Lawrence (UK Team) has been shooting weddings for about 15 years. He opened his studio in 1997 in Wildridings, Bracknell but travels throughout the year presenting at hands-on workshops for professional photographers seeking to improve their portrait and wedding shooting skills. He loves working outdoors on location shoots.

Mark has won many wards including Master Photographer of the Year 2006 in the UK.

So, how did Mark Lawrence Photography begin? What’s the story?

I started through a passion of photography. I purchased the studio that shot my wedding photographs and at that time photography was seen as a luxury item, so prices were at a premium, this set me up perfectly to enter the business.

When did you shoot your first wedding?

I shot my first wedding in September 1997, on film using trusted Hasselblad cameras, it was great.

How did you build your client base?

Local marketing, promotions, wedding exhibitions and using my Marketing Experience to try and beat the competition.

In your opinion, how is the photography industry in the UK changing?

Wow that’s a big question, there are so many photographers. Photography in the UK has just beaten Fishing as Britain’s favourite hobby. I don’t think people see it as a luxury anymore, and the perceived value of photography has dropped. I would not like to be a new photographer coming into the industry at the moment, although established photographers need to keep up to date, and change to meet market conditions.

What is the most popular photographic product that you offer to your clients? What is your favorite photographic product?

The most popular product has to be the Expressions Albums from GF Smith, they are contemporary, and the quality is amazing. My favourite product in the industry, is aluminum backed photographs, they look great, very new and contemporary, and are popular with the fashion industry.

What camera do you use?

Nikon D3′s

What did you think of WPPI 2011 in Las Vegas?

I had a great time in Las Vegas, I always do. I thought there were more album manufacturers there than any other product. I managed to meet some people I have dealt with for years, but never met. The show was smaller than I thought it would be. Worth going back next year though….

We know you shoot fashion as well as weddings, how did you get into fashion and what do you like most about it?

My fashion is more of an “Urban” style which suits my client base very well, I got into Fashion by creating a shoot in my local town on the Bandstand and teaming up with local fashion suppliers, we did a free shoot all day long, girls and guys would come along, and get changed into clothes of their choice, we made them feel like supermodels, it just blossomed from there. Companies contacted me and asked me to shoot their clothes and it got better from there on.

With all the hours, how do you keep it fun?

I have a great family around me, my wife is a make-up artist, and I live on a golf course, what more could I want.

What was your first workshop like?

The most frightening experience in my life, but it was great, lots of good feedback.

What is one tip or word of wisdom that you could share with an aspiring photographer?

Be yourself, don’t try and be like any other photographer, create your own style and stick to it. David LaChappelle once said, he started to enjoy his work when he decided to shoot what he wanted to shoot, not what other people wanted him to do try it you might like it.

Before a shoot, what is one product that you don’t leave home without?

Apart from my cameras, it has to be my Elinchrome Ranger Quadra kit and reflectors.

What is the best perk of being a photographer?

Being my own boss, working with great people, talking to creative people, working in some amazing locations, making people happy when they see their images, and meeting some of the nicest people in the world.

Kelsey Foster is well known as the photographer behind the fun and heartwarming lifestyle photography on PinholePress.com. But, she does a lot more! In addition to kids, Kelsey rounds out her portfolio shooting engagements, weddings, portraits and commercial work. Not to mention, we know from personal experience that she is always up for a midnight roller coaster ride in Las Vegas!

So, how did Kelsey Foster Photography begin? What’ s the story?

I always loved art growing up, and after taking a basic black and white photo course I knew that I wanted to pursue photography as a career.  After I got my BFA in Photography from the University of North Texas (caw caw!), I moved to Brooklyn and continued building a client base, adding to clients I already had in the DFW area.  When I decided to move back to the south, I was conveniently semi-established in both places.  Dallas is a wonderful city, and Texas is a great state, but I travel back and forth a lot, and sometimes I miss the Brooklyn life.

How did you get your first commercial or fashion work?

It is all word of mouth.  I could say that I made meetings with photo editors and ad agencies, and I did, but really most, if not all, of my work has been because I know someone, who knows someone, who knows someone.  Dig deep into your arsenal of personal and professional contacts, because I am sure you have more connections than you realize.  And don’t get discouraged if you don’t get really cool jobs right away. My first published photo was of a bar in NYC, printed at about an inch by two inches, and the magazine forgot to credit me.

As the lead photographer for the Pinhole Press brand, we know that you shoot a lot of kids and portraits. What is your approach to a fashion or portrait shoot with kids?

