Interview with Heidi from Me As A Mother

My friend Heidi is the wife to her hot hunk of a man and mother to 3 adorable girls with magic hair. She also has an undetermined but rather large number of dogs yet doesn't come across as a "dog person" whatsoever.

I love Heidi for her quick wit, her amazing photographs, and the fact that she'll back me up if I'm in a disagreement with my husband, (or anybody else for that matter).

Heidi blogs at Me As A Mother and I guarantee if you head on over there and say hi you will not regret it.

I sat down with Heidi recently and interviewed her for this feature. And by "sat down" I mean I emailed her some questions to which she replied and emailed me back. Enjoy!





How did you get started with photography?

My parents bought me my first camera when I was about 8. It was this awesome Kodak Instamatic. I took a lot of pictures of my friends playing and of my sister practicing her clarinet. I really loved it, but when you're 8 it's not like you can bank roll this kind of hobby on your own and I had busy parents, who despite my completely rational requests, wouldn't drop what they were doing to run to the one-hour photo place on a daily basis. So I picked it back up again seriously in high school and majored in fine arts photography in college.

 

What kind of camera(s) do you use?

I have had my Nikon D200 for 5 years and use it every day. I also have a little Canon PowerShot SD 400 that I bought six years ago when my oldest daughter was born and I use it a lot.

What's your dream camera?

Ooooh, this one, this one: Nikon D3s. I would seriously give this camera its own pillow so it could sleep between my husband and me and I would carry it everywhere in its own Baby Bjorn situation.

Do you have any desire to go "pro"?

I have thought about it, and still think about it every once in a while, but ultimately I am worried that turning my passion into a business would kill the joy for me. Sometimes all I have keeping me sane at the end of the day (did I mention that I have three daughters?) is my photography; I do it because I love it more than anything else, and staying up until 2 in morning editing shots because I HAVE to kind of makes me feel claustrophobic.

What's your favorite subject matter?

I love photographing people. Candid portraits are my favorite; capturing moments that seem so ordinary. I could photograph my daughters all day every day and never get tired of it because when I see those pictures I see the best part of being alive.



What's your favorite photo you've ever taken?

This is such a good question! And a tough one. But I have to go with the image that immediately popped into my head when I read it. It's this picture of Anabelle when she was 2. I love everything about it.

Do you have a favorite daughter?

Hahahahaha! Yes.

Do you have any pet peeves?

I HATE it when people don't think to orient their camera vertically to shoot a portrait. It drives me bananas. Also, when my husband leaves the fingernail clippers in random spots and I can't find them. That makes me want to punch walls.

Can you leave us with one photography tip?

Know your equipment, whether it's a top-of-the-line DSLR, a point and shoot or your phone. That way you will never miss a moment because you are fumbling around with dials and buttons. Shoot everyday.

An Interview with Austin-Lee Barron

 

The one thing that I love about blogging is being able to discover amazing people that I otherwise would have not known. I have been following Austin-lee from Bunch of Barrons  since the very beginning of my blogging career and have watched in amazement at how her skill for photography has grown.

She is the one person I can say that I inspire to be like. The way she captures the moment actually allows you to be in her world it makes me feel such a connection to her. Her photos are truly stunning.

When I got the chance to be one of the contributors on this blog I knew that one of the first couple things I needed/wanted to do was interview Austin-lee and today I finally got too.

I asked her to send me some of her favorite photos but I also snuck some off of her Flickr.

(If that's okay Austin-lee... I couldn't resist.)

1. How did you get starting in photography?

I’ve been interested since high school, when I was using an old Olympus film camera that was my mom’s. I didn’t do much with it, just appreciated it from a distance, until I had my first baby. My parents gave me a nice DSLR for Christmas, and with the first push of that shutter button it was love. It’s just snowballed from there.

2. What’s in your camera bag?

I have my little Canon Rebel XS with its kit lens, a LensBaby, a
55-250mm f/4, and my 50mm/1.4. The 50mm rarely comes off my camera. It’s like my third child.

3. Do you use an editing software if so which one?

I have used Photoshop Elements 7 for a long time, but just recently got CS5 for Christmas, so I’m using that now.

4. Tell me a little about what “style” your photography is:

I think that’s a tough one. I would like to say it’s lifestyle photography for the most part. I love candid, unposed, real life moments. I love catching my kids when they aren’t looking, and love when photo shoots are natural and unscripted. I do love photographing nature as well, though. So much color and texture, and it’s much more relaxing for me than portraits, because it’s just me and the camera.

