Feature Bloomie Spotlight: Jules Trandem

So Kristy and I thought it would be fun to shine the spotlight on some of our previous workshop students….who have been coined “FORMER BLOOMIES!” We hope to bring you a new featured member every month to to show them off and all their awesomeness!! LOL!! So without further ado, Jules Trandem with Jules Trandem Photography is kicking off the series and Kristy and I can’t be more excited!

Tell us a little something about yourself? Where are you from, kids, hobbies, etc?
I have enjoyed living in San Diego for the last 16 years with many visits to Santa Barbara to see family. I am a single mom to the most amazing little 5 year old boy in the world! In addition to being a mom and a photographer, I’m also a first grade teacher.

How long have you been in business?
This fall will wrap up my first year to be officially in business. In the past, I had the opportunity to do holiday portraits for a few friends, but it wasn’t until last fall that my business took off and started to grow. I’m still in the early stages of building up my client list. In order to keep balance in my life and keep my son my priority, I only schedule 2-3 clients a month. This fall I will practice saying NO when I need to, in order to not let the holiday craze take over my life.

What equipment do you use? What’s your favorite lens?
I shoot with a 5D Mark II … love it! I only use two lenses and it would be hard (and not very fair) to pick a favorite between my 50mm 1.2 and the 85mm 1.2. They are both very good to me.

So what made you fall in love with photography?
Just like so many other photographers, I’ve had a love for photography for a long time, but it wasn’t until the birth of my son that it became my passion. I couldn’t get enough of my camera and wanted to learn everything I could about photography. I would spend hours and hours pouring through beautiful images on flickr and photography blogs. I loved the emotion and light that I discovered. I couldn’t wait to shoot and capture that for myself!

Do you like portrait photography or lifestyle photography? Or do you do a dabble in a little of both?
I think my style of photography dabbles in a bit of both portrait and lifestyle. I love the emotion of a beautiful portrait and I love the storytelling that comes with lifestyle photography. When I look back on my son’s portraits, it’s almost always the lifestyle images that I’m drawn to. They can quickly take me right back to that time in his life.

Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by so much… my son, the gorgeous light at sunset, the colors and textures in a field, and my wonderful photography friends. You and Kristy were the start of it all for me. Then through you, I’ve met so many amazing and inspiring photographers that I now consider good friends.

Post Processing! You have such beautiful processing on your photos…you’re colors are so vivid yet you maintain such perfect skintones. Do you have certain actions that you continually use or any tips for achieving this?
Thanks so much! Coming from you (a complete master of pp) that’s such a compliment. I think it all goes back to the very first lesson in your Bloom Workshop last year … exposure is everything! I try really hard to get my exposure right straight out of the camera. I do shoot RAW so I can make any adjustments necessary in Lightroom. My favorite actions that I couldn’t live without are Lilyblue, Florabella, and TRA. I use them on every session. My style is still emerging but I don’t take too much time processing photos in photoshop.

What is your favorite subject to shoot? Newborns, toddlers, kids, seniors or families?
Of course I love them all. I’ve only had one official newborn session and fell in love with it. One of my favorite clients is pregnant and I can’t wait to do her newborn session in November. I love to see families together and capture their love. I love the honesty and expressions I can capture from the toddlers and kids. Seniors are great because you don’t work up a sweat during their session. They actually listen and follow directions.

You have a lot of your sessions on the beach. Do you have any tips for shooting at the beach and dealing with the sun?
I schedule my beach sessions for early morning or just before sunset. I love the gorgeous light at the beach. I meter off my client’s skin and adjust as needed until it’s just right. I don’t mind if my background is blown as long as my subject has good exposure.

When did you take the BLOOM WORKSHOP and what was your “AHA MOMENT” when you took it?
I took the Bloom Workshop last spring. I took the money I was saving for our Disneyland passes and spent it on your fabulous workshops. Best money I ever spent.
‘Aha moment’? Are you kidding?! Each and every lesson was an ‘aha moment’ for me … don’t act like you don’t remember. You and Kristy taught me about exposure, composition, lines, (and so much more) and my favorite of all … storytelling. The storytelling has been what drives me during each session. I love the creativity that comes with storytelling. It’s something that is new and different for each session. I’m looking forward to building on that with my Jinky workshop in September.

If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be doing today?
When I’m not behind a camera, I’m in front of a classroom full of first graders. I’ve been teaching for 18 years and I love being surrounded by sweet, curious, joyful 6 year olds.

And now some fun not so serious questions!

Favorite color: green
Favorite food: it would have to be a favorite drink … a cup of coffee from my new Keurig coffee maker. It is the greatest in the world. Rush out right now and get one from Costco!
Favorite song: right now it would be Touch by Natasha Bedingfield (it just started from my playlist… I swear… just as I was typing this). My son and I drop what we’re doing and just dance when it comes on.
Favorite place to shop (BTW, I think I could answer this one for your son LOL!!): yes… from one addict to another. I love to style my son in Crewcuts and Mini Boden. For me, my life before Brooks and photography was filled with JCrew for me, but now I’m more of a Target and flip flop kind of girl. I’d rather spend $100 on new actions and templates than on clothes. How sad is that?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be: at the beach. I want a simple little house right on the beach. I don’t think that’s asking too much. Wouldn’t that be a great incentive to get you and Kristy out here?
What is your all-time favorite quote or saying: for photography, it would be ‘shoot what you love’. For life, it would be ‘to fully live and appreciate each day’.
If you could have dinner with any two people, who would they be and why: If I have to start small, it would need to be 3… you, Kristy, and Maureen Wilson. Then, after dinner we would have to have a party and invite all of our wonderful Bloom friends. One day, this will come true when we have our Bloom Retreat (right here in San Diego)! A girl can dream!

I’m packing my bags Jules! Thanks for the awesome interview and for being the first to start the series!! Again, make sure you check out more of her beautiful work over at her blog!