Special Effects Artists Wanted

KellieAnn Reynolds Photography is looking to work with fun, outgoing and friendly, highly-organized, responsible individuals with extreme talent and small egos.

Special Effects Makeup (FX Makeup) Artists with precise abilities to enhance physical features, as well as exhibit metaphysical characteristics and fantasy makeup. Must be skilled with the use of prosthetics and plaster casting required for projects that entails non-human appearances. Accents such as theatrical blood and ooze are also techniques required for this position.

Airbrush Artists for various media including alcohol and water-based makeup. The applicants must exhibit a focus on higher depths of detail.

Avant Garde Fashion Makeup Artists for magazine-style photography for projects that require experimental themes. The applicants will specialize in themes ranging for the natural prime look to more sophisticated applications.

High Definition Makeup Artists heavily involved with the use of light reflectors and mineral ingredients to give the skin a flawless finish.

Serious inquiries only. Please apply by sending reference photos of YOUR OWN WORK, applicable website links, and a short resume with contact information. Send an e-mail to KellieAnn with the Subject titled, ARTISTS WANTED

The Best,
KellieAnn Reynolds
Website - Blog - Facebook

Rock on the Range Review for Kotori Magazine

My husband, Christopher, and I ventured to Columbus, Ohio, excited by a mission to experience Rock on the Range metal music fest with Kotori Magazine's blessing to eulogize the event in 3,000 words or less, with photography by yours truly! 

Keepin' it real human. Read our review, A Family of Apes at Rock on the Range, featuring A Perfect Circle, Korn, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Red Fang, Bullet For My Valentine, All That Remains, and more!! To see even more images from Rock on the Range, visit my personal Portfolio!

Christopher & KellieAnn Reynolds - Kotori Magazine
Rock on the Range 2011

We would like to give thanks to all of our kick ass friends, because without them, this adventure would not have been possible, at least not nearly as awesome. A big thank you to Jake McGee and everyone at Kotori Magazine for extending this remarkable opportunity to us. A colossal thanks goes out to Douglas Snauffer and his family for supplying food and helping fund our trip to Columbus from North Canton, Ohio. A huge thank you to our long-distance friend, David Crane, who traveled from Pittsburgh, PA, secured lodging and allowed us to room with him, for free, at Days Inn. Last but not least, big bear hugs for both Neil Hamilton and Tiffany Miller. Our journey would not have been possible if not for our supportive, thoughtful, and selfless friends. Thank you all so much! Your offerings have left us full and humble.

Media Tent

Concert Photography : Shoot Preparation

 

Concert and Live Band photography is one of the most challenging and exciting photography jobs you can get. You've got the best seat in the house, right up against the stage. There can be anywhere from 5,000-30,000+ screaming fans behind you, constantly moving, throwing crap towards the stage, crowd surfing, possibly even kicking you in the head. There are bouncers and other photographers to move around. There are no-flash policies and unpredictable stage-lighting conditions to work with. You have to think about a lot of stuff like equipment, exposure, composition, focus, energy, and you have just a few minutes allotted to you to get the shots you need. It's a lot of pressure, and a whole lot of fun.

I'm covering Rock on the Range in Columbus Ohio, May 21-22, 2011, and it's my first large concert photography gig, so in a way, I am what you call a noob. A beginner. However, I have shot live bands at local venues (i.e. bars) and I have prepared for this live shoot to the same extent and attention to detail as any other professional photographer would prepare for the job. I've done a lot of research and figured it would be a good idea to post a list of prep tips for other budding concert photographers. This is a mish-mash of a post. It was written it in much haste as I prepare to leave for the Rock on the Range music fest today.

1. Obtain the Gig/Keep the Gig

Have the necessary information you need in order to pick up your Photo Pass at the Media Will-Call booth. Make sure to print out the confirmation letter/email and bring it with you, and have a list of the managers names. Bring it with you just in case something goes wrong and your name is not on the Media/Photo Pass list. Cover all your bases. There is usually some sort of waiver you must sign in order to finalize your photo pass. Obtain a copy of this waiver ahead of time if you can, and review the terms carefully before you sign it. I received a copy of the waiver a few days before the show. Pay attention and look out for Rights Grabbers. If you don't agree with the terms, you're SOL. When you sign the agreement, honor it! Don't blacklist yourself or get into legal trouble by signing a waiver that says you can't profit from the images by turning around and breaking the agreement anyway.

