I’d hire her.

For the photographers out there, this was the over/under clamshell lighting with two shoot-throughs and small flashes, triggered by pocket wizards. The backdrop is my cream-colored wall, rendered grey with pure wizardninja magic. (i.e. I shot her a few feet from the wall)

Nudged the light to the side for a little more drama for the 2nd look.

What do you think, not bad for my first corporate headshot?

Here is Korey, tattoo artist and sister in law of Ashley, my bestie and make up artist. You find models everywhere if you look!

More here.

On top of the excellent partners I will have by my side this year, I have the added sense of peace I didn’t have last year because this is no longer my first year. I know my way around my job and I have the confidence that I can do my job under any circumstance and it’s letting me focus on enjoying the process. Last year was pretty intense. I couldn’t find a photographer to let me 2nd shoot (not even for free) so I just jumped in blind and learned the ropes while I was hanging from them. I’m glad that I did because now I feel like I can do anything. I’m hoping to fit in some 2nd shooter work this year however, I would love the opportunity to work with a seasoned pro and learn from them.

I really love my job. I look forward to the days that it affords me timely bill payments, but even in these early late penalty stages…I still love my job.

But I slump. I slumped for a while. I am coming out of it thanks to my amazing friends who I can’t help but be inspired by. I spend my days sitting in the sun and my nights by a fire with my models, my fellow photographers, my make-up artist and collectively, my best friends. This shoot was James’ shoot that he kindly brought me along for. I wasn’t expecting to go but I was carrying photographer guilt over my slump and jumped at the opportunity.

We brought nothing but our cameras and reflectors. More photos from this shoot will be appearing in my next Hideout Magazine post, going up soon!

This shoot went so well I asked Ashley (my beautiful make-up artist, click here for her website) to let me shoot her while she had her hair extensions in. I told her they reminded me of Cleopatra so Ashley transformed herself into a modern goddess and we shot her in this beautiful chair she has right in her dining room. I used flash here, with James acting as the world’s most awesome light stand.

More from Ashley’s shoot coming, as well as the new article and my first batch of roller derby shots! I’m one of the Providence Roller Derby’s “official” photographers this year, so there will be lots of roller derby popping up on this blog. Pretty cool!

I had a session in my “home studio” (living room) with Boston hip-hop artist Greg Dor, here’s the first edit from that:

He’ll be using these for his next CD, which means I’ll be getting published soon!

And of course, there was the model party myself and the amazingly talented Adam Wills threw here last weekend. If you’re a hideout member, I’ve done a 2-part article on throwing a model party (an idea I probably didn’t invent, but will take the credit for anyway, hahaa) but basically, it’s like a group-shoot where photographers pool their talent, gear and ideas and switch off shooting different models…all with music, booze and good times! All the fun of an evening party with all the awesome of a group shoot! We had an absolute blast, and these will be happening again!

Our photographers were supposed to number 4, but ended up being 3 when James (of UndyingPhoto) couldn’t make it. So it was myself, Adam Wills and Kelly Ellingsen (who 2nd shot wedding with me last summer).

I gathered five of my beautiful lady friends to be models for the evening and one of those ladies happens to be a very talented hair and makeup artist (the lovely Miss Ashley MacLean) who literally transformed these women into glamourous models in no time!

Here’s the first round of edits from me:

The lovely Dina:

Julie, ever beautiful…REALLY played her part and got the best pics for me!

Jacky (who was one of my very first models!) played soft and elegant like a pro:

And Ashley, our makeup artist (here she is on Model Mayhem- hire her!) is also an incredible model (and person, I love her)!

Our other model, Erin, had to leave before I could photograph her but Adam got AMAZING shots of her, like this one. Erin was also, along with Jacky, one of my first models!

Stay tuned for more from all of these shoots, plus more! I’m feeling absolutely caffeinated lately and broke my camera down to it’s smallest bulk (removed the battery grip and have re-acquainted myself with my nifty fifty) so I would use it and carry it more.

On Monday I’m taking it to IKEA for a field trip with James Barron of Undying Photo! Hilarity should ensue!

HOWEVER, I’m going to suck it up and buy a couple Pocket Wizards this month, whether I can afford them or not…because I am just dying with being tethered to a flash.

As for 2010 weddings I’ve got about 15 inquiries pending and a few confirmed dates already. I get inquiries every week so I’m hoping to have lots of work this year! This is my 2nd year and I feel really confident about my ability to improve this year and really push myself. Thanks to all the couples who are trusting me with such an important job!

Now, onto some photos! Here’s a sample of my last few projects.

Last night my friend and photographic muse Hope stopped by with the lovely Adrienne on their way to a club to see their friend spin. We had an awesome hour long session just goofing around. I spent a couple of hours figuring out how to set up high-key (white backdrop, bright) lighting with one slaved flash and one attached to a sync cord. I manged it with the assistance of flags and reflectors and some stretching of muscles I probably shouldn’t have stretch. Anything for the photos, right?

And a few nights ago I did a last-minute session with some friends for their new band, Sauriel. We didn’t have a lot to work with (again, this no wireless flash this is obnoxious) but we got some good shots to start with and will be shooting again after I get my PWs.

I also shot some self portraits just screwing around and finally got some I like so I could update my website photo and whatnot. One light, shoot through umbrella camera right, black side of a zip disc for backdrop.

Alright, I’ve got to get back to editing! Thanks for reading!

I just hung these sheer panel curtains in my room and I just love how soft the light that comes through them is. I wanted to play around with it and started messing around. I decided to throw the white balance to tungsten (the light bulb) to change the neutral daylight to blue. I under exposed the background to enhance the blue, and figured out the right aperture to balance my 1/8 power flash. I put a full cut of CTO (though I wish I’d doubled it now) over my flash and stuck the flash in my shoot through umbrella. I added a reflector just under the camera to fill some shadows and went with it!

Camera:Canon EOS 40D
Exposure:0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture:f/5.6
Focal Length:24 mm
ISO Speed:800

Here’s a lighting diagram of the set up:

If you’ve never played with flash gels, head over to Strobist and meet your next obsession.

I’ve found the best way (for me, anyway) to keep moving forward is to start new projects and set new goals. Among these for 2010 is a new Project 365 project. I’ve failed this not once, but twice now! This year I have the added motivation of knowing what a life-changing year this will be for me, so the end product of 365 photos seems so much more important now. If you’ve never heard of Project 365, check out this Photojojo article and see what all the hype is about.

Another cool thing I’ve started is I signed up for Photojojo’s Time Capsule, which is a 2x/month email that shows photos from your flickr from that time last year. I’ve read a lot of articles mentioning reviewing old work from time to time to improve your photography, and this is a nice lazylady way about it!

So to celebrate 2010, I’ve decided to back in time and pull some of my favorite photos from 2009 together and slideshow them here. They’re in order from Jan 09 to Dec 09. Enjoy and I hope you have a wonderful, healthy and fulfilling 2010.

(there is a middle finger in one pic for those watching at home with small children.)

Mara is another one of my kind friends who are helping with the performers project. Mara does aerial silks. If you don’t know what that is, watch this video! I can’t do that stuff but I did manage to get in and out of the trapeze net without injuring myself or anyone else. Not bad.

Here’s a couple peeks, many more coming!

Mara:

Missi:

I am a lucky girl with beautiful friends!