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Student Spotlight: Lynette Bradshaw
July 19, 2010 by admin
Filed under Featured, Recent Updates, Student Spotlight
Name: Lynette Bradshaw
Business Name: Lynette Bradshaw Photography
Location: Cedar Hill, Texas (Dallas Area)
Years in Business: 6 Years
Websites www.LBradshawPhotography.com and www.SilkEleganceBoudoir.com
Favorite Subject to Photograph: Expectant Moms, couples and Boudoir. I love photographing little babies, but I don’t get that many opportunities to do so, Not yet anyway.
Where your business is now: My business is in the growing process. I feel it has a way to go to reach where I desire, but I’m learning daily how to make progress business wise.
Where its going or want it to be: I feel my business is moving forward toward success. I’m getting more visible due to Facebook and clients sharing my work with their friends and family which is bringing in more inquiries, etc. I want to be more visible in my community and in the areas around my community. I want to have my work displayed in businesses and to be able to use my gifts to help organizations that are true to my heart such as Domestic Violence Shelters/homes and abused children.
Your biggest challenge right now: Marketing that draws in the clients that desire Art and something different than the everyday photographer…Setting myself apart and creating unique products continually.
A recent good thing that happened to you: This spotlight! That is a great honor to me & a real encouragement to me. Someone said that I could leave information in their Women’s Gym about my Boudoir Photography. That was the first YES!
Why you joined the forum: I joined to learn about newborns especially. That has always been intimidating to me, even after having 5 children.
What you like about the forum: I like how giving everyone is and how Ana is not afraid to share with others. I’ve been on many forums free and paid, and the wealth that I have gained in information, shared information, suppor, encouragement is priceless. It was one of the best business investments I’ve made in 6 years.
Something personal about you: I am a person that loves making others see themselves special. I love finding something about a person and complimenting them about it such as their eyes, smile, etc…It brightens my day and heart to see them smile. I’ve been there and I know how much it meant to me for someone to compliment me at my lowest point.
———————————————————————————————————
Lynette Bradshaw Photography
972-293-7262
Studio Website:http://www.LBradshawphotography.com
Boudoir Website:http://www.SilkEleganceBoudoir.com
Remembrance Photography:http://www.Aarronsjourney.com
Blogs:
http://www.LynetteBradshawPhotography.blogspot.com
http://www.SilkElegance-LBradshawphotography.blogspot.com
http://www.aarronsjourney.blogspot.com
Workshop Student Highlights
July 17, 2010 by admin
Filed under Featured, Student Spotlight, Workshops, Webinars and More
We had an amazing time at the NY workshop. We have been interviewing our students and asking them to send us images.
Here is a mini quick video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfvwPBTcIjs
Here’s what one of our models said…
“Hey Ana… I just wanted to tell you that today was an Amazing expierence…. I felt like a school girl meeting someone famous… And thank you for being so patient with my 2 yr old… she has a personality the size of Texas… and I do know it’s always easier when they aren’t yours…
But anyway today you made me feel unbelievable beautiful and it was such a pleasure being on the other side of the camera…. I am usually far from happy/comfortable in my own body but you made things so easy!!! I am sooooooo excited and will wait in anticipation to see the final images…. so hoping there is a good one of the girls and I… they were such troopers for coming with me!!!
Thanks again…. and sorry for the rambeling email I am still giddy for the expierence!!!”
Kelly
Here are our recent student highlights on the blog:
We had 10 amazing students- more to come!
Still on our workshop tour is Canada, Vegas, Texas and back to California – come join us!
http://b–studio.com/taopanworkshops/
Student Spotlight – Nylora Bruleigh
July 2, 2010 by admin
Filed under Featured, Recent Posts, Student Spotlight
When did you start taking pictures?
My dad gave me my first SLR when I was 11 years old and I have always been the one to take all the family pictures.
