BEHIND THE LENS: Daisy Beatty Photography, NYC and East Hampton, NY

We were delighted to receive the following interview from a wonderful follower of our blog.  Daisy hails from New York but her experience in West Hollywood working for Comedy Central and Intuitive Entertainment gave her insight on telling a story through her lens. Daisy also worked as a Special Assistant District Attorney in NYC. Her experience, training with established mentors and working on new projects keep this talented photographer up-to-speed with the latest.  Please welcome as we introduce Daisy and her amazing work!

Your Name: Daisy Beatty

Your studio/business name: Daisy Beatty Photography

Location: New York City & East Hampton NY

Website: www.daisybeattyphotography.com

Blog:  www.daisybeattyphotography.com/blog

Twitter/Facebook: https://facebook.com/daisybeattyphotography

Other: Instagram: daisybeatty

In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography?

My clients have described the shoots as fun, lighthearted and, in many cases, empowering. My photographs have been described as ethereal, soulful, and humorous. I try to create images that have a combination of beauty and meaning. 

Are you self-taught or classroom trained?    A combination of both.

How many years have you been a professional photographer? Part time for 9 years, full time for one year. 

Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years? 

I would love to work in more locations. Right now I work primarily in NYC, theHamptons, Greenwich CT, and Boston MA. I’m doing my first shoot on Martha’s Vineyard this summer; I’d love to work there and Nantucket every year. I’d also love to do more work in Los Angeles, where I used to live, and to photograph clients in the Caribbean. 

Is there a photographer who inspires your style?  Who would that be? 

Oh gosh, there are so many wonderful photographers. The first photographers who really moved and inspired me were Sally Mann and Diane Arbus.  

Favorite location to take photos?  

Anywhere with beautiful light. Manhattan is fantastic because you can take photographs with a city feel and an outdoorsy park feel in one shoot. 

Favorite vacation spot? 

South Africa, Turks & Caicos, Croatia, East Hampton

Your Business:

What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer? 

I’ve adored photography since I was young and have taken classes since high school. My love of photography was always there, so about a year ago I decided to go for it full time. I love it! Part of me wishes I’d gone full time earlier, but I feel lucky to have had a wonderful career before this too. 

What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you? SEO is huge. 

What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you? I’ve heard it all, and love working with clients to ensure they have an experience they love. I’m always touched by how willing clients are to include me in intimate and special moments in their lives. 

Favorite print lab? Miller’s 

Your Gear

Are you Canon or Nikon: Nikon

If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be? For an outdoor shoot, my 70 – 200 mm 2.8; for studio my 24 – 70 mm 2.8

What brand bag do you carry your camera in? Backpacker. It’s an odd bag I found on Amazon that has served me well.

What gear would we find in your camera bag? Nikon D800, Nikon D200, 50mm 1.8, 24 – 70mm 2.8; 70mm-200mm 2.8

Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan? In general natural light, but I love using the strobe in my studio for maternity and newborn photography

Are you PC or Mac? Mac!

Your Tips and Tricks

What post processing tools do you use? Photoshop, and occasionally Lightroom

Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg? both

Best advice you would give your 20-year old self? See the world. Keep working hard, keep pursuing your passions, keep creating opportunities for yourself.  

Best advice you would give a new photographer? Take classes, practice, practice, practice. Work hard, and you will start to see results. 

What site do you use for your photography and why? I use bludomain, and wordpress. Bludomain has been great: it was my first website, I started it in 2008. Since then I’ve grown into liking Wordpress a lot too, for it’s simplicity and flexibility. 

What Else Should We Know?

What was your worst photography experience? My own second grade class photos – my mother wanted me to wear a dress and I REALLY didn’t want to. 

What would surprise people most about you, whether it is photography related or not? I can spin a basketball on my finger.

BEHIND THE LENS: Nikki Gardner of Art & Lemons, Western Massachusetts

I am so excited to feature the beautiful work of Nikki Gardner of Art and Lemons on our Behind the Lens series this week.  Some of you may be familiar with Nikki's work as she is a contributor to the very popular photography blog Mortal Muses and she has an e-course Develop Your Photo Habit & Style:  10 Minutes a Day for 31 Days. 

As you can see from the images below, Nikki's images really make you feel like you are a part of the scene.  Her work is so inspiring. Thank you Nikki for sharing your lovely images and story with us today!

