

Were there any hurdles?

Unannounced to me, the sister’s planned 3 outfit changes plus brought along their spouses, other children and mother to include in some of the photos. Also, after one sister was running late to the session, they spent almost the first 30 minutes getting into the first outfit. While we had planned for a two hour session, but I was definitely a little worried about time. In the end, the photos turned out beautifully, and we captured all the combinations and must have photos they requested.

Your best photographer/session advice?

Do a personal project. This is my first year doing a 365 (ish) and I can already see how much my photography has improved! It’s really helped me to hone in on my style as well as to see light in new and creative ways. It’s allowed me to experiment and take risks that I otherwise would never have done with my client work.

What gear was used to achieve these?

Canon 5D markiii, 85mm 1.8, 35mm 1.8

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

I’m Rachel, wife to Josh and mom to 8-month-old Cantor. My love for photography was born from my love to travel and desire to document those adventures. When not traveling, you can usually find me at home in my comfy clothes snuggling my husband and baby, reheating my cup of coffee for the millionth time.

I’m a storyteller that’s obsessed with light, connection, and authentic emotions. I’ve always valued photography, but now that I’m a mom, I treasure photos more than ever. Photos are memories, and those memories are part of the legacy we leave behind for our children and grandchildren. It’s my honor and privilege to get to pursue my passion and use my skills to capture images that tell every families’ unique and beautiful story.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

DEAR PHOTOGRAPHER, PHOTOGRAPHY

Dear Photographer Featuring – Tara Herron Photography

May 17, 2017by hellodearphotographerLeave a Comment

BACK THEN :

Dear Tara,

You will start your photography journey so you can capture the sweetest times. Take photos often. Practice. Don’t get frustrated because you think you are not learning fast enough. Give yourself lots of grace as you navigate this new journey of motherhood and photography. You will learn so much over the next few years and truly find happiness through creating your art. You will endure intense emotional pain when your daughter, Halle dies, but that will become your biggest inspiration. You will find an unwavering passion for creating magic from everyday moments as you push through the pain to once again find happiness. You will find inspiration in movement and light. The light will become a powerful force driving you to keep Halle’s memory alive. Unfortunately, you will have some career disappointments along the way. Your confidence will be shaken when you fail to get accepted by Click Pro. However, you will redeem yourself a couple of months later when you win the Shoot and Share grand prize. In the future, you will continue learning by doing multiple photography workshops. You will meet wonderful photographers and fellow moms who also share the same passion. Always remember to stay honest and true to yourself. You and your children will appreciate the photos even more as they grow. Live in the light, always.

CURRENT WORK :

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

HI. I’m Tara. I’m a family and lifestyle photographer based in Nashville, TN. I’m blessed with a supportive husband and together we are raising 2 amazing children. I’m a light seeker and coffee drinker. I love to travel and met new people. Photography is my therapy.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

DEAR PHOTOGRAPHER, PHOTOGRAPHY

Dear Photographer feature by Teresa Vick Photography

April 12, 2017by hellodearphotographerLeave a Comment

teresavick_dearphotpgrapher

TeresaVickPhotography2013_dearphotographerblog-1 — November 2013, Start of the journey. First engagement shoot.

Dear Teresa,

Above all, remember always to listen to that still, small voice that whispers truth to your soul. The one continually whispering, “you are enough.” The one that quietly leads and directs if you would just be still and listen. Gain inspiration from others around you, but in the end, let it be your own true voice that speaks. Let it be your own soul that escapes into your work. In everything you do, do it with kindness and true love, with understanding, and patience; reflecting the heart of your maker. Take someone’s hand and bring them along with you on your journey. Strive to be honest with yourself and others about your struggles. Seek a place where your weaknesses are not glossed over in a grandiose vision of self, yet where your strengths also are not suppressed from consciousness. In the end, it is not what you said or did that matters. But whether you nourished your relationship with the One who loves you and reflected His love accurately. You will fail. You will stumble. You will fall short. Accept that inevitability, but remember to get back up, shake it off, learn from it and move on. Wake up and start the day new, seeking the heart of the only true lover of your soul.”

