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People

June1st

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The Calm Before the Storm, After the Slump

Posted in: Blogging, People, Portraits

Wedding season is right around the corner for me, literally…my first 2010 wedding is in less than two weeks. This year I get the bonus of working with James Barron of Undying Photography for my weddings and I’m so excited to get started.

On top of the excellent partners I will have by my side this year, I have the added sense of peace I didn’t have last year because this is no longer my first year. I know my way around my job and I have the confidence that I can do my job under any circumstance and it’s letting me focus on enjoying the process. Last year was pretty intense. I couldn’t find a photographer to let me 2nd shoot (not even for free) so I just jumped in blind and learned the ropes while I was hanging from them. I’m glad that I did because now I feel like I can do anything. I’m hoping to fit in some 2nd shooter work this year however, I would love the opportunity to work with a seasoned pro and learn from them.

I really love my job. I look forward to the days that it affords me timely bill payments, but even in these early late penalty stages…I still love my job.

But I slump. I slumped for a while. I am coming out of it thanks to my amazing friends who I can’t help but be inspired by. I spend my days sitting in the sun and my nights by a fire with my models, my fellow photographers, my make-up artist and collectively, my best friends. This shoot was James’ shoot that he kindly brought me along for. I wasn’t expecting to go but I was carrying photographer guilt over my slump and jumped at the opportunity.

We brought nothing but our cameras and reflectors. More photos from this shoot will be appearing in my next Hideout Magazine post, going up soon!

This shoot went so well I asked Ashley (my beautiful make-up artist, click here for her website) to let me shoot her while she had her hair extensions in. I told her they reminded me of Cleopatra so Ashley transformed herself into a modern goddess and we shot her in this beautiful chair she has right in her dining room. I used flash here, with James acting as the world’s most awesome light stand.

More from Ashley’s shoot coming, as well as the new article and my first batch of roller derby shots! I’m one of the Providence Roller Derby’s “official” photographers this year, so there will be lots of roller derby popping up on this blog. Pretty cool!
March26th

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Re-awakened!

Posted in: Client/Commercial, People, Portraits, Studio

Every photographer knows what a creative slump feels like. I feel like I’ve been in one for years and am just waking up. I’ve been crazy busy reading and learning and immersing myself in this thing I love so much. I’ve been writing articles for The Hideout Photography Forum (if you haven’t checked it out yet…do!) and snapping away!

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!
January28th

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Long time, no blog!

Posted in: Bands & Concerts, Blogging, People, Portraits, Studio

I’ve been slacking on blog updates lately! Between wedding inquiries, bride meetings, email piles and my surprise! abdominal surgery, I am just now catching up from my recovery time. I have also been shooting! I’ve lost all use of my Cactus V4 triggers. They both died within a few months of getting them (the 2nd one died a few WEEKS after I got them) so am just miserable over losing my wireless flash ability.

HOWEVER, I’m going to suck it up and buy a couple Pocket Wizards this month, whether I can afford them or not…because I am just dying with being tethered to a flash.

As for 2010 weddings I’ve got about 15 inquiries pending and a few confirmed dates already. I get inquiries every week so I’m hoping to have lots of work this year! This is my 2nd year and I feel really confident about my ability to improve this year and really push myself. Thanks to all the couples who are trusting me with such an important job!

Now, onto some photos! Here’s a sample of my last few projects.

Last night my friend and photographic muse Hope stopped by with the lovely Adrienne on their way to a club to see their friend spin. We had an awesome hour long session just goofing around. I spent a couple of hours figuring out how to set up high-key (white backdrop, bright) lighting with one slaved flash and one attached to a sync cord. I manged it with the assistance of flags and reflectors and some stretching of muscles I probably shouldn’t have stretch. Anything for the photos, right?

And a few nights ago I did a last-minute session with some friends for their new band, Sauriel. We didn’t have a lot to work with (again, this no wireless flash this is obnoxious) but we got some good shots to start with and will be shooting again after I get my PWs.

I also shot some self portraits just screwing around and finally got some I like so I could update my website photo and whatnot. One light, shoot through umbrella camera right, black side of a zip disc for backdrop.