Your Name: Nikki Gardner

Your studio/business name: Art & Lemons

Location: Western Massachusetts

Website: www.artandlemons.com

Blog: www.artandlemons.com

Twitter/Facebook: @artandlemons / https://www.facebook.com/pages/art-and-lemons/89697361900

Instagram: www.instagram.com/artandlemons

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/artandlemons

Your Style

In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography? I think my style would be described as narrative, honest, engaging, and spontaneous with a bit of wit thrown in every once and while. When I’m working with people, I want them to trust my vision and to forget the camera is present.

Are you self-taught or classroom trained? Classroom trained, but I’m forever a student of the medium.

How many years have you been a professional photographer? I’ve been a fine art photographer since 2001. Over the past five years, I’ve expanded into editorial photography as well.

Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years? I want to shoot more editorial and lifestyle features for books, magazines, and newspapers.

Is there a photographer who inspires your style?  Yes, there are so many. I feel like my list of influences is always evolving…

Who would that be? Currently, I’m into Saul Leiter’s color street photographs, Alex Prager’s cinematic narratives, Brian W. Ferry’s artist and designer profiles,  and Erin Kunkel’s food, lifestyle, and travel photographs.

Favorite location to take photos? Wherever there is light though I love to photograph New York City. It’s vibrant and in constant motion, even at night.

Favorite vacation spot? Cape Cod.

Your Business

What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer? In my early 20s I moved to Portland, Oregon to attend a graduate studies program in International Business. A few weeks into the program, I went out to dinner with some of my classmates. One of the guys, I can’t even remember his name anymore, asked me what I wanted to do after graduation. Truthfully, I said, I just want to take photographs. He replied, then why don’t you. After that, I left the program and started taking pictures. I wish I could remember his name to thank him.

What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you? Be bold. Constantly put yourself out there. Make friends and genuine connections with people on social media and in person. Promote other people’s work. Share what you do and your process. Be interested and interesting with what you share online. Above all, keep pitching your ideas and projects.

What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you? During a solo gallery showing of my fine art work, someone asked if the photographs in the series were real or made up. Both, I replied.

Favorite print lab? For fine art photography, I use a local lab, Pivot Media. I can go in a proof the prints, and make adjustments to ensure the prints are spot on.

Your Gear

Are you Canon or Nikon (or –other): Nikon

If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be? Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens

What brand bag do you carry your camera in? My digital bag is a small practical Lowepro. For film cameras, I carry a large Tenba bag with a Polaroid Spectra, Nikon f100, and Hasselblad 500 cm.

What gear would we find in your camera bag? Nikon d7000 (although I hope to upgrade to a Nikon d800 soon), Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens, Nikon 24 -70mm f/2.8 lens, Nikon Speedlight SB/600.

Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan? Natural light all the way.

Are you PC or Mac? Mac

Your Tips and Tricks

What post processing tools do you use? For digital images, I use Lightroom 5.6 and adjust my photos manually. When I do use LR Presets, I like Totally Rad’s Replichrome Film Presets, both I and II. For film images, I get the film developed at a local lab, and then scan them with an Epson v700. Minimal editing is done in Photoshop CS5.

Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg? Raw

Best advice you would give your 20-year old self? Trust your heart. Work on your craft. Don’t worry about whether you have any talent or if you’re good enough or not. Think about whether or not you are capturing something true, in yourself and in the moment. Also, learn how to be a keen editor of your own work. This takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself. You’ll make mistakes along the way. It’s okay. Pick yourself up and start again.

Best advice you would give a new photographer? Shoot constantly. Make photography your obsession. Decide what you’re passionate about photographing and practice. Give yourself assignments. Practice under varying conditions so that when you’re in the field, you’ll have experience to fall back on. Do it until you tire of it, then keep going. Push through until you make the kind of photographs you admire.

What site do you use for your photography and why? Wordpress.org (although my portfolio site is currently under construction.)

And just because we want to know you better, fill in the blanks

Three things I can’t live without…. Coffee, books, my yoga mat.

I wish I had more…..time to travel and make photographs. I have a long list of places I want to photograph. Now I need to make it happen.

The best thing about being a photographer is… finding truth in everyday moments.

The most important lesson I ever learned was….Say yes, even when you have no idea what you’re doing, just say yes, then figure out how to accomplish what needs to be done.

My favorite time of day is…early morning.

