I am Caroline, owner of Caroline Martin Photography. I am based in Carlsbad, CA, and have been capturing San Diego families for nearly 15 years. I have a background in photojournalism, so lifestyle photography really speaks to me. When I signed up for the Pinkle Toes Workshop in January 2013, I had no doubt I would learn a lot from seeing Michele interact with her clients during a session. What I didn’t expect was that I would learn so many fabulous tips about the way she runs her business! After having had a business of my own for so long, I was pretty comfortable with the way I had been running it. The Pinkle Toes Workshop gave me so much valuable information for every aspect of this business, and I walked away with tons of great ideas that I am still in the process of implementing. Not only that, but I found an amazing group of photographers to lean on in this journey, and am so grateful for the lifelong friendships that started with my Pinkle Toes Workshop experience. I can’t wait to host the Carlsbad workshop in 2014 and meet another wonderful bunch!
- What makes your photography business unique to you?
- Ansel Adams once said something that I think is so true…”We don’t make a photograph just with a camera, we bring to the act of photography all the books we have read, the movies we have seen, the music we have heard, the people we have loved.” It is these things that make my biz unique to me. The life I have lived up until this point is responsible for my style, my vision, my art, and my way of running a photography business.
- Best thing about being a photographer?
- I love the feeling I get when I look at a photograph and it transports me back to that moment…the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings all come rushing back, and I get to relive the memory, if only for a moment. I love that being a photographer allows me to share that with others, and to give them their precious moments back.
- Toughest thing?
- The toughest thing about being a photographer is finding the balance between my art, which I love, and my family, which I love more. When you work from home and make your own schedule, it’s an ongoing struggle to separate work life from home life.
- If you could photograph anyone/anything in the world (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
- I would love to have been able to photograph my relationship with my aunt when I was a child. She passed away when I was 3 or 4, but the memories I have of her and the bond we shared are undeniable. There are very few photos of her, and, to my knowledge, none of the two of us. I wish I could capture that in one of those ‘perfect’ images where you can feel the love.
- Why does San Diego / Cardiff-by-the-sea, CA ROCK for serving as a host town for a workshop?
- San Diego is such an amazing place for so many reasons. The weather, obviously, is a huge one! Cardiff-by-the-Sea, in particular, is such a cute little beach town. It has a laid back vibe, and so many cool, unique spots. I can’t wait to share it with everyone at the workshop!
- If you could describe your business in 3 words prior to the Pinkle Toes workshop, what would they be?
- unstructured, uninspired, stagnant
- And what about after?
- organized, focused, refreshed
- Best part of your Pinkle Toes Workshop experience?
- There were SO many amazing things I took away from my experience at the Pinkle Toes Workshop! It’s really hard to pick the ‘best’. Things I didn’t necessarily expect were coming away with a wonderful new network of photographers who are a source of constant inspiration, and a friendship with Michele that has led to my participation in another workshop! I couldn’t be happier!
- Most challenging part?
- The most challenging part of the workshop experience was coming home with so many incredible ideas for my business and really focusing on implementing them one at a time. I was so excited about everything that I really had to reign myself in and not make too many changes right away. I like to try to keep the evolution of my business a steady flow, and it was SO tempting to change everything all at once! While change is good, I believe too much change can lead to unnecessary chaos.
- Advice to anyone who attends the workshop you’re hosting?
- Take note of the ideas that interest you most and take your time figuring out just how they will work best for you. I made a few organizational changes right off the bat, and have gradually been integrating the creative changes that work for me. Too much at once is hard to get a handle on. I am a big proponent for keeping your life balanced as you go, rather than tipping the scales with too much change, and then backpedaling to try to regain your balance.
Here’s a sampling of Caroline’s amazing lifestyle work:
Be sure to check out her WEBSITE, FACEBOOK page, and follow her awesome personal 365 on INSTAGRAM! Oh, and you can check out Caroline in action at the Pinkle Toes workshop she attended early last year HERE. You can learn more about the 2014 Pinkle Toes Newborn and Family Lifestyle Photography Workshops HERE.
Super excited about the two workshop dates in California this summer…Cardiff-by-the-sea July 25-27 and then Mendocino (I’ll introduce Melody to you guys in a few days!) on August 1-3. We will be in Olympia, Washington August 7-9 and then 11-13 as well! Very busy summer of workshopping!!! Can’t wait to see you again, Caroline, my dear!
