This is a really hard blog post for me to write, partly because the back story is complicated, partly because it means I’m exposing my own flaws to the world and partly because its just plain embarrassing. However, I feel it is important to tell this story because I don’t want other photographers, artists and creatives to fall into the same trap I did.

That trap is thinking you aren’t good enough.

You see, I never set out to start a photography business. It just kind of happened. I'm acutely aware that I have no background in business, and instead of seeing that as an opportunity for growth, I sometimes view it as a weakness. I’m constantly tweaking how I do things and am always on the lookout for ways I can better myself as an artist and small-business owner. For a long time, turning to the blogs and businesses of other photographers for help and inspiration was a huge source of comfort.

​But recently, I learned the hard way that relying too much on the advice of others can backfire. You see, I started to let people I don’t even know influence me in a very negative way. Namely, I was told that the key to success was finding my own, unique style.

I saw and heard this message over and over and over again -- so much that I started internalizing it. I became obsessed with wondering when I would find my style. The more I followed this path, the clearer the instructions got: signature style touches are inserted in the final stages of the photography process, during what is known as post-processing.

One specific photographer – someone who I admired and who is highly successful – even promised to show people how, and I fell for it. I spent hundreds of dollars on an online course thinking it would magically lead me to my style. It didn’t. Instead, this photographer showed the post-processing elements they apply to create their own signature look, and actually encouraged other photographers to copy their style.

​I didn’t think twice. I got sucked in. I spent hours trying to match this photographer’s post-processing style, and came away frustrated when I couldn't. I began believing that their look was the standard and if I couldn’t match it, I was a failure.

There was just one problem: I didn't need to find my style because I'd already found it. I had developed it years ago. I just didn’t recognize it because I internalized negative messages and believed there was something wrong with my photos because they didn't look like the photos another photographer produced. Instead of seeing that as a good thing, I took it to mean that my photos weren't good enough. That I wasn't good enough.

I didn't see the light until a friend and mentor talked to me about drastic changes he saw in my work. He helped me regain confidence by realizing there is nothing about my style that needs changing. Looking back, I'm so thankful for that conversation, but that doesn't mean owning up to my insecurities has been easy. I wasted a lot of time and money going down a path that led to nowhere, and I actually had to re-teach myself my post processing style because I got so confused.

The good news is I do feel more aware of negative messages that are out there and more confident in my own abilities after this experience. I'm also hoping my experience will help others. You see, it doesn't matter if you're a photographer, parent, student, athlete, business professional or something else entirely. We are all barraged with the message that we somehow aren't good enough, and that if we buy this one thing we'll magically be fixed.

What those ads and negative messages fail to show is that life is a process, and we are all in a constant state of learning, flux, growth and development. 

Trust me when I say the next time I see or hear something that tells me I'm not good enough, I'm going to remind myself that it's all garbage. I hope anyone reading this does the same. My advice? Trust yourself. Trust the process. Enjoy the journey.

Two weeks I wrote about the crazy detour I took when I let insecurities take hold and convinced myself I needed to find a better or different style. ​This week, I thought it would be helpful to actually talk about style, what goes into it and healthy ways any artist, photographer or creative can develop a style unique to them.

First, some knowledge I wish I could have bestowed on my younger self: ​

Everything I've read and everything I've internalized talked about finding a unique style -- a style no one else has. The problem with that, at least for me, is the insane pressure it puts on the artist. I kept telling myself my style wasn't unique enough and that led me on a  quest to fix something that wasn't broken.

Art shouldn't have to be that hard or stressful. Instead, I'm rephrasing the statement: Make art that looks like you. We're all unique individuals who have unique experiences and see the world through one pair of eyes -- our own. By definition, that means the art each of us creates is unique. The challenge then, is not about creating something extraordinarily different, but creating an extension of ourselves.

More than anything, I've come to realize that style isn't as much about the end product as it is about the process that gets you there. There's also no magic formula that can lead any artist to their style -- it is something that is developed over time through free flowing trial and error.

If you're a photographer, artist or creative struggling to develop a style that suits you, I encourage you to look at the whole picture. Start by identifying the tools you have to work with, identify which tools you LIKE working with, and then decide which tools will bring you to your end goal -- whatever that may be. Experiment with what you have at your disposal until you find something you feel comfortable with, and that feels right for you. You can build from there. Finally -- and most importantly -- trust your gut and follow your heart. They will not lead you wrong.

