So please allow me to introduce you to these handsome, and dedicated, future attorneys.
Meet Charles...
Marcos...
Josh...
And Stan...
What a great looking group of future lawyers, huh? I'd hire them! Wouldn't you?
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Phoenix School of Law | Student Head Shots
Several of my husband's law school classmates have been asking me about having professional head shots taken in the school library. After enough requests, I finally contacted the school to see if they would give me permission. The school agreed to allow me to come in one day during Spring Break, when it wouldn't be too much of a disturbance. Of course, the last place most students want to be during break is the school library, but these guys made it out for photos. That's what I call dedication!
So please allow me to introduce you to these handsome, and dedicated, future attorneys.
Meet Charles...
Marcos...
Josh...
And Stan...
What a great looking group of future lawyers, huh? I'd hire them! Wouldn't you?
So please allow me to introduce you to these handsome, and dedicated, future attorneys.
Meet Charles...
Marcos...
Josh...
And Stan...
What a great looking group of future lawyers, huh? I'd hire them! Wouldn't you?
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Equipment Doesn't Matter Or Does It?
I've been meaning to write this post for a while, but when I read another article about this today I was finally spurred into motion because I think it's high time someone set the record straight. If you live in the world of photography, you become bombarded with the phrase "equipment doesn't matter" over and over and over again.
And I'm here to tell you that is a big fat lie.
Now before I get crucified for that statement, let me be clear. I am not claiming that you can put high end gear in the hands of someone who has no clue how to use it and get amazing photos. Nor am I saying that an awesome photographer can't take incredible images with a cell phone camera. But what I am saying is that many in the industry spout off "equipment doesn't matter" like it is the end all be all golden rule of photography. But it's not, because let's be honest here... If the same image quality could be obtained with a cell phone camera verses a high end DSLR, pro photographers wouldn't be spending thousands of dollars to purchase them, and if a single lens could do an incredible job of capturing every photo imaginable, pros wouldn't own more than one.
Equipment does matter. It matters a lot.
All this phrase does is confuse those beginners who are just starting and leave them wondering why they can't get tack sharp images and amazing bokeh with their 18-55 mm f/5.6 stock lens that came with their entry level DSLR camera.
Three years ago, I was that beginner.
As I sat in my first photography class surrounded by more advanced students who owned better equipment than I did, I constantly wondered why my images didn't look like theirs. No matter what I did I couldn't get my photos to look as in focus as theirs, nor could I get a gorgeous out of focus background behind my subjects like they could. Then I bought my 70-200 f/2.8, attached it to my camera, and BAM! tack sharp images and amazing bokeh first time out.
For years, I admired a favorite photographer's indoor photos of her family, especially the ones taken in very dim lighting. Then I bought my DSLR camera and repeatedly failed to take similar photos. I had no idea why I couldn't make my images look like hers did. Then I bought my 50 mm f/1.2, attached it to my camera, opened it to f/1.2, pointed it at my dogs with nothing lighting the room but a single lamp, and BAM! great images.
Today I understand that the optical quality of the glass in that stock lens is not equal to the optical quality of the glass in my high end lenses, so the clarity of the images isn't going to be the same. Today I understand that the blurred background behind my subjects is created by the depth of field which is controlled by my aperture setting, so a lens with a widest aperture of f/5.6 is never going to create the same image as one with a widest aperture of f/1.2. Today I know that in a dimly lit environment my camera is going to produce very noisy images at ISO settings of 800 and above, so the only hope I have of shooting in dim light is with a very wide aperture or on a tripod with a slow shutter speed. Back then I didn't know any of those things. All I knew was that since equipment doesn't matter I must just suck.
And that didn't feel very good. Not good at all.
These days I am a bit smarter. Recently, I've been struggling to master a technique that I have been practicing over and over with zero success. So finally, I asked another photographer about it who does have it mastered. I showed him what I was trying to do, and simply asked, "Why can't I do this? Is it me or my lens?" His answer, "Your lens."
Awesome. Maybe I don't suck after all.
And neither do you! If you're new to photography and struggling to create an image, it is possible that your equipment is limiting your ability to capture the photos you are after. So before you get completely frustrated or even worse, give up, seek out a friendly, more advanced, photographer and ask for help. Because that "equipment doesn't matter" thing really needs to be taken with a grain of salt (and maybe a shot of tequila and a lime, too).
And just so we are clear...
I am absolutely not suggesting that an individual must run out and spend thousands on equipment to be an awesome photographer. Instead what I am saying is that you need to become the master of everything in your bag. You need to know what each and every piece of equipment you own can do. And what it can't. So that when you do purchase new equipment, you understand the limitations of what you already own and what you need the new equipment to do for you.
If you made it the end and are still with me, thanks for sticking around and reading my long winded post.
And I'm here to tell you that is a big fat lie.