TeresaVickPhotography_dearphotographerblog-7 More from the beach. My happy place.

ABOUT THE ARTIST :

Graphic Designer since 2005 and natural light photographer producing mostly black and white images, some color, with a fine art style, located in Vancouver, WA, USA. I love creating. I love finding beauty in the mundane and seemingly trivial. I love being a part of creating beautiful things.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST

DEAR PHOTOGRAPHER, PHOTOGRAPHY

DEAR PHOTOGRAPHER feature by April Kraus Photography

April 5, 2017by hellodearphotographerLeave a Comment

This image that I’m including from when “I first started” but it is as far back as I can get to right now. I have been taking photos for much longer than most, as I started when I was about 18. This photo is from 2013.

I started in film. I spent most of my college years in the dark room. And then after I graduated college, I left and started working at a job that had nothing to do with photography. I was broke and couldn’t afford film or processing. I took a couple of years off and at the time, digital photography was still not accessible to the average person. I had such a deep love for film that it was very hard for me to embrace photography without it.

After I got pregnant with my first child, I started to have a hunger to shoot again and decided to give in to the “digital age” and buy a digital camera. I started shooting again, but I had no artistic voice, just an occasional “good eye” mixed with a knowledge of my camera. A few years later, I lost my mother to cancer and my entire perspective on life, memories, legacy, art and photos changed.

If I could go back in time and tell my younger self something, it would be this:

I see you. I see you trying to fit in. I see you trying to be what you see others being. I see you trying to make things that look like what everyone else is making. I see you making photos that you think everyone else wants you to make. I know that it doesn’t feel right to you. It doesn’t make sense to you, or feed your soul. It doesn’t make you feel proud, or feel like an artist. I know that you want people to like your work, but what does it matter if you don’t like it first?
Stop. Stop with this.
Instead, let your voice be heard. Stop looking when you’re shooting, and start feeling instead. Get to the heart of it. You don’t have to fit in. It’s OK. Be you. You will find yourself if you just stop this and listen. Listen to your own voice. That is your actual strength. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. I promise.

dearphotographerblog_aprilkrausphotography2

ABOUT THE ARTIST

April Kraus is a natural light photographer and artist living in Southern Arizona. She is a wife, and a mom to three. She loves finding beauty, humor and connections in everyday things.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

PHOTOGRAPHY, REDEFINE

REDEFINE | Dare to Bare feature by Joanna Crichton Photography

March 21, 2017March 21, 2017by hellodearphotographer2 Comments

“There is only one sun. We can’t all claim to only have one way to use the light, but we can REDEFINE how we choose to express it. “

Why are you passionate about this topic?

JCP : I have always had a passion for creating and expressing myself through art. It’s something I’m attracted to without thinking too much about why. I am driven to capture simple, emotional, and thought provoking images. I have become obsessed with light so much I will stop and stare to appreciate a golden glow on a building or shadow covering my son’s cheek. If I’m with someone I’ll make sure they appreciate it too! haha
Transforming moments into art is extremely satisfying and powerful.

When did you first learn this technique? Or, when did you first realize you liked this topic?

JCP: My love for photography blossomed in my high school photography class shooting film and developing it in the blackroom. There is something magical about bringing a creative vision to life.

What are the tips you would share with anyone trying to achieve this technique?
-envision what you want to accomplish before you begin your session. take the time you need to thoughtfully prepare your shot. keep in mind the lighting, composition, body language etc., background, and mood
-connect with other photographers
-don’t be afraid to screw up. Some of my “mistakes” have transformed my work into something beautiful
-be inspired by the world around you. For me it’s nature, music, movie scenes, and other photographers
-don’t be afraid to ask your clients to do weird things if you have a vision… they will thank you for it

What were the challenges for you in the beginning?
JCP: I was a supply teacher for 7 years before starting
Joanna Crichton Photography, so I struggled with the business side of things. Managing my time has been difficult for me. Being a mama and running a business has been a huge learning experience. The Blissful Maven posted something on her instragram that really resonated with me. “The obligation for working mothers is a very precise one: the feeling that one ought to work as if one did not have children, while raising one’s children as if one did not have a job.” It’s a balancing act I am working on everyday.

