Today on Set

Today we are shooting a beauty assignment with a great models.  Here is one of the behind the scenes images from today's shoot.  Our models is new but very attractive and very talented.  When I'm working on assignments like this I usually work with two lenses and my lenses of choice today are the 85mm and 100 macro lens.

The first shot of the day is always either a gray card or color checker passport.  Today we used the color checker to set our color balance.  It is essential to always start with a reference for color because everything affects your color balance, the walls, ceiling color and height, floor, etc.  If you are always shooting in the same location, studio, etc but using different gear you also need a color checker because each lens you use will be different as well.  My 85 is very different than my 100 macro lens but as long as I am aware of this I can match them in post.

For more information on light and lighting check out the videos at the Gallery Store.

Always Dream Big!

Order Now:  Instructional Photography Videos 

It's Coming!

I've been waiting for this camera and it was finally announced yesterday.  The new Sony A77 is coming in October and I can't wait to get my hands on one.  I haven't seen a camera this impressive in a long time.  If you're not familiar with the Alpha line of camera's then just take a look at this video promo on the A77.  It will be great for shooting models on the beach as its key controls are sealed against dust and moisture.  In the past shooting on the beach has been a nightmare in many ways with sand, wind and moisture but this should be a game changer.

Check out the video:  Sony A77

The camera comes out in October and I can't wait to get my hands on one.  As soon as I do I promise to share my images here.

Always Dream Big

Photography Lessons from the Stock Market

I remember all too well the fall of 2008 when the stock market crashed and life began to change for so many people.  This past Friday as I shot an assignment for an advertising client, I was also mindful that America just received the first ever downgrade of our AAA credit rating.   I thought back to how business changed after the crash of 2008 and the lessons I have learned since that time.  The effects from the the fall of 2008 did not hit main street until the spring of 2009, and even back then I heard the talk of "double-dip" and this morning it seems we are headed for that dip.

How does the market affect the working photographer?  I remember being asked this question in 2009 and being puzzled why anyone would think it would not affect every industry.  The truth is photography is often a price competitive industry and when people are looking to hire a photographer in tough economic times they are more selective and price sensitive.  This is why we have seen so many photographers charging so little for their work.  If your work is dependent on price you will always be subject to the ups and downs of the economy.  However, if your photography has a competitive advantage you can withstand  the recession and continue to thrive.  This is why it is so important to have images that stand out from everyone else, and you can only do this by photographing subject you love.  Yes you may be able to shoot a lot of different things because you "like" a lot of subjects, but if you focus on what you "love" instead others will see your passion in your photography and hire you.

What is price competitive and what is a competitive advantage?  When we fill our car with gas we look for the best price we can find.  Most people are not loyal to one brand of gasoline when gas prices climb higher and higher.  We are buying gasoline based on price and that is a price competitive industry.  The airline industry falls into this category as well.  Competitive advantage however keeps your clients loyal to you.  An example of competitive advantage is the brand of toothpaste you used this morning or the type of razor you shave with, or even the type of chocolate you eat.   The company with a competitive advantage can keep their prices in line with inflation and withstand any downward cycle or disaster.  Today as you start your week think about how you can change your photography from price competitive to having a competitive advantage.  As every stock plunged this morning Hersey and Proctor and Gamble continued to climb.  That's a strong competitive advantage!

No matter what happens with the economy tomorrow concentrate your energy on promotion and marketing and think about what you can do differently.

Always Dream Big!

End of a Great Week

I must take this time to be thankful for an amazing week.  This past week was filled with meeting great people and working on fantastic assignments.  I started the week in Vegas at Skips Summer School teaching and sharing the joy of photographer with a group of amazing teachers and students from all over the country.  Whenever I have the opportunity to speak or teach photography it fills my soul with joy because there no better feeling than sharing what you love.  Thanks to everyone who came out to Vegas and thanks Skip for giving me this opportunity!

After Vegas I went right into production mode, actually I was in production mode before and during my trip to Vegas.  I had an advertising assignment that required a lot of production and worked with my agent, producer and an incredible crew to bring the shoots to life.  My advertising shoot was Friday and involved shooting a celebrity who was filming two projects.   He was on set filming at 4:30 a.m and then on my set from 11:00am until 6:00pm and was just incredible throughout the day.  The weeks of hard work really paid off as the shoot went extremely well and at the end of the day no one wanted to go home.  It was the first big shoot for my new interns who shadowed my assistants but they learned a lot watching a big shoot take place.  The interns have a great opportunity to learn as they see the assignment from beginning to end and get a front row seat to the madness of advertising.  Thanks to my entire crew for working hard to make this shoot so amazing!

On Saturday morning we had yet another celebrity assignment but this one was editorial and required us to go to the celebrities home for the shoot.  The amazing thing about shooting editorial is that you have a chance to really be creative and shoot what inspires you in the moment.   I'd never been to my subjects home so we were walking in cold and had to find where we wanted to shoot.  We had two hours to do the assignment but that was more than enough time.  My crew and I walked in and did a fast scout of the home and then I decided on the location to shoot and we started testing my angles, lighting and deciding on which lenses to use.  My subject was great and I learned that we loved a lot of the same things so it was a real joy to photograph him.  By the end of the shoot we'd made several great images and formed a strong bond with my subject.  It was a great week and thanks to my crew for pulling everything together to make the week a wonderful success.  Once the images are published from these assignments I will post the finals and more behind the scenes images from the making of each.

Always Dream Big!