2. Prep Your Gear/Prep Your Mind/Prep Your Body

Gather your gear. Figure out what you need to take. Pack as light as possible. Charge all of your batteries and make certain everything is functioning properly, from straps to lenses. Clean your glass, blow out your camera body, format all the memory cards, and re-organize your camera bag. Pre-stage your gear by setting your internal and external modes.

Remember, most venues enforce a no-flash policy. This is both a blessing and a curse. I love shooting in low-light conditions, but of course there are a lot of potential frustrations to overcome. Dealing with colored lights, risking potential blow-outs and overexposure; it's a challenge. But don't use flash! It's disrespectful to the band, and you're bound to get yourself kicked out if you break the no-flash policy. 

Also, pack what is necessary, but pack light! Wear comfortable shoes and bring extra socks, because you are going to be on your feet for a long time. Always wear earplugs! If it's an outdoor concert, bring a towel, a super rad poncho, and some sort of waterproof bag to cover yourself and your gear in case it rains. For this, I went the cheap route and brought a see-through 89¢ poncho and couple of black trash bags. It doesn't matter as long as your gear is dry. Also, drink LOTS of water. Bring suntan lotion if it is an outdoor event, and wear it! Bring sunglasses, a wide brim hat, and a small first-aid kit.

Research the venue as much as you can, especially if you've never been there before. Scope out the stage(s) and seating arrangements. Know the line-of-sight to exits, higher grounds, safe zones, and take caution at all times but don't ever forget to have fun! 

If you have some, bring your business cards with a way to contact you and pass them out. 

3. Get the shots! Have fun!

I am a firm believer that how you feel while photographing will come across in your final images. If you're not having fun, you stand the chance of getting crappy shots. So, have fun with it and don't stress out. Be kind and courteous to the staff, you never know what they can do for you if you make friends. Be nice to the other photographers, if you need to get around them, a gentle tap on the shoulder to get their attention will do better than shoving them out of your way. You never know if you're standing next to someone from Rolling Stone, after all. Don't stand in one spot while you are in the photo pit, it makes sense that if you move around, you will get more diverse and interesting images. Pay attention to all the band members and maybe they'll woo the camera for you.

That is all for now, I must now leave for Rock on the Range!

2011 Fox 8 Hotlist Winner

 

The votes are in and the Winners of 2011 Akron-Canton Hot List have been announced!

I would like to thank everyone who voted for me! I ranked 5th Place in the 2011 Fox 8 Hotlist! :) I am in the first year of starting my photography business (since mid-Sept 2010) and this is also the first year I have participated in the Fox8 Hotlist. I'd say it's been pretty awesome. Thanks again for all of your support, it means so much!

A Big Congratulations to all the Nominees, and the Top 5 Winners in each category. I am so stoked to be in the TOP 5 Portrait Photographers in Akron-Canton Ohio! Thanks again!

Mini Photo Sessions!

Yay! Affordable professional photography!? You betcha! KellieAnn Reynolds Photography is now offering a $75 Mini Photo Session! These sessions are pretty awesome because they are quick, fun, and super affordable! A Mini Session lasts approximately 15-25 minutes, and can be held at any outdoor location, such as the beach or a local park, in both the city and suburbs. For added convenience, the session can also be held at your home. This Mini Session Extravaganza won't last long, so register today! 
Call 330.776.8868 or Email KellieAnn

What makes a mini session different from a full session?
A regular photo session is about an hour or two in length. Pricing for a full session starts at $175. Mini sessions are $75 and will take about twenty-five minutes in length.

What is the cost of a mini session?
The cost of a weekend twenty-five minute mini session is $75, or you may book a double session for $150.

