BF Stop 2

Gina Leigh Photography

What inspires you as an artist/photographer?

My very simple answer is….everything around me.  My mother is an artist, and I watched her painting at her easel every day of my childhood.  She taught me how to recognize art in the small details of life.
What a typical work day like for you?

Typical?  Is there such a thing as “typical”?  :)   Every day is very different, but this is what my schedule might look like on a full work day…

7:30 – sleepily greet my little boys from beneath my covers, and then get my kindergartner ready for school

8:30- drop off my kindergartner at school

8:45- enjoy a home brewed latte, begin answering emails

During this time, my three year old will typically pull all his toys out of the play room and drag them into the living room…which is also my home studio.

9:45 – usually still emailing…at some point in the morning I’ll begin working on sorting and categorizing wedding photographs in Lightroom, minor editing, album designs, custom thank you notes, etc., etc.

12:30 – quick lunch with my little guy, then continue working, or clean up the toys to prepare for a client who might be coming to pick up an album

3:00 – pick up my kindergartner from school.

3:15 – snack with the kiddos, a little snuggle time on the couch, then clean up the house, again

4:15 – 5:30 – hopefully wrap up any work related projects

5:30-6:30 – dinner

7:00 – little guys are tucked into bed and prayed for

7:15 – clean the house, again

7:30 – meet with a potential client, every so often

9:30 – hopefully enjoy a little time with my hubby, soak in the tub, pray

What’s one thing you will always splurge on?
Date night with my hubby

If not a photographer, you would have considered being?
A ballerina…don’t laugh!

What the strongest and weakest part of your business?
Strongest – personal connection with my clients and artistic vision behind the lens

Weakest – my ability to disconnect with my work when it’s time to stop
What’s in your camera bag?

Oh, my.  Let’s see…

Film Cameras:

Contax 645 with 80mm f2.0 Zeiss lens and four backs

Nikon F100′s with 50mm f1.8, 80-200mm f2.8, 14-24mm f2.8 lenses

Lots of film (220, 120 and 35mm):

Fuji 400H

Fuji 800Z

Neopan 400 and 1600

Ilford 3200

Digital Cameras…which I generally leave IN the bag:

Nikon D300

Nikon D70S

Lighting:

Nikon SB-800 speedlight

Sunpak non-dedicated Super 383 speedlight with Pocketwizards for off camera lighting – on a Photoflex light stand with small umbrella

Video light

What your best advice for an up & coming photographer?

Take time to find your own unique style of photography, and build your business around it!  Don’t try to make your work look like everyone else’s…figure out what you love and focus on only this.  It is so important to specialize.
What’s your most successful marketing concept?

I specialize!  My work is different than other photographers – it is natural, romantic, soft, and very personal.  I attract brides who want a natural look to their wedding photography, and who want a personal experience with their photographer.  Many brides are looking for something different than what I offer – they may want something that is edgier or less expensive – and that’s okay.  There are many brides and many, many photographers in my area.  However, there are those brides who love film or love a more natural look, and those are the brides that come to me!

List 3 blogs you frequent and are inspired by?

Jose Villa

Elizabeth Messina

Tanja Lippert

What’s your most favorite product in the industry?

Just one favorite?  I have three:

1. Film….Fuji 800Z.

2. Coffee table albums from my album company, Album Crafters.  Their custom books are beautifully hand-crafted, and their service is amazing.

3. Cypress hand-made proof boxes.  Exquisite!
What’s playing on your iPod currently?

I’m not sure.  I can’t hear it over the airplane sounds that my three year old is making as he “flies” his imaginary plane around the room.

Five goals for 2010?

1.  Love my family and take time to enjoy the little moments of everyday.  My little boys are growing so quickly, and I don’t want to miss this time with them!

2.  Incorporate a consistent daily schedule to accommodate both my family’s needs and my work.

3.  Write daily posts for A Pen for Pearl (www.apenforpearl.com), my web journal.

4.  Develop an efficient workflow for my use of film – the workflow for film is much different than digital.  I’ve transition back to film this year, so there are many areas in my workflow that I am changing.

5.  Prioritize time to submit weddings for magazine publications.