The Quick Survey

• Name: Elisa Bricker / Elisa B. Photography
• Located in: Charlottesville, Virginia
• Started in: 2008
• Status: Full Time Professional
• Types of Photography: Wedding and Portrait
• Primary Camera / Favorite Lens: I love my Nikon D700s. I shoot with them all the time and they have some wonderful features. My favorite lens is the 24mm 1.4. It's a beautiful lens, gets big groups well in small spaces, let's me float around on a crowded dance floor and has a great effect with detail shots as well.
• Interesting Personal Fact: I grew up in a large family, taking portraits of my siblings and learned on film cameras from my father, who studied photography in college. I'm the oldest of ten children, so I had lots of faces to practice on!

Find out more

Main Site: www.elisabphotography.com
Blog: www.elisabphotographyblog.com
Twitter: @elisabphoto
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/elisabphoto

Short Bio:

I am an artist, a wife, and a consummate romantic. I have a minimally processed photographic style with modern touches. My mother always said that makeup should make us look like our best selves – not like we’re wearing makeup. I feel the same way about the post production of my work. I’m reflecting the beauty of who people are – their best selves – and not making them look like something they’re not. Good post production is subtle.

I began my love of photography with a strong desire to create beauty in high school. I found other loves that I studied in college, but found myself right back where I belonged after graduating. I’m blessed to have a family that I love to spend time with and a growing business that desires my time as well. My biggest challenge is finding the work/life balance – something that I suspect will be a constant. J

I shoot all of my weddings with my husband, Edward, who is my partner in the business. I’m blessed to be able to work with him, and our clients benefit from his great eye and grounded personality. We love working together.

I'm a member of the Professional Photographers of America and Wedding Professional Photographers International.

The Quick Survey

• Name: Fran Ruchalski - The PhotoGuy of Amelia Island - The Photographer, LLC
• Located in: Amelia Island / Jacksonville Florida
• Started in: January. 2008
• Status: Made the jump to full-time June, 2010.....hence the new name
• Types of Photography: Music Photography & Portraits
• Primary Camera / Favorite Lens: Nikon D700 / Nikon 80-200  2.8
• Interesting Personal Fact: I have a blue spot in the middle of my forehead from an "extreme sport" accident....I was racing a shopping cart, lost control, and went skidding across the Wal-Mart parking lot head first.  My pride was hurt more than my head.  My mother always told me not to do it....maybe someday I'll listen.

Find out more

Website: www.photoguyofai.com

Blog: www.ishootmusicians.net

Twitter:  @PhotoGuyofAI    @IShootMusicians

Facebook/MySpace: The PhotoGuy of Ameila Island

Short Bio

• Name: Mandy Call - Sweet Cheeks Photography
• Located in: Ogden, UT
• Started in: 2009
• Status: Part Time (Hope to be full time soon)
• Types of Photography: People-Maternity, Newborns, Children, Family, Engagements, Bridals & Weddings
• Primary Camera / Favorite Lens: Pentax K10D  /50mm 1.7
• Interesting Personal Fact: I really, really want a pet chicken!  One day I will get one. (I would also be happy with a pet goat.)

Find out more

Blog: www.sweetcheeksphoto.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/sweetcheeksphoto?ref=ts

Short Bio

I never thought I would be able to make money doing photography.  I took a few classes in High School and fell in love with it.
When I was younger I always thought I would be a nurse.  After working for 3 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant I decided that was definitely not the career for me.

I have lived in Utah my whole life, probably will stay here forever.  I got married in April 2009.  My children have fur, feathers and gills.  I love any type of animal.

I'm currently going to school at Weber State University.  I know I don't need a degree to be a photographer, but having a college education has always been important to me.

Taking pictures of babies and children is my passion.  Little toes, sad cries, sweet smiles, playing, fighting, I love it all.   There is something so precious about a picture of a sleeping baby in black and white.

The Quick Survey

• Name: Holly Johnson - Holly's Hobby's Photography
• Located in: West Jordan, Utah but I service in the Salt Lake City area as well as the Provo, Orem, and Ogden areas.  I am willing to travel if the need is there.
• Started in: 2005
• Status: Part Time
• Types of Photography: Families, kids, missionaries, senior portraits, engagements and weddings.
• Primary Camera / Favorite Lens: Canon rebel xti, 24-70mm 2.8 L
• Interesting Personal Fact: Photography isn't something I thought I would be doing 10 years ago and here I am 5 years later.

Find out more

Website: www.hollyshobbys.smugmug.com
Blog: www.hollyshobbysphoto.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com

Short Bio

I have always been a creative person.  I was always interested in art.  I used to do alot of scrapbooking, (alot) and had many friends who admired the pictures in my albums.  One of those friends hired me to do her family pictures, all I had then was my little kodak digital camera and my brain, and it pretty much snowballed from there.  This wasn't something I would have ever thought of doing as a career let alone having my own successful business.  So along the way, I have had to learn (alot of times it was by doing things the wrong way) how to get the effects I wanted.  Gradually got better equipment and try to learn things along the way.  I also make collages with all of my shoots to capture some of the feeling.  turning a few pictures into a work of art.  The best part of being a photographer is all the friends you make along the way.  When I gain a client, they always come back for more, and that trusting relationship goes along way.  Helps me to build the self confidence I need in making this successful business.

