Interview with Sue Westwood-Ruttledge

1.     Will you start by telling us where you work and live and the type of photography you do?

I live on the borders of Manchester and Cheshire, with my husband, two children and a menagerie of pets. I’m a lifestyle photographer, and use mainly natural light on location. I specialise in fashion, boudoir and portraits.

2.     what inspires you as a photographer?

My inspiration can come from various sources all around me, I particularly like American style photography (maybe it’s the golden beaches and sun!) I find my inspiration flows when I’m out walking the dogs. I have more time to think. I recently did a shoot with a pregnant lady, she was naked, sat in a wheelbarrow in the middle of a corn field! That was one of my dog walking inspirations (laughs). Anything out of the ordinary or quirky inspires me. I do also work very closely with a hair and makeup artist (Clare from www.harryjon.com) who is very pro-active when it comes to inspiration. I get weekly updates and a follow up phone call to see what I thought of her latest inspiration mood board (laughs again).

3.     How long have been a photographer?

I’ve been a professional photographer since 2009, it seems much longer that that though. I did do a GCSE in photography at school (a long time ago), there was something magical about being in the darkroom and seeing your images appear in front of your eyes, the processing used to be the most enjoyable part for me. Photography was the only subject I got an ‘A’ in! Maybe I should have taken up photography years ago!

4.     When you’re not photographing, where can we find you?

I have two children, one 3 and one 13, so they take up lots of my time. Any other spare time you can find me pumping iron at the gym or riding my horse ‘Stollie’.

5.     Any books that inspired you {or helped you} in your business?

Anything by Scott Kelby! But one in particular when I was just starting out; Scott Kelby, Digital Photography Box Set (3), How to Make your photos look like the pro’s... One of my favourite books is Vanity Fair portraits, it has some inspiring images. I love books, and have quite a collection now…its amazing how props, books and photography equipment are taking over my house.

6.     Best marketing idea? 

Moo cards (moo.com) are great marketing tools. Networking groups and social media (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn) brings in business for me.

7.     Worst marketing idea?

My husband! Telling potential customers that I’ll do a discount for them!

8.     Do you have a studio and if not do you feel having a studio would help your business grow?

I don’t have a studio at the moment but this is something that I will be looking at in the near future. I have an ever-growing wardrobe of props so I need somewhere to store it all! With the British weather being as it is and doing a lot of boudoir photography a studio would be very beneficial. Freezing temperatures and lingerie are not conducive to good boudoir images!

9.     What do you think makes a photographer successful?

Several elements: First and foremost are great images. You also need to be a people person, be a great businessperson, understanding marketing and be able to sell yourself (the difficult part). A photographer has lots of different hats; the taking photos side is actually the smallest element.

10.  What’s your weakness in this business?

Self doubt – every time I show my images to a client I worry they wont like them! Thankfully, I’ve only had tears of joy!). I know many photographers and “creative’s” who feel just the same.

11.  Are you a Nikon or Canon?

I’m a Nikon girl of course!

12.  and Lens?

70-200mm 2.8 for portrait, I also use a 24-70mm 2.8 and then I also have a 50mm which I use for boudoir. I’ve an 85mm on my Christmas list!

13.  If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?

A novelist; I have written 3 novels and part of a 4^th one, all are sat in my cupboard waiting to be finished off…one day J

14.  Can you give the readers your best piece of advice for starting or running a photography business?

Starting up in photography is expensive. I’d say buy the best lenses you can afford and a have a professional website designed. Train with as many different photographers as you can, but develop your own style.

15.   Tell us your proudest moment of your career?

I’ve had a quite a few moments which I’m proud of, I work for an American charity Inspiration Through Art (formerly The Littlest Heroes Project) and have met some amazing and courageous children and families through the project, I was the first UK based photographer to be accepted onto their recommended photographer list. I was commended in the 2010 Professional Photographers Magazine “Professional Photographer of the Year Awards” with the images displayed in a private gallery in London and also I had work published in a New York based magazine and have also had a six page feature in F2 Freelance photography magazine.

Thanks Sue, a really great interview!