In 1999 I started photographing friends for little side money. I was a full time hairdresser at the time. Then in 2001 I opened a 2000 sf hair salon with 2 partners and it was the first time I had actual “studio space” to shoot in. I started offering before and after pictures of women that would come in for makeovers. My business quickly grew from referals for weddings and family portraits. in 2003 I sold my part of the hairsalon but continued working in the business full time and started really advertising for my photography business.
When did you first start working with pregnancy women.
In 2003 when I was pregnant with my daughter I got a phonecall from a woman that was looking for Belly pictures. She had called 6 other photogs before me and no one would do it for her! So she came to me and we had a blast! That night at dinner I told my husband that this is what I was going to specialize in! We came up with the name “Bellies and babies” had a banner made up for our window and the phone calls started coming in. In 2005 I gave up hairdressing all together and went FULL TIME into Bellies and Babies! We celebrated 7 years of Bellies and babies this past March!
Tell me about you personally.
I am married and we will be celebrating our 11th anniversary in August. I have two children. My Son will be 16 this week (previous marriage) and my daughter just turned 7 on the 18th! We live in Concord, NH. I bought my home 17 years ago this August. We put an addition on our house in 2003 so that I could have my studio here and be at home with my daughter. It was the perfect set up and remains to be (for now).
What do you love most about pregnancy-newborn photography?
The thing I love most about Prenatal and Newborn photography is that everyone is happy when they come in! They are celebrating LIFE and LOVE and what is greater than those 2 things? Most women that come in for a prenatal session are LOVING their bodies. Knowing that they are trusting me to create beautiful images of them during this special time feels great! I love capturing the emotion and the loving relationship between mom and dad at this time of their lives!
Then when they bring their newborn in I get to hear the stories of labor and meet this little one that they were only dreaming of when I met them the first time. I love getting to know these families because then I can be more creative with each session and incorporate pieces of them in their portraits. Knowing that I am creating an heirloom image or album that they will have to pass on to these children when they are adults is exciting to me.
Why did you join TAoPaN
The reason i joined TAoPaN is becasue I feel it is important to invest in education that is specific to my market. This Forum specifically addresses Prenatal and newborn portraiture, marketing, and advertising which is what I specialize in. Also, being that I am on the East Coast and we are known to be “10 years behind” behind the West Coast I have gotten great ideas that haven’t hit this area yet. This keeps me way ahead of my competition. I LOVE THAT! 
What have you learned the most, or what has been most useful?
My most favorite thing that I have gotten from TAoPaN is the marketing Calandar! That is something that I had needed for a long time and just never had time to do! All i had to do was fill in my special events for marketing and I was done! Thanks Ana!
My biggest advice to someone that wants to specialize in Prenatal and newborn photography is to focus on very specific places that you advertise and do it BIG! In other words, if you decide you want to advertise in the local newspaper make sure the ad runs on the same page as the birth announcements (not on the sports page). If you want to cross market with another business make it a very specific area. Some examples of this are a Florist- include a certificate with the purchase of any bouquet that will be delivered to a new mom at the hospital – that is definitly your target market! Maternity/baby/child clothing stores, Mothers Groups – they have these for everything – New Moms, Mothers of Multiples, birthing classes, etc. Again keep it very specific!
I have had so many marketing ideas that have worked well! My Favorite and biggest is at my local OBGYN offices. We are currently in 3 in the city. The thing with these is that you display your work on the walls, have the docs give out certificates as a “gift” from them (at the 6 or 7 month check up) so they have time to schedule with you before the baby arrives, but MOST importantly is to photograph everyone in the office and hang those images in the office as well! The number one OB that we have has 3 framed images of his family and kids above the book case that he stops at with each patient on the way out of the office. Women ALWAYS comment to him about the images and that opens the door about me! We get up to 5 referals from his office a week!
My least favorite marketing idea is any idea that I dont put alot of thought into. I tend to get excited about ideas that I come up with and have been known to jump in blindfolded and those are the ones that dont always work out. Someone will find a loophole and milk it for all it is worth. SO Plan, Plan, Plan! As I said before – Ana’s Marketing Calandar ROCKS!
What are your future plans?
