Photographer Q&A, A Video Reply with Jenny Bowker!

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?”

Marymoor Senior Portraits photographed by Michelle Moore

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!

Seattle Musician promo for EMMY photographed by Michelle Moore

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

by Michelle Moore

17 comments

Meg Borders - Love love it!! Keep these coming. I thought the length was perfect. So refreshing to see the people behind the work.
You guys are gorgeous!

Emilee Fuss - I loved it! You two are awesome! Thank you so much for sharing. I think it was a good length, and it doesn’t really matter to me if you choose Vimeo or Youtube. Vimeo is prettier, though. I really enjoyed watching and hearing your answers. Thanks! :)

Abigail Smith - LOVED it!!! That was so incredibly helpful and informative! Looking forward to the next Q&A video session. :)

Marissa Rodriguez - This was GREAT! Thank you! You guys are so talented!

Winnie Forbes - Incredibly informative, helpful and great to hear how the magic happens before the scenes. You two are the BEST!

SARAH JURADO - Vimeo! So much prettier! Speaking of pretty… you two are foxy AND informative. xo

Mary - love this, so precious! I learned a lot about the behind the scenes stuff, which is just so assuring to a client! I don’t know exactly what Vimeo is, but a youtube would be so cool! and really accessible to people too (especially with the “suggested links” to users based on similar history)

I think the time was fine, because ideal length always depends on content, and yours was pretty spot-on.

For me, it would’ve been sorta sweeet to have transition music! adding extra flaire ;)

s h e r r y - Haha!! SO awesome! :):) I love videos! I think Youtube would be better just because there’s a MUCH bigger audience on YT. And I think you guys have such similar hair… :D:D

Amber Fox - That was great! Thanks so much for sharing! As I try to get my senior business off the ground, your answer to my question was helpful, but the questions in the video were really good too. I think I need to watch it a few more times. And Jenny, you are fabulous too…and I am so with you, with the cheek thing.

ali - Love your Q&A days! Personally I love videos when the people are doing something, like shooting or something, but also I love to just read because I am really impatient and a fast reader! But, Q&A from you is cool either way :) And I like vimeo best. Thank you, awesome ladies!

Kerry - Hi Michelle! I loved the video q&a! Thanks for answering my question! I would love to see more videos from you.

Kyle - I would watch on Youtube or on Vimeo. I think my own personal preference is for shorter videos because people on the internets have fairly short attention spans. I watched a lot of this one, but I fast forwarded some parts because I didn’t have time for all of it.

But as always, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Erin Scott - Loved the video! Perfect length– it lasted as long as my chai did :) Vimeo is prettier, though I will probably watch everything right here on your blog and not a website channel.

Jennifer - Thanks so much for answering my Q . I really appreciate it! The video was perfect and had great content. I’ll watch your videos wherever you decide to post ‘em. =)

kimbrali - loved it! thanks so much :)

Elaine Gates - loved this! thanks for posting!

Lydia - Michelle, you’re awesome! Thank you and Jenny for doing this! And I like vimeo better than youtube.

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