Now before I get crucified for that statement, let me be clear. I am not claiming that you can put high end gear in the hands of someone who has no clue how to use it and get amazing photos. Nor am I saying that an awesome photographer can't take incredible images with a cell phone camera. But what I am saying is that many in the industry spout off "equipment doesn't matter" like it is the end all be all golden rule of photography. But it's not, because let's be honest here... If the same image quality could be obtained with a cell phone camera verses a high end DSLR, pro photographers wouldn't be spending thousands of dollars to purchase them, and if a single lens could do an incredible job of capturing every photo imaginable, pros wouldn't own more than one.
Equipment does matter. It matters a lot.
All this phrase does is confuse those beginners who are just starting and leave them wondering why they can't get tack sharp images and amazing bokeh with their 18-55 mm f/5.6 stock lens that came with their entry level DSLR camera.
Three years ago, I was that beginner.
As I sat in my first photography class surrounded by more advanced students who owned better equipment than I did, I constantly wondered why my images didn't look like theirs. No matter what I did I couldn't get my photos to look as in focus as theirs, nor could I get a gorgeous out of focus background behind my subjects like they could. Then I bought my 70-200 f/2.8, attached it to my camera, and BAM! tack sharp images and amazing bokeh first time out.
For years, I admired a favorite photographer's indoor photos of her family, especially the ones taken in very dim lighting. Then I bought my DSLR camera and repeatedly failed to take similar photos. I had no idea why I couldn't make my images look like hers did. Then I bought my 50 mm f/1.2, attached it to my camera, opened it to f/1.2, pointed it at my dogs with nothing lighting the room but a single lamp, and BAM! great images.
Today I understand that the optical quality of the glass in that stock lens is not equal to the optical quality of the glass in my high end lenses, so the clarity of the images isn't going to be the same. Today I understand that the blurred background behind my subjects is created by the depth of field which is controlled by my aperture setting, so a lens with a widest aperture of f/5.6 is never going to create the same image as one with a widest aperture of f/1.2. Today I know that in a dimly lit environment my camera is going to produce very noisy images at ISO settings of 800 and above, so the only hope I have of shooting in dim light is with a very wide aperture or on a tripod with a slow shutter speed. Back then I didn't know any of those things. All I knew was that since equipment doesn't matter I must just suck.
And that didn't feel very good. Not good at all.
These days I am a bit smarter. Recently, I've been struggling to master a technique that I have been practicing over and over with zero success. So finally, I asked another photographer about it who does have it mastered. I showed him what I was trying to do, and simply asked, "Why can't I do this? Is it me or my lens?" His answer, "Your lens."
Awesome. Maybe I don't suck after all.
And neither do you! If you're new to photography and struggling to create an image, it is possible that your equipment is limiting your ability to capture the photos you are after. So before you get completely frustrated or even worse, give up, seek out a friendly, more advanced, photographer and ask for help. Because that "equipment doesn't matter" thing really needs to be taken with a grain of salt (and maybe a shot of tequila and a lime, too).
And just so we are clear...
I am absolutely not suggesting that an individual must run out and spend thousands on equipment to be an awesome photographer. Instead what I am saying is that you need to become the master of everything in your bag. You need to know what each and every piece of equipment you own can do. And what it can't. So that when you do purchase new equipment, you understand the limitations of what you already own and what you need the new equipment to do for you.
If you made it the end and are still with me, thanks for sticking around and reading my long winded post.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Self-Portrait | March 2013
At the beginning of the month I attended a workshop where off camera flash was a large part of the focus. When this topic was covered in the first workshop I attended, it was just too much for me to take in along with everything else I was trying to learn at the time But, when it was covered at the second workshop I was all ears! So much so, that I immediately walked out of the workshop and bought myself some new equipment and started experimenting with it.
The thing about photography is that the learning is never ending. The second you master one technique there are ten more waiting in the wings for you to get started with. It's one of the things I love so much about it. I think most of us are that way. I can't think of a single photographer I know who doesn't turn into a complete geek the second you put a new piece of equipment or technology in their hands.
For my March self-portrait, I wanted to see if I could put a twist on one of the amazing things that we learned how to do at the workshop, which was to photograph cigar smoke. I can't wait to try that one in a few weeks when I will have someone to pose for me and help me out. But cigar smoking and I are never gonna be BFFs, so I opted to play around with some glitter instead.
I have to admit that this is one my all time favorite self-portraits! My back yard is now completely covered in gold glitter, and the dogs are going to be dragging it into the house for weeks but it will be so worth it knowing that it helped me capture this fun photo.
Did you miss some of my past self-portraits? Clicking here will take you to all of my self-portrait blog posts. Clicking here will take you to my self-portrait Facebook album.
The thing about photography is that the learning is never ending. The second you master one technique there are ten more waiting in the wings for you to get started with. It's one of the things I love so much about it. I think most of us are that way. I can't think of a single photographer I know who doesn't turn into a complete geek the second you put a new piece of equipment or technology in their hands.
