Located in Gibraltar, GI
Tell us about yourself. What do you love doing in your spare time? What inspired you to newborn photography and do you photograph other genre’s in your business?
I am 39yrs old. I ventured out in photography 5 years ago. I was taught in my photography school to know well how to master all types of photography as this gives a good foundation of skills as a photographer. I started as a hobby until one day I realised I loved doing it and more and more people complimented my work and more wanted me to photograph them. At this stage I realised I loved people photography. I do weddings, family photography and now I am narrowing it to new born baby Photography.
I am a single mother of 3 beautiful children and I want to inspire others that no matter what your circumstances may be to focus forward, pursue your dreams.. As you can imagine I had quite a strive and many setbacks as a single mother with another job and along the way I did get many who thought it was impossible to achieve and succeed. However, I am here to tell you it is possible! what ever you are passionate about, pursue it! keep moving forward and focusing on what you truly want to be in life and if you keep the right attitude and positivity you will be a winner!
How would you describe your photography style? What inspires your work?
I describe my photography as versatile. I don’t like sticking to the norm and I like to creative something different to others. I can be from simple to creative.
Who has inspried you and how did you first come across their work?
Kathleen Valerga and Ana Brandt their work has always inspired me
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting a newborn photography business?
Do your research and search as many New born baby P)photographers as possible, find a few you love their work and take on board workshop0s from them. Also there are many good videos on you tube form many great new baby photographers. Know well how your camera works and lighting. Practise with dolls and eventually do Model calls or ask friends with babies to practise with them. Never show your insecurities to the clients, show a brave confident face and with time the more you do and practise the more comfortable you become around the babies.
What camera do you use? What are your favourite lenses and what’s typically in your camera bag?
I use a 7D EOS Canon and yes soon I am upgrading! However, I always say that the most important are the lenses you use. I use the 35mm and 5Omm p0rime lenses. I definitely recommend prime lenses. They produce good quality and clear images. When I first started photography I owned a cheap Canon Camera… I remember almost everyone in our class had top Cameras and I was worried I would not produce great images. However I won every category of the competition! Off course as a professional Photographer you need good quality cameras and lenses, but most important you need to have a good eye, you need to plan in your head the picture ahead before photographing and know well how to use your camera.
What is your favorite place to hold sessions and why?Where do you photograph most of your sessions? (in studio? on location?)
I hold most of my sessions in my home studio. I have great big windows and usually I am lucky to have good natural light, given I live in a warm country with plenty of sunlight. Still, weather can be unreliable and different times of day light can be cooler and not as good to shoot in. So it’s important you know also how to use studio lights.
What (if any) photography training, mentoring or workshops have you taken?
Kath V Photography
Ana Brandt
Tell us about starting your business, and what played a key role in developing a profitable income.
I started with the basics. In the beginning try and purchase only the basics and as your confidence and experience raises simply raise the prices, also raise the quality of props and backdrops as it will produce more quality and you can further raise prices. My advice as to profit is to slowly build the assets and as you are building your business name you can raise prices.
Growing pains: tell us about some of your challenges you have faced in your business, and how you overcame them.
There were many setbacks. In my country owning a personal studio can be extremely expensive. I felt very frustrated at first and then realised having a home studio wasn’t that bad at all! We must adapt to our availability of resources and that does not mean you can still succeed! You must embrace the little beginnings,make the best of what ever resources you have even if it is little! be patient and not loose hope and keep very focused!
using soft felt gives a lovely sense of softness in the images
