August 4th, 2010
It finally hit me.
On my way to Ali’s house I realized I had no idea what to expect, but that didn’t bother me so much. This was going to be an unusual shoot for me. One that involved a studio. Lighting. Fishnet stockings! But still, it hadn’t actually hit me until I was standing in front of an octobox and other such lighting equipment that I suddenly realized… not only did I not know what most of them were called but also, I hadn’t a clue what I was doing. Sure I’d watched Zack Arias’ workshop on studio lighting, but the expensive equipment had a way of reminding me that I was delusional. Simply delusional. I was overwhelmed and I didn’t know where to start. There was no way I was going to be able to pull this off. Real photographers know the names of any and all studio lighting equipment and know how to use it all. Real photographers’ hands don’t shake while merely turning on the strobe. Real photographers don’t feel like they’re about to puke all over the gorgeous model who had just spent an hour and a half in hair and makeup. My nerves were bad. The people in the room didn’t realize my nightmare was about to come true. Actually, they may have.
See, I never thought I’d ever get a chance to shoot in a studio. Never never. But if I ever did, I knew exactly what I wanted the result to look like. This was my chance, and I had no idea what I was doing, or how I was going to make that happen. In my head I pictured a man standing in the middle of a room that seemed to go on for ages, a dark room, and very little light. One light to be exact, from behind to wrap around him and create a dramatic glow. To make your pre-visualization a reality is a difficult task. Especially when you didn’t expect to have this opportunity laid right in front of you to do with what you wanted. Jump in, or give up? Jump in ladies and gentlemen, with shaking hands but jump in.
My heart was pounding, but I went to it. After a few failed attempts, before Kimberly stepped on set, I scrapped the whole thing and started over. Someone wise once said, if it isn’t right don’t push the button. I came back with this:
Not exactly what I had in my mind, but in so many other ways it is so much better. Lens flare and all, I love it. Simply. Mostly because… I did it. I conquered my shaking hands, and came back with a photo that wasn’t disappointing. For me.
That’s all that matters, folks.
At it’s core, this is Ali’s creation. This was her shoot and her model, I just donated the shirt! :) But she invited me and let me play, so really, without her I would’ve never had the guts to do this for myself. Thanks for pushing me, Ali.
I realized a couple of things. One, studio lighting is actually easier to manipulate than natural light, once your setup is right. Two, light meters are your friend. Err, my friend.
Also, the wonderful Kimberly does not disappoint. Pretty sure, we’ll be see amazing things from this girl! And one day when she’s famous and sought-after by some of the world’s best designers… she will send me some fabulous couture. Hey, a girl can dream (and hint)! Kim, as always, you’re beautiful inside and out. I trust this won’t be the last I see of you! :D Here’s to many many successes!
Also, a great big thank you to Rich Legg for being so cool, yes, but also for letting us use his studio space and lighting equipment. You make our photo community go round and round, thank you for everything that you do and for all of the time you spend helping others. You pretty much rock!
Rich rents his studio for $30 an hour ($60 for 3 hours and $90 for 6 hours) including the use of his lighting equipment. Really folks, it doesn’t get any better than this. I’m really bad with dimensions, but it’s a really big room with really tall ceilings, and I really think you need to just go and see it for yourselves. Call Rich now to make your appointment: 801.568.1000. Oh, and actually those dimensions, and other information, you can find here. Go. Now.
And here’s a natural smile to end this with.
Cheers!
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July 14th, 2010
This is Debbie. I found Debbie wandering alone and frightened on the internet. Ok, it was actually me who was alone and frightened, not Debs. In other words, I went to Craigslist. Yup, I went there, the South Central of the internets. But you know what, I grew up not 10 minutes away from the real west side so I kinda knew what to expect. (My head being blown off? Yes.) Anyway, I felt much safer hiding behind my computer screen than I would have, say, roaming around in Compton at 10pm. That’s a given right? So anyway, I found cute little Debbie, sent a few messages back and forth, and hoped she wasn’t actually some serial killer looking for a gullible photographer. All was well until she asked me to come to her house! My red flags waved high and mighty above my head, and my “duck and cover” instincts came back like they’d never been dormant to begin with. After a few more conversations ending with me feeling like a horrible horrible person I decided to meet with her… and bring Ali with me, you know, just in case! ;)
While I was editing these I noticed that she had the prettiest light brown tint around her pupil. Debbie, I’m pretty sure you get compliments about your eyes all the time but one more won’t hurt ya, you’ve got some stellar eyes, girlfriend!
