each friday on the kreatid blog, I’m shining a spotlight on a different person who I admire on a regular basis…the people who inspire me (whether in person on on-line) to strive to live every day, creatively.no matter what their creative medium is,no matter what their vocation is,if I admire them, you’re gonna be introduced to them!in·spi·ra·tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn] nouna thing or person that inspires.today's inspirational person to me is someone I "met" online last february...she is one of the founder's of Senior Style Guide...an online senior photography community that I write for every other week!I asked her to be a part of this series because of two reasons...one, um...she's the FOUNDER of senior style guide?!! ;)and two, she and her husband are an amazing team of senior photographer'sbased out of Indiana whom I admire tremendously! :)I love the way she has an online presence and business saviness that is to be in awed over,but also a very down-to-earth real personality that is super approachable...bottom-line, she's someone I would like to emulate professionally! :)so for this week's IN|SPIRATION friday, meet vickie. :)

if you had to describe “you” in ten words, how would you describe yourself?

tenacious, loyal, intelligent, loving, stubborn, observant, moody, attentive, a dreamer, idealistic.

you like to blog/post about your cute family occasionally - what are your top five character-traits for each of them?

It will be tough to limit it to five! Each one of them has so many character traits…but here are the first ones that come to mind! Jeremy (my husband) - Easy going, happy, analytical, goofy, loving Parker (my 13 year old) - Talented, intelligent, funny, confident, observant Sophia (my 7 year old) - Fashionable, smart, a fighter, mischievous, calculating!

how/when did you merge being an incredible senior photographer with SSG?

I decided two years ago that I wanted to focus solely on teen portraiture and at the same time I came up with the concept of SSG. I didn’t see anything available exclusively for Senior photographers. I wanted a site that was solely focused on them. One that could inspire, educate and provide a safe place for questions. So July 31, 2011 our first blog post went live! Initially I did all the blogging. After the release of the first print magazine in September of 2012, I knew I could no longer handle all aspects of SSG while moving it forward to match my vision. Luckily, I had a wonderful friend, Stacy Green who stepped up to assist with some of the duties and from there a fabulously dedicated group of photographers joined to help with blogging, bouncing of ideas, etc. I honestly could not do it without all of these people and everyone else behind the scenes. Our SSG family is amazing and I can’t thank each and every one of them enough. In fact I want to take a moment to list some of the current SSG bloggers so you can go follow them as well! Stacy Green - Editor Megan Bryant - Lead Blogger Lisa Drake - Featured Blogger Suzanne Mellott - Eye On Business Blogger Jodee Ball - Eye On Business Blogger Kristie Bradley - Eye On Fashion Blogger Jen Driesbach (hey, that's ME!) ;) - Eye On Fashion Blogger Kennedy Petersen - Eye On Fashion…A Teen’s Perspective Blogger and Magazine Column Contributor Brooke Daniels - On going magazine contributor Gina Petersen  - Developing Relationships Magazine Column ContributorAnd to all the other amazing supportive photographers who have blogged in the past, written articles for the magazine, donated prizes, time, advice and energy to SSG…thank you! None of this would have been possible with our amazing community of friends.

what is the main point of SSG in your mind?

Community! I cannot stress this point enough. I want photographers to feel like there is a place for them to have their questions answered, be inspired and educated all the while uplifting this industry. We try to accommodate all of those things at Senior Style Guide through the facebook page, our blog, forum, print magazine and classes. I want people to know that we are approachable. And most importantly to know they are not alone in building their business!

how has SSG changed how you are as a photographer...or has it?

SSG has definitely changed me. I am constantly blown away by the talent that is in this industry. When I read the featured blog posts and educational articles, I am reminded of how quickly this industry moves. I believe as a result SSG has made me more aware and open as a photographer by pushing me further out of my comfort zone.

you work with your husband...what are the challenges of working with your spouse?

We have to be mindful of each other. Respecting each other’s time and boundaries is very important with any husband and wife team. And at the end of the day remembering we have the same goals and dreams!

what are the pro's to working with your husband?

There are so many! We have worked together in some entrepreneurial capacity the last 18 years. I love that we can do what we love together, divide and conquer tasks, and we can just “be” when necessary. The biggest bonus is we can be with our kids.

what would you say to someone who was just starting out with their first camera and desiring to make it a business?

First thing…get a good cpa, study, practice, be legit from the get go and price yourself accordingly so you can make a profit and value your time! You want your photography to be a business so treat it that way from day one. Trust me the local photographers will respect you more! And do not let anyone deter you from your dreams. We are all learning no matter where we are in this process. Reach out to the people you admire. You will be surprised how open and amazing people can be.

what's your favorite inspirational quote?

“No means not yet!” It is actually my mantra and my husband does not like it very much at all…I am kind of tenacious!

what lights you up on a daily basis?

