Meet Erica Vining! | Omaha Nebraska Photographer

Our first member spotlight! I’m so excited to be getting the opportunity to share our Shop Talk members with all of you! Our first member is Erica Vining of E. Vining Photography.

(Image by Lynette Regier)

Question: How is your day going so far?
Erica: Chocolate doughnuts and snuggle time w/ my 7 yr old…perfect Saturday morning, and my other daughter is turning 15 today so is a very exciting morning.
Kim: That does sound like a perfect Saturday morning! I’m jealous!

Question: How long have you been a photographer?
Erica: Officially? – I have been in business since 2008.
Kim: Oh that’s awesome! I started in 2008 too. :D
Erica: It was a great year! haha…we’re like wine. bad joke but couldn’t help myself
Kim: HA! Yes we are ;)

Question: Are you in business? If so what is your website/blog address so we can stalk you and your awesome work?
Erica: Yes. My website is http://www.eviningphotography.com and my blog is http://www.ericavining.blogspot.com.
Kim: Awesome!
Erica: my personal blog– http://www.evining365blogspot.com
which needs to be updated- lol
Kim: Yeah I never keep up on my personal blog lol
Erica: and of course, Facebook http://www.facebook.com/e.viningphotography
Kim: Too many other blogs to keep up with lol
Erica: amen! that’s is the problem, isn’t it? lol
Kim: Yes!
Erica: Glad I’m not the only one :)

Question: What is your favorite thing to photograph and why?
Erica: It’s a rather broad answer but my favorite thing to photograph is people. I find people so very interesting. If I can convey there story or if you can look at a photo of a person and feel like they are looking right at you or maybe feel like you know them somehow then I feel like I’ve hit a homerun
Kim: That’s awesome!
Erica: :) Thanks! sometimes things are hard to put in words lol I started 2 times and thought nevermind.
Kim: Ha! Yes, they are. I hate that question for that very reason lol
Erica: lol! it is a tough one! for sure
I just think if you can move past the ‘say cheese’ look/smile then that is where the sweet spot is…I guess if you will. Does that make sense?
Kim: Yep, makes perfect sense.
Erica: When people become comfortable in front of your camera, it’s when you know you are capturing them. That’s what I work towards.
…ok…enough waxing poetic about photography. I think I’m done lol
Kim: That is a great answer! I like it!
Erica: :D Thanks, Kim

Question: Question: Did you go to school for photography? Or are you self-taught?
Erica: Yes and no. I first started out taking photos and paying for private mentoring sessions and a lot of self education. Then I realized that for me I wanted to take formal classes.
So I signed up and took some film classes- black and white film and color and some digital classes
I loved it. Best thing I think I could have done
Kim: That sounds awesome!
Erica: I still continue educating myself- like I think any of us do- reading everything business and a lot of photography books. I would LOVE to actually go to KS this May? for the workshops or convention with HOA
I recently joined Professional Photographers of NE and now get all these awesome emails telling me what’s available out there –near and far. So I believe that will be in my near future.
Kim: Workshops rock!! Love the ones I have gone too. :)
Erica: :) That’s awesome. I can’t wait to actually experience one instead of reading and drooling over some I’d love to go to
Kim: Ha! lol

Question: What do you shoot with?
Erica: Canon – both film and digital
Kim: Awesome! :)
Erica: Oh and I have a Yashica – range finder

Question: If you had to choose which would you pick, Film or Digital?
Erica: sooo tough! But honestly? …I think film. I love the convenience of digital but there is nothing like film.
Film is beautiful and when you put the same digital print next to a film print I would pick the film print every time. although to be honest I shoot mostly digital for my business.
Kim: I completely agree! Just found a few awesome film photographers to stock myself lol :P
Erica: aha! awesome, Kim :)
Have you checked out Film is Not Dead here on FB?
Kim: Um, I think so. It’s with Ryan….haven forbid I can’t remember is last name right now.
Erica: ha! me either- I thought I would mention it though
he’s a pretty interesting dude
Kim: I saw him on the Framed show and just thought WOW!
Erica: I didn’t but I would so love to pick his brain- meet him in person

Question: Tell us a few random FAQs about yourself, non-photography related.
Erica: okay so…FAQs —this is another tough one
okay, so I am from IL, my favorite color is purple and I am hopelessly in love with my husband and two beautiful daughters. How’s that?
oh and I love dogs.
Kim: Just perfect! :)
Erica: thanks…I hate questions like that! lol
Kim: Ha! me too but I love to ask them. ;);)
Erica: haha!

Kim: Well, Erica, thank you for a wonderful interview!!
It was great chatting with you this morning/afternoon! :):)
Erica: Thank YOU, Kim for the opportunity!
It was fun chatting with you, too. Very nice to connect.
Kim: You’re very welcome! I can’t wait to follow your work. :)

You can view some of Erica’s awesome work below! Be sure to visit her blog and leave some love!