Millie Holloman |
Welcoming you to the wonderful world of Millie Holloman Photography, a destination wedding photography company based out of Wilmington, NC. This company, Millie plus four others, is the very product of love, joy, personality and emotion. With a heart for the over-looked, often forgotten detail, Millie Holloman provides a world with-in a world full of love, life and everything in-between. But Millie doesn’t stop at photography. She’s brought us countless, inspiring Love Affair workshops, and a business kit, appropriately titled Get it Together, that will have even the most organized, work-flow guru eager to reinvent the business side of their photography company. Read on for inspiration, direction and the secrets behind Millie Holloman photography. Millie, thank you so much for your time and words of wisdom!
Millie Holloman Photography:
http://www.millieholloman.com/
Millie Holloman’s Blog:
http://milliehollomanblog.com/
With the “Love Affair Workshop” coming up in a month, tell us the story of how it came to life.
Love Affair Workshop came to life over a phone conversation with Davina and myself one evening. I believe we were discussing workshops, how many we had been to, how disappointed we had been by many of them, and how great it would be to teach one ourselves. Davina and I decided it would be fun to do it with a couple of other ladies. Kelly and Lauren were asked to be involved and thus Love Affair was born. We actually all met up at Bald Head Island for our first workshop and our ONE goal/vision for the workshop was to create a workshop that had every element we would want if we were attending the PERFECT workshop. That’s what we built and in turn we’ve built a relationship with many fabulous women from this encounter. Women who attend Love Affair Workshop describe it as “life changing” and I think it’s safe to say they’ve changed our lives as much as we have changed theirs. I truly love these women and watching them grow brings much joy to my heart!
Name three things on your wish list.
A Canon 35mm 1.4 lens
A Dock for my new iPhone 4
A new car (I’ve had the new car itch for about two years now but I’m not buying one)
- were they all supposed to be photography? OOPS!
On your days off, what can we find you doing?
Hanging out at the beach with my friends, being with family (especially my little nephew), reading a book, surfing the web, gardening or working in my yard, riding my bike, watching a movie.
Project you’re currently working on is:
Which one? I have about a billion. Those who know me say I never stop… it’s true. My biggest projects right now are restructuring my business, hiring some new employees, and Love Affair Workshop.
How would you describe your style?
Classic, Clean, Fun, Colorful.
How do you decide what to photograph?
I just shoot what moves me, whatever I see that makes me smile or feel something.
What type of camera do you use?
Canon 5D Mark II.
What is your favorite photography accessory, other than your camera?
(other than a lens) Probably my Kelly Moore Bag and despite the fact that Kelly and I are great friends, it’s the truth (I use the man bag in mustard yellow and love it). Another one? My Lenspen!
If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?
Probably my 50mm 1.2 because it’s just a great all around lens and I could probably shoot an entire wedding with it. Although when I look through some of my favorite images they were shot with my 24mm 1.4 so perhaps that’s my favorite subconsciously.
What’s the best decision you made when you first started out as a photographer?
I never went into debt to start my business. I slowly grew my business throughout college only buying each piece of equipment as I could afford it. Today I’m debt free and purchased my first home just one year ago. Millie Holloman Photography has always been “debt free” and I intend to keep it that way. This decision has allowed me to always make decisions based on what I felt was right and not out of fear.
I’ve learned the most from…
Watching others. It’s easy to get into a rut of shooting or doing the same thing. Watching others live out their passions in life, living in the moment, and doing what moves them has always served me well. I’m inspired by those I surround myself with… they constantly remind me to just be me and to love life!
What advise would you give to the photographers that may be starting out and new to the business?
Learn, learn, learn. NEVER settle. I ALWAYS look at my work and think I can do better (even now). I’m always pushing myself to try harder, look at something different and grow. I don’t feel like I’ve arrived and I hope I never do. Don’t get me wrong… I’m very happy with my life but I’m always pushing myself to learn and grow.
All Images above ©Millie Holloman Photography 2010
Copyright 2010 Formula Actions™ for Photoshop™. All Rights Reserved.
COMMENTS 18
1 davina fear
Millie, what a fantastic interview! congrats!
2 Tweets that mention Millie Holloman ‹ Formula One Actions For Photoshop -- Topsy.com
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by millieholloman and Love Affair Workshop, Formula One Actions . Formula One Actions said: HELLO MILLIE!!! So excited to share our latest interview @millieholloman. Incredible style & inspiring words of wisdom: http://bit.ly/cAUgxc [...]
