TAOPAN Volume I Issue 4 - March 2010

8/6/2019 TAOPAN Volume I Issue 4 - March 2010

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TAoPaN Magazine www.taopanmag.com

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March 2010 Volume 1, Issue 4

In this

Issue:

Birth

Photography

The HomeStudio

MaternityPreparation

EQ

Ok I will admit, this month we were a tad bit behind. We were waiting on articles and

information from so many people and they just never got around to it, so we have

decided to just go ahead and publish without them.

I am loving the images that are coming in for Image of the Day. I myself get

inspired every time I post one and I really just love it. So please continue to send

them to us! We want images for pregnancy-newborn-and children up to 5 years.

We want to give people a quick daily dose of inspiration.

Thanks to everyone for the emails about this magazine. At the moment it is still

just a grassroots effort of me trying to pull people together. I have some big ideas

so I really hope it grows and grows.

We need your help. Send us questions, comments, articles or anything else that

comes to mind!

And for information on webinars, workshops and other fun stuff visit the main

site

http://www.theartofpregnancyandnewborn.com

Ana Brandt


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3

I quizzed Laurel about the circumstances. The pictures were amazing, but I was a bit surprised

why had she agreed to let a stranger photograph one of the most private moments of her life?

My first thought had been a very confidant no way! Laurel admitted. But after I settled down I

explained it to my husband Dave and we realized that we really didn't have anything to loose. This

moment was a once in a life time moment for us, and we wouldn't always have the chance to have a

great photographer there to document it.

It was a spontaneous choice made with faith and labor pains, but nota choice that they would regret.

{I almost forgot that

he was there,

Laurel explained when I probedher with my own suspicions ofanyone in a hospital roomallowed to carry a zoom lens.

We were so focused odelivering Lincoln. In

fact, when I see the

pictures now I amamazed that he got the

shots he did because

they are so close and spersonal.}


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I had a similar reaction when I first saw the photos. I have acclimated to seeing newborns photograp

as cherubic sleeping bundles, but this was different, this was an emotional record of the event as it

happened.

It strung a heartstring that played a forgotten memory about the raw emotions I felt when they first

handed me my daughter, wrinkled, red, and completely loveable. It reminded me how my husband's

face looked when I first saw him as a father, and not just my husband. I experienced again, through

these photos, the rush of adrenaline, and exhausted elation I felt when I knew that labor was over.

Some of these memories are buried deep, and it is no wonder. Moments like that are ineffable,

fleeting, and blurred with the recovery, sleep deprivation, and the adaptations that motherhood

brings. Yet having photographs of the experience, taken by a professional, can trap them in a time

capsule and record the event as it really happened.

Since hearing Laurel's story I have searched out other photographers and their experiences taking

live birth photography. Michele Anderson, of Pinkle Toes Photography, quickly became my

favorite birth photography artist. On her website she explains her feelings of labor photography:

All I have from the births of my first two children are a few blurry snaps of my babies right after

they were born. My husband was busy tending to me and my mom was overcome with emotion,

and so photographs of the events simply werent a priority. I have nothing to document that

incredible labor processnothing that shows the connection made between my husband and I. As

any woman who has given birth can tell you, nature has a way of making you forget the pain of

labor, and so in the years following the births of my first two, I struggled to remember what

actually happened. How big did I get? How did I look? What did I do? What did we look like as we

saw our newborn for the first time? How did our babies look in the instant they were born? What

did the room look like? Who was in the room? Who smiled? Who cried? When I got pregnant withmy third child, there was no question that I would have a professional birth photographer there.

Im so thankful I did because I positively treasure the images from that day! (View her website

and birth photography here: http://pinkletoes.com/blog/birth-photography/)

I contacted Michele and was grateful that she was able to share more of her philosophy, experience,

and talent.


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5

What inspired you to start photographing live births and how did that evolve into your

niche?

