We are thrilled to feature the beautiful work of Jaime Scott Photography on our Behind the Lens series today. As you will see from Jaime's work and her interview below, she strives to create a fun, relaxed atmosphere at each of her session so she can truly capture her client's personalities.
Jaime is a natural light, self-taught photographer who believes that you need to push your self to learn new things and take each learning opportunity as it presents itself (we couldn't agree with you more!). We are so inspired by your story of how you got into this wonderful business (love your can do spirit) and are impressed by your many talents! Hint: We'd love to hear you sing!
Jaime, thank you so much for sharing your story with us today. We love your work and can't wait to see more!
Your Name: Jaime Scott
Your studio/business name: Jaime Scott Photography
Location: Harrisonburg, VA
Website: http://www.jaimescottphotography.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jaimets
Your Style
In 50 words or less, how would your clients describe
your photography?
Eh, thats a tough one….I am never good at things like
this. hah! I will post a blurb that had me in tears that a client wrote on FB
in regards to their session recently ….
"I know!!! I cant stop looking at them! Jaime Scott Photography is
amazing!! She is super talented and so much fun to work with! She's so relaxed
and she made {child's name} feel so comfortable and pretty. Love her and her
beautiful kids." This statement is exactly what I hope to achieve at
every session. I want the kids to have fun, be themselves, and LOVE having
their photo taken with me.
Are you self-taught or classroom trained? I am self taught. I have been reading anything and
everything I can get my hands on. I always push myself to try new things and learn as
much as humanly possible. There is a lot of information out there….most you can
find for free, you just have to take the time to read and be aware of a
learning opportunity when it presents itself.
How many years have you been a professional
photographer? This is my third year in business. I have been
confident enough in the last few months to proudly say that I am a
photographer. It is a humbling artistic medium, there are so many wonderfully
talented professionals in this industry.
Where do you want to take your photography business
in 5 years? In 5 years, I hope to have moved into a work space
where I can have clients over, not necessarily a studio but just a
"pinterest" explosion of ideas and a place where I can spray paint
things without turning our 10x10 yard into a highly flammable pink grassy area.
I hope to be photographing what I really love which is children and all their
quirks and cuteness.
Is there a photographer who inspires your
style? Who would that be?
I don't know if there is just one photographer whom
inspires my style, but Jen Carver was definitely a huge help with learning some
techniques in post processing and ultimately helped me find "my
style." I felt like for awhile I was drifting around like a vagabond with
no home, and one day it all just clicked.
Favorite location to take photos? I go through
spurts….. right now I have been shooting at this location I call the Enchanted
Forest (lol…the kids like it) …Mainly I shoot outdoors….. I have several spots
around town. Wherever the light is best at the time of day that I am shooting
is usually where we end up.
Favorite vacation spot? Hahahahahahah……. vacation….. mmmmmmm…..that
sounds nice. This year I AM actually
taking a vacation and we are headed to Hatteras Island, NC (Nags Head)…. so the
short answer would be the beach. Any beach.
Your Business
What was the pivotal moment when you decided to
become a photographer? The shortened story is….I found myself without a job
at 6 months pregnant with my second daughter… it was unexpected and as one
could probably imagine I was terrified…. Sooooo…..I said what can I do?!? What
will I do? How will we make money? I decided for the 3 months leading up to my
daughters birth that I would start learning how to really work my camera. I
would really start a business plan that would work….even though my husband said
you are going to do what?!? He did support me. I have always taken photographs
my whole life, I mean even if it was one of those disposable party cams, the
fact is I have boxes and boxes of photos from every point in my life. So it
made sense in a way to begin this endeavor.
It may sound crazy but I HAD to make money. I also play the guitar and sing, (at one
point I was aspiring singer/songwriter) so I have always had creativity in my
bones just different ways to express.
What’s
the best marketing tip that has worked for you? I
would have to go with Facebook on this one. I also have started blogging more
to help boost my SEO. I also have found that for me my marketing, is no marketing….. For example, I am in a ton
of moms groups and my kids are in dance and preschool, the last thing I want to
do is push my self on people. Organically things come up and will happen on
their own, people will eventually ask what I do or something along those lines.
That is my approach right now and it works for me and who I am. It may not be
what works for others. But it is what I am comfortable with if that makes
sense. Just being myself.
What’s
the most surprising thing a customer has asked you? There
was one time I was photographing a sweet little baby and that was born with an
extra digit on each of her hands and feet. The client asked me if I would
Photoshop the extra digits out as they were already planning to have them
removed. They were super awesome about their request but I was of course a
little surprised.
Favorite
print lab? Simply Color Lab and ProDPI
Your Gear
Are
you Canon or Nikon (or –other): Canon
If
you could only have one lens on a photo shoot, what would it be? 70-200 f/2.8L
What
brand bag do you carry your camera in? Epiphanie
What
gear would we find in your camera bag?
In my main camera bag I also carry my Canon 7D, Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and
Canon 70-200 f/2.8L, lots of CF cards in their appropriate little cases, I like
the aluminum ones. Battery charger, extra battery and a Canon Speedlite, card
swiper (to run credit cards), business cards …. I think that about covers it. I
also always keep my back-up camera with me, either in the car or at arms reach
in another bag.
Are
you a natural light fan or strobe fan? Currently
I use natural light for portrait sessions. I have become pretty picky on the
times of day that I will shoot…so that helps me control my lighting a little
bit more.
Are
you PC or Mac? Mac
Your
Tips and Tricks
What
post processing tools do you use? I upload into Lightroom 4 with basic edits
and then I also use Photoshop CS6. I have Elements 11 as well but once CS6 came
into the picture elements doesn't get much action.
Do
you shoot in Raw or Jpeg? Raw
Best
advice you would give your 20-year old self? GO
BACK TO COLLEGE!!!!! FINISH YOUR DEGREE!!! (hehe)
Best
advice you would give a new photographer? Have
a plan. It doesn't matter if it isn't laid out in black and white, even if its
in your brain…. just have a plan.
What
site do you use for your photography and why? I
use zenfolio and blogger right now. I just got accepted for rebranding and
design with Laynie and Belle (yay!!) so I am going to be switching to ProPhoto.
I just started using the Simply Studio proofing and it is working quite nicely.
What
Else Should We Know? I
am a coordinator in Virginia for the Gold Hope Project. We provide photography
services for children and their families that have been diagnosed with pediatric cancer, whether they are a fighter
or a survivor.
What
was your worst photography experience? I
am reluctant to tell this story because it was horrible. It was my worst
nightmare come true. However, I have put it behind me and definitely learned
from it.
Awhile
ago my computer crashed. Along with the crash…..my external hard drive. I lost
thousands of things and had to send the hard drive to a data recovery lab. This
my friends is no inexpensive endeavor. It cost THOUSANDS of dollars to recover
data. I cried and cried. Photos of my children….gone. Client photos….(gasp!)
gone. But in the end it worked out with minimal damage. However back it up not
once, not twice, but THREE TIMES!!!! I am telling you it is NOT something you
want to EVER deal with. Please learn from this!!!!!! It happens!
And just because we want to know you
better, fill in the blanks
Three
things I can’t live without…. (besides family) …… Coffee, Diet Dr Pepper and
Popcorn
I
wish I had more… room to store things …. like props… ;)
The
best thing about being a photographer is….. being able to meet such awesome
people and be such a special part of their lives. Being around kids.
The
most important lesson I ever learned was…You
CAN do it. Believe in yourself.
My
favorite time of day... is late at night.
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