Interview with Nikki McLeod – Nikki McLeod Photography Training “no more part time”

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

I live in Dalgety Bay, south west Fife in Scotland and am a social photographer – weddings is my main “thang” though since having my own child in 2004, I really have enjoyed family and childrens portraiture. 

2.     How long have been a photographer?

I started my business in 2000 so Nikki McLeod Photography celebrated it’s 10^th anniversary in 2010. I have like most people, been into photography since I was a teenager.  I remember running photo shows for charity! But my love for wedding photography came when looking for a photographer for my own wedding in 1999.

NMP concentrated on purely weddings in the beginning, with a little bit of environmental portraiture & boudoir being added over the years. Unfortunately the typical Scottish weather put paid to a lot of outdoor portrait sessions.  So when the opportunity came, to take over an empty space in a childrens’ soft play centre in my town, I took it with both hands, and the “Blast Off Portraits” studio was born! It has been very successful with near on 200 Blast Off and “breathless by NMP” evening boudoir sessions in it’s first 18 months of opening.

3.     What type of training do you offer and why do you offer training?

I offer purely one2one training; I don’t do seminars or workshops, or talks – I HATE public speaking! I won’t say “never” but I don’t think I will be on the speaking circuit all too soon! I love the personal learning aspect, I have always found it to be the best way to learn. I love to learn full stop, I am constantly attending seminars and conventions myself, you can never learn too much!

I offer one and 2 day training; ideally I wanted just to offer 2 day training but I can appreciate that those travelling long distances might not be able to attend for 2 days, so for them I offer one day training if that is more suitable.  As part of the training, I also offer the student, subject to availability, an assisting job at one of my weddings. This is an ideal way for the student to see exactly how I work real time. It also means we can discuss on the way back from the wedding, what they saw, what problems I had to deal with and how I dealt with them etc.

With photography being such an easy profession to get into, I plan to help those that are serious about it, their full time profession.  I battled with my business alongside a full time job (as well as having a baby in the middle!) and I know how hard it can be to make that transition from part time photographer to full time photographer; hence the name NMPT not just meaning Nikki McLeod Photography Training, but also “no more part time”!

4.     Where do you do the training?

It really depends on what the student wants!  Most students struggle with real life situations at weddings like knowing where to shoot in a venue, posing the couple etc.  Every session I have done so far has included a visit to a local golf resort venue that I have contacts with.  I organise models in wedding gear and go through what the student requires.  If I do include a venue visit, I always finish with a trip back to the studio to download my images as well as the students images, so we can go over what they shot, what they learnt, they can see immediately straight out of camera my own images so there is no hiding on my part!

5.     Take me through a training session?

Well, every session is different as they are individually tailored to each student.  A questionnaire is sent out by email to the student well in advance, asking about their history, their equipment, their current knowledge and what they would like to learn. So I know in advance whether to book the venue, models etc and also what subjects they want to go on.

For example, Mark came to me and booked a 2 day session.  He had assisted another photographer at a couple of weddings and had a very keen interest in making wedding photography his full time profession.  His questionnaire told me his weaknesses were composition, posing the bride and groom, post production, running a business – a lot to cover on the day! We discussed beforehand what were the more important things Mark wanted to learn, and for him it was composition and posing the bride.

His first day was spent at the studio, I had organised a member of the general public (not a model) to pose for us and this was a real eye-opener for Mark, for we took images around the studio area which is in an industrial estate and beside an Asdas! Knowing how to see the light, using the right settings on the camera for the right job and posing to flatter was the main aim here. We returned to the studio, downloaded images and compared and contrasted what was good and what wasn’t so good!

The next day, I had organised professional models at the local venue, to be our “bride and groom”, showing Mark how to make the most out of the venue itself and the couple too. Many amateurs struggle in low light situations, and in Scotland a lot of venues are dark, so it was a great test to see how Mark used the situations. We returned to the studio, went over images, critiquing and dissecting and it was a good learning experience for Mark.  We also went over the various types of albums I use, and talked about some business aspects.

Several months later, Mark was an assistant at one of my weddings, seeing how I handle a wedding and all the stresses that go along with it.

In between the first and second day of training, I set Mark some homework so I could see if he had picked up on the subjects we were talking about on the first day.

Mark enjoyed his training, learnt loads about his camera, wedding photography and weddings as a whole and it was great to see the little lightbulbs go off above his head throughout his training!

6.     What can we expect to learn on one of your 1-2-1 sessions?

Whatever you want! I would say Photoshop is not my strong point, I prefer to get as close to perfection straight out of camera so I don’t tend to do a lot of photoshop work.  So apart from Photoshop, NMPT students can learn pretty much anything about wedding photography.