BEHIND THE LENS: Amanda Brisco Photography, Pittsburgh, PA

We are so excited to feature the beautiful work of Amanda Brisco Photography this week.  As you will see from her images below, she truly has a way of capturing light and natural, candid moments.  Thank you Mandy for sharing your story with us and your gorgeous images.  

Your Name:  Mandy Brisco

Your studio/business name:  amanda brisco photography

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Website: www.amandabriscophotography.com

Blog: www.amandabriscophotography.com

Twitter/Facebook: www.facebook.com/a.briscophotography

Your Style:

In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography?  I would hope that my clients would describe my work as totally candid, emotional, and romantic. With each session I do take posed shots, you have to, but my style is centered around candid and natural looks.  A lot of my clients laugh when I tell them to pretend I’m not there.  I am addicted to natural expressions, and with my sessions with couples, I especially love getting those romantic shots.

Are you self-taught or classroom trained? Both.  I did a ton of self-training when I started.  I love education and schooling so I knew that both studying photography and learning from other photographers would be extremely beneficial and enjoyable.  I started an online certification program and became a certified photographer and began taking classes and mentoring with photographers in the Pittsburgh area. 

How many years have you been a professional photographer?  I’ve been in the business one full year.  I’ve been shooting and learning for almost four years now.

Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years?  I would love to have the opportunity to teach and mentor.  I have a Master’s Degree in Education so I’ve always loved teaching and helping others.  Once my boys are in school full time and I have some extra time on my hands, mentoring and helping other photographers reach their goals would be my next long term goal.

Is there a photographer who inspires your style?  Who would that be? My mentor, Heather Lahtinen of Weddings by Heather.  She has been a tremendous inspiration to me both personally and professionally.

Favorite location to take photos? Oh that’s a tough one.  There are so many gorgeous locations in the Pittsburgh area.  I love the look of a park with tall grasses.  On the flip side, I am absolutely in love with the urban city look as well.   I’m obsessed with downtown Pittsburgh! 

Favorite vacation spot? I love Florida.  I love the beach. 

Your Business:

What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer? When I started editing photos I was taking of my children.  I love the continuation of creativity that it allows.

           

What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you? Absolutely, hands-down, Facebook.  I built my entire business using Facebook.  It’s been a tremendous tool.  From Facebook came word of mouth and there’s no better compliment than word of mouth!

What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you? I had a client refer a family member to me prior to her session … I hadn’t even taken her photos yet!!  To me, that was a surprise and a MAJOR compliment!

Favorite print lab? Miller’s Professional Imaging. 

Your Gear:

Are you Canon or Nikon (or –other): Nikon.

If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be?  I’m obsessed with my 70-200mm 2.8. 

What brand bag do you carry your camera in?  Janine King for my lifestyle sessions.  I use a CaseLogic for all of my back-up equipment for weddings.

What gear would we find in your camera bag?  Two camera bodies, Nikon d700 & d7000.  I always have my 50mm 1.4, 28-75mm 2.8 & 70-200mm 2.8 lenses.  A Nikon speedlight, extra batteries, chargers, memory cards, and chapstick. 

Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan?  Natural light.  I’m addicted to sunsets and beautiful haze.

Are you PC or Mac?  PC

Your Tips and Tricks:

What post processing tools do you use? Lightroom

Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg? Raw

Best advice you would give your 20-year old self?  It is okay to not know what you want to do when you grow up.  You will find your passion (this was a huge fear of mine for a very long time).

Best advice you would give a new photographer?  You must have confidence in yourself and your work.  Whatever you have to do to achieve and maintain that confidence, you must pursue it, but take your time and enjoy the process.

What site do you use for your photography and why?  ProPhoto.  Everything is in one place and I like that.

What Else Should We Know? I have a twin sister … she’s my best friend.

What was your worst photography experience?  I can thankfully say that I haven’t had a bad photography experience.  I always have the fear of showing up without a battery or memory card and have had dreams of forgetting things the night before a wedding.  I double, triple, and sometimes quadruple check everything often and when necessary.

What would surprise people most about you, whether it is photography related or not?  I love tattoos … and have a lot of them.  

And just because we want to know you better, fill in the blanks

Three things I can’t live without…. Aside from my husband, children, and family, it would have to be my camera, my iPhone, and Blistex Silk & Shine chapstick.

I wish I had more…..Time in the day.

The best thing about being a photographer is…Making people happy.  It warms my heart when my clients tell me that they are in love with their photos. 

