What's In YOUR Bag? Update.

For those of you who have been using my name in vain these past few weeks in the absence of my What's in YOUR Bag? segment, I offer my sincere apologies. I've been so swamped and for the sake of my children and, well, let's just face it, my sanity, something had to give! BUT! Never fear, there are some AWESOME things a comin' in the next few weeks and months!

In the mean time, have a great weekend. Make some time to PLAY with the people you love! I'm of the opinion that people have forgotten how to just play and have FUN, which makes being an adult really.really.stupid. Richie and I will be having a phone and internet fast until Monday, so we can play as hard as humanly possible for the next 2 days with NO distractions. Yahoo!! I'll see you then!

Happy Shooting!

xo,

N

May I Take Your Order?

Hi blog-a-licious blogger friends,

Last week I posted, Your Input: What's In Your Bag? I'll admit it folks, I was disappointed with the response! There have got to be other photographers who you dig. I KNOW there are blogs where you're a regular lurker and are dying to know what kind of equipment they use to get those buttery delicious images. So, I'm giving you one more chance! Let me know which photographers you'd like me to contact for future installments of What's in Your Bag. You may also let me know a specific question you'd like me to ask the photographer you request. I'm not making any solid promises, but I'll do my very best to honor all your requests. Those of you who did comment last week, THANK YOU! I'm working on getting the scoop!

Comment below with your "order!" AND remember, anonymous comments are a-ok!

Have a great Sunday!

xoxo,

Natalie

Whatis IS YOUR Bag Natalie Norton?

Sooo. . . we're going to do things a little differently this week for the What's in Your Bag? installment. BECAUSE, I bought a new bag! That I'm thrilled with!!

Welcome to What IS Your Bag Natalie Norton?

Meet the Tamrac CyberPro Express! I am in love with this bag for so many reasons.

1. It has wheels! If you didn't know, I have Degenerative Disk Disease in my spine, which apparently not everyone thinks is degenerative nor do many consider it a disease. The only real concern is that I'm only 26. . . and I've had problems with it since I was 17. . . NOT NORMAL. HOWEVER, to me, basically it means I shouldn't lift heavy stuff. Or get pregnant again for a long time. Gol. What a tangent. . . so the bag has wheels! And I LOVE THAT!
2. It is lap top compatible!!! Wahoo! As I'm doing more and more weddings out of state and need my Macbook, Earl, to ride along with me in style, this is a HUGE bonus that I wasn't even thinking about during the hunt. This feature was so a deal clincher.


3. It can hold more junk than Hurley's trunk. Lenses galore, two large camera bodies WITH BATTERY PACKS ATTACHED WHILE SPORTING 70-200mm ZOOMS!!! It also has room for my external flash and 3 or 4 different lenses. . . 4 for me since I'm moving over to the world of WIDE PRIME and they're all small.

4. Carry on compatible. Need I say more??

5. All the other typical junk:

• large pockets for ac adapters, cables etc.
• weather protection
• fully padded
• bla bla bla

I LOVE THIS BAG!! It's a little pricey (I bought mine for $279.95. . . but that's because I walked right into a Ritz and paid retail so I wouldn't have to wait. . . I'm sure you could find cheaper online) but SO worth it!!

Now all I need is a bag for shooting. . . I'm skipping back and forth between Boda and ShootSac. Your thoughts?

Stay tuned for another episode of What's in Your Bag? to hear how I FILLED said bag!

And don't miss past installments of What's in Your Bag?

Jasmine Star
Michael and Anna Costa
Ed Pingol
Allison Cox

Happy Shooting and have a great weekend!

xo,

Natalie

Your Input: What's In YOUR Bag?

Image found via: Creative Imaging News

Hi one and all. I'm wanting your input on photographers
you'd like me to do What's In Your Bag? interviews with.
Who are you dying to get the scoop about? Who inspires YOU?
I'm pretty darn good at getting people to dish. :)
Comment below.

Happy Shooting!

xoxo,

Natalie

*Edited to include: If you're too shy to ask. . . feel free to comment anonymously!

What's in YOUR Bag Allie Anne?

