Quick and Easy

So this was just a 30 minute headshot session.  The young man I worked with is a professional and he just needed an updated photo.  I'm telling you, perfect practice makes perfect.  I have worked with and continue to work with clients without getting paid.  When I do that, I put in the same amount of time, effort, thought that I put in with paying clients (like this one).  That way, I never have to adjust what I do.  Everyone gets the best I can give.

In the past, I'd been using a silver reflector to bounce light onto the client but most people struggled with sunlight in their eyes.  Well, I have this huge 3x2 piece of white foam core that I just keep forgetting to take and use.  I took it on this day and I loved it!!  The light it bounces is soft and even.  But, I will probably get a new one because mine is crumbly so every time I move it, there is popcorn everywhere.  I also used an index card as a bounce card for my flash; hey, it gets the job done.  Lastly about gear, I loooooooove my light meter!  Takes all of the guess work out and it usually gets me where I want to be in terms of camera settings.

Most of the headshot sessions I do, I work with Chris Greene.  He does a phenomenal job working with my subjects and bringing that 'something' out of them that actually makes the photo.  I try to pay attention to him so I can use what he does when I am working on my own.  You have to do more than just push the shutter button, you have to find a way to make your subject convey an emotion and connect to create a compelling image.  And it doesn't hurt when you are working with someone who knows what they are doing, like this guy :).

Click here to see the rest of the photos from this session.

My session with the Millers

So this session was different than other work I have done.  As the Millers are pastors, my focus had less to do with attractiveness and more to do with presenting an air of authority and dignity.  I tried to accomplish this by shooting up at Mr. Miller and using slightly dramatic lighting.  I was also conservative in my post processing of both Mr and Mrs Miller but more so with Mr. Miller.  Unless the client wants it, you don't make a man over 50 look like he's in a boy band with super silky smooth skin.

I am still working on paying more attention to people when I photograph them.  It would seem like common sense but I pay more attention to the technicals instead of making sure that both eyes are open or identifying a person's best side, etc.

Oh, and the day before the session, my wireless transmitters stopped working so I was limited in terms of placement of my light.  While it was a frustrating situation, it was less so because I had found that out the night before.  Always do a run through of your equipment before you go to work.  I would have been so thrown off had I arrived at the shoot and found things not working.

Click here to see the rest of the photos


:)

My full time uncooperative model

My wife is in no way, shape or form interested in being a model.  I remember that every time I try to take her photo for more than 5 minutes.  As difficult as she is, she teaches me that I need to have the concept in mind before I start working.  Not to mention, my wireless trigger finally quite on me so I was unable to do wireless flash like I wanted to.  I ended up triggering the flash with a flash on camera.  It took a little doing for the flash behind her to 'see' the flash on my camera.

Some people are really into the process and enjoy taking photos, allowing me to experiment (aka flounder).  But if I run into someone who does not really want to be photographed, I need to know how to get what I want quickly.  No, there is no gallery of maternity shots of her on my site but feel free to click here and take a look at some of my other work.

:)

Rosetta Stone Session

I had a great tme doing this session with Rosetta Stone.  I told her she made me look like I knew what I was doing :).  Truthfully, I didn't really think about the fact that I was shooting right at sunset so the light was beautiful. 

You can see more of the photos here in the gallery on my website.