Cape May Professional Photographer | Kaitlin Noel Photography

 

When it comes to photography, I am ALWAYS amazed and surprised by the levels of talent there are in all realms of this industry. From incredible glamour photographers, wedding photographers, newborn photographers, senior photographers, etc. I specialize in engagement and wedding photography…so seeing the level of talent these photographers have in other areas I do not shoot…it just floors me….excites me…and makes me proud to be a part of such a creative and unique industry as a whole. 

I came across Leaha, of POPography I think because of her her promo video. She looks like a party in a small box! She totally acts like one too.  : P But even though her home in Texas is quite a ways a way…I recently learned she is relocating to JERSEY! YAY FOR NEW AND AWESOME TALENT! Though Leaha does do other forms of photography, I was most attracted to her skills in Senior photography. I know its a HUGE thing in the south so I am so interested to see what she is going to do with it and re-create here in Jersey!

She is fun, fresh, edgy, and has that POP of creative genius I think a lot of people look for in a photographer. She seems to really get close and on the same page with her teen subjects and their trust in her and confidence in her just shines through in their senior portraits. SHe tottttallly dumps the boring laser and bookshelf backgrounds and shows someone off for who they realllly are! I just adore her and I will be so happy when she makes the move up here. I think she just may be the ticket to my new edge factor….plus the girl can teach me to dance! : P (two left feet syndrome over here yall)

So without further ado….PLEASE MEET LEAHA OF POPography!!!

 

1.Tell us something about your business and how long you have been a professional photographer?

Something about my business…hmm…

It’s all about people.

It’s that simple.

Professional..that still makes me giggle. When you are completely self-taught it makes you rethink what professional means. I guess I consider myself a never-ending learner. I started taking my learning seriously 5 years ago. I was considered professional 3 years ago.


2. What equipment do you use?


Canon & Apple

I would like to first admit I am addicted to buying new glass. But seriously, I love Canon! I shoot with the 5d Mark iii along with the 85 1.2, 50 1.2, 70-200 2.8, 100 2.8 and the 16-35 2.8

I like to have several lenses on me so that I can easily pop a new lens on to get a different view and feel.

I also use studio lighting outdoors with my seniors and rock the Alien Bee 800’s with the mini vagabond.

Detailed post on my gear:

http://blog.popography.org/2012/what-is-in-your-bag/

I am also a self-proclaimed apple addict! From iPhone, iPad to my graveyard of Macbook Pros! Sleek, fast workhorses! Working efficiently is one of my secrets and good machines make that possible. Thank you Apple!

3. Where are you located?

Funny you asked! I am a Texas gal and have been my whole life.Yeehaw! But you will not catch me wearing cowboy boots anytime soon. I am a city girl in my heart…which leads me to the next phase in my life.

We are headed to New Jersey in a few weeks! Talk about a change! I couldn’t be more excited to start a new life with my family and gain new experiences in my business. Our wedding business has brought in a lot of destination requests so we would like to say we are “New Jersey and Destination Photographers”.


4. What is your approach to senior photography? Define your style?

Do you remember what it felt like to be a teenager? I can remember because I am raising a 16 year old right now! The thing to remember is that all teenagers are struggling with something. Struggling with image, self worth, social status and so much more. They are advocates of social media and I totally get that. So marketing to them in their world is super important. Facebook and Instagram are where we interact the most.

Empowering them to know who they are and what they want to look like is part of the experience. I always say that the photos are a direct reflection of our relationship. I try to find what is unique to them and really highlight their personality. We spend quite a bit of time discussing what they do best and how I can highlight their talents and passions. When they walk away from their session I want them to walk away with a new confidence that they are worthy, unique and amazing!

When booking a session I typically work with the parents. They are paying and they want to know what their investment will get them. As soon as the booking is done I head over to Facebook and friend my new Senior Client as well as the parent. I comment and become their ‘friend’. Text messages are exchanged with ideas, photos and things that will inspire our session together. By the time we shoot—we are READY!

I am inspired by fashion and magazines.

As girls we all have looked through magazines and looked for inspiration. I still do! Now I look at them for a totally different reason. I look at lighting, posing, composition and study WHY a photo works. What draws me in to that photo? It only seemed right to make a magazine myself!

I designed an online magazine that I give to my seniors and their parents. It really sets the tone for my sessions. It informs them on what to expect, but also gives them tips on how to maximize their photo shoot. Empowering them gives them the confidence to show up and work it!

My online magazine:

http://issuu.com/popography/docs/seniors_popography

My style would probably be described as funky, colorful and fun.

My marketing is based on selling the experience! Each Senior receives a custom website, PASS and a POPfusion video. This always for a polished representation of my work and shows off the fantastic time we had on the session. I have a videographer on all sessions to get the video footage and parents are always welcome to share in the experience. Parents are always willing to bounce light, fix hair and assist in anyway. It’s important to have them be a part of the experience as well! The video and website are shared online and really sell what we do here at POPography. The PASS app allows for easy downloads, pinning and sharing images easily on all your devices! Check them out below!

