Brocke Lyons
Website: brockelyons.com
Area of Focus: Fashion Photography
Briefly describe your journey to this profession: I started with no knowledge in this industry. I was able to tag along and assist my stylist wife in her weekly photoshoot testing. Through helping her I was able to meet people and take an interest in my own photography. Steve Visneau took a chance on me and let me assist him. He taught me a lot about photography and eventually got me in the door at Neiman Marcus where I assisted, became a digital tech and lastly an editorial photographer for Bergdorf Goodman.
Which areas do you feel best able to offer guidance: Photography, photo assisting digital tech, natural/studio lighting.
Steven Visneau
Website: stevenvisneauphotography.com
Area of Focus: Lifestyle & Advertising Photography
Briefly describe your journey to this profession: I started out in the Photography industry in 1995 as a PA, then made my way to photo assisting then digital technician. I have been around almost every type of photography set imaginable. I learned as I went gathering the skills, language and template to make a career out of being a freelance photographer for the last 14 years.
Which areas do you feel best able to offer guidance: Having spent many years in the industry I have worked with a varied group of industry professionals, new comers, and experienced alike. I have learned to communicate with a diverse group to achieve the unified goals for the project. I learned by observing and hands on training. I love helping those that want to do the same.
Tramaine Townsend
Website: tramainetownsend.com
Area of Focus: Photography & Film
Briefly describe your journey to this profession: Backwards. Started in post production doing animation and design. Worked up to photography, shortly followed by film. Have always been an artist though.
Which areas do you feel best able to offer guidance: Photography, Filmmaking, & Editing
Korena Bolding Sinnett
Website: korenasinnett.com
Area of Focus: Travel, Still Life, Editorial
Briefly describe your journey to this profession: Organically. I’ve spent my career art directing on location and in the studio. I started working on my own photography seven years ago as a way to broaden my skill set. My travel assignments have taken me around the world, from Antarctica to Asia.
Which areas do you feel best able to offer guidance: Editorial assignments, art direction, prop styling, photo editing, photo shoot production.
Jenn Dunn
Website: sisterbrothermgmt.com
Area of Focus: Marketing and Promotion of Photographers and Directors
Briefly describe your journey to this profession: I took a photography class in high school and immediately loved it. In college, I assisted a portrait and wedding shooter and started shooting events and portraits myself shortly after. Then I discovered the world of production and took a job at a local agency. After many years of supporting artists through the agency model, I founded production and artist management agency Sisterbrother MGMT in 2009 in Dallas.
Which areas do you feel best able to offer guidance: Marketing and promotion, landing the next job and the next… Portfolio curation and pagination.
Jill Broussard
Website: jillbroussard.com
Area of Focus: Advertising photography + moving pictures.
Briefly describe your journey to this profession: Full time at Starbucks dreaming about photography until one of my customers introduced me to a photographer who got me into assisting. Assist —> second shooter —> freelance photographer + director 15 years+
Which areas do you feel best able to offer guidance: Advertising Photography, Business of photography past image making, Client relationships, On-location assignments, Marketing + networking, Ethics in photography
Hilaire Baumgartner
Website: Baumassfoods.com
Area of Focus: food + beverage photography
Briefly describe your journey to this profession: I began shooting food for my food blog back in 2017. Like most food bloggers, photography was only a small part of what I focused on. Now, I exclusively focus on commercial + editorial food photography. I learned about the ins and outs of commercial photography through a mentor, and I’m stoked to give back and help you navigate it too!
Which areas do you feel best able to offer guidance: Lighting, editing/photoshop as it pertains to food photography, Portfolio/website curation, Honing in on your style or niche, Website help (design, troubleshooting, formatting), Basic SEO, Email marketing, Authentic social media presence
Samantha Jane
Website: samanthajanecreative.com
Area of Focus: Photography and portfolios.
Briefly describe your journey to this profession: I worked in a photo agency as an artist rep before transitioning to full time freelance photography.
Which areas do you feel best able to offer guidance: Portfolio management, how to network and present self, expectations from photographers regarding photo assistants.
Yesi Fortuna
Website: fortlionstudio.com
Area of Focus : Area of focus: Photographer, Director, Filmmaker
Briefly describe your journey to this profession : Yesi went from being an Ennis, TX high school graduate to diving in as a freelance photographer for the past 14 years. During this time she developed her creative eye and directing style. She added the titles director and producer to her name when she founded Fort Lion Studio.
Which areas do you feel best able to offer guidance :
Creating a niche, Portraiture, Team building, Business/Entrepreneur Operations, On set etiquette