Treva Tribit Photography

Hello photographers…I’m going to discuss a subject near and dear to my heart…but its not without controversy.  So get your coffee, and maybe even one of those super fattening but extremely delicious scones from Starbucks, because this is definitely a discussion that is tough on any photographer.  OUR time….

One of my most favorite photographer couples Justin & Mary Marantz (who I also had the pleasure of meeting and attending their workshop) posted on facebook last week:  “No one will respect your need for rest, balance and boundaries until you respect them yourself.”  Oh how I wanted to jump through the screen and give her a big ‘ol smooch for posting EXACTLY what I have felt off and on this year.  As you become more and more busy, and work even harder at becoming more and more invested in your clients and their lives, you find yourself giving over every second of your time…weekends, late night texts, facebook messages and early Sunday morning phone calls…nothing is sacred.  Nothing is off limits.  Vacation messages are bypassed and the needs of the business and the clients start becoming more important than your own, even worse, your families.  My families.  I found myself answering questions during dinner time, and jumping to every email that “jingled” on my phone during snuggle time on the couch with hubby.  Skipping snuggles with my kids…?  Ok, that is where I knew lines needed to be drawn.

So when Mary posted this, and I saw other photographers respond with exactly how I feel, I knew I wasn’t even close to alone in this.   And while I would love to say I have all the answers (I just answered an email last week during our “vacation” time), I have learned to at least put up the vacation responders, to change over the voicemails, even post on the business page on Facebook that we are OFF.  We absolutely love our clients, love this business, but if we don’t value, protect and respect our down time, or our time off, we certainly can’t expect anyone else to.  I am not sure why this took me three years to figure out, but I think getting lost in growing the business, and growing relationships took its toll on creating boundaries.

So, as you enter into this new year, I hope that I can encourage you to seriously reach for the stars with your business…but while you’re doing it, remember that without rest and protected time, everything else just might fall apart around you.  And ultimately that’s one of the big reasons I love what I do, it allows me to have both wonderful, amazing worlds!

Just to add a lovely piece of warm, beachy eye-candy to this post on this cold winters day…Chris & Sumer from their Tulum Mexico wedding in 2010….

When responding to a friend/fellow photographer (amazing newborn photog, by the way,  Misti White Photography) on facebook, I started thinking of sharing some of the tips I’ve stumbled on while trying to juggle all these various roles while engulfed in a field that WILL literally eat up every minute of your every day and night if you let it!   When I first stepped into the world of photography I had no idea.  I saw the pretty blogs, the happy images, the multitude of photographers out there quipping about this shoot and that shoot, this trip and that wedding, all the while their perfect picture sat in the corner of their blog or website smiling perfectly (did I use that word already?) and while I raced to edit until 2am, up to feed a 1 year old and 7 months pregnant with my fifth child, used naptimes and playtimes, and weekends to return emails and phone calls, draw up contracts, meet with potential clients, shoot, shoot, shoot and shoot some more, edit, edit, edit and edit some more…I wanted to curl up under my desk with my half-eaten PB&J (because who has time for a decent meal with this schedule?) and cry.  I did more than want to, I did it!  And searching online, I found that most of the successful photographers in my area and beyond…were kid-free.   No offense to the young married/single, wild and fancy free photogs out there, you keep me young and inspired!  But, when you’re changing a diaper and cleaning up lunch for five kids, and praying you have time to squeeze in three loads of laundry, mopping, and a shower before you go out for drinks with a group of colleagues (assuming the babysitters show up), it can be daunting, discouraging, and frustrating.   It would *almost* seem, that parenting a large family, and running successful photography business, can’t mix.  Almost.

But then here I am.  I was on my belly shooting 9 months pregnant in the Texas heat of July.  I shot two out-of-town weddings two weeks post-partum with my fifth child…our tiny little newborn slept peacefully in a Snuggli on either myself or my husband as we shared in two couples wedding days!  We’ve shot a wedding a week after catching the Swine Flu, in the middle of moving, and a myriad of last minute panic attacks when sitters have called to say they can’t make it.   And through it all, we have NEVER missed a wedding, never had a back-up or random second shooter…but I have to give my amazing husband a TON of credit, without his help there is NO way I could do this.  I would just be a mom, with some mad photography skillz and house full of gorgeous pictures of my kids.   He is an unbelievably talented photographer, the best father and husband, and does it all with so much integrity!