Holly also does baby and newborn photography:

The Quick Survey

• Name: Leah Miller Photography
• Located in: Salt Lake City, UT
• Started in: 08/2009
• Status: Part Time
• Types of Photography: People (wedding/portrait)
• Primary Camera / Favorite Lens: 5D Mark II, 24-70mm 2.8
• Interesting Personal Fact: It hurts my throat to drink soda. I'll manage to choke one down about once every 5 years.

Find out more

Website: www.leahmillerphotography.com
Blog: www.leahmillerphotography.com/blog
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com

Short Bio

If someone would have told me 18 months ago that I would have my own photography business one day I would have laughed!! Here I am and I LOVE it.

I grew up in a Utah. I spent most of my time playing in high school and college playing in some sort of sporting event. I graduated from Utah State University with a BS degree in Business and Info Systems. I became a computer and web programmer. I met my husband during my last semester in college. Since we've been married we lived in France, Montana, Kansas City, Virginia, and now Utah. We have 2 very entertaining children, who are now my full-time job, and take up the majority of my day.

About 18 months ago I pulled out a DSLR camera that was given to my husband before we were married. I dusted it off and started reading the instruction manual for it. At first photography was a technical and creative outlet...something I very much needed as a stay at home mom. It has since evolved into a passion. My favorite part of photography is editing...I'm not kidding. No worries, I like to shoot as well My goal for the next year is to shoot more weddings AND more pictures of my own kids.

Leah Miller also shoot weddings:

The Quick Survey

• Name: Dustin Izatt of Dustin Izatt Photography
• Located in: Layton, UT
• Started in: 2006
• Status: Full Time
• Types of Photography: Weddings and Portraits
• Primary Camera / Favorite Lens: 5d mark II with 1ds mark II as backup. Favorite Lens Canon 135 f/2
• Interesting Personal Fact: I love nachos and slurpees, enough said.

Find out more

Website: www.dustinizatt.com
Blog: www.dustinizatt.com/blog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dustin_izatt
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/utahweddingphotography

Short Bio

I grew up in Layton, Utah and have lived here all of my life.  I love shooting weddings and getting to be involved in such an important part of peoples lives.  Over the years I have met some of the greatest families and couples.

I am a lover of life.  I am grateful to be alive.  I love all types of music and music is a huge part of my life.  I am a lover of mexican food and love spicy foods.

Many of my past clients have become very close friends.  As we work together, I hope we can become good friends too.  If you need anything, let me know, it is my pleasure to help.  If you have questions, ask, I love answering questions.

I met my wife Tiffany in high school.  It was October 3rd, 1998.  We were both going to homecoming dances at different schools with different dates.  She was at a mutual friends house getting ready for her date and another mutual friend was in town and wanted me to come visit.  When I arrived at the house, my friends told me there was a girl inside getting ready and I needed to go and tell her that she looked just like Celine Dion.  So I played along, I walked up the stairs to the bathroom where she was curling her hair.  As I turned the corner, there stood the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my life.  To this day she still takes my breath away.  I said "Wow, you look just like Celine Dion" and the rest is history.  We had our first date a week later in Park City.  I enjoy spending my life with her by my side and would be nothing without her.  I want to thank her for her support and her friendship.

Here are some of Dustin's engagement shots:

The Quick Survey

• Name: Samantha Jane Images
• Located in: Layton, UT
• Started in: 2009
• Status: Full Time
• Types of Photography: Wedding, Portrait, Children
• Primary Camera / Favorite Lens: 5D Mark II, 50mm f/1.4 or 24mm-27mm f/2.8
• Interesting Personal Fact: I hate the feeling of carpet on my bare feet, so I always carry socks.

Find out more

Website: www.samanthajaneimages.com
Blog: www.samantha-jane-images.blogspot.com
Smugmug: www.samanthajaneimages.smugmug.com

Short Bio

A bit about me…My name is Samantha (Sam) and my middle name isn’t really Jane. Although I grandmother has called me Samantha Jane for as long as I can remember, I think it was out of spite to my father for not giving me a middle name.

I have an addiction to my iPhone. I love to ski. I tend to be a bit of a dork, although I try to act like I’m not. I am a bit accident prone, some call it endearing, others amusing, but it’s just me.

Photography for me is love, passion and obsession all wrapped up into one. I think of my clients as friends, and treat them as so. I love capturing the little moments, the ones that generally go un-noticed. My style can be described as lifestyle, with a bit of sass and glamour.

Here are some of Samantha's engagement shots:

The Quick Survey

• Name: Danielle Bernier of Danielle Lynn Photography
• Located in: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• Started in: Officially in business in 2009
• Status: Part time (with hopes of being full time in the next 2-3 years!)
• Types of Photography: Family, Couples/Engagement and Children
• Primary Camera / Favorite Lens: Canon 5D Mark II and 24-70L
• Interesting Personal Fact: I traveled to Ethiopia in 2007 to adopt my daughter and have been hooked on Ethiopian food and culture ever since!

