We were racing against the failing light and being swarmed by mosquitoes but I’m really happy with the results. I had James along to help out with the light and he set Greg up for my favorite photo from the session here…

Greg is incredibly talented and one of my favorite Facebook friends, I always have a blast trying to make him laugh and break his ganster face. (Sometimes it works…don’t tell anyone.)

These were all taken in about 20-30 minutes with a single off-camera flash, bare bulb with a 1/4 CTO gel except the graveyard photos which had a LumoPro flash on the shadow side for a little rim and fill. We were not eaten by zombies during this shoot…this time.

I’d hire her.

For the photographers out there, this was the over/under clamshell lighting with two shoot-throughs and small flashes, triggered by pocket wizards. The backdrop is my cream-colored wall, rendered grey with pure wizardninja magic. (i.e. I shot her a few feet from the wall)

Nudged the light to the side for a little more drama for the 2nd look.

What do you think, not bad for my first corporate headshot?

I had a session in my “home studio” (living room) with Boston hip-hop artist Greg Dor, here’s the first edit from that:

He’ll be using these for his next CD, which means I’ll be getting published soon!

And of course, there was the model party myself and the amazingly talented Adam Wills threw here last weekend. If you’re a hideout member, I’ve done a 2-part article on throwing a model party (an idea I probably didn’t invent, but will take the credit for anyway, hahaa) but basically, it’s like a group-shoot where photographers pool their talent, gear and ideas and switch off shooting different models…all with music, booze and good times! All the fun of an evening party with all the awesome of a group shoot! We had an absolute blast, and these will be happening again!

Our photographers were supposed to number 4, but ended up being 3 when James (of UndyingPhoto) couldn’t make it. So it was myself, Adam Wills and Kelly Ellingsen (who 2nd shot wedding with me last summer).

I gathered five of my beautiful lady friends to be models for the evening and one of those ladies happens to be a very talented hair and makeup artist (the lovely Miss Ashley MacLean) who literally transformed these women into glamourous models in no time!

Here’s the first round of edits from me:

The lovely Dina:

Julie, ever beautiful…REALLY played her part and got the best pics for me!

Jacky (who was one of my very first models!) played soft and elegant like a pro:

And Ashley, our makeup artist (here she is on Model Mayhem- hire her!) is also an incredible model (and person, I love her)!

Our other model, Erin, had to leave before I could photograph her but Adam got AMAZING shots of her, like this one. Erin was also, along with Jacky, one of my first models!

Stay tuned for more from all of these shoots, plus more! I’m feeling absolutely caffeinated lately and broke my camera down to it’s smallest bulk (removed the battery grip and have re-acquainted myself with my nifty fifty) so I would use it and carry it more.

On Monday I’m taking it to IKEA for a field trip with James Barron of Undying Photo! Hilarity should ensue!

Things have been kinda crazy around here and I do have some kid portraits coming up, but for now here is my favorite from last night’s “Trashion” show at UMASS. I had to shoot it for The Torch, and unfortunately couldn’t stay too long but once again the Nifty Fifty really worked it and I got some good shots.

This is my favorite, I love this girl (how gorgeous is she?) and her outfit and the red and the sharpiness! (It’s a word now!)

Shot @ 2.8 (with my 50mm 1.8) 1/200 at ISO1600

Ugh. Way to suck, Pam. BUT I did get these other two that are better composed and still pretty. For all of these I had a 3/4 CTO gelled flash behind a shoot-through umbrella to camera right. We were in 9am daylight, in complete shade.

I also was assigned to get a new shot of the front of the salon. I saw the older one in ads before and it was shot in seriously harsh light, portrait orientation and tight on just the front door. I did the complete opposite. Complete morning shade with the sun just about to come over the roof so it backlit the trees really nicely, landscape orientation and got the whole salon in the frame. I tried to get some nice greenery framing the shot. I had my lovely assistant hold my flash, still gelled, over a puddle to light up that sign on camera right. I’m pretty happy with it.

Now I’ve got to get back to editing Chris and Betty’s wedding photos! More on my first wedding shoot later. Wedding photography: not for the easily stressed letmetellya.

OH! Almost forgot, you can head over to http://www.stephenandcompany.com and see my shots up on their brand new website! There’s a few that are not mine, the group shot on the main page isn’t me though I think I’m doing their next one, there’s a few stock photos here and there and obviously the old salon front shot isn’t me but the rest are! Yay!

I wasn’t prepared to shoot headshots but after a small moment of panic over not having my umbrella with me, I remembered I do sort of know what I’m doing and banged these out. I’m pretty happy with them both.

The product shots are always fun.

That is a shot of their “continuing education” program for their stylists.

And the make up area. The girl applying the make up is bloody adorable. I’m pretty sure you have to be really good looking to work at Stephen & Co.

Whole set here.

I’m going back in a week or two to shoot some more “people” type shots. For now here’s my favorites from the shoot. Shooting the “little stuff” was my favorite.

View the Flickr set here.