Welcome
Welcome to Issue 24 of SeniorInspire the newsletter!
I'm not going to waste a lot of time in the intro because we've got a great issue this week including our interview with Selessa Holmberg where she reveals her favorite swear word!
Read on!
Instagram and Social Media
8 Instagram Trends to Pay Attention to in 2021
Are you on top of your Instagram game?
If you quickly answered 'YES I AM!', then you can skip past this story.
Otherwise, you're not going to want to miss these 8 Instagram trends for 2021 from SproutSocial.
Trend #4 is Instagram Guides which I had never heard of, but it looks like a great way to educate clients on your product line among other things.
I personally want to do some more research on guides, but in the meantime you can see an example guide on pastrywithjenn's Instagram page where she put together a guide to restaurants and bakeries in her hometown.
OK, now I'm hungry...
Creativity
My iPhone can do that?
I don't have an iPhone, but for those of you who do (I'm guessing most of you cool cats do) here are 5 super tips from B&H to spark your creativity taking photos with your phone.
While the video is geared towards iPhone photography, most of these can be modified to work creatively with our DSLR and Mirrorless cameras as well.
Check it out!
Your mental health
13 Things to Throw Away Right Now
One of the advantages of getting older is you start getting useful emails from AARP (American Association of Retired Persons for you youngsters). But one of the disadvantages of getting useful emails from AARP is... you're old.
Anyway, here's a great article AARP sent me about decluttering. If you aren't already a disciple of Marie Kondo, this article will get you headed in the right direction with 13 things you're going to want to get rid of.
There are also lessons here to be applied to your studio or camera bag. How much lighter would your bag be if you removed everything that doesn't add value?
Personally, I've added so many things to my bag 'I might use someday', that tossing all that would make it a whole lot easier to sling over my shoulder.
Meet the Photographer
Simply Selessa
For today's interview we head north to Michigan, the home of Selessa Studio.
If you follow senior photographers on Instagram, make sure you're following Selessa Holmberg. Her work is incredibly vibrant and always fresh. On top of that, she's one of the nicest people in the business.
Selessa sat down with us for a quick interview last week...
SeniorInspire I can always pick out one of your images from the incredible colors. Do you have a secret to getting such vibrant color without overdoing it?
Selessa Holmberg Oh, thanks so much Nick! I know many amazing photogs that have such great color! I always love to adjust in Lightroom, making my own presets. And carefully adjusting for each photo and yes, try to not overdue for sure. Photoshop slight adjustments, and most of the time I use OCF which I see usually adds color.
SI Amazing locations are another thing you're known for. How many favorite locations do you have?
SH Okay, did you hear something? Yes, I might be a bit bad when I am driving around, keeping my eyes open for anything interesting for locations. I've been known to swerve over and drive behind a building that caught my eye while driving. And I drive my hubby crazy asking him to turn around, if I notice something that might work for a shoot. I was so excited to bring some of my model team to Chicago last year during the spring for some colorful fun areas. The pandemic squashed that idea and all my planning. As far as my shooting area choices, I talk to seniors at a consultation, showing samples. I suggest based on clothes that they want to bring as well.
SI You seem like the nicest person in the business. Do you have a favorite swear word?
SH Thanks, I try. That is so nice of you to say! Yeppers not always as nice when I am trying not to swear, ha ha. Oh crappity is one that comes to mind.
SI Here in Chicago crappity is a 2 out of 10 on the cuss-o-meter, but we'll count that. LOL. I believe you live fairly close to two Big 10 universities. Is the Holmberg house pro Spartans or Wolverines?
SH I grew up in West Bloomfield, but now live in Wolverine Lake. Both are close to the two big Universities. But since my daughter went to University of Michigan and my son went to Michigan State, we are a divided house!
SI Woah, that must be rough on your daughter and son during football season! What's something about each of them you're proud of?
SH This answer could be way too long! But I’ll force myself to keep it short. Neither of my kids were interested in the artistic world. I'm proud of my daughter for her caring, thoughtful ways, and her intelligence. She will be a Nurse Practitioner next year. And I'm proud of my son for his maturity and love seeing how he treats his girlfriend, so caring and kind. His intelligence, he’s a system developer. He actually is writing some code for day trading now for my husband to use. So obviously they aren’t taking after me in the artistic world.
SI If you weren't a photographer, what do you picture yourself doing for a career?
SH Well I graduated in advertising so that is where I began. I had my own small advertising business with about 10 employees plus freelancers during our busiest seasons. We worked with mainly car companies. If not advertising, I would have loved working in the fashion design field.
SI Are there any non-photography pages you follow on Instagram for inspiration?
SH Yep, Stephanie Danielle, Lisa Prang, Sonyaxsingh, InstaDogs for a smile and Cats of Instagram for a laugh.
SI Going to add all those accounts on Instagram (except the cats). Thanks so much for the tips and for sitting down with us today!
And Finally
That's a wrap on Issue 24!
Twenty-four issues! Can you believe it?
When I started putting these out almost 6 months ago, I thought for sure I'd do a few and then it would fizzle. But here we are, two dozen issues in and so close to a thousand subscribers!
And I can't tell you how much the welcome reception and kind words about the newsletter have meant to me! You all keep me going!
If you have any thoughts about how to make the newsletter better, ideas for features or just want to say hello, please hit reply to this email and send me a message. Or if you're reading this on the web and want to get in touch you can email me here
Thanks for reading!