We are so excited to have Sandra Bianco as one of our September’s Celebrity Photographer.

Sign up to get your images critiqued by Sandra Bianco this September.  SOLD OUT! Silent Student Spots Still Available!

Not many photographers will balance the unpredictability of children with the rapidly falling light of sunset like Sandra Bianco. Her love of photography is rivaled only by her love of kids, and mixing those two passions creates magic behind her lens.

Sandra shoots an hour before dusk with patience and precision. She maintains her subject’s innocence, capturing their beauty in its purest form. But it may be what happens after the shoot that puts Sandra in a class of her own. Her post editing techniques mix warm watercolors with hazy skies to create a dreamy and magical illusion that is reality.

She says she’s learned to stay true to herself and only photograph what she loves the most. That love is apparent in any photograph that bears the mark, “Sandra Bianco Photography”.

Do you edit mostly in Photoshop or Lightroom?

Photoshop

Why do you think honest critique on your images is important?

Critique is a form of feedback that aims evaluation of art, on one hand, and help, on another

There is a huge part of making art that consists on improving your art. And one way of improving your art skills and understanding is through critique.

What camera do you use? Favorite lens?

Canon Mark iii – Favorite Lens: 70-200 2.8L

What has been the most helpful critique you ever got on an image?

I would have to say cropping!

What 3 words would you use to describe your style?

Natural, simple, & whimsy

Where do you pull your inspiration from?

Inspiration for me comes from so many different avenues. I could be driving down the road and see a location in a different way, magazines, books, shopping, and of course every once in a while “Pinterest”

Best biz/photo advice?

Stay true to yourself and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Only post your best work!

What have you learned the hard way?

Pricing! If you are just starting out, set your pricing high and tell your clients that you are offering an introductory price and discount since you are new. It’s SO hard to raise your prices down the road. Being upfront about it will save you a lot of headaches & heartaches.

How does your business deal with the rise in photographers. What have you done to standout and compete?

I try to stay to myself and keep a low profile as much as possible. As i said earlier, keep it real and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. I am constantly trying to improve myself for “me” and not for the competition.

Where have most of your 2011 clients come from (besides WOM)?

Facebook for sure!

What is your most popular product?

Online Editing Mentoring

Sign up to get your images critiqued by Sandra Bianco this September.  SOLD OUT! Silent Student Spots Still Available!

Comments

comments

Congrats Alice Corkren! Your image is so fun that we had to feature you as the Chic of the Week.

Love this image of a fun loving family!  Showing the true personality of a family is a precious memory, this is why there was no way I could let it slip by without sharing it in a CHIC of the Week post.

Congrats again to Alice Corkren of Alice Corkren Photography!  You’ve been awarded a gift certificate from one of our vendors for being selected as Chic of the Week!

Which photo of your own would you like to see featured on the site?

If you upload your favorite photos to the forum, we just might feature yours next.

There has been a camera in my hands my entire life. I love photographs and every moment of a photograph’s life. This is why I try to create images with soul, flair and a little southern charm. I want to create timeless heirlooms for my clients. The never ending support from my husband has made my career in portrait photography possible. We live in North Alabama with our dogs, chickens and are blessed with two beautiful teenage children.

Image Stats:

This was one of the most fun I have had doing a family shoot. We did this session in the beautiful town of Canton, Mississippi. This little town is eye candy. Films such as A Time To Kill and My Dog Skip were filmed here.
The direction I gave to the older family members were to just keep their poses and let the youngest member do his thing. I didn’t expect him to start dancing!!!! I love this shot and I hope you guys do too!

I shot this with my 5D Mark II and 85mm/1.8 lens
1/1000 at f/5.0 ISO 600

What critique from Chic Critique Forum did you find helpful after sharing this image?

Chic Critique is opening so many new doors for me and my work. I am thrilled to have discovered it and being able to receive critique from industry greats is helpful beyond measure.

Comments

comments

Do you post on your blog only to hear crickets? Do you sometimes feel like you are talking to yourself (and maybe your Mom) on your blog? Do you need some LOVE?

Chic Critique is here for you, girl. In 2013, we are doing a weekly feature on our blog every Saturday called “BLOG LOVE” where you can showcase your  blog posts on Chic Critique for lots of love.

SWEET BENEFITS:

• Use this as motivation to blog at least once a week
• Boost your SEO: your thumbnail will link back to your own blog for lots of publicity and SEO lovin’!
• Get blog comments from our fans
• Show off your work
• Get published! One of your images might be featured in an upcoming issue of Chic Magazine

It’s so easy! HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

You must be a member of Chic Critique forum to participate 

1. Post some pics on your own blog with a link back to Chic Critique
2. Every weekend, submit your permalink (not your main blog address) from your own blog post to the frog icon (see sample below) to our weekly Saturday “Blog Love” blog post
3. Your image will then show up as a thumbnail on OUR blog and allow our readers to click on your image to check out YOUR blog.

Need a reminder? We’ll help remind you in our weekly newsletter and on Facebook so be sure to become a fan and subscribe to our newsletter.

ENTER YOUR BLOG POST IMAGES FOR THIS WEEK BY CLICKING ON THE FROG BELOW:
Don’t forget to leave a comment on the other entries because that is half the fun! Also, submit your photo early since those seem to be the ones who receive the most comments.

Comments

comments

It’s Freebie Friday for all Chic members! You know you want stylin’ clients and the best way to get well-dressed clients is to educate them on what to wear. All Chic members get FREE What-to-Wear guides from I Adore Your Style {value of $48/yr} to teach your clients how to be more stylish. You can showcase them on your blog (who doesn’t need more blog content?), send them in a newsletter, or email them to individual clients whose sessions are coming up.

Each style file comes complete with UP-TO-DATE corresponding links of what’s retailing right now for every outfit!  That means your clients can go buy those clothes online today!
Monthly style files include one family ensemble plus an additional file for either couples, seniors, children, or babies.
What-to-Wear Guides are only available during the current month so be sure to download your August WTW Guides by August 31st!

Download yours HERE in the forum.

Comments

comments

Well I am not going to lie…I had a lot of fun looking for these poses.  Using pinterest to find good poses for senior guys gave me a lot of eye candy to smile at all night.  So I am predicting we will have a “Part II”…;)  When I think of good poses for young men I try to pull inspiration from  sport magazines,  GQ, People, Clothing Lines for men and shoots done with famous actors!

{image via Pinterest}

{image via 2APhotography.com}

{Image via Lindsay Adler Photography}

{Image via Tom & Lorenzo}

{Image via Pinterest}

{Image via GQ}

{Image via Pinterest}

{Image via H&M}

{Image via Jill VZ Photography}

Comments

comments

Ever wished that you could just hang out with some of your favorite Celebrities Photogs?  Tired of stalking their blogs because you just want to chill with them. Well now you can! Each month we’ll have different Celebrity Photographers floating around the forum answering your questions, giving critiques, talking about business and posting inspirational images. This month’s Celebrity Moderator is Heidi Hope of Heidi Hope Photography.

Comments

comments