Glamour Photography with Club SuperShoot

Several months ago Colorado SuperShoot recently had a Glamour Photography workshop were I got to shoot several models all dressed up in fancy makeup & outfits.



Jay showed us how he shoots glamour style with his big diffusion panels, soft boxes & umbrellas. He set up three separate stations that we all got to shoot to see the difference the light modifiers made.



I don't know how late they stayed as I had to leave but I guess it went in late. Beside getting some cool photos, this experience has broadened my lighting views. I've become more comfortable using studio lighting thanks to these shoots.

Model Photography with Club SuperShoot

This last summer, I got to shoot some model photography here in Denver. While surfing the web I came across the Colorado SuperShoot website. They had an event coming up so I signed up.

I haven't had much practice shooting models in the past. I've usually just shot friends, family & a few other clients. Model photography is a whole other world then what I'm used too. It's easy to ask you brother to just wait while you compose this shot, or your friend to try that trick one more time to make sure it's awesome. But having a model willing to do what I ask her. Way different!



The guy putting it all together is Jay Kilgore who is quite comfortable shooting anything. The shootout had about 20 photogs show up and although some of the models didn't, the models that did.... were terrific! Thanks Reese and Mihaela.



We started out with shooting only available light. Later we added a reflector, then some people started using on camera flash & a couple of us did some off camera flash. I pulled out my SB-800 and pocketwizards and got some rim light to seperate my subject. Later, Jay even did a demo using a big Elichrome Ranger that everyone got a chance to try.



The big ol' ranger on the light stand started to act as a lightning rod once the rain & lightning came. This bit of danger kinda forced the session to end early.



All in all, it was a good day. I left with a smile on my face & some good shots in my camera. Hopefully next time there will be more models to talk to. I've got to get more comfortable directing them and this kind of opportunity really helps.

Holiday Party Dress up

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season so far. Saturday was my company's holiday party. So before Athena & I headed out I had to take some pics of us all dressed up.



I set up my white seamless paper in our living room as the background. I put the camera on a tripod with a timer to shoot us. Then got out the Alien Bees. One is in a 5 foot octabox as the main light and the other Bee is in a 1 foot x 5 foot stripbox for a side light. I used my PocketWizards to trigger the lights.



Then I'd push the button and run over and it was up to us to do something in front of the camera till it clicked. We had an absolute great time doing this. Athena wanted to stay and do more but I thought we should get to the party. (I can always set it up again).



David Hobby over at Strobist wrote up a blog about this app Strobox. So I thought I'd try it out. Here's the lighting diagram on how I had the setup. All this was in my living room.(wow!)

Nighttime portraits in downtown Denver

I got a chance to do some portrait work the other night in downtown Denver. I went out on the Illiminate Workshops free night photowalk.



This night happened to be the biggest turnout I've ever been to. Efrain does these night out on the town every month as a way for photogs of all calibers to get out shoot something, network & above all else feel ok to bring their camera out at night.



I spent the majority of the night leading the pack down to the Cherry Creek bike for some cool water picks. Then we moved east towards the Denver Art Museum. The DAM was very busy this Saturday night as it was the "Free Night at the Museum". To get away from the crowds we moved down to the Capital building.



There I decided it was time to pull out the Alien Bee and softbox I had been lugging around all night. I settled on a spot where there's this Liberty bell and the Capital building in the background. Set up two SB-26s in the grass in the back to side light the bell and then set up the Bee. By this time I'd peaked the other photogs interest & the all came over.



Then it was time for individual portraits and an action shot. To see the rest of the photos taken that night click on any of these photos to be taken to the gallery. You can also see other night shots there as well.



If you're interested in going out with some really cool people check out Efrain's nightshoots .

Coffee with Denver Magazine photographer Rob Hammer

Yesterday I had coffee with Denver magazine photographer Rob Hammer. You may remember Rob from my previous posts. He's been shooting for several magazines lately and doing quite a good job at it.

We met at Ink coffeeshop and talked about all things photography, what's been going on in our lives, how much shooting or lack of shooting & what people think about pretty pictures.

If you're not connecting with local photogs, I recommed giving them a call. You'll both learn something and maybe push each other to improve your work. I know Rob does with me.

Senior Portrait session with Gabe

A couple weeks ago I got to shoot Gabe for his senior portrait. I've known Gabe & his mother for several years now and we always talk about shooting a family portrait of their entire family. Something always comes up as you know life happens.

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Anyways Tamara said Gabe didn't want any typical senior photos as he's on the yearbook staff and he's seen them all. We decided to go downtown by Union Station. City scape's are always cooler then parks.

So I start setting up my Alien Bee on a light stand and out of nowhere there's this cop saying we can shoot there. Apparently there's the EPA building down there & you can't photograph it? I politely ask if I can shoot the other way and he says yes just as the second police car shows up.



The cop walks away and I giggle thinking that this is my second session this year were I got security or the police showing up.



