Ready for another installment of our famous PROP JUNKIE OF THE MONTH?
Prepared to fall in love with yet another amazing and uber talented photographer?

Then meet our new love, Kristen Mackey of SonKissed Photography!!!

1. So Ms Kristen, newborn goddess and prop junkie … lets introduce YOU and get the junkies “in” on your work! What is your photography site, blog, and any other sites you own that you’d like to share with us?
Thank you so much for having me, what an honor! My blog is www.sonkissedphotography.com/blog and facebook is www.facebook.com/sonkissedphotographykristenmackey. I do have a site but it basically sits there to house my blog.

2. Your newborn photography is quit extensive …. how did YOU get started in the photography business, and when?
I began my journey in photography after my son was born in 2007. I had a bad experience at a studio chain and thought to myself, “I can do this!” I NEVER in a million years thought that wanting to take better pictures of my son would turn into a full blown career. I’m one of those that has to learn something inside and out so I took a few photography classes at a local camera store and became addicted with manipulating my camera into doing what I wanted it to do. I loved playing in Photoshop but when I realized that this was more than just a hobby and taking better pictures of my son was when I photographed my first newborn in 2008. I was still working full-time and after my first newborn session I kept getting more and more interest from clients. It was a domino effect from that point on with people referring me. I am truly loving every second of it!

3. And we have to ask, our typical question…… WHAT DO YOU SHOT WITH, and what is your favorite lens?
I’m a diehard Canon girl. Yes, I have the annoying focus issues but when that focus is sharp, it’s SO yummy! I may overshoot and wear my camera out too quickly but there’s no way I’d ever switch! My favorite lens… well I photograph newborns with my 50 1.2L and love it but I do love my 100 2.8L macro as well so I’d have to say it’s a tie. I have the 24-70 2.8L as well but it never sees the light of day. Would love to get the 135 at some point.

4. On your blog (and site), you cover mostly newborns.. they are an obvious favorite (mine too!). What drew you to newborns, and why?
Gosh, I think it’s just that newness and if you’re a mother I think it’s just natural to love on and nurture a new being. I do my fair share of snuggling those sweet babies when they’re in my studio. We have two kiddos and do not plan to have anymore so I think working with newborns gives me exactly what I need to cure my baby fever. But honestly, I love capturing that fleeting moment for every family that walks through my door. I’m both flattered and honored when I am chosen for the job. I do offer a Baby Plan that covers baby’s first year. I love watching them grow!

5. Do you have a favorite newborn prop that you use in most sessions? (ie certain blanket or hat, etc) And where in daylights do you store all of those delicious blankets & other props you show?!?!
I am really in love with the backdrops from Couture Props right now (*click here*) and I do knit so I try to knit up something special for every newborn session. I’m really loving bonnets with matching blankets.

6. Do you have a favorite “PROP SHOP” that you regularly work with? Please share , and give them some nice bragging rights with a url …
Loving the backdrops from Couture Props (Couture Props). I think I have one in every color, teehee! I love unique hats and my go-to girl for those is Jen from lil owl knitts (Lil Owl Knits) She spins all of her yarn into the most yummy goodness you’ve ever seen. I love the creativity from Lisa at SweetLove Creates (http://www.facebook.com/sweetlovecreates). She blows my mind with what she comes up with; so incredibly talented. I love the simplicity from Heather at HeatherBell Hats (http://www.facebook.com/HeatherBellHats). Her creations are so pure and gorgeous. I love Heather from Woolywishes (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Woolywishes/193307734022795). Not only is she crazy talented and always comes up with new items (I don’t think I’ve ever seen her post the same hat twice), she has the biggest heart. And my new favorite must have are Shanelle’s boa blankets, they’re amazing for stuffing baskets full of texture. Her Facebook is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shanelle-Nicole-Photography/289666116236. Just love her and all of these girls. OH and where do I store all of my props?? I have a loft studio that has a big shooting area as well as a big room. Right now everything is just thrown in there because I’m too tired after a newborn session to tidy it up, ha! All of my hats (I have over 100…) are stored in the linen closet in the bathroom. I did have them in bins but now they’re just tossed about the closet. Sigh…

