In the past few months I have done a number of FAQ posts on Photoshop actions and training, as well as having FAQ sections on my website to answer the most common questions. Erin Peloquin, who is working on converting some popular MCP Photoshop actions to be compatible in Elements, asked if she could interview me.

Her questions were a bit different than other interviews I’ve done, and I think you may learn some about how MCP operates reading them.

She asked me everything from “what is my favorite thing about my job?” to why I only create a few Photoshop action sets a year. Plus much more….  To learn how I make Photoshop actions and a bit of history on MCP, read here.

Tell us a little about you, your family, and your kids?

My name is Heather Armstrong. I couldn’t imagine living in a better moment than now! I love my life & all that it as become! I am a wife. I have three amazing kids–Conner-11, Kira-8, & Madison-7. And I am photographer. My website is www.heatherarmstrongphotography.com.

What first inspired you to pick up a camera and start taking pictures?

So many people say this, but it’s so my story too. I was first inspired to start taking pictures with the birth of my children! I wanted to capture every little minute of their lives!

Tell us where you met Jodi of MCP?  When and how did your eBay hobby began? What types of things did you sell on eBay?

Jodi & I go way back! Let’s start with my eBay business. I started out selling retired Thomas the Tank Engine trains to build my son’s train collection. It was fun, taught me some of the ropes of ebay listing/shipping/html, etc. Then my daughter was born…. I received a beautiful Baby Lulu bunting gown. It was gorgeous! I looked for more Baby Lulu around town, and in my searching someone mentioned checking eBay. I had NO idea that children’s clothes were sold on eBay! It pretty much all started there. I wound up finding a local boutique in Castro Valley, CA, who carried Baby Lulu, and she would have me sell Baby Lulu on eBay! That is when I met Jodi. I would sell to her when her girls were toddlers. I also would have her find me exclusive pieces from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale– I met Jodi all because of Baby Lulu!

How did your eBay hobby help you with your photography?

In order to successfully sell high-end boutique clothing items on eBay, I felt that the items needed to be modeled. My daughter, Kira, who was about 2, at the time, would pose & model the outfits for me. I started out with a Kodak Digital Camera, and eventually bought the Canon Rebel. I was an “auto” shooter and honestly found an excitement with taking the photos & learning what worked & what didn’t work. I always preferred shooting outdoors, although when the Spring/Cruise lines would ship, in January, & we would have to model bathing-suits, it was just too cold.  A once eBayer, now photographer, Carrie, of EMA Photography, was selling a High-Key Guide. I bought it, and learned high-key. I only had a studio set up for eBay. Another, once eBayer, now photographer, Shannon Stewart of Madison Ave Photography, was selling a Key to Natural Light Photography Guide, so I bought it, and pretty much from those two sources learned a few techniques, and photographed & sold lots & lots of clothing!

Tell us about your work with clothing stores and having your daughters model for stores? How did it work? How could others get into this if they desire?

With the amount of exposure Kira was getting on eBay, I would occasionally get e-mails from ladies who were selling custom clothing items on eBay, to see if Kira would model their item, for a trade. Kira’s first big job was with BabyGassyGooma, that gained her a little bit of exposure, and then we got an e-mail from Britchinpost to see if Kira would model for the store. We modeled for Britchinpost for about two years, and with some ownership changes ended up no longer working for that store. In the meantime, one of my close eBay friends opened up an on-line boutique, Little Posh Princess, and asked if both Kira & Madison would model for her. We’ve been with LPP now for around four years now. Modeling for the boutiques came so effortlessly, so as far as putting Kira out there, that just wasn’t her story.

Photographers could totally get into it if they desired. Boutiques always need models. Kids grow up way too fast. I would suggest sending in pictures of your child wearing the boutique’s brands of clothing. Make connection with the boutique owners. Build relationships with the owners, so that they can trust sending out their clothes!

When did you know you wanted to be a photographer beyond your work with eBay and kid’s clothing stores?

We lived down in the Bay Area for seven years & my husband owned a construction business. The market went flat, and we lost the business. In having to basically start over, we decided to move up to Redding, CA, as the cost of living is much less. My husband ended up taking a pastor’s job, and that meant I would have to work. I ran into an old friend, I was trying to get a job at a local restaurant and she looked at me and said “I don’t feel like you will have to waitress; I really think you are going to find photography!” That was about two years ago today….

Describe your photographic style? How did you develop your style?

Developing my style has taken time, I honestly still feel like I am still “in process”! Confidently saying that “I am a Photographer,” feels so empowering. I never thought I would say those words!
I would say that my style is candid & simple. Every time I go on a shoot, I say a quick prayer… “Lord, help me capture the heart of this family/individual. Help me to capture them the way You see them…”

How many sessions do you do per month?  Do you feel you want more work or are you busier than you can handle?

