It’s rainy and gloomy here in North Carolina this morning. For those of you who need a little color in their life – here is a photo from my shoot yesterday with the beautiful Leigh.
Archive for February, 2010
A Pretty Picture; Winston Salem, North Carolina Photographer
February 22, 2010Before & After; Winston Salem, North Carolina Photographer
February 19, 2010I never claim to know everything and am always willing to help out where I can. I often times feel like after I give my answers (rather in person or through email – about photography or not), people throw their hands up and think “Is that IT?!” I feel like I let people down because I always come back to the point that it took me a lot of time and a lot of effort to learn what I have and that you have to do the same and make it work for YOU.
A question I get asked a lot in the world of photography is about my image sharpness. How do I do it, what lens do I use, what settings and so on. This post may be a little boring to most, but I feel it important to take time out to help those who have questions and who I may even want to learn a thing or two from in the future.
I always shoot manual and natural light. I have been in situations where I have had to use flash, but NEVER outside. If an indoor situation calls for it, I bounce my SB-600 from either a wall or ceiling or light colored platform nearby. My main lens at the moment is my 50mm, f/1.8 and I almost always shoot wide open. Does this mean every single shot is in focus and nailed the first time? Absolutely not. I try take a few similar shots before I re-pose my clients just to make sure I nail the photo I want. Besides, no client or agency will ever want 10 photos of the same pose – so as long as you nailed a couple, you are good to go!
I am also a fan of Photoshop Actions and am not ashamed. They make my work flow so much quicker and I adore the little effects I can add to photos. I think everyone is beautiful already, but I love the extra little pop I can add to my photos. Some of my favorites are Red Leaf Work flow, Totally Rad Revenge, Pioneer Woman Action set 1 and Oeil. I think in the end, it’s all about finding what works best for you and your work flow and a style that speaks to you. Practice, practice, practice, and don’t be afraid to ask for tips or tricks along the way.
D300, 50mm, f/1.8, 1/500 sec, ISO Low 70.
D300, 50mm, f/1.8, 1/250 sec, ISO Low 70.
D300, 50mm, f/2, 1/320 sec, ISO 200
D300, 50mm, f/2.5, 1/100 sec, ISO 320.
D300, 50mm, f/2.2, 1/160 sec, ISO 200.
D300, 50mm, f/1.8, 1/400 sec, ISO 200.
Happy Valentine’s Day; Winston Salem, North Carolina Photographer
February 14, 2010I adore love. I adore everything about it. How it envelops kindness, forgiveness, acceptance, beauty, adoration. How it can take your breath away, literally. How it even spelled out looks beautiful. I adore the simplicity of it, yet the deep and engaging meaning.
These are just a few things I love;
Coffee. Animals. Cuddles. My boyfriend. My friends. Music. A glass of wine. Silence. Photography. Looking at old photos of my father. Making jewelry. Seeing the wind in the trees. Long walks in the summer. The beach. Peanuts. Chocolate. Cooking. When it’s warm enough outside to have the windows open. Riding in the car with the windows down and singing out loud to the songs on the radio with someone by your side. Blogging. Hot baths. Laughing so hard my stomach hurts. Making other people laugh. Holding hands. A hug every time I come back home from being somewhere. Sweet tea. Seeing my cats happy. My dog giving me high 5′s. Handmade gifts. Video games. Good movies. Horseback riding. Flowers. Food from the garden. Cucumber sandwiches. Whiskey. Web design. Birds. New friendships. Finding those perfect shoes to match that perfect shirt. Being in Georgia with Teresa. Being home. Banana peppers. Getting a new tattoo. My tattoos. My parents. Learning new things. Sharing said new things with someone else who is also excited to learn new things. Reading a good book. Being inspired for a photo shoot from a dream I had. Being at The Felice Brother’s show. Seeing/hearing Andy sing. Andy’s mother. Faith. Boots. Porch swings. Hardwood floors. Goats. Having a job I enjoy. Steak. Documentaries. Antique furniture. 66 Mustangs. Clean sheets.
I could go on and on and on, but these are just a few of the simple pleasures in life that I love. Even if you don’t have a special someone today, let it serve as a reminder to look around you at what you DO have and enjoy and love. Also, remember that if you have a pet, they love you with every ounce of their being – so return the favor today with a cuddle and a little extra play time. Everyone deserves a little love. 
I know I said I would post a boudoir shoot today, but I am going to post it tomorrow, instead. Here is a collage of 2 simple photos I shot yesterday to remember this Valentine’s Day by.
Chevara Orrin; Anytime – Winston Salem, North Carolina Photographer
February 11, 2010I don’t even know where to begin with this post. I have been putting it off for a couple of weeks now just for that reason.
There are people you meet in your life that you just KNOW will make a difference. Rather it’s short term or long term, it doesn’t really matter at the time. There are people that put off an energy of sincere concern and desire to learn about you. To get to know you and that really care about you as a person and a human being. They look around and open their arms to all walks of life, even those that are nothing like them, and offer them a chance. A ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on, and they open their home. A home that is a personal living space, their comfort and solace – they open that to a complete stranger. Chevara is one of those people.
A couple of months ago, I was looking for a venue for which to shoot a bridal shoot. The weather was calling for rain and then it quickly switched to snow. I called location after location down town Winston and was turned away or calls were not returned. Then, 2 days before my shoot, I received a call from Chevara. She lives in the Leaf Loft Apartments in down town Winston and was wanting me to come visit to see if her home would work for my shoot. I took her up on her offer, met her that afternoon, and was blown away by not only her beautiful home (which was perfect!), but her energy and warmth. She welcomed me with a huge, tight hug and a smile that lit up the room. She was full of energy, asked lots of questions about my photography and told me her house was open for me to shoot in any time I would like.
Later that night, I Googled Chevara, just out of curiosity. What I read on various websites blew me away and gave me so much encouragement and inspiration. She has her own art gallery called White Space, and began the first transgender panel at Winston-Salem State University, helped found their first gay-straight alliance for students, as well as fights for women’s rights. She is a member on the boards for the Winston-Salem Symphony, Partnership for a Drug-Free NC, Twin City Stage, Citizen Police Review Board, and RiverRun International Film Festival. I am sure I have not listed a handful of other things she takes part in, but I think you get a small glimpse at the amazing woman I had the pleasure to meet and work with. As quoted from another site (because I couldn’t say it better myself), Chevara is “5-foot powerhouse in 4 inch heels.”
Since Chevara was so kind and willing to open her home to me, I wanted to give her a shoot of her own to thank her for her kindness. These are just a few of my favorites from our day together. Chevara, thank you for everything, from the bottom of my heart. You are a ray of sunshine in my life and I think of you often. You give me hope, encouragement and inspiration and believed in me from the moment you met me. I cannot wait to see how we can help each other out along our paths in life.
Chevara mentioned that she loved the photos I did of Sterling with her name, Crawly. Sterling was kind enough to bring him to Chevara’s shoot for us to use!
This is the smile I have seen every time I’ve been around Chevara. It’s intoxicating.
Yummy light!