Back to Gabe's session, we make sure & point the camera away from buildings and shoot away. We get some good shots & then decide to move up by the big mast at the end of 16th street mall. Gabe's little brother Sheldon hops up and wants a photo taken of him so I quickly adjust the lighting and shoot them both.



Tamara and Gabe both really liked the shots we got. I happy we gave Gabe something other then him leaning up against a tree.



Now all we got to do is get that schedule worked out and shoot that family portrait.

Senior Portrait session with Cole

I got asked to shoot a senior portrait session for a co-worker. We decide to make it easy & shoot it in the commons park out between the buildings at my corporate job.



Cole is really fun to shoot & we were joking around the whole time. His mother Debbie was liking the shots which makes it a good session.



Everything was going smoooth, then security showed up spouting off how this is private property & we have to leave. After we explained we worked here & showed our badges he still insisted. I asked 15 minutes & we'd be gone. DEAL.

So dad got to hold a flash mom the other & bam, bam, bam we were done.

Wonder if I slipped him a $20 if he'd left us alone?

Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai workshop

Not to long ago I got to take the Natural Lighting Portraiture workshop from Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai . It was one of the funnest workshops I've ever taken. First off considering I'm way more comfortable with off camera flash this was a very challenging time. CJ reminded me why I bought a light meter and recommended even though I shoot digital I should use it for available light. All the photos taken this weekend were shot with available light - no flash. -Yikes!




The main draw to the workshop was the "how to talk with models and/or your subject". Cheryl did a terrific job explaining how she works with a new client or model. Now I truly understand how she gets that connection in her photos.



We got to turn our photo shoots into "getting to know you" Interview shoots. To me it sure is easier to understand lighting and how radio transmitters work then sitting down without hiding behind my camera then getting to know my subject



So for two days I didn't fire a flash or hide behind my big camera. I talked, communicated, listened and got wrapped up in the storys of what makes the person special to the world and why am I photographing them. This shows up in the fact I only got one good shot of Phelyx. (I've got to spend more time with that guy to get some more shots. We talked for 45 minutes & I only took 4 frames.) (oops)



So to make things harder on us. CJ decided to invite some very talented local performers. A couple burlesque dancers and a metal bending magician. O'ryan is a fun girl who loves a martini and a good book. She will climb all over trains for a shot. She has a great Pin-Up look that photographs well.



Shotza is a bubbly dancer that is willing to try just about anything. She is quite funky to have around and has huge dog that's twice her size.





Next was Phelyx, the only guy I know who is kicked out of Blackhawk & Central City and it isn't for counting cards. He is very talented and has some amazing stories. He'll even bend a fork right in front of your eyes and barely be touching it.



The workshop is absolutely a blast I had a great time. To find out more about CJ's next workshop checkout her web. You can see more of all these characters down at Lannies Clocktower Cabaret. - even CJ as she sings down there sometimes too.

Senior portrait session with Kyle

I shot Kyle the other day for his senior portrait session. His mother works with a girl I shot last years senior portrait. She saw the photos & loved them & wanted something similar for Kyle.

Her biggest fear she told me was making Kyle feel comfortable in front of the camera. He didn't want the stuffy senior photo and he wasn't comfortable posing.



We met up at Red Rocks and got to talking & I did my best to get on the same level as Kyle. We talked about music, school and anything I could remember about connecting with a subject.

I even got Marianne to hold my light stand with the umbrella to help things move along & be enjoyable. I don't know about you but I remember going to a studio being told to sit down & do nothing while they did all this stuff then BOOM off went the light and a "thank you have a nice day"



I want people to have fun with photography. Even when I'm shooting it. Kyle & Marianne had a great time loved the photos they got.

Denver fireworks over Invesco Field & Coor's Field

Last night I went out shooting fireworks with Doug, Rob & Efrain from Illuminate Workshops. We first started at Invesco Field and shot them from Speer blvd overlooking Elitchs. Sadly Elitchs didn't have all the fun lights on.



Then with the Rockies game still going on we walked over to behind Coor's Field to find a different place to shoot those fireworks.



I met some really cool people and had a great time. If you want to go out shooting Denver night photography get intouch with Efrain as he has night photo walk every month.

Mile High Photographers Trash The Dress

click on any of the photos to be taken to the gallery



On May 12th, I got to participate in the Mile High Photographers "Trash the Dress" session. James from James Christianson Photography and Jared from Jared Wilson Photography gave instruction and bit of direction in what they do shooting weddings. RJ of Kern-Photo even gave a really cool working with flash demo.



40 some photographers got to spend five hours shooting models in wedding dresses against the Russell Gulch Ghost Town as a backdrop. What fun this was.



We had four totally awesome models willing to do whatever we asked. Thanks to Emily, Carrie, Katie, & Sherri for doing such a great job. As well as Jessica, Andrew & Shannon for doing such an awesome job organizing such a top secret event.