7. Is your yummy studio out of your home, or do you have a store front? Your lighting looks beautiful.. so we’d love to hear if you shoot studio or natural light….
I have a loft studio located in the heart of Downtown Tulsa. I love my studio but it is quite the drive for me, especially when I’m there 4-5 times a week. We are in the process of selling our home and buying a home on an acreage to build a studio. Now that would be convenient! I will be the first to admit that I was a natty light snob. I only shot natural light up until Septemberish when I traveled to California for a mentoring session. She used studio light and I was shocked when I looked at my images SOOC and how consistent they were. Those of us that shoot natural light, it is kind of a maddening when you have a partly cloudy day and we’re constantly battling those clouds, adjusting SS, etc. With studio light, I can shoot in the evenings if I want to. I have been shooting studio light for about 2 months now and love it! I do have yummy west light in my studio so if I ever have the urge to go all natty, I can!

8. Ok… those triplets… you ROCKED THAT SHOOT! Tell us more… how was it handling triplets.. a lot of composites? And did you purchase all those darling props or did the mommy bring them? (If you purchased, where are the bonnets and headbands from??)

Thank you! Not one composite that entire session. Those girls were ROCK STARS and little sleepy heads! Oh and did I mention that they were born on my birthday so we definitely had a bond, ha! I have to give mega props to my two assistants for the day. It could not have been possible without them. So Bobbie Yocum from Yocum Photography and her assistant, Rachel… thank you! I highly recommend having one person per baby when photographing multiples so mom and dad can catch a little break. The crowns were from Modern Baby Photography (http://modernbabyphotography.bigcartel.com/product/little-crown), hats are from lil owl knitts (http://www.facebook.com/lilowlknitts) and the darling headbands are from Glamour and Glitz (http://www.facebook.com/Glamourglitzbaby?ref=ts).

9. As photographers are curious, and we love to brag about our mentors… so who are a few fellow photographers whose work you adore , and keeps you inspired (like you inspire us!) ?
Gosh, I have so many. I find myself drawn to those whose style is not completely like mine. So here we go – I love simply by suzy. Her posed newborns are beautiful and her lifestyle newborn sessions are incredible. I stink at lifestyle but I drool over lifestyle newborn sessions. Rachael Myers. Amazing person, business savvy and rocks those lifestyle sessions as well. Shannon Dodd. Love looking at her images both newborns and outdoor sessions. Baby as Art. Who are we kidding? Their processing is so yummy it makes me hungry for more! Kristen Cook – her posing and black and whites make my heart smile.

10. What would you call your personal style. Are you a vintage chicka, or a modern diva… maybe a home town girl or plan ole geekie gal
I’m a lover. I am totally in love with my kids, my husband and my job. I love to make people happy. I’m a peacemaker. I’m not a pushover and I stand my ground but I like to keep the peace. I love to give back.

11. I LOVED YOUR BLANKET DYE TUTURIAL!!! Please share the link with everyone else here, and include a few pictures so we can share what a great idea it is!
You bet! The link for the blanket dye is http://www.sonkissedphotography.com/blog/archives/2521 and I recently did a DIY floor tutorial for photography and you can find that here: http://www.sonkissedphotography.com/blog/archives/2545

12. Any fabulous information you can “share” with fellow photographers, just starting out in the newborn business ?
I would just say patience and practice for sure. I’ve been photographing newborns going on 4 years and I still learn something new at every single newborn session or how to better a process. Keeping their environment warm is HUGE when photographing newborns. The womb is somewhere around 98* Fahrenheit and when they’re brand new they still aren’t able to fully regulate their body temperature. I keep my room at 85*.