Trial by fire has taught me a few things, and yet I absolutely don’t have all the answers.  And maybe its just me…or maybe, just maybe there are a few other photographers out there wondering if they can do it too…if its worth it, if its even possible…if having a family, a marriage, and this career path is realistic.  Maybe you’re hiding under your desk right now, wondering if you are the only one.  I would love to give you hope…

1.  Divide and Conquer:   Home life/parenting and work/business must have their own place and time.  Have separate lists, have separate planned times for each, and allow your mind to live only in that place in that moment.  When I am doing housework, playing with my kids, making meals, I stay there.  I don’t check work email, I don’t dwell on editing.   I do all I can in that moment,and BE in that moment.  Divide physically, emotionally and mentally the two.

2.  Schedule it out, and communicate it to the WORLD.   Your family, friends, children and clients need to know that *these* are the days you are working and *these* are the days you are completely available to your family.  It might mean that these HOURS are divided out to each, but whatever you have decided on, make sure the expectation is laid out for all!

3.  Outsourcing is easier said than done.  I realize this.  sometimes financially you can’t do it, other times logistically you can’t.  Within the realm of what you can afford and do, try to outsource, whether its housekeeping once a month or two weeks to get the deep cleaning done, some babysitting a day or two per week, early evenings a day or two for hubby to help out, business, editing, whatever you can do, look for the most realistic way for you personally to get help!

4.  Change your expectations for yourself.  Its so easy to get caught up watching other photographers going to lunch meetings every day and constant networking, taking on fun personal projects, and a million other things.  Let it go.  Choose the most important things you need to keep up and stay successful and let the rest GO.  I believe this business is about passion and ingenuity, being genuine and working at only the highest level of integrity.  Running around keeping busy keeps your name out there, but the deepest connections are not made like that.   Do what you can, but take what you have and give it 150%, and if that means only taking on a limited amount of shoots, weddings, or clients, don’t be distracted by the busy-ness of those around you.

5.  Run your business, don’t let it run you.   Make choices to say NO, people will ask for your holidays, weekends, nights, and everything in between if you let them.   Keeping boundaries on your time will allow your be in control of your business…and clients and collegues respect that.

6.  Help others.  I have found that staying out of the controversies and appreciating those around me creates time and a joyful energy regarding this business.  You don’t have to look far to find photographers who like to stir the pot, always looking for a fight, or feel the need to throw statements out there to discourage excitement, passion, learning and growing.   Avoid it.  Momentum is built on the foundation of both  joy and passion!

7.  Perspective is everything.  In my quest for juggling it all, I keep a big picture perspective in my back pocket.  Am I being fair, giving, caring, loving, responsible, genuine,  because ultimately, I have to answer for the kind of steward I have been to my family, my friends and my clients.  And my time is blessed by keeping that above all else.  People know if you MEAN what you say, and success will follow.

I can say that this is the most challenging time I’ve ever had in my life, and I know there will be a day when my sweet babies are grown and this is all we do, but I don’t want to “work” this time away.   I have learned to give myself a brea on some things.  One of those might happen to be blogging, if you’ve noticed I am not stellar at keeping up with it.   But, if you see a skipped day or two, or week, just remember I’m rocking a baby…or coloring outside in the cool Autumn air, or baking cookies.   And for my fellow mommy photographers (and daddies too), it can be done.  

And here are two of the six reasons I juggle it all….love, love , love my family!

Treva

Bob here. This post has to do with composition. Something I struggle with. Oh sure, I can make SB-whatevers to do thisit and thatzit on channel 3, HBO, and whatever else. Exposure settings? Check. Perfect white balance and color fidelity with gray cards? Check. Dynamic Auto-focus? Please. Full manual. Of course. Gaussian distribution of light. Sure. Understanding the technical pieces of the camera and what it is we are doing with it was never a problem for me. I am the master at taking perfectly exposed pictures that people won’t look twice at. Yet, that creative genius wife of mine, once Treva learned the technical pieces or came up with a mental cliff notes of the same (I still don’t believe she uses her camera’s light meter), is able to not only getting perfect exposures, but the most wonderful of compositions.

