Photographers Spotlight – Kylie Winder Photography

InkFX Photographer Spotlight Interview with Kylie Winder Photography

Studio Name:   Kylie Winder Photography
Studio Location: Orange NSW
Website: www.kyliewinderphotography.com
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/Kylie-Winder-Photography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyliewinderphotography/

Listen to the Interview with Kylie Winder Photography Now!

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What is your background and how did you get into photography?

My background is secretarial and Admin, but I’ve loved photography since I was a teenager and started out with a second hand Ricoh KR10 – with all the Hoya filters, Cokin adaptors and no idea what I was doing!!!

My preference has always been portrait photography.  I love people’s eyes and love to make them the focus (as it were).

About 4 years ago I started up my Business part-time – and attended 2 in-person workshops with Professional Photographers – learning about photographing newborns and newborn safety with posing baby. 

Then I did more online workshops and training on maternity, portraits, lighting etc.  Photography is an ongoing learning curve and staying up to date with current trends.

What type of photography do you shoot?

I love photographing newborns, maternity, children’s portraits and family portraits.   I also do some Vintage Chic which is fun to do – so I have some props for 1920s-1950s sessions and these are lots of fun to shoot and fun for clients to participate in.

I love to chat with the children (and adults) as I’m photographing them and try to capture their personality and make the session fun and relaxed.

What is your favourite type of photography?

Hmmm that’s a hard one, as I like all the sessions that I offer…  I would have to sat that my favourite would be newborn sessions – I love hearing the cute baby noises and seeing their little personalities starting to come through. 

I love it all from the styling of the session and working out colour combinations and props – through to actually getting the baby comfortably into the poses and watching it all pan out.   

Newborn sessions are pretty exhausting as you have to patiently wait for baby to settle, and its not something you can rush through – but the pictures are worth it in the end.

Having said that its pretty fun doing the sibling shots or chatting with the kids during their portrait sessions – as they say the most hilarious things!  Makes me smile everytime!

What is your photographic style? How did you develop this style?

I work with natural light and a reflector.  I travel to client’s homes to do newborn sessions and have an overwhelming supply of props, newborn outfits, maternity outfits etc for clients to wear and use in their session.  I love variety so don’t’ like to do the same things all the time. 

I also do outdoor sessions in some of the beautiful local Parks and Gardens that we have here in Orange.  I prefer a more relaxed style so it’s not uncommon for me to crack a stupid joke or pull a face to get the expression I want – and yes this works with adults too!

What is in your photography kit?

I use a full frame Nikon D610. I mostly use my 50mm 1.4 lens (my favourite);  I also have a Nikkor 18-35mm; and a Tamron 90mm.  I also have in my reflector, my “shusher” for newborn sessions, a bottle of water – and if I’m doing children’s sessions – then often I have “bribery” in the form of chocolate or lollypops (parents permitting)… works wonders!

What is one piece of photography kit you just couldn’t live without?

My Camera ☺ – and second – my 50mm 1.4 portrait lens.

What post processing tools / software / plugins do you use?

I use Adobe Photoshop CC and use a combination of actions and adjustment levels to get the nice bright pics.  I love Greater than Gatsby actions, MCP actions and Florabella actions and I use a combination of them to make my finished product.

I also do Girly-Girl sessions – using beautiful outfits from Dollcake, and then adding Butterfly wings and overlays in Photoshop to make that fantasy image that little girls love…

What is your best photography tip and post processing tip?

Learn your camera settings and work in RAW!  Then do your main fixes in Camera RAW before opening up photoshop and doing the fine editing.

Learn how to use Photoshop!  I originally subscribed to Shane’s Photoshop Zoo (I think it was called) and started learning how to use photoshop there!

What was your greatest challenge so far as a professional photographer?

Saying NO at times – and not undervaluing myself.  Photography is an art form and involved a lot of work before and after the session and investing in workshops and tools to keep fresh and up to date. 

What is your favourite InkFX medium to have your work printed on & why?

I love Ink FX canvas.  They always come up so beautiful and all my clients love them. 

I’ve seen some canvas prints done at Department Stores and they are no where near the quality and are just NOT the same!!!  I have just discovered the Smooth Pearl Prints for fine art prints so will be using those from now on! 

Such a beautiful finish on both products and I highly recommend both of them.  Ink FX is really easy to deal with and has great service and customer care.

If you were able to give any advice or recommendations to someone starting out in their Photography career what would it be?

Learn your camera settings.  Work in Manual mode!  Invest in courses pertaining to the type of photography you wish to pursue.  Don’t be a jack of all trades but find the style and type of photography you wish to offer and improve on that. 

Any last words of wisdom, advice or marketing tips?

Don’t overfill your prop room!!!  Don’t say yes to everything.  Learn your limits.  Don’t overspend on props (still working on that one)….

Kylie Winder Photography
Professional Photographer