• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • The Details
    • Investment
      • Investment Overview
      • Client Magazine
      • High School Senior portraits
      • Mini Sessions
    • Kind Words
    • Featured Sessions
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • The Details
    • Investment
      • Investment Overview
      • Client Magazine
      • High School Senior portraits
      • Mini Sessions
    • Kind Words
    • Featured Sessions
  • Contact
  • Photographer’s Corner
  • Photographer’s Corner
pamela salai photography logo
Published, Styled, Tips & Tools

Pittsburgh Photographer | Mentoring ! When, Why, & How to find one that fits .

  • Posted By admin
  • on August 4,2016

Pittsburgh Photographer | Mentoring ! When, Why, & How to find one that fits .

Hey y’all !

So talking to a few friends in the community I noticed that some people are not sure when to get a mentor, why they need a mentor or how to find one.

So I am here to give my own “personal” view on it. I will start by saying I am NOT perfect ( GASP! I know ! ) LOL. I know I thought the same thing … JUST KIDDING !! 

It wasn’t long along that I submitted to Clickin moms & was turned down by 7 points 🙁 I was devastated ( like REALLY  devastated! )I reached out to the community & to a couple of my favorite photographers & said HELP ME PLEASE!  One that I admired was unable to assist this year , another was way out of my price range ( < < < which I will come back to this ). And another was not even in my state & the cost of traveling & the time (<<most importantly) were just not doable this year. 

I didn’t understand-I thought I knew what I was doing ? I thought I was good? I was published in Momazine magazine 4 times – didn’t that mean something ??? I was pretty sure I had a small community of photographers that admired me? I mean … isn’t that all you need ?

NO – this isn’t enough! (<<<<I will explain why shortly)

 After speaking to a couple good friends who talk me off me down from throwing my camera out the window while driving down a dirt windy road sunlit by the glow of the sun as it set on our side of earth & in my heart (<<< I am being a LITTLE dramatic ... I mean HEY it’s how I felt !)   … oh yea .. I was totally there! I was told 1. this was just “1” place that tried out for. This was just their opinion  of  my work. I mean …yes… However, to me THIS WAS THE PLACE – THIS IS THE PLACE I want to be a part of ( and I will !). It just wasn’t my time. Maybe the photos I selected weren’t my best or maybe I selected some that I shouldn’t have … However, despite all these thoughts & feelings it sounds so cliché … I had an aha moment. I realized that I do need to step back & reevaluate myself & work on things that I “thought” were good. I took my son out that week. I went to spot that I knew the sun casted a beautiful golden hour ( that is my favorite time a day. I feel like it’s the most magical)  & a spot that I thought my son would enjoy “sitting” at for a bit while I played with my camera.

I ended up with this (see below)

I was so excited ! When I posted it I had gotten so many nice compliments & a couple photographers I admired reached out to me & said some really nice things that made me feel relevant again. Than, it came to me. OF COURSE I still am learning. I hope to ALWAYS learn & grow & become better & better. Yes, I was sad. I will submit again & I hope you will follow me in that journey.

This photo became symbolic to me. When I looked at it I knew that all my wishes, positive vibes, praying & hard work were finally starting to matter & click.

I have since than. Met with Heather with weddings by heather who offers mentoring, workshops & training ( <<< some in which I still plan to take) . She help me design my website. ( which I LOVE) She mentored me in a few things about life, job & I have turned to her for advice on editing. Which if you do not follow her I really suggest it. She has a group on Facebook & can Skype or talk on the phone so you do not have to be local. Make sure to come back to this post & let me know how much you love her when you are all done with your mentoring …because you will 🙂 She is a jesus loving, beautiful soul & is so much fun. She even has a youtube channel – I mean … really! Check it out! She won’t disappoint.

I have also since than “soul shoot” ( I think I made that up ?) I go out & shoot with no purpose other than I love it & I am hoping to teach myself something new or practice something I just learned. Wow ! It has really taught me a lot. I am still not prefect ( SHOCKER I know! LOL! ) However, I have become comfortable enough to start to share my knowledge. Now, my knowledge as far as styling a session, how I plan for it, how I shoot, the lighting etc… Not business ( Go to Heather for that 🙂 or someone that is better at that stuff than me )

I am also very lucky to have 2 really great friends Lisa & Sarah that are local photographers that we are constantly helping each other. Bouncing ideas off one another, asking for CC (constructive criticism) . Having friends ( <<< I mean real friends) in the community is so important. So this actually leads me into the juice (<<< um you know the stuff that this post was meant to written for : Mentoring ! When, Why, & How to find one that fits .)

BE INVOLVED! Meet people, make friends  . Found out who is who in the community. How ? There are so many local groups in your area. You need to get on social media & ask around. Found groups that “fit you”. What is awesome for me …might not be your awesome. Go find your awesome! When ? NOW what are you waiting for -them to find you ? No, go find them. Go to meet ups once a month or as often as you can.  Reach out to photographers you follow. They might be involved in groups that they are willing to share with you.

Why? um, because this is how you will find people that are like you. Maybe, you will even find someone that will take you under their wing or is willing to help or lead you in the right direction.

Ok, so… it might cost you some money. Good! (<<< Yes ! GOOD I said) . INVEST IN YOURSELF! If you don’t invest in yourself. Who is going to invest in you ?

So remember I said one mentor was out of my price range. Well, I am saving up to take a mentor session with her. I might even actually hire her to take my family photos instead just to see her magic unfold with my own family. It might not happen tomorrow. It will happen though because I want it to & I honestly am not someone that gives up easy.