Shortly after the birth of my first baby, I happened upon a slide show of still images from a home

birth. I was in tears watching this beautiful documentary, moved not only by the amazing images

themselves, but also by the very idea that you could give birth at home. Both birth photography

and home births were a totally new concept to me and to be honest, I though they were both a littlekooky at first. But of course, that was before I had experienced birth myself. After seeing that

slide show, I knew that the next time I had a baby, #1--I would do it at home and #2--I would

someday be able to afford to have someone photograph it. A few years later, when I started my

own photography business, I knew immediately that I wanted to offer birth photography myself.On your website you said that birth photography is growing in popularity in Texas. I have

lived a lot of places in a short amount of time and I haven't seen much of it elsewhere. Do

you think this is true? Is it an area of photography that is growing? I feel like it's growing in

popularity all over the country simply because birth photographers are sharing their amazing

images online, and so more and more people are being exposed to the idea. Just like me those years

ago, there are still many people who don't even realize it's even an option. However, while I think

the desire to have one's birth experience photographed is increasing, there still aren't many

photographers who can offer birth services--not everyone can be on call for 4 weeks at a time or

put in the the long, crazy hours for it. It's really tough to price birth photography services to make

it worth your while. You have to really, really, really love it.


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I can only imagine that photographing live births has to be an overwhelming and powerful

experience. How do you prepare for the experience? How do you help your client prepare

for the experience? This surprised me, but I've found that photographing the event itself isn't the

overwhelming part for me...I'm there to do a job and I just sort of slip into that work mode. But,

when I finally get home and start going through the images, that's when it really hits me. "Wow. I

just saw someone being born today!" Such an honor. For my clients, there isn't much to prepare.

My goal is to be non-existent in the room...I don't want to affect the birth experience...I'm just there

to document it for the family. I do find that after sharing such an intimate experience, my birthclients and I develop a special connection. I just love getting to watch these babies grow up over the

years and it's so incredible when I'm invited back to photograph them again at 6 months, 1 year, 2

years, etc. I have this silly goal to one day photograph the birth experience of a client whose own

birth I photographed. Now that would be magical! Hopefully, I'll still be toting my camera around

by then.

I must admit that after interviewing Michele my feelings about privacy have continued to mature. I

feel like I have been preparing myself for this event for....well at least nine months! This second time

around I am more comfortable with myself, and I am more honest. This is a journey that I want tolook back on with clarity, to see the imperfections, and the emotions. I crave for evidence of the

experience to be less contrived and more detailed and expressive. I know that after giving birth no

one is going to hand me a merit badge, but I think owning my own birth photography could be kept

as my own hard earned, honest-and-precious, badge of honor.

Lori Nordstrom


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7The Home Studioby Shellie Secretan

Working in your homedoesn't have to be a

disadvantage, market it sothat your clients can see how it

helps them. You can say on your

website that because you work

from your home and only accept

a certain number of clients a

day

Can you keep a secret? I LONG for a studio space! But don't tell my hubby- he

might have a heart attack. I work from my home, and have worked from my

home for 5 years. I would love to not have to clean up toys for my clients, to b

able to hang my clients' work EVERYWHERE, but that is not how I run my

business.

When I had been in business about 1 year, I went to a V Gallery workshop- It w

amazing and is still by far my favorite workshop that I have ever been to. While

was there the husband half of the husband and wife team of Vicki and Jed Tauff

asked me about my situation- at the time I had studio on my mind 24/7- I just

had to get me one of those amazing status symbols- I COULD NOT be a success

with out one!

While I discussed studios with Jed he started asking me about my life- my family

situation and what I had going on back home- then he said something that

changed my life... he said to me, "If you get a studio, sure you might be

successful, and have a wonderful studio, but in 5 years you will be divorced and

your kids won't know who you are."

I was stunned, I immediately started to cry. He thought I was crying because h

had wrecked my dreams, but he couldn't have been more wrong. He told me

EXACTLY what I needed to hear. As a mother of 4 small children, I could not

afford the time away from home to work on my business full time. Sure, if I wa

the sole bread winner, or my husband and I were working on this together as a

family business, things would have been different. But in my situation, as a seco

income earning, full time mother of 4 small children, I didn't NEED to be away

from them all the time. He reminded me of my own personal priorities, and

assured me that I could be a success from my home.

Because this is the path that I have chosen, I have had to make it work for me. am not perfect at having a business from my home, I let business take over my

personal life, and personal time, far too often, but I think I have learned throughtrial and error, a few things over the years. Here are a few things I have learne

about keeping your life and your work separate, and making your home studio

work for you.

