Your Name: Jacqueline Parsons
Your Studio/Business Name: Jacqie Q Photography
Location: Cumberland, MD
Website: http://www.jacqieq.com
Blog: http://www.jacqieqblog.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jacqieq
Twitter: @Jacqie_Q
Your Style:
Are you self-taught or classroom trained? Self-taught but also learned a HUGE amount from the Bobbi+Mike Workshop last spring.
How many years have you been a professional photographer? One year.
Is there a photographer who inspires your style? Who would that be? Jessica Fike from Jessica Fike Photography – She's fresh & fun. I also love Erin Tole Photography and Bobbi + Mike.
Favorite location to take photos? I love photographing people in places of their choosing because it tells a bit about who they are. But if I were to choose the location it would be somewhere in the middle of the woods.
Favorite vacation spot? The beach! Any warm one will do.
Your Business:
What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you? Utilize the social media tools available. Facebook has redefined what "word of mouth" means. Just the other night I posted a few photos from a boudoir session. That girl shared the photos on her personal page. By the next morning I had 5 new clients ready to book.
What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you? I haven't been left speechless by a customer... yet.
Favorite print lab? Mpix and Black River Imaging
Your Gear:
Are you Canon or Nikon: Canon
In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography? I pay attention to the details. I photograph from many different perspectives to find the ones that suit that specific client. I spend time trying to figure out how to best express that client. I strive to tell a story with their photographs.
Are you self-taught or classroom trained? Self-taught but also learned a HUGE amount from the Bobbi+Mike Workshop last spring.
How many years have you been a professional photographer? One year.
Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years? I want to be known locally as a photographer with a different perspective. I've been published some photos in the Ezine Kaia Magazine and would like to continue to do that.
Is there a photographer who inspires your style? Who would that be? Jessica Fike from Jessica Fike Photography – She's fresh & fun. I also love Erin Tole Photography and Bobbi + Mike.
Favorite location to take photos? I love photographing people in places of their choosing because it tells a bit about who they are. But if I were to choose the location it would be somewhere in the middle of the woods.
Favorite vacation spot? The beach! Any warm one will do.
Your Business:
What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer? I think I've always had it in me, but I never really pursued it. I helped photograph my brother's wedding and a friend's wedding. Everyone raved about the photos. It was then that I thought this could actually be a business and not simply a hobby.
What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you? Utilize the social media tools available. Facebook has redefined what "word of mouth" means. Just the other night I posted a few photos from a boudoir session. That girl shared the photos on her personal page. By the next morning I had 5 new clients ready to book.
What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you? I haven't been left speechless by a customer... yet.
Favorite print lab? Mpix and Black River Imaging
Your Gear:
Are you Canon or Nikon: Canon
If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be? A prime, for sure. I love my Sigma 30mm at the moment.
What brand bag do you carry your camera in? One that I made myself. I converted my favorite diaper bag. (http://www.talesofthewife.com/2011/01/diy-camera-bag-from-purse-tutorial.html%29
What gear would we find in your camera bag? 7D, Speedlite, batteries, zoom lens just in case, Yummy Earth lollipops & diapers. I know, I know.
Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan? HUGE natural light but I work with both.
Are you PC or Mac? PC for now
Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg? Raw, definitely
Best advice you would give your 20-year old self? Trust yourself
Best advice you would give a new photographer? Learn all you can from experienced photographers, and never stop learning.
What site do you use for your photography and why? Zenfolio because let's face it, with two young one, ease of use is extremely important. I love the client access on Zenfolio.
What Else Should We Know?
What was your worst photography experience? A senior didn't really want his photos taken. Mom was there, he was uncooperative and I was inexperienced at how to get him to come out of his shell. Toward the end of the shoot he was smiling and laughing more. I learned that by asking a few questions and cracking a few jokes you can find out about a client's personality and get them to open up.
What would surprise people most about you, whether it is photography related or not? I'm a total science geek. I have a B.S. in Biology.
Tell us something else you’d like us to know: I've really done some soul searching this year. Photography has been a tool for me to find out pieces about myself. Not only am I a science nerd, but I'm also very artistic. I've learned that I have incredible people skills. I've learned that I'm most awesome when I'm simply myself and not what I thought other people wanted me to be.
And just because we want to know you, fill in the blanks:
Three things I can’t live without…. My boys, the internet & chocolate
I wish I had more….. love to give
The best thing about being a photographer is… capturing candid moments so people can see themselves as they really are.
The most important lesson I ever learned was…. To simply believe in the ideas you have within yourself. No one knows the vision you have in your mind. Show them. Be confident in yourself, and you'll be amazing.
My favorite time of day is… Play time!
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