3 Danielle
I really loved and respected your wisdom on not getting into debt as you started your business! How long did it take you from just starting and not know much to being able to do some decent work? I’m at the beginning:)
4 Jessica Key
very cute interview.
5 Craig Hewitt
Awesome interview! Millie does AMAZING work!
6 Rachel Catlett
LOVE IT!! You’re work is fabulous and what I’m trying to achieve in my photography as well. I’m with Danielle’s question, this is my first year as a legit-this-IS-my-career-gosh-darnit!-photographer and I want to keep my business debt free. I’m 22, I just started getting credit last year! I’m still shooting with a smaller camera and would LOVE to upgrade when I have the money, but my question is this: What would be the next best investment? I shoot good quality with what I have, but should I keep investing in lenses now, or save for the camera?!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your artwork!
7 Clare
Wonderful interview! Millie, you are an inspiration. I need to be reminded (often) about the “Learn, learn, learn. Never settle” bit. It’s so easy to sit back and settle for being an “pretty good/better than some” photographer once you’ve mastered a few skills. But it’s NOT ok, especially if you’re asking people to PAY you for your time and work. You owe it to everyone, especially yourself, to get your booty out there and try harder. And to continually educate yourself considering this is an always-morphing/changing kind of industry.
8 melanie mauer
Millie is the real deal – a phenomenally talented shooter, smart business woman, kind heart…and it’s great to see her featured here. Everything she touches (Love Affair workshop, Get it Together Kit, In a Nutshell Webinars) represents her professionalism & thoughtfulness.
Amidst an industry with constant change, I find myself grateful for no nonsense leaders like Millie. Thank you so much for this interview!
9 Krissy Marshall
Millie your work is amazing. Your images touched my heart strings, and inspires me to keep learning.
My Favorite lens is your wish list item – 35mm Prime 1.4
It was my first lens purchase, and although lots of people thought it was a bad choice….I love it. it makes you move around instead of standing in one spot and I always love the images I get with it.
10 Noelle Bell
I love that you went at it slow and stayed debt free!! That is exactly how I’m doing it and loving it though I still want some great new lenses!
My wish list lens is a 70-200mm f/2.8 I shoot Nikon and so does our company for my full-time job, so I do get the luxury of borrowing it on occasion and I love the DOF and the amazing images that come from using the lens! I can’t wait until it is in my bag, and I am Definitely looking to get a Kelly Moore bag too!
11 millie holloman
Hi Danielle! I started doing photography part time around 1999 – maybe even a little before so I’ve been at this for 11 years now. Only is recent years can I say I’ve been SUPER confident with my work (although I also believe there is always room for improvement). I just kept practicing and taking every opportunity I had and it took several years, I’m sure that length of time is different for each person as I was in college during this time so I had school work as well.
12 millie holloman
Rachel – I would invest in either a 5D or a 5D Mark II and then start investing in nicer lenses little by little. Much of my team shot with 50mm 1.4 lenses until we had the funds to buy the 50mm 1.2 lens. If you do decide to purchase the lenses first be sure that they will work with the camera you are planning to purchase also don’t be afraid to step up each time you buy until you get to where you want to be. It’s ultimately about knowing how to use the camera you have and knowing how it works. Just remember that buying a nicer camera and gear isn’t going to make you a better photographer, the knowledge of how to use it and the education is!
13 millie holloman
Thanks to everyone for your kind words, you made my day, you really did!
14 millie holloman
Krissy – i actually purchased the 35mm 1.4 and I AM LOVING IT! I just got it around the time this interview was posted. GREAT LENS!
15 millie holloman
Noelle – You’ll LOVE the Kelly Moore Bag… I’m not just saying that because I know her either, I use mine every single day and love it more all the time!
16 ilde cook
Amazing captures! Everything you do is so bright and crisp and full of life.
I’m glad I found this site!
My favorite thing in my bag right now is my 24-70 2.8 (it’s so versatile for outdoor portraiture of kids and families). Oh and of course a Zone bar- it seems I’m always hungry. LOL
17 Steve T
Wonderful images!
My fave lens is 70-200 f/2.8 IS. Did not get to travel to much with my 5D II, because of its weight though.
18 kirsten
my favorite photography accessory is my 24-70 lens – it never leaves my camera! it’s so versatile!
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