So why wasn’t it good enough that I was published, had followers & likes on my page. Because I didn’t believe in myself. I wasn’t shooting with a purpose & an end in sight. Now, I make sure to take my time. Make sure my lighting is on point, my composition. I have my highlights & blacks in my post processing… these things made a HUGE difference in my shooting.

So do I want you all to call me & hire me for mentoring. NO! I want you to find someone that you admire & love & feel that they can teach you what you need to learn. It might be me. It might be my best friend. It might be someone I don’t know. Whoever it is -reach out to them. Let them know you admire them. Ask if they offer mentoring services ( some do not).

Don’t wait ! Why wait ?

So because I am hyping up this mentoring thing so much … I am offering 50% the whole month of August! That is correct my pixie dust collection is 50% off. Contact me pamelasalaiphoto@gmail.com  for full details!

(*Mentoring must be held in 2016)

P.S. Just a reminder that the Fall into magic | Pittsburgh styled shootout  dates are released & details are coming soon ( PROMISE!)

Do you shoot newborns ? If so you might want to check out this limited exclusive   watch & learn * with an option to shoot . This is happening August 10th & 14th so don’t delay!

THANK YOU ALL !

xox

~ Comment with any positive vibes or feedback ~


Children, Family, Styled

Pittsburgh Family Portraiture | Flower Child Soul

  • Posted By admin
  • on August 3,2016

Pittsburgh Family Portraiture | Flower Child Soul 

Sneak Peek !

Here is just a tiny glimpse in to this A-MAZ-ING session I had with this beautiful little girl <3

I had to grab a few photos with her & mama. So glad I did – I mean look at these 2!!

“Let us dance in the sun wearing wild flowers in our hair”

Stay tuned for this session . You will not want to miss it  😉


Children, Styled

Pittsburgh Newborn indoor/outdoor Seminar | Watch, Learn & *shoot in Studio & outdoors *limited spots

  • Posted By admin
  • on August 2,2016

NEWBORN SEMINAR

Join Pam w. Pamela Salai photography & Sarah w. Sarenae photography

August 10th golden hour /evening

For a watch & learn OUTSIDE newborn session for $100

And/or

August 14th morning 9:00/10:00 a.m.

For a watch & learn for $100 STUDIO newborn option to *add on shooting for August 14th only for an additional $25.00

$100 for watch & learn

$100 for watch & learn *add on shooting + $25.00 (for the 14th only)

>>>>>Special offer: $200 for both days (including shooting for 14th)<<<<<

Studio location: McCandles Twp. *location given at time of booking
Outside location: *location will be local to McCandles Twp. (this will be given at time of booking)

Details: Watch and learn: Meant for you to sit back & watch us live at work. The session will be open for questions & we will discuss as we posing & lighting as we are setting up & shooting.

Watch and learn with the option to shoot: Meant for you to not only sit & watch us live at work. Also, open for you to shoot after we pose & take our shot. You will be allowed to use these photos to build your portfolio. (* Photos you take are not intended for use of advertising for your personal business)

*6 spots are open for both dates. Once these spots are sold out no other spots will open.
*August 11th is the back up rain date. If it would rain again we will shoot in the studio
Once we are emailed at: pamelasalaiphoto@gmail.com you will be sent a link for payment (no refunds, paymemt due w.in 24 hours or your spot WILL open back up )


Recent Work

Pittsburgh Child, Maternity & Family Photographer tips & tools | Creating magical memories: Wardrobe

  • Posted By admin
  • on July 14,2016

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:


Children

Pittsburgh Child photographer | Rub-a-dub-dub bubbles in the tub

  • Posted By admin
  • on April 3,2016

Pittsburgh Child photographer | Rub-a-dub-dub bubbles in the tub

Vintage bonnet, vintage sunsuit , vintage pink enamel tub … Oh toped off with a vintage patchwork bunny hat made from vintage quits and her grandma’s christening outfit <3

I mean … all sorts of cuteness going on with this green eye beauty!

This first birthday session was tons of fun !


« First‹ Prev16171819
Search magic here
About me, Pam!
Recent Posts
  • Senior Year Sunshine: A Sunflower Field Photoshoot
  • Capturing Precious Moments: A Family Photography Session on Presque Isle Erie Beach
  • Capturing Authentic Moments: A Poetic Lifestyle Photography Experience
SORT BY CATEGORY
  • Children
  • Family
  • HS Senior
  • Maternity
  • Mini
  • Newborn
  • Photography Mentoring
  • Published
  • Recent Work
  • Styled
  • Tips & Tools
  • Tween
hello pro creatives pamela salai photography
 
Let's Stay in Touch
Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates directly to your inbox.
 What interests you most, friend?
Thanks for subscribing to our newsletter!


FOLLOW along @PAMELA_SALAI_Photography

Pamela Salai is a Pittsburgh photographer who specializes in creating whimsical portraits of children and families. Serving clients throughout Pittsburgh including Bethel Park, Coraopolis, Fox Chapel, Franklin Park, Mt. Lebanon, Oakmont, Seven Fields, Sewickley, Upper St. Clair, Wexford, Adams Township, Cranberry Township, Marshall Township, Moon Township, Ohio Township, Pine Township, Robinson Township, Beaver County and all areas in between.

Images & text Copyright 2023 Pamela Salai Photography. All rights reserved. Site design by dear jane design.

pamela salai photography logo no dots
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • The Details
    • Investment
      • Investment Overview
      • Client Magazine
      • High School Senior portraits
    • Kind Words
    • Featured Sessions
  • Contact
  • Photographer’s Corner