It’s time for another addition of our monthly series “Ask a CMpro” here on the CM photography blog in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them, “How do you assess your value as a photographer and for what you bring to a client?”
*image courtesy of Lissa Chandler
Elena Blair, Washington
I assess my value based on how I feel after a shoot. If I feel like I(…)
It’s time for another addition of our monthly series “Ask a CMpro” here on the CM photography blog in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them, “How long did it take you to find your photography style and how did you get there?”
*image by Lisa Tichané
Pam Korman, Pennsylvania
I think finding your style is, to some degree, an ongoing process. Each time I think I have(…)
It’s time for another addition of our monthly series “Ask a CMpro” here on the CM photography blog in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them, “Do you find that your personal life and feelings show through in your daily photography and how?”
*image by Celeste Pavlik
Celeste Pavlik, Texas
Yes, absolutely! I find that I tend to shoot macro when I need a mental break. Macro work(…)
It’s time for another addition of our monthly series “Ask a CMpro” here on the CM photography blog in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them, “It’s the New Year! What changes will you be making this year when it comes to your photography whether it’s business related or not?”
*image by Sarah Vaughn
Caroline Jensen, Minnesota
This year I am dipping my toes more into film and(…)
It’s time for another addition of our monthly series “Ask a CMpro” her on the CM photography blog in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them, “In your own words, what does it mean to be a successful photographer?”
*image by Pam Korman
Courtney Keim, New Jersey
To me, it means having a healthy balance of being able to photograph what you love and deliver to clients what(…)
It’s time for another addition of our monthly series “Ask a CMpro” her on the CM photography blog in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them, “What method do you use for setting your white balance in camera and why does that method work for you?”
*image by Lora Swinson
Beth Orey, Texas
I use Kelvin for my white balance. I always prefer warmer images and can usually(…)
It’s time for another addition of our monthly series “Ask a CMpro” in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them, “We’ve asked before what tips you would offer to a new photographer but this time we’re wondering what the best advice you received was when you first got started in photography?”
*image by Caroline Jensen
Courtney Keim, New Jersey
Don’t sell myself short. I was priced way too(…)
It’s time for another addition of our monthly series “Ask a CMpro” in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them, “what is your best advice for handling the busy fall photography season?”
*image courtesy Leah Cook
Leslie Densford, North Carolina
Stay organized! I have a monthly binder that keeps me sane in the “busy season!” Each client gets their own folder that contains any paperwork pertaining to their(…)
It’s time for another addition of our monthly series “Ask a CMpro” in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them “Where do you turn for inspiration and how/why does it inspire you: other photographers, movies, your family, etc.?”
ask a cmpro | where do you turn for inspiration
*inspiring images by CM members on pinterest
Leslie Densford, Florida
I am inspired by so many things – gorgeous light, color,(…)
It’s time for another addition of our monthly series “Ask a CMpro” in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them “For you, what has been the hardest part about owning your own business and how have you worked through it? ”
ask a cmpro | what is the hardest part about owning your own business
*image copyright Jennifer Dell
Kate Parker, Georgia
For me, there are a bunch of(…)
It’s time for another addition of our monthly series “Ask a CMpro” in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them “At what point in your photography journey did you start calling yourself a photographer? Why did you decide you could call yourself a photographer at that time?”
ask a cmpro | when did you call yourself a photographer
*image provided by Leah Cook
Courtney Keim, New Jersey
I hate(…)
It’s time for another addition of our bi-weekly series “Ask a CMpro” in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them “How long does it take you to edit a typical session? Did it take you long to develop a good workflow to help with your editing times?”
*image/screenshot courtesy of Courtney Keim
Courtney Keim, New Jersey
A typical session editing time can take me anywhere from less than(…)
It’s time for another addition of our bi-weekly series “Ask a CMpro” in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them “Why do you choose to join CMpro and other application based organizations for advanced photographers?”
Bre Thurston, California
First and foremost, for the challenge. Once you get to a place in your photography journey where you are taking consistently solid technical images, you have to force yourself(…)
It’s time for another addition of our bi-weekly series “Ask a CMpro” in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them “Whether you shoot in a studio or on location, what is your favorite background/location and why? ”
*images by Jessica Gwozdz, Courtney Keim, and Monica Wilkinson
Bre Thurston, California
I’m a sucker for places like the beach, an open field, or the desert. I love unobstructed light. Any(…)
It’s time for another addition of our bi-weekly series “Ask a CMpro” in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them “What is your favorite image that you’ve ever taken and what is it that you love so dearly about that image?”
