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

Fantastic Aztec Cosplay - Aztec Goddess Photoshoot - Yvette Marie Ramirez

Previous posts!  You have to see the gorgeous Yvette Marie Ramirez as a Golden Aztec Goddess in this cosplay fantasy shoot to celebrate her heritage!

Lady of Death and Goddess of the Underworld

Goddess of the Moon and Goddess of Water

Golden Aztec Goddess

These are the last and this grouping I like to think reflects Xochiquetzal, the Aztec Goddess of Love and Women.  

We finished up by moving to another area at this beautiful location which had a golden field with the treeline in the background.  It complemented the golden aspect so well and puts me in mind of Coatlicue, the Goddess of the Earth and Mother of Gods in Aztec culture.

To be honest, I kind of got derailed by my attempts to morph my photos with photos from Aztec culture.  I still want to do it because I think it's really cool and also brings a historical and education aspect that I identify with.  But I need some practice so I'll probably have to do an upcoming post for that.  

I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed this amazing shoot!  I'm so grateful to the people who made this happen and my co-photographers for a really fun and adventurous morning!

Credits:

Model:  Yvette Marie Ramirez

Event Coordinator:  Mark Winter

Stylists:  Samantha Staton &; Yvette Ramirez

xoxo

Nikon D600

Sandy Yang - Railroad Tracks Mini Shoot

In my last post, I started sharing my photos of the incredibly talented model, Sandy Yang.  The first set were taken in Folsom by a little creek with a couple of bridges to work with.  So much fun!

After that, we moved to the abandoned railroad tracks. These tracks are so cool with grass and shrubs that form a kind of tunnel where the curve is.  I loved it.  

This is the end that heads out toward East Bidwell Road. 

And in the other direction is that cool tunnel effect.  

I had to include this "meta" picture of one of the other photographers poking into my shot.  lol  I think it's kind of a cool BTS look at how things are on these "mini-shoots".   Basically it's where about 4 photographers pay to take part in the shoot.  Some, like this one, are a nice free-for-all where everyone is courteous and works at the same time.  There's bound to be some juggling position and shots with other people in them.  

I actually like this because I like to try to get angles that are weird and/or shots where the model isn't focusing on me.  I just think the photos are more interesting than all with the model looking at camera. 

But of course, there isn't anything wrong with some good shots of the model looking into my lens too!

Okay, so this next photo is a different crop and edit as the one above.  I just love not only Sandy's pose and gorgeous looks but also the background, which is bokeh on one side and kind of swirly on the other.  I wanted to go for a fantasy type look so drew on some makeup and brought out her eyes with a little added effect.  I love it. 

And this next photo is just amazing to me.  She's so gorgeous and I love the pose, lighting, everything. 

I also love this next one.  She was taking a brief moment between shots and I just happened to catch the movement of her hair as she adjusted it.  I was sitting on the ground in front of here but a pretty good distance off. 

I cropped this next one square because I wanted to keep the bokeh-filled background.  I also broke a "rule" of composition (as I understand it, anyway) because normally one should leave more space on the side to which a subject is looking.  But I liked this angle better.  

This is probably my favorite of the whole shoot.  I don't know what it is but it grabs me.  It looks like a real moment.  

And this one too!  Similar, I know, but it's so beautiful!  I gave it a slightly purple tint because it's my favorite color and I think it really works.  

So much fun!  

Up next, we'll continue the series in studio for some lifestyle and street-wear portraits.  

xoxo

Nikon D3300

Dark Waters and Fantasy Creatures Part II

The next two models were by far my best pictures of the day as far as clarity, composition, and originality.  

The first is Miz Mayhem, Maya Hall.  

I simply called her Goddess the entire shoot as she looked so beautiful and strong. 

This first photo is one of my absolute favorites. 

Funny story:  There was actually a table in the water behind her with a photographer standing on the table above her...and all were visible in my photo.  So I spent a loonnngg time cloning the mist around her and I flove it. lol

"Mirror Mirror in the water..."

This is another of my favorites and I actually directed my model!!!  haha  She was holding her hand out palm down and I asked her to turn her palm up as if she was beckoning me.  She did and it just makes the picture POP! The drip of water off her hand completes the magic.

And this is my sexy, angry demon, Cathi Hall.

Cathi is an amazing person with an amazing story, which hopefully I will get to help her tell in the future.  I know I'll be working with her again because we already have some projects lined up.  

Speaking of lines, the tree roots in the next photo really draw your eyes to Cathi and look perfect in a black and white edit. 

I wish I had some dry ice in this next photo. It would have made a decent photo so much better.

And this is one of my absolute favorites!!!  Fierce and lovely with a side of vulnerability. 

I've gotten mixed reviews on this one.  I really love the somewhat strange shape creative by Cathi's head and arms in the water but a couple people have said it looks a little creepy.  I guess that works for the theme!

Another of my favorites, but for a different reason.  I highlighted the beauty of Cathi's face and also the PTSD and I'm Fine/Save me tattoos on her leg.  This really spoke to me as someone who has battled depression and anxiety myself and through my daughter. 

Just remember that no matter how fierce and/or beautiful someone looks, you just don't know what they're going through on the inside.  Be KIND to everyone you meet if at all possible.  You just never know what impression you might have on someone's life. 

And this one is my favorite art shot of the day and possibly of all my (few) model shots. Stunning.

This is Cathi with Alexandr Vasilu.  

Love this one.  He's...not bad to look at.  haha

That's it for today's post.  The next one should be it and will include group shots.  

xoxo

Nikon D3300