We’re excited to interview the inspirational newborn photographer, Jillian Kirby {be sure to check out the one-on-one mentoring opportunities and new ‘baby vogue’ workshop dates! details at the end of the interview}

Describe Your StyleMy style is very organic… I hope it gives people a serene feeling when they look at it makes them think of how babies are naturally…. just being themselves. I find the longer I do this, the more I lean that way… to a more natural style.

What was your biggest “A-ha” moment?My biggest a-ha moment was probably the moment I realized I had to throw myself in to the business side of things as much, if not more, than the photography side. I took business courses and soaked in as much as I possibly could online to try and be as savvy in business as I was with my camera.

What is your education? Degree? Self-taught? Workshops?I am a mix of self-taught and formal education. I took about 4 classes in university and a couple in high school to learn the technical aspects but I really think I got most my information and knowledge from online forums and chatting with other similarly-styled photographers. What made you decide to become a photographer?To be honest, I fell into it. I went from photographing the odd friend on a weekend here or there, to doing it full time and needing to start earning some money for the time I was devoting to it. Everything has come so naturally and I feel so lucky that I haven’t had to struggle to find a career path that I love!

How long have you had your Photography Business?5 years.

What would be the hardest part of having a photography business?The hours. Let me say that having my Studio Manager, Shannon, has cut my hours in half but being the boss means you’re on shift ALL the time. Sometimes that means 2am nights and sometimes that means 14 hour days. But ultimately, I’m doing what I love so it’s well worth it!

What would be your favorite part?I can’t decide! I definitely got into it loving every single thing about photography and adoring spending the time with these new families and cozy little newborns… but the longer I’m in it, the more I love the business of it all. The marketing, the budgeting, the networking… it’s all a challenge and keeps me on my toes! I choose photographers for these interviews because their work inspires me and gets my creative juices flowing, hence the interview. What gives you ideas and inspires you to create such amazing imagery.This is so cheesy, but to be honest, Pinterest is amazing!!! The tones, colours, textures, fabrics, images and art… I could sit on there forever and create little mini boards to stylize a newborn shoot. I also am in love the works of Kristen Cook, Kerianne Brown and Raye Lawe amongst many others!!

What has been your most memorable shoot & why?I think my most memorable shoots are those I do for my family and friends. They’re so much more than just a newborn session… they’re emotional, and memorable and intimate. When I bring a mommy to tears during a session, it actually reminds me of the gravity of what I do and how it’s so important to these families… those sessions are usually the most memorable.When you aren’t doing Photography how do you escape & unwind?Vegas baby! LOL  I love travelling to Vegas with my husband to relax and enjoy some down time. But I also love getting away with my kiddos and leaving the computer turned off… it only takes a day or two before I feel completely refreshed and ready to start it up again!

How do you create balance between your Business Life & family Time?I’ve given myself rules. The computer must be turned off by 5pm. I must attend every family dinner time. I must go to bed with my husband. I must not schedule sessions on Sundays. And when I’m with my family, the email on my phone is turned off. I set these rules for myself and while I break them from time to time, for the most part, I follow them pretty strictly.

What do you wish you had known prior to starting your own photography business?Just how much work it actually is. When you think about the job itself it can so easily feel so romantic and charming and easy. I had no idea the amount of hard work, dedication and time it really was going to take to be successful and achieve my goals.

Is there anything you would have done differently in your photographic career?I would have raised my prices MUCH earlier than I did. Raising my prices was the best thing I have ever done for my business (and my sanity!).

 Your Favorite Image? And why is it your favorite?

This is my favourite image… right now. My faves change so quickly… they never stay the same for very long. But, this one, this is on the front page of my website and one of my favourites I’ve ever taken. I love the angle, the uniqueness of the wrap, the softness of the tone, the tranquility of the baby’s expression. I just love it.  🙂

Whats  Your Gear?Nikon baby! D700 and 50mm lens… occasionally a 105 macro but that’s about it!

What is your go to lens & Why?50mm… it’s my workhorse. It only comes off my camera to put the macro on… and then it’s right back on again. Its the perfect focal length for newborn photography… not to close to cause distortion, but close enough that you can photograph in the close quarters that usually occur at newborn sessions.

Something you’re still learning?…Technical rules. I’ve started entering my images in competitions and salons and I’m starting to learn so much on how an image is judged and the rules that should be followed in an image. It’s opening my eyes to so much! If you could have lunch with anyone famous living or deceased who would it be & why?Hmmm… that’s a tough one. I wish I was a little deeper than I am and maybe I’d answer this with a little bit of politics or something… but it would probably just be Will Smith… cause I’ve had a massive crush on him for two decades! lol

RAW or Jpeg?  RAWNikon or Canon?  NikonMac or PC?  MacLightoom or Photoshop ( or both ?)   PSFavorite TV Show?  Modern FamilyFavorite Color?  GreyFavorite Food?   Italian

Which 5 words would your friends best describe you?  Stubborn, opinionated, loyal, giving and hard-working.

*NEW*Jillian Kirby of Vancouver, BC and Stephanie Robin of Toronto, ON have come together to create the Baby Vogue Workshops. These two specialty newborn photographers have created a two-day workshop that is focused on posing and photographing newborns, ages 5-14 days old.  Both ladies take their own turn at teaching so that you learn how to pose with only one set of hands. Come benefit from two photographers teaching you safety, composition and posing!

Baby Vogue is coming to the Toronto area!! Jillian and Stephanie will be teaching out of Stephanie’s gorgeous natural light studio on April 5th and 6th! Sign up quick and spaces are very limited!For more information check out www.babyvogueworkshops.com  Baby Vogue Workshops with Steph and Jill – on facebook

Jillian’s MentoringJillian is about as casual as you get! You will love how her teaching style focuses on ensuring that you receive the information in a relaxed and open environment . You will feel free to ask questions and have all the time you need to be sure that you fully understand the concepts and poses. And, with no other attendees, you will be taught directly to your level and no time will be wasted on going over information that is not relevant to your learning level. For more information check out www.mentoring.jilliankirbybaby.comFor January only, Jillian is offering her mentoring sessions at $400 off when you sign up with a friend! Contact Jillian to book your space now!