Starting small-Finishing big

February 11, 2012

Before I found my love for photography, I had found a love for fashion photography. I'm not even sure that at the time I was aware of the fact but I remember flipping through the pages of the high fashion magazines and my mom asking me why I would buy such a magazine bc it was just full of ads, but that was the point. I loved the colors, the make-up, the clothes, the props, the odd poses, the dramatic lighting. Looking back now, was it really the fashion, or was it just the way fashion photography was approached that made me lust over it? Either way, as I got older, I had a strong yearning to combine the two worlds myself. Actually, one of the first organized photo shoots I ever did with my friends was, what we thought at the time, a high fashion setting. I did everyone's hair in a huge, backcombed manor, my friend supplied the wardrobe- her grandma's old sheer night gowns, and we posed in an old factory that I was currently using for studio space. If nothing else- it was fun!!
Once I started getting more and more into photography, any scenario I wanted to create was usually based off something I had seen in a magazine- odd posing, crazy hair, odd combinations of clothes, etc. I did a 1 yr project called a 365, which forced me to take a self portrait everyday for an entire year which allowed me the opportunity to express a lot of the ideas I had, but only on myself. Sadly, as I got more and more into the professional side of photography, I was dealing with and thinking about fashion less and less. Sadly, this city doesn't allow for a lot of creative outlets and is not in high demand for anything outside the box. Anything I wanted to create that related to fashion was merely for fun and as personal time got less and less available, paying jobs outweighed the fun jobs.
Then Hannah-Mae came along.

Hannah is 6 yrs old and has been modeling for most of her life. To say she is a born natural is an understatement.
Her mother contacted me looking for someone to photograph her daughter wearing items that boutiques, online stores, magazines, etc send her in return for photos that they can then use as advertisement on their website, stores, etc. Of course I was ready to take on the offer!
Modeling, Photography, Fashion, and Publication. WHY would I say no?
Now, her mother had warned me that I wouldn't need to tell Hannah what to do, how to pose, or keep her focused. I believed her, on the level and understanding that she was used to modeling, but she was also 6. Then they came for their session.
Not telling her how to pose or what to do, was, again, an understatement. Not only was she super cute just to talk to, but right away, she was ready to work. She posed with an innocent smile, and then would give you a fierce straight face two seconds later. Right away I realized, she knows what she is doing and we are going to rock this!
We had about 8 items that we needed to shoot and managed to do so in little over 1 hour. Shirts, head bands, extensions, hats.

I am so thankful that my past sessions and previous clients have lead Hannah-Mae and her mom to me at A.J.B.C. Finally, after all these years, I feel like I am heading in a direction with my photography that I have a pure passion for. Don't misunderstand, I love my classic family portraits and kid sessions, but there is just something about fashion that gets me excited. It may be bc, for a few shutter clicks, you get to create a scene any way you prefer and there's edge to it, it doesn't have to make sense, and your subject is purposefully morphing into someone new. Or maybe it's bc we walk around everyday being who we are and for one short session we're allowed to put on a new face, bare a new attitude, and experience what it's like to live as somebody else, without being judged, before we then have to wipe off the make-up, put our regular clothes back on, and transform back into ourselves right before we walk out that door.

And I laughed when I saw them in spite of myself

December 6, 2011

This year my husband and I, along with some of our close friends, are invited to a Christmas party thats sole purpose is to showcase ugly Christmas sweaters and bad gifts.
I can't think of a better way to celebrate the holidays!
So to prepare, we first searched for the perfect outfits and accessories. Once that was so gracefully accomplished we decided we needed to display our new fashion sense in a portrait session. I set up the backdrop in my house, put the camera on a tripod, we posed awkwardly, and laughed and laughed about how amazing we looked.
We had such a good time that I decided it was necessary that I share the wealth and offer this photo session to the public.

Brilliant! These sessions were so much fun! No one can be taken seriously when they are willingly dressed in something that smells probably just as bad as it looks and fits just as good as it probably feels.
The couple who invited us to their party actually came to get their portraits done (the extremely attractive couple on the top.) The other couple that signed up (and brought 2 more to join in on the fun) just had me photograph their gorgeous country themed wedding (the striking 2 couples to your right.) I couldn't have asked for better people to sign up for this shoot. Fun people willing to step outside the box, try something different, and just enjoy themselves, which makes my job so much more amusing! For example, when I ask both of them, "Would you like to make these nice pictures, just with ugly sweaters, or would you like the whole thing to just look as awkward as possible," and they answer confidently with, "awkward." :)
Yes, I like to produce great portraits for people to hold close to their hearts forever, but a huge goal of mine is for them to enjoy the whole process, not just the final product. I want them to have fun during a session so they can look back on the photos and remember that day as a good day, and not just something they were drug to.
So here's to enjoying life, all the time. Here's to enjoying the holidays, even during the chaos.
And here's to enjoying those who surround you, even when they are dressed in smelly, old sweaters.

Home Studio for the Holidays

November 29, 2011

Well. It's officially over. The days of everyone wanting their family portraits taken outside has slowed down tremendously and has almost come to a complete stand still.

I've noticed the Photography schedule goes as follows-

-The weather breaks and people start to get excited about being outside.

-June comes and people don't want to miss out on their chance in the sunshine so they start scheduling appointments.

-The weather starts to get crisp and there is an even bigger mad dash to get those last minute shots with the fall colors. Everyone seems to favor the beautiful, changing, dying leaves the best. What an ironic concept. I must admit though, I agree with them. Nothing beats those bright oranges and reds!

-November rolls around and the few last minute shoppers and stragglers see if its possible to fit them in and then BOOM!

-The holiday rush hits.

-There will be those selective few who decide to brave out the outdoor sessions in the cold, but for the most part, everyone is now focused on Christmas. Christmas decor, Portraits for Christmas gifts, set ups for Christmas cards, and the list goes on.

As the holiday rush rises, the ages of my clients lower. Everyone wants a timeless picture of their little one posed in a basket next to a tree or with an oversized candy cane. It's just something about adults and glittery Christmas bulbs scattered around them that just doesn't do the trick. And the best part about that is that because these little ones are under 3 ft tall I can virtually make a setup for them anywhere.
For now, until my studio is complete (and yes, it's the same studio that started 2 years ago that still isn't finished, but by January, that will no longer be true!) I am shooting right inside my home, in my kitchen. Right in front of the kitchen sink and next to the refrigerator to be exact.

But for now- it works.

And for now- I'll do whatever it takes to deliver a product to people that they will gift to their families, that they will display on their wall for all to see, and that they will cherish forever.