Debbie decided she wanted to try her hand at modeling after getting so many comments from friends and family that it should be something she should consider. She was looking for a start to her portfolio and I was looking for someone to practice a few things on. She’s since worked with a few other photographers, but this was one of her first shoots. She took direction beautifully and was not afraid to ask questions when she wasn’t sure. I love that!
Debbie has a very feisty outgoing personality. If I were ever in a bar brawl, I’d want this girl in my corner…. while I hide in a bathroom stall. Yep, this is why me and the west side never got along.
This photo might be one of my favorites. I remember getting in the car after we were done and saying to Ali, Man, she has a killer jawline. Who says that?! This photo takes my point home. The lines in her cheekbones and jaw are some kind of wonderful. Can you spell jealous?
This ledge was about ten feet off the ground, (it was more like two and a half, but who’s that accurate?). As I was climbing up, I lost my balance and almost tipped over completely off the ledge. Luckily Ali was there to, literally, catch my ass otherwise I would now be able to safely call myself a broke ass. Now that’s love (before they all laughed).
I had a hard time getting up there in flats, but little Miss Show-Off stepped right up there IN HEELS like it was just another step at the local library. I secretly hate her and her long legs.
She has such beautiful hair. I’d die and come back as a mermaid if I could have hair like that. I really would.
So folks, if you’re a local photographer looking for a model please consider Debbie. I haven’t asked her if I could share her information on the webs, so shoot me an email janey@findmimi.com.
Cheers!
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June 22nd, 2010
I owe Twitter a huge thanks for hooking me up with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. Twitter has allowed a gal to make real connections, that would’ve otherwise taken years to develop. In the little time I’ve been here I’ve met a handful of people that I can honestly call my friends. Being a transplant from SoCal, I thought I was destined to a life in Utah with no friends, but because of Twitter (like I said) I’ve met some hearty like-minded people. You guys rock!
I was pleasantly surprised to find several emails waiting in my inbox because of this post. It was more than I was expecting, and I seriously can’t thank each of you enough. Thank you, thank you! Your emails mean more to me than you know and I loved reading each and every one of them!
And then of course, there’s my BFFI (best friend for infinity) Ali. We confuse folks on Twitter and iPhone auto-correct hates us, but we stick it out and live for the hilarity. Dude, you’re my sister from another mister, and I’m so glad I met you! You make the winters short, summers extra summery and studio spaces not so scary! I love you like a fat kid loves cake!
Also, If it weren’t for you, Miss Ali, I would’ve never met Rich Legg who also deserves a quick shout-out! Thanks Rich, for letting us play in your studio, you’re awesome!
More about Rich, his studio, and our experience in a post to come. For now, here’s a quick preview of what I produced, thanks to his space:
I know it’s not Thanksgiving, but you can handle some gratitude without the turkey right?
Cheers!
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June 4th, 2010
If you missed the Part I, check it out here!
I’ve left this alone long enough, don’tcha think? Thought it was time for the finale of the Cambria series. Although, I have to say, that I hope she will grace my blog again soon, so call this a “Cambria (please say yes) Pause” if you will. As mentioned on Part I, Ali was my partner in crime on this shoot, as always and forever. Hair and Makeup was done by Alysse Lemke of Alysse Lemke: Good Looking Inc.
We left the segment with a change in costume and hair accessory. We were lucky to shoot with a model who came prepared with a vast selection of wardrobe options. We came up with this:
The coat is a styling via Ali Fashion and Designs, I contributed the hair accessory (thanks Forever21!), and Cambria did the rest. We’re a pretty remarkable team, I tell ya.