The most important lesson I ever learned was…. Become obsessed with light.  I’m constantly looking and searching for beautiful light.  It will make or break an amazing photo.

My favorite time of day is…The golden hour!! 

BEHIND THE LENS: Michael Clemens, San Francisco, CA

Today we are very excited to feature a dad that clicks!  Michael found us through our blog and we are thrilled to showcase his beautiful photography.  His images are artistic, honest and just plain gorgeous and real.  As you'll see below, Michael has a very interesting background and we love his advice to his 20 year old self. ;)  Thank you Michael for sharing your story with us today and your amazing artistry.  

Your Name:  Michael Clemens
Your studio/business name:  Sees The Day
Location:  San Francisco
Website:  www.seestheday.com
Blog:  www.seestheday.com/theblog
Twitter:  @seesthedayphoto
Facebook:  facebook.com/seesthedayphotography

Your Style

In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe your photography?
My photography is emotional and honest.  I really try and look for the moment without every manufacturing anything.  If it's real, then it will say something to you when you look at it weather it’s involving you or someone else.

Are you self-taught or classroom trained?
From the time my mom gave me camera when I graduated elementary school, I have taught myself how to see through the lens.  To this day, I’m constantly trying to learn.  Pick up a tip , a technique, anything that I haven’t thought of that would help me get the best images possible.

How many years have you been a professional photographer?
I have been shooting professionally for about 10 years.

Where do you want to take your photography business in 5 years?
I would love to make it my full time gig.  I currently have a "day job" at DreamWorks Animation in Redwood City. I have been very fortunate to have a good career in the movie business since 2 weeks out of college, but it’s photography that I am supposed to be doing full time.

Is there a photographer who inspires your style?  Who would that be?
I feel that great photographs inspire me rather than photographers.  There are many photographers I respect, but none that I try and emulate.  One photographer comes to mind when I think of consistent mind blowing images. . .Dave Black.  He shoot primarily sports photography, and I marvel at what he is able to capture.

Favorite location to take photos?
It might sound silly, but some of my favorite locations are the one's that pose a challenge.  When you have piece together a puzzle of light and shadows and background and subjects . . . and then you get something that is magical. . no better feeling.

Favorite vacation spot?
I’m not good a “relaxing”, so vacationing for me is somewhere that allows for some great photography opportunities.  I love going to places I’ve never been and a walk every block in that place to try and really “see” where I am.  I’m not a “sit on the beach with my feet up” kind of guy.

Your Business

What was the pivotal moment when you decided to become a photographer?
This is an easy one.  I had taken paternity leave when my first daughter was born.  I fell MADLY in love with this little person, and I didn't want to go back to work.  I said to myself. . . “I know, I'll shoot weddings on the weekends and that will let me be home all week”.  Well, that turned out to be a catch 22. . I would be home more during the week, but I would miss every family function because those always happened on weekends when most family functions occurred.  But that's when the 2nd love affair happened with photography.  I get nervous and excited every time I have a shoot, and then, when I get there and start shooting, I get so lost in the moment that everything else melts away.

What’s the best marketing tip that has worked for you?
Still trying to find that out.  For me, it's been strictly word of mouth.  The families I've shot for have been so wonderfully overwhelmed,  that they have told everyone they know. 

What’s the most surprising thing a customer has asked you?
When I shoot weddings, I typically ask the couple for a list of the posed "must have" shots.  The ones that come after the ceremony and before the reception.  Pretty straight forward.  Well, one time, I had a bride write me a list of "moments" that she wanted me to get.  “Me and my husband looking at each other with me laughing. . . or one of me winking at my aunt. . . or one of my husband on one leg while I'm in the background looking at my dad”.    Ok these were a little exaggerated, but not by much.  I told her that moments have to happen for me to get them . . .  But I'll do my best .  

Your Gear

Are you Canon or Nikon (or –other):
I have been a Canon shooter from the beginning and that's why I think I've stayed with them for this long.  I love Canon, and have no reason to switch, but once you start accumulating lenses and batteries, and gear that are Canon specific, it doesn't make a lot of sense TO switch.  I know some people feel of cameras like they do political parties. . .but honestly, Canon and Nikon and other companies all have incredible gear, and in my opinion, are very similar.

If you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be?
That's a tough question because there are so many different situations, but I think I would have to say a probably a common answer, but it would be my 70-200mm  f2.8.  It's really gorgeous.

