Denver Photo Betties City Park Spring Variety Shootout

Since I would bet that most photographers became photographers because they love photography, its not surprising that our most popular Betty hosted event is the shootout.

Shootouts are a great opportunity for you to network in a small group setting while practicing your shooting skills.  They're also a great time to try a new technique, shoot something you're not used to shooting, and build up your portfolio.  

And the best part, they're open to ALL Betties, regardless of shooting level.  They're a time to learn, connect, and grow as photographers.

Photo by Melissa Mullins Portraits

In April, the Betties hosted a Spring Variety Shootout in City Park.  

The number and type of models at each shootout varies, but at this shoot we had two amazing maternity models, two rad senior models, and two awesome couples.

Check out some of the reviews below and some of the awesome photos taken by your fellow Betty members!

“The Bettie’s Spring Variety Shoot Out was an awesome way to network with other female photographers of all different specialties and levels of experience! I loved getting to practice different techniques and poses stress free on the lovely and willing models. So thankful that the Bettie’s group provides unique opportunities like this and I will be looking forward to the next event!”

— Abigail Oxford Photoraphy

Photo by Abigail Oxford Photography

Photo by Abigail Oxford Photography

“The Spring Variety Shoot Out was a blast! It was a great opportunity to meet other betties from all over and have a chance to shoot a variety of different people. I loved that I was able to chat with other betties, get a chance to network, hear about their photography experiences, find fun and exciting spots to take the photos, and experiment with my own photography skills. It was a great portfolio booster as well, since I could add some images to categories that I want to branch into (such as seniors and maternity). It was very well organized and so helpful to have the betties organization coordinate the location and people who were in the photos. It made for an overall fun evening with great company and an occasion to practice new photography techniques while building my portfolio. ”

— Ashleigh Cropper, Red Aspen Photography

Photo by Red Aspen Photography

Photo by Red Aspen Photography

Stay tuned to the Denver Photo Betties Facebook group for updates on upcoming shootouts and events!

Member Spotlight - Kyla Fear Williams

Name: Kyla Fear
Business Name: Fearless Photography/ Kyla Fear Photography
Genre of Photography: Conceptual Fine Art, Fashion, Families, Children
ebsite: kfearlessphotography.com/ kylafearphotography.com

Blog: http://www.kfearlessphotography.com/blog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kylafearphotography / https://www.facebook.com/KFearlessPhotography

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fearlessphoto/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/kfearlessphotography/

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Kfearlessphotography

What's your 'photography story? (How you got into photography, how you decided to go pro, etc) :
I began my photography journey about 5 years ago when I started photographing my nieces on a regular basis because I wanted to have images of them actually participating in childhood, rather than posing for it. I realized that photography was a great artistic outlet for me. It was a way to show the world how I see it. I have specialized in children and family photography for the past 4 years and recently started dipping my toes into conceptual work and fashion and have been collaborating with artistic partners to create imaginary worlds. I am currently enjoying my exploration of strength and vulnerability through whimsical conceptual portraiture that is infused with a dark edge. 

Tell us about your very first shoot:
I was asked by my cousin’s wife to take pictures of her 6 month old because she liked some pictures I had taken at her baby shower. I had a poor quality camera and had no idea what I was doing with light, but that first shoot was what really sparked my passion. 

What do you specialize in?
My current focus is on conceptual fine art photography and moving into fashion photography, although I still consider myself to be a family and child photographer as those two categories are what make up my main clientele and I still really love it.

What three words best describe your style?
Edgy, whimsical, curious

If you were stranded on a desert island with only one camera, lens, and accessory, what would you hope they would be?
My trusty 5DMIII, Sigma Art 35mm, waterproof housing. 

If you could go anywhere and photograph anything, where would you go and what would you shoot?
Everywhere, everything? No, but seriously, I would love to visit New Zealand and put together some amazing avant garde shoot with masks and sheep. Maybe hobbits.

If you could be photographed by any photographer, living or dead, who would it be?
Such a tough question, but I would absolutely go with Jennifer Thoreson. Her female portraiture is all about strength and vulnerability and those are two things I really identify with.

What one tip would you give a photographer starting out in your field?  
Don’t listen to the jerks and seek out a good community. This can be a lonely profession, oddly enough, and having a support system of people that get your struggles… It is priceless. Also be open to a constant learning curve. The exciting thing about photography is how often you get to learn something new.

What websites/blogs do you visit often?
Pinterest & Instagram. Do those count? Also, Creative Live. 