How do I sign up for a mini session?
Please call KellieAnn at 330.776.8868 or contact her by email

Who can sign up for a mini-session?
Sessions are open to individuals, couples, and families.

Where will the Mini Session take place?
A session can be held at any outdoor location, a beach or local park, in both the city and suburbs. Or even at your own home! Locations farther than 20 miles from 44720 will incur travel charges. Please contact KellieAnn for more information.

What should I wear?
Something comfortable, classic, and colorful! Layers work well, especially if you want to change the look without making a complete wardrobe change. Make sure your clothing is not coordinated to the point where it looks too uniform, unless you are going for a very specific look.

How many images will I receive?

Your session will result in 4 perfectly and professionally edited, magazine quality images. Please keep in mind that only the absolute best images are selected. Of course, you may purchase additional images from your session. Digital, web-size images are included with every session, so you can share them with your family and friends on your Facebook page, and other social networking sites!

Am I required to buy prints?  

In order to ensure KellieAnn’s ability to dedicate as much time and attention to detail as possible for each and every client, there is a $50 minimum order requirement per session. Clients should expect to invest a minimum of $125 in their custom photography experience with KellieAnn Reynolds. Digital web-size images are also included with every print order.

Do you offer A la Carte?

A la Carte prints begin at $20 for gift prints (size 8x12 and smaller) and $50 for wall prints 11x14 and larger. All images are professionally printed on archival quality paper and come protected with a luster coating and linen texture. All prints 5x7 and larger are mounted to ensure durability and longevity.

What if it rains or the weather is bad on the day of our mini session?
In case of inclement weather, mini photo sessions will be held on our scheduled rain date. If you have any questions about weather, please call KellieAnn at 330.776.8868. When booking your session, please make sure that you are able to attend both the planned photo session date and the back up date.

Can I get a map to the mini session? 

Sure! KellieAnn will send you a Mapquest from your home to the location of the mini session. Or provide you with the address for your GPS.

To Register for your Mini Session, Call KellieAnn @ 330.776.8868 or Email

Rock & Roll Saved My Soul

I have been given a most awesome opportunity to cover the 5th Anniversary of Rock on the Range in words and pictures for Kotori Magazine. Yet, Kotori is not just a magazine, but a "community of underground culture and arts designed for the emancipation of the human spirit." So stop by their site and to get a healthy dose of music, art, and politics.

Rock on the Range will be the the first time I have been invited, along with my husband, to officially cover a huge music event, and if you've seen my portfolio, it's a dream come true for me. Plus, I get to write my heart out for Kotori. I am super pumped!

I want to write a blog about concert photography, but I will save that for later, because that article will be geared more towards other photographers. But right now, it's awesome-story time. A personalized take on my childhood love of music that, over time, has created an entire world filled with vibrations, opening up new levels of consciousness, and making a difference in perspectives. :D

KellieAnn - 1996
Notice the nicotine-stained lace curtains

What I love about music is that it can connect people who would not otherwise be connected. My mother and I connected through music, and no other time. When I was a teenager, she and I would stay up late at night with just the stereo on and the candles lit. My mom, always with a cigarette burning between her lips, squinting one eye and drinking from a wine jug, looking like a big-breasted pirate in a holey concert t-shirt. And she'd start tapping her foot on the floor, succumbing to Pearl Jam's “Ten” or Alice in Chains, then she'd slap the table and start swaying her head back and forth and by the end of a song, we'd both be standing up, jumping and pounding the varnish off the tabletop, hootin' and hollerin' until our throats were hoarse and our hands hurt. "Have another drink!" she'd rasp, taking a swig and wiping her mouth with this look in her eye that said the fun was over when the music stopped. So I'd pop in another album, and hope for the best.

My cousin, Tony, and myself mock-playing his guitar

Good music starts with a beat, but great music comes from the heart. 

My grandfather only listened to Classical music. As a very young girl, I remember listening so intently that I was brought to tears not fully understanding why, so I listened to the songs over and over again until I figured it out for myself. I let the music consume me because it felt good to let myself go. Completely.

