Last Sunday's shoot went wonderful. In total we had two models, the designer, a hair and make up artist, a videographer, one photographer (myself), and three assistants. The weather was not the best with drizzle for most of the morning, but we worked through it and by the end it was nice and sunny outside. With any photo shoot, especially one of this size with so many different people there needs to be a cohesion of the group. Everyone needs to know their job and be able to work together to make the shoot a success. If a photo shoot is seen as a watch, the people are the gears that make that watch work. Every person on our team had a job that helped another do their job. With out the models, the hair/MUA would not be able to do her job. With out the Hair/MUA, the models would not be ready to be photographer. The designer provided the clothing that the models would wear and I would shoot. The assistants made it so I could focus on shooting and not on moving gear around. I'm sure you get the idea. I am always wary before going into one of these shoots, because you never know who will work great together or on the other hand get on each others nerves. We were all lucky that everyone seemed to jump right in as though we had been long time friends.
When it setting up any kind of photo shoot, the most important thing is communication. Everyone needs to be in the loop and up to date with what is going on. Logistics can be a daunting task, as a photographer you have to be the "ring leader" and double even triple check with every part of the team to make sure everything and everyone will be there. The last thing you want is to show up and realize that you forgot to confirm with hair or a model has no transportation last minute. Keeping on top of the logistical portions of the photo shoot will make the actual shoot day much more enjoyable and have a higher chance of positive fruition. Below are some of the images I was able to capture with my wonderful team.

Last week I talked about my test shoot for my thesis idea for macro images of lips with paint. Well, it did not work out, but it was not a total loss. We definitely learned what will not work in getting the look we want. We are going back to the drawing board to figure out what paints and make up will work together better than our previous attempt.

On the bright side I have another photo shoot planned with a great designer I worked with a few months ago. Here is an image from our last photo shoot together.

It was a lot of fun that day and we got some great imagery with our team. Our photo shoot tomorrow will have more of a spring look and hopefully the weather will work with us.The last time around I did not have an assistant with me. This time I am going to be utilizing a location lighting kit and managed to get three assistants to help me out. I also have someone coming to do some behind the scenes video of the shoot which I am sure will be great. I hope to share some new images with you all after tomorrow.

The past week has been spent brain storming and scheduling for my thesis idea. After many failed attempts of coming up with an idea over the last couple months, I wound up going back to one of my original ideas. If approved in a couple of weeks, I will be spending the next year building on it and hopefully creating a beautiful series of images.

The basic idea of my thesis is to create a series of macro shots of lips with varying themes created with paint. Here is an example:

Note: this is not my image, I give full credit to the photographer, creative director, MUA and anyone else involved with creating this superb image.

Now I do not have a concrete path to which I will take this, as of yet. There is a possibility that there will also be an accompanying series of images of eyes as well to complete my idea. At this point, anything could happen. My initial thoughts are to create varying looks with influence from what is thought as beautiful in different parts of the world. I have brought together a great team to work with me including a model, assistant, and painter/MUA to help me bring my idea to life. We have a test shoot scheduled for this Sunday. I am very excited to see what comes of it and I will be eager to share the results with you all.

My first blog ever and I have no idea where to begin. I am not really even sure what to do or what to talk about. This should be an interesting journey, and I am sure I will look back at this first post and will feel very ashamed. Well let's see, I have just begun my ninth quarter at the Art Institute of Seattle.
I have spent the last two years of my life learning about commercial photography and all of its nuances. It finally came to the point where I had to man up and start my portfolio classes. Basically I have begun the series of classes that will help me put together my final portfolio and my thesis for graduation.
I spent so long worrying about getting to this point and not being ready, well I am here and I do not feel like I am ready. Regardless, I will do what I have to to get the job done. Of course I will also be doing my usual display of what others might call cockiness, (I prefer to call it confidence). The secret I guess is to "fake it till you make it".
Luckily few will ever know how uncertain and not confident I am when it comes to my photography and skills behind a camera. Unless of course they wind up reading this, in which case I am totally joking.