Radio Interview with Ginny Felch on Photographing Children

What a great way to celebrate finishing my taxes! Today I was interviewed about photographing children and my book by West Marin's Adrienne Pfeiffer on KWMR radio, which was live on radio and online. I was a little nervous about it, so I didn't make a big announcement, but after hearing it today, I decided to share it with you. It's about twenty minutes. If you join the group Photographing Children on Facebook, you can ask further questions.

Here it is: Enjoy!

Interview

Photographing Children Suggestion of the Day

Something pretty wonderful is happening on my Facebook Group Photographing Children! So, click on the Amazon button to the right, GET MY BOOK, and join us in a great discussion and sharing of children's photography and feedback by clicking HERE

Encourage your friends to join us - what I love is that after photographing children for thirty years, I am constantly inspired by seeing the work of other photographers of varying experience. Sometimes even the pros get jaded and stuck in their ways and could well use some "sideways" thinking. With all the tools that are now available, i.e. cameras that give you great exposures without knowing what you are doing and post-production software like Photoshop Elements and Photoshop CS4, you can be as creative and experimental as you wish. Knowing what you are doing, of course, is always an asset!

I think we have finally ARRIVED at a time when the quality of digital photography has matched "analog" photography; then add the digital darkroom and you just can't stop us! Be glad you are able to have these rich resources before you and let's create!!!

Notes from a Master of Photography

Sometimes I just like to mention that. Master of Photography. What does that mean, you ask? Through Professional Photographers of America, this "degree" is bestowed on photographers who go through the arduous, challenging, and rewarding program to attain status among professional photographers. It involves submitting prints for judging in national competitions and scoring very high in technical and creative points. It also involves teaching workshops and lectures to other professional photographers internationally. I earned this award in my early career, and I am still very proud of this "representation of the oldest and largest professional photography organization’s standards of excellence."

As I worked through the process, the experiences I gained were priceless. I began to seek out judges whose work I greatly admired and asked for critiques which were generously offered. Developing one's own style often involves emulating the work of others, but I found that my own "signature" developed very quickly. I was a single parent at the time and one of my teachers, Linda Lapp, inspired me to create a home studio and photograph out of doors, in client's homes and gardens, and the beach. That really cut down on expenses and I loved working in the soft afternoon light, always challenged creatively by walking into unfamiliar territory.

As a result of all the help I received over the years, I feel it is so important to give back that inspiration and guidance to others. I truly hope that my book will help you make better photographs of children - to find your own style, choose which skills you want to hone in on, and MAKE IT HAPPEN! Whether you are a parent, a grand-parent, or an aspiring/accomplished professional, I believe you will find a great deal of helpful information. I hope so.

Warmly,

Ginny

In the Gloaming...

Days like this make me really appreciate what I do for a living and also as a passion. This little sweetie is 2 1/2 years old and I photographed him on a warm and sunny Sonoma afternoon. I took him, along with his big brother, to the garden at a local winery. The light was a low, broad blue sky, and the overhead portico created good protection from overhead light. The warm glow was thanks to good old California autumn. I love the way the crimson leaves peak through the columns. This portrait demonstrates how lovely an image can be in all its simplicity - both in lighting and composition.

I love the spontaneous, impishness of his expression. What I really love about children this age is that they still have the babyish round, soft cheeks. This usually disappears when they are 3 to 4.

Best of all, his mom said the portrait really captured him! Ahhh. That makes me so happy!

Wonderful Email Received about Photographing Children by Ginny Felch

I received this email last week which brought tears to my eyes because Angela really GOT the message. Seeing the light! I have attached one of her beautiful photographs which she created BEFORE she read the book, and so I can't wait to see what she will come up with now. This photograph really demonstrates how the sculptural quality of light can enhance an image. Angela was taking advantage of using light behind her nephew, which created "rim" light around his face. Angela Stubb's has two websites, one with her photography, and one with her children's shop.

Dear Ginny

I am sure you will receive many emails like mine, but I just wanted to thank you for writing your book. I only bought it yesterday, and am not even half way through, but it is wonderful.

I have only been a 'beginner professional' for six months and whilst I am proud of my work, I have soooo much to learn and I am finding your work truly inspirational. I like to only work with natural light but even through I try , I have sometimes struggled to 'find the light' so-to-speak and yet I am already looking at the world around me with new eyes having read your first four chapters last night.

Like many photographers, I have dipped in and out of many books but your's is beautifully written, enhanced by wonderfully inspiring images and a joy to consume. I am looking forward to soaking up all that remains in the rest of the book this evening!

Sorry to gush, but you have made a real impact on me. Thank you.

Kindest regards,
Angela.

PS... I hope one day you may come to England where I can hear you speak.

First Amazon Review!

Maine children's photographer, Patrisha McLean, whose beautiful portraits are included in the book, wrote the following raving review:

"Get this book if you have any interest at all in children's photography. The photos are wonderful and inspiring-- none of those cheesy, high-flash, heavy-filter shots so depressingly common in this genre. I am very proud to have a few of my photos included in this superbly-written and illustrated book. I've looked through others of its type and the advice is usually really obvious. Not so here. Even professional children photographers will learn from this book - I've been making my living at this for 10 years and still picked up a few things myself."

Seen above is one of her fine portraits. Check out more of her work on patrishamclean

Photographing Children - The book is released!

I just received an email from my niece saying that she received a copy of the book! (She is the mom of several of my "models," so I requested that she receive a complimentary copy from the publisher). She is a young mom of three boys and her first glance was very positive. I will ask her to write something soon because as a mom with camera, she will have very helpful feedback for us all. Stay tuned!

The actual release date on Amazon is March 10!

Ten Tips on Photographing Children

Amazon and Wiley have created a great little "boutique" on Amazon.com for Robert Farber's Photoworkshop books, including mine!

Check it out at Amazon .Scroll down to Ginny Felch and "10 tips"...

Scroll down to Ginny Felch and click on the Ten Tips for Photographing Children. We are getting closer to the publishing date.

Announcing....Photographing Children

Announcing......a new blog in development to correspond with the release my book, Photographing Children Photoworkshop by Ginny Felch (Wiley Publications) .You can pre-order on Amazon.com by doing a search for Ginny Felch. It is expected to be released by February, 2008 or earlier.

The book and the website will focus on the creative and inspirational approach to photographing children, with the emphasis on photographing from the heart. At the same time, you will find a friendly and unintimidating approach to the technical aspects of children's photography.

I was asked to write this book by Robert Farber, a well-known and admired photographer, and the developer of Photoworkshop.com. It will be one book in a series of books that will be featured on that website, which will display images posted for the workshop assignments at the end of each chapter of the books.

I have been been photographing children professionally for their parents for thirty years, and I am a Master of Photography through Professional Photographers of America. This degree has afforded me the opportunity to speak for and teach professional photographers, nationally and internationally. My inspiration was photographing my son, Zach, throughout his childhood.

As I continue with portrait commissions, I am also very excited about inspiring parents to create more sensitive, dynamic and stunning photographs of their children, in a very friendly and non-technical way. The material in this book has evolved through years of one-on-one coaching.

Stay tuned. In the meantime, you can see some of my work on my website, www.silverliningimages.com. Email me directly at ginny@silverliningimages.com for questions or feedback.