As an impressionable little girl, after endlessly tuning an alarm-clock radio in my tiny bedroom instead of playing with my friends, I bought my first boom-box for five-dollars at a yard sale. It was electric blue and matched my bike. I tied that sucker to the handlebars and rode around the trailer park listening to Genesis and Pink Floyd, singing to Jimi Hendrix, Queen and Yes in the woods by myself. My childhood babysitter, called Hannah, gave me my first pair of jeans and a cut-up Guns 'n Roses t-shirt that made me feel so much cooler than I actually was.

My mother may have forbid me to watch “Kids Incorporated” on the Disney channel (not that I was interested to begin with), but I was never told I couldn't listen to Robert Plant wailing and moaning through the speakers. I was only allowed to use profanity when I was singing to a song. And as long as I knew what it meant, I was encouraged to run wild. You can't cut a person off from their imagination, after all.

Wastelands
Metallica Cover Band

When I was in middle school, I quit both Drama and Classical Violin to play the Drums. I begged my divorced parents to get me a drum-set (a 5-piece Pearl Export Series), and they did so without too much effort. When I lived with my dad, he said I played like an African tribesman. When I lived with my mom, she paid for six-months of lessons with a guy called Roth in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Roth told me to bring in a song I wanted to learn so I brought Tool's second album, Undertow, and told him I wanted to learn "Sober". He listened to it and told me to pick something else and then we worked on Paradiddles that day instead. Eventually, I ended up learning a Metallica song and later joined a Metallica cover band (See: Gig Photo, above). I played in a death metal band after that. We called ourselves Anti-Justice and we played once at Peabodies in Cleveland, Ohio.

Moving around a lot as a kid, my drums got beat up over time. Rained on, smashed up, and set on fire in wars with my mom during a few of her binges. When I turned 18, I sold what was left of my drums before moving to the state of Georgia. A few years later, I returned to North Canton, Ohio and eventually married the guy I had sold my drums to, so I got the set back. Funny how things work out.

Drums at my mothers home
Pennsylvania 1997

That was my childhood, filled with music to keep the connections strong by filling the air with an amount of soul that I wanted to attain for myself. Music brings back memories, and creates new ones. A certain song (i.e: "No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age) can even remind me of a particular season (Autumn). Music reminds me to keep on living, looking back on even the worst of times as if they were actually pretty good.

In many ways, Rock & Roll Saved My Soul. And I pay it back through light and images. I want to pay tribute to the music that continues to make me think differently, creating photographs with the same heart and soul. Music photography is a career goal for me. I am working my ass off to get where I want to go. Some of the biggest magazines in the industry is where I am heading. It's about time. Thank you, Kotori. 

♫ KellieAnn

DIY Business Cards!

Biz Card - Contact Information

Here are some business cards I designed and printed myself using Avery 2-sided printable business cards. Unfortunately, the document template Avery provides as a download on their website is bogus. The templates do not match up to the actual cards when printed. So, my husband measured the printable-card dimensions for me and then I created a brand new template that prints business cards spot-on. If you want to buy the Avery business cards (#28877) and DIY, shoot me an email and I'll send you the template we made [.psd with guides] to save you some time.

It only took a couple of hours to put these together. I have a background in Graphic Design, and I love doing this kind of stuff. It's always a fun challenge and gets me excited. These DIY business cards are really nice, but I can't wait to afford the super sweet professionally printed metallic business cards that I have in mind. I wanted a solid gloss black background, but my printer is just a consumer grade and the ink would disappear so fast, it would not have been worth it. When I can afford professional cards, I'd like to support Cleveland, Ohio's JakPrints.