If you can, have your own space, a place that is dedicated to your work. It is

much more convenient to be able to leave your photography stuff out- that bein

said, I worked in my children's play area, until this last August when we finally

moved into a home large enough that I have my own dedicated studio space (

and it still has my husband's pool table in it.) I had to take my lights out, and p

them away for every session- so not fun, but I made it work for 4 years. Not

having a separate space can work- it will just make things easier if you have you

work space separate from your family, and the easier it is- the better your chanc

of success.

When my children were smaller I did the majority of my sessions at night when

my husband was home to watch them. I could do that because I am mainly a

studio light photographer, that is one of the reasons I use studio lights rather th

natural lights, because I can work any time of day that is convenient for me. No

that my youngest is in kindergarten I work when he is gone.

I try hard to keep all my work to that time, but I usually work doing processing

about 1- 1.5 hours while he is home also. If your family resents what you are


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doing, or you feel guilty because you are spending too much time away from

them, it will cause stress on your relationships and on you. Stress= no fun= no

success.

It is important to still appear professional for your clients. I give them quality

products; beautiful marketing materials, and my house is always spotless when

they come over. I didn't always have the time to clean myself, and it was

becoming a big stress to have the house clean enough for my clients, so to save

myself stress- I hired someone to clean for me, she cleans the day before the

session, so everything is spotless when my clients come over. It is money wellspent, I photoshop while she cleans- all while my son is in kindergarten! If there

anything you can hire out- do it!!

I state up front on my website that I work from my home in order to spend more

time with my children. My marketing material and images project a certain

professional appearance- I don't want any nasty surprises when they walk into m

home instead of a nice studio, so I make sure they know before hand where I

work, but I don't apologize for it. I do it this way in order to spend more time

with my family, and I make sure they know it.

Be sure to display your best images. I know you probably have pics of little

Johnny from before you learned to use that camera, that you just LOVE. Hang

them up in your bedroom! You sell what you show, make the investment to ma

your children's images that are displayed in your home amazing. Show yourclients when they walk in your house, how their homes could look if they choose

to decorate with portrait art. The living area of my home is decorated with my

family's images, but in my working area I display my best client images. It was

hard to put up client images in my home at first, but I have gotten over it. Your

clients need to see your best work, and that is not always of your own kids.

Working in your home doesn't have to be a disadvantage, market it so that your

clients can see how it helps them. You can say on your website that because yo

work from your home and only accept a certain number of clients a day, "You

don't have to rush", or that it is " A warm and relaxed atmosphere" etc.

Even though I still long for that beautiful, status boosting studio space, as I look

at my kids- no longer so little- I am so glad I chose this path. I spend far moretime working than I should, but that is a different guilt I have to live with, I still

get to be home with my family, choose my own hours because I don't have stud

bills to pay, and make cookies for the kiddos every once in a while. I feel like I

have the best of both worlds, I get to do what I love, and spend time with the

people I love too.

Shellie Secre

This N That Photogra

www.tntphotography


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9

LORI NORDSTROM

LORI NORDSTROM


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Preparing for the Maternity by Lori Nordstrom

Maternity sessions have grown in

popularity over the years. Women used

to be timid about their pregnant bodies,

and now the pregnant form is

celebrated!

This is great for photographers, and

especially for those specializing in

maternity and newborns (like me!).

The first thing I want to do in the phone consult is just get to know the mom a bit. I want some things to talk abo

when she comes in. I'll ask how she's felt during the pregnancy, how her husband is handling things, etc. I want

to feel comfortable with me and know that I care about her.

Next, I'll try and get a feel for her comfort zone. She will usually tell me right away how "brave" she is going to geThis is a good time to reassure my client that it's my job to make sure that she is beautiful in the images! I want t

sell them after all... I will let her know that anything she wants retouched will be retouched. I want her to feelamazing about this very special time in her life. During this phone consultation, I want to find out if we are going

wraps or MamaThredz clothing, or if she is going to get really brave and do some "nudes" or partial nudes.

I reassure my client during the phone consult and again at the session that nothing will be shown in the images th

she won't feel comfortable showing her child in 10 years - or her dad for that matter! Even the images that i take

appear to be nude, my client is 99% of the time at

least wearing underwear. I will tell her to wear the skimpiest pair that she can find and that I will be retouching th

sides of her undies off!

This usually gets the picture across that I do want "skimpy"!

