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This post comes directly from my inbox :). I get asked some of the same questions through email so I thought it may be time to do a Frequently Asked Questions post. Also here’s your chance to ask me other questions in the comment section and I’ll try my best to answer them! Here goes…
What kind of camera do you use? I use a Canon Rebel T1i. It’s a great camera for beginners and has served me well over the past 3 years!
What’s your favorite lens? Hands down, the 50mm 1.8. It was only $100 bucks and helps me achieve that shallow depth of field I love so much. I almost always shoot wide open at 1.8. I’m actually using it in the photo above 🙂
Who takes your fashion friday photos? Most of the time, I do with a tripod and remote. Occasionally my sister or my husband will but usually you can tell because if I’m doing it, you won’t be able to see one of my hands since I’m holding the remote! haha
Where did you go to school and what at did you major in? I went to the University of Wisconsin – Stout and got a BFA in Multimedia Design. Stout is a great school for Fine Arts and offer degrees in everything from Packaging Design to Apparel Design. Multimedia Design focused on Interface/Web Design, 3D Modeling and Animation, and a strong emphasis on Graphic Design. I was also required to take studio classes like drawing, painting, sculpture, etc.
What are your top three favorite sites for design inspiration? Pinterest (of course), FFFFound, and Nubby Twiglet. But there’s so many good ones – it really depends on what I’m looking to get inspired by! Sometimes I just wander around Anthropologie or take a walk outside for inspiration.
Who do you use for printing? I work with a local printer that now knows me by name :). I have found it helpful to my business and clients to build relationships with vendors. I get better results in a faster time frame and they save all my designs and give out my name as a reference.
What software do you use when designing? I use Illustrator for logos and illustrations and Photoshop for design layout.
When is your baby due? March 21, 2012 🙂
Hi Kelly! I actually have two questions for you: what brand is your 50 mm? I want to get one but don’t want to spend lots of money; however, I don’t want to buy one that’s so cheap that I’ll regret it later. I have a Canon too but I only have the original lens that came with it.
Second, I would love to see a whole post about how you edit your photos. Are there certain actions you use or tweaks that you often find yourself making? I love the photos you take with the lovely glowing sunshine…how do you shoot and then edit these? I realize that you probably won’t want to reveal all of your secrets, but if you could point me in right direction, that would be great!
Hi Kristin! To answer your questions…
1) My 50mm is a Canon and it’s actually a really reasonable price for the F stop you get. I recommend that one 🙂 You can find it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327357962&sr=8-1
2) I actually did a post on how I edit my photos here: http://kellyhicksdesign.com/2011/01/q-a-my-editing-process/ As far as lighting goes, I love the backlit look so I usually position my subject with their back to the sun and then it helps if you have some type of reflection on their face whether it be from an actual reflector or just from the sun shining on cement (or snow!) in front of them.
Hope that helps!!
🙂 Great post!
Hey, i have been reading you blog ever since i found it on pinterest. Which was when you were like in the beginning of 2nd trimester. And now guess what, we have the EXACT same due date… how funny is that? 😀 guess that also makes us, have had sex on the exact same day LOL
Greetings from Germany!
Hi Kelly! Can I just say you are absolutely gorgeous? Pregnancy suits you! My question – can you give a tutorial on how you do your hair? Let’s say from freshly washed to your beautiful waves. How can I get them? I have lots of hair and it’s straightened every day. But I love your gorgeous waves! Thanks! 🙂
HAHA Esther – I literately laughed out loud when I read your comment. Love it.
Thank you Tamara! I will have to do a hair tutorial at some point 🙂
Thanks Kelly! I had thought I had seen a post on your editing process, but then I went back and tried to look for it and couldn’t find it for some reason. Or maybe I did see it but just didn’t understand how to change the percentage of each part of the actions like you list…I now know, though, so that post will be very helpful. Thanks!
Saw your sweet picture of you sister on Pinterest and starting reading your site. Thanks for being transparent in your Love Story. I think that is the best way to illustrate the love of Christ…being real. 🙂 My husband and I strive for that with everyone we meet. We currently live in S. Korea.
I just bought my first “real” camera and just learned what “aperture” meant a couple of weeks ago! ha! Now…to get those pictures OFF my camera and onto the computer! Blessings to you, your husband and to your new baby!!!
Hi, thanks for sharing this info! I have a t1i and the same 50mm lens and it’s inspiring to see the amazing pics you take… recognizing that the photographer makes the picture not the camera 🙂
I was wondering if you could share some info on the remote you use. I have been thinking about getting one and would love a recommendation!
Thanks, Traci
Thanks Traci! I had this remote before I lost it: http://www.amazon.com/RC-1-Remote-Control-kissIII-kissIIIL/dp/B003LYIGBM/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&qid=1331947764&sr=8-33 I will probably get it again considering it’s small, served its purpose, and is super cheap!
thanks for the quick response! you can’t beat that price 🙂
best wishes on the birth of your son!
hi kelly!
i’m new to your blog and i LOVE it so far. your 5 guilty pleasures post makes me think we’d probably be best friends, we have a lot in common lol. just wondering if you have a photo printer, and if so what kind? i scrapbook a lot and make cards and what not so i’d be printing a lot of 4×6’s at the very least- but i also just recently started a small photography business so there’s a possibility i’d use it professionally as well. thanks in advance!
– Jacqui
Hi Jacqui – Thank you! I just have an HP All-In-One printer – not very high tech but works good enough for me! I hope that helps! Good luck with your new photography business!
What post processing do you use? I am in love with your tones and have been trying to achieve similar for almost 2 years! Driving me batty trying to figure out my perfect recipe 🙂
Hi Kelly,
Im from Peru, and enjoy your blog very much! I just found it today and find it very inspiring! Your love story is so wonderful. What an awesome God we have, that he has a perfect plan for each one of us and provided for you the right guy!
Thanks for blogging and sharing your creativity!
Hi Kelly! I follow your blog and love reading it so much, you are so fun and wonderful! I wanted to get a few prints done for my apartment sort of that typography style…I have looked on etsy but thought I’d ask if you do those things. I just want something simple, maybe like 3-5 of them. I provided a link to someones instagram of a print I really like http://instagram.com/p/RD7jdws_hJ/.
I am not even sure if you accept these sorts of jobs…but thanks for being such a great blogger, your awesome! 🙂
Kate
Wendy – I did a post on my post-processing technique here: http://kellyhicksdesign.com/2011/01/q-a-my-editing-process/ I also recently bought these actions:http://ninelivesactions.com/summer-breeze/
Kate – This is why I need a shop 🙂 I just sent you an email!
Hi Kelly,
I was at ARC MOPS this morning, and I just wanted to ask you where you got your adorable boots?
Thanks,
Sarah
Hi Sarah! Hope you enjoyed MOPS this morning! The boots I was wearing are from modcloth.com. I just checked to see if they have them on their site still but they are no longer available :/ BUT here’s some I found that are really similar: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/shoes-boots/stirrup-some-style-bootie
Hope that helps!
I love your work! Do you have a Facebook page I can give a like to? Good stuff!
Hi kelly!
Greetings from Mexico 😉 i wanted to ask u… how do you style your hair? And i mean… i know it could be with a flattener or an iron tool but, your hair doesnt look like you put heat on it everyday… please share your secret to a beautiful natural-looking hair pleeeeeasee!!!!!
Thanks! (And sorry for my bad english)