THE PROBLEM WITH HARSH LIGHT:
Sometimes we think, "the more light, the better," however, the full sun causes some issues:

• Squinting
• Washed-out faces
• Harsh shadows on one side

THE SOLUTION:
It’s okay to find the shadows!  Look for soft, diffused light to soften the face.  If you really want that sunny glow, you can add in a sun glare during the editing process.

How do we deal with INDOOR LIGHTING?
I use a combination of two light sources for indoor photography: 
SOFTBOXES  & NATURAL LIGHT.

Everything is more fun with friends, so invite a friend to join in on our fun!

Click here to register for Elegant Exposures' 5 Day Christmas Photography Challenge.  You will:

• Get into the Christmas spirit!
• Learn a few photography hacks.
• Receive inspiration from other photogs.

Can't wait!

I LOVE photography challenges!  They spark creativity, they help you learn from other photographers (and photo lovers) and they're just plain fun.  Elegant Exposures is going to spearhead its first ever photography challenge!  Celebrate!!!

1. Like Elegant Exposures on Facebook OR follow @elegantexposureswithbrittany on Instagram (you may do both, obvi!)
2. Fill out this form to complete registration!

Being a photographer can be a challenge anywhere.  I am originally from a small town in South Carolina where the #1 problem was finding clients.  Starting over in Indianapolis has opened a whole new world of challenges.  Here are the top 3 challenges of *this* Indianapolis photographer:

It's cold 5-6 months out of the year in Indianapolis.  That means that HALF of the life of your business will be a struggle if you do not have an indoor studio.  I love studio shots and I have the equipment to handle this type of niche, but sometimes creativity can be limited when compared to outdoor options.  So what can we do during these chilling winter months?  
Indoor Photography.  Okay, so I've already mentioned the whole indoor studio thing, but there are other indoor options.  Home photoshoots for families are not only beautiful, but are memorable for the family.  They bring beauty into the monotony of life!
Bundle up.  Like the cuties in the picture above, some families will simply choose to bundle up.  Don't let the bulkiness of coats get you frustrated!  Use the weather to help spark creativity.  Bring a blanket scarf or meaningful quilt to the shoot to bundle the family or request trendy, pink fur coats like the one pictured.  I mean, come on!  How cute is she in that outfit?!
Plan.  Promise the family a quick shoot and then deliver on your promise!  With a well thought out workflow, you can get beautiful photos in record time and get those sweeties back home where it's warm!
Themed Sessions. Another idea would be to advertise themed sessions, such as snow photoshoots, s'mores shoot, Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc.  It's okay to pull on a mama's heartstrings a little.  She'll never regret having too many photos of her babes.

Everyone's favorite topic, right?  As a child and family photographer, families want their photos done at peak traffic hours...after school!  The best advice I can give is to plan.  We all know when traffic starts to back up, so get there early!  Take your computer with you, turn on your hotspot, and get some work done.  Go hang with the hipsters in a nearby Startbucks...that's actually how I am doing my work at this very moment and during rush hour.  

Going from one shoot to the next?  Make sure you take traffic into consideration during the scheduling phase of the process.  If you have a 4:00 mini-session and know it will only take 20-30 minutes, you may not want to schedule another session at 5:00 across town.  It may have taken you 25 minutes or less to travel to the location, but it will be much longer getting back.  Plan. Schedule. You can do this!

I came from a town where there wasn't much competition because there aren't a lot of people to begin with.  Now I've entered a whole new, big world and there are plenty of other family and child photographers out there!  I haven't quite figured this one out yet.  I've only moved to Indianapolis two weeks ago, but I am determined to make my photography dreams come true.  Here's that word again... the plan​:

​It's all about marketing.  I need to set myself apart from others, hence the blog. Well, I love blogging, but it actually helps get the name "Elegant Exposures" out there for others to see.  As people are reading my blog, I am inserting samples of my work and plugs for my business.

Other ideas:  Utilize social media, run contests (HUGE) and offer referral discounts.  You could find a local charity (animal shelter, charity event, etc.) and offer your free services in exchange for advertising.  

There are ways to battle back against these challenges.  It simply may take some out-of-the-box thinking!

What better way to get your family into the Christmas spirit than to kickoff the season with getting your family photoshoot done!  You can use the time together to dress up, listen to Christmas carols on the way, even design your Christmas card together. ​

Following other photographers is always a good idea.  They inspire us.  They teach us new techniques.  They give us new ideas.  So here are a few of my favorite photographers to follow...

**FYI**  I took screenshots of my favorite photo from their Instagram feeds.  Please do not judge the quality of their work from my screenshots.

As always, Elegant Exposures (@elegantexposureswithbrittany), would love a shoutout or follow from your page/business.  Happy Follow Friday!

Maybe I was meant to be a 70's flower child or maybe I'm just my mother's daughter because most of my workflow playlist consists of songs released in the 1970s.  Songs like the snippets above, bring me to ease in what can sometimes be stressful situations.  Editing.  

