Oh my! So Monday night came and went and I didn’t answer questions. That’s what happens when your little girl isn’t feeling well. Anyway! I had several great questions so on to the answering!!
Q. Mitch: I’ve been taking photos of kids around the school, have done a DVD for the HS band and recently shot pix of the kids in the middle school play – pointing the parents to my smugmug account hoping they’d read about me and think that the shots are great and how they want pix of their kids… so far, not even a nibble…
A. Leslie: Mitch, high school seniors is an area that I myself have not really “broken” into yet. I know many photographers who have senior reps at each of the area schools in order to get referral cards handed out. For every referral the rep gets something in return. I’ve done a few seniors but they are mostly relatives of brides or families that I have shot in the past!
Q. Leslie K: I wanted to ask you if you ever do mentorships? I realized where you are located and I vacation in Seaside for a week every summer. I would love to do a mentorship while I am there. Or do you need a free assistant for a week? 
Also, I will repeat the first comment and ask where did you learn? Is it best to take classes or read books and practice? Any books particularly helpful?
A. Leslie R: Hey Leslie! Thank you so much.. I’m so extremely flattered! I’m trying to come up with a plan for interns and or assistants but right now my schedule has been so crazy that I have not had the time to really sit down and get things together. I love giving back but it’s also a lot of work so once I have everything situated and know exactly what I need I will be posting information on the blog. As for where I learned.. I started off as a photographers assistant for two years and had the opportunity to learn the basics of editing and the “business” aspect. As for the technical aspect of shooting, I learned everything on my own with the help of various forums like Open Source Photo and Photographyonthe.net! A must read for books is Fast Track Photographer by Dane Sanders!! The one piece of advice that I would give to anyone wanting to start a photography business is to take business classes. There is SO much more to it than just photography!
Q. Linda: How do you pick your camera settings for your camera during a shoot – the meter, histogram? Mine always seem underexposed.
A. Leslie: Great question, Linda! I always use the meter to decide my camera settings. However, I always shoot 2-4 stops higher than what the camera says is a perfect exposure depending on lighting conditions. It’s a personal preference for me.. I like bright images!
Q. Tiffany: I have a Canon Rebel XSi and it came with this lens…EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens with Optical Image Stabilizer. I’m not sure what brand you shot with, but can you recommend a lens that’s a step up for my camera? One that could be used almost all the time for landscapes, portraits, maybe some close ups. What is your favorite lens that you use most often? What lens do you use most often when shooting weddings?
A. Leslie: Tiffany, I’m a total Canon girl!! I have two current favorite lens.. the 24-70mm L 2.8 and the 85mm 1.8. I use these two lenses the most when I’m shooting both weddings and portraits. However not knowing what your price range is I’m also going to recommend the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 which I used religiously before I got my 24-70mm. The 85mm is great for full crop cameras but for the Rebel it’s not going to be a true 85mm. I’ve also got my eye on the 50mm 1.2 and the 200mm 2.8. I’ll also say this, what works amazing for one person doesn’t always work for another. I just rented to 70-200mm L 2.8 IS that everyone raves about and honestly I was not happy with it. It was WAY to heavy and didn’t suit my needs. There are several places such as www.borrowlenses.com that you can rent lenses from to test out and see if they will work for you!
Q. Shaina: Ok, from an admiring wannabe client and beginning hobbyist … Where did you learn your photography skills? Was it school, natural talent developed from hobby to career, or otherwise?Also, how do you get such amazing lighting in your shots? Do you have a technique when taking the shot, a special piece of equipment, or is it in the editing afterward?Lastly, a friend of mine, also a hobbyist, is going to shoot my wedding this fall, but only has experience with nature shots in the daytime. Do you have any advice for capturing some great night shots? Any other advice for a newby like me? Thanks for sharing your talent! Your photos tell stories and bring joy to all who read your blog.
A. Leslie: Shaina you are too sweet!! Thank you! As I said in one of the previous questions I started off as a photographers assistant for two years and had the opportunity to learn the basics of editing and the “business” aspect. As for the technical aspect of shooting, I learned everything on my own with the help of various forums like Open Source Photo and Photographyonthe.net! Lighting is tricky and for me came with time. You must learn how to “find the light” and use it for the shot that you would like to have. For night shots you must use a tripod. You don’t want your ISO up too high either (unless you have a Camera such as the Canon 5d MKII or better). The couple must stand as still as possible and you should use a rear curtain on your flash. If you are using a video light you shouldn’t have to use a tripod though! As for other advice.. check out the forums and take business classes!
And that’s all folks! I really did try to check for spelling errors but forgive me if I missed anything! And since every post is always better with a picture.. here are a few of my favorite shots of Melissa that I shot this weekend for her new headshots!
Milton, FL Photography
Alison Shoaf: Okay...SERIOUSLY???? If I had come across that thing at my house...well, let's just say you'd get your wish to do a newborn session soon!! And the fact that Andy didn't "take care" of it is JUST like the time when Austin let the 6 foot oak snake go that lives in his barn. I realize that the snake is 'harmless", but that doesn't mean that I'm not terrified to step foot in the barn now (which might have been his intention!). I have no photog questions...you know I'll pepper you with phone calls on the way to wherever I've decided to take pics if I do....I just had to comment on the ginormous spider :)
Joellynn: Leslie - I literally just ran across your blog (recently moved over to Mobile and need to find other photogs to recommend in Pcola if I can't make it back over for the session and someone recommended that I check out your work).... anyways.... as for your spider - its actually a "she". Its a golden silk orb weaver. I only know this cause my new house seems to be a mecca of sorts to them and one hitched a round-trip ride with me to drop off my daughter at school the other morning. Of course it was camped out on her door - we almost forfeited school that morning. After a little research I found out what it was, another name is the banana spider. They are "rather" harmless. Supposedly only bite if provoked and the bite isn't nearly as bad a bee sting (supposedly!). If you look closely at her web you might see a smaller spider - that's the male. Supposedly she lets him hang out as long as there is plenty of food available!! :) Love the animal kingdom! I generally follow the "a good spider is a dead spider rule" but have let it slide recently since they seem pretty docile and make some really amazing webs! Great picture by the way! Thanks for sharing it!