It varies month to month. Typically I do about 12-15 shoots a month and one wedding. I would love more work, but at the same time, I really feel that my time with my children is so short, that it’s most important to take time for them.

What type of photography do you most enjoy and why?

My favorite photography are children and seniors. My confidence is stronger in those areas of photography, so I honestly feel like is why I am drawn to those subjects. I love the change up’s especially with Seniors. And Seniors, 99.9% of the time, really want their pictures taken, so they are REALLY into working it & being willing to have a ton of fun.

What is the most challenging part about being a photographer for you?

Right now, honestly, pricing.

What photographer inspires you the most?

Brianna Graham – She has been a springboard for launching my photography.

Bride and groom in front of a building

What makes you stand out as a photographer?
This is hard, Jodi.. Capturing the heart. Capturing a deeper part of who that person, family, couple are.

Describe a typical day in the life of Heather Armstrong?
6:30 Get Up/Get Ready
7:30 Get Family/Kids out the door
7:30-10:00 Catch up on e-mails/blog/close out orders/have coffee with a friend
10:00 shoot
12:00 lunch
12:30 edit
2:30 pick up kids/hang with kids
or if I have an afternoon shoot this would be the time & kids would hang in daycare (which they love)!
4:00 if kira & madi need to model–shoot
5:00-8:30 Family Time
8:30-9:15ish–husband time
9:15-12ish–working/blogging/emailing

Nikon or Canon? Primes or Zooms? Mac or PC? iPhone or Blackberry? Lightroom or Photoshop?

Canon — 85mm 1.8/70-200 2.8/50mm 1.2.
iPhone
Photoshop
Both Mac & PC.. wanting to convert to Mac 100%… Right now just a Mac Laptop

What can you tell us about your workflow once you take the card out of your camera to process images?  Do you use actions, presets, prefer hand processing or a mix?
I shoot RAW, convert images to jpeg through ACR Bridge, touch them up using actions. Every photo ends with MCP’s Powder Your Nose action! I don’t know what I would do w/o that action! It has literally changed every photo.

What MCP photoshop actions are your favorites?

I use Magic Skin: Powder Your Nose action on every image.  I love the Eye Doctor and Dentist actions. And for preparing and sharing on the web, I love the Magic Blog It Boards, and they save me so much time.

Describe your dream location to do a photo shoot?
Italy

Who in this world would you most like to photograph?
Amy Grant

Can you share your most treasured photograph with us and tell us why?

Receptions at weddings are always moving quickly. This shot was meant to focus on the bride & her sister & it focused on this little girl. It brought me back to being a child & dreaming of being a bride one day & just capturing the innocence of romance that little girls have.

Young girl at a wedding

Can you tell us something about you that nobody knows?
I have never made a wedding album! That is about to change.

If you could tell one thing to MCP readers that you have learned that you want them to remember, what would that be?
You are the best at being you! Be the best YOU that you can be! Don’t sell yourself short! You are talented & gifted! Take your gift & reach for the stars.

Last week I interviewed Angela Monson of Simplicity Photography. To read this interview click here. Readers were allowed to ask questions and Angie picked 10 to answer below. Here are the questions and answers:

Susan wrote: Beautiful! I like to post-process a great deal, as well. My question is: Do you post-process every image for your clients before they see them? Does this take absolutely HOURS? Or do you narrow down to just a few favorites? Thanks!

Susan, I do process my images print ready for my clients to view. I know many people just do slight edits and then fully photoshop when they order, but a lot of my clients order the CD after they have made their order so I like to have them 100% ready! Also, I don’t think I could show them an image that wasn’t fully photo-shopped because I think clients have a hard time seeing the end result unless you SHOW them. People are visual.

Agata wrote: Angie your work is fabulous! I have been your fan the minute I saw your piece of art which is a year ago. This is also when I decided to change my job and to start as a photographer. My only question is: When can we expect a workshop? I would love to attend one!Please, please, please!

I wanted to answer this one because I get a lot of emails about workshops! I think one day I will teach them, but it is a huge time commitment and honestly I am 100% scared to teach one! I have done one on one mentoring and that freaks me out enough! I am thinking in a year or two when I cut back on photo sessions I will offer them! I will keep you posted on my blog!

Wendi Chitwood wrote: Angela… I just love your work, it is so original. 1… Will you be my best friend? 2… Do you have any tips for keeping yourself on track with your workflow? I find it hard to keep myself motivated while working at home with the demands of being a Mom, etc.