Website Example: http://www.meghan.popography.org

PASS Gallery: http://popography.pass.us/meghan

POPfusion Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOXawxDWqY8&list=UUeCrj-ZUdLsK79zaMwkvwsQ&index=21

5. When did you notice you had a passion for photography?

No one in my family is a photographer. I didn’t grow up with a camera in my hand. Sorry, there is no fairytale story to tell!

My mom and dad were always avid picture takers. Many a day I stood in Walmart waiting on our 4×6 prints to add to the ‘photo can’. Yes, we have an assortment of Christmas popcorn cans that are used for holding our memories. Fancy! My mom would print photos and throw them in the can with dates on the back. Not organized, but filled with love. It was always one of my favorite past times to open up the can and flip through unordered photos. My mom had a passion for preservation. She passed this on to me and after the digital revolution I decided to spend my entire income tax return on my first Dslr. I had no intentions of building a career, but God had different plans. He planted the desire to not only preserve, but to serve!

God brought all of my desires to life: Shooting, Serving, Creating, Traveling,  and being at home with my family.

Photography is just the outlet that leads me to my real passion- PEOPLE!

 
6. Most awkward moment during an event/shoot?

OH, there are so many of those. If there is one thing my clients know about me—it is that I am a complete nut when shooting. I always say I’m ADHD to the max because I am entertaining, making photography decisions, guiding the client, making room for the videographer and somewhere in this hot mess—shooting photos!

I like to call it “Happy Chaos”!

Let me think…

1. I split my jeans in one of my infamous squatting positions!
2. Accidentally calling my client “Honey Boo Boo Child”
3. I continually make up words such as “shadoo” and “szoosh”
4. Getting moved off of locations I should not be shooting on! Ha! Gotta take risks!


7. What is the scariest thing that ever happened during a photo shoot?

Oi! It’s always a risk when shooting with me! I tend to shoot in places where no one wants to go. It always adds to the excitement when we go beyond where the normal photographer would stop.

One shoot sticks out in my head as I am typing. We were in Dallas in the warehouse district right before sunset. I always have a male videographer with me, which gives everyone a sense of protection when you’re out in the hood shooting. Ha! From out of nowhere a man approached us and asked us what we were doing on his property. With all smiles, I nicely explained we were shooting a session and would be wrapping up in a few minutes. He kept explaining that this was his home and we needed to leave the property. I started to get nervous with his direct approach. I soon realized he was homeless and this was his ‘home’. I offered him a water and slipped him $2.00 and thanked him for letting us borrow his ‘home’ for a few more moments. He let us finish up the session and then thanked me and started to tell me his story. My clients watched as I engaged in a conversation. I remember grabbing his hand and telling him “Thank you and God bless”. My job is PEOPLE whether they are paying me or not.

It was scary and enlightening all at the same time!


8. Best advice you have been given in your photography career?

1.BE DIFFERENT

I struggled with this for a while. As a young professional you want to be successful and look online for inspiration. That can be detrimental to your uniqueness and growth! Stop comparing! It sounds so cliché, but you have to put blinders on and be YOURSELF!

2.USE VIDEO

It has revolutionized my business. It allows people to look into my life and my style of shooting. POPfusion videos sell the experience and PROMO Videos sell Leaha!

See our 2013 Promo Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1LXvDLIWOk&list=UUeCrj-ZUdLsK79zaMwkvwsQ&index=7

3.SELL YOURSELF, NOT your photos.

People can look at your photos all day, but do they know who YOU are? As soon as you open my website I want you to see ME. I want people to invest in me just as I will invest in them. They should leave your website knowing exactly who you are!


9. Best advice that you could give someone else that is pursuing a photography career?

Do YOU!

Seek Council in your weak areas

Watch Creativelive.com

Have a strong online presence (Website/Blog/Social)

Be a part of a photography community

Keep a servants heart

Never get comfortable

Always be willing to share and help others

Gear is not as important as you think.

Only compare you to yourself

Your Website represents your BRAND, Your Blog is an extension of YOU.


10. Best moment of your photography career?

When I shot a full circle client:

Engagement, Bridal, Wedding, Maternity, Newborn & now baby #2.

 

WOWZERS—-WHAT AN INTERVIEW THAT WAS! Right y’all. Please give it up for Leaha and every other photographer that has been featured on this FAB Friday Series. I looove showcasing such wonderful, inspiring adn talented people!  To keep up with Leaha and her business….please use these links below. If you are interested in possibly being featured on this series, please shoot me an email at kaitlin@kaitlinnoelphotography.com telling me a little bit about yourself, your work, and all kinds of details!

Thanks again Leaha—you rock my socks! : P

xoxo,

Kaitlin Noel

 

Website: www.POPography.org

Blog: www.blog.POPography.org

FB: www.facebook.com/POPography