photo of the day: this is why you practice

Because that's how you get good. Two years ago I had some weddings booked and a few under my belt, but not too many, and I wanted to practice on this whole "posing the bride" thing, as well as add to the old portfolio. So I asked for a model via craigslist, and that's how I met V. I had a wedding dress (picked up for $10), so she had to be a certain size. It really wasn't big enough, though. So I added a skirt made of tulle, picked lilacs out of the backyard, and we had ourselves a bridal shoot.

The first thing I notice on reviewing this stack of photos is the time of day in which I shot. It. Was. Bright. Correctly exposing both her skin and the pale dress was nearly impossible. And since I wasn't yet shooting RAW, there's not much to be done. Sign number one of an inexperienced shooter.

The second thing I noticed was just how awkward I was at posing. It's interesting looking at the images. I'm attempting the detail shots that I'd seen on blogs, practicing with shallow focus, and really failing quite a lot. It's funny, because now those details shots are my favorite, and have become second nature. I'd forgotten that there was a time when I just couldn't do them. Posing my model is awkward, too. It's obvious in the shots that I didn't know what to ask for, didn't know how to show her how to move. If you've ever done a photoshoot with me, I'm very physical. I have to wear pants when I shoot because much of my posing is done through example. In these images I hadn't a clue what to ask for.

The last thing I noticed is how I ask for much different images now. In the first round of culling, two years ago, the images I picked were more formal and posed. This time, I like the candid ones, the ones that are drenched with light. Consequently, out of the 419 images I took that day, there are about 6 that I actually like now and would even consider keeping in my portfolio. If you don't believe me, check out the rest of the set. First seven are from the original cut, second seven are from today.

And that, children, is why we practice. Because that is how you get good.

photo of the day: president's day

Fact: I looooove shooting in Washington DC. Especially at night. I just think it's such a gorgeous city that I'm always game for a photo shoot there. When M got married, I couldn't shoot her wedding; I was already double-booked that day. So I promised that we'd do a bridal shoot at some point. Well, a couple of months ago I had a free evening, so of course I had to occupy it by driving to DC and taking pictures!

We had a blast with this shoot, stomping through the monument area, M wearing her dress and a flannel jacket, myself with a mask on my head, and my assistant/makeup artist wearing a tiny top hat. Passersby either thought we were Halloween rejects or asked to have their photos taken with us. Both ends of the spectrum there.

For this image I used one off-camera flash held to the right, triggered by on-camera flash. I have no idea what the rest of the settings were, but I was working hard to get Lincoln in the background. Note: shooting at monuments and memorials can be tricky, because you want some of that iconic imagery but its easy to make things look like bad travel photography. This was one of my absolute favorite images of the night, despite the fact that friends have informed me that Abe looks like a creeper in the background. You know, he kind of does. ah, well. Happy Presidents Day!

this one is for Jenny and Jordan, who have been waiting patiently to see these

Back in early Septemnber (I think) I did a shoot with trash the dress shoot with J&J, and they've been waiting patiently for the results, which kept getting pushed back by other, more pressing project. I think you'll agree: these were worth it. I can't believe how amazing they both look, and just how gorgeous the day was. These aren't all the shots I'll probably end up using, but you can click here to see the rest of the set.