Meet Utah photographer Allison Cox of Allie Anne Photography. Allison and I go way back, to ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in fact! We lost touch for years but reconnected at the Jonathan Canlas Workshop in March. What a HAPPY HAPPY coincidence. This girl is A.MAZING. Not only is she an amazing mother and friend, but she is a fantastic photog. She CONSISTENTLY produces quality images. Very fine art and totally timeless.







Well, without further ado, here's my interview with Allison. . .

ME: So, what's your MAIN camera body?
Allison: My Contax 645 film camera. This is my baby :) I use it for almost everything.

ME: What do you use for backup?

Allison: My Canon 5D. Also a great camera. I like to have it on hand where ever I go.

ME: You shoot both film and digitally. I want to hear your favorite things about each medium. Let's start with film.

Allison: Aw, film. What can I start with? There are so many great things about film. One of the biggest things I love about it is, I don't have to do much post work and they always look fabulous (straight out of camera). I don't like to spend hours on end on the computer, so it's great that I can use 99.9% of my shots and not have to edit them much. The depth, saturation, and color is really unbeatable. Also, I like that it's tangible, something I can see and feel (weird, I know.. but I just like that about it). Film is just classic; it will never go out of style.

ME: Ok, now what about digital?
Allison: I have to admit that I love my digital camera. I love the instant gratification of seeing my images right away. It's so fun and easy. I also (sometimes) like to play around with my images in photoshop and see what I can come up with. It's just fun. There are definitely advantages for using digital -- it's cheaper! I use my digital camera around the house a lot photographing my daughter. It's very handy :) I also use it for weddings/bridals/ and pretty much everything as a secondary camera.

ME: Tell me about your lens selection. Which lens can't you live without? Why?
Allison: I actually don't have a huge lens selection. I'm a pretty simple gal. I don't have oodles of equipment.
ME: I'm glad you brought that up. I wish more beginning photographers would realize that they really don't NEED a whole lot of equipment to get rockin' images. I've never shot with more than 2 lenses at any given time. I'm planning on buying a third here pretty soon, however it's not a necessity, just a perk . . . anyway, so tell me about your extra gear.

Allison: I totally agree. I have:

• Contax: I only have one lens for my contax 645 which is the 80mm f2.0 that I've had for years. I love this lens. I have gotten great shots with this lens time after time and been so happy with it.
• 5D: For my 5D I just have two lenses. The 24-70mm f2.8 and the 85mm f1.8. These two lenses are really all I need for now. I love the versatility of the 24-70. since it's my only wider angle lens, I use it for everything. So, to answer your question... I guess I can't live without any of these lenses since they're all I have at the moment!
  

ME: Any other camera toys you dig?

Allison: Yes, the Holga. I've had my beat up Holga since my first year of college and I absolutely love it. I recently purchased the 'diana' -- which I'm growing to love more and more. These cameras are so unpredictable and lovely.
ME: Because of you, Jonathan and Leo, I've really become a fan of the Holga. I'm buying one next week in fact!

ME: What else do you bring to every shoot?
Allison: I don't leave the house without my light meter. I'm not the most technical person, but I've learned that this little tool is a must have if I am to get good results using film.

ME: What's the best piece of advice you ever received about photography?
Allison: It would probably be something along the lines of -- shoot what makes you happy and what keeps you inspired.
ME: That's GREAT! I couldn't agree more! I wish more photographers would keep that in mind. That advice is worth its weight in gold.

Be sure to check out Allison's blogs: old and new alike.

Allison,

Thank you so much for sharing with us!
You are a bright light in the world of photography
as well as a great friend
I'm so glad to have rediscovered!
May everything that's wonderful be yours!

xoxo,
Nat

Don't miss previous issues of What's in YOUR Bag? So far we've heard from:

Jasmine Star
Michael and Anna Costa
Ed Pingol

Check out the interviews here.

What's in YOUR Bag Ed Pingol?

I am so excited to introduce you to my friend Ed Pingol. I met Ed at the Jonathan Canlas Workshop here in Hawaii in March, and I got to meet his sweet wife Monica (the other half of Ed Pingol Photography) at WPPI a couple of weeks later. They are a darling couple and a powerhouse of a photography team. Ed is known well throughout the industry for his mad ninja skills with the external flash. This guy knows his junk.