For my March self-portrait, I wanted to see if I could put a twist on one of the amazing things that we learned how to do at the workshop, which was to photograph cigar smoke. I can't wait to try that one in a few weeks when I will have someone to pose for me and help me out. But cigar smoking and I are never gonna be BFFs, so I opted to play around with some glitter instead.
I have to admit that this is one my all time favorite self-portraits! My back yard is now completely covered in gold glitter, and the dogs are going to be dragging it into the house for weeks but it will be so worth it knowing that it helped me capture this fun photo.
Did you miss some of my past self-portraits? Clicking here will take you to all of my self-portrait blog posts. Clicking here will take you to my self-portrait Facebook album.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Picture Perfect Pups
It feels like it's been forever since I've been behind the camera, so I decided to take some photos of Zoe and Lexi this evening. Surprisingly they both were content to sit and pose for me with very minimal prompting, and I think I got tuckered out before they did. Once again, I shot these photos with my 50 mm lens because the clarity of it just can't be beat.
With just a few exceptions I preferred all of the images in black and white, and decided to go for uniformity instead of adding one or two in color. The irony is that I hemmed and hawed for a long time over the color of their scarves, and then it didn't matter after all. Figures.
Getting a dog to position themselves just right and hold still to catch rim light around them is virtually impossible, but like I mentioned, the dogs were content to pose today for some reason. So, I managed to get quite a few of both of them with it...
I usually post portraits of my fur babies, which fits Zoe's lazy personality just fine, but really doesn't capture Lexi's. These last three photos show off Lexi's personality a little better....
Especially this one (which is my absolute fav of the bunch!) of the little goober barking at me. I'm sure the neighbors were loving the fact that I was letting her howl as I snapped several sets of photos of her...
With just a few exceptions I preferred all of the images in black and white, and decided to go for uniformity instead of adding one or two in color. The irony is that I hemmed and hawed for a long time over the color of their scarves, and then it didn't matter after all. Figures.
Getting a dog to position themselves just right and hold still to catch rim light around them is virtually impossible, but like I mentioned, the dogs were content to pose today for some reason. So, I managed to get quite a few of both of them with it...
I usually post portraits of my fur babies, which fits Zoe's lazy personality just fine, but really doesn't capture Lexi's. These last three photos show off Lexi's personality a little better....
Especially this one (which is my absolute fav of the bunch!) of the little goober barking at me. I'm sure the neighbors were loving the fact that I was letting her howl as I snapped several sets of photos of her...
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Steve + Tabitha's Sneak Peek {Engagement Session}
This past weekend I had the huge honor of taking Steve and Tabitha's engagement photos! Both of them attend law school with my husband, and I distinctly remember hearing the awesome news when the two of them got engaged. Steve is so laid back and a ton of fun to hang out with, and Tabitha is an absolute sweetheart. I can't think of a better way to spend a Friday evening than photographing such an amazing couple.
Steve and Tabitha asked to have their session at the Scottsdale Civic Center, so I was super excited to finally get to take some photos of the iconic "love" statue. But first, let's show off some photos of the gorgeous couple, shall we?!
I give you you the future Mr. & Mrs....
This is definitely a favorite. I just love the smiles they have for one another!...
Kevin and I have a photo similar to this from our engagement session and I absolutely love it! Because I heart my photo so much I always try to capture something similar for the couples I photograph...
I am in love with this set of photos in front of these gorgeous trees...
Ah, yes! The lovebirds in front of the love statue...
Check out that GORGEOUS ring!...
Steve is probably going to kill me for this, but I couldn't resist. If that look doesn't say "I adore you" I don't know what does!
Steve and Tabitha, Thank you so much for allowing me to take your engagement photos and capture this amazing time for you. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding this summer. I wish you both a lifetime filled with love, laughter, and happily ever after. I couldn't be happier for you two.
Steve and Tabitha asked to have their session at the Scottsdale Civic Center, so I was super excited to finally get to take some photos of the iconic "love" statue. But first, let's show off some photos of the gorgeous couple, shall we?!
I give you you the future Mr. & Mrs....
This is definitely a favorite. I just love the smiles they have for one another!...
Kevin and I have a photo similar to this from our engagement session and I absolutely love it! Because I heart my photo so much I always try to capture something similar for the couples I photograph...
I am in love with this set of photos in front of these gorgeous trees...
Ah, yes! The lovebirds in front of the love statue...
Check out that GORGEOUS ring!...
Steve is probably going to kill me for this, but I couldn't resist. If that look doesn't say "I adore you" I don't know what does!
Steve and Tabitha, Thank you so much for allowing me to take your engagement photos and capture this amazing time for you. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding this summer. I wish you both a lifetime filled with love, laughter, and happily ever after. I couldn't be happier for you two.
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