 

5. What person/blog inspires you?

Oh, where do I start? I absolutely love browsing around looking at other people’s pictures. There are so many different styles, and so many different ways of looking at the world. There really aren’t many that don’t inspire me. I do admire people who do “lifestyle” photography a great deal. I love how they capture real life, real moments, and do it beautifully.

 
6. What do you prefer to photograph?

I’d have to say my kids are my most favorite subjects. I love watching them through my lens. But I do love photographing nature, too. It’s so colorful and changes constantly, and plus it doesn’t run from me when I point a camera in its face.

 
7. Do you take pictures everyday?

Yes. I am doing a 365, but even before that I can’t really remember a day where I don’t use my camera, either my Rebel or my cell phone’s camera. Taking pictures is kind of like my journal.

 
8. Does your family get annoyed with you always taking photos of them?

Oh my, yes. Mostly just my kids, though. They have been known to literally turn their backs to me when I’m trying to take a shot, but at the same time, if they are doing something funny, they will ask me to take their picture. My extended family is the other extreme, and they get upset if I show up at a family event with out my camera. They look at each other like, “NOW who’s going to take pictures of us?”

9. Do you print out your photos and if so how often do you do that.

I’m really bad at printing. I rarely do it unless I get an email for free prints. (Snapfish is the bomb.) I would like to print more often, but I console myself with the fact that I have our blog printed up in a book form yearly, so all those shots aren’t just floating around in my hard drive.

 

10. Are you self taught or have you taken classes?

I am mostly self-taught. I did take one class in college, back when I was shooting with the Olympus, where we did our own developing in a dark room. SO much fun, but it was a lot of work. It did teach me a lot about doing your best work in-camera, so you don’t have to fix it later in the darkroom, or Photoshop.

 

11. What are some tips that you could share with us that you learned that you feel are invaluable?

Take pictures often. Don’t expect your photography to look like someone else’s. I’ve been guilty of this many times. You see someone else’s work, you love it, and you want to be just like them when you grow up. While getting inspiration and ideas from others is good, you’re going to beat yourself up if your shots don’t look like so-in-so’s. I’m learning that if I take a shot that is from my heart, that means something to me, that is a moment/detail that I don’t want to forget, it’s a good shot. It might not look like my latest photography crush’s recent shoot, but the beauty I saw is there, represented in my own way, and that’s going to be noticeable to the viewer. Sounds cheesy, but be yourself. Show people life the way you see it.

12. How and why did you start your blog/flickr account?

I started our blog on a whim, and didn’t think I’d stick with it. But people kept telling me I was funny and they loved reading my blog, so I guess my ego was a good motivator. Ha-ha. Now I keep it going because I want to remember all these details and moments, and because I’m really bad at stuff like scrapbooks/photo albums. I’d rather just blog about it. My Flickr account was started because I had started browsing Flickr and really admired the work I saw there. It seemed like a great community, and also an easy way to share your work without necessarily having to write a blog post. Sometimes I like being able to just post a shot, using what I saw instead of words to share a moment.

Thank you Austin-lee for allowing me to interview you. You truly are an inspiration. Everyone should take a moment and visit her Blog and especially her Flickr I could get lost in her photos for days.

 

-Audrey

Interview with a Photographer Blogger

I am so excited about this post because I get to interview one of my favorite Photographer Bloggers! She inspires me, teaches me, and humbles me all at the same time and she probably has no idea! LOL. Upon following her blog, I started to notice how easily I related with her. I see a lot of myself, which makes me keep coming back to her blog (I need to work on commenting more often though  :-(

I hope you enjoy this conversation/interview between the fabulous A. Zimmerman Photography and I. I definitely learned a lot. I tried to throw out as many questions as possible--extreme, personal, challenging, and comfortable alike. I wanted to cover as many areas in the photography and blogging world as possible. She is such a lovely lady. I hope you go check out her blog today to see what I mean! I highlighted my favorite parts of her responses. And here we go! 

1.     When did you start delving deep into photography? 

I have always been into photography, noticing art all around me when I was in high school.  But, my passion and interest became something more in the Spring of 2008 when I started my own photography business.  I knew I had to do something with my life and what better way to make myself happy by doing something that I absolutely love.  It didn't come easy, though.  I had to educate myself by reading book after book, doing research, talking with other photogs, taking photography classes, and so much more over the years.   I've been hooked ever since.  By far, the best decision I ever made.

