Photo Shoot 15: October 2011

          Over the summer, my aunt asked me to shoot my cousin's graduation pictures. They had actually already been done in August, but the studio who did them didn't do so hot. I actually saw the results in person -- the photos were bland (by that I mean low-contrast, not a lot of variation in color and light) and some were actually blurry. I couldn't believe it. I actually realized at that moment that yes, I'm actually pretty good at this . . . I just couldn't believe a professional studio would turn out such sub-standard work.

          So about two weeks ago, my aunt officially hired me to shoot Addie, my cousin, who is a senior this year. I'm still working on post-production, but here's just a glimpse of what I've been working on. This shoot made me not only appreciate and love my family to death, but it also taught me how different someone's face (especially a young person) can look when shot from different angles and in different light. I've also known this for some time, but what the subject is wearing as well as the background can also dramatically alter the tone of the pictures. I remember my own senior pictures years ago and how different outfits and different backgrounds would completely change the feel of a photo. When I finally got my prints (it was the "thing" then to exchange wallet-sized photos with a message on the back), different friends of mine chose different ones, based on what the photo brought out in my personality. I think these shots of Addie reflect all the various sides of her. In some of them I see the little girl I've known for so many years. But I also see a beautiful young woman who I'm proud to be related to! She is just gorgeous to me.

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Thank you so much Ashley!!!  It’s exactly what I was hoping for.  Addie’s personality and spirit shine in your work.  You capture so much more than just a face on a piece of paper (or computer screen).  You are truly talented. I am so happy.  Thank you again.

Love, Annie

Photo Shoot 14: September 2011

          My husband's friend Christina & her husband John hired me to do their maternity pics about three weeks ago. I was honored because this is such an important, special time in their lives . . . it was so neat to be a part. Just being with the two (three!) of them for one afternoon made me see how excited and happy they are to be anticipating their first child -- a new baby girl.

          The shoot itself was a challenge for me because I had only done one maternity shoot prior to this. I did some research and read about what made other photographers successful; it pushed me outside my typical comfort zone and I thought the shoot turned out great! We not only did the more intimate boudoir-type photos, but also went outdoors to the bay side of Long Beach as well as the beach itself. I also had some more fun with Adobe Lightroom -- I'm constantly discovering new techniques to make a photo really pop! I think the program adds a new dimension to my work. I'm not quite used to the new look yet but it's what's popular right now and that sells! (Scroll down to read another testimonial!)

(Click once to enlarge)

Client testimonial:

      WOW Ashley!!!!!  Absolutely sooo beautiful!!!  You had me in tears the minute I opened up your album and saw that picture of me.... THANK YOU!!!! You captivated all I could ask for and for that I am grateful!!  After the baby is born we will set something up with you =)  Again thank you.... I will treasure these pictures forever!! 

Truly,

The Pearces

Photo Shoot 10, October 2010

Last Friday, I drove down to Lindsay's to photo my favorite little boys, Lex & Matteo. I was totally enamored -- and fell in love all over again (I tend to do that with children!). They are very well behaved and have creative and playful personalities (though Matteo does tend to be the more serious one) and thanks to Lindsay, Ann, & Aaron, who helped keep them entertained, I was able to get some pretty dreamy shots that I was very happy with!

I had trouble towards the end of the shoot because we were losing the light quickly; it was already a gloomy day and we started the shoot at about 3:30. Many shots were turning out slightly blurry. Next time I will experiment with the ISO so the camera will capture the image a little faster (several photos I rendered unusable because of the blurry factor -- too bad, in many cases).

At one point, we got the boys to pick flowers and bring them over to me -- Lindsay grabbed my camera for some adorable shots of the boys putting flowers behind my ears. It was a moment I'll never forget! Thank you, Lindsay!

Shoot specifics:
*high-speed shutter (6 frames/sec.)
*cloud cover (no sun); late afternoon
*aperture priority

Lessons learned:
*It's all about the eyes! Get to their level and focus on the eyes.
*Use the help of the family to keep them entertained! It really works!
*Do not attempt to pose little ones. In general they will get upset and not want to stay.
*Keep them in a good mood! Once crying begins, they remain irritated for the rest of the shoot. Keep them happy!
*Children are best photographed when they're in their own environment or one where they feel most comfortable. Keep this in mind.

With Matteo -- what a darling boy!

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(click once to enlarge any photo you like)

~  Lex  ~

 

~  Matteo  ~

Photo Shoot 6, October 2009

My science teacher friend, Valyssa, married last Friday, October 9, and let me tag along with her hired photographers so I could build my portfolio. Here are some of my favorite shots from that event. The more I look at my work, the more I notice my photojournalistic approach; I like to tell a story. My favorite pictures are ones with artistic flair and available light as well as those where my subjects are most relaxed.

This is my first-ever wedding shot with a digital camera. I took around 1300 photos (I know!) and it took me about 3 days to narrow it down to about 580. I don't have Adobe Photoshop which, in a way, I'm glad for because I must rely on my skill first. I do have iPhoto Mac which helps with a few minor adjustments. I boosted color, blurred edges, and faded color, but for the most part I kept true to the photo and didn't "edit" much (which some photographers tend to abuse because they don't have any skill or talent in the first place, not to name any names...). Overall I was happy with the amount of time it took me to shoot, edit, and narrow down my work.

Here are some things I learned:

*Much like a teacher, I must direct my subjects. Even when they're told, "Get in a line and walk toward the camera," many don't even really know how to walk appropriately. Valyssa's photographers knew how to put together some great shots of the bridal party, but missed the boat in terms of the finer details. I didn't want to step on their toes, so I sort of stood back and just watched. Lesson: If I'm the photographer in charge, tell subjects to walk with chin up, facing upward, smiling, with equal spaces between them.

*Don't photo the bride and bridal party for longer than 1 hour before the ceremony. Everyone will wilt prior to the party even starting. Lesson: Have an agenda in mind. Have 6-8 location "backgrounds" ready to go before the day of the event.

*Look for golden sunset light. Use it. 

*Weddings are visually easy; naturally, colors coordinate, bouquets are abundant, and everyone looks their best. So naturally, photos come out looking visually pleasing, for the most part. So -- does that make a photographer? Absolutely not! A portion of the afternoon was spent doing family portraits; I watched as Valyssa's photographers positioned the family. Some of their artistic choices were completely different from something I would choose; for example, shooting the family from downhill and focusing on the lighthouse in the background, using it as a main focus. I also noticed their team did not have a female, so I appreciated that I was allowed into the bride's bedroom to photo her getting ready with her friends, which actually turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the day.

*I have realized that the bride is largely a wedding's main focus. I never realized the weight of that fact and how the day really is about her. Lesson: Every bride must have her own photographer who stays with her and whose main focus is her -- all day. How can I work that into my own business?

*I began at 1:30 p.m. and started getting tired about 4. Lesson: Hire some help & bring some treats and coffee!

The pictures at the end are just for fun; they hired two charicature artists to draw the guests. Very cool! Thanks for reading and for following my journey... this whole thing is so existential!

                                                     (Click a photo to enlarge it)