I admit, I am a total blog stalker (I subscribe to over 300 blogs!). And a majority of those are photography blogs. So I thought it would be fun to introduce my readers to some other great photographers across the country. So my plan is to do this once a month. I would love to hear your thoughts on this if you enjoyed it and would love to see more of these!
So first up is Amy Rogalski of Amy Ro Photography. Amy is located in Providence, RI and is so talented! Be sure to check out her blog to see for yourself! And be sure to follow her on twiiter – @AmyRoPhoto
Tell us a little about yourself… Hmmm. I am a lot of different things. First and foremost I am a mommy to two great kids – Nolan is turning four in a few days and Layne is eight months old. I am also married to my hubby, Matt who is in the lovely field of Urogynecology. My loves – chocolate, college football and basketball, the Steelers, sports in general, reading, photography, comfy jeans, crisp fall weather, shopping on Etsy, baking. I have a degree in Psychology and taught high school Spanish for five years in my previous life both of which I think help me be so good at what I do now. I absolutely adore taking photographs of families. Seriously, I cannot believe how lucky I am that this is my job! I have even started to venture into engagements and possibly weddings and love it more. I think the part that gets me about it that I truly love is capturing the emotion of the moments that are unfolding.
Where is home? outside Providence, RI in Cranston
How long have you been a photographer? Professionally? Two years now almost to the day! Before then though, feels like forever
What sparked your interest in photography? I always loved taking pictures, I started with the film cameras when I was really young and always had a camera with me. That eventually went to digital photography and then once my son was born I wanted GOOD pictures. I wanted to learn how to do more than just shoot on Auto.
How would you describe your style? I am definitely an available/natural light portrait photographer with quite a bit of photojournalism thrown in. I love the posed shots for newborns but I love just as much capturing the laughter and natural interaction of a family. It’s all about what it says in my tagline – life, laughter, love, emotion, family
What’s in your Camera bag? Nikon D700, Nikon 50mm 1.4, Tamron 25-78 2.8 and as a last resort Tamron 70-300. Others to come soon! I switched back from Canon about 8 months ago and am slowly rebuilding my lens collection.
If you had to choose one lens, which would it be and why? The 24-70. The versatility is amazing. You can zoom the perfect amount before you physically have to move, the glass is pristine and the colors and bokeh are just to die for when shooting wide open.
What is your most used/favorite photoshop action or set? Aly’s BW. LOVE it. The best part is that is was a free action. I use this for pretty much all of my b&w conversions.
What inspires you? My clients. Sounds corny but it’s true. For one thing, so many people believe that chain store studio photography is the only “true” type of photography that is out there and I set out to prove them wrong. Any time I can make someone gasp with on-location photography, that is a good thing. And the clients themselves. Wanting to snatch these moments between them out of time and memorialize them forever. Every new client shows me something new and beautiful to freeze in time. It makes me want to keep getting better and growing even more.
What advice do you have for individuals interested in pursuing a career in photography? Have patience and take your time. Don’t go too quickly and skip over basics, whether that be basic photography skills or doing things such as getting all of the business structure set up. Don’t let a few people telling you that your work is great go to your head, make sure you are SET before hanging out your shingle. And be prepared to always keep learning and working at what you are doing. You should never reach the point where you think you know it all and can’t get any better.
List your top 5 photographers that inspire you
Amber Scruggs of Little Moon Photography
Tara Whitney
Lyndsay Stradtner of Life in Motion Photography
Nicole Fields of Nicole Fields Photography
Corine Tran of Studio Tran
I’ve learned the most from… trying trying and trying again. And bouncing ideas and thoughts off of other photographers. I am constantly learning. When I think I have mastered something, I discover an aspect of it that I haven’t or a way to take it even further – thus the try try again. And brainstorming with other photogs is key. I learn so much from people who are not so close to the situation. We get so emotionally invested in what we shoot and how we shoot that having fresh eyes look at it is key to changing and growing.
Something that is overrated? Selective colorThere are about 1 in a million pictures where it works and actually looks good. Other than that, it’s pretty dated and sometimes scary.
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What would you like to be doing 5 years from now? Can I be the biggest and most successful child and family photographer in RI? Because that would be pretty sweet. Hahaha! I hope to still be doing this – I certainly plan to. I’d love to be settled in one location after moving and moving and moving again for my husband’s training and be built up in that location. Probably one more child, maybe a pet again. Pretty simple
If you had one wish… a winning Powerball ticket. And not for a little measly 32 million. I want the $240 million. I have lots of things to buy. But don’t we all???
Thank you so much, Amy!!!
by Jaidean
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