Here is where you can find Sue Westwood-Ruttledge

Twitter: www.twitter.com/#!/Sue_WR_PhotoFacebook www.facebook.com/pages/Sue-Westwood-Ruttledge-Photography/

Blog http://www.blog.suewestwood-ruttledge.co.uk/Website: http://www.suewestwood-ruttledge.co.uk/ 

Interview with Jo Rutherford of Jo Rutherford Photorgraphy

1.     Will you start by telling us where you work and live and the type of photography you do?

I live and work in Southport and  I am an outdoor portrait photographer, I don't say natural light anymore as I am starting to experiment with off camera flash at the moment.  I love photographing teenagers, women and have started to move towards some fashion style shoots and boudoir photography.

2.     What inspires you as a photographer?

This is the hardest question - what inspires me - I love movies and analyse the light and the styling in them far too much! I am always inspired by the American style of   photographers and their creativity and their marketing. I have a brilliant network of photographers who are friends now and they constantly inspire me.

3.     How long have been a photographer?

I have been photographing people for about 2 years now, before that I was obsessed with landscape photography until I realised that putting people in the picture is far more rewarding!

4.     When you’re not photographing, where can we find you?

When I am not taking photographs, you can mainly find me at the computer at the moment trying to finalise details of a Photo Camp I am organising in the Spring. I do make time to go horseriding though - I have just started back after a 20 year break and feeling the pain!

5.     Any books that inspired you {or helped you} in your business?

I love the Innocent Smoothie book ' A book about Innocent and some things we've learned - very funny and a brilliant way of looking at branding and marketing. I have just bought Rankins portrait book and it is just gorgeous - especially the front cover with Robert Downey Junior - very inspiring!

6.     Best marketing idea? 

Best marketing idea - using Facebook and starting a Blog to encourage interaction with the readers

7.     Worst marketing idea?

Worst marketing idea - attending a School fair without doing any research first - too much effort for too little return. Next time I will chose more carefully

8.     Do you have a studio and if not do you feel having a studio would help your business grow?

I don't have a studio - I would love some kind of base to work from and would like to develop my studio skills - thats in the 5 year plan

9.     What do you think makes a photographer successful?

I think a successful photographer is one who realises that taking the photographs is the easy part - its the business of photography which makes the difference - I also think that we need to not be afraid of sharing ideas, networking is so valuable and its not all about competition.

10.  What’s your weakness in this business?

My weakness at the moment is the business skills - very steep learning curve. My other weakness is a lack of belief in myself

11.  Are you a Nikon or Canon?

Canon all the way

12.  and Lens?

My favourite lens is my Canon 70-200mm 2.8L - hardly ever comes off my camera

13.  If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?

If I wasn't a photographer I would love to own some land and have a couple of Yurts and run a gorgeous and unique bed and breakfast, and keep chickens.

14.  Can you give the readers your best piece of advice for starting or running a photography business.

By best piece of advice for strting out in business would be to not be afraid of the business element - there is so much help out there  and network like crazy!

15.   Tell us your proudest moment of your career?

The proudest moment for me was organising the last Walkabout - an informal practical networking day for models make up artists and photographers - 55 of us spent the day on a farm sharing ideas, swapping contacts and eating cupcakes! Its been amazing to see  friendships develop and peoples confidence blossom

Here is where you can find Jo

 @Jorutherford on Twitter

http://www.facebook.com/#!/jorutherfordphotography

www.jorutherfordphotography.co.uk

http://jorutherfordphotography.blogspot.com/

Interview with Kate Hopewell-Smith of Kate Hopewell-Smith Photography

1)    Will you start by telling us where you work and live and the type of photography you do?

I live and work in a small hamlet in North Bucks but my photography takes me into London and the surrounding counties.  I am a lifestyle photographer with 3 arms to the business – weddings, portraits and boudoir.

2)    What inspires you as a photographer?

Light and how it transforms the mundane into the truly magical, people but especially children and the visual arts in general.

3)    How long have you been a photographer?

Not long at all! My husband brought me my first DSLR for Christmas 2007.  I signed up to an Open College of the Arts course called The Art of Photography.  Perfectly suited to my fine art background – you learned the technical to achieve the effect, not for the love of kit.  My website went live in April 2010 about mid way through CPT’s Bespoke course.

4)    When you’re not photographing, where can we find you?

Probably behind my Eizo but preferably with my kids and husband.  Or with my friends and a glass of wine or a G&T.

5)    Any books that inspired you {or helped you} in your business?