Gosh, my job is so easy! I just click a button all day! said no photographer, ever.

How do you prepare for a dare to bare session?

JCP: The most important thing is that my clients are comfortable in their session. Mind you if they have committed to a dare to bare session with me they are likely open and free spirited which works to both of our advantages to create beautiful art. Before a session I visualize the angles, light, poses, and mood for the shoot but ultimately a huge part of how my shots turn out is the partnership created between my client and me. Sometimes my visions are derailed by stumbling into some beautiful light or getting inspired by a curve in the body and we run with it throwing the plans out the window for something unexpected.

How does it compare to other boudoir sessions?

JCP: I’m not sure how it compares to other boudoir sessions because this is all I know. That would be better answered by others.

How do I feel about censorship?

JCP:I hate it. Being comfortable and proud of our bodies is something I believe is so powerful. Bodies are bodies, we all have them, there is nothing to be gained by hiding them. My three year old son knows all of his body parts including female body parts. Teaching children to know and respect themselves and others is necessary. Censoring body parts is not.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I am a 33 year old mama to my three year old son, living in Ontario Canada, with my partner and extraordinarily large dog. I enjoy outdoor adventures, being near the water, traveling, and a challenge. Oh and music and wine are fun too! I am so happy to be able to do what I love.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

DEAR PHOTOGRAPHER, PHOTOGRAPHY

Dear Photographer Feature by Jessica Miller Photography

March 8, 2017March 8, 2017by hellodearphotographerLeave a Comment

JessMillerDEARPHOTOGRAPHER

10584076_10100173666398291_6588638152672742404_n — *Circa August 2014*

Dear 2013 Jess
You’re a new mom, can you believe it? You made an itty bitty baby and she has you wrapped around her chunky little finger. There’s no doubt that she’s going to be a sponge and absorb all that you teach her, but the most amazing thing is that she’s going to awaken your spirit in ways you never thought were possible. The fire has been lit, you’ve had this creative spark since you were a kid, but you never found your true passion. Little do you know, this 8lb squishy babes is going to inspire you to soak in every ounce of detail and make you hungry for any knowledge related to photography.

Truth: you have no idea what you’re doing. And that’s okay. Because, in fairness, you’re always going to be evolving. Failure is inevitable, but stick with it. When you’re feeling uninspired, go for an adventure with your littles, call a friend for an impromptu shoot, or simply go observe strangers in a coffee shop. You’re going to have some amazing ups and some low lows. It’s all part of your journey. You’ll meet some incredibly amazing creatives who will help you channel your inner wild, embrace it, let it push down your boundaries. Try not to doubt yourself, it’s really damn hard, but push past it. Never forget to be yourself and lastly, create what truly makes you happy.

Xx,
2017 Jess

Jessmiller_dearphototgrapher 2 Jessmiller_dearphotographer JessMiller_dearphotographer3 JessMiller_dearphotographer4 JessMiller_dearphotographer5 JessMiller_dearphotographer6

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER :

Jess lives in Massachusetts with her stud of a husband and 2 crazy babies that keep her on point (or so she likes to think). She helps run a Planet Fitness empire by day, snuggles her babies at night, and documents sweet families whenever she gets the opportunity.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM / BUSINESS

DEAR PHOTOGRAPHER, PHOTOGRAPHY

TOP 16 IG ACCOUNTS OF 2016

December 31, 2016December 30, 2016by hellodearphotographer5 Comments

VISUAL INSPIRATION. WE SEEK IT EVERYWHERE.

All of the ARTIST’S ACCOUNTS were selected based on that. They’re unique knack for drawing us in . We hope you enjoy our favorites this year. Our IG COMMUNITY (@dear_photographer) is jammed packed with inspiration. We love all of the 417,652 images shared to our hashtag #dearphotographer. Please continue sharing with us.

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