Posts made in July, 2010
Good deed that you can win!
I’m sure readers will remember what’s been going on with Robyn. She’s been so thankful for all the help she’s been getting and it’s so wonderful to watch the community pull together for her. Wonderful photographer and bag designer Kelly Moore is doing a RAFFLE the help Robyn get back on her feet!
That’s right, you can win any Kelly Moore bag, new or current. How, you ask?
FIRST: Just paypal $25 to robyn@buttonsandbowsphotography.com (if you want to enter more than once, send more than one gift of $25)
THEN: Come back and post a comment in this entry and let us know what you donated!
Not only are you doing a good deed, but you might just be the winner. All entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on Thursday, August 5th. One winner will be chosen after all entries are verified and they’ll get to pick a Kelly Moore bag for themselves!
Fairy Wonderful – Giveaway!
I got the stunning birthday tutu from Fairy Wonderful and it’s just as fabulous as it looks on the website!
Not only is it super colorful, but I love all the little ribbons in there besides just tulle strips. The best part about these tutus is that they’re SEWN onto the elastic. So, not only are the strips tied onto the elastic, but then the strips are sewn so they don’t untie or move around too much.
The client I photographed in this little thing actually looked down at it, grinned and shook her hips so it moved back and forth. She LOVED it and didn’t want to take it off.
Fairy Wonderful has been so fabulous, they’re offering a $25 Gift Certificate CODE to the winner here! So, how do you win?
Go to your blog, Facebook account, Flickr account, or Twitter account and post the following: Win a $25 gift certificate code to Fairy Wonderful over at www.modernmagical.com by @HeatherL thanks to www.fairywonderful.com/
Post the URL(s) to your link(s) in the comments for this entry before midnight on Friday, July 23rd. Put one link per comment (more than one post address, more than one comment, please). Winner will be chosen randomly.
Congrats to Becky Breedlove!
Photographer interview: Angela Monson
Angie Monson – www.simplicityphotography.com – Salt Lake City, UT
1. How did you fall in love with photography?
When I was 13 my dad gave me a Pentax SLR film camera and I would have my sisters and friends dress up and we would go take pictures at the train tracks (not much has changed). I have always loved fashion too so it goes hand in hand with what I do.
2. Of course, I have to ask abut your style first off. How did you develop it and refine it?
It’s been a journey… I think many photographers (like myself) start out copying or getting inspiration from other photographers and that is what I did for a while. I got bored of that and I wanted to stand out. Now I just shoot whatever comes to my mind. I try to continue to shoot for myself because I really honestly would want to quit doing what I do unless I continue to be inspired and excited about it. My clients want what they see on my website so that is why I have to continue to see for me because doing the same thing over and over can get very un-inspiring. Don’t get me wrong, I try to change it up a bit with my clients but they are paying me to create a certain look so I deliver.
3. It’s a fine fine line between processing for color and over-editing a photo, but you walk it perfectly. Do you edit each photo by hand without actions?
I went through a stage where I over-edited and now I have just taken it back a notch. My goal is for my photos to look well-lit, colorful and sharp…
4. I saw this photo and literally gasped. How did you set this one up and what is your secret to getting that color?
I basically shot this while the sun was setting. There was a tree to the side of Chloe that was filtering the light a little making it easier for me to focus on her and not have too much light coming into my lens. I also angled down on Chloe a little too so that I wouldn’t get an extreme light flare in my photo because I wanted to keep the detail in the hat and her hair. I shot it with my 85mm lens at 2.0
5. You use depth of field to tell quite the story. Do you keep your aperture on the same setting most often or find yourself moving it around a lot?
I move it around a little, usually if it’s just one subject I try to almost always shoot wide open, if there are more than one subject I try to keep them on the same plane and shoot around a 2.8 f-stop. I really just love how bokeh highlights your subject and the background plays a part but doesn’t take over the photo.
6.How carefully do you pick your locations and what do you look for in a location you love?
Awww… locations. I really stress about locations sometimes.. Since there are so many photographers that shoot basically right outside my studio now it’s really hard to be unique here in Utah, but my clients come to my studio ready to jump outside and take photos. I think I just try to do what I am best at and not focus on finding the new, coolest location around. I think I am comfortable with all the locations I use so I haven’t been getting out there to find new ones! I need to get my butt in gear because it does excite me to try new locations.
