See the Difference! Hire a pro!

PPA (Professional Photographers of America) has a list of TEN things to consider BEFORE you hire a senior portrait photographer.  Check it out:

1. Shop Around  - Check out the work of several photographers.  You must LIKE their style or you'll never love the images!  I urge you to see my work!  In fact, I generally ask, "Have you looked at my work? Have you seen my style?" 

2.  Ask to See It All - If you only see the best three from a full session, you won't get the feel of the photographer's work.  You can see LOTS of images from all of my shoots on my website, not just the "best". 

3.  Look to Connect - You've got to like who you hire!  You need to feel comfortable with your photographer. If you don't,  it will show in the photos. 

4. Seek Out Service - Will your photographer bring needed items? Hairspray, props, etc?  What if you are "sick"? Can you reschedule? I've brought books, flowers, hats, and clothing to make a shoot special. I've rescheduled because of rain, final exams, and just a "no good, horrible, very bad day", and a "break up with a boyfriend". 

5. Take a Survey - If your photographer is asking about your likes and dislikes, it is in order to better plan your session.  What is special to you?  Sometimes, I design a shoot.  I even worked with the fire department to get images of seniors in an ambulance!  (They were first responders.) 

6. Get the Parentals Involved - Make sure you get an image that THEY will love, too!  After all, they are footing the bill!  And girls, mom knows that the crazy hair style and wild clothes she wore in her senior photos are a bit embarrassing now.  She doesn't want you to make the same mistake!  Grab some for mom!  And think of dad!  He wants to show off his "baby girl".  

7. Be Outfit-Savvy - Layers and looks, scarves and hats...Outfit changes with the swap of a jacket.  Read my blog posts and view my Polyvore advice, here, in my blog pages!  I used to model and also pull fashion shows together for a big mall.  I'm quite a "fashionista" and will help you look your best!

8. Pay Attention to the Details  - Fingernails, etc., are all going to show!  Hair, spray tans...think twice before you sit out in the sun for a day immediately before the shoot. 

9. Think About the End Result - What will you want photos for? Announcements? A wall portrait? If I know your end result, I can better capture images with that end in mind.

10. Compromise Smartly - If you can't afford a "full session", ask your photographer can they do a "mini" or half.  It's better to get  results you'll love to live with than images taken by an amateur that are tucked away in the bottom of a drawer.  

As a member of PPA, I want you and your parents to be completely satisfied and in awe of the images from your shoot.  Professionalism shows and is worth it. 

Sunset portraits?

I was embarrassed by an image I didn't take.  Why? If you are collecting money and calling yourself a pro, to produce an image that is so subpar is, well...embarrassing.   Let me explain:

The image is of a couple at sunset.  Backs turned to the camera, with a brilliant sky.  Doing well so far? Yes.  But the image posted and getting "like" comments on a social networking page is bad.  Bad, bad, bad.  You can see "his" silhouette, or that of his head -  and a blob affixed to his right shoulder.  At first, I wondered, "What the heck is that? Is that a rock?"  and then realized...it's his wife!  Her head was leaning in towards his shoulder, bodies so close, there is no differentiation between him and her, hence, a blob. 

Here is what you need to know. When you are shooting silhouettes, the viewer needs to discern who the outlines of each person in the photos is.  The subject of the photo should be the PEOPLE you that are being photographed.  The background is just that: a background.  

Let me show you:

Here is another example, processed in HDR:

Wedding guest etiquette

Recently, I photographed an amazingly well-thought out wedding.  The couple selected a spot with a very country feel: Guardsmen's Pass, Deer Valley. The bride redesigned a gown to include special elements - from the ties on the back, detailing, and a broach on the front, to the straps that were once a favorite belt; she rode in on a horse; designed her own bouquets (helps to be a florist); and really followed her dream theme.  The wedding took place at 10:00 on a September morning - and we knew we'd be dealing with harsh sun and shadows.  What I didn't think I'd be dealing with was an I-pad that popped up sporadically to record parts of the ceremony - such as this one where the bride's sister read from a favorite childhood story.   

Please, guests, help your bride: put down the I-pad, the cell phone, etc., or at least move to the back of the wedding venue so as not to block the ceremony from others.
Shut off your cell phone, or place it on a silent non-vibrating mode. 
Reign in your children.  Teach them that this is a special time and not playtime.

New models!

The modeling world is tough.  I recall a time,  many many years ago,  heading to a bunch of the "big agencies" in LA.  Portfolio packed with jobs and images I was proud of.  Appointments made, outfit perfect and...

"Too old, too short, too fat.  Goodbye."

Brutal.  Whoa.  "Help me to understand this!" I asked the guy who had taken and perused my portfolio at a top agency.   At twenty, I was too old.  I learned, "Lie about your age."  Great.  I'm 18 again.  Short? Can't grow, the higher the heals the better, but, this one could not be overcome.  I was 5'7'' 1/2 - (gotta get that 1/2 in there!)  And too short by 1/2 an inch.  Too fat?  Yeah.  I had lost jobs because my "bones were showing" - and in LA, I was too fat.

Just because one agency wasn't a fit, didn't mean others wouldn't work.  I kept knocking on doors.  I gathered feedback from top agencies.  And applied it - when it was logical.

Recently, I had the privilege to shoot a "new model".  I have a feeling that she will, if she chooses, have a great career in front of her.  Her mother, by the way, models as well. Good genes certainly help.

Check her out: (This is a screenshot from our shoot.) See more images on this link:
Link to Aurora's Images