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

Running after my crazy son, and travelling the world with him and my husband Graham.

8.     What do you think makes a photographer successful?

A good eye for a good image in photography and a good business head in business.  You could be the best photographer going, but if you don’t get paid, it only remains a hobby!

9.     Are you a Nikon or Canon?

Nikon –  I recently moved to full frame D700, though I do have D300, D200 and D70 as backups.

10.  and Lens?

A variety – my favourites are 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 but I also have all other ends of the spectrum including 12-24, 50 1.2, 60 macro and others for back up.

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

When I left school, I was going to go to art school for photography, or work with animals.  I chose animals, while keeping up with the photography as a hobby.  I ended up being a qualified veterinary nurse, which I continued to be for the first 8 years of the business! I now couldn’t imagine going back into the rat race though!

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

It’s very easy to start a photography business – it is maintaining that business that is the difficult part.  Photography has become so easily available to the general public that many think that it would be great to have a business in the profession.  Those with the determination, money (because it isn’t cheap!) and guts to push forward constantly are the ones that do well in the industry.

13.   Tell us your proudest moment of your career?

Getting my first ever front cover – I was really lucky to get a wedding featured in the Scottish Wedding Directory’s launch issue of “Real Life Weddings”.  But I was proud as punch to not only get a second wedding featured several years later, but to get the front cover too.  I have been lucky enough to have had a third wedding featured since.

Here is where you can find Nikki McLeod Photography…

twitter.com/NikkiMcLeod
Facebook.com/NikkiMcLeodPhotography

http://www.nikkimcleodphotography.com/

http://www.nmpblog.com/

Interview With Juliet McKee. Sugar And Spice 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 Camberley, Surrey, but often travel to neighbouring counties as well as further a field.  I am mainly a family lifestyle and wedding photographer and I work with natural light and always on location. I find the ever changing light, environment and my subjects interaction with their surroundings, produce the most dynamic images.

2.     What inspires you as a photographer?

Everything! Even when I don’t have a camera in my hand I am constantly  seeing the world around me in terms of colour, composition,  expression , form and the ‘colour’ of the light, it‘s hard not to. I am fascinated by the uniqueness of each subject and strive to capture the very best of someone. Like many photographers, despite being a keen on photography for years, it wasn’t until I started to photograph my own babies that I really developed the emotional connection in my photography.

3.     How long have been a photographer?

I received my a Haminex 110 complete with a box of flash cubes for my 8^th birthday, but I guess what you are asking is when did I become a professional photographer and that would be 2007.

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

When I’m not photographing, I have a very busy life being mum to 4 children, which is a full time job in itself, and wife to my lovely husband  Shane. I am also a huge social networking enthusiast, and love how I am able to dip in and out of Facebook and Twitter throughout the day.

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

If I’m honest I don’t tend to read that many books although I did found Damien Lovegrove’s  ‘The Complete Guide To Professional Wedding Photography’ provided me with loads of brilliant information when I first started wedding photography. Generally speaking I find the internet to be the biggest source of information and inspiration.

6.     Best marketing idea? 

My best marketing idea I would say is to define your style and brand. There are thousands of photographers out there so make sure that your website truly reflects your style. You may only have a few seconds to draw a visitor in, so make sure you sock it to them and leave them in no doubt what your style is and what you are all about.

7.     Worst marketing idea?

Special offers, giving discounts, entering into bartering and ’mate rates’. We’ve all done it, ’if I just slash my prices by £x I’ll get that job, they’ll buy more prints. It doesn’t work that way. Work out your worth(time, expenses,  outgoings), and stick to it. Don’t devalue yourself or your brand. If you are starting out and need to build your portfolio, offer your services for free, then when you consider yourself ready, work out your fees and stick to them. Believe me, if you don’t things can get quite awkward!

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

As a natural light photographer I prefer to shoot on location and don’t have a studio. I do however have a room for viewings and pre wedding consultations though I mostly visit people in the home and have online galleries for viewing images.

9.     What do you think makes a photographer successful?

I measure my success in terms of client satisfaction, not financial gain. Yes it does sound like an old cliché, but if a client loves the way they look in an image and the image draws an emotional response then my job is done.  You can have the most technically brilliant photograph, with the most stunning aesthetics, but if your clients don’t feel emotionally drawn to it then you have failed.

10.  What’s your weakness in this business?

My biggest weakness is  also a strength I guess. I’m a perfectionist and can be terribly self critical. I could do with a little voice saying ‘that’s fine, move on’! Being a perfectionist can be a bit of a handicap and can slow down your work flow, so you have to find a way of dealing with the need to fuss over an image, accept it and present it with pride.