Monica and Ed were just awarded 2nd place in Sacramento's best photographer of 2008 competition. Congratulations guys! I'm very happy for you.

So, let's get right to it:

Me: So my darlings, what's in your bag? Start with camera body.
Ed and Monica:

• canon 40d: the workhorse and back-up times four. . . we have four of these. Two a piece. And just a side note, you cannot not have back up gear. You're shooting a wedding that happens only once ("knock on wood!"). You have to have back up!

Me: On to lenses, what lenses do you have?
Ed and Monica:

• canon 10-22 F/3.5-4.5 USM
• canon 17-55 F/2.8 IS USM
• canon 70-200 F/2.8 IS USM
• sigma 30mm F/1.4 USM equivalent
• canon 50mm F/1.4 USM
• canon 60mm F/2.8 Macro
• canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
• canon 100mm F/2 USM
• canon 135mm F/2 USM

Me: Ok, well since you guys are "the stuff" as far as external flash is concerned, tell me about your flash system.
Ed and Monica:

• st-e2 infrared transmitter
• canon 580ex speedlite, the work horse! Two of these guys.
  
• nikon SB-28 speedlight, cheap and awesome flash! We have 5 of these babies.
• 32 rayovac 15 minute AA batteries for flashes, remotes and well... that's it.
• AlienBee B800 Flash Unit, to increase ambient light in large halls. We have 2 of these.
• 5 Pocket Wizards to trigger anything i need to be triggered.

Me: 5 Pocket Wizards huh. . . you could probably trigger a space station if you wanted to. . . you should try it sometime. Totally. So a lot of my readers have questions about gear, well more specifically about the cost of gear. They're wanting recommendations on good cheap gear. What would you tell them?
Ed and Monica: Save your cash and buy right the first time. It'll hurt a bit but it really is the way to go. Remember, lenses are the eyes of your camera. Make sure your camera can see 20/20 especially if you're planning on shooting a wedding.

Me: So how about the Canon vs Nikon battle to the death? What's your 2 cents on that?
Ed and Monica: It really doesn't matter... both have very good cameras. Either way, you really can't go wrong. But you know what our preference is! (cough.... Canon!.... cough)

Me: What's in your computer room? I heard something on the wind recently that led me to believe you've gone back to PC. Is that true?
Ed: I used to be a mac dude, but I'm one of those rare people that went back to PC's, it's true.
Me: Why?
Ed: It's cheaper and you can build a custom system for a fraction of the cost.

• dell xps 710 ferrari series tower with liquid cooled dual graphic cards with 2 digital output each.
• quad monitors. "argh argh argh!!!" (barked like Tim the Toolman Taylor).
  

Me: How many weddings do you shoot per year?
Ed and Monica: we have a cap of 35 weddings per year for 2008 and tentatively 30 for 2009+.

Here's a sample from a recent shoot from Ed Pingol Photography. Be sure to click to enlarge:

Ed and Monica,
Thank you for giving us the scoop.
You two are splendid in every way, and I
can't wait to see you again very soon!
xoxo,
Natalie

Don't miss previous issues of What's in Your Bag?

Michael and Anna Costa
Jasmine Star

If you have any follow up questions for Ed and Monica, please feel free to comment below and I'll be glad to compile them, get the responses and do a follow up post. Let's not inundate them with emails. They were ever so kind to take the time to dish in the first place!

Also please comment below and let me know which photographers you'd like to hear from in a future issue of What's in YOUR bag?

Ok all ya'll.
This is me signing off until Monday.
Have a good weekend.
Happy Shooting!
xoxo,
N

What's in YOUR blog Mike and Anna Costa?

Ok, so last week I introduced a new "column" here on my blog called "What's in YOUR Bag?" where I featured the lovely and astonishingly talented Jasmine Star. Well last week I also wrote an article for DPS called Building Your Blog: 10 things to consider when building your rockin' photoblog encouraging aspiring photographers to get their name out there the best and fastest way they can, through a photoblog. Thus I decided to make this week's installment of "What's in YOUR bag?" a little twist on the original concept and ask Michael and Anna Costa for some info on what makes their blog SUCH a BOOMING success.