In 5 years my goal is to be holding art shows of my fine art work. That is the direction I would like to go of course I will be using lots of expectant moms and children in those pieces. I need the artistic/creative work in my life to make me stretch my imagination and inspire me for my “everyday” work. I get bored very easily and need to keep things fresh!
I love being a photographer because it is my creative outlet and I love know that I am giving a gift to people that they will have forever to remember a special time or person in their lives. People, babies, children all grow and change and if I can capture that time of their lives that means something to mom and dad or the grandparents, and know that the image I capture will remind them of that time when….
I know I have done my job when they come to pick up their portraits and they start to cry – I LOVE that!
Thank you again Ana for inviting me to be your Student Spotlight! You are the best!
Student Spotlight: Stefanie Carlson
June 21, 2010 by admin
Filed under Student Spotlight
Stefan
ie is not really a student…as she has worked for me in the past, and now teaches the MYLIFE workshops, but she is a huge part of our forum so we had a few questions for her…
Your name – Stefanie Carlson
Your business name – Carlson Photography
www.stefaniecarlson.com – links to main site, blog, teens
http://www.facebook….lsonPhotography
How long have you been a pro photographer?
- Officially started as a business in Nov. 2007
How long have you been taking pictures?
- Since I got my first digital camera in high school
Do you have children?
- We have 3 furry ones (cats)
Do you have a studio?
- I work out of my home. I convert the living room for studio shoots, or I will travel to my clients homes or parks and beaches. I have a home office upstairs, but do most of my work on my laptop downstairs at the kitchen counter.
What is your most successful work right now
- Definitely preschool portraits.
READ MORE… (MUST BE A CURRENT STUDENT)
Student Spotlight: Club 21: Ati Grinspun
March 16, 2010 by admin
Filed under Student Spotlight
I met Ati at a workshop in Chicago. She had this great energy and a wonderful artistic eye. She is now a member of our online forum and is hosting a workshop in Vegas. She just completed her 21 days and we love seeing her feedback and her work. We asked her a few questions and to share her work…
Ati Grinspun
www.atiphotography.com
www.atigrinspun.carbonmade.com
I tried it one time before and it was hard, this time around I was commited and knew by reading other posts of people that did it that It could help my business and me as a businessperson to accomplish certain goals that were just hanging there.
First and foremost, the power of persistence….and once you start the marketing mind you realize is everywhere all the time.
My biggest accomplishement was to stop making excuses and start making real moves….
I felt like by logging and being accountable for I couldnt “not do it” I had to do something productive everyday because some people were “looking”. So being accountable makes you responsible I guess….
YES! they are already paying off!
Definitely! some of the things I started in this challenge still are being developed so I wanna finish this part and will do it again FOR SURE!
At the beginning I was a spectator. I think as my confidence grew I started asking more questions and now I feel like everytime I have a question I have a big resource to go to, no kidding I check on it every day ! either someone had the same question before or I bring it up and other people tell you about their experiences…is great….I dont have other photographers around me to ask or question so this has been huge for me!
Club 21 Day Member Spotlight
December 26, 2009 by admin
Filed under Student Spotlight
I am proud of our students – night and day – thru sickness and health – thru photo shoots and cranky kids – they still plug along…on assignments, challenges and trying to be the best they can be. It’s a tall order and I appreciate all of the students we have around the world who are plugging away. So each week I will be highlighting a student – whether or not they are a 21 day member. This one just happens to be. It’s Chris Leiter and thru all that life has thrown at her this past year – and it’s been a lot!! She just finished the 21 Day Challenge. We asked her a few questions, here are her responses:
What did you think of the challenge?
I thought the challenge was fun, but also hard as my business has been on hiatus while I deal with breast cancer treatment. I did want to still keep my name out there, thought, and I’m also working on marketing pieces for when I reopen, which I hope to do January 1st. For me, it didn’t necessarily help to do it with others, except that it kept it in the forefront of my mind seeing others posting.
What did you accomplish?
