Meet and Greet Ana Brandt

Finding what you love to do and making a career out of it is something Ana Brandt knows a lot about.

After attending six different schools in New York, New Jersey and California and taking the same photography courses at each of them, Ana finally met a professor, who at the end of the semester, gave her the push she needed to do what she loved.

By photographing pregnancy and newborns, Ana found her passion and created her businesses, Ana Brandt Photography and TAOPAN – The Art of Pregnancy and Newborn.

“I am a strong believer in finding what you love and specializing in that,” Ana says.  “Clients can come to you for all types of photos but be known for something specific.”

Ana has lots of things she loves that all go hand in hand with her love of pregnancy and newborn photography.  She teaches workshops, write books and has a store that sells baby clothes and pregnancy gowns.  Ana is definitely someone who has made a success out of something she loves.

Below is my interview with Ana Brandt.  Be sure to check out her websites, www.anabrandt.com and www.theartofpregnancyandnewborn.com.

How did you get into photography?

Somewhere, a long time ago, in my teens, I was given a camera. I never thought much about it, except that when I picked it up I thought it seemed to freeze time. From that point on, I have never been without a camera.  As an adopted child I have no photos of my early childhood or my biological siblings. I know now, that that it is why I was so fascinated with the little black box. I feel like my photography career just kept evolving. For ten years, from ages 18-28 I was  "Aunt Ana" to the constant flow of new nieces and nephews. Everyone I met...every flower I loved...and every sunset I envied were my subjects. I spent years just perfecting my exposures and techniques and just learning. I took little money here or there and never really thought of it as a profession until one of my jobs as a web designer prevented me from shooting during the day. When I realized that staying in the web design world would prevent me from photographing, I quit my day job and never looked back.


How long have you been a photographer?
12 years as a pro.

What inspires you as a photographer?

Oh wow, well several things…When I know I am capturing a moment in time that can never be replicated. The trust my clients have when they hand me their 7-day-old baby and say, “we trust you.”  And lastly, when the light falls just right on a subject and I am a witness.

Photography is what I love and do with my life, so I honestly find inspiration anywhere. I am a very visual person as well and I love well-decorated homes and colorful clothes on children. I love to just grab my camera and shoot away.

What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?

Personally, when my now 8-year-old wrote me a note of how much she loved me and how great of a photographer I was. Career-wise....when Ian Ziering’s (actor-90210) wife said she loved my work after photographing her pregnancy pictures, and I was the baby photographer for them. I have photographed other celebrities however it was just nice to have them put their trust in me.

Were there any books, classes or workshops that helped you in the beginning?

I used to be a big Barnes and Noble person because back in the day there were very little workshops or classes. I was a big Ansel Adams and Anne Geddes fan, so I bought all of their books and studied them. I have pretty much read every child photography book or other business book I could get my hands on.

What do you think makes your business so successful?

I would say my patience and marketing efforts, and they do go hand in hand! I market constantly and I mean constantly. I am always on the lookout for new opportunities. My clients also refer many people because they know I am very patient in any type of session. I also think, more than anything, it is because I know my craft. I have spent a solid 12 years working on pregnancy and newborns, trying to continually challenge myself in my work. My clients know that I am confident in my work. Confidence in photography is a big thing and it draws clients to you if you have it.

What has been your best marketing idea?

My OB Displays. My first display was 10 years ago, and I had no idea people even did that. I asked my OB if I could do a model call.  I wrote on an 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper a request for models. I told the OB I would give her wall art from all of the patients they sent to me. No one had ever taught me about displays so at the time I thought it was my best. I still think it is, because I have had OB displays for a solid 10 years and I am currently working with 3 hospitals on providing artwork for their OB wings.

What is your favorite part of photographing pregnancy and newborns?

Well for pregnancy, its showing the true beauty of the woman by the right angles and clothing, and if possible the relationship between her and the father - if I can capture that, it’s a good day. For newborns, anything really! They are all consuming and take all of my energy. When I am in a newborn session, nothing else exists, nothing else matters…I am fully absorbed in the session and so anything I capture that makes the parents smile is good for me. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE holding newborns so I think that maybe that is my favorite part!

