With 20+ years in the photography industry, Sandy Puc’ has become a well-known and respected name in the business. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with other working photographers through her seminar tour series, Sandy Puc’ Presents. With over eight tours to date, these events continue to educate and inspire portrait photographers across the globe. Even with her busy speaking schedule, Sandy shoots nearly 400 individual and family sessions every year at her Colorado-based studio.
A longstanding personal and business practice of giving back is one of Sandy’s trademarks. This commitment to community inspired her to co-found the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation in 2005. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing in-hospital portraits to families suffering the loss of a newborn. Today the organization has over 12,000 photographers registered as members in over 40 countries.
Sandy has served on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of America, and holds the prestigious titles of Print Master and Explorer of Light from Canon USA. When she isn’t busy with a speaking engagement, a portrait session or overseeing her studio, Sandy is spending time with her four amazing children and her boxer Canon.
The Interview
1. Tell us something about your business and how long you have been a professional photographer?
I’ve been a full-time photographer for more than 20+ years. What started as a hobby at 17 years old, by 18 it soon became a career that has taken me from an at-home business to a thriving, high-end portrait studio with over 20 employees.
2. What equipment do you use?
I have always been a big fan of Canon products. I shoot with the Canon Mark II, but I am excited to go to the Mark III. Because I specialize in children’s work, my lens of choice is typically the 70-200mm 2.8. I also love my 50mm for environmental work and the 100mm macro for babies as well.
3. Where are you located?
My studio is located in Littleton, Colorado. It’s a beautiful area to live and work, and though I love traveling and discovering new places, there’s no place like home.
4. What type of photography do you like to create?
I enjoy photographing babies, children, seniors, and families. There are so many tender moments that can be captured during a traditional, posed session. I like bringing out the true emotions and personalities of my subjects. It’s one of the most rewarding things about what I do. I love the variety that each day brings. When I walk into the studio every morning, everything is new again.
5. Price range of portraiture
Although we are busy, we are considered a boutique studio. Our goal is to create a high-end experience, and our prices reflect that. Our least expensive 8×10 starts at $150 and packages can range from $650-$7,000.
6. When did you notice you had a passion for photography?
Almost from the moment I picked up a camera, I was hooked. I started my company as a passion and eventually built it onto my dream. I am still obsessed with learning. I read, watch, and try every new thing and I never stop growing.
7. What is unique to what you do or what you offer?
I think every photographer has a unique gift and a unique way of photographing. My work is known for a subdued, tranquil mood and timeless sets and posing. I have always felt that photography is more about relationships than skill. I feel blessed that I have the gift of listening, and I feel I really hear what my clients want. Not just their words, but with their actions and expressions.
8. Most awkward moment during an event?
Oh man, I could tell story after story of stupid things I have done. Once I sprayed mace in the air and sniffed it to see if it worked. IT DID! The last wedding I shot I stood up and my baggy pants stayed down. Don’t even get me started on the kid sessions. Once, I was pregnant and a kid sneezed on me leaving a bunch of yuck on my arm, which caused me to start throwing up because I was so sensitive. We laugh so hard at work it scares me sometimes. No job should be this fun!
9. What is the scariest thing that ever happened during a shoot?
Oh, I shot a wedding once, in a gazebo right on the ocean in the keys. When they did the butterfly release, 10,000 seagulls that were on the roof flew in and attacked everyone. It would have been terrifying but we were laughing so hard we could not be scared. See, this can’t be real life.
10. Best advice that you’ve been given in your photography career?
When I was a younger photographer, I had a mentor that taught me to look at my work not as pieces of paper, but as a piece of art that represents everything from my education, experience, equipment, and beyond. That advice meant the world to me then and it has changed my business immensely.
11. Best advice that you could give someone else that is pursuing a photography career?
BELIEVE. I have seen amazing things happen in my life from a positive attitude and little persistence. You only get one life. One chance to follow your dreams and really become what you dream. Nothing is easy, not for me, or anyone. Life is about sacrifice and choice and keeping those balanced.
12. Best moment of your photography career?
I have had so many best moments, but seeing my youngest son following in my footsteps and shooting from the heart thrills me. He has such a natural eye, where I had to try so hard to learn and grow. You can check him out at www.facebook.com/NikolaiPucPhotography.
13. How many sessions/events do you do each year?
I personally hold about 400 family and individual sessions each year. I love teaching and sharing my knowledge, but it is also really nice to spend time with my clients. Many of them have become very dear friends over the years.
14. Have you changed anything to adjust in the current economic times?
Absolutely. I think many photographers have. Consumers are spending differently, and there are a lot of ways to combat this. Model search campaigns, lower session fees, and lower-cost social media campaigns have helped keep a steady flow of business in the last year or two. More than anything, planning ahead and knowing that lean times always come has helped me thrive even during this rough patch.
15. Describe your shooting style.
As a photographer, I try to get to know my subject. I interact with them throughout the session, and try to evoke natural smiles and other expressions through a casual conversation. This works on varied levels with children, teens, couples and families alike. I find if I am smiling, they will too.
You can connect with Sandy through the following websites and social media sites:
Main Website: http://sandypuc.com/
Seniors Website: http://sandypucphotography.com/
Tours Website: http://sandypuctours.com
Forum: http://sandypucuniversity.com
Marketing Tools Website: http://www.ukandu.com/
Blog: http://sandypucblog.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sandypucfans
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/sandypuc
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SandyPuc
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