BEHIND THE LENS: INTERVIEWS WITH TODAY’S PHOTOGRAPHERS
SERENA DAWN BOGGS

Serena Dawn Boggs is a North Carolina-based freelance photographer, specializing in images of children and families. Her work is rich, fun and candy for the eyes. A little yin and yang in her aesthetic, she wows us with contrasty jewel colors and luminous, high-key skin tones. But what really makes her images stand out is that she lets kids be kids and beautifully captures the essence of each child’s personality. Serena is also a winner of the 2006 Flickr Blink of an Eye Contest. We spoke last week about what makes her tick.

Why photography? What draws you to taking pictures?

The best way to describe the draw is that photography evokes so much emotion in me. I have always been drawn to it, especially shadows and silhouettes. I love Black & Whites because they are so powerful and to me tell such a story. And also my personal view… children looking up at me, looking down, etc… Perspective is everything!

Your shots of newborn babies are beautiful. Would you share with us what you do on a shoot to capture these beautiful images?
Having children of my own, I know how hard and stressful it can be to get everyone together, prettied and out the door. I think the kids feel most comfortable in their own space. They love to show me around. I take my time and we do not rush.

Babies can be molded pretty easily in the first week so I suggest that time frame. This is especially the case for really happy sleepy baby shots. It’s good to have a parent and possibly a second set of hands right there by the baby to make sure nothing occurs. There have been many shoots that the baby just did not cooperate with many of our original ideas so we went a different route.

I love your use of props and costumes. How do they add to a shoot for you?
For me I love subtle fun props, and a prop can be anything that lends to the making of the photo…angel wings, lamb rocker, tutu, word signs. If it feels right for the client and the mood I go with it.

Tell us about your high-key work. You are able to achieve beautiful skintones, and the colors pop.
Natural light and Photoshop, my two favorite things in photography. A high key look can be achieved by using curves. There are other ways as well. Photoshop is a palette and you learn to become the artist using all it’s made up of. I have been using it for many years and still learn new ways to do things. I am sure my high key started with all of my angelic type portraits, soft & bright.

Try http://www.atncentral.com/. They offer free downloads to actions for Photoshop. (For those new to Photoshop,) I suggest downloading some and start playing. You will be surprised what fun you can have.

One of my favorite shots is .sparkly k. with such rich blacks and jewel tones. How did you achieve this look?
The jewel toned images to me are full of depth & feeling. It is like a freedom in a sense. I love how the subject almost pops from it warmly. I took this photo in raw. Adjusted the exposure to my liking, added the vignette, burned and added a few layers that played with saturation, opacity, curves. Then added a 35% Unsharp Mask.

You use a vignette effect in some of your images that really draws the viewer in. How do you do this?
I love raw format. And with Photoshop CS2, when you process the photo to save it to jpeg there is a vignette option I choose. You can go either way with it light or dark. I sometimes use the burn tool afterwards as well.

You capture the essence of each kid through the images you make. How are you able to demonstrate their personalities through the camera? Are you crafting the images or is the kid dictating how the shoot with go? (I have such a specific sense of the personalities of each of your three children. I love that you’ve been able to capture them so well!)
It really makes my heart swell to hear that you and others can get a sense of my 3 girls’ personalities without knowing them. That means I am documenting them just how I had hoped. As for clients, I like to follow and play. Of course small children and babies always lead the way. I really love moments. I personally have learned that the photo shoots that have been the most difficult ended up being some of my favorites. And that was because I learned to let the kids lead the way.

How do you put children you’ve just met at ease when on a shoot?
Always quietly on their level. I use little questions that make them feel comfortable…can you find a flower for me? Let’s go on a walk! Everyone loves bubbles would you like to blow bubbles? Make it fun & relaxed for them and then make them giggle when you can!

What about the parents? I don’t like having my picture taken, and it takes a special kind of person to make me feel at ease. What are your secrets?
I don’t love posing people and I think posing makes us all uncomfortable. I love the use of comfort. Beds, couches, chairs, etc… I love to throw everyone together and then I will get the kids to move and the parents to interact. And when I do pose it is togetherness snuggled. Everyone is safe and happy snuggled!

How do you keep your own children from dreading the appearance of the camera? Is it just attached to you all the time?
I let them lead the way. I give them the opportunities to want the shoot. I never yell or force anything with them. Who they are, and how they feel is what I want captured. When we’re together, we have fun…in jommies, jumping on the bed…walking somewhere…looking at something new. Now don’t get me wrong I have bought outfits before that I wanted them all to wear and it just didn’t work out. But they love my wide angle and making funny faces…and now my oldest loves the camera since she has her own. I truly have enjoyed seeing her view! And yes I pretty much keep my camera on hand.

Tell us about your current passion project.
Yes, something very dear to me and my family. Organ donor awareness is very important to me because of the loss of my sweet mother 3 years ago. She was awaiting a heart transplant and because the list is so long she did not make it. It was very devastating to lose her. Both of my grandmothers play such a huge mentor role in my life, and for my daughters to not have her makes my heart heavy. So, through this pain I have put my photography to use in partnering with Carolina Donor Services. I am documenting the lives of people involved from volunteers, to recipients, to donors, etc. I am hoping to evoke emotion with these images and raise awareness. Be a miracle…donate!

Tell us about your gear. Are you a film person, a digital person? What camera/lenses/lighting/support equipment do you use?
I have a little variety. I love b&w film it has so much soul! I use my canon AE-1 and my Canon EOS when I use film. My Holga is a little fun toy. I have the Canon Digital Rebel/300D, and my newest (which I use all the time) is the Canon 30D. For lenses, I am a wide angle lover. I have the 17-40L & the 10-22mm. I have the 100mm and a few others that sit in my camera bag. And I use natural light, nothing beats the earth’s light! Learn to love natural light and how it falls and love the shadows it makes…lighting makes the mood for sure!

Where did you get your training?
I am completely self taught

What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their own photography business? How do you drum up business?
I will give you the advice I have used, although others are more business oriented and would have a different route. I started by shooting some friends and their kids and families. Then the word traveled and I offered a fair sitting fee that included all their prints. Then once my confidence grew and referrals started coming in I set everything in stone to what my time is worth. With digital there is a lot of post production. And most importantly find your style, figure out what lenses and feel works for you. Know yourself and do not shift from the style you love to please others…this is your work, your view, your passion! And trust me there will be people that choose more conservative or more fun whatever the style is…but be true to yourself.

How can people see more of your work?

My photography site is www.simplypanache.com , my photo tile site is www.phototilejewelry.com and I land on flickr at www.flickr.com/partyof5

Thank so much to Serena Dawn Boggs for her insights and imagery! For more great photography from Serena, check out her website or visit her at Flickr.