INTERVIEWS

REAL PEOPLE: KELSEY PRUITT PHOTOGRAPHY

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Its prom season and if you’re in the Clarksville, Arkansas or surrounding areas, there’s not a better photographer than Kelsey Pruitt. This 21-year-old creative brain behind Kelsey Pruitt Photography specializes in prom portraits. Glitter recently sat down to talk shop and how you too can also get into photography. Read on to find out more about this creative woman who believes in fairytales and ever after’s.

 

 

GLITTER: How did you get into photography and what age were you?

KELSEY: I got into photography seriously back in June of 2012! I was 18 at the time. I was one of those kids that always had a camera by my side photographing anything and everything. When I turned 16, my Uncle Terry who is a nature photographer came to visit and ended up leaving with one less film camera when I expressed a desire to shoot with a professional grade camera. He encouraged me to photograph anything and everything to see what I liked. Christmas 2011, my husband, Dustin, bought me a high quality point and shoot for personal photos but I never considered a business! At least not until my mom and best friend came up in June. We took my camera out and were just goofing off. After getting home and uploading the images to the computer, we were all shocked at how well they actually looked! From there I made a Facebook page, upgraded to a DSLR, and here we are three years later!

 

GLITTER: Are you self-taught or do you have formal training and if so from where?

KELSEY: I’m self-taught. I can remember days of just pouring over online forums and Pinterest or stalking my fave photographers! I have had the blessed opportunity to assist the fabulous Whitney Bower on one of her weddings – and that taught me so much in itself! I study blogs, magazines, and I do not hesitate to ask questions to fellow photographers!

GLITTER: How hard was it to start your own business?

KELSEY:  It was much harder than I thought it would be. I am ashamed to say that I was one of those people that thought “oh you just pick up a camera and shoot”… Wrong! You have settings, posing, taxes, marketing, the list is endless. I have the utmost respect for all small business owners now! It is not an easy endeavor but you have to push through every day! I was blessed to have such an amazing support system by my side to see me through.

GLITTER: What inspired you to start shooting seniors and prom portraits?

KELSEY: The inspiration for shooting seniors and prom portraits actually happened this January. Before then, I was photographing everything under the sun… I was miserable and it showed in my work. I decided to evaluate my sessions. I would step back after every session and go: Okay, is this for me? How do I feel after this shoot? I realized that I wasn’t happy with what I was shooting until I shot a senior and I couldn’t wait to get home and edit their images. Seniors ignite a fire in me. A fire to want to be the best I can be and give them the ultimate experience. Once I knew I wanted to specialize in seniors, Prom shoots were something I wanted to add as an extra for them. I love seeing my clients get all dressed up in their tuxes and dresses. It’s a surreal experience!

GLITTER: What are your favorite settings and times of day to shoot and why?

KELSEY: I only shoot my seniors in the early morning (8am-ish) or in the evening about 3 hours before sunset. This is when the sun is not at its highest so I do not have to worry about getting harsh lighting on my seniors face or dark shadows! The evening time is my favorite because we shoot in what is called the “golden hour”. This is when the sun is starting its descent and the rays form a soft halo effect behind my senior. It is absolutely gorgeous!

In my area, “country” settings are the most popular. We will go find us a big field with a barn and some hay bales, if possible, and get to work! Recently, I have started shooting more urban locations and it has been a nice diversity from my other work. Most of my locations are based off of my senior’s outfits as well as their personality!

GLITTER: What was your big break or opportunity?

KELSEY: To me, my big opportunity happened this year when I teamed up with Leslie from The Barn at Twin Oaks Ranch and Susie from Formal Affairs in putting together the masquerade shoot. That shoot was the biggest I have ever done. I was honored to work with so many fabulous vendors and teens! I learned so much from that experience. That shoot opened my eyes to a whole other world and showed me that I am where I am supposed to be.

GLITTER: How hard is it to shoot portraits? What goes into a day of shooting?

KELSEY: So much more goes into shooting portraits than what most people realize. One of the biggest things with shooting portraits is to remember posing is crucial. During all my sessions, I continually ask myself where I should place their hands, feet, and head. Should they be smiling or have more of a serious face? Should I shoot full length, mid length, or close up. Don’t forget to keep an eye on your camera settings as well!

GLITTER: A typical day of shooting looks like this:

KELSEY: I have a 4pm session. Senior is getting hair and makeup done at 2:30 and will be finished at 3:45. First thing that morning, I get up and charge my camera batteries and text my client to remind them of their appointment times and meet locations. I then make sure my SD card is clear and ready for images. I attach my trusty 50mm lens. I store my binder with the contract in my camera bag. I do last minute details like gas up the car and pack any props/accessories I think might work for them. About an hour before I go to meet them at the hair salon, I go through any poses the senior has sent me. I meet the senior and their parent(s) at the salon and we head to the shooting location. Then it’s shoot time! Shooting last anywhere between 1 1? 2 hours to 3 hours! We do not depart until I know you will be 100% satisfied with your images. Once we depart, I go home and start the editing process!

GLITTER: Do you have to connect with your subject? If so, how?

KELSEY: You must connect with your subject! When shooting seniors, you need to have a bond with them. You need to be someone they can trust. They need to know that you are going to make them look the best they can. I want my seniors to leave their shoot feeling beautiful/handsome and confident in themselves!

GLITTER: Any advice for teens wanting to break into photography?

KELSEY: If you are a teen and you want to break into photography, I highly recommend shadowing another photographer. Shadow someone that you look up to and you love their work. See what goes into a normal day. Also, study! Figure out what manual mode means and know the difference between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Most photographers I know are willing to help!

GLITTER: Did you go to your own prom, if so what were the highlights?

KELSEY: I went to prom my sophomore and junior year. I had an absolute blast! My favorite memories were going down to the pier and taking photos with my date, going out to eat, and dancing the night away with my friends. I will never forget the dresses I wore and partying out to “Barbie Girl” (Yea… It happened!).

GLITTER: What advice do you have for teens going to prom that would like photos? Do you shoot the day of?

KELSEY: My advice to those going to prom and wanting photos would be to find a photographer that speaks to you. Don’t settle just because they are the cheapest or the first to offer services. Find someone that you can trust. You are going to be super busy that day, you do not want to have the worry of “will my photos look good” on you as well.

These are photos that you will have for the rest of your life! I do prom shoots the day of (unless otherwise requested). Schedule your photos after your makeup and hair appointments but before dinner. Do not be late! On prom day, I shoot anywhere between 5-10 couples, when you are late it throws the entire timeline off and might result in less photos. Relax, have fun, and trust your photographer. This is your day!

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