11.  Are you a Nikon or Canon?

I’m a Nikon girl.

12.  and Lens?

My 2 main lenses are a Nikkor 50mm 1.4f and my 24-70m 2.8f. My favourite is definitely the 24-70, I love it’s versatility and it always produces great results. Of course, like all photographers, I have a long list of lenses on my wish list too!

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

I’m not sure really, I created my photography business after a 20 year career in nursing and midwifery. I guess a job that combined my artistic desires with the people skills I’ve gained along the way could be a winner! Having said that, I have my dream job and have no desire to change it.

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

You need to live and breath photography, the more you do the better you will get, I use my camera every single day, working or not, and I‘m still learning. I also feel that networking with your peers is essential for support, knowledge and professional growth, so much so that next Spring I will be bringing together more than 40 professional photographers for a mass ‘shoot out‘ and social day. What’s more it’s obvious that other photographers find it’s important to them too, the day was fully booked within 48 hours!

15.   Tell us your proudest moment of your career?

t’s hard to pick just one, I think by nature photographers love and flourish on positive feedback, so lovely testimonials from Bride and Grooms and other satisfied clients create immense pride. However I was recently ‘booked’ by a fellow photographer whose work I really admire, to cover a family event abroad. For me that was a moment of huge pride.


You can find Juliet here:

http://www.sugarandspicephotography.co.uk/

Interview with Jeanette & Kim of Cocoon Photography

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

Cocoon Photography is based in Redbourn, just outside St Albans, Hertfordshire. Cocoon has just had a face lift and a new name (it was called Cocoon Imaging).  Jeanette shares her home with her husband, two very boisterous boys, a mad Labradoodle puppy called Sean and a three legged cat called Dove. Kim lives with her husband and chocolate Labrador, Millie in a bit of a calmer household.

We love all aspects of people photography, especially lifestyle shoots, pregnancy and newborns, makeovers and boudoir. We also do small, intimate weddings, Treasure the Dress shoots and corporate photography.

2. What inspires you as a photographer?

J: I love the unpredictability of every shoot. The way that you can capture the most amazing shots of

children when they are least expecting it, or the way someone comes alive when they have been made up for a boudoir shoot. These things make me happy!!

K: Difficult - it changes with each shoot. Yesterday it was the 17 year old who really didn’t want to be

photographed, but within 2 minutes of the shoot starting was having a great time and loving having her phototaken.

3. How long have been a photographer?

J: I have been photographing all my life, but have only been doing it professionally for the last 4

years really. Before that I was a primary school teacher.

K: Seems like forever as a hobby - I used to love being in the darkroom, but as a living for nearly 4

years.

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

J: Either at the computer editing or being dragged away by my family to go for long walks with the dog. I’m also partial to the odd glass of wine or two!!

K: Walking my dog, dinner with friends or skiing

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

J: Too many to mention!!!!

K: I have loads and still buying them.

6. Best marketing idea?

J & K: Going on the Julia Boggio’s The Photographic Entrepreneur and The Ultimate Sales and Marketing Workshop for Photographers in August this year. It completely turned our life (and business) around which has resulted in our new name, branding and website.

7. Worst marketing idea?

J & K Spending an absolute fortune on advertising in glossy magazines and local papers.

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

J & K At the moment, we have a studio at Jeanette’s house, which is perfectly adequate for now, but

we are setting our sights on bigger and better premises. Jeanette needs to get out of the house, and we also need a big enough space to have different ‘sets’ for the boudoir photography.

9. What do you think makes a photographer successful?

J: Apart from being good at it, I would say having a passion for what they are doing. If you get up

every morning and dread picking up your camera, what’s the point? If you are enthusiastic about what you are doing, it shows in your work. Also keep training. We go on so many training courses and seminars, like Brett Harkness, the Yerbury’s, Crash Taylor and Damian Lovegrove.

K: Communication with your clients and looking for new ideas. Don’t just keep churning out the

same images and poses shoot after shoot.

10. What’s your weakness in this business?

J: How much time I spend on it, and not on my children!!! That and spending too much money on

‘essential items’ for either props or my camera!

K: Our business heads and lack of patience, but we’re getting better at that.

11. Are you a Nikon or Canon?

J: Neither!!!!! I’m a one of those rare breed Olympus users - and yes, I love it (even though Kim has

been desperately trying to convert me to a Nikon).

K: Nikon

12. and Lens?

J: My new 50mm 1:4 Sigma, although I am saving up for the 30mm one, my 35-100 F2 and

K: 50mm 1.4, 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8

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

J: A frustrated artist!!! In all seriousness, I would probably be back teaching, although I don’t miss

it at all now.