Find out more

Main Site: http://www.daniellelynnphotography.com
Blog: http://www.daniellelynnphotography.com/blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DLPhotography
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com
Logo design shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/daniellelynndesign

Short Bio

I wish I could think of something exciting and interesting to say, but the truth is, I'm just your average gal who's in l-o-v-e with photography!! I have been involved with photography and the arts for many years but it was the adoption of our first child that really kick-started my passion and gave me the motivation to finally turn nthis talent into a business. My favorite part of my job? I love to help others see the love and joy in their own families and children. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing a Mom's face light up (or sometimes cry!) when she holds the images of her family in her hands for the first time. Its what keeps me fulfilled, striving to learn and
develop my craft and my business as a whole. Its also a constant reminder of how precious these little moments are to a family and how easily they can slip away, going completely un-noticed.

Heading into my second year of business, I am more excited than ever before! There are so many exciting things on the horizon that I cannot wait to share with the beautiful, amazing clients of Danielle Lynn Photography!!

The Quick Survey

• Name: Chuck Liu Photography
• Located in: Chicago, IL (or wherever I happen to be)
• Started in: 01/2009
• Status: Part Time
• Types of Photography: Mostly Wedding and Engagement, occasionally portrait and families
• Primary Camera / Favorite Lens: Canon 5d Mark II, 50mm 1.2
• Interesting Personal Fact: I used to be a geek and have one of the largest Transformer collections in the world.

Find out more

Main Site: www.chuckliuphotography.com
Blog: http://www.facebook.com

Short Bio

Photography has been a beautiful journey for me. When I started booking weddings, it was because I needed something to support this expensive habit of buying cameras and lenses. But the more I did it, the more I enjoyed being there in the moment, seeing things in a way that no one else would. No wedding is the same, and each is an opportunity to push myself artistically. Also, I try to keep commercialization from creeping into my work. I believe that real art involves people and relationships, as well as a lot of time, heart, and hard work. It's a process of giving freely and receiving with open hands. It's always my hope that my images reflect those values.

Here are some of Chuck's engagement shots:

The Quick Survey

• Name/ Business Name:  Megan Brown/ Photography by Megan Brown
• Located in: Provo, Utah
• Started in: 2001 just as a hobbyist then became more serious the beginning of 2008
• Status:  Part time
• Types of Photography: maternity, newborn, children, family, weddings, portraits
• Primary Camera / Favorite Lens: Canon 5d mark ii  24-70L 2.8 and 50mm 1.4
• Interesting Personal Fact: I went to Long Island New York to be a nanny when I was twenty years old and had a wonderful experience.  Also,  I married into a bowling family.  My husband, along with all of his immediate family, bowls and so now I have become a bowler too.  My average isn't that great, but I try   I'm very competitive. As I was getting pretty serious into photography, I became pregnant with my fifth child.  It became a high-risk pregnancy and I was ordered to be on bed-rest for ten weeks.  Photography had to be put on hold. My baby came three months early and I was able to document his journey with my love for photography.  He's now out of the hospital and doing really well. I'm now getting back into it and LOVING it!

Find out more

• Main Site:  www.photographybymeganbrown.com
• Blog: www.photographybymeganbrowntheblog.blogspot.com
• Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/_meganb_/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/Photographybymeganbrown

Short Bio

I grew up one of three girls, I was the middle.  I became very independent, strong minded, strong willed and responsible at a very young age.  I was always concerned about others and dreaded the thought of anyone being mad at me.  I honored and respected my parents.  I had dreams to be someone...someone successful.  I wasn't sure how I would acheive that.  I spent time going to college,
working, then trying to find myself while being a nanny across the country.  After returning to where I called home, two weeks later I met my sweet husband.  We were inseparable, in a whirlwhind romance, constantly joined at the hip.  Eight months later we were married. Six months after that, we were expecting our first little baby.  After becoming a mommy, it became one of the biggest parts of defining my success.  Longing for the baby pictures that were never taken of me, I started to become obsessive with recording my own babies life.  There grew my love for photograhy and one other way of defining my own success.  Along the years, more children blessed and enriched my life. And each of them helped to nourish, cultivate, and strengthen my desire to learn photography.  I was always told I had an eye when others saw my work.  It encouraged me and I eventually took the plunge and bought my first Digital SLR camera in 2008.  Many friends and family helped me practice by being my subjects.  And many other photographers inspired me all the while deepening my strong urge to pursue this passion. While at first my love for photography was self-serving, I really saw the happiness I brought to others when taking pictures for them.  They say you find pure joy in serving others, that you lose yourself in service and your problems become the least of your worries.  My way to serve others is to help them keep the memories they hold dear to their hearts.  I'm lucky to have found something that is my passion in which not only benefits me, but all those around me as well.