Alright, I’ve got to get back to editing! Thanks for reading!
January6th

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Mara: Finally finished!

Posted in: People, Sports & Action

Much like Hope and Missi’s shoots, because Mara’s was partly for school I found myself putting finishing them off…for like a month. Oops. But motivation is finally finding me and I finished editing (very tediously- these were noisy as hell…how I lust after the 7D and it’s better high ISO performance) her best shots today. If I were to do these again I would DEFINITELY bring my flash into the net and shoot ISO 800 rather than 1600.

By the way, if Mara looks familiar it is because I shot her wedding last fall at the Springstep Dance Studio.

But I had a lot of fun, learned how to exit a trapeze net (the more you know) and got some pretty cool shots. Here’s four favorites. Full set here.

Thanks for letting me tag along, Mara!
December21st

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Missi and her hoop!

Posted in: People, Sports & Action

Four faves from my session with Missi hoop dancing!
December7th

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Long time, no post!

Posted in: People, Portraits, Sports & Action, Studio

Why? School and life are pretty rough right now, I’m pretty down about it all but I’m still shooting! Here is proof! I have TWO shoots with Missi and one with Mara (you may remember her, formally a bride on this little blog). I did some studio time with Missi and she was kind enough to hoop for me while I took her picture. If you don’t know what hooping is, check this video out. It is a new obsession of mine and I wanted to do my final project on unconventional dancers and performers. I’m hoping to get some belly and burlesque dancers soon!

Mara is another one of my kind friends who are helping with the performers project. Mara does aerial silks. If you don’t know what that is, watch this video! I can’t do that stuff but I did manage to get in and out of the trapeze net without injuring myself or anyone else. Not bad.

Here’s a couple peeks, many more coming!

Mara:

Missi:

I am a lucky girl with beautiful friends!
November10th

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More of baby Max!

Posted in: Childhood, People, Portraits

Finally finished up Max’s park session. This baby was oodles of cute and seemed happy as a clam to smile wherever we put him!

We had perfect cloudy light, a nice fall day and lots of leaves for him to try and cram into his mouth before his mother stopped him. Doesn’t get much better than that!

Here’s some more faves, flickr set here.

Epic drool
November10th

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Model Shoot: Hope

Posted in: People, Portraits, Studio

My friend Hope is a fun model. We had a great time Saturday night getting inebriated and shooting. I ran into the downside of Cactus Triggers…if the batteries aren’t spanky new, you’re screwed.

So we had no new batteries, it was 10pm and I refused to be defeated (again, we’re not going to talk about the humiliating experience I had on a child shoot last weekend) by these damn triggers.

I ended up attaching my 430EXII flash to my little Canon cord and mounted it to a light stand. This was annoying because I was stuck to a lightstand (which clocked me in the head once during the shoot…) but sacrifices had to be made. I aimed the flashhead into an open reflective umbrella (not the straight up silver kind, so the light wasn’t too harsh) over her head at 45 degrees to camera right. That light then bounced off a silver reflector gaffer-taped to a reflector to camera left, as well as another silver reflector on the floor as a skip.

Somehow, this ridiculous set up worked pretty well! Only downside is I wasn’t able to really light the backdrop and blow it out. Next time.

Here’s some favorites, all black and white because I was shooting for a black and white assignment for class.

<a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/lickmysticks/4088392942/” title=”Hope by Pam Helme, on Flickr”><img src=”http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2599/4088392942_8f1185dbe5.jpg” width=”334″ height=”500″ alt=”Hope” /></a>

I have some color shots coming soon when I get a little more editing time, and you’ll be seeing a lot more collaboration with Hope in the future!
November6th

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In which I distract you with something shiny…

Posted in: Client/Commercial, People, Photojournalism, Portraits

…so you don’t notice my lack of blogging!

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
September7th

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Julie & Alexis

Posted in: People, Portraits

My friend Julie has had an 8×10 frame hanging on her wall featuring a smiling family for some time now. Unfortunately the smiling family was not hers…or anyone she knows. They are the model family that comes in the frame. We took a quick trip down the road to Battleship Cover here is “lovely” Fall River to get her a nice photo of her and her daughter. These are my two favorites:

Few more here, I’m still editing a few others.