Ask Leslie!
April 30, 2009Okay.. so it’s been a while.. okay.. several months.. since I’ve posted an Ask Leslie! section. However, with all the emails that I’ve been getting recently I thought it was time to post again. Remember, this is me giving back by letting my blog readers ask me questions about how I’ve done things. Again, I’m not saying that I have all the “right” answers or that all my answers are the only answers, but I’ve had amazing people help me along the way and I want to be able to do the same for others!
I’ve also been little a busy bee. Last weekend kicked off an amazing summer and I have 2 weddings, a senior shoot and a bridal shoot to post. I also have a maternity session that I’m waiting to blog for various reasons. The bridal shoot will probably be password protected so that the groom doesn’t get to see before the wedding. One of my best friends, Melissa Manzione of Melissa Manzione Photography will be arriving tomorrow to shoot two weddings with me this weekend. That’s right..two. This weekend and the next two are two wedding weekends and then I have weddings every weekend on into July. So stay tuned everyone because this blog is going to be hopping for a while!
So back to the original reason for the post.. ask away! I’ll accept questions until Monday morning and will post answers Monday night! Oh.. and here is a quick sneak at my senior session coming soon!
planetMitch: Leslie, how do you break into this senior portrait biz? 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... http://bit.ly/ditchday - the recent play
Melissa Manzione: SO excited about this weekend. Our two weddings will be hard work... but tons of fun! See you tomorrow!
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.
Leslie Kerrigan: Hi! I just found your blog and website and your pictures are wonderful! I love when photographers are willing to answer questions and help others! I have found that so refreshing. I hope to one day improve so that I can pass along anything that may be helpful to someone! 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? Can't wait to read other questions and all of your answers!! Thanks for sharing!
Linda: How do you pick your camera settings for your camera during a shoot - the meter, histogram? Mine always seem underexposed.
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? Love your work!!!...Thanks!