I am thrilled to announce that I am one of the photographers featured in Design Aglow’s 2011 Newborn Posing Guide! Design Aglow!!!
To be named as one of “today’s renowned baby photographers” and be listed along with LENA HYDE… I mean, can it get any better than this?!!
Okay, I may need to shrink my head back down to a normal size to fit through the doorway… 
Ahhhh…my latest article was published today on one of my favorite photography sites, Digital Photography School (DPS)! Somehow, on DPS, a Spacing Thief went around and stole a bunch of spaces in my article, so it may read a little funny. I promise that I know a space comes between words and after periods, unless I’m too tired or rushed or distracted or… Okay. Most of the time. But this time, it was a thief!
Enjoy the article & hope it brings you some mojo, baby!
xo,
Annie
[Click here to read the article on DPS.]
HOW TO TAP INTO YOUR CREATIVE MOJO by Annie Tao
Whether you’re a newbie or you’ve been a pro for years, there may be a point when you need a little help tapping into your creative mojo! Hey, even us right-brainers need to refresh our creativity from time to time!
Here are a few ideas to help boost your creativity:
Your camera is your friend
So take him (or her) everywhere with you! I know you’ve heard this before, but here’s the thing: it is easy to remember to bring your camera to scenic places or special events. Try taking it to places that aren’t obviously photogenic. This will train your eye to look out for beautiful things – light, patterns, mood, expressions, compositions – no matter where you are. Finding the best way to photograph different kinds of scenes, light and people is a great experience.
A 365 Project (one photo a day) or weekly photo project may be a great way to do this. Here are some tips, if you want to get started. There are also many dedicated websites, such as http://365project.org, where you can share your photos, find inspiration and get encouragement from others.
Blog Stalk
It’s an awful term, but it gets the point across! Research photographers from around the World and check out their recent work on their blogs. Photographers seldomly update their websites, but most update their blogs regularly. Bookmark the blogs you like or sign up for the RSS feed, so you can go back to them from time-to-time.
Don’t blog stalk to copy someone else’s creative eye; blog stalk to gain inspiration and develop your own creative vision.
And remember, you don’t have to limit yourself to photography blogs. You can look at design blogs, food blogs or just about any site that has photos.
Photo Walk
A Photo Walk is just as it sounds: you walk around and shoot whatever you see. You can either join a Photo Walk group, start a group, or just do this with a friend. Challenge yourself by going to different types of locations and going at different times of the day to get different types of light. I prefer locations that make me have to search for art, like an abandoned construction site or a subway.
When you’re on a Photo Walk, you can see how someone else shoots – such as, what angles are they shooting from, how are they composing the shot, what settings do they use, and what are they shooting?
After the Photo Walk, share your best shots with each other to see how you interpreted the same location or subjects.
I like doing Photo Walks with friends, but there are organized Photo Walks just about anywhere. You can start with http://worldwidephotowalk.com/ or do an online search for one close to you.
Photography Clubs
Mingling with fellow photographers and “talking shop” helps you learn. Don’t think of them as competition. We all share the same interest, the same passion.
Some clubs offer discounted courses, monthly meetings, guest speakers, or publications. They are definitely worth the small membership fee!
If you’re anything like me – where your love of photography runs through your veins – you will enjoy these activities and learn a-plenty! So bring on the creative mojo, baby!
This portrait made it on Mad about Portraits (MaD), a site dedicated to exhibiting portrait work from Portrait Photographers around the World!
Here is my interview, given by Matabum:
M: Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?
A: I love editorial images – images that tell a story. Many of my favorite images were taken when people weren’t expecting to be photographed.
I took this image at the end of a family photoshoot. We were saying our goodbyes in the parking lot, and my clients were putting their kids in the car. When I noticed Ian was being mischievous by climbing into the driver’s seat instead of his carseat, I knew this could be interesting, so I was ready to take the shot even while I was talking to Julie, Ian’s mom.
This image was taken the moment Ian realized his mom spotted him! In a matter of a couple seconds, I stepped back and composed the shot to capture Ian through the window and Julie in the reflection.
M: What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?
A: I used a Nikon D90 and a Sigma 30mm/1.4. I choose the D90 for shooting families and children because of its light weight. I run around a lot during shoots with children, and I need to be able to carry 2 camera bodies and a bag of lenses, so weight is a large consideration for me.
For a typical lifestyle photoshoot, I will bring 2 Nikon bodies and several lenses, such as a 70-200/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 30mm/1.4, and 14mm ultra wide.
M: What do you love most about shooting portraits?
A: That it’s never dull or mundane. Every person has a different story, different experiences and different personalities. As an artist, I get to translate their uniqueness in my photographs.
M: Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?
A: That’s a great question. Although 98% of my photographs are of people, I still don’t consider myself a Portrait Photographer. I define “portrait” as an image of a person. I capture moments and emotions.