Biz Card Photograph side with Service Information

When I was thinking about business cards, I remembered reading an article a few years ago about a group of college students at Kent University creating flexible electronic screens. Ever since, I have wanted a reason to use something like that. Wouldn't video business cards be the coolest?! I looked it up and found these new devices called Video in Print created by a company called Americhip. The video is displayed at "320x240 resolution, on a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD). The whole screen is only 2.7 mm thick and encased by polycarbonate to protect the display from damage. The remaining electronics are sandwiched behind the screen between two pieces of thick paper. The sound uses a similar chip to those found in electronic audio greeting cards. The battery lasts 65—70 minutes and can be recharged using a mini-usb connector." Those suckers go for about $50 a piece starting in lots of 1,000 units. Big corporations and magazines love 'em, but I think it's wasteful as magazines are typically thrown away. But, whoa, they are freakin' cool! That's way outta my budget, but some day maybe it won't be.

DIY Business Card

Back at my little arts and crafts desk, I took a few snap shots of my home spun business cards and plan to make some minor adjustments to the design. See the girl ninja photograph where it says KELLIEANN REYNOLDS ... the letters Y and N kind of blend into the photograph a bit too much, so I'll have to fix that. Overall, I'm happy with my design.

If you decide to make your own, or already have made your own business cards, I'd love to see them! Comment with photos or links of your business card creations!

 

Front and Back of DIY Business Card

Slogans and Branding

Some of my friends have used generator sites to create Facebook banners, and after a while of seeing this I really wanted to make my own. It took a bit of finagling, so I looked up a tutorial, skipped to the info on sizing, then slapped some informative text onto one of my images and presto! Rockin' new banner.

 

Making a custom banner works on a personal Facebook profile, but it does not work on a Business or Fan page because the top-main images appear at random. So I made this to compensate:

KellieAnn Reynolds Photography
North Canton, Ohio 44720

While making the banner, I thought about Slogans for a minute and whether or not I even wanted one. What did I know about slogans? Well, slogans can be really generic, they can hurt your image if they suck, and they aren't always necessary. But if done right, slogans can be awesome, drive in customers, and make your business more memorable. Charlie Sheen's "Winning," while rather annoying, caught on pretty quick. Nike's "Do It" has been popular for decades. Apple wants you to "Think Different" even though all their products look the same.

Slogans aren't anything special by themselves. Anyone can come up with a slogan. I decided that if I couldn't come up with a good slogan in less than 5 minutes, I didn't really want or need one. But within 5 minutes, I had come up with two slogans, as you see in the image above. So, tell me what you think. Lame or cool?

I'll give an extra 10% off the already-reduced Portrait Sessions to the first [local] commenter who correctly identifies the inspiration used for the first slogan (in white text).

Thanks for stopping by!
♫ KellieAnn

7 DOs & DONTs of Working for FREE

There is a HUGE debate on whether or not people should work for free. It happens all the time in many fields. Is it right? Is it wrong? In my experience, most people (not all) simply do not truly appreciate free stuff. What!? Who doesn't love free stuff? It really depends. People love free goods, but it's a different song and dance all together when it comes to free services. Some will take a mile when given an inch, others will stomp all over your efforts, good or bad. You could do a genuinely great job and someone is there to push your face in the mud, or you could do a genuinely terrible job and someone will think the world of you. It's all subjective. Results vary.

I'm going to make a very short list of the DOs and DON'Ts of Working for Free. I'm [trying to become] a professional photographer, so most of this will use photography as an example, but this article was written with the tax-paying professional in mind.

1. Do build a portfolio that you love. Be Honest. First, get a grip on what kind of work you want to do. It can take a while to figure this out, so working for free may be a great choice to explore your options, and give you an opportunity to get some practice in different areas. Many photographers love to shoot anything and everything, but as you shoot more often you will quickly discover what you like to shoot, and what you love to shoot.

2. Do (or Don't) work for free to promote your business. Getting people to talk about your business can be easy. It's what people say about your business that is unpredictable. If you decide you want to do free work, do it because you want to, and commit to the job as if you are getting paid. Clients usually become friends. You want to keep your friends. Don't make enemies. Draw lines if you have to, but be cool about it.

3. Don't work for credit/exposure. These so-called jobs are a dime a dozen, and you will likely never make a dime doing this kind of work. You do not need anyone else to give you credit or exposure, you can do this on your own. Your work should speak for itself. Even and especially if it's Joe Schmo from Awesome Company/Magazine, they can afford to pay you, and pay you well. Have some respect for yourself.