 My husband brought me David duChemin’s VisionMongers: Making a Life and Living in Photography – it was just at the time when I was creating my website and it had a big impact on my brand communication and tone of voice.  I also found Michael Freemans’ The Photographer’s Eye useful in terms of composition, colour, form etc

6)    Best marketing idea? 

Female networking groups  - formal and informal – women buy lifestyle photography and are natural referrers so top notch customer service is essential. 

7)      Worst marketing idea?

Paying for a small listing with Guides for Brides – they’ve hounded me ever since.

8)    Do you have a studio and if not do you feel having a studio would help your business grow?

I don’t have a studio and don’t notice the lack of one because I would never choose to have an engineered high or low key background and with pro body ISO you can shoot almost anywhere if you follow the available light.  I imagine it forces you to be more creative.

9)    What do you think makes a photographer successful?

A combination of things that are all equally important: a vision and creative eye, technical competence and pro kit, all round business skills and for lifestyle photography you have to be a great people person.   And don’t forget a good dose of healthy fear – it keeps you on your toes and drives you to be better.

10)  What’s your weakness in this business?

I’m too generous with my time in lots of different ways but that’s the perfectionist in me.  It was always thus but at least I’m doing it for my family now.

11)  Are you a Nikon or Canon?

Nikon because my husband likes kit and brought me my first camera.  It’s such a ridiculously polarising subject.  But yes, I’m a Nikonian and won’t be jumping ship.

12)  and Lens?
The right one for the job but if I had to choose then it’s my 85mm 1.4 prime without question

13)  If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?

I know I’ve found ‘the’ job .  And I am hugely grateful that I am one of those lucky people.  Being greedy for a second perhaps jewellery design.

14)  Can you give the readers your best piece of advice for starting or running a photography business.

Brand, Brand, Brand.  And the team at Contemporary Photographic Training.

15)  Tell us your proudest moment of your career?

Either my website going live or the 5 page article in F2 Freelance Photographer – proud but slightly crazy as I still consider myself a newbie and at the beginning of the journey.

Here is where you can find Kate Hopewell-Smith Photography

twitter http://twitter.com/#!/Kate_H_S_Photo

Website: http://www.katehopewellsmith.com

Blog: http://blog.katehopewellsmith.com/ 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Hopewell-Smith-Photography/

 

Interview with Angelea Saenko of Angelea Saenko Photography

1. What inspires you as a photographer? 

I get inspired by lots of things. It could be just a beautiful day or an area I have never been to. Mostly it’s my children who inspire me daily. J

2. How long have you been a photographer?

I started my love of photography in high school . I started my business 3 years ago.

3. When you’re not photographing, where can we find you? 

Being a mother to my children. I spend my whole days taking care of them .J

4. Any books that inspired you (or helped you) in your business?  

The fast track photographer by Dane Sanders. It put allot of the business stuff in perspective in a way I didn’t think before.

5. Best marketing idea?

Word of mouth. I get allot of my business from previous clients.

6. Worst marketing idea?

Probably school fundraising. I don’t get many clients from doing  those. I end of spending allot of wasted time and money.

7. Do you have a studio and if not do you feel having a studio would help your business grow?

I set up for studio work in my home. I would love to have my own room but its worked fine so far. I don’t think having a studio would help my business grow but it would be nice. Mainly I do outdoor sessions.  Having a bigger space to photograph in bad weather would be great.

8. What do you think makes a photographer successful?  

Who they are. While they need to have good photos to get the clientele if they don’t have good people skills they wont get them coming back. I think being real is the best way. Its not always about making the most money it’s about who you are photographing.

9. What’s your weakness in business?  

Marketing. I don’t do much and I would love to do more. I just don’t know what more to do.

10. Are you a Nikon or canon?.

Im Nikon J

11. And lens?  

I have a 24-70 which never comes off. But I also have a 50mm and 24mm.

12. If you weren’t a photographer what would you be?

I’m not sure…I have many loves. Maybe a chef or a psychologist.

13. Can you give the readers your best piece of advice for starting or running a photography business.

Do it for the passion. If it was all about money I could never make it. I love taking pictures and capturing moments in my clients lives. I don’t want to be a chain. I want to be the person they come back to as their children grow up.

You can find Angelea here

http://www.angeleasaenkophotography.com/