We’re going to try something a little new and exciting. Since I know you have questions for me, as a photographer and artist, I want to create an opportunity for you to ask and me to answer. So, with that in mind, here’s to the launch of “Ask the Artist!,” here on Betsy’s Photography Blog!
Have a question? post a comment. We may decide to feature your question (either way, we’ll send you an answer, don’t worry!).
44 comments
oooh, I can’t wait to read more of these! Now I have to think of a question. …. hmmm, guess I’ll have to post back l8tr!
Ooooh I’m so glad you finally decided to do something like this! I’ll be looking forward to reading more questions and answers. Don’t forget to answer my question
Who is your favorite client?
["Ask the Artist Response"]
What is your favorite location around the studio for location portrait sessions? I need ideas!
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Do you ever get bored photographing weddings? I’m trying to decide on a wedding photographer but I don’t want one who is just going through the motions. What’s the key?
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Hi Betsy — I just wanted to say your blog is great and keep the posts comin!
So, how do you come up with all these great ideas? I’m glad you do,… honestly! Love the blog, keep up the great work.
I’m soooo excited to have my senior portraits done; all my senior friends pictures turned out so amazing! I need help though. I want to choose my own photographer, but my mom wants me to use the one she used ages ago… And that totally is not what I want. His style is boring and stiff… I want casual and fun. What can I do to convince my mom we should go to someone like you for my senior pictures?
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Do you have any recommendations for how to go about planning a wall-sized portrait? I want to hang something nice above my couch, and I need help!
So, I am curious about your artistic background. Who are your top 5 favorite artists (photographers, painters, whatever you like), and why do you like them so much?
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I absolutely hate getting my picture taken, but I have to….soon, at least. I know your style is more relaxed and casual, so I’m hoping you can help. Do you have any suggestions for me so that I won’t freak out once I get to the studio? I’m just really intimidated by the whole atmosphere and posing process.
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Do you have any suggestions on what I should give to friends and family for the holidays? I want to make something myself, but am not sure where to start.
["Ask the Artist" Response]
Thank you for all the questions so far! Remember, you won’t see the answers online just yet; but I will contact you via email regarding your question if it’s of a more “urgent” nature and you need a response. Please let me know in your comment by typing “email response please,” or something similar in nature.
I’m thinking of scheduling a portrait session for my children but am a little concerned because of their age — I’m not sure I’ll be able to bribe them to sit still or even cooperate. Is this a problem, should I hold off on the portraits for a while until the kids can handle sitting still?
["Ask the Artist" Response]
I normally just do a Christmas card (plus picture) to friends and family, but I was thinking it might be nice to do something that included our new cat. Are you even ABLE to do portraits with pets, or does your studio focus on people only?
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We just got engaged but haven’t set a wedding date yet. What do you do portrait-wise for engaged couples, and do you have any suggestions for helping us to celebrate the big news with friends and family?
Where do you find your inspiration for your photographic work?
ok, got one. (finally). I noticed that you recently created some award-winning images. Congratulations, by the way. When you first started your business, did you imagine that your photographs would have regional and national recognition?
@all posters — Great job! Keep them coming, and I’ll have plenty of great questions to choose from. Remember, I can reply privately if you can’t wait for an answer.
Ok so I want to get my portrait created, but I don’t really like the “typical” portraits I see people getting all the time. What do you do to make every portrait session different, and how will you make sure that my pictures are unique and different?
["Ask the Artist!" Response]
@Future Bride — Your question was featured! Read “Are Weddings Boring?” for my response!
Hi, I have been looking through your blog and have found some very helpful things. I’ll probably be meeting with you about my wedding soon. Anyways, I am seeing a lot of articles about how to make sure your photographer gets all the shots you want at your wedding. Those lists just seem overwhelming — some have over 100 “must-have” shots! Is that something that you work off of when you photograph weddings, or do I even need to worry about preparing a list of wedding pictures I want?