What do you find most difficult about being a photographer?
Self doubt. Sometimes if I look at an image for too long all I can see is the wrong, and all I can think about is what I would have done differently. It can be very hard to view my work in the present because so much of what we do captures the past for the future to look back on.

What do you find most rewarding?
That feeling I get when I’ve created something that I am proud of. That feeling of contentment that can come from seeing my voice in my work where I know I captured the right moment, the right feeling. That is a powerful thing. 

Vendor Feature - Carina Mae Designs

Business Name: Carina Mae Designs, LLC

Website: www.carinamaedesigns.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/carinamaedesigns

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/carinamaedesign

How long have you been in business?

One year, starting in March 2014.

What inspired you to start your business?

Angela: Carina's talent – couldn't sit by without the world knowing about it!

Carina: I have always wanted to start up my own business. My sister's, Angela, engagement encouraged me to begin a graphic design business.

What is your favorite part of owning your own business?

Making our own rules, hours, and schedule.

What is your primary role in your business?

Angela: Managing, marketing, and finance

Carina: Designer and hands on product creator

Who is your ideal client? Who inspires you in your design?

Clients with a vision. We love working with someone to create a unique design solely based on their idea and vision.

How would a couple interact with you from start to finish?

Start with an initial consultation via phone or in-person to determine clients needs and wants. Provide quote and require a retainer to begin the design work. We work closely with the client to ensure all aspects of the design are perfect before printing. We offer complete service to address, tamp, and mail out the final product.

For fun:

What food could you not live without?

Angela: Steak and potatoes

Carina: bread and pasta

Where would you like to travel most?

Ireland

Member Spotlight - Chris Loring

Name:   Chris Loring

Business Name:  Chris Loring Photography

Genre of Photography:  Weddings

Website:  www.chrisloring.com/

Blog: www.chrisloring.com/blog/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/chrisloringphotography

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/loringphoto/

Instagram:  https://instagram.com/chrisloringweddingphotographer/

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/b/116117402182465539888/+ChrisLoringPhotographyLittleton/about

Photographer, Chris Loring of Chris Loring Photography

What's your 'photography story? (How you got into photography, how you decided to go pro, etc)

I have the same story as a lot of others - my hobby began in High School where I became one of the darkroom rats, spending hours before school and during lunch processing t-max film and burning through Kodak paper.  I worked for the college yearbook and remember shooting a roll of film while sneaking past the no-trespass zone of the feed lot and slaughter house in Greeley.  That film won me my first award, and was then deemed too graphic for it’s intended publication but it sparked something in me!

My photography days stopped when the digital age started making darkroom supplies and time in studio difficult to obtain as a broke college student.  I still miss it!  

In 2009 I picked up my first digital SLR camera and decided that digital wasn’t so bad after all.  

A year later I was shooting my first wedding and like many others, I’ve grown and learned the ropes as things went along.  5+ years later and here I am!  

Tell us about your very first shoot:

My best friend wanted maternity photos in 2009 and my husband and I had just gotten this Nikon d80 DSLR.  

We set out on a cold, snowy day and when I got back to the computer I remember thinking ‘wait, I took these?’ because they weren’t completely awful.  

It was immediately something I knew that I wanted to do again, and I launched myself full force into re-learning the technique.  One image of my friend against a yellow door booked me a wedding and several portrait sessions and things just kind of went from there.  

(That photo is awful,by the way!  I’m embarrassed now looking at it!)

What do you specialize in?

I specialize in Colorado mountain and outdoor weddings.  My clients tend to plan their weddings with friends and family in mind, wanting to honor them and celebrate with them on a deeply personal level.  

Their weddings are joyous, peaceful, and relaxed and we spend a lot of time planning things out so that the day can be exactly that for them.  I keep things moving on a pretty strict timeline, but to my clients and their wedding guests it feels like a beautiful, joyous, emotional vacation day in the mountains.  

What three words best describe your style?

I’ve always struggled with boiling this down to three words.  

I’m a huge fan of images that look very natural and true to life - so I’m particular about color balance and tonality and sharpness and perspective.  I believe that the end result is a very natural aesthetic with authentic romance and emotion.  

If you were stranded on a desert island with only one camera, lens, and accessory, what would you hope they would be?

Camera - 5d Mark III

Lens -  85mm f/1.2 (the 135L is actually my go-to lens, but if I can only have one lens ever, I want something more versatile.  85mm is a good in between focal length!  Short enough for story telling, long enough for portraits given the way I like to shoot)
Accessory - Ice Light

If you could go anywhere and photograph anything, where would you go and what would you shoot?