A few weeks ago, on one of the coldest days of the year, I organized a photo session with two photographers and two clients out in the snow. It was a two-for through and through -- fellow photographer Gerry Suchy took headshots of me and shortly after, I did a couples session with clients Bob and Linda.

Normally, family, couples and headshots are taken in the spring, summer and fall months when temperatures are more comfortable, but this session was for a time-sensitive project and I couldn't wait for warmer weather. This session was also unique because it was the first time I've been the one being photographed and the one taking photos. In both cases, the key to success was preparation.

​Here's how I rocked a photo session in 10-degree weather:

1. Strategic location + photo planning
​
I knew I wanted to do something outdoors, but I also know how dangerous the cold can be. After careful thought and planning, I moved forward with an outdoor location that is very near to where I live and is also a place I'm familiar with. This was key for two important reasons: safety and comfort.

By doing a cold-weather session just minutes from my home, I knew we'd have a safe, warm indoor location to retreat to if we needed it. While safety is most important, when it comes to photography, comfort is also a priority. No photosession can be successful if clients aren't comfortable. In this case, that meant limiting our time in below-freezing temperatures, which in turn meant I wouldn't have time to study the location beforehand. Choosing a location I was already familiar with allowed me to plan out shots ahead of time, which expedited the process and kept our time in dangerous temperatures to a minimum. 

I know it looks like we're out in the middle of no where, but I promise, this is close to a warm, indoor location! Photo credit: Gerry Suchy

2. Client + wardrobe prep
The best winter photos featuring families and couples are done without heavy winter coats. For clients who aren't used to cold-weather photography, that's a major ask. To help prepare Linda and Bob, I let them know ahead of time that I'd be asking them to remove their coats, and encouraged them to dress in layers. I had warm blankets at the ready, so they weren't completely exposed to the elements without some kind of protection.

For my own photos, I picked out two outfits ahead of time, in part so I could nail down what I wanted to wear and so I knew what to expect in terms of warmth. Both outfits included a sweater and leather jacket, but to help trap heat, I wore underarmor beneath both sweaters.

3. Warm up break
Between my own headshots and client photos, I was out in the cold for an hour and a half, and a lot of that time was without a heavy winter coat. Half way through my headshot session, and again between headshots and couples photos, I took a warm up break in my vehicle, and encouraged Gerry to do the same. 

4. Fingerless gloves
Fingerless gloves are one of my favorite photography accessories. I wear them anytime there's a chill in the air. I got mine when Cliff and I were traveling in Iceland, and because they're made with sheep's wool, they're extra warm. 

About a year and a half ago I switched to Lightroom for my primary photo editing software and I must say, it changed my life. I'm able to edit photos in a more consistent manner and at a faster rate. That said, I'm still learning how best to use the program, and I wanted to share a favorite tip here on my blog.

Anyone who takes photos for a living or is an avid hobbyist knows how tricky greens can be. They often appear overly bright, which can be incredibly distracting. Just look at the photo below. This is one of my favorites from the Fermanis-Martinez Family shoot, but the foliage is almost neon!

By making a few simple adjustments in the develop module of Lightroom, I'm able to turn neon pea green grossness into a much more appealing soft, minty green delight.

I hope this tutorial was helpful. The most important thing to remember in all of this is photography, like all art, is in the eye of the beholder. There's no set value I or anyone else has to use when making color-based adjustments in the develop module of Lightroom. It's all according to personal preference and style.

If any photographers in the area need additional help with Lightroom, I highly encourage you to seek out Gerry Suchy. He's an Adobe Creative Suite genius and is more than happy to help get your editing skills where you want them to be!

Earlier I told you how my good friend Larysa and I were on our way to the Dixie Chicks World Tour MMXVI. Well, it happened... and it was AWESOME. Part of what made the trip so special is the fact that I don't attend many concerts. They're fun, but they can also be pricey. That said, I'm okay with splurging once in awhile and this concert was worth every penny. It was super high energy, but it didn't come without emotional moments, like when the trio played a heartfelt tribute to Prince.

We saw the Dixie Chicks at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, NJ. The venue was pretty awesome--it was both indoor and outdoor, and had a great selection of good food and drinks. (Remember that whole splurging thing? A mixed drink cost $15. EEEEK!!) Larysa and I sat about 12 rows from the stage and sang at the top of our lungs for the entire two hour performance. It was great!