You have to roll with the punches.  I always go into a shoot with a basic outline in my head of how I want the lighting and styling to look, but it winds up changing sometimes, and you have to be flexible.  Kids get hungry, tired, and sometimes don’t think you are funny, so you just have to be patient and maybe take 5 minutes to set the camera down and connect with a kid on their level.

How do you get such natural looking shots of kids? Do you have any lighting techniques or tips that you can share?

You should connect with the kids before you just point a camera in their face.  Let them know that you are interested in what they are saying and who they are by physically squatting down to their level.  Asking kids questions is a huge barrier breaker as well.

As far as lighting goes, manipulate the natural light that is already available to you by way of positioning and reflectors.  I would advise not to set anything up (unless you really have to), because if the kid isn’t interested in that particular part of the room, you’ve got nothing.  Plus, if you want to capture the kid in their element, you have to work with the ever-changing flow of both the light and the kids.  You just have to be super patient and go with what works.

How did you get into shooting weddings?

Word of mouth has played a great deal into wedding business as well.  I just started off shooting weddings for people I knew, and then their friends see the photos, love them, contact you, and so on.

We know that you traveled to WPPI for the first time this year, what did you think?

I thought it was so fun!  I got to meet so many people, and I loved listening to all the workshops set up in the vendor’s booths.  The scheduled lectures were great too, but I liked being able to pop in and out of the lectures in the exhibition halls.  It was also wonderful to see and touch so many products from different companies, and I am always a fan of free samples.  The 8 rolls of portra 400 medium format film were a free sample favorite of mine!

With all the hours, how do you make sure that you keep it fun?

You can’t take yourself too seriously all the time, and scheduling breaks is a must.  I try not to work at all on Sundays.  When you work at home, especially for yourself, it is hard to take a whole day off sometimes.  I think not working on Sundays makes me more motivated for the rest of the week, and allows me to do whatever I want without feeling guilty.

What is the one tip/words of wisdom that you could share with an aspiring photographer?

Someone once told me that if you are good at what you do, then there will be enough work for you.  I find if you are fairly competitive, remembering that advice helps you relax.

A photographer once told me that it takes around 3 years to start getting consistent income from doing photography, and I really think that is true.  So, stick it out!  Also, surround yourself with other encouraging artists.  Freelance often gets lonely, so make sure you have some other freelance friends!

Before a shoot, what is one product that you don’t leave home without?

Gaffers tape and a good assistant!

What is the best perk of being a photographer?

I think my favorite perk is being able to see light differently than most people.  Even when I don’t have my camera, I am constantly observing and admiring different lighting situations.

If you weren’t a professional photographer, what would you be doing right now?

I would probably be playing music and traveling.

How do you market your Pinhole Pro Photographer Link? Here are some great examples from current Pinhole Pro photographers! Do you have your own example of using your Pinhole Pro link? Write to [email protected] with your blog or email example and we’ll send you a Pinhole Pro bag and feature you here!

FACT: When you link to Pinhole Press using your photographer code we automatically know that client came from you. When your client buys products, you earn money! The more you link, the more times your clients have access to Pinhole Press via your photographer link.

EXAMPLE: Jennifer Prophet does a great job linking to Pinhole Press using her link multiple times. She writes, “More and more of my customers are budget conscious these days and I want them to be able to print, share and enjoy their photos with style and affordability. Pinhole Press offers countless possibilities including photo books, greeting cards, calendars, framed photos, brag books, and day planners.”

FACT: Using Pinhole Pro Photoshop Collages available in our Media Downloads is a great way to put your own images in Pinhole Press product photos when you email or post to your blog.

EXAMPLE: Lily Glass—who met Pinhole Pro at WPPI in Las Vegas, has a great post using two of our Photoshop collage templates that can be found in our marketing downloads. Lily writes, “Below are some examples with LGP images – I mean, these are way better than mouse-pads and puzzles, right? They’ve got photo books, calendars, notepads and a slew of adorable stationary. I don’t know one Grandma that wouldn’t swoon over these precious products.”

FACT: Products are great for weddings and portraits—especially kids!

EXAMPLE: Frozen Music Studios Photography shows how to use Pinhole Press products for your wedding and your portraits. Give your clients the ideas and they will be more likely to place an order! Laura and Josh write, “Most of my clients choose to order a DVD of images from their wedding or family photo session so they can keep all of their photos forever, and often so they can make some fun creative projects with the photos. Recently, I found a company that offers some FABULOUS products that you can make from your images from your session!”