I guess you’ve made it big time when you have a FAQ right?!? Ahem…moving on then.

• I use {pro photo} for my blog template. Love it. Easily customizable to fit your style and ridiculously easy to use. I host through {dreamhost}. They’re pretty dang sweet. I have plenty of people I could recommend, just don’t use use Go Daddy.
• I use {showit} for my website.
• I use Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom for all of my editing. If you’re a student, don’t forget you get a discount with Adobe products ;) I also use Photoshop and InDesign for all of my printed materials. I do a lot of the graphic design work myself.
• I love printed materials and use a number of companies for my materials. {Kiss}, {WHCC} and {MPIXPro} are a few of my favs.

My Gear:

I shoot Nikon. I love it and don’t ever see me changing to Canon. I’m armed with the Nikon d300s. My current lenses are: {24-70mm}, {50mm}, {18-200mm}, {Sigma 105mm macro}, {18-55mm}, Lensbaby composer – listed by frequency of use. My next purchase will be this baby: {85mm}.

I use a {black rapid WS-1} camera strap.

I have an sb-900 flash with Cybersync trigger/receivers.

Q&A:

I’m wanting to get into photography, what kind of camera do I need?

I get this question a lot, and it’s a difficult one to answer since every person has different goals for their photography. I usually suggest a mid-grade camera even if you are just starting out because most people outgrow their entry level pretty quickly. I would recommend the {d90}. It’s pretty affordable and you’ll be able to use it for a number of years before needing a fancier camera. If you’re hoping to shoot video I’d go Canon. I don’t know anything about video or Canon but if video is more your thing then if you choose to upgrade to the top of the line, the {Canon 5D Mark II} is apparently where it’s at. I have no idea. But, I hear the {Nikon d7000} is pretty sweet. Again, I’m a photographer, not a videographer. I will give you this warning-think about where you want to be in 5 years. I’ve been reading more and more photographers switch to Nikon later on because the focus system is out of this world. If you ever decide to switch, that’s a lot of equipment you’ll have to try and sell. Just do your research and I’m sure you’ll love your decision.

How do you light your images? 

I aim for all natural light. But, sometimes I do take the flash off the camera and get a little funky. Both have their purpose and I’m really enjoying different off camera lighting techniques! When I first started out I would just take the lamp shade off my lamp and use it. Oh yeah, high tech. I didn’t know what backlighting was, I just tried different stuff to see what would happen. I should push myself even now to be that way!

Raw or JPEG?

Ah the age old raw vs. jpeg question. There are a ton of articles out there that compare why you’d want to use one over the other. Truthfully I shoot raw +jpeg, especially during weddings. I usually edit in JPEG and pull up a raw if I need it. Raws are easy to delete a year from now if I didn’t need them. But better have them if you need them, then need them and not have them ;)

What kind of photography training/education do you have?

I’ve never taken any formal classes on photography. I picked up my camera 4 years ago and forced myself to learn every single thing I could. I’m still learning. I certainly don’t knock a college degree in photography, but I also don’t think you have to have it to be a good photographer. I found the internet was an amazing resource. I would get an idea of a shot I wanted, and then just read tons of articles about it and apply. I didn’t have any models, I just had me. Thankfully I’m a cooperative model. I’ve also attended Zach and Jody Gray’s workshop and I can’t recommend them enough. They are amazing people who offer a fantastic workshop.

What sites do you recommend for tutorials on how to use flash/take a specific type of photo/etc?

The first place I came across that I found unbelievably helpful was Flickr. If you’re just starting out and you don’t have a Flickr, then get on it. There’s quite a few other free services these days but the groups there were so willing to help me succeed. I found friends on there that are STILL amazing today. People are willing to provide feedback and help you grow, not tear you down. It wasn’t until about a year ago I really even discovered YouTube. It’s … wow, honestly it probably would have cut my learning curve in half. FREE videos where people give you step by step help on things. If all else fails, turn to Google. I’m a Google ninja apparently because there isn’t much I haven’t been able to find on the web. It’s all right there. If you’re still looking on how to do THAT ONE thing and you can’t find it, let me know, I’ll try and help cause I’m cool like that ;)

Who was your first photography mentor?

I only put this question because I think it’s really important we all have someone starting out whose work we admire. There is a time in a photographer’s life (probably all photographers) when we see someone’s work and feel like we will never be that good. There’s a difference in defining a style, making it your own and straight up imitation. I’m seeing it more and more from other photographers where they are having their work stolen off their websites from other photographers who are using it on their websites! This isn’t a mentor people, this is theft. If you find a photo you love, memorize it and then go out and make it your own. There were quite a few people I fell in love with on Flickr. I could make a very long list for you, but I’ll say just three since I stared at their work for hours when I was just starting: Joe or Isayx3, Anna or Loca Luna and Katie or Reflecting Truth.

Can I ask a specific question?

Sure! I may be a little late answering it if you send it via email, so try my formspring. It’s an easy (and anonymous if you prefer) way to ask a photography related question. Then I can share it with everyone!