7. What gear do you shoot with and why?
Nikon D700
85mm 1.4 (70% of the time)
50mm 1.4 (for studio)
17-35 2.8 wide angel shots for weddings and family shots.
I absolutely love my 85mm, it’s my go to lens that is always sharp and never lets me down! Oh and I LOVE the bokeh on that lens!
8. A lot of your clients’ clothing choices seem be similar. How much direction do you give them on wardrobe prior to the session?
I almost don’t at all anymore. My assistant Whitney does for the most part but I just tell them to look at my blog for inspiration. People in Utah are really fashionable and beautiful, for real!
9. A lot of photographers have trouble when it comes to posing a family. Yours always look so natural and un-posed. How do you talk with your clients to get those poses?
I just talk to them a lot and ask them to act like they are sitting on the couch watching tv or to act like they are bored. Just talking to them and asking them questions about themselves really relax people. It may seem like it’s easy but I am doing a lot of work behind the scenes just trying to get everyone comfortable, getting the right light, and just getting everyone to look at me! I do have an assistant at most of my family shoots, trust me it’s worth it!
10. You do a lot of outdoor, but you also know how to shoot in the studio too and still get your signature ‘look’. What’s your favorite studio setup and how does the processing differ from your outdoor work?
I just use a large octabox and an alien bees light. I also do a lot of natural light in my studio, we have huge windows in there! I just don’t edit my studio images as much as my outdoor images because studio light is more contrasty and just doesn’t need as much enhancing.
11. Your children are simply stunning, and you capture them so well. Many of us are quite familiar with the annoying and evasive antics of a photographer’s child. What is your secret to capturing such striking images of your own little ones?
I just have fun with them, don’t yell at them and bribe them of course! My kids are so used to the camera, they know how much it means to me and I think they want to please me. They also get one on one attention too and it makes them feel special. If you act like you are going on an adventure and tell them stories while you are shooting it helps them to look more relaxed and have fun!
12. You do a lot of siblings. We all know how hard it can sometimes be to get kids to get close to each other. How do you handle that?
I just talk really soft to them and talk about what they do together for fun, sometimes I have them tickle each other, and other times I ask them who gets in the most trouble. Sometimes it’s difficult but that’s why I have an assistant helping me. There are times when I have to ask the parents to just walk around the corner so that the kids won’t act out as much. I just joke around a lot but I try not to get too crazy until the end because kids will match your energy and you don’t want them crazy the first 2 minutes. Always have empathy for the kids and dad that usually don’t want to be there. I try to joke around with them as much as possible so they will at least have a little fun and it won’t be as miserable as they thought!!
Little Owls
Anyone who knows me knows I have a love affair with bird. Owls and hummingbirds, specifically. I LOVE that there are so many owl things around these days! I just had to feature Layla Grayce again because they have so many cute owl and bird items. Owlage in abundance!
And some bird items that aren’t owls:
Help a stranger (or maybe a not-so-stranger)
I have a friend in Orlando named Robyn Pollman. She runs Buttons and Bows Photography and Paperie Boutique (who has been a sponsor here for Modern Magical) and is one of the best and most in-demand photographers in Florida. She has been pretty much forced from her home this month never to return, all due to Chinese Drywall. It’s caused her a pantload of health issues and it just compounds. Vomiting, colitis, migraines, insomnia. Her kids were sick all the time, the appliances need replacing every 6 months due to corrosion. It’s a nightmare. They’ve had to leave everything porous, since not only it it pretty much poisoned, but it will continue to ‘off-gas’ and contaminate everything in their new place, turning any home they bring this stuff into a lethal area (really, the gas was used as part of a nerve poison in WW1!).
Her update:
paperieboutique.com/2010/06/15/made-in-china/
Chinese drywall links:
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/drywall/docs/Drywall_for_Healthcare_Providers.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/drywall/
They and their two boys are in a new rental place, but it’s a lot like a house fire and insurance will probably not cover that loss because it’s not ’sudden’. So, she’s lost everything that’s not metal or ceramic or glass. Furniture, bedding, shelving, clothes, books, boxes.. everything. This includes all of her photography things except for one body and one lens she had been keeping as a backup in her garage instead of the house.
