Camera Magic

As a photographer, I shoot mostly with models. I'm not really a landscape or still life photographer. So whenever I have a project I need to find a model. For smaller projects, I usually make my friends get in front of the camera. For larger projects, especially ones with a specific look, I book aspiring models. I haven't paid a model yet, it's usually a tfp (trade for print) business arrangement. Meaning Their payment is a copy of the image to add to their portfolio. 

It's always fun to go through peoples modeling portfolios. Some people have incredible ports and you can tell they'd have potential to really make it if they pushed it. Others are people who think they the undiscovered Heidi Klum or Sean O'Pry. Sometimes it's just a matter of not having a good photographer. And so the shoot isn't well directed or edited. But most of the time, it's because modeling just isn't there thing. Which is okay. Modeling isn't forever. It's much more difficult than most think. 

There's an element of mystery when booking a model on what you're going to get when the model arrives to shoot. Most of the time I will direct the model to come in without hair or makeup done, so I can direct the overall look. Some models photograph exactly like they look in reality. Others it's almost two different people. I booked a model and almost didn't recognize her when she showed up.

I found a bunch of photos of models, comparing what they look like au naturale and what they look like done up for work. So I thought I'd share them to better explain what I'm talking about. 

Makeup and lighting makes a huge difference in the world, but if the model doesn't know how to work the makeup and lighting, it's all for nothing. 

As you can see, the girl you wouldn't peg as a model on the street might turn into Heidi Klum in front of the camera.

Until next time...

erinbeephotography.com

A Little Bit of Rouge

OK, a little disclaimer to this post. I was not present at any of the shoots for the images presented. Just my judgements as a photographer.

I've been seriously working on my photography for about four years now. I've done a lot of experimentation, making mistakes along the way. One of the biggest things I've learned is dealing with makeup.

Makeup applied lightly doesn't really show up on camera. So the makeup must be applied liberally for the effect to be picked up on camera. Working with a makeup artist who usually works with photographers knows this. But if you're a photographer working with an artist that doesn't normally work on photo shoots, it's important to convey the information.

On set, the make up might look overdone and awful. But it was all smooth out in post.

On set, the makeup might seem like it looks like:

But the final image would look more like this:

OR, on set you might be seeing:

But it would be turned into something like this:

My suggestion would be to apply the makeup more than what you would normally and take a few test shots. If the look is what you want it to be that start shooting. If not, add a few more layers. These examples are a bit of an exaggeration but in the past I've told an artist that the makeup was good but then wasn't happy with how light it was on camera.

Hopefully this is helpful for you fellow photographers out there!

See you next time.
erinbeephotography.com

Absentee Blogger

Ok, I've been a terrible blogger. I've ignored you. But let me make it up to you. Some stories from my recent life.

I've been taking summer classes, and so this week in class a girl walks in late. I look up as she walks in front of me to a seat. I then realize she's wearing a bikini top. A bikini top. No shirt. Just a bikini top. I then see that she's wearing jean shorts that are unzipped and pulled apart. Classy. Why does this happen to me? Why am I always around to see the worst people in the world?

I guess that's what makes me fabulous. I see all kinds.

For my summer, on top of working and summer school I'm working on a 100 hour internship. I'm a museum studies minor and so I chose my internship to be at the Nevada State Museum, under the curator of clothing and textiles. It's been interesting to see how much goes into cataloging a single item. I've been charged with the task of photographing a ton of items that have been needing to photographed and loaded into the database. The more time I spend doing the work, the more I realize that museum work might not be for me. I love going to museums and seeing great exhibits. But I have so much more fun behind a camera in a photo shoot, either in the studio or at great location. Not much cataloging. On the plus side, I'm getting to work with some really great pieces. This week I worked on photographing hats and one of the hats was dated from the 1880's. Which is pretty cool. I also burned to crap out of my hand on the fabric steamer. Not so cool. I've been promised that we'll get to work on pretty dresses the next couple of weeks. So I'll keep you posted.

On to photography stuff. I've been cruising the internet looking for some great inspiration and I think I've found it.

I found this great image on pinterest. I love how dark and gloomy the image is. I'm not sure I want to work in nudity but the animal skull is great. Stay tuned for farthing development.

Until next time.
erinbeephotography.com

I live in a world of fantasy.

So I went and saw The Avengers last weekend with on of my best pals. It was literally the coolest movie ever made. I was left feeling totally depressed with the realization that these characters don't exist in real life.

Then I realized that in a way, they do.

As a photographer, I can recreate them, and create anything else I want. While I don't have a budget that would produce end products that I imagine, the ability is still there. I've created stories and princesses and gods with my photography.

And I'm always thinking of new ideas for projects. New stories, new characters, new versions of already created fantasy. Which is something that I think is really great. I've always felt like I was born in the wrong decade. Rosie the Riveter is my hero. The 40's were just great. The clothes were better and the men hotter. But then I think about how I wouldn't have been able to do what I've done, and what I'm going to do in the 40's.

This last semester my teacher wrote in my final critique "You seem very interested in posing strategies, costuming/dress-up, and fantasy in the work that I have seen of yours over the last 2 semesters". Maybe I just never grew up, but I love playing make believe with a camera in front of me. If I can wake up do that everyday, I'll be doing ok.

