Excited about our Have You Met series where I showcase YOU, the photographers of our community. We had over 400 photographers apply for the series in less than a week. I can’t wait to showcase the talented photographers. There is a mix of hobbyist and business owners as well as full-frame and crop sensor users. This may be my new favorite part of the site.
This post contains affiliate links. Thanks in advance for supporting Click it Up a Notch. I am not longer accepting applications for this series.
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No.01Tell us a little about yourself and your photography journey.
I am married with two boys, who are almost 6 and 8, and we live in the great state of Texas. I have an identical twin sister, and a special place in my heart for those with special needs, having experienced the joy of growing up with my brother who has Down syndrome. I used to work as an RN with cancer patients before my photography journey began, which was about 5 years ago.
I got my first DSLR as a gift and I didn’t know the first thing about how to use it. I didn’t like that feeling of not understanding, of not knowing how to control it. So I read everything I could online, I watched MeRa Koh’s DVD “Beyond the Green Box”, and started practicing on anyone who would let me. Pretty quickly, my friends and family started asking me to take their pictures.
So, while portfolio building, I officially established Twinflower Photography as an LLC, started a website and I was in business. The next 3 years were very busy with lots of wonderful newborn and family portrait clients. Then, we unexpectedly had to move for my husband’s work. I had to stop taking clients to focus on the move and get my family settled in a new city.
While I had loved my clients, once we moved I realized it was the break I never knew I needed. I decided to remain a happy hobbyist and have done so for the past year and a half. I’m loving the creative freedom and rediscovering what made me love photography in the first place.
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No.02What is the best advice you received so far on your photography journey?
To be open to feedback from people who aren’t your friends or family. Asking for critique or having a portfolio review can be a very humbling experience, but it shouldn’t be thought of as a negative one. A lot of growth can come from viewing your work through the eyes of an objective peer.
35mm | ss 1/200 | f/3.2 | ISO 3200 -
No.03What is your favorite thing to photograph?
My boys are my favorite subjects. They are getting “older” but I am enjoying the challenge it brings, not having little chubby baby cheeks to photograph or a toddler who laughs at everything. They are in such an awesome season of life right now. The magic of childhood is very much alive for them. It’s a time of telling jokes, playing games, cracking each other up, being best friends and sharing a room. I say this at every stage, but this stage is my favorite!
35mm | ss 1/800 | f/2.8 | ISO 320 -
No.04Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere! I keep a journal at my desk where I jot down things that inspire me, so that it in turn might inspire my photography. It could be a funny commercial I saw, or something I just read in a book, something I heard someone say that day, song lyrics, a new project idea, etc.
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No.05What type of background do you have? Self taught? Formal training? Mentor?
I am self-taught.
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No.06Are you currently doing any photography projects? If so, what?
Yes! I started my Project 365 in October and I just passed the 100th day mark. I am in a 365 Flickr group and a blog circle, which really helps keep me motivated and inspired. I highly recommend connecting with other people when doing a project like this!
35mm | ss 1/160 | f/3.5 | ISO 250 -
No.07If you could only use one lens for a year, which would you choose?
It would have to be my 35mm 1.4L. It’s my go-to lens, sharp and fast, and I love it so much on a full frame.
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No.08Share links to 3 of your favorite photography tutorials and tell us why.
– This is an awesome tutorial about how to shoot around the clutter in your home to create a clean image – Working around the clutter
– I am a big fan of using editing to complete an image. And I love negative space, so I use this method very often in Photoshop! Photoshop Editing: Creating negative space
– I wrestled with my desire to shoot wide open while maintaining sharpness, and this tutorial was very helpful – 5 tips to get sharp photos with extremely shallow depth of field
35mm | ss 1/320 | f/3.2 | ISO 160 -
No.09What is your favorite image right now?
The black and white image of my boys in the back seat of our car wearing their baseball uniforms. They’re cracking each other up, as usual and I can see that my oldest is missing his front teeth. It’s so “them” and perfectly illustrates their “best friend” relationship…one I hope will never change.
35mm | SS 1/200 | f/2.2 | ISO 1000 -
No.10What type of camera and lenses do you shoot with?
I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark III, and usually my 35mm 1.4L. I also use a Lensbaby Edge 80 and occasionally a 100mm f/2.8L macro.
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No.11Let’s light someone's candle, who is a photographer you think we should check out?
Heather Chang is also a Texan and a mom of boys. She shoots both film and digital and is one of the talented ladies in my 365 blog circle. Check her out at: Heather Chang Photographyhttp://www.heatherchangphotography.com/
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No.12What is your biggest challenge when it comes to photography?
Not getting the consistent positive feedback I used to get when I was taking paying clients. I went from hearing “I love the photos! You’re awesome!” to having to pat myself on the back, and having that be enough. But it’s really helping me focus on my own personal journey and be more true to myself. Now I don’t have to worry about what anyone else thinks, and that is very freeing.
35mm | ss 1/800 | f/3.2 | ISO 250 -
No.13What's the strangest thing you carry in your camera bag, and why is it in there?
I carry my iPhone 4 Olloclip in my bag, even though I don’t have an iPhone 4 anymore. I LOVED that Olloclip, and I desperately want the iPhone 6 Olloclip. I just haven’t gotten around to getting it yet. I guess I’m a fan of delayed gratification!
Lensbaby Edge 80 | ss 1/125 | f/4 | ISO 10,000 -
No.14What is next on your list of things to learn this year in photography?
