March 2021 Q + A

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Q: Current favorite lens?

A: 98% of my work is with my 135m lens. Click here to see what is in my bag!

Q: I took some photos of a black horse and a lady with very light skin. How to best balance the two extremes and there was also a blue hue along its back in the photo. How can I get rid of that?

A: This is difficult! I typically bring down highlights to help recover detail in the person’s skin and then lift shadows and darks to recover detail in the dark horse.

If temperature adjustments don’t correct blue hues on the black horse, then I either play with split toning or use a brush in Lightroom to isolate the problem area and fix only that spot!

Q: Best ways to send high-quality files to clients so they can print them?

A: I use Pic-Time for portrait clients (Use code HMVBHV)

I use PixieSet for commercial and editorial clients.

Q: Do you still have thoughts of imposter syndrome?

A: Imposter syndrome hasn’t ever been a main struggle of mine (believe me, I have plenty of others!) but I have an excellent guest post on the topic here!

Q: How do you keep your creativity and mental health strong?

A: I try to stay as close to the source of creativity as I can: Jesus. I believe that my creativity comes from being made by a creative God.

As for mental health, I try to read my Bible every day, pray/journal daily, exercise 5x a week (mostly yoga and horse riding), sleep 8-9 hours per night, weekly chiropractic visits, monthly massage appointments, housekeeper 2x a month, etc. I also meet with my therapist as needed! Check out this blog post for more great tips!

Q: How do you reach out to someone you want to work with? On Instagram?

A: I usually DM or email them with the idea I have to collaborate. I try not to send a “let’s work together!” message, but an actual plan and purpose for our collaboration with a desired timeline and outcome.

Q: What is your Why?

A: For my portrait business, I am trying to deliver to my client the images that I wish I had with my heart horse.

Q: What are you working on to improve your photography?

A: I am picking up my film camera to practice with that again!

Q: What do you think about Sigma lenses?

A: I love the Sigma ART line! I own the 35, 85m, and 135m.

Q: What type of camera and accessories do you use?

A: You can see what is in my bag here!

Q: Do you have a set order of poses you stick to or do you freestyle poses?

A: I generally start each outfit with a standard headshot and freestyle from there based on my subjects!

Check out my FREE Posing blog post here.

Check out my Posing course here to see exactly how I pose my clients!

Q: Do you travel to do photoshoots?

A: Yes, I do!

Q: Do you make the horse cookies?

A: I do not. I’ve used HorseGuard, Charliegh’s Cookies and Snaks 5th AvenChew for horse treats.

Q: What metering mode do you use?

A: For exposure and temperature, I do all of my metering manually. I control my own aperture, shutter speed, and ISO depending on the conditions and I only shoot in Kelvin.

Q: What are the favorite settings on your camera?

A: Image quality: RAW

Role Played by Card in Slot 2: Backup

White Balance: Kelvin

Focus: AF-C d9, with AE-L AF-L locked

Q: When you got your photos on magazine covers did you reach out to them or did they contact you? 

A: I’ve had both scenarios be successful!

Q: How are you dealing with the covid restrictions and how has it changed your business approach?  

A: Thankfully, I am based in Texas where we are fully open and minimally impacted by restrictions. At the moment, my business plans have not changed.

Q: Any advice for people who want to jump from doing it as a hobby/side hustle to full-time? (Or when in your business journey to know you’re ready to)

A: YES! Check out a video I did on the topic here.

Personally, I made a slow transition because I am a risk-averse person.

Q: How to get into the western/equine industry when you come from an area that has very little western influence and industry?

A: I would do as much research to find western boarding facilities and horse trainers in the area… and even horse shows if there are any! Introduce yourself to as many people within the industry as you can and start taking some lessons from the local trainers to establish relationships.

Q: What’s your go-to portrait lens and why? I have a 55mm and I find sometimes it’s hard to get shot in tighter spaces.

A: I use my 135m almost exclusively! You can read more about lens compression by a guest writer here!

Q: What camera did you start with? If you can tell anyone few ideas to start what items would you suggest ( camera, class information, items to advertise with?)

A: I started with a Nikon entry-level kit camera from Costco! Check out my tips for beginners here.

Q: What time of day do you pick to take pictures?

A: I typically shoot at sunset!