Holly Cromer
How old are you?
26 years young
What qualifications have you got?
Ha, let's see I took a film photography class in college and a digital photography class too. It was all that was offered and at that time not much sank in so mostly self taught and things I haven't been able to figure out for myself, I have researched on the internet, looked up tutorials on YouTube, and straight up asked other photographers to help me out. Local photographers don't usually jump to help, but the ones that I've found online have been more than willing to help give me creative tips and I am forever indebted to them for their help.
Do you use social networking sites (Twitter, Facebook, Flickr etc)?
Yes, a lot of them. (Links below)
If yes, do you find it helpful and inspirational?
Oh yes. Tumblr used to be my go-to site to bookmark photos that I found inspirational, it led me to finding bigger bodies of work of photographers that I liked on Flickr, and then when Pinterest came around it's helped me tremendously to organize inspiration for shoots and poses.
What do you consider your main style of work?
Natural, with a little touch of dreamy.
Do you aim at a particular audience with your photos?
I have a hard time trying to figure out my niche. I want to do portraits locally to bring in extra money, but truly I want to do more creative shoots and I want my audience to be people like me who like to take photos and spend an excessive amount of time online trying to absorb beautiful images. I have wild dreams of shooting editorials one day or doing catalog shoots for some of my favorite stores like Urban Outfitters, Free People, or Anthropologie.
What cameras do you own and which one do you use the most?
I pretty much stick to my Canon Elan IIe for film photos and Canon 7D for digital.
Do you have a favourite film?
I use a lot of Kodak 400 because I found it at a great price once. I'm honestly not picky though, I haven't met a film that I don't like yet.
Where do you look for inspiration?
Everywhere... When I read, watch videos, browse the internet, walking down the street.
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Have you ever been paid for photo-shoots?
Yes, mostly weddings/portraits and I've done a couple shoots in exchange for ad space in a local publication.
If yes, how did you get the work, and how do you budget?
The exchange for ad space gigs I got from just e-mailing the guy asking what his ad rates were. The portrait work, people find me through Facebook and my website/blog.
Do you have any routines when on a photo-shoot?
Not really, e-mail back and forth for a couple weeks before we meet up then jump in head-first the day of. I haven't had a chance to work with a real MUA or wardrobe yet.
Have you had any inspirational people in your life that have made you pursue your career in photography?
I don't know a lot of photographers personally and the ones I do know I met after I got into photography and started up the Creative Photography Club at Virginia Tech. Honestly I don't even have any entrepreneurs in my life so I keep pushing through by researching online and devouring books written by masters of the industry. Most of the photographers who inspire me to keep going are online and writing encouraging words to photographers on their blogs.
Film or digital?
I like them both. If I had an unlimited amount of money I would shoot film exclusively, but it gets pricey and when I'm shooting portraits, folks usually want to see at least a sneak peek the day of the shoot which is tricky with film.
Studio or location?
Location all the way. Or studio with natural light, I hate artificial light it seems silly to spend the money on it and spend the time learning it when I could easily just go outside where I like the light better to begin with.
Colour or black and white?
Color usually.
