There are few things left in life where you'll find innocence and true honesty. Stephanie Comeau works with some of the worlds most innocent and honest creatures: children. Comeau first encounter with photography was back in high school but it wasn’t before her son was born that she knew that this was something she wanted to do as a living. Now she specialize in newborn and children photography, working with giving the photo richness and a magical touch so the children’s innocence and emotions - whether it is excitement, curiosity or even sometimes sadness - is communicated to the photos viewers. Comeau’s goal with photography is to be happy - there’s no big adventures coming up - rather she want’s to enjoy the now and grow as a photographer and person.
What inspired you to be a photographer?
I took a film class when I was in high school and I just loved it. It really stuck with me. I was always amazed by what people could create with a camera. It was many, many years before I picked up a camera after high school. I got my first DSLR about 9 years ago and played around with some still life and landscape photography but it just didn’t speak to me. I put the camera away and I didn’t pick it up again until about 4 years ago when my son was born. Once he was born, it was something so important to me that I wanted to capture it. Once I started photographing him I knew what my love was. Photographing children is amazing. They are innocent and every emotion they show is real. I love being able to capture those moments and turn them into a piece of art.
How do you describe your style?
I like to think my style is rich and dramatic. I work with children a lot and I like my images to seem very dream like and magical.
What is it that you love about photography?
I love that you can take in anywhere and do anything with it. You don’t have to live in a box. You can explore and create. You can truly be yourself and express who you are through a lens. You can take risks. There is no right or wrong. It is all about you, what you love and what you want to create.
If you could have the gift of a great photographer who would it be and why?
There are so many amazing photographers that I admire. However I don’t think I would want their gift. I want my own. I am never going to be them and they are never going to be me. I think it’s very easy to chase someone’s style, but its much harder but at the same time way more rewarding to find your own.
What was your first camera and what do you shoot with today?
The first camera I had was a Canon XSI with a kit lens. It was nothing fancy but it really pushed me to do the best with what I had. Today I shoot with a Canon 5d mark iii. It was my first full frame camera and I have been shooting with it got about 6 months now.
When someone looks at your photos, what do you want them to take away from it, what are you trying to communicate?
I want them to stop and feel the emotion in the photo. I want them to feel whatever that child was feeling. Excitement, wonder, fun, joy, maybe sometimes sadness. I want my clients to look at the photo and say "oh yes that is so my child".
What has photography done for you?
Photography has given me an outlet. It is a place where I can escape. One year after my son was born, my father passed away. It was a very difficult time in my life. Photography gave me something positive to focus on. I could capture all the joy that was around me. It was a bright light in a very dark time.
Do you try to be conceptual or do you prefer to show the feeling behind a photo?
I think I like to mix a little bit of both. I want my subject to be he main focus but I think editing can help draw the eye there and tell the story of the image.
If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?
Oh thats such a hard question. I think I would have to pick two. If I am working outside it would me my Canon 70-200mm 2.8. It pretty much lives on my camera as soon as I walk out the door. When I am in the studio my Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art takes over. However if I had a big enough studio that I could use my 70-200 all the time, I think that would be the winner.
What are your 3 tips for others who want to become better photographers?
1. Shoot, shoot, shoot!
2. Be kind to yourself, we all start someplace.
3. Show your work to others. Other photographers will be your biggest support system. Find a couple of photographer friends online or where you live and share your work with them.
Have you received negative feedback from your work? What did you do about it?
Of course I have. Sometimes I take it with a grain of salt. Other times it really makes me stop and think. I look at my work and try to see it with fresh eyes. Some of my biggest growth has come from negative feedback.
Where did you learn to take photos?
The internet. Lol. I did a lot of googling when I first started, and I still do today. You can learn almost anything on Google. Once I really had a good idea of the style I liked I also took a few online workshops.
Raw vs jpg and why?
Raw. Well, because why not? Why wouldn’t you want all that extra data?
What do you carry in your camera bag?
Canon 5d mark iii
Canon 7d
Canon 70-200 2.8
Sigma 50mm 1.4
Sigma 35mm 1.4
What is the most common mistake you see people making when shooting these days?
I think the biggest mistake people make is not understanding lighting. You really need to look at your light and see it before you shoot. It’s much easier to adjust your light before you shoot then trying to fix lighting mistakes after.
What is your dream location to shoot?
Oh! I would love to shoot on a tropical beach or a desert. I know that it doesn’t seem that exciting to some people but I live in Eastern Canada so it would be amazing for me.
How do you decide on where to shoot a photo?
I normally pick my locations based on lighting. Where will the sun be in the sky? I really like back lit photos so I try to make sure I pick a location that will allow me to have the sun at my subjects back.
What is your goal with your photography?
My goal is just to be happy. I always want to love what I’m doing. I think that I am so lucky and so blessed to be able to do something that I love. I never thought that I would be able to do my passion as a living. It is truly a dream come true. I just want to be able to continue that and continue to grow as a photographer and as a person.
What is next for you?
Next for me is a little break. I am coming out of a very busy summer and heading into another long cold winter here in Canada. During the winter I want to plan some more stylized shoots for next summer.