Actually, I love editing.  It's my most favorite place to be creative during the whole photography process.  The are no creative limits in photoshop.  It's mind-blowing!  But it's also stressful.  When you have a vision in mind and you can't quite figure out how to implement the process, frustrations rise.  That's where your handy, dandy workflow playlist can be helpful.  Check out this screenshot I snapped from www.psychcentral.com. ⤵️

I could add, "Music significantly reduces the risks of a photographer throwing his/her laptop at a wall."  Seriously, though, if music can help cancer patients, it's worth a try for your workflow process.  

Yeeeeees!  I love to travel!  I was fortunate enough (thanks, Mom and Memommmer!) to travel to Rome for one of my teaching clinicals in college.  There, on the cobblestone streets of ancient cities in Italy, a love was born.  When my husband first bought me my camera, I used it mostly for site-seeing.  We traveled to a lake for my birthday. Snap! Snap!  We spent our honeymoon in Cancun. Click! We backpacked across Europe over the summer.  (I've run out of sounds.)  We all want to capture these special moments when traveling.  I mean, why else would Tourist Day in high school include a fannypack and a CAMERA?

I come from a family of football coaches.  It's impossible to be a Boyd (maiden name) and not have a deep love of football.  Deep, y'all.  Think Hayden Panettiere's character in Remember the Titans.  Football is also a staple in my home town.  When you come from a small, southern town, football is life.  Why do you think the SEC is always to talented?  The south loves them some football.  So I decided to put my love of football and my new love, my camera, together into a creative recipe to bake up some fresh football (and baseball) portraits for my little town in South Carolina.

I guess nephews can't really be a hobby, right?  The proper title should be Spending Time with My Nephews.  Anyway, they are perfect, fun creatures that I couldn't live without and they are my absolute FAVORITE subjects to shoot.  How can you not have great photos with these sweet faces?  
**Side note:  The brown-eyed goofs are my nephews.  They blue-eyed babes are my best friends' kids, so they also get me as an aunt. 

The most recent addition to the list of favorite things is photography.  Not only a hobby, but now a business.  It has become my passion.  Thank you, Elegant Exposures clients and followers, for supporting my passion.  Without you, it would simply be another hobby to add to the list, not a dream I get to live out each day!

I never wake up and feel like I "have" to go to work today.  I once felt that way, but not since choosing the camera as my lifestyle.  It has become my passion and dream job I had never once considered.  However, it takes a lot of this so-called "work" and it can be financially frustrating.  I have always struggled with the business side of things, which is how one actually makes a living out of a dream.  What motivates me to keep pushing in my business even when I'm struggling to make ends meet?

See, I am always taking classes or watching tutorials or doing anything I can to learn more about photography and the editing process.  When I see the outcome of a beautiful photo, it's the validation I lust. 

Some people are born with the analytical gene and some are born with the creative gene.  I have always thrived in situations where I was allowed to be creative.  Oh how my world has come alive since pursuing photography full-time.  My stress levels have decreased significantly and my health is improving.  I have had people tell me that I actually look younger since leaving my former life and committing to this life of creativity.  Photography feeds my creative hunger pangs in more ways than you can imagine:  the costuming, the setting, the staging, the props, the camera settings, editing styles, photography genres, the whole editing process...honestly, I could go on.  

I love photographing families.  As an photographer in Indianapolis, IN, I get to meet people with different visions, which helps keep my creativity alive and well.  But what should you, the client, consider when choosing the best photographer to meet your family's needs?

Dark & Moody.  Dark and moody photography is the contrast between dark and light.  Think dark backgrounds with sharp, brighter subjects to give the photos a dramatic, romantic look.

​Light & Airy.  Light and airy photos are all about the light.  This editing styles mutes colors to give a more soft, bright look.

Matte.  The matte effect is just how is sounds...the colors and light are matted to give photos are more muted, hazy feel.  This editing style is a popular trend today.

Black & White.  And, of course, we have to remember the classic, black and white photos.  Be clear with your photographer on if you want black and white photos included in your gallery.  

We must consider our wallets, right?  This is where you'll have to do some shopping.  Not all photographers post their investment plans on their webpages.  It may take a little work, but your family memories are worth it!  Find the photographer that will fit your budget, but don't compromise on the quality of work.  You want the best portraits for your home.  Remember, these photos will be with you for a lifetime.

Communication is key in all aspects of life.  Look for photographers who keep your needs in mind from beginning to end.  These photographers are well-organized and prompt.  They will be quick in their responses and usually have a survey and/or contract ready at booking.  Surveys help photographers best serve you and your family.  We want to make sure we are meeting your vision for the photoshoot.  Contracts make sure that all expectations are clearly communicated.

Family portraits are an important tradition and must be treated with care.  Keep these 5 tips in mind when choosing your next family photographer and watch your vision come alive!

Brittany Hamilton
Elegant Exposures, Owner
​Indianpolis, IN
elegantexposures.org