So I started, long ago, studying about composition. One of the easiest rules for me to understand, was using lines. I mean, it doesn’t get anymore simple than that, right? Lines are everywhere if you look for them. Not only that, the human eye understands lines, craves lines, follows line, knows lines instinctively. We find them pleasing. We find them infuriating. We find them distracting.  They lead our eye to the subject of the photo. Or they make a mess of things. We get lines. However, what I didn’t get was getting those lines into the frame of my viewfinder.

Like Treva does.

All…

….the….

…time.

So, yeah, I can study Treva’s pictures. I can study other photographer’s pictures that we admire. I can see the lines. You can see the lines. Notice the bridge that leads to the singer, notice the S curve as she walks away, the brick walk, and the lines it makes. It’s all there.

So, I guess I’m saying, for photography ideas. It doesn’t matter if it’s engagement photography, wedding photography, children’s photography…whatever. Look for lines. Use them to draw your viewer in. In Dallas…there are literally lines all over the place. But there are also lines in nature…

…implied lines from say girls jumping…in a corn field…as documented above…as they are so often inclined to do…

…looking European and ironic lines…sitting on a chair, in an industrial area filled with lines, wearing a pin striped (those are lines too, by the way) suit…

…tired…wandering along the train trucks…or the rail lines if you will…to find their way back home…it’s the lines, people!

So go forth, find those line, follow them, free them, and fire away with your camera. *Clickety-click*

Also, don’t forget to tell me… How do you use lines in your photography?

So, oftentimes I am asked by photographers starting out in the business to shadow on shoots or weddings that I am working.  I will go ahead and say upfront that I don’t allow shadows at weddings, mainly because a wedding is much more intensive and focused than a session and so I know that I’m going to be unavailable for any kind of guidance or teaching.  But, a session is more relaxed, more fun, and usually clients love having another energetic, excited photographer along!

Can I also say, that, I am not a huge fan of five different photographers posting the exact same images?  I understand the need for practicing shooting, setups, leading on shots, editing..but in my humble opinion, it is only confusing to potential clients when they are searching around for photographers and find the exact same setups, outfits, model and images (even with a different spin) on blogs.  I actually had a client ask if there were chains disguising themselves as individual photographers out there–they had seen the same bridal on three different blogs!!!  I don’t know about anybody else, but I certainly don’t want to be thought of as a chain-style photographer!  (No offense JCPenney, Picture People, and Olan Mills) 

So, regarding the flow of a shoot/session, if you can’t shadow along on a seasoned pro, here are some tips/pointers on a typical session (at least for me):

Make sure you choose a time and location that works regarding light and theme.  You don’t want to fight lighting if you could have pushed it back an hour.  Check your location at the time your shoot is scheduled the day before, just to makes sure it works.  As an example, we booked a family shoot for a disk golf course, with gorgeous wildflowers…checked it the day before, and arrived at the shoot to find it had been mowed down!!  Always have a plan B!

1.  When you both arrive,  ask the client about themselves, first and foremost.  Its easy really, people want to warm up to you, and this will only make your images better, the rapport easier, and build a real, trusting relationship with your client.  There are times I’ve been hired on the spot, on the phone, and the engagement shoot or bridal shoot is our first real time spent together.  So, ask about their engagement, how he asked, how they met, where they will live, how the planning is going…be genuinely interested.  These are REAL people going through an amazing, beautiful experience in their lives and YOU are an essential part of that for them!  You clients truly look to you for their most treasured memory..wow, what a gift!

2.  Communicate, and do it WELL!  Go over your plans for that location.  The type of lighting you want to capture.  Great example of this, is if you are using some off camera lighting, you should prepare them that some shots will take some setup time.  If you are going to be traipsing around the location looking for some beautiful shadows with open light, explain so they understand when you are weaving in and out of terrain for no apparent reason.   Explain your vision, your posing ideas, the reflector that acts like a sail in the wind…there are times I just say that I have no idea what will inspire me, so let’s search and get inspired together!  If you give your clients an up front expectation, they won’t feel lose during the shoot, and you won’t feel awkward.