13. Tell us more about KRISTEN… Who are YOU? Other than a photographer.. are you a mother, wife, other sort of artist?
I have two feisty little kiddos. My son will be 5 this year and he is a little firecracker. My daughter will turn 2 next month and she’s my little cuddle bug. I adore being a mother and I what I adore even more is being able to stay home with them. What an incredible gift that is. I’m a knitting freak. I have a closetful of yarn that I need to knit up but there’s that little thing called time that seems to always get in the way. I’m totally addicted to it once I get going. My husband is constantly putting away my swift and winder (what you use to wind skeins into those perfect balls) that I attach to our bar in the kitchen. And the kiddos are always playing catch with my balls of yarn. Fun times in the Mackey house!

14. Lastly… any fun or extraordinary talent, or obsession, that you’d like to share with us? IE: can you touch your tongue to your nose, or do you snowboard, maybe run marathons?
I’ve been involved in some marathon newborn sessions but that’s about the extent of my involvement in marathons, ha! I can talk with my mouth shut and I can clap my hands without clapping them together. So they just flap at a high rate of speed and clap against my wrists, pretty hilarious!

Thank you SO much for having me. What a fun interview and an honor to be a part of the Prop Insanity blog.

Kristen Mackey

Son Kissed Photography

Recent work: www.sonkissedphotography.com/blog

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sonkissedphotographykristenmackey

Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

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Hello Everyone and Welcome to 2012!!  I can’t believe it’s already here and we have so much to look forward to this year!!

Before I explain a little about myself  I am in need also for models for my Denver Workshop this Thursday and Friday!  They need to be under 2 weeks old and will receive 5 free high resolution digial images for their time!  If you know anyone please shoot me an email at c_k_photography@yahoo.com 

Now to introduce myself

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Cherise Kiel!  I am a mother of 3 beautiful children (7, 4 & 2) and a wife to an wonderful man and soldier.  I am also the Owner/Photographer at Cherise Kiel Photography and I also put on Newborn Posing Workshops at Precious Beginnings Newborn Workshop.

I absolutely LOVE what I do and am honored when my clients allow me to be a part of such important times and trust me to capture those memories for them.  I am a natural light photographer, but I did work in a high end portrait studio for 4 years, so I am very familiar with studio lights as well.

I decided to put on newborn workshops last year when I myself was looking at attending one to improve my skills and get some fresh ideas.  However, when I saw the prices of those workshops, I just about died, lol!  As a small business, I just didn’t have $1200-$1500 (plus travel costs) to attend a 1 day workshop   So after much thought and feedback, I decided to put one on myself, and make it as affordable as possible for us photographers who want to learn and grow without breaking the bank.

The Precious Beginnings Newborn Workshop is a 2 day workshop full of information on safety, posing, soothing, handling, marketing, pricing, post-processing and much more!  There is a TON of information provided as well as live models, and for ONLY $600!!!  This is such an awesome deal!  Below is my schedule for 2012!  Since I am an army wife and I never know when my husbands schedule is changing, these are the only dates available for this year!  I have opened up all of my dates for registration, and it’s never too early or late to schedule!  I am only taking 8 spots per location to ensure more hands on time and a better learning experience   Once the spots are filled, they are gone, so don’t hesitate!!

2012 Schedule

January 5-6: Denver, Colorado

March 12-13: Dallas, Texas

May 28-29: Seattle, Washington

July 9-10: Virginia Beach, Virginia

September  6-7: Mobile, Alabama

November 10-11: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Thank you so much and I hope to see you at one of my workshops!!

Below are some photos from my Ohio Workshop this past October!!

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READY FOR DECEMBERS EDITION OF Photographer & Prop Junkie of the month?
Find inspiration…ideas… and a new friend in this months featured photog… Julie Rollins!

We welcome Julie Rollins! Photographer and entrepreneur … lets introduce YOU and get the junkies “in” on your work!
What is your photography site, blog, and any other sites you own that you’d like to share with us?

Hi everyone, I am Julie Rollins from Julie Rollins Photography – JR Photography. I am originally from Texas, but right after college I made my way out to Southern California and I have been here ever since!

