Welcome
Back at it after a week off for vacation!
Refreshed and read to go? Eh... maybe I was on the first day back. š
Anyway, one of the things I contemplated while I was sitting on the beach was the publishing schedule for SeniorInspire the magazine.
After getting feedback from a number of you, I've decided we're going to go with twice a year. A mid-year magazine and a year-end PILF contest issue.
Thanks to everyone who offered feedback. I couldn't do this without you!
In that feedfback, a lot of you expressed a desire to keep the magazine high end and make getting into a true accomplishment. Believe me, that is my goal!
That said, I may have a few other surprises along the way during 2021 and will announce those as we go.
Now on to Issue #23! It's a good one!!
Instagram and Social Media
Everything you need to know about Instagram Story Highlights
Great conversation about Instagram Story Highlights in the SeniorInspire Facebook Group this week started by Nancy Breakaway.
For those of you who don't have a full set of highlights sitting up top on your Instagram page, here's a great primer that'll have you creating highlights like a pro.
Pay special attention to the sections about adding covers to your highlights. A lot of people think you have to use one of your stories as your cover, but you can also use icons which will give your brand a more consistent look.
Check out the highlight covers from Sephora above to see how icons can be used to really upgrade your brand look and then check out the tutorial to see how to create them.
Your mental health
Don't be a donkey and other life hacks
One of the more interesting things I read last week was this piece by Vincent Carlos where he lists out 12 life ideas he stole from successful people.
This article is jam packed with life hacks that are sure to make a difference in how you approach things.
My favorite? Instead of saying 'having to', say 'get to'. For example, instead of saying 'I have to photograph this ill-behaved senior today', say 'I get to spend a couple hours being creative with this ill-behaved senior today!' š
My second favorite tip? Don't be a donkey! I could tell you what this means, but then you wouldn't read the article.
Do yourself a favor and check it out!
Education
Put a grid on it
Looking to get your studio lighting under control? Then it's key that you understand how and when to use grids.
Not sure how to use them? Check out this tutorial from Lindsay Adler!
There are no better photography instructors out there right now than Lindsay, and she does a fantastic job here walking you through the ins and out of grids.
And how about the software she uses to test her lighting ideas on a computer? It's called set.a.light 3D and it's available here. It's a little pricey, but looks incredible!
Meet the Photographer
Chasing Amy Kachel
For today's interview we took a long ride out to Colorado Springs to sit down with Amy Kachel of Amy K Photography. No one told me it was going to be a balmy 55 there, so I felt way overdressed in my snowmobile pants and parka.
SeniorInspire Nice to meet you Amy! How long have you been in business?
Amy Kachel I started my business in 2013, so about 8 years.
SI Is there something you wish you could go back and tell your younger self when you were first starting your photography business?
AK I wish I had been more assertive and able to say no at times, so I guess Iād go back and tell myself āyou donāt have to take every session/opportunity that comes your wayā. I took on every type of session in the beginning and it wasnāt until I decided to specialize in seniors that I really found my passion.
SI Colorado seems like an idyllic place to photograph seniors. Are there any downfalls to photographing in Colorado?
AK Colorado is a beautiful state, so I am definitely lucky to have such gorgeous scenery as the backdrop for my photos. But, there are certainly some downfalls! The biggest one for me is when the bluebonnets start blooming in Texas, and spring flowers start popping up across the country, we are usually still covered in snow here in Colorado Springs. Some of our biggest snow storms every year are during the months of March through May. It even snowed last year on June 9th! So for that reason, we really donāt have much of a spring season around here. The spring blooms donāt last long as it usually snows and freezes right after the trees have bloomed out. Iām always so jealous when I see other photographerās post their beautiful spring photos when we still have snow on the ground! And while our mountains are majestic, and our sunsets stunning, they only seem to last about 5 secondsā¦so you have to work fast when the sun starts to drop.
SI When I think of Colorado I think of skiing and the Sundance film festival. Any broken bones? Ever been to the film festival?
AK Honestly, Iāve only been skiing a couple of times in my life. So no broken bones! I donāt love being out in the extreme cold for long periods of time. My husband and I do love outdoor activities though, and we hiked our first 14er last summer and plan to hike another one this year. And, Iāve never been to Sundance but Iād love to go someday.
SI Your work is so consistently great! Have you ever had a session where you thought to yourself, 'this just ain't working'?
AK Thank you, I appreciate that so much! Sometimes I canāt believe that this is my job, and that I get paid to photograph people because itās just so much fun for me. But there have been times during my very busy season of photographing seniors when I feel like Iām stuck in a rut. Sometimes it can feel like youāre going to the same locations, using the same spots and poses and nothing feels fresh and new. Thatās when I know itās time to change things upā¦go location scouting, test out a new spot, or maybe plan a styled shoot just to get the creativity flowing again.
SI Which would you rather photograph, a thirty-year high school reunion or a two-year old throwing a temper tantrum?
AK A thirty- year high school reunionā¦ALL DAY, ANY DAY! I donāt have the patience to photograph young children with tempers. Plus, Iād fit right in at that 30 year reunion, so it would probably be a good time!
SI When you were younger, what did you wish you could become famous for?
AK I canāt remember really ever wanting to be famous for anything when I was younger. But, I do wish I could sing well. I love music and love singing out loud, but I canāt carry a tune to save my life! So if I could trade places with letās say, Adele, for a day that would be fun!
SI You have the power to rid the world of either cats or dogs. If you don't choose, they both go. Which are you saving?
AK Well thatās easy! Iām most definitely saving dogs! Dogs have so much personality. Iām not a cat person AT ALL.
SI Poor kitties. Is there a song you can't get out of your heads.
AK Iām Goodā¦by Hilltop Hoods! Itās a very catchy and honest song about the pandemic weāve all been living though. Check it out!
SI I will definitely be checking that one out. Thanks for the tip and thanks for sitting down with us today!