Jessica Hughes

Allow me to introduce Jessica Hughes, a children’s photographer from Salt Lake City. She has some of the most beautiful children’s photography I have seen in a long time. Please take a minute to check out her interview, and please visit her on the web.

Web Site | Blog | Facebook

_______________________________________________________________________

TPP: Tell us a little about yourself.

JH: My name is Jessica. I love to take photos. I love to create a story with one photo even more. I love my job and life, and feel that life is great most of the time.

TPP: How important is photoshop?

JH: Photoshop is very important to me. I don’t do a lot of digital art, but I love editing photos. Even if I am taking away a few pimples or wrinkles, I know I am helping to sell my work. I also love having the choice of mono or color. Not having to choose between coloring, or having a two cameras just for the sole purpose of film type is a great advantage.

TPP: Do you think it’s important to know how to pose your clients?

JH: Knowing how the camera views your ‘victim’ is very important. A few missing fingers, twisted limbs, cocked heads, and your photo is ruined. Personally I prefer to let them pose themselves naturally, then I will try my best to perfect their pose. I have found that clients like to look natural, just as I would like them to look natural. The most important of clients to know how to pose is women and teenage girls. It’s good to give pointers to shift weight around, tilt their heads, or place their hands. All these little details can really give the ‘pow’ effect to your photo and insure that your client (even the pickiest of them) will approve of how they look.

TPP: What is your biggest challenge when photographing kids?

JH: My biggest challenge when photographing kids is definitely the dreaded ‘cheese’ smile. It’s almost like they are born with the instinct to squint their eyes, give a huge fake smile while saying “cheese”. There are times when it takes a while to talk them out of that smile. I guess I’m happy that is my biggest challenge.

TPP: Where do you draw your inspiration?

JH: My inspiration comes from my childhood. I like to think in story mode. What I loved as a child. The things that I would do, like carry my favorite doll around, sell lemonade, play hopscotch…. All those classic childhood games and memories. I love to recreate those in my images and give people the nostalgia that we all long for.

TPP: What is your most successful advertising?

JH: Definitely word of mouth and giving. When times are slow, money isn’t coming in, I find that giving my time and talent will always turn things around. Word gets out, my photos are shown, then the work eventually returns to me.

TPP: Is there really a salt lake in Salt Lake City?

JH: Why yes, there is a lake in Salt Lake City. It is named ‘The Great Salt Lake’. I believe that nothing other than brine shrimp can thrive and survive in the lake. It stinks up the valley, and there are a lot of dead brine floating on top of the water. Really lovely. Everyone should visit and go for a swim.

TPP: Canon or Nikon?

JH: Canon.

TPP: Are prints being done in by facebook?

JH: No!! Never!! My specialty is wall portraits. I do not fear of losing sales in the digital age. There is something moving with a large wall portrait or canvas. Clients only need a little education or even a glimpse of what they could have hanging in their home. I give away web sized proofs with all print orders. It has proved to be great advertising for me.