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

Retouched or not? You decide.

 During a shoot, I often show people their images - pointing out little things that can "help" them achieve the final image that they want.  I talk about body position, hair strands, showing teeth, or smiling with their eyes.    But the image, SOC - Straight out of the Camera - is generally a little different than what I'll show you after processing. 

Above photo: no retouching. 

Take a look:
The first image is SOC.  There is no retouching - this is how it was shot.  

This second image has undergone some retouching - but no photoshop. 

Simply, her face was made lighter and brighter, as were her eyes and her teeth.  The slight darkness under her eyes is gone, as is the small blemish near her eyebrow.  A slight silhouetting of the image enhanced it even further, bringing your eyes to her face.

What do you mean by "strobist" and how does that compare to "natural light"?

      Shooting strobist style means using strobes - studio strobes on location.  Some strobists bring umbrellas, others, like me, prefer softboxes.  With a battery powered on-the-go studio, I can go almost anywhere you need me and get great results.  Other strobist use "flashes" that can detach from their cameras and become triggered by a remote.  

     Regarding the photo on the left: I was using one large softbox to diffuse the light on the happy couple, exposing for the background.  Note how the trees are darker, and the couple really stands out due to strobist lighting.   The photo on the right was taken "natural light".  In order to get their ski tones right, the background appears blown out a bit.  If I had exposed for the background, the couple would have been too dark, and their faces barely discernible.
     
     The natural light that day?  These photos were taken in open shade, on the side of a house at approximately 3:30-4pm.  Snow was falling, so the sky was a superb diffuser.

#strobist, #photographer, #parkcity #utah #naturallight #maternity #family #snow #photographer #dekoff

Fundraiser for Zev!

Fund Zev to Israel - Park City Photographers is participating!

Mix and Match Travel for the Holidays

Holiday party photo shoot?  Packing for an event with evening celebrations?

Depending upon the events'  "dress code", here are a few options that rely on the key skirt to bring it together.

1. Casual - Go with the tank.

2. Dinner party - a little bit of a flowing hem on a top helps camouflage an indulgent dinner! Also, avoid strapless tops while dining.  You'll appear "nude" from across the table.

3. Event - This inexpensive lace top is gorgeous!

Jewelry by Lois Hill is sterling silver and coordinates with everything.  I own many Lois Hill pieces and wear them with everything!

When choosing shoes, I chose the light and airy pump that worked with everything.

Have fun! 

Mix and Match Travel for the Holidays by deb-dekoff featuring a full length black skirt

Ralph Lauren top, $165 / Brown t shirt / Lace peplum shirt / Phase Eight full length black skirt, $115 / Carmen Marc Valvo pointy-toe pumps / Lois hill jewelry / Lois Hill sterling silver chain earrings

Sometimes, you only get one chance...

...one chance at capturing those memories.  

Hire a pro. 

Sometimes, I cringe...

    Regarding a wedding that went like this, "We really want to use you, but, we can save money by hiring Uncle Ed." When asked a few weeks later, when I saw Miss Newlywed at the gym, "How did the photos come out?"  It seems uncle Ed shot everything at this outdoor wedding in silhouette. Then he boosted his ISO to the point where everything was "white".  The bride's response, "We are hoping that some of the guests took good photos."  

    Or the Bar Mitzvah where an inexperienced bar mitzvah photographer/videographer was hired, and walked around during the prayers, snapping photos or taking video. And without a zoom, walked up to the bimah to get close-ups.  Not only was this a distraction to the rabbi, but to the whole congregation that came to view this special event in a young man's life.  I don't know how the photos or video came out...I wasn't there.  But, I heard about it.

    Or the Bar Mitzvah, where I was invited as a guest, and thought to talk to the photographer hired by an event company.  He confided, "I've never been to one of these.  In fact, I was called just two hours ago to fill in for someone else."  He further confided that he was not an event photographer at all.  And, it was obvious, in the two hour lead time, based upon our discussion, that he had not done any research regarding a Bar Mitzvah.  (Make sure you get the chair dance! - "Huh?") 