Don't forget, erinbeephotography.com

You Can't Burn Bridges

Ok, I know, it has been awhile. But I've been busy getting my show up. Which turned out really well thanks!

I learned a lot this semester in working on my Of The Sky project. Having worked with 13 models, I had the chance to work with a variety of talents and personalities. Some were really great. They were fun to work with and knew what they were doing and got it done. Which made my job that much easier. Others were less easy to work with. Those I think, modeling just isn't their calling. And some where just flat out awful to work with (ok by some I mean one, and we've already talked about that one) But overall the project came out really well.

However, I've encountered an issue post-project that, as a photographer, I've never had to deal with. With the project being open in the show, I've been mailing out the final images to the models for their portfolios. And one model asked to have the unedited images as well. I told her no because it's not only unprofessional, but it's not a good representation of my work. Her response was that the images of her and she has never had a photographer NOT giver her her images.

Well, I'm not quite sure who she has been working with, but I've never heard of a professional photographer handing out unedited work. I HAVE heard of photographers making their models pay for their images for the portfolio.

And yes, these models are the subject of the image. But the image is the creative product of the photographer. So the ownership of the work lies with said photographer.

In terms of our verbal agreement (the same agreement I'd made with all the models) they were to get a copy of the portrait and a copy of the panoramic. Which I upheld. So while this situation has been frustrating, it was also a good lesson to learn on setting up shoots in the future. But I don't see my future work including this particular model because of the way she's tried to grab at images that aren't hers to grab.

Until next time...
erinbeephotography.com

Oh You Can't Afford the Warhols

So it's been about a week since my Vegas trip, and it was a pretty great trip. I went down to shoot Valley of Fire for my "Of The Sky" project.

I went down by myself, so the first night I wandered the strip after dinner. I ended walking around the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. I was walking by a space and several Warhols caught my eye. I went in and realized it was an art gallery. I was surprised to because I hadn't expected a gallery in there. So I went in and started looking around.

After admiring the Warhols up front I found several pieces by Joan Miro. Super excited by the find I continued looking and turned the corner to find a Lichenstein on the wall. The look on my face must've been priceless because I was so stoked and surprised to find such great artists in a gallery in Vegas.

I was then approached by someone working in the gallery and told me about how some sticker would tell me if it's for sale or not. I then told him I was pretty sure I couldn't afford anything in the gallery and that I'd just come in to look around because the Warhols up front caught my eye. He then replied with "Oh you can't afford Warhol. But there are some great pieces for $1,200".

First off, rude. I just had to laugh to myself at how condescending that guy was. He wasn't wrong, truth be told I couldn't even afford the $1,200 pieces he'd suggested. But he didn't have to be such an ass about it.

Either way, great find.

The rest of the trip was great as well. Valley of Fire was fun, hiking around by myself. Although it was a little sketch to be alone so far out there, but it was nice to get away from everything.

While I was hiking around, I'd heard footsteps up head of me. I look up and there's a whole heard of bighorn rams standing there. They looked at me and I looked at them. We totally had an awkward moment. Deciding what the other was going to do. I stayed right where I was standing but lifted my camera and took some photos of them. And they then moved on their way.

Overall, great trip.

Here are the pieces I'd found in the Martin Martin Lawrence Art Gallery (yea that's its real name)
Warhol:

Miro:

Lichtenstein:

Let's Be Professional.

So I've been working on a pretty big project these last couple of weeks. And I've had the opportunity to work with some pretty great people. There have been 13 models that I've shot, plus working with a fabulous make up artist and costume designer.

There have been a wide variety of personalities and skill level I've been working with. Some models get in the studio with me and just get it done. They're fabulous. Everyone has a good sense of humor, and we're all laughing and having a good time while we work. They know what they're doing, take direction well. They make my job easier.

Then there have been models that I've worked that aren't as skilled, and maybe modeling isn't their calling. But that's ok. Because all of them have really friendly, and did the best to their abilities. And I appreciate that.

But today, I worked with a model, and I have never experienced working with someone so rude. My costumer and I drove 15 minutes to pick up in and then another 15 to take him back. During the shoot, he everything he said was laced with insult. Everything for this project, props & costumes, have either been made by me or my costumer. And he kept making comments about how the shield I'd made was less than acceptable. During the shoot, he didn't listen to a single thing I'd directed him to do. Anytime I'd have him do something, he would simply ignore it and do what he thought the pose should be. I got him out as soon as I could because I really didn't want to deal with him anymore. One the way back he'd asked that I stop at a convince store so he could grab something. So I did. What simply blew my mind was what happened when he got out of my car when we dropped him off. I pulled to a stop, and turned and said thanks for helping with the shoot. He opened the door and got out without saying a single word before I could finish saying thanks. Just got out & walked away without a single word.

In an industry where who know and your social networking are so important, acting like that towards another professional seems like a terrible idea. I will NEVER work with this model again. If he plans to make this a career, he can't possibly expect to go far burning bridges like this. If we cross paths in the future, I wouldn't book him, and I would tell everyone around me why. How could he possibly expect to have a solid chance at a career and be such a total dick.

Obviously, not everyone is going to get along. There are people I work with at my day job, as well as in my classes that I could do without. We all don't have to be best friends, but we DO need to be professional, and treat each other with respect.

As always, erinbeephotography.com
See you all next time!