Here are a few questions I get emailed to me daily, so I thought I would write up a Q & A for it!
The answers are straight out of the brain, no sweet talking, just straight forward answers...
Q: Any advice for getting started?
A: Photographers are a dime a dozen now that digital SLRs are so inexpensive. The only way to make it past the new surge is to educate yourself by seminars and forums, and purchase the best equipment possible. To get great color and quality you need the best, and the best will cost you a lot! We have over $30,000 in gear/computers that we couldn't do business without.
Q: What camera do you use?
A: Canon 5D, the best in my opinion.
Q: What seminar did you learn the most from?
A: Shootshops with The Image is Found/Susan Stripling, Xtreme! with Jessica Claire and Digital Wedding Forum University.
Q: What forum did you start learning at?
A: digitalweddingforum.com
Q: What version of Photoshop do you use?
A: CS3
Q: Raw or Jpeg?
A: Raw if you have the time, Jpeg if you can nail your exposure in camera manual.
Q: What advice do you have for beginners trying to decide if you want to make it more than a hobby?
A: It really has to be in you. You need a drive like none other to learn, create and post process. It's not only about composition anymore, it's about your photoshop skills, customer service, album design, time life balance, and the guts to stand through the awful times.
Q: Where did you get your website?
A: bludomain.com
Q: Can I come and be your intern?
A: We used to accept interns but now we have 2 staff and don't need any second shooters or summer help.
Q: How do you get your colors so vibrant?
A: This is my biggest secret. So I'm not telling:) It's a mix of in camera settings and photoshop...
Q: Can I come and learn from you?
A: We do offer a personal one on one seminar called brainwash for $1500 that you can attend and learn all of my secrets!
Q: What lenses do you use?
A: A full list of my gear bag is online right before this page in the journal area.
Q: Do you use flash outside?
A: Only if I want to do a "day for night" shot. This is where you use off camera flash with pocket wizards to make the background go dark. I use all ambient light for all of my sessions though.
Q: How fast do you turn around a wedding?
A: in 1 week it is blogged, in 1 month the galleries are up.
Q: Do you have employees? How did you hire them?
A: Yes, Josh and Magen. Magen is on payroll. A local payroll company set everything up for me. They pay my taxes, cut her a check and send me the paperwork right before tax season. Payroll companies are the way to go!
Q: What album company do you use?
A: zookbinders.com, asukabook.com and forbeyon.com
Q:How many times do you go back to a location before you get bored with it?
A: If I have used it in all aspects then I try to find something else. I may go back to it for the safe "mom" shots, but I'm always pushing myself to use something new.
Q: How is your business set up?
A: I just switched from Sole Proprietor to a LLC.