Michael and Anna Costa are a world renowned husband and wife photography team out of Santa Barbara, CA. This young team is storming through the industry, and they're making quite the splash. They're dead center on the radar of many industry leaders:

Be sure to take a second to check out their website and PARTICULARLY take the time to join their rock star photog forum: Photo For the People| a Forum.
Without further ado, I give you Michael and Anna Costa:

ME: What blogging service, ie blogger, wordpress etc. do you use for your blog?
COSTAS: We have two blogs! His & Hers? Anna's blog is a "Blogger" blog and Michael's is "Big Folio Blog."

ME: Do your images appear true to what you imported from your computer once they're published on your blog? Do you feel your blog allows for a good representation of your work?
COSTAS: Yes! We love how both our blogs show off our work accurately.

ME: What do you LOVE about your blog service/hosting?

COSTAS: With Big Folio - we love the clean, designer layout of it. It is a seamless transition from our website to our blog because the looks are so similar. I love the blogger blog because it's user friendly and everyone is comfortable posting! Since so many people have a blogger blog it's very familiar to use. Anna's blog was created to interact with clients/friends/family & fellow photographers more - so it's been great in that way, the bigfolio blog is more an extension of our portfolio.

ME: What would you change about your blog service/hosting?

COSTAS:

• For Big Folio - We would change the method of leaving comments. Since they are going for style and design, the comment links are really small and they are also repeat for every image post - even if it's within the same over all post. It makes creating a conversation type atmosphere a little more challenging.
• For Blogger - If you customize your URL away from the standard "blogspot" they make it a lot more difficult for you to customize the blog. We can see why they do this, but it's still sort of annoying!
  

ME: What do you think constitutes a good blog?

COSTAS: One that drives traffic! For us, it's really the person that is posting that makes or breaks a blog. If the content is interesting, personal and is updated regularly then you'll have a lot of people checking it out. As far as design/functionality, we'd say a good blog is simple and easy to use. If you are trying to portray a image of yourself then the design needs be there. But it all depends what your going for!

ME: Any particular tips for "pimping" out your blog?

COSTAS: If you already don't know how to "pimp" out your blog - save yourself time and energy by hiring someone who does!

ME: Anything else you'd like to add?

COSTAS: Blogs are awesome and are an amazing tool to connect with people you would never have had the opportunity and constantly show new work to the industry, clients, etc.

Michael and Anna,
Thank you so much for being such
fantastic contributors to the photographic community.
I wish you every wonderful success
and hope that our paths will cross one day soon.

xoxo,

Natalie

**Please note: If you have follow up questions regarding this post, please include them in the comments below. If I am unable to answer them all, I will compile them and send them over to Michael and Anna for their response. Please don't inundate this couple with inquiries. They were EVER SO KIND to give us the scoop in the first place, let's not add more to their already LOADED plate. Thanks!

Happy Shooting and have a great weekend!

What's in YOUR Bag Jasmine Star?

Hello my cyber-galactic photography friends. I'm VERY excited to announce the beginning of a new series of posts entitled What's in Your Bag?

In case you're interested, I'll be sure to give you the 411
at the end of the post on what inspired this
new series and what you can expect from it in the future.

Today we'll be hearing from the LOVELY Jasmine Star of Jasmine Star Photography.

Photo Credit: Mike Colon.

If I had to give 3 words to describe this rock star photog they'd be sure to center around her remarkable grace, her stunning class and her heap of refreshing talent. She was beyond gracious throughout our back and forths in preparation for this post (as well as the help she's been giving me for the highly anticipated follow up to Blog Power over at Digital Photography School). Be sure to take a second to check out her impressive bio from the link on her website. Could this girl get any cooler? I think not.

Without further ado, let's hear from Jasmine.

Me: What's your primary camera body?
Jasmine: Canon 5d.

Me: What's your back up camera body?
Jasmine: Canon 5d.

