Editing Process

I was playing around with different modes and such while editing and stumbled upon a new filter method. In Photoshop, add a Black/White adjustment layer> mode "High Contrast Blue Filter." Make adjustments, change the opacity, blend mode, etc. as you see fit, but it really brings out the details in photographs.

Photographer: How to Communicate

The success or failure of any photo-shoot is knotted up in one simple truth -- that communication is key.

Here are a few tips about communication that I would give to any photographer.

Comfort. As a photographer it is very easy to get distracted by lighting, aperture, and everything else...and live through the lens--make sure to remember to look up from the camera. Get to know your client or model. Set aside 10-15 minutes to simply talk to your client/model before you actually start shooting. Small talk. Ask them questions.Get to know their interests, get to know about their family...get to know them. When you become quick friends, people relax and the posing becomes so much more natural and beautiful. This will also make my next bullet point so much more easier as well...

Touching. Make sure to ask! if it is alright before you touch anyone. Sometimes your client/model will get into a great pose, but just something small needs to be tweaked to make it perfect and it would be easier to psychically nudge them into place than try to explain it. And in these cases, a lot of times photographers will forget that clients/models aren't just objects or dolls to be placed however. I am guilty of this myself. They are people, and have personal space and boundaries. So, always ask! before touching. Otherwise, things can get very awkward and uncomfortable very fast, ruining the rest of the shoot.

Setting Up a Language. Creating key words or a simplified language for positioning clients is helpful for both you and your client/model. Before any shoot, I explain and show to the client/model my basic positioning keywords which are: Forward, 3/4 Right, 3/4 Left, Profile Right, Profile Left. So when I say Head-Forward, that means look strait forward. When I say, Right Leg at Profile Right, that means for them to take their right leg and turn their toe outward to the side. From these basic positions I can then tweak them right into whatever pose looks best. This method saves time and keeps things very simple and less confusing.

Reference Sheet. This should be a must! When on set, as a photographer, having a printed reference sheet with 10-20 desired poses is not only helpful to you, but also to the client/model. With a reference sheet, you will never be at a lost for ideas and your client/model will be able to literally see what poses you have in mind. This is why, before any shoot I spend a lot of time on pinterest and google finding poses that I like and creating a whole sheet. Then I like to print a hard copy, as well as, e-mail myself a copy in case something should happen to the printed copy.

By example. Something I always appreciated most as a model, is a photographer that would put down the camera and show me what pose they actually wanted. Having a clear vision and being able to physically show a desired pose is extremely helpful. Nobody is a mind reader. Show them.

How to Pose 101: The Lip Trick

Something that I learned really early on as a professional model was the Lip Trick. You see it in every magazine, in ninety percent of photos. Relax your jaw, take a deep breath in and slowly let it out...now hold it! Your lips will naturally part just slightly and pucker just a bit, all at once. It takes some practice, don't force it.

How to Pose 101: Hair as a Prop

When you can't figure out what to do with your hands...start to play with your hair! It is a natural thing that everyone does, and therefore it is a naturally beautiful posing technique. Play with the strand of hair, brush your fingers over your scalp, scratch the base of your neck, or comb it behind your ears with your fingertips. 

Let's talk makeUp...

Ladies, ladies, ladies...

For those of you who love make up and wear it everyday, to those of you that do not wear a stitch of it...for photographs it is essential.

In photography, even if you are going for a 'natural look' you will need makeUp. The reason for this is that in photography the lighting will wash all of your coloring out, as well as take away some of the natural shadow and contouring of your face. I can't tell you how many times I have had to add make up in post processing of photos just so that the client will not look like a corpse.

This is also why I work closely with a makeUp artist. Samantha Calderon, who is available for hire, upon request. $35. 

I discovered an amazing makeUp artist years ago, and here is her site. She has amazing video tutorials and tips for everyday wear and for photoshoot quality makeUp.

emanmakeup.com

What to wear?

1. Coordinating colors, not matching. Choose a color scheme. For help, go to http://burnettsboards.com/2013/05/how-to-create-color-palettes

2. Do not wear all Black or White. Hints of the colors are fine. There is a laundry list as to why not.

3. Limit patterns. A pattern here and there is great! However, everyone wearing a pattern or too many patterns in one outfit is an assault on the eyes.

4. Consider your background. Wearing red against a red brick wall isn't the best idea.

5. Consider where these pictures will be placed in your home. Will it coordinate?

6. Nothing shiny, no glitter. It reflects.

7. If you wear glasses, either pop out the lenses so it does not reflect or wear your contacts that day.

Senior Portrait Kickoff!

This is my little angel model, Kimmie. With just simple direction from me, she fell right into poses naturally and with ease. It was a great experience and pleasure to capture these moments with her.

These photo's were taken out in Fairfield, Ca at a little place called Soul Food Farms. It was a photographer's dream -- tire swing, beautiful trees, and a rusted old vintage truck. I wish there were more places like this in the Clovis/Fresno area.