This pose was encouraged by Ali. I was able to get this lovely shot of Cambria while Ali directed away. There’s a melancholy that is palpable. Black and whites are hard for me to come by, but what Cambria has done here is beautiful. This may be one of my favorite photos from this shoot.
It should be noted that this was not a particularly warm day, regardless, Cambria hit it out of the park. She took direction gracefully, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she actually wanted to punch us in the foreheads, but it didn’t show! Cambria, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry if I bossed you around too much, please don’t punch me in the forehead!
This shoot was super fun. Yes, taking pictures is THE cat’s meow, or whatever, and while that’s great fun, hanging with these wonderful ladies is even moreso. I seriously can’t thank Ali enough for dealing with me, all around, and Cambria for allowing me the absolute pleasure of photographing her. You guys are the bees’ knees (And that concludes this portion of 1920′s slang).* A proclamation for all the interwebs to see! <– (About how cool you guys are, not about the slang. For clarification.)
As always I like to end my posts with a gorgeous smile when I can. And this may be one of the prettiest I’ve seen all day. Ok, it is! It is!
To see more photos from our shoot and to view the slideshow please click here!
Cheers!
*Cambria and I kicked it last night and she let “bees’ knees” slip out while we chatted, to further prove that only the most awesome people in the world use 1920′s slang. See Cam? Told you I used bees’ knees!
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April 15th, 2010
It all started with a tweet. Or two, or three…
@CambriaAnn: My photography class just made me model. I’ll be honest, it was awesome
@findmimi to @CambriaAnn: Well you’re gorgeous! Maybe you could pose for me sometime? {Told you I was getting ballsy(ER)}
@CambriaAnn to @findmimi: Aw thanks! Anytime!
TweetTweet
I don’t think she knew how completely and utterly serious I was. But boy, was she about to find out.
I’d had this idea of peacock hair accessories and railroad tracks brewing in my mind for some time. One that started out as a “We could…” while Ali and I were trying to figure out what to do with Kimberly. But it didn’t stick. This shoot was meant for Cambria, I just didn’t know it at the time. She had the right amount of “rock” that I was looking for. Crazy thing is, she’s completely the opposite in person. Sweet, bubbly, and pure. Or maybe I just have to get to know her a little bit better. KIDDING!
This was the very very first shot. See how much fun we have? We iz crazy, ya’ll. Gettin’ our hair did in a vacant parking lot, in da hizzy. That’s about all the urban talk I gots. For now.
And I may never have another photo shoot without a makeup artist. Alysse Lemke was so cool to work with. And just LOOK at what she did!
It was as if she peeked through my ear holes, saw the vision I had in my brain, and went *phwah* {because, you know, makeup artists all have a distinctive noise they make when they wave their makeupy wand about} over Cambria’s golden locks, and done. Just like that. She was so cool.
Did I mention how crazy cool she is? I did? Well, look above. Those eyes. *dies*
Now, Cambria was so much fun to take pictures of. We kept giggling between shots, because I would say, “Now looook up here. Chiiiin out. Squint just a teeeeny bi… YES!! HOLDITGORGEOUS!!!” And she’d completely dissolve. I never claimed to be cool. Not THAT cool, anyway.
She doesn’t need any help standing out, but I love the contrast of the background and subject. She just bursts of color and life sitting in front of the old rusty train car.
I love this one for all its moodyness and faded color. It’s what I imagine old London to be like in the winter. Where the streets are colorless and everyone is melancholy. Mmmm, beautiful.
Now I don’t like to pick favorites with my photos, but this one?? Fierce. She’s about to knock yo momma out.
Slight variation. Someone once said, repetition is boring, but I just couldn’t bring myself to cut this one. And to make it a *little* different, I went ahead and played with with the color to see if I could give it a different feel. I’m lyin’, ya’ll! Different feel, pshh! It’s fierce and it isn’t going anywhere, ’cause I make up the rules. So there.