Life. Everyday I get to spend with my husband and children. Everyday experiences that they will have etched into their memories.

where would you escape to in the world if you could? why?

Either the Cayman Islands or Aruba. We have created so many memories on both islands throughout the years that we alternate trips there. Everyone in our family when given a choice picks one of these two! I love the pace of island life, I am drawn to water and I just see myself at either location down the road! I see us living in a little villa on the beach with just our cameras, our family, some board games and a pencil and notebook taking in life at the slow island pace. That is our ultimate goal.

if you could be a super hero, what super power's would you have? what would you name yourself? :)

My super hero would be called Wand Waver! *BTW, I totally stole this super power from our IT person, Anne!*But it is true. How cool would it be to have a magic wand and make all the problems of the world disappear?!

where do you find your guilty pleasures? food, tv, etc...

Cherry Garcia ice cream! It is reserved for special occasions only! And I need help for my addiction to Scandal, Revenge and The Good Wife.

when did you first get involved in photography?

When I was around 12. I absolutely loved taking photos. It always felt like Christmas waiting to get my rolls of film developed and I had a rule that only I could look at them first. I loved the feel of prints and thrill of seeing my vision on paper.

what's one of your most favorite sessions you've done to date?

The 70’s hipster session I recently photographed.why? Because I feel like I am starting to convey my vision more.

top three favorite colors? why?

Black, White and Grey. Why…? Because I am not a very bold color person. I reserve that for my imagery. They are staples and never get old!

are you OCD about anything or pretty chill?

That is a trick question! With my everyday life…OCD definitely. I have a strict rule that I struggle with…flat surfaces are meant to be empty, my daily work routine, etc. However, with my clients and friends…I am pretty chill. I usually tell people no worries and don’t sweat it too much.

something that is from your childhood, that not a lot of people know about?

I was a huge Menudo fan in middle school. I love Ricky Martin. Very few people knew this, I guess everyone does now! I was a fan, to the point of obsession. Actually, this is how awesome my husband is…when I was pregnant he took me to both Chicago and Cincinnati to see Ricky perform.

favorite article(s) of clothing to shoot in?

A Flogging Molly t-shirt and flip flops. Sadly my shirt is practically worn out and I need to get a new one!

canon or Nikon? favorite lens?

I’m a Nikon girl and my go to lens is the 85 1.4

favorite band/song for inspiration?

I love music of all genres. What is getting the most play on my iphone now? The National, Justin Timberlake, Mumford and Sons and since I am a huge 80’s fan…The Go Go’s and Rick Springfield. My musical taste is all over the map.

favorite three blog’s you like to read?

Jasmine Star, Evoking You and Amanda Holloway. I love all the variety of inspiration from all 3.

top three magazine’s you would buy besides SSG?

Vogue, Vanity Fair and People (again all over the map on my reading tastes as well!)

if you could encourage young men/women (14-21) to be anything, what would it be?

To be who they really want to be...Not who everyone else is pressuring them to be.That is the single biggest lesson everyone struggles with at any age.Luckily, my husband taught me that lesson at an early age (24) when he suddenly decided to open a successful music store in 1994. He wasn’t happy with the medical track he was on in college and followed his heart. We have been true to our heart ever since.

you're amazing at what you do, but if you could have any other job in the world, what would it be?

Other than mom and wife? I would be a writer. I would love to write a book someday. There I said it so it is out there and real!

who have been the key-influencer's in your life? why?

I truly believe experiences mold who you are. Fortunately, I have had some very strong willed, motivational people in my life from family, friends and teachers. But as far as key influencer’s who have pushed me to never settle…I have had two.My first one was in college I had a close friend who never settled for less than the best. She was my inspiration and motivation to achieve more. The professor’s would always put the names of the top three test grades on the board, and you guessed it…she was always first and I was second. I didn’t care because it pushed me further out of my comfort zone to get to where I wanted to be. She was a fighter and never lost her top spot…go figure! I always admired those qualities in her. And it was those qualities that eventually set the bar for my future.The second most influential person in my life would be my husband. He is my toughest critic. He never sugar coats anything and is always raising the bar for success. I love his honesty and how he is quick to tell me when something is on the right track. Most people are afraid to be brutally honest and sometimes we need to hear that to move forward and be the best we can be. Telling someone that something is fabulous when in reality it isn’t doesn’t really help them. So when he says an idea is awesome…well I know I have done something amazing and I am on the right track!Want to know how to see more of Vickie and to see more of her work?!  Check her out here:Senior Style GuideWebsite: www.SeniorStyleGuide.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/seniorstyleguideInstagram: http://instagram.com/seniorstyleguidePersonal WorkWebsite: www.JeremyandVickie.comBlog: www.JeremyandVickie.com/blogFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremyandvickie