We have all types of women who come to our photography workshops. Some women don’t own any thing more than a Point and Shoot camera and borrow our cameras for the weekend. Some women have paying clients and want to feel more confident about the mechanics of photography. Some women are just feeding their spirits and doing something for themselves with no intention to ever have a business.

Michelle was the women who had photographed several hundreds of families. She was coming to one of our Seattle workshops for a dose of confidence building and after the workshop this is what she said;

“The workshop was a huge catalyst for my business. The day I got back from the workshop I switched to digital completely…The workshop was great for the technical side of my pictures, but it was dinner with YOU that was even more important. Your encouraging words ( or “marching orders” as we joked that night) were exactly what I needed to take my business to the next level. I raised my prices, updated my business model and changed my branding. I was completely terrified that it would alienate my clients but the response has been overwhelmingly positive. I am already booking clients into November and December. Now I just wonder why I didn’t do it sooner!”

Michelle’s story gets me so excited! She was super gracious to let me give her “marching orders” at dinner that night. I had reviewed her website and could now see how great of a person she was, she had to raise her prices and take her business to the next level because she was so worth every penny. You should see the new beautiful branding materials and stationary she’s now sending to clients! She mailed Brian and I copies of every thing a couple months back, and I knew I had to introduce you to this wonderful lady. Her “getting started” story is so down to earth. And her answers below are packed with tips that you will love!

So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, relax and listen to one woman’s story of how she’s following her dream!

(Michelle and her beautiful family! Could those girls be any cuter!!)

1. When did you start your business and what was the turning point of taking it from a hobby to a business of charging people and putting up a website?

Michelle’s Answer: I started taking pictures professionally (getting paid for it!) about seven years ago. I read a quick book about photography (by quick I mean I read it while standing in a coffee shop and I was 8 months pregnant with my second daughter. I wasn’t standing very long for ANYTHING at that point!). It was by Nick Kelsh called How to Photograph Your Baby. He gave simple ideas for framing pictures. For the first few months I didn’t even cover my costs but my husband quickly put an end to that. I did not get a website for at least four years because I didn’t really think it was necessary. How silly was that?!?

2. What inspires your photography?

Michelle’s Answer: I just love taking pictures of kids!

I love the challenge of getting natural smiles and capturing the sparkle in their eyes. In fact, I won’t take pictures of big people unless they bring little people with them. (I get asked to do adult head shots all the time but I’ll only do them at the end of a family shoot.) I also really enjoy reading the blogs and websites of other photographers and seeing the types of photographs they take. That’s where I’m drawing a lot of inspiration these days. And I love having “photography” play dates with Mom’s who are photographers. (Mind you, there are no kids there. Just moms having the play dates!)

3. What is the best and toughest part about doing this while being a mom and wife at the same time?

Michelle’s Answer: The toughest part is I usually can’t give 100% attention to something I’m so passionate about. (I’ve got two of my girls in line to talk to me as I’m typing this answer right now!) During the day it’s my girls who need my attention and at night it’s my hubby who wants to chat with me so I feel like I have a split brain. Good thing I’m an excellent multi-tasker!

The best part is I can set my own schedule so it has minimal impact on my family. I shoot on weekend mornings and some weekday mornings when everybody is in school. (This is the first time in 8 years that I have all three of my daughters in school at the same time. Yahoo! It’s only three mornings a week, but it’s the light at the end of my tunnel!) I feel so blessed that I do something that I adore and it provides all of the fun extras in our lives like vacations, new computers, fixing the car breaks. (Okay the last one isn’t that much fun.)

I also love that my kids see me achieving something great. I’m showing my girls they can follow their passions and be successful at whatever they set their mind to. My daughters all want to be photographers when they grow up too!

4. What is one piece of advice you’d give to newbies?

Michelle’s Answer: I am a big believer in the K.I.S.S. philosophy. (Keep It Simple Stupid) For the first five years I was in business I used window light exclusively to take pictures. I had a king sized black hotel blanket that I attached to my kitchen wall (using binder clips). I moved all of the furniture back and used some greenhouses window as my light source.

I had just one camera and one lens. For a minimal investment I was ready to do business. I also gave away a lot of pictures in the beginning to get my name out there. (Donations to auctions, visits to mommy groups…) Ooops! That’s two pieces of advice. Drat!! I’ve got on more too. Remember that with the kids and families there is always a ‘do-over’. It’s always given me confidence to know that if I’m having a bad day shooting pictures I could always have the family come back in. I’ve shot over 600 different families and I’ve only done two re-shoots, but it’s just nice to know I can!

Meeting Michelle in person was a total kick!! She bursts with energy! You can’t help but smile when you’re around her. And get this, Michelle actually left early the second morning of the workshop because her sister was having a baby! Of course Michelle needed to be there for picture taking! But can you believe she drove all the way back to the workshop to finish out the rest of the day! (which by the way Michelle, when we do our next Seattle workshop, you know you are more than welcome to come to the second day to get whatever you missed–one excuse to see you again! :)) All of us at the workshop even got have a peak of what she captured!

Michelle, can we ask you questions in the comments? 🙂 For example, what was your first lens that you used? Where did you get your “binder clips” for your backdrop? Your idea of “photography play dates with other moms who are photographers” is so genius! What do you do when you get together? What does a typical play date look like so other women can emulate it? Michelle also mentioned Nick Kelsh’s book, How to Photograph Your Baby.

This was one of the first books I bought when I was just getting started. I had a lot of fun with it. You can find it here! Thanks for reminding me of this classic Michelle!

If your in the greater Seattle area and want a wonderful photographer to take family portraits for you, check out Michelle’s website! You can’t go wrong with this inspiring lady!

p.s. Her blog is pretty fun too! 🙂

Love you Michelle! Thanks for being such a go getter and sharing your wonderful spirit with all of us! You are a total inspiration!

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Check back tomorrow because I’m going to announce the NEXT LOCATION for our Photography Workshops for Women! Yeah!!! Brian and I are so excited!! If you haven’t voted on what city you’d like us to visit next, you still can today! Click here to vote!