A few FAQs from some of the the emails that are sitting in my inbox awaiting replies or that I’m asked about frequently …
What camera/lenses do you own?
Currently ‘the arsenal’ contains:
Canon 5D, 40D, and 30D (the DSLRs)
Canon Rebel G (my film SLR which rarely sees the light of day anymore)
Canon 50mm f/1.8, Canon 85 mm f/1.8, Canon 135 mm f/2L, Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, and the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
Why Canon?
Simple. The SLR I grew up being photographed with and then learned to use was a Canon. When it came time to buy a DSLR and SLR of my own, it was a given. I never considered a Nikon.
What would you recommend for a camera novice?
I answered this way back last year — as well as some other photography how to’s
However, its not only the gear that makes the image, the person behind the camera has a lot to do with how it turns out as well.
Where do you find your inspiration?
A number of places — photographers (portrait and otherwise) from around the US and the world, art, nature, television, pop culture, and sometimes simply my imagination!
Are you hiring a second shooter or assistant? Do you do internships? I really want to gain some portrait experience.
I’m sorry, but at this time, CMP is not hiring or taking on any interns despite a circulating rumor that I am. I have three part time assistants who help me with the business functions that I’m overwhelmed with — one of those three + Robby are my automatic go-to’s for backup and second shooting since our personalities mesh well together on location.
Currently — as in since May 2009 — I shoot solo on all portrait sessions as Robby’s part time job and full time class schedule/studying constantly conflict with scheduled client sessions. When faced with irritating his employer with a time off request to work for someone else and preventing him from paying his car insurance and payment and his tuition, I’d much rather he stay in the good graces of that employer and not have his hours cut because of a second job.
Any plans for a studio for CMP?
Indoors — not in the near future although I have the location picked out already. Outdoors — yes, that is in the works/creation stage for 2010-2011
Finally … something new to the weekly Friday Miscallany posts … quotes that I wholeheartedly agree with. Each week as I read through blogs, books, news articles, watch tv, and so on, I’ll plan to keep my eyes and ears open to tidbits to share here. Sometimes they’ll be humorous, other times serious. And sometimes I’ll add a little commentary, like with this week’s quote …
Found on Melissa Jill’s blog post from February 1st: I love this quote that Matt with MJ Sound shared during his presentation: “The bitterness of poor quality always remains long after the sweetness of low price fades.”
There are times to be cheap or frugal and there are times to save up and splurge. The important things one should splurge or save up for, the little things that don’t rank as high on one’s value list should be the things we seek bargains for or be frugal about.
For me, quality photography gear/computers and traveling rank higher on my list than wearing the ‘it’ clothing item of the moment or driving an expensive car. Living in a house that’s beyond my financial means or owning the newest flat screen tv, even lower. I can create memories with my camera (for myself as well as my clients) as well as traveling with and to those I care about, and that pricey yet reliable computer helps me plan, process, share, and save those memories for future descendants of mine. The only other splurge I’ve made aside from photography and traveling that was worth every single penny not funded by academic scholarships or my parents’ years of savings – my undergrad and graduate education. There are few purchases I regret making, but every single one of the ones I have regretted were the ones I was cheap (not frugal) about and received poor quality in return.
… and last, but not least … want to ask questions about various topics with a bit quicker response time? I gave in to the peer pressure and now have a Formspring.me account. Just post your question and I’ll check in a couple times a week to respond.
To book a portraiture session with Christina, contact us via email at christina@christinamccall.com or call 903.477.9069 today.
by christina
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