meet {and greet} Shane Carter

meet {and greet} Shane Carter...the other half of Marla and Shane. I couldn't resist adding a male to the mix of this very pink blog...and he happily obliged.

Tell us what it's like working with your wife?

It's great... I love it! I can't think of anyone that I'd rather be around all day long. Seriously! It's a very comfortable working relationship for me. I have no doubt that I bug Marla way more than she bugs me!

Does your style differ from hers?

The final results are very similar. I think it would be difficult to tell the difference in our work in most cases.

What do you think about being the first male featured on the Savvy blog?

Wow... that's awesome! I've been called a lot of things before, but never Savvy!

How is it decided who photographs a client when they call to book a session?

Sand! If a client wants a session at the beach I'm the guy. Marla's attitude takes a turn for the worse when her pants are full of sand!

Do you favor black and white or color?

I really don't have a favorite. The lighting conditions, session location and personalities of my subjects dictate how I process each session. I show what feels right initially. If my clients want me to change it I will.

What's your Savvy indulgence?

Surf and adventure trips south of the border. Deer hunts anywhere I can get away to. Hours upon hours of Juijitsu training. Yep... I've got it made!

Favorite type of session?

I love family sessions at the beach! We are blessed to live and work in a very special place. It's unexplainably magical here. Hard working parents relax upon arrival. Children are happy. Family's come together. There is more focus on simple pleasures. This is the foundation upon which the photo session takes place. I don't interrupt it, I capture it. Truth. Simplicity. Honesty. These are my goals for every session.

Least favorite thing about this business?

The pace and the schedule. I do 80% of my work in less than 4 months. It happens so fast I can't enjoy it as much as I'd like. It also happens so fast that I can't enjoy my family as much as I would like during the rush. We both work very hard to maintain balance between work and family during the busy summer season.

Marla says the reason you don't work together is because you are too energetic {and crazy} ...how do you respond to this?

At the end of every session I'm soaked with sweat and sea water. I'm covered from head to toe with sand, and my camera looks like a giant sugar cookie. Crazy? Maybe so... but it works!

What would you be if you weren't a photographer?

I think I would make a great "trophy husband"! I look forward to the day when Marla can support my lifestyle of leisure.

What is the best advice you would give a couple starting a photography business?

Constantly challenge each other but don't compete.

Who is the better photographer...you or Marla? {totally a joke}

Marla has forgotten more about photography than most people (including me) know. Every good business decision we ever made was Marla's.
But I'm waaaaay more fun!

Thank you Marla and Shane!

{waiting...}

Tomorrow is March...the month of the workshop...we are so excited to launch the first ever Savvy Sisterhood Workshop on the Waterfront! We are thrilled to have an incredible line up of eight wonderful speakers and 60 fabulous attendees!

And with all this excitement comes many things to do...and I must put something on the back burner to focus on more important things. That means we are taking the link off the blog for the barnwood rugs just for the month of March...and will resume selling them April 1, 2010. I was not prepared for the popularity of these great rugs...and the sales have soared...but I must focus on other things for the month. So on April 1st, we will also offer more styles~ which will be so much fun to show the great ways to photograph using these portable...and adorable...rugs. I've gotten so many emails telling me how much they love their new rugs...so I hope you can wait patiently for the new link to purchase.

Want to see who else is waiting patiently...

this is Bella...our sweet {she really is sweet...even though she may look tough} bull mastiff...she was waiting patiently for the bacon to fall...she just sat there as my daughter ate...waiting for any morsel that might fall to the ground. She looks well fed~ we are so sad she will not be joining us on our Japan adventure. She will get to visit the grandparents for a while, which works out perfect due to the fact that they just had to say goodbye to their beloved dog after a long illness.

***

{Have a sweet Sunday~ tomorrow is something special~ the first male interview on the Savvy blog...Shane Carter! We loved meeting Marla, his wife, and we think you'll love him too!}

{the studio of Marla and Shane Carter}

I'm beginning to think the studio tours are a bad idea~

just when I think I'm quite content with my life, I see these...and suddenly become so jealous. I want that studio! I want an awesome space to invite clients to...serve them a latte...and let them marvel at my work {and decor}...hmmm...one day...one fine day! Until them, I shall be content just enjoying seeing others fine spaces. enjoy the tour {and remember~ i have warned you}

Thank you Marla for sharing...we all love your work...and you!

Wouldn't everyone love to meet Shane next? Stay tuned...

Power Outage

Hello Savvy Readers,
Just wanted to let you know that Marsha (the Savvy) is without power/internet. She will posting and returning emails as soon as her power returns.
All the best,
Anne

{meet and greet...Marla Carter}

{image by Ruth Williams Photography}

Welcome to Marla Carter~

Marla is the second half {actually first half} of Marla and Shane Photographers~ a husband and wife team in the Santa Rosa Beach area of Florida. They are renowned for their ability to capture moments as they happen.

Marla shared the following with us:

Tell me how it is working with your husband?

It is pretty great to work together. We really "get" eachother and it is so nice not to have to explain why you are stressed, or busy, or not coming home for a few more hours. It also makes it really easy to plan time off together! We have the same goals both at home and at work, can't beat that. Oh, and there is a total partnership when it comes to taking care of the kids which is awesome.

Do you ever shoot together?

Nope! He is too energetic and crazy for me!

How did you meet?

We met in Galveston, texas 10 years ago. We had some friends in common and just started hanging out. It is really a funny story, but you would have to know Shane to appreciate it!

