Schooled Student Spotlight: Katie Kueck | Elena S Blair Photography Education

Schooled Student Spotlight: Katie Kueck

This month we decided to do a series of student features, highlighting the students of my fine art portrait course, Schooled. This is the first Schooled Student Spotlight, and we’re introducing you to Katie Kueck!

Katie has been a Schooled student for only seven months, but in that time, she has photographed five schools and pulls in over $1500 per school!

In addition to this increase in her annual income, Katie also says that a “big reason” she was attracted to the model of Schooled was to get more family photography clients, and sure enough, she has!

We asked Katie why she originally signed up for Schooled, and she said:

“It was time to go back to work, with my third baby nearing one year, and I didn't want to go back to my job as a full time physician working crazy hours. I wanted to try photography, a long time love of mine, so that I could be more flexible and spend more time with my kids and also to flex my creative muscles!”

Overall, Katie says that her favorite part of Schooled is “learning about using natural light to create beautiful portraits of children.” Check out her beautiful portraits below!

You can find more of Katie’s work on her website, and you can find her on Facebook or Instagram!

Interested in learning more about Schooled?

Elena S Blair Photography Education | April Cover Contest Top 10

Each month we hold a cover contest in my amazing education community, Elena S Blair Photography Education over on Facebook.

Per usual, I’m blown away by my student’s work.

Congrats to Lyndsay Mills McNiff for being this month’s winner!! Well deserved for this super sweet shot (below) ❤️

Without further ado, here are the top 10 cover contest submissions!

Sarah Boles | https://www.facebook.com/fivesparrowsphotography/

Kasia Markocka | https://www.facebook.com/KasiaMarkockaphotography/

Amanda Hammons Thomason | https://www.facebook.com/AmandaHammonsPhotography/

Paula Cunningham

Jessica Rockowitz Fiedler | https://www.facebook.com/JessicaRockowitzPhotography/

Agnieszka Marcol | https://www.facebook.com/agamarcolphotography/

Mel Bolzon | https://www.facebook.com/melaniebolzonphotography/

Krissy Vance | https://www.facebook.com/KMPhotoskc/

Melissa Soto | https://www.facebook.com/MelissaSotoPhotography/

Lynn Shapiro | https://www.facebook.com/lynnshapirophotography/

Want to contribute to next month’s cover contest?

When is the best time of year for outdoor Family Portraits? | Seattle Family Portrait Photographer

I often get asked “when is the best time of year for family photos? And I get why. You are investing your money, and more importantly, your VALUABLE TIME for family photos. You want to make sure you schedule your session for the best time of year.

Honestly, I believe you can have family photos taken any time of year. I only reschedule a session if it is actually raining. Clouds or sunshine are fine with me.

However, here are a few things to consider.

1. What would you like to be wearing in your photos? If you take your photos in the spring or summer you will likely be dressed in clothing that is a bit more, well, summery. Typically brighter colors and more casual. If you have your photos taken in the fall or winter you may be wearing more layers, have more rich and bold colors, and may even need to wear a coat. So, think about the aesthetic you prefer.

2. Consider the start time. Remember how long the days are in the summer. For the best light we try and schedule our shots an hour before sunset. In the summer this can mean that your session may not start until around 7:30pm. Now don’t worry, we can do sessions in the morning too if you have kiddos that can’t handle a late start time. In the fall the start time is late afternoon, sometimes as early as 3:30pm which can be difficult for weekday sessions when you have to consider work schedules.

3. Think about the type of location you would like your photos taken at in relation to the time of year. For example, fall brings beautiful color so a park may be a better location for fall. Summer sunsets on the beach are gorgeous and the beach can be quite cold in the fall. Or, some of my mountain locations are snowed in as early as the beginning of November through mid February. If you are still trying to figure out what type of location you would like your session at, you can see an article I wrote about locations HERE.

Here is the thing, there really isn’t a “best” time of year for photos. What is important is that you get to spend an hour with your family, playing, loving, and connecting so that I can capture meaningful images for you to last a lifetime. So don’t get too caught up in the time of year, just make sure you book them.

We hope to get you in front of our lens soon!

Stop making excuses not to have family photos taken. | Elena S Blair Photography Seattle

So many times when I tell a woman I am a family photographer she says something like this…

“My kids are getting to old to have family photos taken.” or “But I need to loose 15 lbs before I will ever stepping front of a camera.” or “But my family doesn’t look like any of the families in your portfolio.”

Excuses, excuses.

Your family doesn’t have to look a certain way, act a certain way, be a certain age, or be anything but themselves.

No family is perfect, but every family needs to be documented. Your family is beautiful just as you are and i want to show you the complete beauty that I see with my camera.

Here is one thing that I know to be true. Time goes faster and faster each year and your family will continue to change each year. Having professional family photos can be a fun and meaningful experience that will allow you to document your life in an artistic way.

Do it!

So don’t make excuses. Have myself or any photographer capture your family this year. You won’t regret it.

Family Posing Made Easy Course | Cover Contest Top Ten

Being a photographer can be a lonely endeavor. Suddenly you are spending hours behind a computer screen editing, marketing, and learning.

One of my biggest joys is bringing community to the photography community. My educational offerings also grant my students access to private Facebook Groups where they can learn from and be inspired by their peers.

Each month we have a friendly cover contest competition. It inspires students who are otherwise quiet to share and allows us to grow as a group.

Below are this past months top ten contributions from my Family Posing Made Easy Alumni. Be ready to be inspired by these family photographers form all over the world!