{Spotlight On}: Christina Hendrick Photography

I've been a fan of Christina Hendrick for a while now.... Funny story that we actually went to the same high school, but didn't even know of each other until we met through a mutual friend over 10 years later! {That's how it can go in the "big towns," you know!?}.

If you've been a shopper of adam's blankie for any time, you've probably witnessed some of Christy's work!  I frequently have her take photos of our hair couture, and we even arranged for a stylized shoot together last Spring!

{in our "raspberry waterfall" headband...available at www.adamsblankie.com}

So, as I love her work and artistry, I asked her if I could interview her and dig a bit deeper to find out a bit more about her business, how she got started in photography, and what WE, as parents, can do to get some of our own fabulous shots of our kiddos!  Soooo...here we go!!!

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU WERE PHOTOGRAPHING FOR A LIVING?
What haven't I done?  I've done everything from being a waitress, working on an 800 number call line, to running a heating/ac store (I know right?!), but the majority of my work prior to CHP was as an Interior Designer. 

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER, AND HOW DID YOU ACQUIRE THE SKILLS TO DO IT?

It sounds a little cliche, but it started when my son first joined this world.  I've always had a true love for art and everything creative.  I hold several degrees in the creative arts (studio arts, graphic design, interior design), but when my son arrived, I found my 'need' to document everyday moments was insatiable.  I fell completely in love with photography and was compelled to capture those everyday moments for others!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST PROFESSIONAL SHOOT. WAS IT A SUCCESS? DID IT GO ON WITHOUT A HITCH? WERE THERE PROBLEMS YOU HAD TO OVERCOME?

First of all, I was a nervous wreck!  I put on a good act, but I'm usually pretty nervous when I'm going into a shoot - so the FIRST was especially nerve-wracking.  I met this gorgeous mama who was expecting twins - we were both checking out at Tuesday Morning of all places, and I overheard her telling someone she was expecting twins, so I summoned up my courage and marched right over to her and handed her my fancy new business card.  Her maternity session was my first professional shoot - it was down at the beach, so I definitely struggled a bit with the light, and we ended up with a super cloudy/foggy sky at the end and decided to do a re-shoot and captured some gorgeous images their daddy who was overseas.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TIME OF DAY TO SHOOT, AND WHY?

An hour before sunset - hands down.  The light is beautiful at the start, and only gets more gorgeous as it gets closer to sunset.  It's also great because you don't have the hard mid-day light, so we don't have 'squinty eye shots' (as I affectionately call them) or harsh shadows - and I LOVE me a fun jumping silhouette shot!

DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN A CERTAIN TYPE OF PHOTOGRAPH OR STYLE, AND IF SO, WHAT IS IT?

To be perfectly honest, I feel as if I am finally starting to find my niche.  A fellow photographer put it perfectly just the other day - I don't want to be a 'jack of all trades, master of none'.  I think most photographers start out doing a variety of work, but finally seem to excel at a specific type or style or subject - whether it's because it's what they truly love, or simply because they push themselves harder in that direction.  All of that to say, I'm truly loving newborn photography - it really is where my passion lies.  (Although I shot my few wedding a few months ago and loved it SO much more than I expected to...so who knows where CHP will be headed next!)

{twin baby girls tied up in a pink bow! aaaagggg! to die for!!}

WHAT SETS YOUR BUSINESS APART FROM OTHER PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS?

Me!  ha ha!  seriously though, I have my own unique style, you get what you see - I'm real, honest, fun, goofy and truly LOVE what I do, and don't take it for granted EVER.

WHAT ARE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER?

I'd say to start with selecting a few photographers based on their style - that is the main thing that sets most of us apart.  There are only so many poses out there, and sure we all give each our little spin, but it comes down to the style and post-processing that defines a photographer's work.  The next (and most important) thing would be personality - if you aren't comfortable with your photographer, your photos will show it.  Choose someone that inspires you, 'gets' you, and produces images that you cherish.

{loooooove this photo! priceless!!}

WHAT ARE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLOTHING TO WEAR FOR PHOTO SESSIONS?
I could write BOOKS on this subject {Ummm...yes, please!}.  I'm constantly putting together 'What to Wear' photos - maybe I was a fashion designer in another life (ha!) - but I do have some really key suggestions.  Your clothing choices should enhance rather than distract from the subject.  Try to stay away from large, trendy items or patterns (those tend to date a photo rather quickly), TEXTURE is everything, as is layering - think of a great scarf, fun jacket or headband, a great hat for the guys - the possibilities are endless...and it's not necessary to all lwear the same color for a photo to feel cohesive - rather, choose an overall color pallete (such as earth tones) and then accent/accessorize with bright bold color and great textures.  I love going through options and ideas with my clients before a session - I've had lots of people bring several options to their shoot and we decide there, and even mix it up throughout the shoot!

{sporting the adam's blankie "bird's nest" headband, available at www.adamsblankie.com}

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE PARENTS WHO WANT THEIR NEWBORNS OR YOUNG CHILDREN TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED?
Oh how I wish I was the 'baby whisperer', but alas, I am not.  I simply do what has worked best for my kiddos, and sometimes I'm wildly sucessful, and other times I end up with a screaming newborn or shy 2 year old - it just depends on the kiddo!  A few key points though:

Newborn photos - have them photographed within the first 10 days!  I can't stress this enough - there's something magical about those first 10 days, baby is still very sleepy and it's so much easier to get those gorgeous 'squishy' poses that everyone wants.  There is one caveat though, if mama's milk hasn't come in yet, you will have one SUPER grumpy baby - so try to find that magic window.

Babies and Kiddos - The biggest thing, get down on their level!  You'll have a much better chance of having them looking at you, and not looking like little tiny people you're hovering over. ;)  I wrote an entire blog post on this very subject - you can find it here:  http://christinahendrickphotography.com/blog/photograhing-your-kiddos

ANY OTHER ADVICE OR TIPS FOR THE READERS?

Yes!  Have your family photo taken.  Period.  I don't care if you get your neighbor to do it, or some passerby at the park - just make sure you capture your family on a regular basis and make them get together for a few photos - they don't have to be perfect, or posed, but I promise you, they will be cherished!

{check out the amazing lighting here ~ wowza!!}

Love, love all the advice and words of wisdom on the ever-changing and ever-challenging topic of photography!  Thank you SO very much for taking time out of your busy schedule to help enlighten us all!  I know you'll continue to be wildly successful in your business, creating beautiful portfolios for us to treasure!

Also, just so all my readers know, Christy also specializes in graphic design {seriously! so NOT fair for one person to be so uber-talented in so many categories!!}, so be sure to check her out for logo development, cards for special occasions, photo editing and more!

Have a product you'd like reviewed?

Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com

www.adamsblankie.com