Archive for March, 2009

Thank you Carmen for your wonderful interview and giveaway! All you have to do to enter is comment on her interview! There will be a random drawing next Friday!! The prize is this awesome 12×12 collage template.

Check out her designs, they ROCK for seniors!!!

Name: Website(s)
Carmen Chan
http://www.simplycouturedesigns.com
http://www.babysproutsphoto.com

1. How long have you been in business? Tell us about yourself.
I am a photographer, template designer and a mommi of a 5 years old girl and 5 months old baby boy.  I started my photography business in March 2006, specializing in weddings.  In 2007, I opened my home studio and started doing more baby and family portraits.  In 2008, I photographed primarily babies as I was pregnant with my second child.  Newborns and small babies are my favorite subjects to photograph.  I enjoy capturing the precious tender moments of their first year.

After the birth of my second baby in October 2008, I decided to venture into Photoshop template design and hence added graphic design to my line of business.  It is so fulfilling seeing other photographers using my designs and hearing compliments they receive from their customers.  I feel very blessed with my design skill and I enjoy the time I spend on creating templates and logos for other photographers.

2. Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration from everywhere I go.  I love windows shopping and whenever I see something that inspires me, I will take a picture and add it to my scrapbook of inspiration.  For my photography, I am inspired by viewing other photographers’ work and participating in forums.  I also learnt a lot the business side of photography by reading PPA magazines and attending their annual conference.

3.If you had one thing that you would have done differently when you started
out what would it be?
My workflow.  When I first started, I spent a lot of time in front of the computer to process hundreds and hundreds of photos, especially from the weddings that I photographed.  I later learnt to capture right on the camera, so I can spend less time re-touching and fixing the photos in post-processing.

4.What is the BEST thing you have done for your business?
Joining PPA is the best thing I have done for my business.  There I have really learnt the business side of photography through their conferences, webminars and monthly periodicals.  Their malpractice insurance included in the member benefits is a definite must-have for all professional photographers.

5.Can you tell us what your favorite products/vendors are?
My favorite products are coffee table books and gallery wrapped canvas.  I have many favorite vendors.  To name a few: WHCC, Zookbinders, Graphistudio, Asukabook, Bella Grafica, Simply Canvas.  Recently, photo bag is another favorite product of mine and I love Snaptotes!

6.One thing you cannot live without ( for your biz).
My camera Canon 5D and my Power Mac.

7.What other photographers do you admire?
For wedding photographers, I love seeing work from Bebb Studios, Chris+Lynn, and The Image is Found.  For baby and child photographers, I admire Lori Nordstrom for her simplicity; Carrie Sandoval for her amazing newborn work; Brianna Graham for her awesome urban style and VGallery for their boutique studio work.

8. Tell us about Simply Couture Designs-
Simply Couture Designs is a small design shop with the photographers in mind.  We create hip and chic, boutique style, Photoshop templates for the professional photographers.  Our goal is to help photographers create eye-catching, customizable photo cards and books for their clients while spending little time in front of the computer.

I don’t have a typical day! Every day is unique where I have to juggle the duties of being a mom of two, and the work for both the home studio and templates design. Sometimes I can easily get carried away with the designing work but I enjoy every minute I spend with my family, even just some break time in between work.

10.How do you stay current with trends?
Whenever possible, I attend photography seminars and conferences to learn the latest trend of the industry and hear tips from well established professionals.  These opportunities give me lots of great ideas on photographing, marketing, packaging and sale.