15 August, 2008

What's in YOUR Bag Heather Cole?

I am sincerely excited to introduce you to Missouri based photographer Heather Cole.


She's a mom, a wife and a photographer and though we've not met in person, from what I can see, she's absolutely magical at all three. Enjoy our interview and some awesome samples of her work below.


Me: What type of photography do you specialize in?
Heather: Hmm... a type...if I had to narrow it down it would be Weddings, engagements and Seniors. Those are the three areas that I would say I'm recognized for.


Me: What do you LOVE to shoot for you?
Heather: My daughter, Olivia. I love capturing her in motion and telling the story of her life.


Me: What is your primary camera body?
Heather: Nikon D3

Me: What body do you use for back up?
Heather: Nikon D700 (soon to be).



Me: What would be the one lens you just cannot live without and why?
Heather: Oh, that's a tough one. If I had to say probably my Sigma 28mm 1.8. I love shooting wide and capturing the entire story in the frame.


Me: What other gear do you drag along most the time (in order of importance)?
Heather: I keep it simple. 1. Nikon D3 (duh) 2. Shootsac 3. 28mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4 and whole lotta memory.


Me: Which other photographers have really inspired you?
Heather: 1. Jesh de Rox (www.jeshderox.com). I had the privilege of meeting him in June of last year and then taking part in his workshop. He really opened up my mind and my soul and I was able to really tune in to who I am as an artist and what I want to offer my clients. 2. Nate Kaiser (www.theimageisfound.com). I'm blessed to know this man and call him my friend. He's such a great shooter and his work on his blog is a constant source of inspiration. He's always pushing the envelope and coming up with beautiful work. 3. Bobbi Sheridan (www.bobbiandmike.com). I had the opportunity to meet her last December and my life and business has never been the same. She helped me create my logo that changed my life/studio as I knew it. Not only is she a magician on the graphic side but she and her husband Mike create such beautiful pieces of work. It could be raining, snowing, dark, light, crowded, empty, hot, cold, that woman can WORK IT OUT. Her blog is a constant source of inspiration.


Me: What would be the one piece of advice you'd give to an aspiring photographer?
Heather: Invest in yourself. For several years I tried to just evolve my work as I learned a few new techniques here and there. It wasn't until I really started investing in myself and attending some AMAZING workshops that I became the person I am today. I'm a stronger shooter, business woman, friend, wife and mother because I invested in myself. I'm a better me all around and that results in a win-win for everyone! :)


Me: I could not agree more. INVEST IN YOURSELF. Period. We could end there! HOWEVER,the reader who requested I do an interview with you asked the following: "I'd like to know if she exclusively uses natural light on location shoots or some artificial."
Heather: To answer your question, yes. 99.9% of the time all I use is natural light. No reflectors, no light meters, just me and the subject. The only time I use artificial lights is when I'm trying to achieve that "look" so to speak. I like artificial lights when I'm shooting bands, when I'm going for a hard fashion look or when I'm doing something fun like painting with
lights. My favorite is that golden sun right before the sun sets...MEOW!

Heather,
Interviewing you was a true honor.
Thank you for being so candid and fun and just . . . wonderful!
May every success be yours!!

Sincerely,
Natalie Norton

Don't miss previous installments of What's in YOUR Bag?

Jasmine Star
Michael and Anna Costa
Ed Pingol
Allison Cox
Jonathan Canlas
Sean Flanigan

Found this post helpful? Don't miss other's like it! Subscribe here.

14 comments:

Bobbi said...

Heather, you inspire me. I'm so incredibly proud of you.

Love you!

~bobbi

Anonymous said...

She does some wonderful photography! Thanks for this interview -- loved it!

OhCaptain said...

Nice interview, your first link to her site doesn't work.

Natalie. said...

Ohcaptain: THANKS! Fixed the problem.

I swear people, what the heck is wrong with me lately??

Natalie. said...

Bobbi,

Watch out sister, you're likely to be next. I took a little mosey on over to your blog and I'm totally impressed!!

Aloha,

Natalie

Anonymous said...

Awesome! I love Heather Cole!

Rachel Allen said...

Natalie~

I am freaking in love with your blog! Seriously, you are UBER talented!

- Rachel Allen

Anonymous said...

natalie - just found your blog through your cute tutorials on DPS. LOVE it and love your interviews. I am a graphic designer by trade and a budding wedding/other photographer by hobby and new business adventures. did that sentence make sense? Anyway I really appreciate your blog and insights. thanks :)

OHANA PHOTOGRAPHERS said...

yay heather! heather rocks the party!!! woop woop!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Great shots Heather. Thanks for sharing. You're an incredible photog.

Anonymous said...

Yea for Heather! So excited for you!

Jessica said...

This was my favorite interview so far. Loved it and love that I have a new photog blog to stalk.
Thanks Nat! (I made my husband read her answer about her "one piece of advice" and now we'll have to see if it sank in at all. ;)
~jess
www.CapturedByJess.wordpress.com

Natalie. said...

Jess,

I totally agree. . . I read that and was like. . . YAY! What workshop should I hit up next???

I love feeling totally justified in spending thousands of dollars. . . ;)

xo,

Natalie

wren photography said...

HEY NATALIE MY NAME IS KASSEY AND WAS INTRODUCED TO YOUR AMAZING BLOG BY THE TALENTED HEATHER BALLIET. I'M ALSO A GOOD FRIEND, (YOU MIGHT EVEN SAY BEST FRIEND) OF YOUR SIS IN LAW KINDSAY. I'M LOVING YOUR BLOG AND I'M SO GLAD HEATHER SHOWED IT TO ME, IT'S ALREADY HELPED ME OUT A TON
THANKS!