Rapid Fire
I've said before in this newsletter that when I'm photographing for fun or for friends I try to slow down and work more deliberately as a way to train myself for when I'm shooting weddings or commercial assignments. When I'm shooting in a professional capacity I tend to get amped up and my brain goes into fast, reactive-mode. The goal is to work more intentionally. That being said, sometimes it's fun to work fast on purpose. Put my training to the test and see how fast I can come up with and execute concepts. I had a fun opportunity to do this earlier this week. My friend Leah held an open house/styled shoot at her studio. I wrote about another styled shoot at her studio a few weeks ago. This was a looser, more open event with three different model set-ups and a lot more photographers in attendance. It was fun to meet a bunch of other local photographers and talk shop.
I couldn't stay long and I wanted to focus on chatting with people more than shooting but I figured I might as well create a little bit of content while I was there. Plus, one of the model set ups, a nice couple named Kate and Glen looked bored because all of the photographers were focusing on the other set-ups, a maternity model and a fitness model. I headed over to chat with them for a minute to break the ice and then get some shots. I thought it would be fun to challenge myself to work really quickly and get one solid, planned shot from each set-up. I would work quickly but intentionally. It worked out great!
First off the couple was cool, after talking to them briefly I could tell that they had a ton of chemistry. My plan with them was to get a shot with really shallow depth of field of one of them looking at the other. The person gazing at the other would be out of focus and the person being gazed at would be in focus to put emphasis on the feeling of being gazed at by someone who loves you. I wanted his gaze to read even though he would be out of focus. I gave them a little bit of guidance and boom, they nailed it. It was quick and easy and I told them to just freestyle and I got a few more shots but I knew my first assignment was done.
Next I headed over to the maternity model, a nice woman named Brooke who looked very peaceful hanging out next to some flowers. I felt confident that I nailed the first set up so I was comfortable being a little bit looser with this one. I just gave her the direction that she looked peaceful but strong and to do her best to convey that. I think it worked. I also wanted her figure to be partly covered by the flowers. I wanted there to be some connection to them without physically touching them.
Then I headed over to the fitness model, also named Brooke. She is a personal trainer and my time with her was even quicker than with the other two. I wanted to go for form over concept and just wanted to subtly show off her muscles. I asked her to pick up one of the dumbbells she had and to hold it in her left hand. I explained that it would be out of frame and was there just to accent her arm muscle. I told her that the vibe I wanted was easy and confident strength. She nailed it with her interpretation of this. Her expression is great.
I spent probably only 2 minutes with each model. I felt great knowing that I could visualize something and make it happen in such a short amount of time. I'll post outtakes below. No weddings or big assignments this week. Gotta edit and deliver some stuff. Might develop some film.
