Guest Interview with Christine Michaelis

This week we talk to Christine about what it's like being in front of the lens and how she uses her photographs.

Christine, Marketing and Creative Start-Up Coach, founder of the Creative Start-Up Academy, author of multiple books, public speaker, podcaster and workshop facilitator. She has worked in marketing and advertising for more than 12 years before she decided to start her own business supporting start-ups. With her hands-on approach, she has helped hundreds of individuals validate their business idea and create a successful start-up as well as working with small businesses supporting them getting clarity and marketing their business. She sees entrepreneurship as a way of life and loves the passion that comes from working in that industry.

 

Christine regularly has photo shoots to get more images and is always using photographs on her website, in her marketing and on social media. For Christine, what separates different photographers is their attention to detail and the way they react and talk to the sitters. Preferring a natural look Michelle and Marcus discuss different styles and trends in headshot photography.

 

We discuss how the client needs to brief the photographer about where the images are going to be used and what look they want. But equally many clients need help expressing this and it's the photographers job to help them do this. Client using a range of clothing on a shoot helps to get a variety of shots, and that means it looks like they were shot on different days in different locations. Reminiscing on a shoot she did with her own photographer, Christine discusses how the client has to be clear in their aims but acknowledged that it is a two way process, as the photographer is the specialist. Christine feels very confident in front of the camera but still really believes spending time with the photographer before the shoot helps build the “bond”. We go on to discuss retouching in particular filters and how far you go with the retouch ie over-smoothing and loosing authenticity.

 

Christine works with a lot of start up creatives and offered up the following advice for those starting out in the business:

 

• Don’t be overwhelmed by the amount of competition.
• The importance of having a style
• Trust is very important and this needs to be combined with a strong connection
• Build an appropriate photographic portfolio
• Be clear with what you offer
• Network with other photographers. You will gain insights, gain friends and gain work. Photographers may need second shooters that they know and trust. And they may have referrals. Dates they can;t make or leads who are the wrong fit for them, but could be perfect for you.

You can find more about Christine here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinethecoach/

https://www.creativestartupacademy.com/academy/