Simplicity is Key

As a photographer, it is so easy to get caught up in the latest trends.  This could be anything from trendy album templates to photo props.  I know I used to have a real problem with buying way to many props for my studio.  So much so, that I had to institute a new rule… New in, old out.  I had to do this because my studio was starting to look like a warehouse.

Did I need all of this?  Of course not.  But, in the beginning, it is easy to think that you need that chair or template to make your business work.  When in reality, all you need is you.  You are the key to your business because people are buying you in the end.

I read a great article in Professional Photographer magazine recently.  It was written by Tim Kelly, who is a fabulous photographer who knows one of the biggest keys to staying successful – simplicity.  It’s worth a read for sure.

I used to be queen of the props, and now I have been selling off most of mine and investing in more classic pieces.  At Imaging USA this year, I bought two new hand painted canvas backdrops.  Both very timeless, and with the right lighting, they can have a very unique look.  I’m going for the simplicity in my images now to highlight my subjects, and to create a piece that can withstand the trends and hold its own for years.