So, she needs help. Photographers and other companies across the US are sending props and I’ve personally cleaned out an entire closet of my own to ship to her. The one thing I can’t send is camera gear. She’s been saving up for a new camera body (a D700) and a few new lenses for more than a year, but now that money has to go to buying her kids things and replacing furniture. I want for her to be able to finally be able to upgrade and replace what she’s lost, which is going to be about $6000.
I’m writing in hopes that people will come through in some donations for her. $5, $10, $50.. whatever you can will be a help. Since she’s not an organization and not a non-profit, this is not tax-deductible, but she just needs a little help to get back on her feet this once. Please paypal whatever you can to robyn@buttonsandbowsphotography.com so she can have a little pick-me up and get what she needs to keep working. Huge thanks to everyone in advance!
Happy Birthday, Paperie Boutique!!
It’s been a fantastic year for Robyn over at Paperie Boutique. She launched right at this time just one year ago and has just been going up ever since! Several places around the net are hosting huge happy birthday giveaways and coupons, so be sure to keep your eye on Paperie Boutique to find out where!
Magical Neutrals
I’ve always felt that neutral colors are plain and boring, or even just plain boring! They’re growing on me recently though, becoming more ethereal and elegant. Here’s a selection of neutral colored items that are still quite magical! All products from Layla Grayce!
Photographer Interview: Cristina Grissett
Christina Grissett – http://christinagrissettphotography.com – Florence, SC
1. How did you fall in love with photography? Loved photography since high school, shooting with my Pentax K1000. Took a break through college, then I married, had a baby, plus a new digital camera, and BAM! Total creativity.
2. Obviously the first thing I have to ask about is your unique style. How did you develop your style for your photos? Flickr, mentoring, and experimenting. I have to say it is also your creative “EYE” too. You can teach “art” but not everyone can be an artist.
3. How much processing time do you have to spend on an average session? Do you enjoy it? Heavy question here! I dock my Iphone next to the computer, press play, and edit one image per song (3-5 min). The music starts to fade and I’m finished. I do enjoy it because it combines two of my favs, music and art.
4. In this image, your girl is backlit, but there is still light on her face and eyes. How do you prefer to light your subjects when you’re going for a shot like this? This was taken at 7:30 in an open field, so the backlight is soft and the sky behind me brings reflected light back into her face. You have to move around to find that light. Shuffle those feet!
5. I know SC is disgusting in the summer (I’m in GA myself) with the heat and humidity and bugs. How do you deal with nasty heat and still have your clients look so fresh and happy? Man, if you can do it, then later in the evening is the best, say 7. That’s why I am in so many fields lately. I can catch a breeze, the sun is setting, and the heat is not so intense. But believe me, we are all sweat hogs at the end! I always have bug spray too!
6. How carefully do you pick your locations and what do you look for in a location you love? Very, very carefully. I stalk those seedy alleys and funked up buildings. I zing by a few days before to see what the light is doing, cause that crazy sun moves from month to month! Illumination is the key to a great spot.
7. What gear do you shoot with and why? D700-full frame, great ISO capabilities. Lens- 24- 70 2.8, 20% of the time for those wild moving kiddos, the 85mm 1.8 the other 80%.
8. I love that you show a fair amount of the backgrounds when you’re working outside. Do you have a favorite aperture you work in? I use my 85mm at 1.8 to 2.0.
9. You also do studio work, so you are quite versatile! What’s your favorite go-to lighting setup? Oh man, I am still learning the studio stuff! I use an Alien bee 800, with a 7ft octobox.
10. Your children are simply stunning, and you capture them so well. Many of us are quite familiar with the annoying and evasive antics of a photographer’s child. What is your secret to capturing such striking images of your own little ones? $$$$! And, for Kate, a Sonic slush!
11. Your locations have a ton of color in them. How do you spot these locations and know what they will look like in the final shot? Foresight into what this image is going to be in the end, once again, your creative “eye”. I can see it before it’s edited. I know what Photoshop tools I will use to get the results I want.
12. Older kids are so tough to keep natural in front of the camera. How do you do it? I always suggest poses, but I also say, if it feels comfortable to you! They will typically position themselves in a similar way, but since they have control, they do look much more natural. But still sometimes, you get that statue look, and you have to switch tracks altogether.
