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Craig van der Lende has been a photographer since the early 70’s. He graduated with a business degree and got a camera from his parents for graduation. It took a year for him to realize he wouldn’t be happy working for someone else. In that year, he got valuable training in the computer industry and that started a life long interest in computers and tech.

His first photographic work was in journalism followed by studio product and people, followed by large format large set studio contract furniture followed by table top and food for national ads. The national ad work slowed down at the same time 9-11 happened and, for a time, Craig considered living off my investments.

That changed after he spent a couple weeks in Africa for an NGO documenting clean water projects and micro finance recipients. That trip made him realized that’s what made him the happiest – being a photographer. Craig decided to rebuild and rethink his career. Craig got back to his journalism days, added video and began choosing projects and clients based on the experience he would have and where the final project would take me next.

Today, he shoots a bit of everything – stills and video location and studio.

Q1: How would you describe the aesthetic of your website in three words?

A1: Clean, functional and diverse.

Q2: How often do you typically update your website?

A2: I try to update at least once a month, sooner if I have a project I am excited to show.

Q3: How do you choose the photos that you display on your homepage?

A3: I show what I am most interested in shooting at the time. I have been showing a video on my home page that shows high tech manufacturing.

Q4: What is your favorite feature of liveBooks8?

A4: Video integration.

Q5: What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone designing their website?

A5: Show what you want to shoot and what sets you apart from everyone else.

I appreciate the liveBooks SEO. I get most of my clients from web search and don’t reach out to people for new work often. My liveBooks site has brought in most of my new clients.

See more of Craig van der Lende’s work here: http://vanderlende.com

Tara O. became interested in photography around age ten, when she began setting up photo sessions of her younger sister in their bedroom, using a play 35mm camera, play clothes to dress her sister up and stuffed animals as props. She participated in elective photo classes in high school, where she fell in love with the dark room. Her passion continued as she pursued her degree in Fine Art at Arizona State University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Photography in 2008.

As she ended her formal art education, she started to narrow in on portraiture exclusively, and simultaneously continued to fall into the niche world of retro styling. She has specialized in pinup portraits most of her ten year professional career.

Q1: How would you describe the aesthetic of your website in three words?

TO: Babes, babes and – babes!

Q2: How often do you typically update your website?

TO: I update my website whenever I have a new image that I feel exemplifies my work really well, it’s so easy to add an image to my galleries whenever the feeling strikes me!

Q3: How do you choose the photos that you display on your homepage?

TO: It’s so hard to decide what to feature on the very front page of my site, but I picked a handful that I feel really shows the type of images I strive for with my clients. I love working with women of all shapes, sizes, colors and in varying levels of modesty.

Q4: What is your favorite feature of liveBooks8?

TO: I love the template designs for liveBooks. They are clean and crisp, which puts the attention on your images- which is important to me as a photographer. I want my photos to be what is the most prevalent and noticeable on my website, without extra frills distracting from my work.

Q5: What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone designing their website?

TO: Reach out to colleagues or mentors to help you edit your images. Sometimes less is more and a well curated website is vital.

I’m so lucky to have been using liveBooks for several years. Adding and updating my website couldn’t be simpler and doesn’t take up time I need for so much of the other work that goes into being a photographer!

Check out more from Tara O. Photos: http://taraophotos.com/

Chad Chenier returned to his home state of Louisiana after receiving photography training in California. Upon returning he quickly started freelancing for local area magazines and getting my name out. He was hired on as a full time photographer at Louisiana Homes & Gardens Magazine. It was a state wide publication that featured Interior Design Homes all across the state – New Orleans, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Alexandria, etc. He says, “It was great to go back to my home state and be able to express my love for architecture and interior design with photography. New Orleans in particular has so much character and mixes of different styles of architecture. It was wonderful!” 

Eventually, some of the home owners also inquired if he could photograph their commercial businesses. That launched his freelance career as an architectural / interior design photographer and now he services all of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, New York City, and Sante Fe, New Mexico. He is really excited about the future and being able to work with talented people all across the United States!  

Q1: How would you describe the aesthetic of your website in three words?

CC: Stunning Visual Presentation.

Q2: How often do you typically update your website?

CC: I update my website at least once every week.

Q3: How do you choose the photos that you display on your homepage?

CC: I choose photos for my home page that highlight the best of what I can do. Images of work that I would like to create more of – only the best.

Q4: What is your favorite new feature of liveBooks8?

CC: My favorite feature of liveBooks8 is showcasing new work to all my past clients quickly with a stunning web delivery.  I have really enjoyed my photography journey with help from liveBooks.

Q5: What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone designing their website?

CC: Refine the type of photography you want to create as your niche and build towards being the expert in your field and in your area.

Check out Chad Chenier Photography: www.chadchenierphotography.com