3.  Joke, laugh, ENJOY!  We are so incredibly blessed to be able to mix work with the creative.  Show your clients you LOVE what you are doing!  I had a client this past weekend ask me if all my shoots were this fun!  Often clients will say that they can tell how much I love doing this.   I know I get a wild-eyed, overly excited attitude when I’m shooting, but this is my PASSION (maybe I should communicate I’m truly not insane) haha!  If your clients aren’t seeing how much you love photographing them, something isn’t working!

4.  Ask if they need a drink, something to eat, anything!  Its easy to get so involved and entrenched in the creative side of a shoot, in getting certain shots and the inspiration that just takes over, you can forget those creature comforts for your clients!  Grab some Starbucks if one is close, even if its a bottle of water.

5.  Make sure you encourage them throughout the shoot.  When someone isn’t a pro model, they are completely unsure that the pose, the look, the smile, whether they should smile at all, is what you are wanting.  If you continually and consistently affirm and encourage, they will totally let loose and have fun!

6.  Read their cues, for when enough is enough.  Nobody wants the never ending photo session.  For Reals.  If you notice sleepy babies, tired brides, grooms who have had enough smiling…wrap it up.  I don’t put time constrains on my shoots for this very reason.  Some people don’t want more than 30 minutes.  Some love going for two hours.  Watch your clients closely for those cues.

7.  Handle all money discussion prior to the shoot.  Its just awkward and uncomfortable when you are trying to get clients to open up in a real way for your camera to have a financial obligation or expectation looming over everyone’s heads.  Whatever money needs to change hands, work that out before the shoot, or after when the images are ready.

8.  Be courteous to other photographers and respect the boundaries of personal property.  If other photographers are on site with you, take turns.  Show a kind spirit, and reach out to make sure everyone feels the space has been fairly used.  Your clients are watching how you treat your colleagues, and how you speak to and about them.  You colleagues are watching for drama, and believe me, nobody likes a drama queen photographer.  Don’t stomp on property that you don’t have permission to stomp on.  If you make a mistake, that’s one thing.  But, if it belongs to another studio, the city, or a business that you must receive permission from, ask…or leave it be!  There are plenty of places to shoot!  Some great locations for photo shoots in DFW?  Adriatica in Mckinney, The Cotton Mill in Mckinney, Uptown in Dallas, Downtown Grapevine, Aloft Hotel in Frisco, Myers Park in Mckinney, of course, the Arboretum in Dallas, Shops at Legacy in Plano, Waters Creek in Allen, Mainstreet Frisco, and really any street in Dallas has insane potential.  Also, more great locations for photography shoots?  Any place you find an interesting building, a field of wildflowers (that isn’t private property),  any area full of trees, railroad tracks…the list goes on and on!

9.  Tell them how long it will take to get their proofs, let them know that you KNOW you got amazing shots.  And then when you get home?  Thank them for the time they carved out to make photographs important.  Chances are there are a million things they could have been doing, and a million ways to spend their hard earned cash…they chose you, and that time with you.   Again, what a gift!

10.  Do what you say you will. 

If you have questions, please comment below and I’ll answer them the best that I can!!

And since all posts deserve a fabulous picture, here’s one of a laughing bride.  Something I said was goofy enough to make her laugh.  Oh, how I love to make a bride laugh!

Treva

Previously we talked about where a Dallas wedding photographer can get photography equipment in the Dallas area. Now we are talking about where a photographer can go to create a photography website, or create a photography blog and where you can host either.

The first thing a photographer will usually look to get going is a photography blog of some sort. Hands down the best and most affordable photography blogs out there are created by NetRivet. They are themes to the wordpress blog software which easily runs on many hosting companies. If you are looking specifically for just wordpress blog hosting with exceptional customer service, I’d recommend A Small Orange.

Next a photographer will want a slick and well presented way to show off their portfolio of wedding photography. We have had good luck with BluDomain for our photography website. BluDomain will install the site for you on their hosting provider for $100/year or on your hosting company’s server. I happen to know that BluDomain sites worked on A Small Orange when we were hosting there. Their prices are reasonable and you can usually be up and running with a great photography website for under $200-400. Their admin panel is easy and intuitive to use. Now to be fair, I must warn you that there are horror stories of their customer service, however, we have had good luck with them and any issues we have had have been resolved satisfactorily.

Stay tuned because next we will be talking about what you will need in your camera bag!