M: Do you work with available light or do you use additional lighting often?
A: Available light! Even for evening and indoor shoots, I still prefer using available light. I find that photographing with available light creates a greater variety of moods and has a more organic feel in the images.
M: What/Who are your photography muses and influences?
A: I was a painter before picking up my first camera, so I’d say the Fine Arts influences a lot of my work. From how I compose a shot to my attraction to light, patterns and colors, it all stems from my years of watercolor and oil painting.
My recent influences are the production of movies. I love watching how the Directors of Photography shoot each scene – ie, how the camera pans into a room, how they set up the lighting, how they compose the scene to unravel a story.
M: Any tip for taking better portraits?
A: Be ready with your camera at all times.
[Want to see the interview on the MaD site or peruse other portrait work? Click here!]
I was inspired to write another article to help my fellow photographers in this tough economy. It came out today on DPS (Digital Photography School). WOOO-WEEEEE!
The article is called: How To Survive a Down Economy As A Photographer. You can click on this link for quick access.
(Click here to read my first article: 5 Keys to Taking Beautiful Maternity Portraits.)
The only thing I’m not crazy about is the image that went with the article. That was chosen by the editor. It shows a desperation that is all too real in a time of layoffs and house foreclosures. What the photo represents is in poor taste, but the photograph itself is powerful and eye-catching, so I can see why Darren Rowse chose it.
Here is the article for those who don’t want to click on the link! 
HOW TO SURVIVE A DOWN ECONOMY AS A PHOTOGRAPHER
By Annie Tao
You can ask 10 photographers what they think is their key to success in a bad economy – okay, flat out terrible economy – and you may get 10 different responses. Recently, a fellow photographer who had been following my blog commented that he wished he was busier, “but not Annie-busy!” He was stating this because I post client photoshoot sneak peeks on my blog every few days. Being a successful photographer is more than having a lot of business, it’s also about being profitable and, more importantly, being happy. That last point may sound hokey, but if having one photoshoot every few weeks makes you happy or making just enough to send your family on vacation is what you strive for, then that’s success.
Hearing this new term, Annie-busy, made me think about how I’d explain to other photographers what I’ve done in this economic recession that has kept my business flourishing. Though there are certainly other things that can be added to this list, here is what has been working for me.
There are three main points:
1. Have The Right Attitude
Even if you are a leader in your field, you need to keep learning new things – whether they are new gadgets and equipment or new techniques. You can take classes, attend seminars, and read industry publications. You can connect with other photographers to brainstorm ideas and learn tips.
Once you feel complacent and have an attitude that you don’t need to learn anything further, you will fall behind the pack.
2. Don’t Wait For Business
Whether you are busy with multiple photoshoots every week and a positive cash flow or your camera is collecting dust, there are many things you can do that can help your business.
Take action.
Here are some ideas to get you started: Can you update your portfolio? Are there vendors you wanted to try? Is there anything you can improve on your website? Are there things your competition is doing that you are interested in doing/having (ie, cool paper products, a blog)? Is there a way to expedite your workflow? Did you want to try out a new technique?
3. Think Outside The Box
I come from a Marketing background, so in my opinion, the three biggest reasons for one product’s success over another is Marketing, Marketing, Marketing. In this case, your “product” is you.
With that said, think about what else you can do to market your business.
You first have to have good online presence. So make sure you are happy with your website, and happy with how you and your business are presented to the public.
In addition to the traditional marketing methods, like advertising where your target audience will see the ad, there are also marketing avenues that are more effective… and often free! A good example is Relationship Marketing. It starts with creating a relationship with your clients. If your client refers you to someone else, that is 100 times more effective than having 100 people see your ad. Also, you can talk to business owners who share the same clients. You may be able to find common interests and run a co-promotion or find a way to help each other out. In this kind of economy, many businesses have to cut their advertising and marketing budget, so you may want to consider a product/services trade.
In the last few years, social networking has been growing in popularity, but it has also proven to be the new way to advertise. And it’s free! Networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter, are places millions of people frequent every day. I have gotten clients within minutes of an existing client posting their photos on their Facebook page. It is like getting an instant referral because that person knows my client, and referrals go a long way in this industry!
Another consideration is expanding your business in the form of your product line or even type of photography. I started out as a lifestyle photographer specializing in children, maternity and families, then tried out commercial photography and event photography this year – and really liked it! The commercial and event photography balances out the fast-paced, running-and-jumping-with-the-kids-til-I’m-sweating kind of photography! Expanding what you do to other types of photography will also expand your client base.
If you do this, don’t forget to stay true to yourself. Know what makes you happy and don’t change what you love only to grow your business. Clients will be able to detect your passion, or lack thereof, for the business. Plus, your artwork will reflect how you feel, so stick to doing what you love.
So test the waters, think outside the box, don’t wait for business to come to you, and have the right attitude regardless of the state of the economy.