And we’ll end with a natural smile. My fave!
We had a change of wardrobe and hair accessory, and this post was getting way too long to add them all so I thought this would be a happy place to break. I’ll have Part II soon.
Cheers!
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April 11th, 2010
This week we were all hit pretty hard with a cold. Not wanting to burden anybody with Pseudoephedrine-induced ramblings, I’ve closed up shop for a few days. (EVEN ABANDONING TWITTER!!!)
We’re slowly recovering, but the babe started last night with a runny nose, so I may be absent a few more days to focus on my family. Not without, however, a little preview of what I’m cooking up.
To keep it short, Ali and I had another little adventure last weekend.
Stay tuned…
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March 31st, 2010
This is Kimberly. I had the pleasure of shooting her alongside my photog companion Ali. These are a few of my favorites.
Although, it was hard to choose because she’s just so dang gorgeous.
It should also be noted that Kimberly is wearing designsbyjaney, a high end fashion line that’s also versatile in length. For example, on me this dress is calf-length, on her as you can see, it is not. CALVES, people! I’m never going anywhere without 4″ heels, that’s all I’m sayin’. I may even sleep in them.
Nothing beats a natural smile.
And those eyes. They burned a hole right through my lens.
Every good girl likes her shoes. These were so adorable I couldn’t pass up a shot.
One day I will look back on these photos and cringe, one day. I will be embarrassed that I blasted these photos and hoped someone would take notice. One day I will be a better photographer and use this as a point of reference. But for today, these photos represent hope. Today I am proud to show these off. I am filled with joy to have been the photographer who took these photos. One day I hope to look back and be proud of how far I’ve come.
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March 8th, 2010
Meet one of my very good friends, and fantabulous foodbloggess/photographer/model extraordinaire Miss Alicia.
Ali and I met through the wonderfulness of Twitter, then IRL (<--hehe) when she helped a complete stranger (me) during an impossible situation. Since then we've become super fast, super awesome friends.
One day Ali had the brilliant idea of hiring a model for a fun photo shoot. At first I was just going to tag along but after a few cancellations with said model, we decided to just take the lead go out and do it ourselves, because pshhh! who needs a model?
So we set the date, planned for babysitters, and headed out. Because I’m still pretty new to SLC Ali has to show me the ropes. She took me to Decades, a fabulous little vintage shop in the heart of SLC. If you are from the area and haven’t been, you are missing out. We decided to go to the fabulous vintage shop BEFORE the shoot to, you know, save on time. This decision ended up being a terrible mistake!
Let’s just say we both share a very deep appreciation for vintage clothing. So after a few try-ons, ogling and more ogling over shoes, hats, dresses, skirts, etc., and yet another stop at a DIFFERENT thrift store we were finally in a position to, you know, get down to business. Only problem was that it was now 5:30 and we were nowhere near hair and makeup, and we still had to drive to our location. (Which wasn’t far, but still!)
You know how earlier I said we didn’t need any models? Well, I lied. Ali was gracious enough to pose for me because hello! Have you seen this woman? And double hello! She was a model! No-brainer. BUT I was losing light fast, and because I’m not very savvy in the ways of artificial light, this was a problem. Which meant that either a) I was about to kill a shoot with an awesome subject, or b) I was about to completely obliterate a shoot with an awesome subject. Call it off? Not this girl! It would’ve been terribly embarrassing had I not been able to get a few good shots when my subject looks the way that she does, but I wasn’t quite ready to admit defeat. We got dressed (in a parking garage), splashed on some makeup, grabbed our coats (it was like 40 degrees out, yo!), and hurried out to catch the last bit of light.
And can I add? What a pro! You can’t even tell she was shaking in her gladiators. I give this girl major props for being able to pull that off without giving off how cold it was. You can’t tell in her face or her body language, and that should not be overlooked. She’s pretty awesome.
I hope she’ll give me the chance to shoot her again (with my camera), and maybe next time I’ll be able to do her justice.
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