X-Equals – image, workflow, technology, business

All photos © Beth Jansen

How did you get started?

Like most female children’s photographers, I got my start once I had my first child.  After multiple disappointments in studio I was inspired to get images of him that I loved taken by someone that loved him.  When a friend gave me his old SLR film camera I had a new mission in life.

How would you describe your work?

Whimsical, fantastical, and full of spirit.

What is your core business?

My core business is children.  I shoot mainly kids, at the moment about 50% of my work is newborns.  It wasn’t always that way but I believe now that my newborn work is different enough and people are really noticing and enjoying the non-traditional approach I give them in their newborn images.  The other 50% of the kids range from 4 months to teens.

I also get a few engagement sessions here and there and have three weddings on the books for 2009, still getting used to the wedding thing!

How do you attract new customers?

My old customers attract the majority of my new customers.  Being a boutique photographer you can’t handle the masses nor do you want the masses, you want a client that can relate to good art, so word of mouth tends to be good to me.  I also do some advertising in specific magazines in town that target my favorite neighborhoods.

When I began the ads I was booked for 8 weeks out but I wanted to brand myself to the area.  I’m not sure how many new clients it brings but people mention the ad all the time!

I want my viewer to just say, “Wow, that image makes me feel.”

All photos © Beth Jansen

What is the best part of what you do?

The best part of what i do is meeting all sorts of amazingly cool people.  My husband and I moved to Oklahoma City less than two years ago knowing only a few people.  Because I was awarded the opportunity to meet a new family 6 times a week we were able to meet people fast.

I am 150% an extroverted people person that gains energy from others, so this ‘job’ is the perfect fit.

I don’t know how many times as I’m shooting away I’m maintaining interesting conversations about wine, food, politics with mom and dad and making little Johnny smile with eye contact.  Also, art attracts art and if you’re an artist, it seems we’re all drawn to each other somehow, so I feel constantly in the know with the coolest most imaginative people around!

What is the single-most challenging component of your business?

The single most challenging component of my business is making it feel like a business.  I’m absolutely HORRIBLE with the money end of things, I can’t keep track of anything, I lose receipts, I have two many accounts and credit cards.  In the end I had to keep to what I’m good at and hire someone who could manage my business responsibly!

What is your favorite camera and lens to shoot with?

My favorite Camera is the Canon 5D Mark II, the ISO range will knock your socks off and because I use natural light I need all the help I can get!  My favorite, never fail me lens is my 50 mm 1.4, I use it 90% of the time.  I shoot wide open whenever I can and it gives me that rich DOP every time.

I am 150% an extroverted people person that gains energy from others, so this ‘job’ is the perfect fit.

All photos © Beth Jansen

I notice you use a lot of natural light. Explain how you leverage that in your work.

I could never shoot in studio, I would get way too bored creating the same images which is why I’m hooked on natural light.  I get such a rush showing up to a spot for the first time and searching for good light.

I love the look and feel and richness of it all.  I’m not a purist either, I’m not afraid of full sun, blown out light, little sun… I feel that we all create moments in different light so images don’t have to be taken when the light is technically perfect.  The only time I have a hard time shooting with natural light is in dark homes but if there is light I will find it.

And a little confession, I barely even know how to use a flash – it looks SO horrible every time I’ve tried.

How are you leveraging technology?

I’m a Photoshop JUNKIE.  I find as much pleasure in Photoshop as anything else in my work.  I feel that post processing, whether people like to admit it or not, makes or breaks a photographer.

If you can’t make an image stand out with a unique or consistent post processing style you’re in trouble.  I enjoy that every image is a new piece of art that is molded with enhancement.  I often create images that I want people to question its validity.

I’m not worried about timelessness in most of my images, I want my viewer to just say, “Wow, that image makes me feel.”

Where do you plan to be in the next 5 years?

5 years?  Good god, i barely know where I’ll be tomorrow but I have a BIG old bleeding heart and when my husband is done with residency I see a lot of non-profit work in my future.

But I love my job, really really love it so if I was where I am in 5 years I think I’d be pretty happy.  I do feel though that the market is crazy busy these days, I couldn’t believe how many of us were at WPPI this year.

I just hope to stay ahead of the game both technically and creatively so my images remain fresh and imaginative.

Parting comments?

Thanks for the spotlight – one step closer to Oprah!

Insert your shameless plug here:

In case you needed more color in your life: http://www.bethjansenphotography.com

Blog: http://www.bethjansenphotographynews.blogspot.com/

All photos © Beth Jansen

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