I’m really interested in learning more about color theory, and how to use color intentionally to strengthen photo composition and add depth to an image. I’ve casually read about color theory, but I think I need someone to hit me over the head with the color wheel so it will stick!
35mm | ss 1/100 | f/3.2 | ISO 4000 -
No.15If people want to follow more of your work where should they go?
My work can be found on my website at Twin Flower Photography, as well as on my Facebook page.
35mm | ss 1/160 | f/3.2 | ISO 10,000
Loved reading this! I can’t wait for the rest of the series.
I really like the photograph of the dog, all the colours just look great.
Rubi | The Den | http://www.the-den.blogspot.com
Thanks Rubi! That’s our mini schnauzer, we love him!
#7 Love that!
Thanks Rebecca! So excited to be featured!
Absolutely gorgeous images. I’m currently saving up for the 35 mm 1.4 …birthday soon so fingers crossed!
Thanks Nell! It’s worth every penny!
This is the best series ever! Thanks!
Thanks :)
absolutely spectacular post. These photos are amazing and I love this new series.
Thanks Kat! So fun! Can’t wait to follow along with this series!
I was so glad to come across your work Christina before Click Away and always enjoy it when it pops up on my feed! You are amazingly talented and an inspiration!! Hugs from Conroe, TX
Hey Nancy! Thank you! xoxo
I really enjoyed reading this and I’m looking forward to reading about other people’s learning experience too. These images just show you how good you can become, being self taught with lots of practice and reading articles. Inspiration for the rest of us! :-)
Love it! Great advice and inspiration.
So fantastic to read about other photographer’s journeys. I love that you keep a journal for inspiration…what a great idea!! Thanks for sharing and can’t wait to read the rest!!
Thanks Chelsea! I got the idea from the book “Steal Like an Artist”…it’s a great little read!
Great article and great photos. Very interesting to read about it :)
You suggest to be open to feedback from people that aren’t your friends or family, how was that for you when you did that the first time? Did you ask a professional yoursel, or someone just found your site and started commenting?
Hi Danny! I remember the first time I had photos critiqued was in a FB group (I don’t remember which one, but I’m no longer part of it and it was a long time ago…sorry!). And later I got critique on the photography forum Clickin Moms. I also won a one hour online Skype portfolio review with a professional in my area. Each time I asked for critique, I had to be ready to receive criticism, b/c it’s not helpful for someone to just say “beautiful! perfect!” I think the key to a positive critique is asking for it (unsolicited critiques really aren’t fun lol) and being open to it. And then you decide whether to take the advice or leave it. There’s nothing that says you have to change anything about the images after you’ve been critiqued!
Thanks a lot :)
Loved reading this interview with you Christina! And some of my favorite images of yours from your 365. Thanks so much for the mention too! heather
Thanks Heather! You’re welcome! :)
Very nice. I love this new series, thank ou for sharing.
What an excellent first article to the new series! I would recommend a fine art course for learning colour theory. :) Looking forward to future articles.
Awesome! I’d love that. Thanks Amanda!
Congrats Christina.
I love the capture of smoke from the sparkler. I also am a HUGE fan of B&W so love those too! :)
Enjoyed reading this article.
Thanks Stefanie! My love for b&w is pretty evenly split with my love for color! I really love both!
Great! I really enjoyed reading this and seeing your images you do such amazing work!!
Thank you Dina! <3
Such an inspiring series and Christina’s work is absolutely beautiful! I love Q&A number 11!
Thank you Whitney! It really is a challenge for me, but I’m trying to see the positive side you know? <3
Christina, your pictures are amazing, and you are such an inspiration to me. As a teen photographer, I look up to photographers like you and aspire to be like them someday. Amazing work.
Thank you Hannah! You have such an awesome head start being a teen photographer. I wish I had found my photography passion that young! Best of luck to you!
Love that i have already found a new photographer who’s work i enjoy to follow through this series. I enjoyed reading all your answers and your work is beautiful!
Thank you Kelly!!
Wonderful beginning to the new series. Christina, your photos are incredible and such an inspiration. Every photo is filled with life and passion. Something I am working towards capturing in my photography. I look forward to following you on your blog and following your 365 progress!
Thanks for the kind words, Erika!!
The feedback point is very important, I’m glad she mentioned it. Nice interview!
Thank you Matt!
I’m liking the first post of this series! I enjoyed reading about Christina’s photography journey and looking at her photos. Looking forward to more of these!
This is lovely! ANd I am now visiting your favorite tutorials and forcing myself to learn new things. I’m enjoying this segment!
Love these articles they are so inspiring, I just received my 1st DSLR for Christmas. I am learning on my own with a little help from friends. I so love “Click it up a Notch” and I really enjoy this Have you met stories, they ares so encouraging and interesting. Love your story Christina
Thanks Joanne! Congrats on your first DSLR…such an exciting time! Good luck to you!
Love your photos – esp the one with the green alien! Your pics are so crisp and your boys seem like great models! I am a retired nurse and have taken photography up the past few years trying to learn on my own. I hope to one day get published in something and always find ways to improve and learn!
Thank you Sue! I’m very fortunate that my boys genuinely like each other and are usually very patient models. Good luck to you!
Ooh, Christina!! Congratulations on being featured! It has been great getting to know your work through CM and I’m happy that even more people get to come to know how awesome you are through Click It Up A Notch, too! :)
Hi Lacey! I just saw this comment. Thank you so much! :)