LIPSTICK JUNKIES | {studio} | february

I find inspiration in many difference places. Even when I'm not looking for it.
 

While driving home from a meeting at the studio, I turned on my ipod. The funky beat of The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie by the Red Hot Chili Peppers filled my vehicle. It was the first two lyrics of this song that inspired me. Hmmm. Lipstick Junkie. Sounds like an awesome title for a glamour photo shoot. And that was it! My head was filled with lipstick, lights and beautiful faces.
 

In the run of a day, I have countless ideas for photo shoots. Sometimes an idea sticks to the back of my eyelids, keeps me awake at night and consumes my mind while I carbonize my poor husbands supper. I'm not much of a lipstick gal, but I'm proud to admit that I am a photography junkie.
 

Introducing Lipstick Junkies. Amanda and Jenn, you rocked it!
 

Make-up Artist: Chrystal Cassell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make-up Artist: Rochelle MacKinnon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEAUTY + THE RIGHT LIGHT | {high key} portraits

When I heard Leah was leaving for Tennessee in a few weeks, I knew I had to get her in the studio for another photo shoot. We had planned to do some high fashion images outdoors using really cool lighting, but with all the snow we've had lately, it just wasn't possible.

For our second photo shoot - hopefully not our last - I wanted to experiment with High Key Lighting. You often see this style of lighting in fashion and product photography. However, its quickly becoming a trend in newborn and child photography.

High Key Lighting produces relatively shadowless images with a “blown out" white background. One of the goals when using this technique, is to make sure you separate your subject from your white backdrop. All too often, you'll see an image taken against a white backdrop and areas of the subject are overexposed, therefore disappearing into the background.

Here are a few images from my first attempt at High Key Lighting with the beautiful "American Girl" Leah.

I guess its the white background, but looking at these images reminded me of GAP commercials.

This last image was my first attempt at using a gel to change the color of my backdrop. Pretty cool huh? I think the image has an 80s feel to it.

Check back in a couple days for more images from our photo shoot and a farewell to the best model ever!

The Strobist in Me {learning to light} | Newfoundland Photographer

If you've been following my blog, you may recall an earlier post entitled "Lightyear = Taking it off." Reading that post again, made me smile. I don't think I realized then, how much I would actually learn in 2010. My latest glamour session with Leah allowed me to incorporate many of these new skills.

I have to admit, when I was first introduced to the idea of off-camera flash, I was a little apprehensive. I had become so comfortable bouncing my flash, that just the idea of learning a "new way" was a little too intimidating. It didn't take me long to realize I was being silly. I felt the same way about switching from slide film to digital and I'm looking at buying my fourth digital camera. So, my slight fear of change, obviously doesn't have much baring.

I've always used my flash on camera, usually bouncing it off a white ceiling. I've known for a while, this wasn't always going to be possible. During the wedding season, I spend a lot of time in churches. Not only do they usually have high ceilings where the flash may not reach, but often dark wood paneling to boot. The whole idea of bouncing the flash off a white surface is to increase the size of the light produced. High ceilings and dark wood....not going to cut it.

This led me to experimenting with "lighting gadgets" such as the Lumiquest quick bounce and softbox. I LOVE this thing. Its a little big and flashy {pardon the pun}, but if you can get past that, you'll never stop using it. These days, I'm using the softbox even when a white ceiling is available. I love it that much!

My initial experiments with lighting in the studio started out simple. One flash, off-camera and a light box. The light produced was crisp, clean and if the flash was positioned correctly, there were no shadows. I thought, if only you could get that kinda light on a larger scale. Answer: two umbrellas and two light stands.

Studio lighting is where I learned the most this year. The different styles, techniques and lighting equipment can be overwhelming. The key is to find the right inspiration. I've done a lot of research and studied the work of many masters of lighting. I'm also lucky to share my passion for photography with my Dad. Having someone to bounce ideas off, learn from and experiment with, is awesome. We've experienced many "wow" moments together. Remember the Beneath the Bottle post. We couldn't believe what was possible.

The two images you see above are a prime example of my latest lesson in lighting. All the head shots in this post were taken using the "clam shell" lighting technique. I've used this set-up many times. But, for the glamour session, I decided to add a third strobe. A hair light, placed directly behind Leah's head. Take another look at the images. Not only does the hair light give separation between the subject and background, it completely changes the  overall feeling of the image. This was one of those "wow" moments.

When I began experimenting with studio lighting, I was using an STE2 to fire the flashes. Based on what I was reading from the pros, I knew a big purchase was in my future...and the "fear of change" kicked in. While I was getting really comfortable using the STE2, I knew pocket wizards were the way to go. At this stage, I was using two strobes with two umbrellas. That meant, I would need at least three wizards {ouch}. I figured a third strobe would eventually come into play, so I ended up with four remote triggers. As photographers, we must invest in new equipment {at least that's what I keep telling myself.} What's that saying?..."you have to spend money to make money" or something like that. Again, that's what I keep telling myself.

To think I've gone from using one flash on camera to three strobes on lights stands all fired using pocket wizards in eleven months, blows my mind! But, my strobist journey is far from over. Not only do I plan to master my craft, there is so much more I want to learn. What's to come? I plan to take this studio set-up outdoors. Hmmm. Where will 2011 take me?

Glamour Photography {unveiled} | Central Newfoundland

This is just a small sneak peak. I was going to wait until all the photos were ready for publishing, but I'm just too darn excited!! Last week's glamour session was monumental for me. It started as a simple photo shoot. Leah and I met at the studio and BAM I was morphed into my first modeling session. But, it wasn't until all the studio lights were put away and the backdrop was pulled up, that I was realized how important this session was for me. More on that in the full post.

I can't begin to explain how much fun we had. Leah was fantastic. She didn't even look at me crazy when I said, "OK, now wrap this scarf around your head." We focused on head shots {for now}. But, I have a feeling you'll be seeing more of Leah on my blog.

It goes without saying, Leah is absolutely gorgeous. Canada's Next Top Model? Possibly. There is one thing I know for sure. Out of the two hundred photos we took last Thursday, she will have a portfolio agencies will be fighting over. I've already told her to remember me when she's famous : )