K: A stylist, or a pilates teacher.

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

J: Believe in what you are doing and network, network, network. Also, be proud and confident

about what you are doing. When I first started, when asked what job I did, I used to say, ‘I’m just a

photographer’. Now there’s no ‘just’ about it!!!

K: Practice, practice, practice, and definitely go on training courses or at least talk to other

photographers. We’ve wasted so much money on marketing - if only we had met the Yerbury’s or Julia Boggio earlier! And as Jerry Ghionis says - ‘be better than you were last time’ (or something like that).

15. Tell us your proudest moment of your career?

J: When I was shortlisted to go on a competition day from DSLR User Magazine 3 years ago with about 8 other people run by John Clements, and won the best shot of the day (out of camera), winning a new Olympus E3 camera!!

K: When out of the blue we’re told by people that they love our work. It’s lovely and makes it all

worthwhile.

Here is where you can find Jeanette and Kim from Cocoon Photography

http://www.twitter.com/cocoonphoto 

Website:- http://www.cocoonphotography.co.uk/

Blog:- http://www.cocoonphotography.co.uk/cocoon-blog

Interview with Tamara Tovey of Tamara Tovey Photography

Interview with Tamara Tovey

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

I live in Bristol with my husband and two daughters. I specialise in newborn, baby, child and family lifestyle photography. I work on location only and use natural and available light.

2.    What inspires you as a photographer?

A lot of things... Beautiful places - I often have an idea when I’m walking (often with a pram J)  and then I just try to bring it to live. I’m always on a lookout for new locations but also try to see beauty in the normal, usual places. Very inspired by a beautiful light that I notice. Inspired by family bonds...Inspired by how fast the children grow up and by their personalities. It always pushes me to go past the usual posy portraits and try to do something that shows their personality at the time and not just how they looked.

3.    How long have been a photographer?

I was always interested in photography, but never thought I would actually ever be able to do it. So I have been a photographer for just over 2 years! Feels a lot longer though! My story is very common – we bought a basic DSLR just before my first daughter was born, I was taking photos of her all the time and learned a lot when she was napping. It was a very steep learning curve. Then I was sharing photos of my daughter on a couple of mum’s forums and started getting a lot of requests from other mums I met there. I had enough requests to get started and decided to go for it with a big support from my husband.

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

I have a 3 months old and an almost 3 year old, so most of my time is spent in different playgroups, ballet, swimming, gymnastic classes, rhyme times, etc.

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

Visionmongers by David DuChemin

But most of all – a couple of Flickr groups, photography blogs.. I’ve learned so much from there.

6.    Best marketing idea? 

I have not really done any marketing yet. My clients have been recommending me to their friends so much!

7.    Worst marketing idea?

The word of mouth was great for me but unfortunately as a result most of my clients are in London. It was fine until I had a baby, but now I’m trying to focus on work in Bristol! I also got so relaxed that I didn’t work on my website, I have only just changed and updated it for the first time since I have started.

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 do like shooting outdoors or in my clients homes. It really makes every session unique but also is a challenge for me, which I love. I would love to have a space to have viewing sessions and a samples gallery, I am sure it would have really helped.

9.    What do you think makes a photographer successful?

So many things! Creativity, vision, people skills, unique style and then there is the whole business side to it as well.

10. What’s your weakness in this business?

My biggest weakness is that I don’t have a lot of time! Kids are my priority because I know that they will grow up so fast that I don’t want to miss anything. But it also means that I am very limited in the time I can spend on networking, working on my website, blog posts, planning, etc. A lot of late nights for me!

11. Are you a Nikon or Canon?

Canon

12. and Lens?

24-70mm 2.8 rarely leaves my camera, absolutely love it! I still love my old trusty 50mm 1.8

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

 I’m very grateful I have found what I want to do in life! Then only thing I can think of would be baby clothes designer – I keep seeing things that are not very convenient for babies and have a lot of ideas on how to improve them!

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

Before you start a business, you should know that the business part takes a LOT of time, a lot more than shooting, a lot more than you can imagine. So I would say – learn as much as you can before you start your business.

15. Tell us your proudest moment of your career?

I can’t really point out one experience – I’m very happy every time my clients recommend me to their friends, because it means they were very pleased with the images I have created of their families.

Here is where you can find Tamara Tovey

twitter.com/@tamaratovey

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tamara-Tovey-Photography/174355735925925

Website: http://www.tamaratoveyphotography.co.uk/

Blog: http://tamaratoveyphotography.blogspot.com/