I can't remember EXACTLY when I first saw Studio-Boudoir on FB. But immediately, I knew I loved it. I actually went to the website to see if maybe the studio was located in my immediate area because I thought to myself, "Oh! Well! Wouldn't it be fun to have some boudoir photos done?" However, I am a complete chicken. Put me in front of a camera and I forget everything that I tell my own clients to do. But, it does give me a bit of perspective for what my clients go through when I am putting them through the paces to get the shot.
I have never met Erin Michelle before. But, when I decided to do a series of interviews over the summer, I simply thought about those photographers who work I liked and Studio-Boudoir was was of them. So I sent Erin an email about doing an interview and she said "Yes!" And I am excited to learn a little more about Erin, her business, her style, and her life.
1)
Introduce yourself and get the visitors “in” on your work!
My name is Erin Michelle and I run STUDIO-BOUDOIR out of my home studio in Denver, Colorado. We specialize in classy, beautiful boudoir photography.
-I would love to visit Denver (someday soon I hope). Colorado seems like an amazing place with lots of areas to visit and explore.
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?
Thank you! I’ve loved photography for as long as I can remember. But I started boudoir a little over a year ago. I read about it, thought “I can do this!” and gathered some girlfriends as guinea pigs. We rented a hotel room and I took their photos. It was SO much fun and the images came out so great that I was HOOKED!
3)
When was the first magic moment that you knew you wanted to be a photographer?
I think I had a magic moment when I thought I COULD be a photographer. I’ve always loved photography and dreamed of doing it. But there was definitely a moment when I thought, maybe I can actually do this and make some money. I reached out to some friends of mine who had successful photography business and they were kind enough to share their knowledge with me.
4)
When did you make it a full time thing?
I quit my part time job about 7 months ago and have been doing just photography ever since. Best decision ever!
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 am a Canon girl! My favorite lens is my 50mm 1.4. For boudoir it is AWESOME!
6)
Describe your style.
I am all about colorful, dramatic boudoir images. I love big, funky accessories, animal prints, rhinestones…anything gaudy! Though I love shooting softer, more vintage style photos as well, the trendier style is really my favorite.
7)
Your subjects range from newborns and children to seniors to newlyweds and families… what is your favorite subject to photograph?
I do shoot regular photography as well, mainly weddings and engagements. But my heart lies with boudoir! Making women look and FEEL beautiful is the best feeling in the world.
8)
What is something that you are still learning?
Oh, I am constantly learning! You can never think you know it all, especially in photography. I never want to pigeon-hole myself and say, I just shoot outdoors or I just use constant lighting. I want to constantly be learning and adding to my skills so I can offer whatever my customer wants. I try to go outside of my comfort zone a lot. Lighting is a world unto itself and I am constantly trying to push myself to learn more about it. I don’t ever want to be so comfortable in my shooting style that I stop trying new things.
9)
What is the one thing that you LOVE, LOVE about what you do?
Getting feedback from the women I shoot about how their session made them feel. Boudoir is a unique type of photography because your client is really putting herself out there and trusting you! Hearing from past clients how amazing they felt after their shoot and seeing them display their images proudly on facebook just makes my day!!
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?
I have a home studio that is about 10x10’. At first I thought I couldn’t do it, but it has worked out perfectly. The first purchase I made was my studio light kit from Wolf Camera. They are Smith Victor KT500 500-Watt Thrifty Photoflood 2-light Kit. I use them in every shoot and they have been great. When I started making money, I slowly started adding different lights/ reflectors. Also, backdrops were so expensive when I first started, so I had to get creative. Some of my favorite backdrops are shower curtains I bought at Target!!
-I know! There is one backdrop in a recent set of photos that I love see it here.
11)
When you have nothing scheduled, where are we most likely to find you?
With my husband and three daughters! Being a mom is my #1 job =)
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?
Some amazing photographers that I look at daily are Ashley Maxwell (
http://www.ashleymaxwellphoto.com/), Junichi Arakawa (
http://pixelartphoto.com/) and Brian DeMint (
http://www.eyeworksphotography.com/). They are all different styles, but each one of them is a master at what they do!! For business, Sandi Krakowski (
http://www.arealchange.com/). This woman is a genius.
