One of my best friends in the whole wide world happens to be the best photographer I have ever met. Her name is Nellie Smith of Nellie Smith Photography in Lincoln, Nebraska. I am sure all of Nellie's clients will agree that she is kind, gentle and soooo good with kids!
I have had Nellie photograph all of the special times in my life. In fact, right after my husband proposed we called Nellie to see what dates she had available and planned our wedding around her schedule. She also made me do a maternity photoshoot and I really love how the pictures turned out. She has great vision and can pose people in photographs beautifully.
And, when our son was born in January Nellie drove to Sioux City with a mobile studio and did a 3-hour newborn photo shoot. Then she scheduled another visit to take Graham's 3-month photos.
Lots of my friends in the Omaha and Sioux City area have hired Nellie to do their wedding photos and they have all turned out beautiful despite the bad weather or nervous brides. Nellie adds a calming presence to any situation and looks for the positives, even if it's a downpour outside.
Keep reading for a great Q&A session with Nellie!
1. When did you start your business?
I started working for David Dale right out of high school in 2000. I worked as his assistant and he let me use his studio and equipment to do my own photo shoots that first year of working for him. I started my own studio almost eight years ago.
2. Why did you start your own business?
I fell in love with photography in high school and after working with David Dale I knew I wanted to start my own studio.
3. What is the best thing about owning your own business?
I enjoy being my own boss and it is so rewarding owning my own business. It is something that I am very proud of that I have accomplished.
4. What is your busiest time of the year for photoshoots?
Spring to Christmas is the busiest time of year for photo shoots. The summer and fall are very busy with outside photo shoots and then Christmas time is like a mad rush to get family pictures done before Christmas. Then January to the spring it's a little slower so I spend that time updating my studio on working on my website.
5. Where do you see yourself and your business in five years?
I would like to see my studio continue to grow in the next five years. I would like to have multiple photographers working for me so we can be open more hours and get more clients in. I would like to expand my studio to other locations or towns possibly.
6. What is the worst photoshoot you've ever had? And the best?
I can't recall the worst photo shoot I have ever had, but any difficult shoots usually involve 2 year olds! I had a bride arrive at the church after getting her hair done at the salon and she decided she hated it. So instead of starting group pictures she spent an hour taking all the hair pins out and redoing her hair. We then were very late starting group pictures, but I just smiled and pretended like it was just fine so she wouldn't feel any more stressed.
7. What age is your favorite to photograph?
I really enjoy photographing newborns because they usually sleep the whole time and then I can create some cute poses. I had a newborn's mother say recently that it looked like I was sculptor posing her baby. I also love photographing 6 month olds. That is my favorite age because they can sit up and they smile and giggle a lot.
8. When you are photographing a wedding: What are your favorite emotions you see from the family?
My favorite moment at a wedding is when the bride and groom see each other for the first time all dressed up. Their faces just light up and there are usually lots of tears. I just did a wedding recently that the bride had a moment with her father and grandpa where they saw her dressed up for the first time as well and this was very touching.
9. How has photography changed since you started doing photography? What is the latest trend? How do you stay educated on the most up to date photography technology/ideas?
When I started doing photography I was using film so the biggest change would be switching to digital photography. I swore I would never change from film and now that is all I shoot with. The latest trends are smash cake pictures for 1 year olds and any ideas seen on Pinterest. I probably have at least half of my clients want to do poses similar to ones they have seen on Pinterest. I attend different photography conferences throughout the year to learn more about all the different aspects of photography. I am currently taking an online class and I am always checking out Pinterest for inspiration. I have several friends in the photography business as well that inspire me that I meet with every once and awhile.
Thanks for the great information Nellie! I love hearing about your business! NOW it's time for our giveaway! LIKE Nellie Smith Photography's page on Facebook and go to Nellie Smith Photography's website (http://www.nelliesmithphotography.com/index2.php) to check out her previous photoshoots then leave a COMMENT on this blog stating why you deserve to win a FREE 30-minute photo session with Nellie!
10 comments:
Live gets away from us sometimes.
Especially with three busy children, a side business, and a recent explosion to rein in my health and the "old me." Many things have fallen to the waist - side in the last 3 years: I haven't gotten the kids in for pictures in almost 2 whole years (leaving a guiltiness thinking about all the baby stages we've missed), professional pictures for the website have been needed for the entirety of the almost three years of incorporation, and (I'm ashamed to say) we've NEVER had family pictures done including my husband and I, because I've never wanted to capture my post baby body!
I've finally been able to put myself on the list of priorities and am loving the nearly 40 lb (thinner) "old" me. As a mom, wife, friend/ect. It's a perfect time for our lives to be captured by Nellie! (We've used Nellie for our big moments as well, just not nearly as much as we should!) :)
What a beautiful friendship!
My husband and I are hoping to find a way to have some pictures taken of our sweet almost 6th month old daughter, Ellie. She's growing so fast and I don't want to forget this sweet moment in my baby girls life!
Ashley.dewispelare@gmail.com
I love Nellie Smith Photography! She has been taking photos of our 16 mo old little boy and we just love her. I would actually love to win this photo session for my sister and her family. She watches our son everyday and takes such good care of him and would love to repay her a little. They haven't had a family photo in a long time and I know Nellie would do an awesome job.
We love Nellie's pictures! They always turn out amazing no matter what mood my kiddos are in!
We would love to win the 30 minute session. Not only are Nellie Smith pictures amazing but we just learned that we are adopting this month! Costs for adoption are crazy and this would be an amazing gift! -Amber Walter
I love Nellie as a dear friend and photographer! She is amazing and did amazing stuff for our wedding and engagements! I can't wait to surprise my parents for their 40th wedding anniversary and possibly Kevin's grandma for her 90th!
I love Nellie's work. She was so wonderful with my kids and the pictures turned out amazing. Thank you so much for everything!
Oh, I probably don't deserve a Nellie photo shoot, but man-oh-man is she great at what she does. I really loved reading more about her and her business! -Becca Wilson
I'd want to use a family photo shoot to have some extended family group pictures. First, I'd love to do a photo re-enactment of the one and only professional pic ever taken of my brothers and I when we were little. Second, I think my parents would love pics of their grandkids together. And lastly, other than weddings, my parents have never had a professional picture taken of themselves. A family photo shoot would satisfy all these desires!
~Emily Buddenberg
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