4. Don't continue to work for free. Experience can create confidence. Charging even a small fee is better than establishing yourself as someone who consistently works for free for the whole town. You will have to step away from free to be taken seriously.

5. Do maintain control of your work. Just because you're working for free doesn't mean you have to give it all up. Establish how and where your work can be used and by whom. Use contracts to establish and maintain copyright. Usually the client has unlimited personal use of the image(s), but they can not go out and make money selling t-shirts and coffee mugs–or whatever–using your images without first establishing some sort of deal with you. Always maintain copyright of your life's work. Also, if Joe Schmo from Awesome Company comes along wanting to use your images, then you, as the photographer, should be paid for those images. Be nice and offer your photo client a cut. Win-win.

6. Do projects for yourself/Collaborate with others. This goes together with number 1: Building a portfolio that you love, but it's easy to get caught up with other people's offers and ideas. Approach people or subjects that fit inside the goal of your project and see where it goes. Sometimes personal projects can take you further than you may have ever imagined.

7. Don't get discouraged. If you're not getting any work, it doesn't mean you suck. The economy sucks. People usually won't find what they aren't looking for. If you're getting inquiries but not booking, send a friendly message or email asking why. If you have to get a day-job to make ends meet, it's not the end of the world. Keep on truckin'.

__________________

There are no sure-fire rules to live by. If it feels right, do it. If it feels weird, step back and evaluate the situation. I am currently only in the first 6-months of establishing myself as a professional photographer. It's been rough and it's been scary. I've wanted to throw in the towel so many times before taking a step back and looking at the big picture. I want to do this, it makes me happy more than it frustrates me. Sometimes it's a drag, during the winter months and slow periods. But as long as I'm alive, I'm learning as I go and trying to have fun doing it. If anything I have learned along the way can help others, well... that is awesome.

The Truth About Pricing – Photography

This information has been created to help answer some questions to curious clients and is aimed at photographers who want to get down to the nitty-gritty of the photography market and price themselves accordingly.

Pricing strategies are not easy to come up with, considering all things. Our environment changes all the time, and we are always moving with the ebb and flow of the economy. It's a challenge not to overprice or underprice, but to also make sure that we are considering any and all overhead so we can stay afloat as a sustainable business. But above all, our job as a personal photographer should be to ensure that we produce extraordinary work that exceeds our clients expectations, and that our clients walk away with a positive and enjoyable experience to share with their family, friends, and coworkers. People talk. Make your work share in that conversation.

Thank you for stopping by and taking your time to read this!

Okay, let's look at all the actual work that entails a one-hour photo shoot.

Meetings & Travel Time – Average 2 hours

• Communicating and clarifying details with clients over email, by phone, and often in-person. This is a really fun process where we get to know each others quirks and build idea castles!
• Location scouting, prop shopping.
• Travel to and from on-site location. I like to drive. I'm also really good at it.
• Reviewing photo-sessions, placing orders, dropping off orders. This is another fun process we get to do together!

Session Time – Average 2 hours (1 hour or more of which the client will be present)

• I employ an assistant to help carry equipment, setup lights, adjust exposure and positioning. My assistant also acts as a security guard for myself and my gear, especially good for when I have a camera shoved in my face.
• Scout for the best section of location site, unique landscapes, etc.
• Set-up lighting equipment, make adjustments.
• Engage with the client or group, make them feel comfortable, etc.
• Plan poses, organize people
• Shoot the photos

Post-production, Processing, Photo Management – Average 4-6 hours

• I have a personal office in which I conduct amazing photo-processing magic and other superhero stuff! This nook includes a filing cabinet, bookshelves, computers, a printer for contracts and fancy invoices, and other business related stuff.
• Then I download, backup/archive and name-file all of the images so they can be found later.
• Color correcting, spot retouching, color/contrast, re-sizing, sharpening and otherwise perfecting each image (4-6 hours)
• Advanced editing, depending on client needs/requests. Repair blemishes, Eye-enhancements, Smoothing skin/wrinkles, Whitening teeth, Changing Eye-color, Lip color, Hair color, Make-up, Slimming body parts, Enhancing body parts (breast lift, add cleavage, larger lips/eyes), Inserting Logos and/or Type (time varies depending on needs)
• Processing and converting each image into a format that can be easily printed at a professional print lab