13)
Coke or Pepsi?
Coke!
-
Girl after my own heart!
14)
Knowing what you know now, what is something you would have done differently when you first started out?
When I first started out I was constantly bummed out when business didn’t come pouring in. It has taken me about a year to get my name out there and start gaining the client base I really wanted. I would say, be patient! Don’t settle. Your ideal clients will eventually come if you keep putting out your blog posts, contests, photos etc. Having no clients for a little while is better than having the wrong type of client on a regular basis!
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?
Honestly, even when I hit a wall and was discouraged I never wanted to give up. I have a HUGE support system. My husband, parents and my makeup artist/ good friend Lindsay Ambrosio (
http://www.makeupmadame.com/) have supported me from minute one and they’re always there to encourage me!
16)
Who are YOU, other than a photographer?
Most of all, a wife and mother. I have a wonderful husband and three beautiful girls and a boy on the way (due in July!) Being a photographer is just icing on the cake!
17)
I have a huge purse lover, do you have any fun or extraordinary talents or obsessions, that you’d like to share with us?
I LOVE the Muppets. Absolutely love them. Always have and always will =) Beaker is my favorite. Having kids is a great excuse for me to watch all my favorite Muppet movies!
-my girls (4 of them) have recently fallen in love with the Muppets too! I am busy sending Nana all over town locating different Muppets movies...I think we have like 5 of them now. But MY personal favorite is Muppets Take Manhatten. I remember watching that one as a kid.
18)
Looking back on all you have done to date, what has been your favorite moment as a photographer? Probably seeing my images from my very first boudoir shoot. I was so nervous, I worked so hard and when I saw that they looked on the computer screen how I had envisioned them in my mind was the best feeling. It gave me the confidence to keep going!
19)
What has been your best marketing strategy?
Word of mouth and social marketing. I don’t spend money on advertising. But I am constantly reading up on and taking webinars about social marketing. I don’t just write up a blog post and put it out there. I research the best keywords to use, the best time to release the blog post etc. Facebook and Wordpress have been my biggest tools for getting my name out there. And referrals are HUGE. If I get a customer who is putting my name out there and saying how great I am it does NOT go unnoticed!
-I would love to get some of that info from you. I am in the process of trying to do this as well. I find it can be hard when you don't necessarily have access to the "market" that you want. I would love to find out how you have been creative with your marketing strategies.
20).
You and your camera, across time and space, where would you go and what would you photograph?
I’d love to travel more and dabble in scenic photography. Greece, Italy, New Zealand, the Caribbean…they would all be amazing!
21)
What is the one piece of advice you could give that could be invaluable to someone starting out?
Photography is 20% being a good photographer and 80% business. If you don’t know how to price yourself properly and don’t have a marketing strategy, don’t say you’re in business. You need to sit down and think everything through so you aren’t going into debt or working for pennies with each shoot. Joining PPA has been invaluable to me. On the other hand, you do need to know your equipment!
Also, BE ORIGINAL! It’s great to have mentors whom you admire, but don’t copy! You’re only cutting yourself short and you won’t be in business very long!
22)
Lastly, what is one word in the English dictionary that describes you?HAPPY =)
Where can people find you, like you, and love you just as I do?
website site:
http://www.studio-boudoir.com/
blog:
http://www.makingdenversexy.com/
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/studioboudoir
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/studioboudoir
eye color: Brown
Blood type: A+
and favorite food: Chicken fingers
Thanks Erin for sharing with me. If any of you [readers] currently live in the Colorado area, or you have a chance to visit, check out Erin at Studio-Boudoir. I bet she will make you feel pretty and beautiful and your photos will be amazing! If you have already been to Studio-Boudoir, tell me about it here by leaving a comment on this blog or on the FB page. It is great to virtually interview Erin and I hope to actually meet her very soon.
Maybe get in front of the camera myself for a session :D
