An interview with Jennifer Traylor Photography. Central Virginia Family Photographer

Saturday, December 3, 2016

My photog crush of the day is…

Name:Jennifer Traylor!

Business Name: Jennifer Traylor Photography

Specializes in: Newborns and Baby’s First Year

I met Jennifer last year (or was it two years ago?) at a photography workshop with the amazing newborn photographer Kelly Brown at Creative Live. She is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, and we’ve kept in touch since meeting. Jennifer is an amazing Central virginia photographer, specializing in baby pics, newborn pics, maternity pics.

We got together for a group interview, here are Jennifer’s responses

-How long have you been in the photography business? I have been in business since I started super part-time in 2010. My first studio was in 2014 and moved in to my current studio space in 2015. We built a very private studio on our property, so it keeps me close to the family while actually allowing more time for clients.

-What the most fun part of being a (newborn) photographer? I love interacting with the new parents, especially Mom, giving her encouragement and support.

Tell me something that would surprise most clients about the newborn photography industry: I think most people think it’s a super easy job and that baby just lays there, happy and sleeping. It takes a lot of patience, knowledge of how baby responds to certain things, time, and training. Did I mention PATIENCE?

-Coffee vs Tea…vs Vodka? Slightly sweetened ice tea

Break down a typical day in the life of YOU. What does a typical day look like for you? My studio day usually starts about 8:30, setup session for the day and answer emails until the session starts at 10am. If its a newborn, session will last anywhere from 12 on. Then its get in a quick lunch, clean up, load images to computer, backup, and get to editing. I have to get my kids off the bus around 3:45, so I’ve got to be finishing it before then. I also might have an ordering session after lunch or early evening.

What “gear” do you use? I shoot with a Canon 5d mark iii and my favorite studio lens is the Sigma Art 50mm. Outdoors I prefer the 85 or 100. Do you shoot with natural light or studio lights? I shoot with studio light and love it for the consistency.

If you could travel back in time, and give yourself ONE piece of advice about your business, what would it be? Believe in yourself, even when the chips are down. Head down, eye on the ball, drown out the crowd, dream for the fence, swing like your life depends on it. (I played softball ages ago) Also I would get business coaching sooner. Its so hard as an artist to focus on the ins and outs of a business but if you get all of that wrong, you can’t make images without clients, period.

What is one dream you have for your business? I would absolutely love to have a business partner or assistant one day. I love having company and I think it would make work even more fun.

Here are some of my favorite images: