Throwback Thursday: "History of Models" - My 2nd Photoshoot with Beautiful Ladies in Flowery Clothes July 2017

In my last post, I was reminiscing about how I switched from nature photography to human photography, I decided to post (or in some cases, repost) my photoshoots involving models in chronological order.  Shoots like these are such fun!  And challenging. 

To be honest, for an introvert like me with social anxiety, it's not easy to learn how to work with models.  I lucked out at my first shoot at Preston Castle, because there were many other experienced photographers on site that were happy to help me and coach me.  Even though I didn't have any lighting equipment and could only use ambient light, I was so excited by how the photos turned out!  Especially with the historical and architectural aspects along with the models. 

I am dying to go back with some ideas in mind and take my own model and props/clothes with me so I don't have to share like I did the first time.  Maybe 2023 will be the year I can make some of my ideas come to fruition.  I tried once and it is wayyyyy harder than it seems to put on a successful shoot with themes, models, styling, etc.

But I was so thrilled with my first experience with models that I couldn't wait to try another one!  Luckily I had found Meet Up through the organizer of the Preston Castle shoot and joined a few groups.  And my next happy, flowery shoot was well-coordinated and staffed by a Meet-up group (not very active in the last few years unfortunately) that is run by a professional photographers.  She had about 6 models there for this "lifestyle" shoot with floral clothing (the theme) at a prime location at William Land Park gardens.  She even brought a changing tent and was also standing by to help the amateur photographers in the group learn. 

I had SUCH a great experience at this shoot.  In large part due to another professional who was there and who was so helpful at casually teaching us amateurs some clever ways to work with models and ambient light. Isi S-M!  You are awesome and I am forever your fan!

It was such a bright and beautiful Summer day when we did this shoot.  I love these gardens at William Land and I was so happy with the experience and results.  Here are some of my favorite shots.  

This is Sabrina and I just loved the way the light fell on one eye in this shot.  And she has such pretty cat eyes.  I know I do like some weird edits and shots that others may not like, but I have to go with what I like.  :)  I guess it might be different if I was a professional.

This is Melissa.  And here we are demonstrating a technique taught to us by the wonderful Isi.   She called it the "HaHaHa".  

Don't tell your model to smile or laugh.  Just laugh yourself.  In this case, Isi recommended just going "hahaha" when you want your model to smile or laugh.  We practiced it for the rest of the shoot and almost invariably, the models would respond with a very nature laugh or smile.  :)

These young ladies were so talented at posing!

Michelle is the next model I had the pleasure of working with.  She was so great posing around the stone columns.

Hahaha!

This is probably one of my favorite photos ever. 

Isi also took great efforts to teach us willing amateurs how to find the light.  Especially the "hair light".  How to position your model in the shade but with the sun slightly behind and shoot slightly upwards. 

Looking at these old photos again has made me realize that I kind of forgot a lot that I had learned from these early experiences.  I'm really grateful for having these opportunities to stretch myself and learn new things.  I always love learning even though I wasn't so great at school! 

For the next installment of "History of Models", I am re-editing the photos I chose to feature.  I like m edits but boy have I learned a lot since then.  I really overdid it with some things and also have some better software now.  :)  I hope you look forward to the results of my "Creek Creatures" photoshoot!

 xoxo

Bikini Photo Shoot Part 1 - Armani and Olivia

As summer fast approaches and the weather here in Northern California starts turning hot, I was reminded that I have some "hot-weather" shots (read: swimsuit) from last summer that I haven't posted.  So to give you a little break from all the nature stuff, I'll start mixing them in.  :-)

This first set is of the beautiful Armani and gorgeous Olivia from our pool shoot last August.

xoxo

Nikon D600

Beautiful Armani Lanae - Pink and Blue at Sacramento River

Now available for your Gender Reveal Parties!  Just kidding...  haha  For the last installment, we have Armani in the silky pink dress and then a complete 160 into an electric blue dress by the water.  But first!  Get caught up with the easy links below!

Post 1

Post 2

Post 3

I have to say I feel these are the best edited shots because I edited them more recently when I have better software and more editing knowledge.  But again, due to my inexperience and camera/lighting issues, I really didn't do Armani justice.  She's a great model and a lot of fun to work with.

And here she is, pretty in pink.  I wanted to make these look ethereal as Armani posed so soft and beautiful.

Even an ethereal princess on a pedestal can be tough too!  lol

I love black and white photos that are tinged in color.  

After the clothing change, we took a few shots at the flowers before walking to the end of the park near the bridge.  

I - yes I will take credit for this - found an awesome tree right on the bank that was a tiny bit difficult to get to.  But we all made the trek down the semi-steep bank and were rewarded with a completely different feel to these last photos. 

This next one is intentionally blurry (I'm not going to lie, it was already slightly blurry but then I made it blurrier).  I've seen some photos that are completely blurry and the effect is really kind of cool.  I don't know if this one completely works, but I do like it still.  I need to study on this more. 

These last ones are some of my favorites.  I'm sure you can see why.  

Armani is such a joy to work with and I would definitely recommend her to any photographers or event coordinators.  

Again the credits for this shoot:

Model:  Armani Lanae

EC:  Tanecia Nez

Stylist:  Janna Davis   

Co-Photographers:  Pedro Marenco and Kirk Davis

xoxo

Nikon D3300

Studio Finale! Sandy Yang in Dramatic Black and Red

It's my last photoset from the Sandy Yang Mini Shoot!  Such a great experience and she is such a great model that I really learned some things about posing and expression and light.  Hopefully I'll get to shoot with her again some day. 

To see the other posts in the series, click on the links below

Post 1:  Hmong beauty by the creek

Post 2:  Hmong runway on the railroad tracks

Post 3:  In studio street style

Post 4:  Studio art and closeups

And now for the grand finale; for our last set Sandy changed clothes into an elegant red jumpsuit and an anime-inspired hairstyle, which is one of my favorite styles.  She looked stunning, of course, and I really tried to turn up the drama!

First we experimented with a false window.  It was hard to get the lighting right and still get my camera to work (I SOOO wish I had my D600 on this shoot!  It's so much better in low light.)  But I do love these shots although I wish the first one was a bit clearer.

This was shot in between ideas when Sandy and Mark were deciding which fan to use next.  It's not the greatest picture but I mainly took it because of the hair.  lol

Next Sandy dropped the fan and put on a red hat that matched the jumpsuit. 

xoxo

Nikon D3300