Kate Parker, Georgia
I have this image in a huge frame in our entryway. I love it that much. I love the clouds, I love remembering(…)
It’s time for another addition of our bi-weekly series “Ask a CMpro” in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them “What editing software do you use and why? ”
Lightroom screenshot from April Nienhuis
Courtney Keim, New Jersey
I am a Photoshop girl all the way. Adjustments in ACR and then tweaks in Photoshop. Learning Lightroom is on my list of to-dos and am thinking Lynne’s workshop may(…)
It’s time for another addition of our bi-weekly series “Ask a CMpro” in which we give our CMpros one question and they dish. Their answers alone are always inspiring and this week we asked them “When and why did you become a photographer?”
image by Sarah Wilkerson
Stacie Turner
I was handed a film SLR before I hit puberty. My mother and step-father had a 1-hour photo business that also did custom darkroom work and I grew up in a house with film(…)
CMmentor, April Nienhuis has been gathering some questions for our CMpros from the CM community. It’s so interesting to see the different responses and the thought processes that go into the choices they make. This week we’re asking “There are multiple options regarding how photographers display their work online. Do you have a blogsite or traditional website portfolio and why?”
portfolio of Carrie Anne Miranda
Stacie Turner
I have a traditional portfolio site, though I used Wordpress to build it so it lives(…)
CMmentor, April Nienhuis has been gathering some questions for our CMpros from the CM community. It’s so interesting to see the different responses and the thought processes that go into the choices they make. This week we’re asking “What has been your biggest source of photography based education: college, books, internet, forums, workshops, conventions, etc.?”
Image courtesy of Sarah Wilkerson
Courtney Keim
I have two … but they are related. I have found out of everything the support of fellow photographers who have(…)
CMmentor, April Nienhuis has been gathering some questions for our CMpros from the CM community. It’s so interesting to see the different responses and the thought processes that go into the choices they make. Being that tax time is fast approaching, this week we asked the question “What are your methods for keeping your business income, receipts, etc. in order throughout the year?”
Jaclyn Michele
I could never quite get the hang of Quickbooks, so I use the BizBooks Excel spreadsheet from(…)
CMadmin, April Nienhuis has been gathering some questions for our CMpros from the CM community. It’s so interesting to see the different responses and the thought processes that go into the choices they make. This week we asked the question “What kind of personal projects have you done or plan to do in order to challenge yourself and push your creativity?”
Image courtesy of April Nienhuis
Ask a CMpro | What Personal Projects Are Pushing You Creatively?
Emma Wood
Apart from posting in(…)
Our very own CMadmin, April Nienhuis has been gathering some questions for our CMpros from the CM community. It’s so interesting to see the different responses and the thought processes that go into the choices they make. This week we asked the question “Whether in your business or photography, what are your goals for the new year?”
Image courtesy of Jessica Gwozdz
Ask a CMpro | What Are Your Goals For 2012?
Bre Thurston
My goal for 2012 is to fully transition into the(…)
Our very own CMadmin, April Nienhuis has been gathering some questions for our CMpros from the CM community. It’s so interesting to see the different responses and the thought processes that go into the choices they make. This week we asked the question “What has been your most effective form of marketing? Word of mouth, Google, Facebook, flyers, etc?”
Ask a CMpro | Your Most Effective Form of Marketing?
Image courtesy of Amii Wroblewski
Amber Scruggs
Good web presence and word of mouth! a(…)
Our very own CMadmin, April Nienhuis has been gathering some questions for our CMpros from the CM community. It’s so interesting to see the different responses and the thought processes that go into the choices they make.
Ask a CMpro | What is Your Favorite Lens and Why?
Nikon 50mm f/1.4D
My all time favorite lens is the Nikon 50mm 1.4D. I have been through several versions of the 50mm. I always come back to this one. It’s heaven when used with the(…)
A couple of weeks ago we published 17 Tips for New Photographers and got a great response. We realized we had a bunch more tips left that we just needed to share. We have eleven more fabulous tips from our CMpros along with an exciting announcement! Our brand new CMpro site is launching today! You can find easy links to our “Ask the Pros” threads on the CM forum (must be a member to view), an amazing CMpro gallery, learn(…)
Are you just getting started in photography? Do you spend time stalking pro photographer’s blogs and websites? Ever wish you could ask them for just one piece of advice? Well, we asked them for you! There’s no doubt that we have a very talented pool of CMpros in our photography forum and they were so generous as to offer up little tips and tidbits of advice for the budding photographer.
Your journey is not a race. Stop comparing your journey to(…)
