Jess Bishop Photography » Your Life as Art

This girl is BEAUTIFUL inside and out she was my senior rep last year. Here was her first session we did.

I loved doing this session.

Here is Cami she is a 2011 Senior in Texas she was out here visiting family and last minute decided to do her Senior photos.

Enjoy them…she’s a beautiful one!

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What fun this was for me. I really needed to get out of the house. I have been feeling so trapped in my home that I am going a little crazy and this was a perfect night for me to get out even if I didn’t take one photo but as you will be able to tell I couldn’t help myself. Thanks Vanessa for setting up this wonderful shoot with the models, hair and creativity you really pulled it off. It was also really fun to meet some new photographer’s. I can’t believe how many there are here I can’t seem to keep up with it all.

I really had fun with the RED its my favorite color and every time I say this I think why are my business colors pink…ummm, I dunno what I was thinking.

This week is busy…and pretty much next week looks the same but I will go for next week to round up the information to show you all. I’m excited for the interest and I hope that whatever my journey and insight can be helpful to you.

And I’m gonna find some pictures to post. Found some and I can’t believe I never posted these from when I met up with Keith Bryce. Remember he has a workshop this weekend that is going to be AMAZING! It’s still not to late to sign up.

extras

and smiles

they liked us (photo of me taken by Suzanne)

I got to meet these wonderful girls Suzanne (the photo above is Suzanne) and Andrea. Seriously there is so much talent here in Utah.

Keith and I (photo taken by Suzanne)

This is a long post so go get something good eat and prepare yourself to read my WONDERFUL insight…he he and all the links I have.

Though it’s been 2 months that I had posted about my changes for this year. I talked briefly on my business and losing money. My husband had to remind me I didn’t loose money. You see, my goals for my business was to  be a HOBBY and pay for itself…and it did!

It paid for
all my workshops (Brianna Graham, the Image is Found, Skye Hardwick, Rock that OCF, Keith Bryce Big Bang)
my studio lighting (alien bee 400, soft box, light stands, backdrops)
all my cameras (Canon 20D, Canon 5D)
lens’s (50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8 24-70mm 2.8, 70-200mm 2.8 ISM)
my flash (580 EX ll)
pocket wizards (2)
my computer (an old school Mac that should be upgraded),
my hard drives (I have 4 external hard drives),
my props (couches, hats, clothes)
my photoshop CS3,
my templates (for Christmas cards, & albums)
all my marketing (CD holders, albums, photos, & advertising)
my website (blu domain website, my blog from Pro Photo)
Spent a lot time on developing myself and networking that I really didn’t get paid for that (countless hours in front of the computer, blogging, facebooking, answering emails…like I started this post at 1 and had many interruptions and now its 9 p.m.)
I should have paid for rent and utilities…even if it is out of my home.

As I got caught up in the business of photography I thought I was a horrible business owner. I wasn’t keeping up with everyone else out their in the market and it started to take a toll on me and my art. I decided to look at my business as a business and I wasn’t making anything more than to pay for itself and I felt like a failure. I do about 1-4 shoots a month (those were my goals) and let’s say if my husband died and I needed to provide I would need to 4-6 shoots a week to make money. You have to decide what it is you want out of PHOTOGRAPHY everyone loves it and lets face it, it’s NOT for everyone. If you’re going to make it a hobby stay within the range of what is being offered out their. Don’t undercut all the other photographers around you. You will get over worked and under paid. It’s not good business…believe me I have been there and for me it was a reflection in my confidence. I have many photographer friends outside of the state of Utah that continue to tell me I should raise my prices but I am in the right place for my market (Utah County alone is very saturated with photographers).

I have found the best article about this topic and quiet frankly she says it better than I would…check it out here. If you are really really wanting to get into the business I suggest you read this and this

A quote from MCP Actions that I have said to myself is, “Artists work from emotions, and you better step outside of that for a moment and keep those emotions and business separated, or you will BE a starving artist who will one day look back and say “my kids are grown, where did the time go?  I sat in front of that computer for hours for less than minimum wage… I wish I had that time back with my kids….”  No one looks back and says “I wish I would have worked more away from my family….”

This is were I’m at with my career. I am pregnant with number 5 and for some reason this has created for me some anxiety. I have children that are in extracurricular activities that will consists more of my time. Honestly, I don’t know how people do it.  I don’t want to look back and see what have I missed out on or what my kids missed out on but I also look back and see what have I gained from all of this too.  I love photography I don’t think I will ever quit but I am going to slow down…this doesn’t mean I am not doing sessions so don’t hesitate to contact me it’s just time to BREATHE and reflect on my photography and what’s in my heart. I think I have gotten a little lost with the COMPETITION.

So WHY do I share my experience HONESTLY I don’t know. I have just felt I should. So, any of those deciding to start a business REALLY THINK about it. It’s a lot of work and you should get paid for it. I hope that this hasn’t offended any but have given you a greater understanding from my perspective.

In conclusion I have some photos to share…how could I not.

Sitting here listening to Miley Cyrus and my girls aren’t even home…I probably shouldn’t confess that.
Just had to take a break from editing…I am swimming in sessions…fun stuff!

Here comes a long post because it was tough to narrow it down from 3 days of shooting.
This workshop was super fun…crazy busy for me…and not mention amazing! I learned so much. It took me a bit to wrap my head around it but finally got it on the last day. Thanks Ali for everything I’m so happy it all worked out even with the crazy weather we had.

I had know idea Salt Lake had a night life like this.

This is Mel and she is amazing! I love these shots because this was the type of shots I wanted to learn…when the sun finally decided to come out of the clouds.

This girl was walking by and was asked to be photographed…beautiful willing subject.

Okay, so I ran out of gas again…seriously you’d think I learn the first time. Well this time it was on the freeway…so I drove the car to the off ramp so that it was a little safer to start the walk with my little one.
I didn’t even get half way up the ramp and Carol stopped to help me. She thought it would be safe to pick a young mom holding her child walking on the freeway off ramp.
I just have to say there is still kindness out there though it may feel like a scary world the kindness is all around.

After we got the gas in the car she saw my vinyl on my car and the rest is history. Let me introduce to you my new friend.

This is Katie and Dan from Peek A Boo Photos.

And this by far was my best photoshoot of the year the laughing factor was pretty high. You guys when the prize.
It all started out in a hurry to get the good light. We were driving in Katie’s new car and she decided to go on a speed bump (she didn’t see it) and catch some air…and we did. Dan congratulated us on catching flight.
Then smallest of them gave me a run for my money and grandpa’s too. She cried a lot! The whole shoot was a bit of a rush but the best part was taking flight. I still laugh to this day…thanks Katie and Dan for the good times.