eyelet: meet Theresa Knight of Theresa Knight Photography!

I am so excited to interview Theresa of Theresa Knight Photography. I am simply captivated by her images. They are remarkable. Fine pieces of art. When I first saw her work several months ago, it was a boudoir shoot, and I thought "WOW!" From the image to the processing, Theresa has got it. I think I just posted to her FB page that I loved loved her work and a friendship was made. We live far apart from each other, but I do hope to get up to Northern California very soon and I will definitely look up Theresa when I am there.

Preparing for this interview, sending emails back and forth to one another, Theresa states that she was humbled by all the remarkable photographers that have been featured during my summer of interviews. And I am thinking in my head, "Theresa! You belong right up there. You are one of those remarkable photographers!" When you see her work, you will think so too!

1) Introduce yourself and get the visitors “in” on your work!
My name is Theresa Knight and I run Theresa Knight Photography out of the San Francisco Bay Area. My work ranges from maternity, family, senior, and boudoir sessions to engagement sessions.



(note: This is actually her-above-)

2) I love your work. LOVE it…which is why I look at it often. How did you get started in the photography business, and when?

In 1988, I assisted a photographer in Philadelphia and worked mostly in award ceremonies and local news. He became a mentor for me in photography and inspired me to take photography classes.

I have been strong arming photographers into becoming my mentors.  Thankfully they have agreed to help me out and give advice when I need it. I currently have one who is kind of a defacto mentor because she lives out of state, but she has been so great for me at this stage in my business. Finding someone who can do that, without feeling threatened or annoyed with all the questions, is important I think.  It is great that you found someone early on in your career to be that for you.

3)When was the first magic moment that you knew you wanted to be a photographer?

The first magic moment that made me know I wanted to be a photographer was my first time in the dark room. The anticipation of seeing the photography you developed was exciting and unforgettable. 

I have never developed film. But it is something that I would like to do for sure!



4)When did you make it a full time thing?

Since I am still working for the business for twenty years, I don‘t consider photography my full-time job. I became more serious about it two years ago after taking photographs of my own family on father’s day.

5)And I have to ask, because it’s a question that people are asking themselves anyway, what do you shoot with and what is your favorite lens?

I shoot mainly with two cameras: Canon 50d and Canon 5d Mark 2. My favorite lens would have to be the 50 mm. I have been canon loyal since the 80’s! 

My "wish list" just keeps getting longer and longer. The Canon 5d is on it, but its a little further down the list :D.  I know you just got yours and I am guessing you have been loving it!

6)Describe your style.

I’m in love with the vintage style, whether it be the 30’s or all the way up to the 70’s. I love the tones and style depicted in vintage photographs.

That was the first thing I noticed about your photography. I love your vintage style processing.  I have tried it and its a little more than juust running an action over a photo, so I am so excited that you are developing your own vintage style processing and have given me a few to play around with.  I am excited for you with this new piece of your business.  Vintage processing is no easy notion and when someone who loves the style develops some actions and processing, it helps a lot.



7) Your subjects range from newborns and children to seniors to newlyweds and families… what is your favorite subject to photograph?

My favorite subject would definitely have to be women!

8) What is something that you are still learning?

I’m still learning more about poses; I’m learning how to come up with new poses and how to make the photographs my own.


(BTW, this photo above is spectacular).


9)What is the one thing that you LOVE LOVE about what you do?

I love being able to make my clients feel beautiful and glamorous- something that everyone deserves to feel.

10) I don't have a studio, so for someone who is looking to bulk up her studio creds, would equipment should I get first?

The first two things you should invest in are backdrops and good lighting (strobes).



11) When you have nothing scheduled, where are we most likely to find you?

If I have nothing scheduled, you might find me treasure hunting! I love to visit thrift stores and see what I can find for future photography props.



12) As a photographer, I look to others, their work, their business model, who they seem to be as a person as viewed through their blogs or FB posts; if I look to you, who are YOU looking to?