I always start the session in what the client wears in. This helps them relax and get used to what's going on. Wechat during this part of the session and catch up on what's going on in her pregnancy. I ask the client to wear in

favorite outfit from pregnancy. This could be a fun dress, something her husband loved her in, even pj's work! I j

want her comfortable and relaxed. I work from there and will go with outfit #2, or a fabric wrap. For wraps I use

cheese cloth and other sheer fabrics. I've even used curtain sheers- taken right off of a clients windows! I don't l

use the same thing again and again, so I encourage clients to bring their own "fabrics". This might be a shawl or

blanket, or something knitted by a friend or family member. Practice wrapping before you are with a client

to make that part run more smoothly. I always ask the client to bring a strapless bra for wrapping. This helps forsupport and for tucking the fabric into as you are wrapping the fabric around.

A lot of photographers see my work and think that I must just

love photographing maternity sessions. The truth is, I really

really love photographing newborns! Photographing a

maternity session helps me form a bond with the new mom,

and assures that she'll bring the baby in. I like to photograph

moms 4-5 weeks before the due date. At this time, their

bellies are big and round, but they aren't bloated all over... that

time does come, just before delivery, when a woman ispregnant from nose to toes!

When preparing moms for the maternity session, I want to be

sure to cover a few things. I do this during a phone

consultation 2-3 da s before the session.


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11The biggest key during the session is to make

sure mom stays relaxed. Have water, hot tea,crackers and other snacks available.

Ask throughout the session if she is comfortable, needs to sit or to

snack. If mom is bringing her significant other or children, I want to

find out about this during our phone conversation, too. In either

circumstance I want to make arrangements for just the new mommyand me. It's great to include the spouse and/or other children, but be

sure to get some one-on-one with the new mommy. Sometimes I will

photograph the couple and then tell dad that I want to do some

special things just for him and wantit all to be a surprise. This makes

it easy to send him away!

When you do have dad there, be sure to include him in everything.

Ask him questions and get his story. Maternity sessions are a great

springboard to talk about products that you offer. Let them know

about birth announcements, your image boxes that make great

memory boxes for all of the newborn items, and of course books. I

often plant seeds for book sales during the session by asking if I canwrite down something they've said. I let them know that what they

just said would be great to add in the baby book!

RI NORDSTROM STUDIO

w.nordstromphoto.com

p://nordstromphoto.typepad.com/blog/

Photographers, join me on http://phototalkforum.com

PEPPER - Camera Accessories

www.spiceupyourcamera.com


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EQ by by Tisha McCuiston

We all know what IQ is... but have you heard about EQ?

Did you know that in your business, your EQ can make or break your business?

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) refers to your ability to connect with others within your world. The balance you

have in your life with others. It is your ability to read body language, interact with new people, your ability

to express your feelings, be independent, self reliant and emotionally resilient. It is the ability to be an

optimist but not afraid of failure.

While speaking with a group of photography friends last month going over my pricing and how I run my

business one of my friends looked up and said "Now that I know you in person I wonder how much of your

success if based upon your personality?". I had never given it much thought but she is very right. The

ability to walk into a complete strangers home and within an hour manage to feel like I have known them

for years is indeed a gift that has made my business grow. Loving what you do shows instantly and being

able to set your clients at ease is so important.

One of my first classes I ever attended was put on by Jerry Ghionis and Bambi Cantrell. In the class,

someone asked Jerry how in the world he gets his clients to agree to the poses, moving of furniture, going

to places etc... and he simply answered "I ask them. Shy photographers go hungry." So true! You have to

find the strength and courage to come out of your shell. If you are uncomfortable walking into a strangershome or asking a client if you can move furniture etc... your work will show it. I often hear from other

photographers that they are so nervous before each session, and that they have no idea how to get aclient to connect with them.

I am going to share a few of the tips and tricks that help me connect with my clients.

[EQ Emotional Intelligence refersto your ability to

connect with others within

your world]


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13~Be truly interested in their life. Ask them about themselves. Simple questions like "What do you do for a

living?" "How did you meet your husband?" "Are you from around here?" can really open up a

conversation, help you get to know your client and them to feel more at ease with you, as well. I have yet

to meet a client who minded these questions and often knowing what my clients do for a living has helped

me cross-network and send work their way as well (Helping build studio loyalty). I do think this only works

if you are someone, like me, who thinks everyone has an interesting story to tell. Being authentic in caring

is something that folks will be able to tell instantly. If you are faking it...they will also know.