Printing – Time varies depending on orders

• Employ Professional Printing Services (catering to professional photographers)
• Order prints (ship or upload)
• Receive and Verify prints
• Package prints
• Schedule Shipment and Ship/Drop-off to Client

These next few categories are not directly tied to a one-hour photo shoot, but are essential in running a successful photography business and are paid for immediately by the photographer, but only paid back by clients in very little bits over a long  s t r e t c h  of time.


Equipment & Software – Cameras, Lenses, Lights, Stands, Modifiers, Bags, Computer and computer guts, Hard-drives, etc.

• The equipment I use is very expensive to repair and occasionally I will have to upgrade, but only as absolutely necessary. Every shoot wears on my equipment more and more. Eventually, my equipment will break, sad fact. A small part of my fee covers the estimated wear and tear on the equipment.
• Photo-editing software updates occur approximately every year or so, and if I keep up with it, I get a discount each time I upgrade from the latest version. It is sometimes necessary to upgrade when new features are released to ease work-flow and gain new attributes.

Insurance, Copyright & Legal – I need to protect myself, my work, and my business.

• Disability and health insurance: We need it when we get sick or, god forbid an accident takes place. Plus, I want to be able to retire.
• Equipment and business liability insurance: Carry insurance, or be out of business.
• Malpractice protection: Lawyers protect my business and my self. They organize and authorize my contracts, and are there if I ever need an update or other business-law advice.
• Copyright assistance: Wow, just a small fee to protect all of my artistic and photographic work!

Web Presence, Marketing & Branding – I have a presence and an essence to maintain. A place where people can learn about not only my services, contests and giveaways, but where people can get to know me personally, even if we've never met before.

• I chose to use my First and Last name as my business name for a very good, honest reason: I take myself seriously, and I want you to take me seriously, too. That is why I chose NOT  to hide behind a moniker.
• Maintaining multiple social networking web sites, a blog, and a showcase website. I run them all by myself, of course. All of the content you find on my website is created by me in some way or another. A blog gives personal commentary about a specific shoot with accompanying photos, and shows consistency of my photographic work to visitors and potential clients.
• To have pretty cool logos for the site, it takes time and skill to conceptualize and create. I do this myself because I am trained in graphic design, therefor it is more cost effective than to hire out.
• I also design my own websites, personal and social networking (where available) but I typically hire hosting, while managing my own content.
• My goal is to become a global and international brand. I want access. In order to gain access, I need to research many different avenues and network with the right people.

Professional Associations & Continuing Education – One of the perks in life is loving what you do!

• Annual conventions are a great way to hobnob with other professionals and businesses from all over the world, who are full of insight and encouragement!
• Classes, Books, Seminars, and Workshops: All of these wonderful things help me keep up to date with technology, and get creative.
• Eventually, I want to be able to hold my own classes, web seminars, as well as local and international peer-to-peer workshops teaching new photographers.

Taxes – Don't forget! Everyone has to pay Uncle Sam.

• I am happy to be a contributing member of society by paying my dues.
• I am here to run a business, not just any business but a successful one.

I hope this helps you see how a one-hour session can easily turn into an eight-hour day or more. When a client hires me, lots of work, love, and time goes into the session. Each and every one of the photographs are hand-touched, with the eye of an artist that really, truly loves what she does, day in and day out. I work very hard for my clients, and I always want to provide exactly what my client wants: heirloom photos, and an awesome experience, to boot!

So you see, being a professional photographer is no different than any other profession. But a personal photographer often becomes a friend, someone who documents a family for generations with professional, personal photographs of cherished memories. And, versus a portrait mill that department stores provide, the added attention and quality that a personal photographer gives you is worth every penny.

Thanks again!


All My Best,
KellieAnn Reynolds