Michelle Moore » Seattle Fashion & Senior Portrait Photographer

Hellooooooo lovely blog readers! I am VERY excited to share our FIRST VIDEO Q&A with you! Last weekend we asked you to submit your favorite questions for me and [Jenny Bowker] to answer. We got a LOT of questions, and I did my best to put together a good sample of topics to discuss that were related to each other.

For the most part, this video discusses working on location, working with a makeup artist, HOW to find a makeup artist, and a little bit more!!

This video is great for both photographers AND clients to check out. I apologize in advance for it being too long! It started out at 45 minutes, but Jenny did a great job packing it down to 16. I guess I didn’t realize how much there was to talk about!!! (Or, maybe I just secretly enjoy talking on video now, ha!)

Thank you in advance for watching the video, and if you have a minute I would really appreciate your feedback. What did you think of the video? Too long/too short/just right? Also, would you prefer we start a [Vimeo] or [YouTube] channel? This is really important because we are going to start doing lots more videos! Vimeo looks prettier, but more people use YouTube, so I really want to know!! Please leave your thoughts below!!

LIST OF QUESTIONS FROM VIDEO,

(0:38) Rachel asks, “How do you go about looking for colorful or interesting backgrounds for your photo sessions. I’ve noticed that your photos (and backgrounds especially) are very colorful and would like to know how you go about it!”

(1:36) Sidney asks, “Do you have a studio or do you do most/all of your work on location?  (2:37) How do find a good makeup artist to work with (Hire them, let your clients go to them before coming for pictures?)”

(4:42) Gemma asks, “How do you get such beautiful even, illuminated skin tones? Do you have an assistant to hold a reflector?”

(6:02) Kerry asks, “I think it would be fun to work with a makeup artist. What are some must ask questions to ask someone who I might like to work with? Thank you!”

(7:37) Janae asks, “How much does your make-up artist charge for senior shoots?”

(9:16) Mary asks, “As a client and blog stalker, it seems that you and Jenny create such unified themes/feelings for each client! The setting, colors of clothing, and makeup seem to match so seamlessly in each different post.. and each session’s SO different. How do you go about doing that!”

(10:50) Mary asks, “What inspires you? (both you and Jenny) is it a premeditated/intentional thing, or more spontaneous “let’s try this” or maybe a bit of both!”

(12:50) Hanni asks, “What are some of your favorite runway looks from F/W 2010?”

A RANDOM SAMPLE OF ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS,

Amber asks, “When you are shooting a senior session when the girl is a junior, when do you post the images on your blog?”
Answer Hey Amber! As long as it’s not too early in the year, I’ll usually blog them pretty close to when the images were taken. I do have a pretty specific technique to blogging, and place things on certain days for a reason, but I don’t wait TOO long to blog any session. We got so busy last year that we were way behind, but we start shooting our 2011 seniors now, and they’ll probably go up anytime! In 2010 I really sat down and looked at how I wanted to improve my blog, and made some goals, so I really have a method behind all this madness!

Marisha asks, “What art school did you go to?”
Answer I went to the University of Washington right here in Seattle! I graduated with a BFA in Photography (and 10 credits away from a minor in Art History). Yes, I studied Art in college, but I would still be doing exactly what I am doing, had I stuck with my original degree in Atmospheric Sciences! Yup, little known fact about me, I am a HUGE weather nerd, and wanted to study weather and the oceans! Oceanography was my back-up plan if I wasn’t accepted to the Art Program. Neat, huh?

Jennifer asks, “Where did you get your website?  I’m bored with mine and looking for a change. Also, where do you do your client proofing?”
Answer Jennifer, thanks for asking! I currently use [Photobiz] for my [Senior Website], as well as my client proofing. I created an ENTIRE page here on the blog for answers to stuff like this under [GEAR FAQ]. Thanks!

Thanks everyone for stopping by! I really have a LOT of fun doing the Q&A posts! Any CLIENTS or PHOTOGRAPHERS who want to ask us questions in the future, feel free to contact us through the form above, or by emailing us at [michelle@michellemoorephoto.com]. We have lots more great stuff coming in the future (and some extra special plans in the works), so stay tuned! Again, I would LOVE your feedback in the comments below about our first every VIDEO Q&A! It’s kind of a big deal (and a little bit nerve wracking!). Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

xoxo