~Smile. Amazing how powerful a smile is! Remember to keep one on while working. It helps everyone

warm up and feel more comfortable than working with a stressed out grump.

~Get on level with children and pets. Children and pets can sniff people who do not like them. Seriously, a

child can tell almost instantly when they are in contact with an adult who doesn't enjoy them. Taking the

time to play with a child or throwing a ball with the dog you will be shooting will go along way towards a

successful session and beautiful images.

~Let your clients into your life. Just a bit...I am not saying have them over to dinner. But adding a client

to your Facebook or telling them about your life and your family helps them relax with you. Once they feel

they know you a bit better they will also trust you even more with their children, locations you would like to

shoot, and concept sessions you may have in mind down the road. Often you will become friends with your

clients. I tend to work heavily off of referrals. The more they know about me the more they can share with

potential new clients.

~Know how to mess up. This is a huge one. We all make mistakes. The lab sends you a 16x20 that wassized from a 4x6 and it looks horrible. Your exposure was set incorrectly or your flashcard became

unreadable. This is life. Learn how to own your mistakes and make it up to your client. My basic rule is

"what would I expect if I were the client" and I follow that. If I make a mistake, I will reprint, reshoot, re-

whatever to make my client happy. 80% of my money comes from my return-client base. This means

keeping everyone happy is very important to me. On another note, you do not want to become the

punching bag. We have all dealt with clients who want something for nothing. Learning to stand your

ground will be important with those clients just the same.

~Stay positive and focused on your own business. I am a big believer if you say you can't do something

enough times you will indeed not be able to do it. Whining about your competition, your equipment, your

everything will not only make you miserable to be around, it will kill your business fast. A huge rule for me

is to try and never speak negatively about another photographer - especially to a client. Gossiping about

your competition only makes you look bitter and jealous. This will always put you in a negative light in yourclients eyes. If they had a problem with a past photographer you simply stay out of it. Change the

subject.

Spending large amounts of time focusing on another's business is much like driving down a road in a

rainstorm and instead of watching the road out of your own windshield you are trying to see the road

through the car driving next to you. You will crash if this is the way you drive your business.

Doing everything your competition does will hurt your business. Finding your own style, locations and

rhythm. This will make your business shine amongst the many photographers out there now.

Most important of all though is to truly be passionate and in love with what you do.

Set the simple goal of

Be Better Today Than You Were Yesterday

Edward James Olmos


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Closing thoughtsby Kelli France {Look inward, not outward}

Were on the Web!

Seeus at:

www.taopanmag.com

TAoPaN Main SiteAnd ONLINE WORKSHOPS

ttp://www.b--studio.com/

Need practice? We were tickled pink in our workshop forum when one

of our students posted this stunning image of a doll! Lori wanted towork on her natural light and work she did! We had to do a double

take when looking at this little precious creation.

Way to go Lori!!

Lori Ciaccio Photography

www.lilangelsphoto.com

Need help? Join us in our 24/7 workshop forum. Visit

www.theartofpregnancyandnewborn.com

We have students from around the worldthe U.S, South Africa, U.K,Australia, Canada and more! All dedicated to the Art of Pregnancy

and Newborn!

STOP comparing yourself!

It's late and you're still up.

You find yourself browsing

other photographer's blogs

and websites. You stumble

upon a site/blog that is

STUNNING and you feel this

sickening feeling in your gut

like someone just punched it.

You start a downward spiral

of mental thoughts like "I

suck" or "Why can't I create

images like that?" Does this

do you any good? Absolutely

NOT! But I'll be every single

one of us has been guilty of

doing this

Look inward for inspiration.

In an online interview, Neil Diamond states, "I don't liste

to a lot of music when I'm writing and,unfortunately, I'm

writing most of the time. I don't like to pollute my brain

with other people's stuff. I miss out on a lot. As soon as

finished writing this album, I immediately wanted to hear

what music was out there."

Sometimes the best way to find your style and to improv

is the shut out the world and look inward. Try to find

everyday things that inspire you like your children, your

pet, or a sunset. Do some exploring within yourself and

you will blossom to be the best you!

Kelli France

Le site: www.francephotography.com

Ooh blog la: www.francephotography.com/blog

Online Mentoring & more

TAOPAN Volume I Issue 4 - March 2010

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