Food for the Soul

Today I was thinking about how lucky and grateful I am for all the success that has been coming towards Cindy Emerson Photography.  I couldn't have imagined that things would pick up like this so quickly.  There are moments where I have to pinch myself to make sure this all isn't one big glorious dream.  Totally amazing!!

This week I was called with 2 different opportunities to give back to the community.  Of course my immediate response was... YES!!!!  I love charity work.

So... stay tuned for some upcoming events that I'm so proud to be a part of.

1.  Women Leading Wellness is a non-profit group that helps educate women for the mind, body, and soul.  I love the idea that six strong women physicians and healthcare professionals are putting on a night to help educate other women about staying healthy and ultimately happy.
Here is some information if you are interested in find out more about the event..

www.WomenLeadingWellness.com

2.  Get ready for things to get FUN and a little WILD at the Mardi Gras themed photo booth that will be set up by Cindy Emerson Photography at the St. Helen's fun-filled fundraiser in February. Think boa's, masks, kings crowns, and distinguishing mustaches at this glorious event.  I can't wait to keep everyone posted on the set-up of the photo booth and the gallery of hilarious pictures that will follow.


All in all, 2012 is turning out to not only be an amazing year for capturing moments but also an incredible year to give back to others.  YEY!!!

XOXO
Cindy Emerson Photography

This above and below images were designed tonight and I'm thinking about turning into a T-shirt design.  If you would be interested in buying one leave me a comment.  If there's a big response I'll see what I can do.  :)

True Story

How did you get into Photography?

Having a child is like starting your life all over again, only your heart is extended into another human being. As soon as I had Austin everything in my life beautifully changed and all the nonsense that I thought was important became prioritized at the bottom of a very new shiny list of responsibilities that I took on with excitement. Not every part of the new journey has been easy, but it’s been absolutely perfect in its own way. The days of un-showered messy buns and baby food smeared counter tops are days that I cherish and miss.


The question has come up repeatedly in emails from friends, potential clients, and potential future photographers, “What made you decide to get into the Photography Industry?”


Let’s see how I can answer this question.


To begin with, I came from a background of artistic expression. My mom is a doodler and I looked up to a family friend who was an art teacher that helped me master my love for art. It became a way for me to let things out and share my vision. I must say that my vision is typically dorky and nerdy too.


However, I can say without any objection that the minute I had Austin I become a photographer. I wanted to get every single moment of his tiny little life on camera. It wasn’t until the dreaded “Department Store Photo Special,” that it changed from a hobby to a true passion that I wanted to pursue. What started off with a promo for a free 8X10, resulted in my 6 month old getting whacked in the head by an inexperienced 19ish year old amateur that then insisted that I pay a sitting fee as my bleeding son cried on the backdrop with scattered props that looked as if they have not been washed in years. I’m not completely hating on the department store studios, I have seen some shots that have been taken that are absolutely ADORABLE, I just didn’t realize until I started doing photography more seriously myself how much it lacked what I was really trying to capture, my child’s real personality.


Soooo… here I am today, with a business 5 years in the making. I started off as a co-photographer with Pink Turtle Photography in Sebastian, Florida. That was an amazing learning experience that I got invaluable lessons from.

You can order this cutie pie t-shirt here.

(http://clickinmoms.spreadshirt.com/peace-love-photography-relaxed-fit-A6998719)

Expenses of owning a Photography Business

To being with, starting a business is expensive. I don’t think I fully understood what it would require to really do it right. Licensing, fictitious name registration, taxes, website building….. HOLY MOLY!!! Then came trying to figure out pricing and building up a clientele. Luckily for me I have some of the best clients ever that have been a million percent loyal and supportive of me from day one. In fact, some of my best clients today are people that I did photography for when I was first starting off. Now, I have ventured out on my own with Cindy Emerson Photography. The learning experiences continue on a daily basis as I master Photoshop techniques, technical shutter effect, or bokeh tricks.


I’m still not at the point where I’m actually making a profit in the industry. Just as I might start to go in the positive I realize that there is another tool I need to be taken seriously by clients and to feel that I provide a service WORTH paying for. From new Studio lighting, to external lighting, to a million Computer tools it really is never ending. Despite it being a very expensive endeavor I feel like this is all necessary to ensure I’m giving my clients a special experience and that they love it so much they come back for more.


I’m already planning my next big purchase of a Canon Mark III 5D. It hasn’t been released yet, but I’m super excited and I’m beginning to save for it.

Time

Another variable that I didn’t evaluate correctly from the beginning is the amount of time I would put into each session. I know a LOT of people will say they aren’t doing this for the money, but you really do have to put a price on the time you are putting into each session.