Me: What lenses do you shoot with?
Jasmine: I swap lenses all the time, so I don't really think I use one particular lens more than any other. Here's some of my favorite gear.

*The 70-200IS, 2.8...a ceremony favorite. This lens is buttery and when it locks into its focal point, it's just awesome!

Here's my dynamic duo...


*16-35, 2.8...This lens gets super wide angles and is an awesome story-telling lens...by this I mean it can truly capture an entire scene in a single snap.

*24-70, 2.8... This lens is pretty much a solve-all as it can be used pretty much in any capacity. It was my first lens and I truly love it as it's like an old teddy bear that I can't get rid of. When I first started, it was all I had and it was SO good to me! :) It's only downfall is that since it's so great within its range, I found myself not walking--or getting involved--with what I was shooting. Now that I'm shooting with prime lenses more often, I'm getting a much different feel to my images because I'm physically more involved with the scene...


The Trifecta...these are my homeboys!


*85mm, 1.8...This is the perfect portrait lens. I can't fully express how much I love this lens...ugh...it produces the creamiest images ever! I often bring this lens out during the ceremony when I want to shoot wide open from a slight distance...I love it!

*50mm, 1.4...This is my rock. I use this lens ALL the time. It just has a way of hammering out consistently sharp images and an awesome background fall-off. However, if I had to choose between the 1.4 and the 1.2, I'd most definitely get the 1.2! I can't wait to upgrade (**hint: the 1.2 will make a great anniversary, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, birthday or Groundhog's Day present!**) Also, I shoot most my detail shots with this lens, so it's pretty much a gold mine!

*28mm, 1.8...My newest baby and oh how I love him!! This wide-angle lens is just the funnest and coolest lens ever...it doesn't have any edge distortion and can be shot with a glorious 1.8 aperture! I LOVE prime lenses!!

NOTE: Jasmine has finally upgraded to the 50mm, 1.2!!
She says, "I shot with it for the first time on Thursday night
for an engagement session and I can't say
how much I LOOOOOVE this lens.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.
I'll be blogging a full review of it early next week!"

Me: Which is your sexy favorite, and how often would you say you use it?
Jasmine: 50mm, 1.2. If I had to, I could shoot an entire wedding with this lens. It's amazing!

Me: Any other gear you've got that rocks your world?
Jasmine: I love my Pocket Wizards! They're the best when trying to photograph the reception. I always use an off-camera light source for receptions, so the Pocket Wizards are my best friend!

Me: What would be your words of wisdom for photographers who are looking to buy a new DSLR system? What do you think is the MOST important thing to consider?
Jasmine: Ask yourself what's the most you'd spend on a camera. Then add $700 to that amount. Often times, spending a little more than you THINK should be spent is just the thing you need. Having that bit of fire under your bottom is just the thing people need to take their business to the next level.

Me: What's your favorite restaurant?
Jasmine: I'm a true food lover, so anyplace that has good cooking is fine by me! :)

Me: That last question is so that I can be sure to take you there for lunch next time I'm in CA.

Jasmine: LOL!!

Thank you Jasmine for your generous heart
and your willingness to share so much, so willingly.
You are a shining star (no pun intended...ha!) in this industry.

xoxo,

Natalie

**Please note: If you have follow up questions regarding this post, please include them in the comments below. If I am unable to answer them all, I will compile them and send them over to Jasmine for her response. Please don't inundate this poor gal with inquiries. She was EVER SO KIND to give us the scoop in the first place, let's not add more to her already LOADED plate. Thanks!

THE 411: I have been so excited for this series to make it's shining debut! I get frequent emails, like sometimes 5 or 6 in a single day, and generally in the double digits within the week, from aspiring photographers asking me questions about gear. I do my very best to offer a personal response to each of you, but as a crazy momma who had 3 crazy boys in 3 crazy years. . . my time is clearly limited, thus I decided I needed to come up with somewhere I could field these inquiries.

This will be a weekly series. As I've made a decision not to post on Sundays, as that's my church and family day, What's in YOUR bag? will be my weekend installment each week. I hope you dig the idea as much as I do!

Happy Shooting!