I get a lot of inspiration from magazine spreads and television shows, such as America’s Next Top Model.


13) Coke or Pepsi?

Pepsi, it reminds me of when I was a kid.

Oh Theresa, here we have to part ways! Interview is over! J/K.  Im just a Coke girl :D

14) Knowing what you know now, what is something you would have done differently when you first started out?

I definitely would not have waited to start my photography business. I would’ve started then and not wait as long as I did.

I am soo glad you started when you did.  But always, better late than never.  I didn't think I would be able to do start and here I am.  Its a process for sure....as they say, "a marathon, not a sprint" and that has proven true for me.  But I am learning to be okay with it.  And plus, sometimes waiting gives time to forumlate you know.  I think your waiting has given you a wonderful eye and processing for NOW.



15) Something that I would like to know is, if ever, at any point in your career, have you thought about quitting, or doubted yourself, or hit a wall and wondered how to get over it? If so, can you give a little background? How did you over come that hurdle?

Yes, sometimes I have felt like I didn’t make enough time for myself and my family; I felt like I was losing myself. Sometimes I don’t get enough sleep and feel burnt out. I overcame this by taking a break from my work and spending time with my loved ones.

It is hard when you are first starting because you pour your heart into building it up  and it does become consuming.  I have had to take a step back.  Not only was I becoming consumed, I was becoming unhappy. And I always only wanted this to be a pleasureable experience.  Family is great in helping you re-prioritize right? Especially husbands!

16) Who are YOU, other than a photographer?

Before I am a photographer, I am a loving mother and wife.



17) I have a huge purse love, do you have any fun or extraordinary talents or obsessions, that you’d like to share with us?

If I let myself procrastinate on my work, I would easily become a reality show junkie! With Judge Judy being number one.

haha! Is Judge Judy still on?  I love reality shows too, but I am a Housewives junkie. 

18) Looking back on all you have done to date, what has been your favorite moment as a photographer?

The moment I realized that I could be a professional photographer.

19) What has been your best marketing strategy?

Hands down, word of mouth has been the best marketing strategy, followed by being flexible for clients’ schedules.



20). You and your camera, across time and space, where would you go and what would you photograph?

I would love to go back in time and photograph Paris in the early 1900’s.


21) What is the one piece of advice you could give that could be invaluable to someone starting out?

Be yourself, find your inspiration, but make it your own, something I heard from another fantastic photographer, Latenia Bryant.

Latrenia is AWESOME! Thank you for sharing her with me.  You guys can check out Latrenia at Latrenia Brant Photography because seriously, once you see what she does, you will be amazed. 

22) Lastly, what is one word in the English dictionary that describes you?

Passionate.



Where can people find you, like you, and love you just as I do?

website site: http://www.theresaknightphotography.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Theresa-Knight-Photography/139030779470964

eye color: brown

and favorite food: Sushi!

So typically I like Sushi. Typically. But a few weeks ago I had an experience with a bowl of noodles that sent me to the moon and back and now I think I have lost my apetite! My husband and I went out for dinner to a local sushi restaurant. I wanted to get these noodles with shrimp (because I really wasn't feeling like I wanted sushi). So the waitress brings me this bowl. the first thing I notice is that there is something on top of the noodles, like shavings or something. But since I didn't know what it was, I was trying to scrape them off. In the mean time, my husband says, "Why is your plate moving?" I look down. And literally all I see are these fat noodles that look like earth worms and this movement on my plate. I was up and out of my seat and at the door in like 5 seconds flat because all I was thinking about was, they served me worms! The waitress comes running over and tries to explain to me that the "movement" is the shaved dried noodles on top that when the heat hits them they waver from side to side. I am shaking my head "no" and my husband is confused and she whips my plate away to bring me out another one. So it was the combination of the stuff moving on top and these fat (worm like noodles settling) on the plate and to this day, I am known (I am sure) as the "noodle lady" and have not been back sense!

VS