You can find my website at Julie Rollins Photography.

I just recently launched my online store where you can find “Creative Tools For Newborn Photography” and that website address is Julie Rollins PROP SHOP.
*Where all PI JUNKIES can receive 10% off their entire purchase of any items in my shop for the month of December by using code: PIFEATURE10

You can find me on Facebook at Julie Rollins on Facebook.

My Twitter handle is @JRPhotographyCA.

There is also one last place where you can find me, I am teaching a workshop this coming Spring 2012 in Newport Beach, CA called “Love Marriage and Baby Carriage”. I have joined forces with the amazingly talented Kamee June from Kamee June Photography and we will be teaching a two day workshop that is an inclusive approach to being a more versatile and holistic photographer and entrepreneur. You can check out our website at: Love Marriage & Baby Carriage.

Your photography is simply stunning, and the props you use are endless …. how did YOU get started in the photography business, and when?

I officially started my business in 2009. I never studied photography in school but for as long as I can remember I have always LOVED photography and have had an affinity for newborn photography! My best friend once reminded me how I had an Anne Geddes calendar on my wall in college and how I always loved looking at those sweet babies. When I initially started I was shooting sessions that were mostly families and children. Soon after I started to hone in on newborn photography, and now I would estimate that my business is 98% newborn studio photography.

And we have to ask, our typical question…… WHAT DO YOU SHOOT WITH, and what is your favorite lens?

I currently shoot with the Nikon D3s. I initially started out with the Nikon D300s and moved up within a few months to the Nikon D3s. My favorite lens is the 50mm 1.4 and I shoot with that lens 90% of the time during my sessions. In every newborn session I also always use my 35mm 1.4 and my 60mm 2.8 macro.

On your blog (and site), you cover babies, bellies, families, newborns, (celebrities!) etc… what is your favorite subject, and why?

I am absolutely drawn to newborn photography. Like I mentioned above, I have always had such a fondness for newborn portraiture. Being there in that moment shooting a newborn session is the best “job” to have because it simply isn’t a job, it’s my passion! I look forward with such anticipation every day to when the new parents walk thru my studio door with their tiny little newborn. Each one of those babies has such a unique personality and I treasure the time I get to spend with every one of them. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to capture the sweetest beginnings of life for my clients. I know the images captured will create such nostalgia for them and knowing they have those moments captured is priceless to me.

Because you have such a wide range of subjects, do you have a favorite prop that you use in most sessions? Or what are your favorite props for each age group?

I love keeping things simple so I don’t get too crazy when it comes to the props I use, but I will confess that I am ALWAYS looking for new items! I use my beanbag in every newborn session so I really love changing things up with different backdrops, swaddle wraps and headbands that go along with the beanbag posing!

Do you have a favorite “PROP SHOP” that you regularly work with? Please share…

My FAVORITE “Prop Shop” would definitely be the Online Store I just opened!! I consistently have other photographers asking me where I get certain fabrics, headbands, swaddle wraps etc. Since most of my business does come from newborn photography I decided to open an online store where you can find everything I use! (minus the bean bag!)

The website is: http://www.julierollinsphotography.com/shop.

My online store is where you can find the following items I tend to use in every one of my newborn sessions: Photoshop Actions, Swaddles & Wraps, Backdrops & Fur, Wrap Sets, Newborn Crowns and Headbands & Hats! This store is also where you can sign up for my Personalized Mentoring Sessions as well as for the Love Marriage and Baby Carriage Workshop.

You MUST have a studio… your newborn images and the backdrops… props… seem endless. Tell us more about your studio. Is it out of your home, or a business location?

I do have a studio!!! My studio is located in San Pedro, CA which is in the Los Angeles area. It’s the perfect location because I am situated right between the Los Angeles and Orange County areas so my clients come in from so many different directions. The studio was a must for me given that our home is not big enough for one. I consider the studio my home away from home, the space is not big but it is the perfect location for all of my newborn photography. I also shoot some of my baby and child sessions in the studio and I shoot a ton of my family sessions around the outside of my studio. I am located in a downtown area so there are some great old buildings and textures to shoot against that make for the perfect outdoor shooting locations.