Again, I am all over the place, but one thing I am good at is keeping my word with my clients. If I say your images will be ready in 2 weeks, I mean it. It takes me 2-3 hours to edit a session so I just set aside time to edit them when my kids are at preschool, sleeping, or playing with daddy. I really just sit down and say okay, edit this session and then I can play or have a big bowl of ice cream! I just feel better when the work is done. Believe me, it’s hard but people are counting on me so I try hard to follow through.

Stacy I wrote: Angie– I am a fellow blu client, which is how I discovered your work. Amazing, of course. Soooo not the first person to tell you that! But I would love if you’d answer all these questions about clothes. I try so hard to urge people to be creative with their wardrobe—encourage patterns, texture, and color—but I can’t get my clients to think outside the box! If I see one more child dressed in head-to-toe GAP, I will seriously barf all over my laptop.

I love this question. I just love clothes so it comes somewhat naturally to me. If it doesn’t come natural to you, check out fresh new ideas from Cookie magazine, Crew cuts online, American eagle 77 kids, mini boden, etc. Watch closely how they style their photo-shoots. I really try to dress kids bold, with lots of texture. I think the biggest thing I try to do is create contrast, for example Put a fancy dress with converse… or deck out your kid in funky crazy clothes and take a picture of them next to a cow on a farm… you know what I mean, the unexpected. That is what makes people take a second glance. If you have pictures on your website that aren’t the type of clothing you want to shoot, take them off! Only blog and put on your website the type of photo shoots you are willing to do. It really helps clients find cute clothing and understand your style.

Alexa wrote: I have a question… When you say you developed your style through life, workshops, visualizing ideas, etc, exactly what does this mean? I guess what I’m asking is, is developing a style something that just happens overtime, or do you need to work at it? Would you say how you process your images is a big part of it as well? What tips would you give someone looking to “find”/develop a style? I love your work and thank you for sharing with us! Can’t tell you how much I love seeing before and afters!

I think it does come over time. When I first started photographing children I took ALL my inspiration for other child photographers, now I trust my gut more and find my own inspiration in so many different ways. I have so many ideas lately and I find it hard to execute them because of little time.

Kyla Hornberger wrote: Ditto everything above. You’re amazing and I am just thrilled to read anything I can about you and your art. You make it sound SO easy. I would love to learn how you saturate your color and keep it so pristine. Also, why is the 85mm your favorite? I have a love/hate relationship with mine right now! And ONLINE workshop would be so wonderful for us hermits with no way out! Hope you win Photog of the year! Thanks!!!!

I just love shooting wide open at a 1.8 with the 85mm and it is the perfect range for me. I do love getting surroundings in the image but I mostly want to focus on the subject and the 85mm helps me do this. The only thing I don’t like about the 85 is that you can’t get super close to your subject and interact with them like a wide angle lens.

Robbie Gleason wrote: Beautiful work! I’ve been a fan for a long time! I’d love to know how you use the burn tool, or if you use it, on your images.

I do use the burn tool at about 20% on mid-tones or 10% on shadows. You have to be careful with the burn tool though so keep the diameter of your brush large to keep it looking consistent.

Lindsie wrote: Wow! Your work is amazing and inspiring. I actually have two questions. First is, do you use actions for your black and white processing? And my second question is about how long would you say you spend editing a typical photo shoot? Thanks!!!

I do use a few actions – for black and white I sometimes use BAMF 8bit from TRA.
I also use Noiseware Professional.

I usually spend 2-3 hours editing a session. I show 30-40 images for kids sessions and 50-60 for family sessions. Some family sessions can take 3-4 hours if I have a situation where the lighting wasn’t great.

Cindi wrote: I also am interested in how you use light on location, especially with kids who tend to run all over the place. How do you choose your locations, what do you look for, how do you light your subject? Any tips for interacting with children?

It’s always a struggle with little kids! I just try to sit them on something and distract them with toys or lots of noise! I have an assistant to help me get their attention so I can focus on composition, light, and settings on my camera. It helps a lot! Bring a treat or prize if you can, make sure it is okay with mom and dad first. I really just try to make sure they have catchlights in their eyes, that way I know it’s good light and I can shoot wide open (the camera has a hard time focusing on shadows, so make sure you have those catchlights!).

Maranda wrote: Thanks for sharing Angie, I always find your work a great source of inspiration. My questions is what type of studio lighting do you use and what is your studio lighting set up?

I have all alien bees lights. I shoot one light with a large softbox. I do also have a beauty dish from alien bees that I love as well. I am starting to shoot with two lights, but it is a work in progress. I just really like the shadows from one light but sometimes it’s hard to get your subject to stay still in that perfect position!

Thanks for the fun questions! Good luck to everyone!
Peace out,
Angie