Nicole is fast becoming one of Australia's best newborn photographers. Take a look at her blog and it's not hard to see why. Nicole has kindly agreed to share her setup shot (above) from one of her newborn sessions, using her SHOOT BABY! Suede Ottoman Beanbag. Since SHOOT BABY! opened, we've received several emails from photographers, asking for advice on positioning newborns on the SHOOT BABY! Ottoman Beanbag. We thought it would be a great idea to post setup shots from those Feature Customers/Photographers willing to share. We hope that it may help those starting out visualise and plan their own newborn sessions. Of course, the Photographer Q&A is also included below, as let's face it who doesn't like to know the nitty gritty about their favourite photographers!?
Name: Nicole Business Name: Nicole Ramsay Photography Location: Brisbane QLD, Australia Website:www.nicoleramsay.com Blog:www.nicoleramsay.com/blog When you started PBing: January/February 2008 When you stopped PBing and became Pro: June 2008 Camera/s: 5DMK2 and 30D as a backup Lenses: 28mm 1.8 | 50mm 1.4 | 24-70mm 2.8 L| 85mm 1.8 | 100mm 2.8 Your favourite lens: 24-70 2.8L Flash or strobe equipment: 480ex and other bits and pieces. I'm not a huge fan of flash photography. Home Studio, Studio or On-Location: Home Studio for newborns and maternity and on-location for everything else. Favourite time of the day to shoot outdoors: I love shooting in the late afternoon glow...there is something special about the softness of the light, especially for children. Favourite outdoor surroundings to shoot in: Anywhere really. I love forests, beaches, urban. I'm happy to shoot in any environment. Favourite subject and/or age to photograph: I adore the artistic challenge of shooting newborns but shooting children is fun and brilliantly unpredictable. Shoot weddings?: No, thankyou...too busy with everything else. Flash, natural light or both: Natural light Editing software you use: Lightroom 2 and CS4 Do you like/use Actions or Presets: Yes I do...my workflow is based on using some. Computer (Mac or PC): I have just switched over from PC to Mac and as they say "I haven't looked back!" Workshops you've been to: Jinky's very first workshop, Inspire Me, Dale Taylor, Business Boot Camp. Favourite workshop: All of them - it sounds so cliche but they all offered different things. What you've learned the most about in the last year (photog. related): Two things - how very important word of mouth is to my business. Maintain and work life balance where possible. Don't under quote time expectations to your client. What you aim to improve over the coming year: Creative marketing ideas Where/how you've learnt the most about photography: Online. The resources out there are amazing. Books are also great for basics ('Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson is a wonderful book). Networking and having the support of wonderful friends who share my passion as well is a must. Finally you will gain your greatest knowledge through practice, practice and more practice. I found the more I was open to trying new things, and to constructive criticism, the more I learned. Work timetable (work around the kids, kids in daycare x number of days, no kids, work around Uni, etc): I generally shoot Tuesdays and Saturdays or Sundays (I try not to do both). I edit at night and also on Fridays. Your strengths: newborns and children Your weaknesses: adult couples (I don't shoot them often). Most valuable piece of information you can share to those starting out: Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Don't be afraid of constructive criticism. It is one of the greatest tools in which to learn. Ask for it and take everything you can from it.
SHOOT BABY! the store dedicated to the child photographer. SHOOT BABY! is a resource for photography props, supplies and equipment including newborn and baby posing ottoman puck shaped beanbags, waterproof pads, backdrop stands, nappy/diaper pants, petti skirts, wooden floor mats and display easels. SHOOT BABY! is located in Australia and ships overseas including to the USA, Canada and New Zealand.