I have gotten some marketing pieces created and ready to order
Why did you do the challenge?
I did the challenge because it helped me a lot to have a goal. Again, being not actively working the business, it makes it easy to put off stuff that needs to be done for when I am working again.
Are you happy with your efforts?
Yes, I’m happy with the efforts I’ve made. But I’d really like to try it again and put even more effort into it!!
This challenge taught me that you don’t necessarily have to do something big to market, and that marketing needs to be ever in the front of your mind to be able to access every opportunity that comes along.
Would you do it again?
Yes, I would do the challeng again (see my answer above)
Thanks for the great opportunity, Ana!!
Chris
http://www.teenybeanphotography.com
Student Spotlight: Naomi Claire
July 26, 2009 by admin
Filed under Student Spotlight
Student Name: Naomi Claire
Full business name: Naomi Claire Photography
How long in business: 5 years
Why you joined the forum: Up until now, I have been focusing most of my time and effort into shooting weddings. My husband and I are now starting a family so I would like to do more portraits and less weddings so I can be home on weekends. I had been getting lots of inspiration from wedding forums so I decided to join here so I could get some much needed motivation and inspiration for my pregnancy and newborn photography.
What you have learned or benefited from the forum:
The forum is amazing because there is so much information and knowledge constantly being shared. Sometimes I will read for hours just soaking in all the amazing information. I really needed help with new posing ideas for pregnancy sessions, and Ana’s video tutorials were so helpful to see how she worked. I also purchased a gown from the thredz shop which my moms are loving, and it adds such a nice touch to the photos.
Your favorite marketing tip or idea:
I use the ‘Show It Web’ slideshow software which is a super fast and easy way to put slideshows together. The best part is that you can upload them to face book, which lets my clients ad them to their profile pages. By doing this, I get free exposure and advertising to all of their friends! I have had countless people contact me saying “I saw your slideshow on my friends face book page.. it was amazing and we want to book you!”
Student Spotlight: Tonya Boles
April 7, 2009 by admin
Filed under Student Spotlight
Student Name: Tonya Boles
Website: www.tonyabolesphotography.com
Why she joined the online workshop: I was a member for awhile, but didn’t post much. I’ve enjoyed reading all of the wonderful information provided by Ana and other members. When Ana posted about the new online class starting, and that it would be on Maternity and Newborns I had to sign up. I’ve really enjoyed the class so far, and look forward to the next lessons..
What Tonya has learned: So far I have learned how to set up lighting for silhouettes, and have been lucky enough to get a few decent ones. But I’m still working on it. My last one was for the model I am working with. She had to come up with an advertisement for her last Photoshop Class, so we did a silhouette. She turned it in, and I can’t wait to find out how she does.
What Tonya hopes to learn: I hope to learn some new lighting, and posing techniques. And I’d like to learn more about pricing and which products to offer.
Tonyas goals and wishes: To capture and share memories with as many people as I can…
Student Spotlight – Amy Columbus
March 14, 2009 by admin
Filed under Student Spotlight
Student Name – Amy Columbus
Website - www.amycolumbusphotography.com
Why she joined the workshop: I joined the BStudio workshop to learn new techniques, to work on developing my “style” of photography, to be inspired, and to learn from others, both technique-wise and business-wise.
What I hope to learn: I hope to take my photography to the next level. Having been in business for only one year, there is so much more I have to learn. In just the first few months in the workshop, I am now confident photographing silhouettes, more confident in posing maternity and newborn clients, and ready to design my first album. I hope to keep adding to my photographic arsenal, while becoming a more profitable business.
Baby is photographed in one of Marta Locklears Baby Skins. Marta is donating two skins to our challenge winners.
Student Spotlight – Carmen Matthews
March 7, 2009 by admin
Filed under Student Spotlight
With over 75 students from various countries on our new virtual classroom, its hard to keep track of everyone. So we will be doing student spotlights so that we can highlight our students. This weeks spotlight is Carmen Matthews. Carmen has been posting a lot of her work lately and its nice to see her broad range of work. 