    Do yourself a favor: LOOK at the photographers portfolio.  If you see:
blurry (and not because of bokeh), out of focus, arms and legs cut off in odd places, crooked horizon lines, bad coloring (bluish or green faces) - that photographer has a LOT to learn.  

   

  

The words a photographer loves to hear...

     "You deserve to be compensated fairly." 

     Wow.  Someone gets it.  You see, I've never walked into my dentist or doctor and asked for a break in rates.  I know that I'm paying a professional for professional services.  For years of education, continued education, for insurance, for upkeep of equipment, new equipment, for advertising, for websites,  for cell phone, for space, for...

     So, what is "fair" when "fair" has so many variables?

    But, I hear rate negotiation games often as a photographer, as do my fellow photogs.  
So, how do we set our rates?  There are many factors that play a part.  This, in no means, is a complete list.  But, I hope it gets you thinking...

Experience.  
Enough said.

Education.  
The more we have, the better we become. Doctors, attorneys, teachers - all have to further their education on an annual basis.  Your photographer should, too.  Education is not free.  I have traveled to WPPI and other seminars.  I attend "Live" classes on weekends and weeknights, from my computer. I read publications and websites. All to learn - for you.  And, I get out and practice what I've learned - so I get it right - for you - BEFORE you hire me.

Knowledge.
Know how. If you've got the equipment, you should know how to use it.  If you call on me for a paid shoot, you expect I can deliver.  However, I will tell you, as a pro, if your job is something I cannot do or will not do,  I will suggest someone who can.  (I will not do nude couple shoots.  Nope.)   And since I'm referring out, be assured I've scrutinized the work of photographers I'm suggesting you consider in lieu of me.

Camera Equipment.  
In order to do my job, I have to have awesome equipment.  I buy the BEST lenses Nikon makes.  I have not one full frame pro Nikon camera, but two.  I work on a BIG MAC - and have external drives.  Lots of them. 

Lighting equipment. 
Portable soft boxes, and batteries. Gary Fong. Portable strobes - SB800, SB900...
Not cheap.  But, that's one more reason why my photos stand out a bit more...I like to take my studio on location with me! 

Computer software. 
You know, that stuff we need to edit with.  Picasa won't do. I-Photo? Nope.  But, that company called Adobe?  I should have taken stock.

Other equipment. 
Tripods.  Memory cards. Extra batteries. A double camera vest.  A pelican case. Several Think Tank bags.  Lowe pro bags.  Photographer's gloves. (Hey, it gets cold in Utah!)

Time.  
Time is money.  Time is a valuable commodity.  Once it is gone, we cannot get it back.  Most people only see the time we spend taking the images of you. Let me break time down into the varied segments:

1.) Talking with you. Planning, discussing wants and needs, rates and packages, emails and phone calls.

2.) On the front end, I must spend at least thirty minutes organizing the shoot, packing for it, double checking my list before I head out the door.  Then, I have to drive there...

3.) Shoot time. You got this! 

4.) On the back end, I must upload, organize, tag, name, edit, enhance, crop, remove acne, color correct (darn, those lights!), send to gallery...Often, we take time away from our families to do work in post - often after hours.  Until midnight.  Or two in the morning.  Because YOU have a deadline.  For every hour in front of the camera, I calculate two in post. 

Marketing and websites and a blog site and cell phone.
You've got to find me! 

Insurance.
Just in case.

My eye.
Only I possess it. It is, after all,  what makes my work and  my style. My vision.  It is why several people can take the same "picture", but everyone "gets" something different.  My  "eye" is unique to me.  Always make sure you like your photographer's eye. If not, you'll not be satisfied. 

Pay thyself.
I almost forgot about this!  
I chuckle here, as I've heard, "I'll give you photo credit in our magazine."  Um, Utah Power won't take photo credit to keep my lights on and my Mac running. Or,  "I'll put a link on our (obscure) website."  And Questar Gas will keep my house warm with that?  


Bookkeeping and accountant.
Gotta pay them.

Uncle Sam.  
Yup, he takes a hunk.  I've got to plan for that as well.


Photography is a business like any other.  Those of us who are pros, deserve to be treated as such.