What brand bag do you carry your camera in?
I have tried EVERY bag under the sun, and every one is ALMOST the perfect bag.  The one I typically end up using is a messenger bag from that was a Christmas Present from ILM (Industrial Light & Magic).  It's simple and roomy, and I created my own "separators"/"grid" from velcro pieces from other bags! 

What gear would we find in your camera bag?
Several lenses, a few flashes, batteries, pocket wizard, and tons of memory cards.

Are you a natural light fan or strobe fan?
Natural light is much easier, and it's truly the most beautiful, but there is something about the challenge of using a strobe and making it look natural that is fun for me. 

Are you PC or Mac?
Unlike my somewhat indifference to camera choice, I AM a devout Mac user.  I can't imagine using anything else ever.

Your Tips and Tricks

What post processing tools do you use?
I use Lightroom and Photoshop and a handful of plugins. 

Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg?
RAW. . .Always RAW.

Best advice you would give your 20-year old self?
Kiss that girl.   Oh, photography wise. . . .go for it.  I have always played it safe.  I lost most of my family at a young age so I have never been a risk taker.  But looking back, I wish I was more brave and didn't settle for the secure paycheck when I was a young single guy.

Best advice you would give a new photographer?
I wrote a blog post about this one time, but it's about doing whatever it takes to get the shot.  I had shot a long wedding, and I was exhausted.  On my feet for 10 hours.  At the end of the night, I had neatly packed up all my gear in the trunk of my car and had over an hour drive home ahead of me.  As I pulled out of the venue, I see the very last light in the sky behind this hill with a little church on it.  It was THE shot.  But I was exhausted and I JUST put everything away and I have SO FAR to drive.  But I forced myself to get out, unpack my gear and get the shot.  I kept thinking about how much I'd regret it tomorrow if I didn't put that extra effort in at that moment.  I was glad I did, and it has become a favorite shot of mine.

What site do you use for your photography and why?
I use Squarespace for my front end site and use Smugmug to host all my images.  They are both phenomenal and easy to use and their customer service is stellar.  I have never been so happy with a company than I have been with both of them.  I have been with SmugMug since the beginning, but Squarespace has only been in the last 1-2 years.

What Else Should We Know?

What was your worst photography experience?
This is an EASY one.  My VERY FIRST WEDDING.  And no. . it's not why you'd think this would be the worst.  But it was my first wedding and I had lied about how many weddings I had done prior to get the gig.  Since I hadn't done any, any number I said would have been a lie.  Anyway, I had shot the ceremony (not sure how anything was in focus I was shaking so much from nerves), and then on to the reception.  It was at a Golf Course that was open to the public and it was in the clubhouse on the grounds.   I had been so stressed and nervous and exhausted.  I still had 4 hours to go.  I saw this moment happening across the room, so I put down my BRAND NEW CAMERA THAT WAS PURCHASED TO SHOOT THIS WEDDING down on the DJ table, and brought my 2nd camera (rental) with me to get the shot.  When I came back 60 seconds later, my brand new camera was gone.  The DJ swore he didn't see anyone and that he didn't take it.  I was sick to my stomach, an truly ready to cry.  But this wasn't about me. . it was about the couple, so I grabbed my one camera I had left and continued to shoot.  Luckily, I use smaller memory cards, and change them often, so the card that was in my camera that was stolen only had a couple of images on it .  I have NEVER put down ANYTHING down during a shoot again. . .EVER.

What would surprise people most about you, whether it is photography related or not?
I used to be the assistant to Director Robert Zemeckis.  I started with him on Forest Gump, and went on to do Contact, Castaway and What Lies Beneath with him.  Additionally, I met my wife the first day of shooting of Contact in a small make shift production office in Socorro New Mexico.

And just because we want to know you better, fill in the blanks

Three things I can’t live without….
iPhone, Coffee, crushed ice.
 
I wish I had more…..
Time with my family instead of being at my current "day job" which keeps me away way too much.

The best thing about being a photographer is…
The history I get to capture for the families that I shoot.  The other best part is there aren’t other  "cooks in the kitchen".  With the Visual Effects job, there are a million people that have to put their "mark" on it.  You become a small piece of a very large pie.  But with photography, it's just me and the lens and my creativity.

The most important lesson I ever learned was….
Kill 'em with kindness!

My favorite time of day is…
Photographically. . . 2 hours before sunset.