2.     How do you balance photography, blogging, work, and your home life?

Not easily.  It takes work.  I try to communicate with my family as much as possible about where I stand and the time I have to be away from them and why.  They usually understand because they know what I do makes my heart smile, but it can be very challenging for them at times, especially my older son.  He needs the most attention, I think.  Working my business is really no different than someone working a 9-5 job.  I have to balance, juggle, and prioritize – my personal life and my professional life.  I've been blessed to be able to stay at home with my kiddos and still do what I love.  I am grateful for that.  Blogging is something I do to escape from the real world.  I don't leave the house much, so I turn to the blogging for adult conversations and just simply time away.   I also digitally document my kids' every move, smile, laugh, milestone, and so on.   I don't scrapbook (and my memory is horrible), so blogging helps me keep track of my every day life.  If  and when my children need my attention at home, I put everything aside and give it to them.  My family always come first, dirty diapers and all.

3.     What inspires you in your photography? What do you get ideas from?

What inspires me are other photographers.   I have learned so much from them – their ideas, their creativity, their knowledge, and what inspires them.  Looking at another photog's work makes me strive to be better.  Sometimes I sit back and think, 'Why didn't I think of that?' or 'How creative!'.  It is truly amazing how many photography styles there are among us.  

4.     Every photographer strives to make themselves stand out, be unique. Do you think you have achieved your own uniqueness?  If yes, what makes your photography different/stand out?

I, personally, don't think that I stand out from the rest.  Some may disagree with that first line and quite possibly feel the need to slap me in the back of my head.  I am working on my own uniqueness little by little.   Even after years of experience, I am still finding new parts of myself to explore and expand.  Some think that my editing is unique, some think that my composition is unique, and so on.  It's really about perception and what they like or what they find to be unique about a photo, which is most important to me.  I'm not a good judge of my own work.  I'm always up for doing anything, or at least trying something once.  However, I try not to get too crazy with my work as it can consume me.  By the way, I love this quote.  It speaks volumes.

“There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are.” - Ernst Haas

 

5.     What advice could you give others when it comes to photography?

Be patient, be kind, and listen carefully when speaking with clients.  If it's more of a hobby, learn as much as you can and take your creativity to another level.  Do your research, learn the lingo, and talk with as many people as possible.  Practice, practice, play, practice, play, and practice some more.  Read your manuals, then read them again.  There is so much to learn!  I have been asked recently if I would take someone with me on a photo shoot.  She is still in high school and recently decided she wants to go to school for photography, to learn the ropes.  I was all for it!  If someone shows interest in what you do, take them with you, educate them, be a mentor!  It was such an honor to be asked in the first place, let alone her company for the day.

6.     Many photographers consider themselves “true” photographers IF they do not NEED to edit their images. Do you favor editing software? Do you try to keep it natural, or are you amongst the many who love to express themselves through being artistic in Photoshop and other image editing programs?

I think editing is a great way to make yourself stand out and make an every day photograph turn into something magical.  Yes, I use editing software because I love to experiment with actions, textures, and presets.  I also like to give my photographs personality and that artistic twist that a lot of people admire.  

7.     What is your favorite/most used editing program for images?

I use Lightroom and the Creative Suites for my editing.  I have been favoring PS over LR for the last several months.  I love it!

8.     As a photographer blogger, do you feel any “competition” when it comes to your images and presenting them in linkups and other blog sources?

Oh my goodness, no.  I think linking up with other bloggers is a fantastic way for us to share our work or show off our families as well as for us to meet new friends.  Since I've been linking up, I have met so many terrific, talented people.  You can really learn from one another.  In this industry, you will continue to learn and grow – it's never-ending.  I've never felt threatened in any way, but only amazed by what they produce as a final result.  I secretly think, 'I want their equipment, their cooperative children, their eye.'  Yes, other photographer's greatness and picture-perfect lives have that affect on me.

9.     Have you ever dwelt with others taking your images without permission?

Thankfully, no.  At least not that I am aware of.  I try to watermark my images as much as possible, when I remember to do so.  I'm so bad about that sometimes. But, I will admit, having made a watermark brush makes things so much easier and faster!

10. What is your favorite “thing” to shoot? Nature? People? Action? Etc.

I love people.  They fascinate me.  I am an Outdoor Natural-Light Photographer, so being outdoors surrounded by God's work is truly a blessing for me.  I'm even convinced that there's something about the outdoors that brings people to life.   I love how they light up, especially children when they have a big open space to run around in.  The possibilities are endless.   I have captured so many great shots from my clients being in their natural state – walking, jumping, kissing, hugging, hiding, etc.  That's what makes my job so wonderful, and one of the many reasons why I get out of bed every day.  

11. Is there anything else you would like to share with us concerning photography and/or the blogging world?

Photography:

The sky is the limit.  Be yourself.  Always smile.  Communicate.  Don't ever be afraid to try something new or worry what others might think.  Push yourself to be the best and think outside the box. 

