Photography Friday: Becky Earl

She had me at hello. Becky Earl. I can’t remember for the life of me how I first stumbled onto her site, but about a month or so ago I did and I added her to my Google Reader faster than I could say BE ART! Immediately I could tell she runs the type of business I am after – fun and fresh, real and balanced. She’s a wife and mom of two and I am ever so intrigued by woman who can run successful business and still be hands-on mothers. I hope to do just that some day so I’m out to learn from the best and brightest.

As you’ll quickly see upon viewing Becky’s work she has the “x” factor. What I’ve discovered through my years of experience is that the “x” factor cannot be taught. You either have it or you don’t. This lady has it and hers is capitalized!

Becky, even though you were convinced I had requested an interview from the wrong Becky Earl you are who I was after! ; ) Like I said in my email you are one photographer I am thrilled to “follow” and truly, truly my list is quite short.

Here’s what I know about you so far … you’re fun & spunky, 12 months pregnant with 2 daughters only ONE year apart. You have a husband you adore and …. you live in Las Vegas. Right?

There is loads more I’m dying to know so let’s dive in …

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Have you always lived in Las Vegas?

I was born and raised in Las Vegas, but just recently moved to Orem, Utah. It’s been a nice change and the locations here are amazing.

How long have you been a professional photographer?

I picked up a camera just two years ago. My little girls were getting bigger and I wanted to be able to capture each of their smiles and special moments. My husband came home from work and told me to go get the Canon Rebel. I have been in love with photography ever since.

What did you do before?

Before I ever took a picture, I had many various types of jobs. My favorite being a singing Gondolier at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. I love to sing and entertain, so that job was a blast for me.

Can you tell us a bit of your journey to the world of being a professional photographer?

I feel my journey has barely even begun. I still have so much to learn and experience that I feel I am just a baby in this amazing profession. But, I started with a Canon Rebel just wanting to take better shots of my family. That quickly turned into an obsession with everything photography. I am self taught, so as you can imagine many late nights have been spent studying and practicing my craft. I joined a few forums and learned from many talented and successful photographers, who were very helpful.

Do you remember your very first paid photography job? Tell us a bit about it.

I do. It was for a friend. I did family pictures and was so nervous. I don’t think I slept much the night before. It went well, but I just remember always being so nervous before shoots. I think for my first stranger shoot, I was a little nauseous. I think I hid it pretty well, but I was a nutcase inside.

How do you keep your business energized when you take maternity leave?

I still take TONS of pictures. I am still learning new things with post processing. I still blog a couple of times a week.  While I am not taking clients right now, I still shoot friends and family tons. Plus, I have two little subjects that put up with my camera in their face a bit. ☺

What is your workflow after a shoot is over?

As soon as I get home, I upload my shots to my computer. I can’t sleep knowing I have images stuck on my card. So once they are uploaded, I go through Bridge and rate my favorites. I star the ones that I am going to edit and blog. I always plan on giving the images a few days to sit without me picking my favs, but I can never wait. I get so excited. After all my favs are rated then I get to work. I usually run batch edits of my usual actions and then take each image from there and well…that’s when the fun for me comes in. ☺

Lightroom, Photoshop, both?

Ya know, I haven’t ventured into the whole Lightroom world. I started with Bridge and Photoshop and I guess am just stuck in my ways. Ha. I am sure that if I did weddings, Lightroom would be essential, but for what I do…I’ll just stick with my system.

Where did you learn to post-process so beautifully?

A lot of trial and error. My first pictures with post processing are not cute, to say the least. But, after training my eye to see color casts and imperfections with my editing…I taught myself what I needed to know in photoshop. A lot of YouTube tutorials! Now editing is my favorite part of taking pictures!

What is one Photoshop tool you use for almost every photo you edit?

I love Soft Light blending mode. I use it in almost every shot. I usually always reduce the opacity, but it’s a must for my editing. I also like to use the Selective Color layer. I usually will bring up the neutrals, and blacks and drop the whites a tad. It is a fun layer!!!

What are a few of your favorite Photoshop actions?

I really love my Totally Rad Actions. I use those the most. I also have a bunch of my own actions I have made to speed up my editing time.

Have you ever had anything go wrong on a shoot? And, if so what did you do?

Oh yes. When I was first starting out I was luckily shooting family pictures for a good friend. I miscalculated sunset times and we started way too late. We got through the session and I went home and uploaded over a hundred grainy, dark images. I think I cried and then called my friend to tell her we would be meeting same place an hour earlier the next day to reshoot. Live and learn, I guess.

Canon or Nikon?

Canon! But really only because that is what I started with and I have just stuck with it.

What is your go-to lens?

For sure my 24-70 2.8L. It is my workhorse. Funny thing is…I hated it when I first got it. I think I just wasn’t used to the weight and I couldn’t get a sharp picture for my life. It sat in my bag for about a month. Then when I remembered how much I paid for it, I forced myself to take it back out and master it. Now it hardly leaves my camera. I do love my 15mm Fisheye as well though.

Do you use any artificial light when shooting?

I used to be a natural light snob (I called myself). Really, I just had no idea about artificial lighting and figured natural light was easier and cheaper. Once I started looking at different places for inspiration, I fell in love with artificial lighting. I am so new with it, but really love it. I also just want to be the best well rounded photographer I can be. I want to know how to take a good picture in any situation.

In the beginning how did you grow your business? Did you advertise or depend solely on word of mouth?

Word of mouth and blogging have been huge for me. And luckily for me, I am slightly obsessed with blogging, so it works out well for me.

How have you adjusted your pricing over the years (this is always a tough one for me!)?

It’s been a tough one for me as well. I entered into business way too soon and way too uneducated. I underestimated my talent and charged off of that. I have been slowly raising my prices for the past year. Once I get back into the business end my prices will be exactly where I want them.

What does business life look like for you in the winter?

Well, since I will be obsessing over my newborn, probably not much. Plus, it snows here. I think I will just be trying to survive it. Haha. I will be shooting my kids a lot inside our home. I have some fun photography projects with them to keep me busy.

I love continuing education … have you attended any workshops (online or in person) lately?

I have only attended one workshop. It was Cheryl Murh’s Secret Workshop in Seattle. It was amazing. She was amazing. Plus, Tara Whitney was our secret guest photographer. I think I almost peed my pants when she walked in ☺ I learned a lot and left it having a renewed excitement for the business.

What do you hope your business looks like in 5 years?

Aw man, I have so many plans for the future. I would love to own a studio. I would love to be doing commercial work. But mainly, I would love to be able to shoot cancer survivors. To share their journey and courage with whoever will read it. My sister died of brain cancer when she was four, so it really means a lot to me to be able to do that for people. I would love to use my gift to make people feel beautiful and empowered.

If you could eat lunch with one photographer who would you dream for that to be?

Well, my photography idol is Tara Whitney, so I would have to go with her. I think we would really get along. If that couldn’t happen then for sure Nate and Jaclyn from The Image is Found. They seem like a blast!

And, lastly will you be at WPPI ’10? I hope to be able to meet you in person! : )

I was like a kid in a candy store last year at WPPI. I will for sure be going next year and will definitely be excited to meet you!

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Becky Earl, you’re fabulous! Thank you so much for your generosity.

To find Becky {click here}! And, make sure to check out her fabulous blog, too!

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I’m on my way to everywhere this month … the river house with friends, our annual UT football game, a week photographing a bike tour {last year & last year}. and then vacation for 2 weeks. My presence may be a little spotty, but I’ll be back with loads of photos!

Happy Friday!

jc