I thought I’d start out my adventures in blogging by letting you know a little but about me. I was inspired to do this by a series of interviews done by Crash Taylor.
Tell us a little bit about Amanda Howse?
I am happily married to my hubby of almost 3 years, and we are the proud parents of 2 cats, our boys.
Where is home?
Home is where the heart is, so that’s anywhere my husband is. Physically right now it’s in Renton, WA.
If you could live anywhere on this awesome planet where would you build your dream home?
Lakeside in Lake Tahoe, CA
Did you go to school to study photography?
Yes, I minored in Photo’y at the University of Nevada, Reno, while earning my first BA in Creative Writing in English, then I pursued my second BA in Protraiture/Professional Photog’y at Brooks Institute of Phototograhpy in Santa Barbara, California.
How long have you been a photographer?
I started shooting in 1995 when I took a photo’y class at UNR to fulfill my extra-curriculum credits.
How long have you been a wedding photographer?
I started assisting and shooting in 2004.
What or who got you started in wedding photography?
Being a girl, I’ve always loved anything having to do with weddings, so when I starting taking portraiture classes at Brooks, I just seemed to naturally gravitate towards weddings.
How would you describe your style?
My style is currently changing, but I’d say it’s modern with classical portraiture and posing mixed in.
How many weddings do you average per year?
15-20
What type of cameras do you shoot with?
Nikon D300 & Fuji S5
What is your favourite photography accessory, other than your camera?
My shootsac: www.shootsac.com
If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?
Right now I use my 17-55mm f/2, a lot. It gives me a nice range.
What lighting equipment do you take on a shoot?
I always have my Nikon SB-800’s for the reception, fill light, etc, & my Q-flash for formals and dancing, and I have a newly acquired Video Light I’ve been experimenting with.
Can you describe how and when you use flash, video light, reflectors and natural light during a wedding?
I use flash if the light is too low at a reception, and also during the dancing to freeze the action, blur/add some motion, I love dragging the shutter during “fast” dances. I also use reflectors when doing my portraits of the B&G when I can, I also use a diffuser to block out when the sun actually comes out in WA.
What is your favorite computer/editing accessory, other than your computer?
I am addicted to Swedish Fish. I love chomping on them while editing.
How important is Photoshop in your final images?
For images that go into an album or on my blog, it’s a must.
What is your most used Photoshop tool, plug-in, action set etc.?
I use Kevin Kubota’s actions, Totally Rad Actions, actions from the Boudoir Divas, Nik Filters, Yervant’s actions, Sallee’s actions/textures, and I’m sure there are more I’m not thinking of.
Are you a MAC or PC lover?
MAC, is there anything else for a digital artist???
Do you plan on buying any new equipment and if so what do you have your eyes on?
Nikon just came out with a new 35mm lens I’d like to try. Also, a D700 would be nice.
What wedding albums do you supply your clients with and do you design them yourself or outsource the design?
Right now I design all my own albums. I use Finao self-stick and WHCC press printed & Black River Imaging press printed albums for my Intimate work. For weddings I use Finao and Zookbinders.
How do you feel about cropping an image?
You do what you gotta do.
What gives you ideas and inspires you to create such amazing imagery?
People inspire me, I’ve been told I’m a people person. I get my ideas from the bazillions of blogs I visit daily, the magazines I read, and life in general.
What has been your most memorable assignment and why?
In a good way? Many moments pop into my head regarding this: a kiss here, newborn baby there, memorable words spoken during a ceremony. Each “assignment” has it’s special and memorable moments to me, I can’t really think of one right off the bat.
If you could shoot a wedding with another photographer who would it be?
Let’s see: Anne Ruthmann, Cory Ann Ellis, Sarah Rhoads, Jasmine Star, Jessica Claire
Do you have an assistant/2nd shooter that accompanies you on wedding assignments?
Yes, when I shoot as a contracted photo’er for others, I use many different 2nd shooters, I always use my husband as an assistant though, because he knows where everything goes in my bags, he knows how to set up my lights, etc.