Your processing is also gorgeous. Do you have a favorite action or processing that you use on your images?

Right away when I really got in to photography, I came across the MCP Actions website. At that time I was clueless on how to use Photoshop so I signed up for all of the Photoshop editing classes that they had to offer. What I appreciated most was that their online classes were not a means of selling their actions. Jodi’s classes teach you how to use your tools in Photoshop so that you can do your own editing without having to necessarily purchase her actions. I always recommend these online classes to everyone that is starting out with Photoshop, because I feel they are such a great foundation to learn from.

After I finished the classes I immediately started to create my own actions, or as I called them “recipes”, to cut down on my editing time. Over time I modified and refined the recipes, but I remained pretty consistent with the basic formula for these actions and I do sell them in my online store. I always start out with my Newborn Basics Action which is the cornerstone for all of my editing. I like to keep things simple and I love the flexibility that my actions provide during my editing process. My Newborn Basics Action comes with seven adjustment layers that you can tailor to your own individual taste simply by adjusting the opacity of each layer. Once I run my Newborn Basics Action on all of my images I then follow that with my Newborn Sweetness and my Newborn Softness Actions on each image and depending on the shot I will then finish the image up with one of the actions from my Tranquility Collection.

As photographers we are curious, and we love to brag about our mentors… so who are a few fellow photographers whose work you adore?

I am a HUGE fan of so many different photographers and many of them don’t even specialize in newborn photography! I absolutely LOVE Beth Jansen’s work as well as Joyce Smith and Marla and Shane’s! I love all of the bright colors and pristine black and white photography and I am inspired by how fresh and timeless all of their work is! I love my friend Kamee June’s work and am always so impressed with how dreamy and beautiful her images are! In the newborn photography arena there are so many great photographers that are always so inspiring. I love the work that sisters Kelley Ryden and Tracy Raver produce together, it’s always incredible! I also really love the black and white newborn photography from Kerianne Brown, her images are always so soft and clean!

Of course, we have to ask more about your CELEBRITY PHOTOGRAPHER status…. please, do tell us more… (drools on keyboard)…

Living in the Los Angeles area does have it’s perks and YES we have seen our share of celebrities in the studio! The only downside to that is many times we can’t publish the images and have to keep the details confidential but it is still so fun to meet everyone and every single one of them has been so incredible to work with. I was also invited to attend an event this year at one of the gifting suites for the Academy Awards and while I was there I had the opportunity to meet TONS of celebrities! It truly was such a fun and exciting event. I blogged all of the details from the event and have tons of photos with the different celebrities, so you will have to head over to my site and check all the posts out at: http://julierollinsphotography.com/category/photography-business/

Any fabulous information you can “share” with fellow photographers, just starting out?

My biggest advice I always tell everyone is to invest in your education. I always try to provide my clients with the highest level of quality service and I myself have invested in many workshops, mentoring programs, and online classes because I firmly believe in the value they have added to my photography skills and my business as a whole. I absolutely LOVE attending workshops and always come away with so many fresh and new ideas and they are always such a boost to my business! The internet provides so many great online resources for photographers and I love signing up for online classes. I know there is such a temptation to invest in all of the “stuff” you need for your business but the most rewarding investment for me has hands down always been in my education. Some of my favorite online resources are: Kelby Training, Creative Live and MCP Actions.

Who are YOU? Other than a photographer.. are you a mother, wife, rock star, lion tamer.. other sort of artist?

I am the “Queen Juggler” in our family, lol! I have been married for 12 years and I am the mom of 3 littles (7yrs, 3yrs & 2yrs). We have a very busy household, so balancing family time and my growing photography business and newly launched online store can definitely be challenging at times but I love every second of it!

Lastly… any fun or extraordinary talent, or obsession, that you’d like to share with us? IE: can you touch your tongue to your nose, or do you snowboard, maybe run marathons?