A half-hour mini-session currently runs my clients $130 without any promotions or specials. From that I spend a half-hour at the actual shoot. (Not including travel time and expenses) Then I spend HOURS editing to get the final shots just right. From there I have to upload the pictures, put them on disk or external drive, and then post them on a gallery. It ends up with the hourly rate going down to about 20/hour. Not that that’s bad…. but I didn’t estimate the amount of editing time and personal time I would pour into each session.


With this being such a huge passion of mine I find myself getting caught up in the artistic end of the shoots and really focusing on each image independently. I think the clients can really appreciate the amount of love I give to their session (I HOPE).

Developing your own style

This is the area that I feel a lot of beginning photographers struggle with. Developing your own style can be difficult with so many opportunities to explore other people’s work. I love to see how people vision their own shots and then I find myself going over the different editing techniques I would do to make the shot my own. The minute I started doing that in my head, I realized that I have developed my own “style.”


Clients need to know what they can expect from you. I think this is a huge message to convey to people starting out. If you are all over the place and don’t have a stable “home” of comfort that the clients can see, how do they know what they can expect?


I’m not saying it isn’t fun to experiment with new things, but I’m thinking that you need to have a level of consistency in your pictures that you can offer as a starting point so clients know if you are a right “fit.”

The Payoff

I had the most amazing experience a few months ago. I walked into one of my friend’s house (who also happens to be a client of mine) and I was blown away by the huge poster prints she had made of a session we did with her girls. I teared up immediately. It was really emotional for me .


Looking back, I realize that I really loved every shot so much and put so much heart into editing each one that I was overwhelmed when I was able to see her put that same amount of love into displaying the art. The fact that it was her own babies made it even more special. It was absolutely beautiful in every way. Definitely one of the happiest moments I’ve experienced in the business..

BRING IT ON

Finally, as I reminisce over what brought me into this glorious world of Photography, I must cyclically bring it back to the beginning. It all starts with a supportive family. Building a business on a foundation of love and passion will indefinitely bring you all the success in the world.


Just some answers for some of my people.

XOXO


Cindy Emerson Photography

https://www.clickinmoms.com/store/shop/moms-gonna-snap-tee/

Another cutie pie shirt that I must own.  

BRODIEMANIA!!! Our little ROCK STAR Turns 2

Brodie is turning 2 years old!  

What better way to celebrate than with a "FAB FOUR" themed BRODIEMANIA party.

Birthday pics will be coming soon.  Here was our early Photo Shoot done at Lisa's house with my lighting studio, backdrops, and some fun fabric Lisa purchased for the party.  

It's such an awesome idea and I'm so happy to be able to capture everything on film.

XOXO 

Cindy Emerson Photography

Getting ready for Valentine's Day!!

Valentine's Day 2012

Call me a hopeless romantic.. but...

I LOVE ME SOME VALENTINE'S DAY.

Just the thought of setting up a cutie pie kissing booth for my clients photo sessions and  

having the mommies smootch on them with bright red lipstick.  The hints of red, pink, and white balloons, the hearts, the flowers. LOVE IT ALL.

Just to get ready, I bought this super cute heart chalkboard.

Of COURSE, Austin helped me out posing for the first use of the board.

Can't wait to take more.

Follow me on my blog to watch these images and my new Project 52 images.

YEY!

XOXO Cindy Emerson Photography.

New Years Resolution. Do 52 Challange!!!

So excited to work on my photography and artistic expression.

 I'm really happy that PTM is offering a 52 Challange. 

 It means that every week I will have to come up iwth a new image based on an idea or theme to interpret. 

 It means lots of fun.. lots of challanges.. and lots of encouragement from my friends (hint, hint) to keep up with it. 

Yey!!! I absolutely love PTM and all the ideas and craftiness she has.
 Loving Life. Happy 2012

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Topic: Sharing

The Schultz Family

Oh the FUN!!!!

The Schultz family brought an immediate smile to my face. They have such a fun loving nature about them.  Cracking jokes and full on sarcasm.. two of my favorite things.  Not only did I LOVE taking pictures of them, but they are so much fun I was tempeted to ask them where they were going later to chill.  Haha.  (YES they were that cool)

It was super fun and it's awesome to see that each family is in their own unique faze.

One couple recently engaged...

One about to bring in a baby...

One with a Two little lovey dovey boys...

One with Two little Angel girls...

and all just perfect in their own way.  Makes me happy to see so much love!

Congrats Patti... you are 100 Percent blessed and your glow just showed that you know it.

XOXO

Cindy Emerson Photography

Nana and Grandaddy's 60th Anniversary

What a FUN group this was!! 

In honor of Grammy and Grampy's Anniversary the entire family was in town for group pictures. 

First, I had to tell them that kids are NOT suppose to be so good for sessions. 

Second, Holy Moly there is a lot of love to go around in this family. 

Thank you for letting me capture all the memories. 

XOXO Cindy Emerson Photography