["Ask the Artist" Response]
Dear Betsy,
My daughter and her fiance are have finally set the date. But it seems so far away! When I got married, we didn’t have so much to plan, or even nearly as long of a planning period. Is it really typical to have a one year planning period? What needs to be planned first? Do you have any local (Ann Arbor area) wedding vendor suggestions? So much has changed since I got married that my daughter probably won’t even want to consider using the same vendors I did (if they’re even around). Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
MOB in Ann Arbor, Michigan
To those of you who have sent questions for “Ask the Artist” via email, thank you! It’s been great to see the response to this feature of Betsy’s Photography Blog.
Hey I have a question for you. My fiance is really into planning our wedding. And I mean REALLY. She is to the point of obsessing about things that are really irrelevant when you look at our wedding overall. I know guys don’t typically help too much with the planning, but I’d be willing to help if that would get her to take a break. Do you have any suggestions for me so that I can help my fiance actually ENJOY the time leading up to our wedding? And do you have any ideas that I could give her to help her relax?
Any suggestions at all would be appreciated.
That’s great to hear. Thank you so much!
P.S. – we’ll be in touch soon
@Mother of 3 Tots — Your question was featured! Read “What if My Kids Can’t Sit Still?” for my response!
Hi Betsy! We just welcomed a new arrival into our family and now it’s time to spread the news! Do you offer any sessions that include birth announcement cards? Some of our friends did this personalized card with pictures that was really neat, and if we’re going to be coming to you for our newborn portrait session, we’d love to use you for the birth announcements as well!
Oh, and what’s the planning timeline for infant portraits? I know there’s a sequence that is good to do, but I have too much on my mind right now to figure out what I forgot
Thanks!
I’m nowhere close to getting married, but I do dream sometimes — and I’d love to have a destination wedding (seems like they’re getting more and more popular!). Do you photograph destination weddings, or do you just stay within Ann Arbor, Dexter, and Southeast Michigan?
@In Need of Help — Your question was featured! Read “Do You Have Any Holiday Gift Ideas?” for my response!
hi betsy i am looking at different peoples senior pictures and it seems like a lot of them are all alike. i know you try to do things different for each senior and from what ive seen it looks like you do a great job of that. how do you make sure each senior is different and if i have the perfect place for my pictures, can we do them there?
Hi Betsy I love the artistic air that accompanies your work. I’m wondering about your wedding services, and the fact that you design the wedding album completely. Do you find that your brides love the results, and what words of advice would you give me regarding this feature? I’m intruiged, especially because of your background in art and design — the albums must be spectacular!
@Scared to Smile — Your question was featured! Read “Help, I Hate Getting My Picture Taken!” for my response!
I’ve been enjoying this feature. Just wanted to let you know. great blog, betsy!
@Just a Junior — Your question was featured! Read “How Can I Convince My Mom to Let Me Choose My Senior Portrait Photographer?” for my response!
@Pet Lover — Your question was featured! Read “Are You Able to do Portraits with Pets?” for my response!
@ Beth — Your question was featured! Read “Who is Your Favorite Client?” for my admittedly not-so-direct response!
So, what tips do you have for the bride that has to have everything planned out to a “t”? I am an incessant overplanner, and as usual, for our upcoming wedding, I am taking charge to make sure that everything gets planned out far in advance. The problem is, I feel like I am forgetting things!!! Have any advice?
I’m sitting here watching it snow, and wondering, do you ever do portraits on location, outside, in the middle of winter? I mean, when it’s snowing? I just love snow, and from what I imagine, it would be pretty cool, (also quite chilly).
Ok, so I loved your response to the favorite artist question. Do you have any favorite books or movies, or TV shows? I find it hard to pick favorites, myself.
why do you mainly do portrait and wedding photography? It seems like things would start to seem the same after a while (to me, at least). Wouldn’t it be more interesting to do more things?
@A.L. — Your question was featured! Read “What’s Your Favorite Location?” for my response!
@Wanting “Different — Your question was featured! Read “I don’t like Typical Portraits, I want mine to be Unique…” for my response!
Please note: while these “Ask The Artist” posts may not appear on our blog immediately, rest assured that your question will be answered via email in a timely manner if we choose to delay the publishing of the “Ask the Artist” response.
@Organized Bride-To-Be — Your question was featured! Read “Do I need to Prepare a List of ‘Must-Have’ Wedding Shots?” for my response!