Photographer Columbia SC | Spring Has Sprung! « Ashley Ward Photography – Columbia SC Newborn, Glamour and Pinup Photographer

Photographer Columbia SC | Spring Has Sprung!

March 17, 2010

Hope you had a Happy St. Patty’s Day! Hasn’t it been just gorgeous lately! The magnolias and camelias and bradford pears and daffodils throughout the old city neighborhood that we live in has been such a welcome site. I am a person who seems to stay perpetually cold. I don’t think I completely thaw out till late April or early May! But just knowing that those long lazy days of summer are coming has me restless with anticipation! I am looking forward to getting out so much more and shooting away instead of being huddled up indoors:)

Apparently I am not the only one restless to get outdoors and to create a record of childhood and family harmony…..I have had 4 bookings in the last 3 days! I will be very busy starting tomorrow. I can probably take 1 more session some time over the next 4 weeks or so, but am now booking for sessions after April 21 through the end of the year, with limited sessions available in May and July at this time. If you are planning for Spring or Summer sessions, now is the time to get with me on a date:)

Last week I was a speaker at the 5th anniversary meeting of the Sumter Digital Camera Club. It was an honor and I loved sharing with other photographers in this way! I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful audience and if any of you who attended read this….thank you again for having me and welcoming me. What a great group of people and a wonderful resource for photographers of all skill level!

Tonight I will answer just a couple of questions that I was asked last Thursday evening as a speaker:)
Q: How did you know you wanted to be a child photographer?
A: It sounds cliche now, but I decided I wanted to be a child photographer after having my daughter. I spent so much time photographing her and documenting her growth and development and personality and I loved every second of it. I started sharing the images with friends as well as photographing their children and they loved them. After quite some time of seeing that friends loved the images as much as I did and speaking with a couple of professionals who believed in me, I began my own photography business and am so happy and grateful to be where I am today. I get to witness and document the bonds and relationships that are what life is all about and what gives the world such beauty. How great is that!

Q: Are you self-taught?
A: OK – trick question! I know what they meant and I did not go to school for photography. So in that sense, I am self-taught. But I have had, and will continue to have, many WONDERFUL “teachers” in my life. I continue to pursue the best in training and experiences. I don’t consider myself to be “self-taught” although technically, I am.

Q: Are you available for mentoring?
A: No, at this time I am not. Running my business and balancing that with my home and family life keeps me pretty busy. I cannot say what the future will bring, but for now, I just don’t have the time for this.

Q: What advice would you give brand new photographers?
A: Get to know your camera. Read your manual. Practice, practice, practice. Learn to shoot in manual mode. Practice. Put your stuff out there for others to critique. And LISTEN. Practice. Try to give back along the way. Join an online photo sharing community or group and share with others. Practice. Don’t go into business until you can give clients consistent quality results every time. Keep practicing and learning. Find an area of focus. When/if you go into business, don’t undercharge – it’s a sure way to burnout and going out of business. Keep growing and practicing and learning.
That’s just what comes to mind now:)

Well, I debated on sharing this, but here goes! My artistic expression found it’s way to my look last night. Thank you to Claire of Moda Salon for seeing me through my nervous-nellie behavior and giving me the color in my hair that I have wanted for about 2 years now! It’s fun and funky and just what I needed:) Now all I need is a new headshot! And I am including a shot from the salon last night so you will recognize me when I come to your session:)
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Well, I have been all over the place tonight. Just one more thing tonight. If you are on facebook, go add yourself to my fans. I am starting to share more little things over there. It’s easier not to have to share in such big chunks sometimes:)