Who was the photographer first…tell us about how you both got started in photography?

I have a bachelors degree in commercial photography and have been working in the photo world since college. I started out working for a commercial photographer in NYC and then moved on to teaching photography on the high school level, back in the dark ages...you know, film and a darkroom! As soon as people started switching to digital, I started our business. Shane came on board a year or so later. I taught him all the technical stuff but the creative comes easily for him. He has a tremendous personality and he works awesome with all ages and big groups, which allowed me to focus more on the little people I enjoy most.

Tell us about your studio? {which I’m totally envious of!}

We had to get out of the house, so we decided to purchase some commercial real estate. Intially, we planned to sell all kinds of odds and ends like candles, albums, stationary, etc. But after a year of that I realized we were not making much profit on the retail and I really did not like having to invest my time and money into it. Now, we only sell frames and the space is more of a gallery/workspace. It is a great place to work, show off our work, and meet with clients. We do not shoot here at all.

Do you think having a studio has helped your business grow?

Yes, it certainly helps to legitimize us and it also helps to show people all the products in person. We are about 90% tourist based so we do not do a lot of in person ordering, but we do try to get our clients to at least stop in and see what we offer. It also makes us more efficient and productive which in turn helps elevate customer service.

Any drawbacks to owning your own studio?

Hmmmm, If you asked Shane he would say a mortgage, but we would have to office out of somewhere and our house is not an option. We like the separation of business and family too much to ever merge the two again.

What inspires you as a photographer?

Real life and relationships.

Best marketing idea?

Having an assistant. Nothing makes your business stronger than good customer service. We do a few print ads here and there, and during the busy season we try to keep postcards in all our local hotspots, but really being friendly, efficient, and good at your craft is the best marketing tool there is.

What’s your weakness in this business?

I really feel pretty good about my business. I am happy with my work (most of the time). I am happy with how we relate to and treat our clients. I am happy with how we manage to balance our life and not let work takeover. And I am pretty happy with our income. We are really blessed.

Do you twitter? Facebook?

Facebook, but mostly just personal stuff and a few client images. I am pretty sure no one cares what I am doing all day long!

WHAT’S YOUR… Savvy indulgence?

Decaf Chai tea with Almond milk. Not fun enough? Okay, In the summer it is pretty hard to resist a good mojito!

Ideal getaway? Anywhere. I have a serious travel bug.

Favorite family ritual? Breakfast out on Saturday morning.

Current reading material? I just finished reading the acid-alkaline diet for good health. Geeky I know, but I am obsessed with learning how food effects our body.

Any children? How many? 2~ Avery is almost 7 and in first grade. Van is almost 4 and in preschool.

What are doing on a typical Sunday afternoon?

Church. lunch. laundry.

If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?

Small business consultant. I am full of ideas and suggestions!! ha!

I love the fact the everything is black and white...

so classic and beautiful!

{tomorrow we will get to see the gallery/workspace of Marla and Shane...you don't want to miss that!}

{photographer mama}

Click here for more info on the workshop by Rialee Photography.

{generosity...and beyond}

Today is the day i hope to return many emails...they are piling up!

If you have emailed me...I am not ignoring you~ I am writing you on my list of things to do today...return emails to...the list is long...please be patient with me :)

***

I hope you join us tomorrow~ we will have a new featured photographer. I'll give you a hint..ok... a couple of hints...

{1} she and her husband work together

{2} she has a fabulous studio/workspace

{3} she is blessed to live in sunny Florida

{4} she is adorable

Hmmmm...any ideas?

Let me hear who you think!

and how lucky are we to get to see two fabulous studios in the last week...such fun at the Savvy!!

Did you sign up for clickinmoms yet?

Many of you have and I enjoy getting the emails from you how much you are loving the site. Kendra has worked hard building such a great forum for photographers to share and learn from each other. She is such a kind and generous lady {did I mention the incredible referral program she is doing for those

who refer new members...amazing prizes...

I'm working on that new 5D :)...that would be lovely}

and did i mention that if you sign up under this link for a 6 or 12 month membership, you get our Savvy Size guide for free!

Once you sign up using our link here Clickin' Moms {yes...we check}, email me and let me know your user name and i will send you link for the Savvy Size guide...the membership are a great deal...6 months for $30 or 12 months for $50.

I promise you will learn $50 worth in the first day!

{welcome}

Click here for your free download from Shutterbox Designs. While you are there, check out her designs and feel free to leave her a comment thanking her for the download!

Here's some of our newest sponsors...

All Things Baby~ a blog for baby photographers

Bramble Hill Designs~ marketing materials and templates

Get Schooled~ school portaiture guide

Kelly Moore Bags~ fabulous camera bags

MCP Actions~ your shortcut to better photographs

Photoduds~ digital unique designs {dress up your photos}

Shey B~ camera straps slipcovers

Shutter Box Designs~modern designs for todays photographers

Shutter Bug's Designs by Michelle~ graphic design for professional photographers

The Birth Experience~ the guide to birth photography

The Shoppe Designs~ designs for photographers

{thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors!}

You can find Amy on Etsy ...here's the link for these adorable camera straps.

***

I wanted to share some of the new designs from Jamie Schultz...these are the phone collection frames. What an great idea...for more details on these, check it out here.

They have so many new products they have just released....fun stuff!

{the home tour from Rialee Photography}

click here to visit Rialee Photography

{the studio tour from Rialee Photography}

{what can I say...it's just dreamy in every way!}