The year is 2099 and the art and culture experts are looking through the past century, highlighting milestones in our social evolution. Just after the millenium, they begin to see a change in how families choose to memorialize their children. It wasn't just a shift in style, but a whole new way of thinking about how to document childhood. Formal gowns are replaced with vibrant everyday clothes, and poses are replaced with real-life emotion and action. Parent's began requesting "that Pottery Barn kids look" in their formal sessions and momtographers by the thousands began seeking that look by pairing vibrant clothes with natural light. No longer was child photography about celebrating the idea of the child, it was about actually celebrating the child - and at the heart of it was Chicago photographer Audrey Woulard.
This help a momtographer out is a very special one for us. We had the chance to interview not just one of our primary inspirations, but someone we feel is a true voice in the world of Children's photography. Okay, okay, we'll stop falling over ourselves and get to the interview!!!
MT: We are beyond excited that you took the time out of what we are sure is your crazy schedule to talk to us at The Momtographers! Before we jump into talking about your amazing style, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to be one of the most in-demand family photographers out there?
Thank you so much for having me! Like a lot of the children's photographers out there, I found my love of photography by documenting my own children. I am a wife and my husband and I have 4 boys. My youngest 3 boys are each a year apart (...yes...I realize that is a bit crazy...). In reality, I taught myself photography on my own children. I learned all aspects of photography through photographing my own children.
I have always been one to step outside of the box. When I began, black and white portraits of children frolicking in a white pillowcase dresses were all the rage. Did I do that in the beginning? Of course! Why? Because that is what I saw others doing, therefore I thought that was what I was supposed to be doing. Once I became comfortable with the technical side of photography, I knew that classic black and white children's photography didn't move me. As a mother of close in age kids, I knew my kids needed to be free of the studio style.
I also knew that finding the perfect outfit wasn't sometihng I mentally wasn't prepared to do as a parent, however as a person, I love style and I love to coordinate clothing. I found my style by making somehting out of anything I found in my client's home. Because parents do not have to do anything to prepare for a photo shoot with me, I am Godsend to them. I think photographers are inspired by the fact that I can blindly walk into a situation and make it work... regardless of the circumstances. I will admit that I thrive a bit off of chaos!
MT: Ok, so let's talk about your work! We could spot one of your photos anywhere! You have an amazing gift for capturing very natural moments and presenting them in a way that is fun, modern and polished! How did you come to develop your "look"? Has it evolved over time?
I think I found myself in 2005. To be honest, I began to figure out that I was on the right path to my confidence in photography when I began to ruffle the feathers of the online portrait photographers community with my choices. Once I had the technical aspect down, I began dressing children in bright, trendy clothes and colorful winter hats. This was simply not done in the portrait community.
I was always reading magazines, so my style came about from studying editorial photographers and bringing that same look into the portrait world because, honestly, the portrait, I saw that the portrait world of children's photography was lacking style. From there, I took that editorial look and coupled it with things that I love. In my personal life, I am not a colorful person - I am very monochromatic - so I combine the two (vibrant color and a monochromatic vibe) and make it work.
MT: We spend a lot of time talking about light over here. Can you tell us about your choice to be a natural light photographer exclusively? Do you ever feel limited by your chilce? And can you give a few tips to our momtographers on finding and using good natural light?
When I strated with photography, I was a stay-at-home mom. I couldn't fathom the thought of purchasing lights for somthing I deemed as a "hobby." I taught myself with a point and shoot camera. I didn't have all the bells and whistles that are available today to confuse me - it was just my camera, my eye, my light. I don't feel limitied by my choice of being a natural light photographer because I am confident enough to move my subject wherever the light is, be it the living room, the master bedroom, the kitchen or the bathroom.
There is one natural light rule that sounds very elementary, but many photographers forget it when they are at a photo session. Make sure any BRIGHT lightsource is behind your subject (i.e. the sun...) coupled with making sure that there is ambient light on your subject's face (i.e. light coming form a window...). If those two rules can be remembered... one can spot natural light anywhere.
MT: We know that you also do a lot of work on the commercial side of things. How do you fit that in with family time?
I only take on high-profile commercial shoots (Iam's, Pottery Barn, Disney Store...) and they usually come about once or twice a year. They are usually booked during the off-season of portrait work so it really doesn't affect my portrait work. In regards to family balance... my family ALWAYS travels with me. If they aren't part of the deal, I don't take the job. My family keeps me balanced. When you're dealing with a lot of A-list ad agencies, it is very easy to lose yourself, and having my husband there really, really helps keep me grounded.