How many images do you average per wedding and how many do you usually present to your clients?
I aim to shoot between 1,000-2,000 and I present about 800-1,000 images
Where would be your dream destination wedding?
Somewhere in Europe like Paris or Italy.
How do you make the bride and groom, bridal party etc… feel relaxed in front of your camera?
I love talking with people, joking around, and being my dorky/corny self. It keeps everyone happy and keeps things moving.
Have you ever had anything go wrong at a wedding and if so, how did you handle it?
Well, right off the bat I remember a wedding I shot (back in the days of film when you couldn’t chimp an image) that my flash mal-functioned (which I didn’t know until I got the negatives back) and quite a few rolls of film came out blank. I was devastated. Plus, it was a family wedding, so it’s not like I’ll never see the couple again… utter horror.
What do you feel is the most challenging thing about photographing weddings?
You have to be “on” for an entire day. When driving home after a wedding, I feel great, but exhausted.
A wedding photographer who inspires you?
Anne Ruthmann, Jasmine Star, Cory Ann Ellis, Sarah Rhoads
A website and/or blog you visit often?
DWF, those ladies listed above, and MANY more.
The last workshop or seminar you attended and why?
I took a Kelby Training seminar on CS4 here in Seattle. I took it to continue learning about Photoshop and how to do more things with it and my images.
What photographic organizations do you belong to?
WPPI, DWF, NAPP, PPA.
One way you market Amanda Howse Photography?
Word of mouth.
Do you advertise? If so where?
Right now not too many places, but I have an ad on Wedding Chicks.
How important is an awesome website for your business?
Very important, it’s the first thing people see.
If not a photographer, what would you have been?
I started out wanting to be a writer. I wanted to write novels. I still do, maybe someday… Oh, and also an actress for awhile (why I went to school in Boston) and also a kindergarten teacher.
I realize that each great photographer has a particular penchant or love for photographing a particular subject whether it be nature, portraits, sea or landscapes, shadow and light, etc. as a result I would love to have you talk about and share whatever images you feel appropriate of your own private obsession in the magical world of photography.
Right now I love shooting Intimates.
Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph?
Europe.
We know that each of us has someone or something, which inspires our life and work. Can you tell us the true basis of your inspiration?
Many people and things inspire me, it’d be hard to limit it down to the true basis.
Is there anything you would have done differently during your photographic career?
Yes, I would have interned sooner than I did while in school (I did it at the end of my 3 years of study at Brooks), and knowing what I know now, I might not have gone to Brooks.
Name a photographer you would like to take a portrait of?
Hmmm, not sure.
If you could be invisible for one day with your camera…
I’d go to the Oscars.
I’ve learned the most from…
Reading other people’s blogs and going to conventions/workshops/seminars.
What talent would you most like to have?
Being able to go without sleep.
Something you’re still learning?
Everything.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My husband.
What is your greatest fear?
I’m afraid of death, but also that I’ll be stuck at my day job forever.
Something that is overrated?
Day jobs.
Something you’re saving up for?
To pay off all my debt.
What item do you wish you had designed?
The iPhone. I can’t live without mine.
If you could have lunch with anyone who is famous who would it be?
Anne Rice. I love her books.
Where you’ll find me on a Friday night at 9 p.m.?
Double-checking all my gear for tomorrow’s wedding, and usually staying in and watching Ghost Whisperer.
Who would play you in a film (movie) of your life?
Hopefully myself, or Julia Roberts would do.
First thing you would do if you won the lottery?
Pay off all my debt. And then some.
Which five words would your friends use to describe you?
Loyal, dependable, thoughtful, stable, happy
What ambition have you not yet achieved?
To write a book, and to quit my day job.
What would you like to be doing in 5 years from now?
Be a happy, successful full time photographer shooting weddings with my hubby.
And the last question, if you had one wish…
That all my family & friends could go through life without any health problems.
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