Have you ever wondered, who is Erin anyways? What is her back story? Well then, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a little reading. This is an interview I answered for a feature on a wedding blog. For you word junkies {which I am not} forgive me for committing grammar sin, Im sure they are in there even though I re-read it a hundred times. Did I just commit 5 wrongs in the previous sentence? Anyways, on to the part where you get to know me... Please provide a short summary about your business (what area do you serve, do you travel, how long have you been in business, etc)? How did you get started? I am Erin of Erin Johnson Photography, which I started 15 years ago. My studio is made up of myself, two associate wedding photographers and a couple of gals that keep the wheels turning. We primarily focus on wedding photography but also expand into portraits, mitzvahs, events and anything related to people. Our studio is located in Minneapolis, MN and we are excited to travel the world. I feel so blessed that photography found me! I went to college for studio art and had no direction on what that would lead to as far as a career. I come from a long line of entrepreneurs so it was in my blood to start my own company at some point. I dropped out of college and was burning the candle on both ends as a waitress at three different restaurants. I did manage to pay off my debt quickly but I was also burned out. Eventually, I ended up getting hired as a painter at a children’s photography studio. There I discover photography and thought to myself “I could do that”. It seemed like such an easy way to make art. I was use to days and weeks and sometimes months of working on the same painting or drawing. A painter friend at that studio was also a wedding photographer and she invited me to check it out. I did and I fell in love with wedding photography. My focus became just that even though I still didn’t know how to use a camera properly. I assisted at weddings for a year and then started working as a lead photographer. After a couple of years I grow my own company and went on my own at the same time as having my first daughter. That was a scary step for me but I am so glad I did. Please share some information about you as a photographer and the style of photography you shoot. What inspires you? What are you passionate about? Are you self-taught or classically trained? You know what is so great about photography? It is a point of connection, it brings people together. That is what inspires me and pushed me to take my photos from just photos to art. My hope is that people will cherish their wedding photos for many generations. I want people to look at my photos and feel things. I get very excited when I am presented with an over the top wedding that is filled with mind blowing details and a couple completely in love. My own family is extremely important to me so I enjoy watching the closeness of the many relationships that the bride and groom have. I remember after I had my first daughter I went to a wedding and cried during the father/daughter dance thinking of my own daughter being there someday. For crying out loud, I was most likely hormonal considering she was just born but I really do love documenting those tender relationships. The gushier people get the happier I get, which results in captivating photos. The feelings that people get when they look at my photos are the feelings I get to experience when I take them. Oddly, I also really love the high-stress, fast paced timelines and unpredictable events that can happen on a wedding day. The harder I have to work to photograph a wedding the better I feel about my work. I love a good challenge! The style of photography that I strive for is fresh, classic, romantic and a just a little quirky. It is important to me to create timeless photos with clean lines . On a typical wedding day I am looking to cover the details and the things that set the scene, the story of the day, the portraits and the many different emotions. Please share some of your top photography tips. They can be technical, educational, or insights you’ve gained over your years in the industry. What have you learned that’s surprised you, and other new photographers might be interested to know? Its a shark tank out there! I tend to have a real and raw kind of attitude and I have had to learn to tame that down until I get to know people in the industry. You may be for everyone but not everyone is for you. The ones that are the jems are worth finding though. I think a productive way to learn good photography is to study what you like and then shoot a ton. I think it is important to evaluate your work as often as possible. Getting your photos critiqued is insightful also. I have found great value in being part of photography groups that are filled with like-minded people. I can get tips and questions answered by people that are in a similar position as myself. One thing that has surprised me about owning a photography business is how much is involved that is not actually picking up my camera. Soooo many emails, marketing strategies and financial stuff. Most of the tasks I enjoy except for the endless emails. How has getting published helped you? I like that publications help my clients feel like stars for a day. Some of my clients ask me from the beginning how to plan their wedding so it will get published. The vendors that I work with enjoy the extra exposure and the added credentials to their portfolios.
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 04:22:10 +0000
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