MT: Let's talk about your own role as a momtographer. Do you find that you are more or less inclined to shoot your own family since this is what you do everyday? What do you find most challenging about shooting your own family versus other peoples', and how have you overcome those challenges?
Unfortunatey, I don't photograph my own as much as I should. I had them photographed by a fabulous photographer when we were vacationing in California and I thank her time and time again for capturing what I haven't been able to as of late. With my children, I think my biggest challenge is patience. With my clients I have the patience of a saint. With my own children I simply don't posess that trait for some reason! I told my husband that I was going to photograph the kids, style them, and plan out the shoot the same way I would for my clients if it were the last thing I would do! I finally did it (even though it took 'til the end of 2010, and I am extremely pleased!
MT: We hear a lot from our momtographers of older kids that they sometimes get stuck not knowing how or what to shoot with them. When you are working with older kids, what's your inspiration? What do you try and capture and how do you keep it interesting? What are some of the story lines that exist with the non-crawling variety?
I **love** older kids. I think I prefer them over babies. Older kids are mature enough to listen to you, but immature enough to just be a kid. Because I know this fact... THIS is what inspires me. I like to keep them laughing. As disgusting as it sounds, all older kids find gross things funny. They think farts, poop, vomit or anything of the sort is simply hilarious. It doesn't matter if it is a girl or a boy. If you can tap into that, you have won your 8-year-old and over crowd. It also helps to be well-versed in things that are popular amongst the 7-12-year-old set. Brush up on your video games, latest dolls, or what's hot on Disney and they will be instantly impressed with you. It's not easy to evoke natrual smiles and laughter out of older kids, but if you - as the adult - can let your hair down, they wil too. It's a fact!
MT: If one of our momtographers was lucky enough to get an hour with you one on one, what would be the one thing you would want her to take away from that session?
Hmmmm... that is a loaded question! It depends on what they wanted to learn! I think I would work hard at teaching her to trust her heart and her eye. That is important. If you start to second guess yourself when you are taking pictures, you kill the session.
MT: So we can see from your amazing work that you know what you are doing behind the camera - but what has the journey been like to get to this point? Are there any things that you look back on and say "did I really do that?", and are there any pitfalls you would tell momtographers to stay away from right from the start?
The journey for me has been trial and error. I think it will be like that for anyone trying to perfect art. There are a LOT of things that I look back on and say "did I really do that!". There are a LOT of things! For me... I save those moments. They humble me... and show me how green yet hungry I was to perfect what I loved so much. When I view those "did I really do that?" images, it brings me back to the days when I had that hunger when I was learning. You only get that beginner hunger once... and oh what a feeling it is!
The pitfalls for the momtographers today are not being jaded by pipdreams and stay away from trends. It is important that momtographers (editors note: that may be considering getting into business) do their research and not fall victim to other photographers who appear established that are selling a pipe dream. One can be a successful photographer now, but work must be done to get there. It simply isn't about having nice-looking pictures and a flash website anymore.
MT: Let's talk about processing for a second - what's your philosophy? Are you a minimalist, a photoshop junkie, or somewhere in between?
I'm a minimalist, but I'm not against junkies. People often ask me about my feelings regarding Photoshop. I have even seen rumors out there stating that I hate photoshop. I'm a minimalist due to the fact that I don't have the time to sit in front of the PC.
The key to my images is really in the expressions of my subjects. Because of that, I don't really need to do a lot of Photoshop. There are other photographerswho have a style that is created within Photoshop. That's alright as well. It really depends on the person and what their style is. I think one thing everyone can agree upon is that one should never use Photoshop to fix a picture - that is a no-no.
MT: And in that same vein, let's talk equipment! :) As a professional we know you have to be armed with lots of gear, but if you could only shoot with one camera and one lens, what would it be?
I'm a ride or die Nikon girl. I really feel it is the best out there. If i could only have one camera and one lens, it would be a Nikon D700 and an 85mm 1.4.
MT: Audrey, thank you so much for sharing with us - but before we let you go - do you have any last words of wisdom for our momtographers?
You should never stop practicing or trying something out of your element. Always exploring new things keeps your eye fresh, and as a result, it makes you a much better photographer! Even though I am a 100% natural light photographer, I am dabbling in off-camera flash when I am at home - just to try something totally different. Keep challenging your eye, and you will always be one step ahead of the photographic masses!
For more Audrey Woulard goodness, check out these links:
http://www.audreywoulardblog.com/