Right now, I’m dying to shoot a Caribbean beach wedding with an expensive dress and gorgeous florals and an open air reception.  I know that is so cliche, but I would love to do that and follow it up with a huge half-day long sexy and romantic couples portrait session with the bride and groom around the island ending at sunset.

Dreaming of it now. . .ahhhhhh

If you could be photographed by any photographer, living or dead, who would it be?

Can I pick two?

Sue Bryce - I’ve never felt beautiful in photos but she has a gift.  I value her not only as a professional, but as a person.  Just to be part of the creation of an image with her would be simply incredible.  

Amy & Tony Hoffer - Their work blows me away and if I were planning a wedding again we would put no limits on our budget to get them.  

What one tip would you give a photographer starting out in your field?

Don’t be defensive when people offer, or when you ask for, critique.  

All too often I see photographers, newer ones especially, who will post an image and as the honest critique rolls in they either get defensive, or they have a come back for everything.

For example, the critique might be that the image is too soft, the light is too harsh, the trash can in the background is distracting, and the pose is awkward.  Instead of saying ‘what can I do to fix those things’ they say ‘it’s out of focus on purpose, the client wanted her session at noon and there was no shade, I can’t move the trash can & it’s what she wanted in the background, and they wouldn’t let me pose them because the daughter was being difficult’.  

All of that is prevented with experience and technique, all of it.  The critiques are meant to be helpful and you won’t learn or grow as a photographer unless you can accept them.  Instead of immediately trying to justify why your image has the faults they are pointing out, ask them and ask yourself what you can do differently next time.  

One of my most gut-wrenching critiques they blasted me for cutting off my clients head and feet.  I didn’t get it.  I started making excuses for why the composition was like that.  If only I had known and respected how much they knew and were trying to teach me!  

What websites/blogs do you visit often?

I actually find myself sneaking around on the Fred Miranda wedding photographers forum, some of the talent there is incredible and so inspiring.  

What do you find most difficult about being a photographer?

The personal struggle.  Am I good enough?  Do my clients hate their photos?  Are my clients happy with their experience?  

It’s real and it’s very hard for me.  I will upload and re-edit galleries more often than I care to admit, then present the final product and be sick to my stomach that I still didn’t edit them enough and the client will notice that they are too green or too yellow.  It’s totally irrational, but something I have a hard time getting past.  

What do you find most rewarding?

Knowing that my couples have images they can look at in 10, 20, 50 years that will bring them right back to the way that they felt on their wedding day.  

So. Rewarding.  

Vendor Feature - Fleur Decor

Introducing our April Vendor Feature, Kristi Pohly of Fleur Decor

Website: www.fleurdecor.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fleurdecor 

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/fleur_decor/ 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fleurdecor

Photo of Kristi by Sara Lynn Photography

How long have you been in business?

Fleur Décor bloomed as a business over fourteen years ago.

What inspired you to start your business?

With a genetic background from my mom in art and experience in landscape design, I developed a natural instinct for bringing the amazing and gorgeous aspects of nature together to form beautiful floral designs.

Photo by Laura Murray Photography

What is your favorite part of owning your own business?

To me, floral design is more than a craft--it is an art. I most enjoy the art of bringing together texture, color and shape to portray a specific mood. It is always my goal to emulate the personalities of my floral clients in the flowers for their wedding or event.

 What is your primary role in your business?

Owner and Master Designer

Photo by Shaylynne Imaging

Who is your ideal client? Who inspires you in your design?

My ideal client is one that is full of personality and brings all of that personality to their wedding or event. My clients inspire my designs—again bringing their personalities into their floral designs.

Describe the process of working with you. How would a couple interact with you from start to finish?

Couples can plan to be at ease from the first phone call/email communication to Fleur Décor until their beautiful designs are delivered for their wedding/event. Time is valuable these days, so I try to simplify the floral planning process with a pre-consultation questionnaire and then a face-to-face consultation followed by a proposal. A signed contract and a deposit saves the date with Fleur Décor and revisions continue to be made to the proposal until it is as close to perfect.

Image by Two One Photography

For fun:

What food could you not live without?

I cannot live without eggs—I love a great brunch with an egg dish and a complimentary bloody mary

Where would you like to travel most? 

All around Italy—the country is full of culture, love, gorgeous scenery and architecture, and amazing food and wine.

Image by Rayna McGinnis Photography