Now I See It, Now You Don't

Last week, a potential client asked what services are included in a photography session. Sure, I take your pictures, but what else?

Good question!

Before a shoot, I'm always available by either phone or email. We'll talk about the style of shoot you have in mind, what types of images you hope to capture, the best way to create them, and brainstorm on locations. You'll arrive at your shoot feeling confident, comfortable, and ready to have fun! We'll take lots of pictures, trying all the cool things we can think of, and then, after the session, I'll select the ones that make you shine best.

"Is that when I get my images on DVD?" Not just yet. Digital images straight out of the camera are nice, but producing images that pop and wow take a little more time and care. Rather than just taking your pictures, I like to think I'm making them, and that means staying involved with the pictures a little bit longer after snapping them at the session.

What follows are a few "before & after" examples. The "before" is the image as seen straight out of the camera. No manipulation. The "after" is the result of basic retouching, popping color, toning, cropping, and making sure you stand out as the star of the shot.

Click any image to see a larger sample:









Many sessions and shooting outdoors require fast shooting and working with the surroundings as is. There's not always time to nail perfect lighting or move distractions from view of the camera. The tradeoff is you get to shoot in a wider variety of locations, and digital is very flexible for polishing and finishing the images in processing.

In digital, light can be tweaked, scenery replaced, and obstructions, removed. In the image below, the florist sign is swapped out with the brand name of T-shirts being showcased (Badbaby). The window also caught the reflection of someone assisting on the shoot, but that's easy to sweep away as well.


Quick, unplanned shots sometimes catch the most clutter, but a little work can save the image and turn it into a keeper...


This bride-and-groom-to-be thought it'd be fun to write their names in the wet sand, but everyone's footprints obscured the signature. A dead sea lion had also washed ashore in the background -- not very romantic -- so away he goes as well...


Child with parent is nice, but a solo shot sometimes makes it all the more magical...


Expect that your images will be given the same attention and care, and often what you initially first see, is not what you get. Enjoy!

Sometimes, It's Good To Be Bad!

Talk about a Bad shoot! Bad personalities, Bad locations, Bad wardrobe. "Bad"... in that GREAT kind of way!

Beth Andrus, owner and lead designer of Bad Baby Fashions, specializes in hip, graphic T-shirts for women, and the uniqueness of Beth's designs and quality of the company's merchandise is just fantastic. The casual wear is playful and modern, and when Beth enlisted me to photograph the launch of this season's tees, we immediately started thinking of fun and creative ways to visualize the youthful soul of these styling threads.

The lovely Cari Ann Craig and Christine Guerra, both newcomers to modeling for the camera, did a bang up job sporting the fashions and working it, always looking so natural and at ease. Their willingness to let loose and have fun really brought out the colorful spirit of the tees. Beth's good friend, Michael Flores, was on hand to keep that mood alive and energized, making sure the gals always looked their best. I wish I had that kind of support on every shoot!


Beth scored "location, location, location" by selecting three dramatic urban environments for the session -- Hyperion Bridge, Atwater Village, and the rooftop of a Silverlake condo with this crazy view of the entire city and downtown. I've never really explored this part of Los Angeles, so it's always an eye opener to visit someplace new and see surroundings in a fresh way. I even decided to experiment with some new post processing techniques, incorporating some of Beth's designs and logo into the finished images.

Interested in buying one of these rockin' tees for yourself? Check out badbabyfashions.com. All of the styles seen here are available, along with many more.

Beth, thanks again for involving me in the project. Your designs speak to your enthusiasm, talent, and love for life. Congrats, and I hope to revisit my Bad side again next season!