Hmmmm…not sure about any extraordinary talents, but I do have three main obsessions!! In order they are: Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1, Salt and Starbucks! I have little pots of the Kiehl’s lip balm in almost every room of my house and ALWAYS with me! I love salt so much that I carry a travel salt shaker with me in my purse wherever I go, yes – they do make travel salt shakers and that little shaker was one of the best gifts I have ever received!! Lastly I always try to start my mornings off with a stop at Starbucks for a Venti Latte and Trenta Passion Tea – I love having both a cold drink and a hot drink at the same time!

JR Photography
Julie Rollins
Phone: 877-9-JRPICS (877-957-7427)
Fax: 877-957-7428
Email: julie@julierollinsphotography.com
Web: http://www.julierollinsphotography.com

**Specializing in Newborn Studio Photography**

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WINTER IS ALMOST HERE!
And that means getting creative for winter newborn sessions.

While surfing PINTEREST the other day, I came across a photo that was so sweet, so stunning… so PERFECT for a winter newborn shoot, that I had to reach out to the photographer who captured this precious little image. Lucky for me… the photographer is also a friend of Prop Insanity, the wonderful Kristen Caldwell!
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And lucky for ALL OF US.. Kristen was happy to share how she captured this image…. pretty much step by step…. pictures included *happy dancing* !

So without further hesitation.. from the speedily typing hands of the wonderful Kristen Caldwell.. here is her HOW TO~ Winter Newborn.

“HELLO PROP JUNKIES!
I would be more than happy to tell you how I did that particular shot…

I’ve attached a SOOC (below) of the image, then the final edit…

We have a craft store local here called Pat Catans… I went there and found the branches (it was just one bundle) and then I went in the Christmas section and found garland that had silver and pearl balls… I just laid that on the branches to hang…

My sister is my assistant for all my newborn sessions so it is her hand that you see holding the branch to the right as she spots the baby… I shot this on a roll of darker grey seamless paper…

ALSO included is an image of the actual stool I used in the shot… I just threw an ivory faux fur fabric over it, making the one side higher than the other for the babies head and then threw a large sheepskin throw from IKEA on top of that…

In the SOOC, you will see some kinks in the paper which are NOT ideal but it was the last of the grey seamless I had on hand and I just cloned those minor imperfections out in PS… I ALWAYS use Florabella actions for EVERYTHING… For this particular image, I enhanced it using the new Florabella Classic Workflow… lightened up the midtones a bit and hit it with some contrast and clarity and a bit of warmth…

SOOC probably looks a bit under-exposed but I shoot EVERYTHING under-exposed… I feel by doing so, I have less of a chance of blowing out any highlights (especially since there was white fur being used here) and more of a chance at recovering details… I shoot with a Sony A900 and 90% of the time I have my Carl Zeiss 24-70 f.2.8 on… rarely does this lens leave my camera body… And I HAVE to throw this in, but I RARELY shoot on seamless and almost ALWAYS shoot using one of my many Bad Sass Backdrops! But for this image, I wanted it to be classic hence the use of seamless paper… ”

~Kristen Caldwell

AND HEY PROP JUNKIES! Check out Kristens other obsession.. Bad Sass Backdrops! They just launched a new collection… Itty Bitty Sass Backdrops? They are the same quality as their full size Bad Sass Backdrops, only smaller and perfect for crafters to shoot their products on to enhance their images for their Etsy/Big Cartel shop… Check out the below pull back and edited shot… our friend Heather Joiner of the famous JoCo Couture sent the images to Bad Sass, as she used them to photograph her gorgeous goods!

Kristen

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Ready for our next edition of PROP JUNKIE & PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE MONTH, here at PI?
Well we have her ready for you… she prop loving, sweet as pie, uber talented…. KELLI FRANCE!

1) We welcome Kelli France {aka “Francypants”}! busy bee… lets introduce YOU and get the junkies “in” on your work!
What is your photography site, blog, and any other sites you own that you’d like to share with us?

