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.