Lizzy Lyric Photography

Questions for you...You Fabulous Photographer, You!

Name: Hollie M. Cook

Business Name: Lizzy Lyric Photography

Location:  Havelock, North Carolina

Facebook: Hollie M. Cook Facebook Fanpage

Website/Blog:  www.lizzylyric.com

What gear is in your camera bag?

Olympus E510, 14-42mm, 40-150mm, 50 1.4 mm and also a wide-angle adapter

What is your favorite lens to use and why?

So far, it is the 50mm. I love how sharp it is and the bokeh is amazing! I'm saving up for a 24mm wide-angle lens now. I want it so bad!

Give us one sentence to describe the style of your photography.

Oh man, that's a hard one. Ive never thought about it.  Colorful, creative, and honest.

What caused your interest in photography?

When I was growing up, for as long as I can remember, when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer was always, “An artist.” For birthdays and Christmas I always got paper and markers or paint. Always something to create with. One year, when I was about 10,  I asked for a Polaroid. I remember taking it inside the woods, taking pictures of all the trash. I was going to make my own newspaper and raise awareness. Haha. Never gave it much thought after that until I was a teenager and saw a photo a friend of mine took of his shoes sitting beside his guitar. It totally spoke his personality to me. From then on, I dreamed of owning a nice SLR.

What is your favorite thing to shoot and why?

My favorite photos to look at and shoot are candids. Street photography. Life in the moment, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

How long did it take before you felt that you established a solid portfolio?

It took about two years before I was comfortable calling a group of my photos, “My Portfolio”.

How long did it take you to discover your style of photography?

I am still trying to figure out my style! I just do what I do.

What inspires you most?

Other photographers. Children. Life.

How long does it typically take you to edit a portrait shoot? Weddings?

Depends on the type of session. I mainly do portrait sessions. With those, Id say about 4 hours.

Do you use studio equipment? If so, what would you say is the most crucial piece in your studio and why?

I use a reflector. I am a natural light photographer.

What are you looking most forward to this year...Both professionally, and personally?

This year I will shoot my first wedding. Its a friends wedding and they are both silly people. She said her reception is going to be a little off the wall. Totally my style!

Do you ever get "bored" with your work? If so, what do you do to shake things up?

I'm one of those people who get bored a lot. I get bored with my work too. I think everyone does. If not, you'd probably end up never evolving. When I get stuck in a rut, I take a break from taking photos and browse other photographers, art, read...eventually, something inspires me.

What's the one thing about your work that you feel sets you apart from the big sea of photogs?

It speaks of who I am. No one else. Its mine.

Do you have an idea for a shoot, but have no clue how you are going to make it happen?

I always have ideas and wonder how I will make it happen!

How do you balance your personal life with your work life?

Since I have a little one at home, still, during the day, I try to only book for the weekends and edit after she goes to bed. That doesn't always happen, though.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Switzerland. I saw a show once, it might have been Oprah...you know they leave sleeping babies outside...with NO worries?!  Can you imagine? Not to mention its beautiful there!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

I see myself having a studio with a big sign out with flashing lights that screams LIZZY LYRIC PHOTOGRAPHY.  Not really. I see myself successful and happy. Maybe with my own studio?

What are you most proud of? Both professionally and personally?

I am most proud that I started out with absolutely nothing. No formal education, no money, no support. Nothing. I am still not where I would like to be. But I'm a lot further than I was. So I am very proud.

Describe in one paragraph what a perfect day for you would look like.

I'd wake up fully refreshed as the sun was rising. Breakfast would be made. Everyone would be in a great mood. And there was an adventure waiting for me. A journey to a place I had never been before. With my camera, of course. Oh, and there would be a lot of shopping. And an awesome lunch and dinner. Topped off with a massage and a nice comfy bed.  

What turns you on the most creatively and what turns you off?

What turns me on most is music. What turns me off the most creatively is negative people and drama! It overwhelms me and I cant think. I just want to hide away somewhere.

As far as marketing your business goes, what would you say are the most important and beneficial things to do when you want to get your name out there?

Being that our family is military and just this past year we've lived in 4 states, I know what its like to have to start over from scratch and getting my name out. Be professional. Be to the point. And market your *ss off! Maybe start out with a killer deal to get people’s attention.

What's the one piece of advice that you feel a person just starting a photography business would benefit from?

Don’t  jump the gun. Unless you know your stuff, don’t market as if you do. It’ll only hurt you in the end. Charge what you feel your time and talent is worth. There will always be someone who thinks you are too expensive.