Blogging:

Follow, follow, follow.  Again, you can learn so much from each other – single, married, kids, no kids, hobbyist, or pro photog.  We're all the same and have one big thing in common – we blog!  We're a unit, we have common ground and passion.  Everyone is passionate about something.  Leave comments.  Everyone loves those sweet, encouraging comments!  Life isn't a bed of roses and pockets full of sunshine (good grief, I sound like a Natasha Beddingfield song), so leaving a comment can really make someone's gloomy day much brighter.  Think of it as paying it forward, blog style.  Join challenges.  I can't express this enough.  It will make your wheels turn and help you explore your creative side.  You'll be amazed at your results and so will everyone else.

12.   How does your family feel about having their picture taken?

It's a hit and miss with my husband and kids.  Some days they are excited and ready and other days they give me the side eye, and maybe growl at me a little. As far as my other family members go, I think they are pretty used to it by now. Anymore, they all leave their cameras at home and depend on me to take pictures for them.  I don't know what would happen if I accidentally left my camera at home *gasp* during those occasions.  I'm sure it wouldn't be pretty.

13. Why outdoor natural-light photography and not a photography studio?

When I chose to do the business this is one of the many things I had to ponder. The reason I chose natural-light over the studio in the end is because I am an outdoorsy kinda' gal.  I love to camp, swim, hike, play sports, you name it.  I've always had a thing for the wilderness and mother nature.  This is who I am.  So, a light bulb went off.  This is where I am supposed to be.  I love working with the lighting, the wind blowing through someone's hair, the sun, and the different backdrops that God has to offer.  Let's face it, He has some of the best backdrops, right?  And, like I mentioned before, kids have a huge playground and room to run free.  Another reason is because I don't do very well in small, hot spaces, nor did I want people to feel rushed in a studio setting.  I know that Landon was itching to leave, eat, or nap which made those times very frustrating as a parent.  When you mix fun and happy kids (or adults) with a comfortable environment when taking photographs, you've got yourself a pretty awesome photo shoot.

14. Would you buy a great camera, a great lens or both?

This seems to be the biggest question of all amongst people in our industry and I can see why.  Heck, it's confusing!  You have so much to choose from.  Yes, they do go hand in hand.  However, you don't want to put nice rims on a pinto, right? Not a good mix.  Any pintos in the house?   We all need an upgrade every now and then.  The market is booming and cameras, lenses, etc. are changing by the minute.  I would choose glass over cameras any day.  The quality of the glass is very  important.  So, if you're satisfied with the camera you have, stick with it and buy a great lens (or two).  Remember, the better the glass, the more expensive they will be.  If you're not satisfied with your camera and its performance, I suggest doing a lot of research on different types of cameras and find one that fits your photography lifestyle/needs.  It's like shopping for shoes.  We try to find that perfect pair of shoes that will stay with us until they finally kick the bucket.  The kind that you can't live without.  I have a pair like that sitting in my closet right now.  Trust me, your pair of shoes are out there waiting for you to adopt them.  Just in case I lost you as a woman who loves shoes (you know you're thinking about buying some now), yes, I am still talking about cameras.  

15.  How did you start blogging?

Simple.  I have kids.  I adore my little family.  When I gave birth to Landon back in 2003 I wasn't aware of this little thing people called blogs.  I tried to scrapbook, but that didn't work living away from home, having no support system while my husband worked all hours of the day.  I was busy.  Too busy to think about anything but raising my newborn.  We came back home to be closer to family, still very busy.  Several years later I found Blogger.  I didn't know anything about blogging.  You know how people spoof up their blogs with fonts, headers, backgrounds, and so on?  Yeah, well, that wasn't me.  I only knew the basics and just ran with it.  One day, I started fishing around doing a little research and found out how it was done.  I found cool sites with cool backgrounds and suddenly the angels started to sing.  I did it!  One thing led to another and I found myself sporting a pretty cute blog, and getting addicted very quickly.  I continued to post about family events, mainly for out of town friends and family. This went on for awhile and then Liam was born.  My posts became overwhelming for my fans, I'm sure.  He was the highlight of my blog for a little while.  I've changed my blog name and look many times, still do actually.  I think I've been through six blog names already.  It's fun.  In fact, after this interview goes live, I'll probably change it again – to something a little more family related.

I want to thank everyone for taking the time out to get to know me better and possibly learning something new.  Also, thank you to Shaunna at Captivus Living for choosing me for this interview, and thank you to Chelsea at Paper Heart Camera for helping all of us become something better than we are.  You ladies are truly an inspiration.

Thank you, Andie, for letting me interview you/participating! And thanks readers for reading! Go check out Andie--her new blog look just might be up by now!!!  ;-)

- Shaunna
at Captivus Living