Any tips for those starting out shooting newborns?

Yes – practice, practice, practice - and when you are done, practice some more. You need confidence. No one wants to hand their newborn to a nervous photographer. Be strong and be confident!  The parents will trust you and so will the baby and then you can relax and focus. Also, know all of the tips and tricks when working with a newborn.  And, there are many of them! Having the room warm and clean is crucial. Fresh blankets at EVERY session and disposable wet pads are essential. Music or white noise is important as well as educating the parents on what to expect.

What tips do you share with new moms on how to prepare for their newborn shoot?

First, we explain to them how bringing in a baby within the first 14 days is super important for the best images, however just as important as bringing in a baby early, is the baby’s weight. If someone has a 5 pound baby, I do not want them at 10 days, I want them to gain a little weight first. Whereas, if someone has a baby between 7-8 pounds, we will want them within 10 days. We basically tell them to call us within days of having the baby so we can discuss weight and any other issues that are important. This is such a sensitive time. Mama may be recovering or struggling with nursing, or the baby may have severe colic. We spend quite a bit of time talking to the parents before and after delivery. We also give them a list of foods NOT TO EAT at least 48 hours before the session. What a Mama eats can make a baby gassy, fussy and colicky. By helping them with a Pediatrician approved food list ahead of time, it will make for a much easier baby shoot.

How do you get newborns and new parents to relax and trust you for their shoot?

Most of my clients come from referrals so much of the trust is there. Way back in the day, that was a challenge. First, I looked really young and at 28, I was young, but I looked like I was 23. People would ask if I was the assistant or if I had just gotten out of college. I had to bump up my confidence level to let people trust me. I didn't have kids so I would just have to prove to them through my imagery and handling of the baby that I knew what I was doing. I was very comfortable with babies as I started babysitting when I was 12, so that was easy. I just would appear as confident as I could and take the baby from them as soon as they came in. This would allow me to talk to them while rocking and soothing their baby. I believe this helped a lot in the early years. Now I have a pretty solid reputation so it’s not an issue. Parents are usually dead tired so we give them drinks and snacks and tell them to just sit on our sofa and relax while I take care of the baby. I also never start with the family photos.  I always start with the baby so the parents can watch me and relax.

How did you come up with the idea of TAOPAN?

In 2007, I wrote a book called "The Art of Pregnancy and Newborn". I had been working pretty steady with pregnancy and newborns, and I just felt like I wanted to share what I knew. At the time there weren’t any books just on these subjects and so I wrote one. After that came requests for workshops and from there requests for mentoring. It all sort of evolved. I originally called it BStudio as in Brandt Studio, but then I received a call from a Yoga studio that was using the same name. I had to come up with a name super fast, so I just took the letters from the book title to form TAOPAN. We are still trying to switch servers so there are still references to BStudio, which I hope to get rid of.

When did you first write it?

August 2007

How has it evolved from then until now?

Well it went form just teaching a class of 6 photographers to working with thousands of photographers all over the world. We have a large network of photographers in over a dozen countries and a small group of over 600 members in our private mentoring/online workshop. I have also designed over a dozen Maternity Gowns and our full collection of Mama and Baby contain over 100 pieces. We have just recently added Reps in 5 countries that will help us expand our line and brand. I feel like I am only just getting started, as I have so many ideas.

Explain what TAOPAN is.

The Art of Pregnancy and Newborn, which encompasses tools and support for photographers through workshops and online mentoring.

How does one become a member?

They can go to our website and signup.

What do you get with a membership?

Hundreds of downloads for one. I have written books on OB Display, Portrait Parties, speaking to MOPS groups and more and all of this is included.  We continually offer fresh lessons, webinars, and personal mentoring.  New Members have access to over 250,000 posts and can always receive one-on-one guidance with building their business, pricing, posing, retouching and more. It is all focused on pregnancy, newborn and early childhood. Whether someone has been in the business 1 year or 20 years, if they want to strengthen these areas of their business, this is the place. It is an online community that is built around mentoring and teaching. Students also receive discounts to our clothing line and we love to do challenges so they can win free products.

