Expression beats Perfection!

I may have that cross stitched into a pillow! Of course we have to be technically minded, you have to KNOW the rules to break the rules but at the end of the day, expression beats perfection. That is simply brilliant! Having the perfect composition and a plastic smile can never beat eyes that positively light up with a smile that's radiating joy... That image is priceless because it transcends just a documentation but also offers raw emotion that has now been immortalized.

Today's words of wisdom come from Bambi Cantrell, a photographer we absolutely LOVE at Go{4}Pro.

Note: There is a little black spot in the video. Just let it load and you can skip ahead to 1:13.

I'm on a video kick - I know...

Okay... So this was not supposed to be day 3 of video posts, it's supposed to be Inspire Me Friday and our next interview is going to be incredible!! We had a little hick-up though and it won't publish till next Friday (so so sorry). In the mean time, here's a hint to let you know who it will be...

Posing School from Bambi Cantrell on Vimeo.

Note about the workshop: Also want to remind you to get your spot at the Seattle Summer Workshop for Aug 20& 21. I'm so excited to share it all and give you the tools to bring your business into the next level! We are artists but we don't have to be starving and I'm going to give you everything you need to make sure that doesn't happen!

Plus because I'm all about service that extends to my fellow photographers, we're trying to make sure we're able to pick you up from the airport and getting you to your hotel not to mention you pretty much don't need to worry about food except for maybe a midnight snack. If you have questions, email Kathy and she can help you will travel arrangements and details. It's going to be awesome!! It's my goal to make the value of this workshop so above and beyond what you invest in it - You want to be there!!

The iPhone Fashion Shoot

It's a double post today because I've already had two readers send me this video. Completely agree that it's a must share. As Amy Pinney said, "It's inspirational, it's actually kind of informative without trying to be, and it's highly entertaining. My new place to go when I feel like me and my poor little rebel JUST aren't good enough...."

The iPhone Fashion Shoot - Lee Morris Shoots With The 3GS Fstoppers from FStoppers on Vimeo.

I've schedule a session, what should I expect? VIDEO

This video that I'm showing today obviously was not intended for the photographer but rather the client but that's exactly why I think it's worth sharing. Sometimes we (the photographer) can forget what it's like to be on the other side of the camera. All you have to do is have your own family pictures done and you will quickly recall that it can be extremely intimidating! You can read all about my own last family photo shoot and being on the flip side with Shannon Sewell here.

As you watch this video, may I suggest that you think about and ask yourself three questions.

1.  Am I helping my clients feel ready and comfortable for their session?
2. Could I create something that would help prepare my clients for their session?  What about creating your own video or pamphlet that would point out what they could expect and how to prepare. I'm seriously thinking about making a video! I really think my clients would find that extremely helpful!
3. Am I ensuring that my clients have reasonable expectations of what they will get from their session?

Funny side note: As I watched the video, I was like hey wait, this guy is shooting in The Portland Rose Gardens (I've shot there too). It's so funny how often the people I find happen to be local to me. 

Shooting for You! - Amy Wenzel's Breakfast at Tiffany's shoot

I remember the first time I saw this video, I was smitten! I asked Amy once about why she did the Breakfast at Tiffany's Shoot and she said it was just for fun. Her project has certainly inspired me in my own 'just for me' projects and I hope it will be able to do that for you as well! Here's to shooting for YOU!

And here is Amy's final image from her Breakfast at Tiffany's inspired shoot...

Thanks Amy for sending the image over to go with the video! :-) 

Umbrella or Softbox - Video

Last week our video was about a one light setup. Well maybe you really liked the idea of exploring studio lights? Next you would have to decide if you want to try an Umbrella or a Softbox to start. Here is a little video to help give a little better explanation of the differences between Umbrella's and Softboxes.



Want a more in depth reference? Try this POST!

One Light Studio Setup - Video

I know that most of you are natural light photographers and don't get me wrong, so am I but I also think it's important that we still understand studio lighting as well. Sometimes I get the feeling that some photographers are trying to claim this whole idea that studio lighting in the equivalent of socks in the bra and they are just blessed to be all natural when in reality they just have no idea how to stuff their bra properly. Well, for all you flatty's (I can say that because I've been referred to as mosquito bitten, flat-as-a-board, and a member of the I.B.T.C. ) who want to learn the correct stuffing techniques, here is a video for a simple one lighting set-up. 

Here is a link directly to You Tube in case you are having trouble viewing this.

Balance within a Photo - Video

This Wednesday's video is not a lengthy one but it does have great content all the same!

They mention the triangle in this video (the triangle is huge!!) if you are not familiar with this, here is a post about it.

The Fundamentals of Posing - Video

I admit this is outdated for sure but the fundamentals of posing are so important and so lost to many photographers who have no formal training (understandably so). When I started on thisjourney, I knew nothing about posing and so found myself on many occasion scrambling for an idea. As fun as I'm sure that sounds, after a few brain bumbled moments I decided I'd better find a crash course on posing. If you have the basic poses memorized then you'll never be at a lost for how to position your subject. Just pick a pose and adapt it to make it your own! It's important to note that there are feminine and masculine posing and although they may be similar in nature they are worlds apart. After all, you don't want your male subject with dainty hands nor do you want your female subject looking more like a lumber jack then a lady! If you're new to traditional posing, use this video as a jumping off point! 

I think eventually I would like to make a video myself showing the feminine and masculine versions. Any model volunteers? ;)

Here is another post that might be a good reference for the fundamentals of posing.

Understanding the difference between full censor DSLR and nots...

This is an awesome video created by the guys at LensProToGo! It's the clearest, easiest to follow explanation I've found yet on the difference between crop sensor and full censor cameras!

DSLR Sensor sizes - Photography Tutorial from Tony Yu on Vimeo.

A great new acronym... W.A.I.T

Thank you so much Brandi for shooting me an email and suggesting that this would be a fun video to share! Completely agree!