Portfolio

Ooh Blog La

Business Makeovers | Francy Pants Academy

Facebook *LIKE KELLI!

I am also doing 4-week Critiques on the Chic Critique Forum

2) Your photography is quite fashionable & chicy …. how did YOU get started in the photography business, and when?

When I was a little girl, I was fanatical about fashion and magazines because I wanted to be a supermodel. I’d simulate the poses and ideas in fashion magazines with my hot-pink film camera from Kmart. In order to build my modeling portfolio, I went to modeling school. There I learned about posing in front of a camera, applying make up for headshots, interviewing skills, and walking on the runway. When I finally accepted that my legs were just too darn short to be a supermodel, I found myself behind the camera instead of in front of it.

3) And we have to ask, our typical question…… WHAT DO YOU SHOT WITH, and what is your favorite lens?
I photograph with a Nikon d700 and do video with the 5D Mark ii.

4) On your blog (and site), you cover babies, bellies, tots & teens. What is your favorite subject, and why?
I LOOOVE to photograph newborns and seniors. I guess I like to get em when they are coming home and leaving home -LOL!

5) Tell us more about your “Cinematic Sessions”?
My “Cinematic Sessions” has really set me apart from other local photographers is very popular with clients. It’s just so fun to tell a client’s story with videography and photography combined!

Here is an example of a recent Cinematic Session:

5) Because you have such a wide range of subjects, do you have a favorite prop that you use in most sessions? Or what are your favorite props for each age group?
I use my patchwork quilt as a “universal” prop in the majority of my outdoor sessions but I do have favorite props for each age group too. For newborns, I love me some bowls & baskets along with simple hats & headbands. For tots, I love my doll stroller and retro Red Rider tricycle…gives ‘em something to do. For teens, my favorite prop has been the oversized balloons. For couples I love bringing along my cruiser bike.

6) Do you have a favorite “PROP SHOP” that you regularly work with?
Please share… I get my newborn bowls from Marketing and Props

7) Do you have a studio, or shoot specifically on location? If you have a studio, tell us more about it… if you shoot on location, let us know your favorite places to shoot…
I shoot outdoors in fields for pretty much all of my subjects (except newborns). I transform my dining room into a “ghetto studio” in my home for newborn sessions but it gets the job done!

I LOVE that lil vintage suitcase seen in your pictures.. is that a prop you own, or a clients?
I bought that adorable suitcase at an antique store.

9) As photographers we are curious, and we love to brag about our mentors… so who are a few fellow photographers whose work you adore?
I adore the clean and creamy look of Jose Villa. I also love Stephanie Williams’ images.

10) What would you call your personal style. Are you a vintage chicka, or a modern diva… maybe a home town girl?!
My style has always been “classy but sassy”. I’ll add a killer piece of jewelry/shoes to a classic shirt and a posh pillow to my decorating. I like things to look romantic and ornate.

11) Of course, we have to ask more about your BUSINESS MAKEOVERS for Photographers (Francypants Academy, DARLING!)… tell us the goodie info we NEED to know!…
Well I’ve pretty much BEEN THERE, DONE THAT and made every mistake possible in the past 10 years. Now I love to share what I’ve learned with other photographers to help them beautify their business too.

Francypants Academy is a 6-week business makeover program for beginning and advanced photographers who want to make a life and a living doing what they love.

12) Any fabulous information you can “share” with fellow photographers, just starting out?
Don’t compare yourself to other photographers…Compare your work to your work. Look at your images and find out why you love some of your images and why you don’t and then work to improve them.

13) Who are YOU? Other than a photographer.. are you a mother, wife, other sort of artist?
I am a Mama of 4 wild n’ crazy kids (just had baby #4 on Oct. 4th!)

14) Lastly… any fun or extraordinary talent, or obsession, that you’d like to share with us?
Um…I love food and I can stick my entire fist in my mouth. Not a good combo, I guess!

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