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In Focus: Amy Sandoval Photography

Posted on July 13, 2010

Please tell us a little about yourself.
This may be the hardest question of the interview! Well, I’m a 30-something wife, mom and full-time web content manager who also runs a photography business. I love music, cats and pretending to have a British accent.

How long have you been a photographer? What’s your target market?
I’ve been taking photos for years. Took some classes back when film was the only option and really got serious about photography about six years ago. I was a “MWAC” (“Mom With a Camera” as some of the industry-types like to call us) and I began to expand my knowledge and my collection of lenses. I decided at that point to portfolio build and the goal was to make enough money to pay for my ridiculously expensive hobby! Fast forward and I’ve now been shooting professionally (as in, for money and with business license and tax forms in hand!) for about four years.

My target market changes as I redefine exactly what I love. I started out primarily focused on families and children. Then I discovered my love for newborn sessions. Then I did the unthinkable and began shooting small weddings! And then, I discovered boudoir. I describe my current target market as “babies, beach weddings and boudoir” – aka “the 3 B’s!”

What equipment do you use?
I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II and my backup (for weddings) is the Canon 5D. My most used lenses are the Canon 50mm 1.2L (which has significantly helped me define my style even more this year), the Canon 24mm 1.4L, Canon 24-70 2.8, Canon 70-200 2.8, and the Canon 100mm 2.8 macro. I prefer to shoot with fixed lenses and only use the zooms for wedding coverage. Oh, and I have some Canon flashes and a video light. I’ve always been a natural light girl, but this year I’ve begun to embrace flash. I never thought I’d say that!

You’re a part-time photog; does your day job ever interfere with or influence your photography career?
The two jobs definitely have their “needy” moments. Thankfully most of the time they aren’t both needy at the same time. But it’s a juggling act and not for the faint of heart (as you know, Echo!
In reality, the two actually help balance me. My day job used to give me more creative freedom but these days I’m in more of a management role, so I don’t do as much of the hands-on work. So photography gives me the creative freedom I long for when I’m behind the day-job desk.

The day job has been a tremendous help with the business side of photography. I’ve learned tons about search engine optimization (SEO), online advertising and web usability from my day job – those are major pieces to having a strong web presence for my photography websites. Social media has been my primary “advertising” tool for photography and I was able to launch my day-job company into social media last year with the knowledge I’ve gleaned thanks to photography. So yes, they play well together most of the time!

What other photographers influence and inspire you?
Like many photographers, I keep an ever-growing Google Reader list of blogs of photographers who inspire me. The two that I am currently in love with are Simply Bloom Photography (www.simplybloomphotography.com) and Katelyn James Photography (www.katelynjames.com). They also represent the two styles that are always vying to be my favorite. Simply Bloom has perfected the art of vintage photography – from their processing to their styling. They have 100% committed to vintage and I adore their work. Katelyn James is a local photographer who has a modern spin on classically good photography. Her work reminds me that an amazing photo need not be overly processed. She works with creative crops and poses along with nailed-to-perfection exposures and great lenses to create some of my favorite work. She’s also young, just about to get married and I predict big things are headed her way!

How do you describe your style?
I’ve been told that the hallmark of my style is the way I use light and it’s definitely true that I don’t feel I’ve had a photo session without some sun flare! I like lighter, brighter images, love purposefully blown backgrounds and vintage tones as well.

You really excel with boudoir photography. How did you get into this market?
Hey, thanks! I was inspired early last year by Marta Locklear Photography (www.martalocklearphoto.com) when she posted her first boudoir photos. Her photos were full of light, very tasteful and extremely feminine. I didn’t know boudoir could be so girlie and soft! I began portfolio building with several friends and as soon as I posted samples on my website, Curves Boudoir Photography blew up! There is definitely a demand in my market, where there are a lot of military wives/girlfriends who do this for those who are deployed. I also have tons of brides who do it as wedding gifts.

How does it work?
I do most of the boudoir shoots “marathon” style, meaning several sessions are shot on the same day. I have an amazing hair/makeup artist who has been with me from session #1 and her work is a big part of my success. We want this to be a “girl’s day out” for clients – there’s champagne/wine, finger foods, little giftbags with more girlie goodies and a lot of laughter and fun.

How do people – clients and otherwise – usually react to boudoir?
Most clients are naturally nervous when they walk in, but every one of them says it was fun when they leave. Having your hair/makeup done and looking amazing can do wonders for those of us who do not get enough “me” time!

As for how people react…nearly everyone is positive. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the fact that most women embrace this concept – even those who wouldn’t do it themselves. There came a day when I had to tell my own mother (who’s a very proper southern lady in her late 70s, mind you!) that I was doing these types of shoots. I was surprised that she was also okay with it. But then again, we have to remember that we didn’t invent this type of shoot. Pin-up and Marilyn Monroe-style boudoir photography was big way before we re-invented boudoir!

What’s the best piece of advice you have for budding photographers?
Read your camera manual over and over. Seriously, it starts there. Knowing your equipment is powerful. Learn how to shoot in manual. Don’t worry so much about what everyone else is doing and find the style that is uniquely yours. (Easier said than done because we’re all inspired by one another’s blogs!) And when you launch a website and start charging for the work? Do it on the up and up. Get the business license, pay the taxes, insure your equipment and research what you should be charging in your market. Join the PPA (www.ppa.com) and network with local photographers.

A lot of photographers go out of business every year because they are not together on the business side. I’ve seen really good photographers not make it – and so so photographers are successful every day. Difference is not just in talent, but business smarts. One more thing – do concept shoots as much as you can. This means setting up a shoot on your terms, experimenting, finding new locations, trying new things. This will get you out of the box and keep your creative juices flowing.

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Thanks so much, Amy! I’m truly honored to have you as the featured photographer as I introduce In Focus! Can’t wait to see more of your work.

Amy Sandoval is a portrait, boudoir and wedding photographer serving the Hampton Roads, Virginia area. Check out her work at www.amysandovalphotography.com and www.curvesboudoir.com.

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