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I entered my first art competition on OVA (Online Professional Visual Artists Forum). OVA is a forum for all visual artists, not just photographers. The competitions are voted by peers rather than judges. It’s nice to win based on what the “experts” agree on, but there’s something sort of special when you win based on your “peers” — in this case, other artists.
This month’s theme was: MOVEMENT.
The Movement competition was exciting! There were 2 ties: 2 tied for first place (my photograph was one of them) and 2 tied for 2nd place. Then there was a run-off for the 2 who tied for first. I lost by one point. Yep, one. But I wasn’t as disappointed as I thought I’d be because there were really nice artwork submitted! I was competing among many great artists. So I am happy that I placed 2nd!
The 3 artwork that won are displayed for a month at the top of their website. Check ‘em out!
Here is my winning photograph, titled: The Catch!
YAY!!! I have an article in Digital Photography School (DPS), an online school for photographers!
If you’re into digital photography — even if you’re not a professional — you can get great tips here! I read DPS all the time and have found a lot of inspiration here!
This is how it all went down…
A few days ago, I was part of a thread on a photography forum on the topic of maternity portraits. So after dinner that night, I decided to write down my thoughts about taking belly shots since I had just been sharing some of these tips earlier that day.
I submitted my article to DPS an hour later and the next morning, I heard from Darren Rowse, the Executive Editor of DPS and photography genius, because he wanted to publish it! (It’s still considered “publishing” when it’s online, right? Everything is online these days. I even read the newspaper on my iPhone!)
Published just yesterday, here is my article: 5 KEYS TO TAKING BEAUTIFUL MATERNITY PORTRAITS!
Many many moons ago (right after College) while working in Marketing at Manhattan Associates, I had several articles published, but this feels entirely different. (Back then, M.A. was a small, 2-year old company with less than 30 employees and 20 clients, and now it is this multi-billion dollar megacompany and all the people I used to work with who stayed on *sigh* have left with millions! Whoops, off topic!)
The reasons it wasn’t as exciting to be published back then was that the articles had to say the President’s name (to get his name out there) rather than mine, and they were published in industry magazines. Also, writing about software and warehouse management only lends you so much creative leeway.
I had a difficult time sleeping the night I found out my article would be published for 2 reasons:
1) This was about photography, my passion! Other than my two munchkins, photography is IT, baby!!!
2) And the article is on DPS! I love reading DPS! They attract amazing talent who contribute their knowledge to DPS to teach and inspire the photography community. To be one of the contributors on DPS means I am grouped with those photographers… WOW!
If I inspire or help even one photographer, I am content.
When I have more time *cough cough* (whenever that will be), I plan to submit a couple more articles to the photography world. Photography is my passion. And I have a lot to say about it! So, stay tuned…
(Funny fact: I spent more time writing this blog post than the article itself! Why is that?!! Maybe it means I need to devote more time on my next article.)
I just got a call…
I was chosen for the Heidi Mauracher Award! It is given by Professional Photographers of California and Golden Gate School of Professional Photography!
I am very excited (if you couldn’t tell).
Baby Stella, 1.5 years old
It was based on overall achievement, not from a specific photograph. I have included a photograph from a recent shoot just for fun since this is a photo blog.
**ADDENDUM ON MAY 13, 2009**
With the Heidi Mauracher Award, I got a scholarship to attend Golden Gate School, which is a 3-day school that is held once a year by the PPGBA (Professional Photographers of the Greater Bay Area). The only mention of my award was in the daily newsletter…
Not a lot of glory and recognition, but hey – I got to pick my class, which would’ve normally put me out $700, and I was in the BEST class! Lighting with Andre Costantini!
Plus, I feel honored to have received the award because Heidi Mauracher sounded like a great person and photographer… someone I would’ve loved to meet and draw inspiration from. Thanks to everyone at GGS and PPGBA! This was a fabulous experience. I learned a lot and had a TON of fun — and isn’t fun what life is all about?
David Fetterman, PhD, is one of my clients and he recently published an article in Stanford’s Medical Center Report about his son who required surgery for a potentially life-threatening condition called pyloric stenosis. It is a moving story that brought tears to my eyes.
Maybe it was especially moving to me because I feel like I know them pretty well — at least well enough that Summer (David’s wife) and I played a practical joke on David at our last photoshoot! (I can’t share it with you guys. It’s private!) It was a joke that still makes me chuckle when I think about it!
David wanted me to see the article because he used one of the photos I took from our first photoshoot in December 2008.
If you have a baby or know someone who does, I hope you will spend 2 minutes to read it. It is a nicely written article that shines light on a medical condition that can save a baby’s life. It did for this family.
Click here to go to the article!
David Fetterman, PhD, was Director of Evaluations at Stanford’s School of Medicine and his firm, Fetterman & Associates, now does evaluations for clients worldwide, including the medical center.
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