What type of workshops do you teach?

Pregnancy and newborn only

What can attendees expect to learn from one of your workshops?

My workshops are hands-on and they are usually two days. So each day we have at least 2-3 models throughout the day. I usually lead the first session discussing my transitional posing methods and how I work with my clients. The students then get in teams and lead the remaining two sessions, with my assistance. They learn how to pose and wrap pregnant woman, as well as soothe and pose newborns. Students leave with hundreds or thousands of images and full model releases so they can use the images for their marketing and websites. We also sit down and discuss pricing and marketing. I have had brand new photographers in my workshops to 20-year veterans. It’s for any photographers that loves pregnancy and newborn imagery and wants to perfect their technique and business marketing.

Tell us a little about you...

Where are you from?

I was born in NY. I was abandoned by my birth mother at 2 and put in foster care. At 4, my biological mother received my brother and I back, only to leave us on a street corner in NYC and walk away. For 6-weeks, I was in the system classified as homeless and under state care, until they found my Foster mother who later adopted me. I am the youngest of 5 in my adopted family.

Are you married?

Yes for 12 years

Kids?  Ages?

Yes - 3 - Evan is 10, Olivia is 8 and Ava is 6 - 2 dogs and a turtle!

What is your favorite Savvy indulgence?

Hmmmm, I am a pretty simple person so my indulgences are very small. Going to the beach with the kids, a mani/pedi any day is a wonderful indulgence and a massage is the icing on the cake!

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

Oh wow, loaded question - depends on the day. I don't think I would be any one thing because I like to do too many things. I love being creative. So I would most likely be a clothing designer or have a children’s boutique. I love to make anything. I could sit all day and do crafts. And I mean all day!  Martha Stewart’s job would be fun, but I also love being outside and riding horses, so whatever I would be doing it would be crazy busy! In another world, I would also have about 5 more kids and have us all running around barefoot, painting and making things! That would be heaven on earth.

Thank you Ana for a wonderful interview!

Also a big thanks to Leslie Kerrigan for interviewing Ana. I loved reading it!

Ana is such a gracious and sharing teacher in the photography community that has helped so many photographers reach the next level with their business.

We couldn't have such a great interview and tell about Ana's great products without having a giveaway, now could we?

One lucky winner will win the Baby Bean Bag set from TAOPAN!

Here's how to enter...

(1)Leave a comment here telling us your favorite product from the TAOPAN store...many goodies there to choose from!

(2)To earn another entry, head over to the Savvy Store and tell us your favorite product from there...them come back here and leave a comment.

(3) Also, sign up for the free magazine from TAOPAN at their site. Then leave your entry here!

Good Luck~ The giveaway ends tomorrow morning ~May 5th at 8am EST...hurry and enter!

Ana is also offering Savvy readers a special deal on the Bean Bag Set....use code savvy to get 20% off of beanbags!

Here's what Ana tells us about the Bean Bags...

Baby bean bags are for filling in those little areas when photographing newborns. Need to get a cheek out of a pillow? Place one of the tiny round pillows under the cheek. Need to lift the bum up, get the feet out? There are 7 different bags for you to tuck here and there during those newborn sessions!

{Sitting in a simple bag are 7 different bean bags. Filled with soft micro beads and the best material around}

Bags are waterproof and come in black and white.

Baby Bean Bag demo - http://www.b--studio.com/videos/babybeanbagdemo.mp4

Using the Baby Bean Bags http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe8NQCLnKcA

Bags are very soft and easily fits in the crooks and crevices to support the tiniest of babies.

square - 6 1/2" squared

small rectangle - 6 1/2" x 4"

rectangle - 10" x 6"

circle - 4" diameter

medium circle - 5 1/2" diameter

large circle - 8" and 2 inches thick

long and skinny 16"x4"