I purposely didn't take my good camera because I wanted this to truly be a vacation. Instead, I relied on the camera on my cell phone which isn't that great. But you know what? That doesn't bother me. I had fun and made some memories, and that's what matters most!

Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this post for cell phone photography tips!

It's been six months since I started using Adobe Lightroom full-time for editing my photos and I can't believe the difference it has made! The program has allowed me to streamline workflow (which means less time at the computer!) while producing a higher-quality, more consistent product for my clients. It's a win-win for everyone. There are some days when I'm not sure how I ever lived without it!

As much as I love the program now, learning how to use it didn't come without some nudging. Even before I thought about starting a photography business, I knew a lot of industry photographers -- okay, let's face it, almost all industry photographers -- use Lightroom for post processing. My initial reaction to this was good for them. I'm not one to blindly jump on the bandwagon, so it took some serious convincing for me to really understand why Lightroom is such a valuable tool. Here's why I love it:

Better workflow 
Before using Lightroom, I used Photoshop to process all of my images. Because Photoshop doesn't have the database functions Lightroom has, this meant going through photos one by one and jotting down the individual file name on any photo I felt was worth keeping on a piece of paper. Then I had to open each individual file in Photoshop and make my adjustments. Depending upon the number of photos and my availability, editing a single shoot in Photoshop took me between one and two weeks. Lightroom offers a number of functions that completely streamline this process, making it much less cumbersome. The difference is like night and day!

Consistency
In addition to its time-saving features, Lightroom allows me to be consistent from one photo to the next when editing for exposure, color, tone, and saturation. These things can be done in Photoshop, but Lightroom makes the process incredibly easy.

Pre and post-processing organization
One of Lightroom's best features is its ability to organize photos. A lot of photographers swoon about it's pre-processing organizational capabilities, but my favorite is the kind of organization Lightroom allows you to do post-processing. In one fell swoop, I can resize, name, tag, and save all images from a single shoot!

Every year, Cliff and I make it a point to venture down to the tidal basin to check out D.C.’s beloved cherry blossoms. I am always pleasantly surprised by how happy they make me. There’s just something magical about walking through a powder-puff pink forest, smack dab in the middle of a city! 

This year, to celebrate this uniquely D.C. tradition, I thought I’d share some photography tips for capturing these fleeting works of nature. These tips are ideal for any photographer at any level, using any kind of camera.

1. Follow basic photography principals.
Following the basic rules of photography can make your cherry blossom photos--or any photos--really stand out. When photographing cherry blossoms, make sure to:

• Follow the rule of thirds;
• Include diagonal lines in the frame;
• Look for contrasting colors and interesting textures.

Oh my goodness! I'm so excited! Josh Schmidt invited me to be on his podcast, Photography Tips Headquarters. 

We recorded the show a few weeks ago. Josh did an excellent job of editing the interivew. You can find the interview here. In the interview, you'll hear my story/history about how I got into photography, where I find inspiration and my love for connecting with my community via twitter. 

Be sure to follow @JonnaPhoto. Those interested in photography can follow Josh @PhotoTipHQ.

This is the third part in a series featuring tips for beginner photographers.

A number of people have asked me about the kind of equipment I use and how much it costs, so I thought I'd share thoughts on the things I like and -- most importantly -- the pieces that got me started.

9. You don’t need fancy equipment
Between camera bodies, lenses, bags, and accessories, photography can be an expensive hobby—but it doesn't have to be. Below are tips for beginners that won’t break the bank.

• Starter Kits: Just starting out? You probably don’t need the fanciest, most expensive camera on the market. DSLR starter kits offer decent-quality cameras that let you get a feel for shooting the way professionals do without breaking the bank. My first SLR was the Canon Rebel XTi and I loved it. You can often find these kits (they usually come with a camera body, 1 or 2 lenses, bag, and battery) for less than $800. Most pros use Canon or Nikon, but you can save a bit more by choosing an off brand, like Sony or Pentax.

• Nifty Fifty Considered by amateurs and professionals alike as one of the best lenses to own, the 50mm fixed lens is a great purchase—especially because it’s cheap! A new lens from Canon or Nikon will run about $115. Buy an off brand or used lens, and you’re looking at $80 or $90.