Photographing Models – Part One

There are many mediums for photography. There are photographers that specialize in everything from landscapes to maternity, but the type that gets the most press and are typically the best paid are your top flight fashion photographers. These photographers attained their noteriety by capturing the images of star and emerging star fashion and runway models. So I recently invited three local models to begin my climb to the top of the fashion photography world.

Kurtis, Keta and Tierney all agreed to a TFP or Trade for Print photoshoot with me. I referred on a book by Billy Pegram titled “Posing Techniques”, which I recommend and can found at Amazon.com, and set up the time, dates and locations to shoot them. The first two were photographed at The Attic, a space used by the Indy Meet-Up Photo Club (IMUPC) controlled by Carol Thompson. The Attic is a part of the Indianapolis Propylaeum building. The last model, Tierney, lived in Lafayette so after a little research, I called a local art gallery and proposed I do the shoot there, the Tippecanoe Art Federation (TAF) and was granted permission. So everything was set, three cool models were going to be photographed by Indy’s own, New Dawn Photo’s Andre M. Arnold, a Top Flight Fashion Photographer!

Here are my top 5 tips for models and photographer;
1) Be on time! Typically, the big varible is the location. If it is rented for 90 minutes and either the model or photographer is 30 minutes late that usually means it is time and/or money you can never get back. Professionals don’t like wasting either.
2) Be prepared! For the model that is hair, clothing and perhaps props. For the photographer your tools, camera, batteries, stands, backgrounds, lights, modifiers and back-ups for all must be ready, checked and prepared for easy set up. Both the model and photographer…or the client, should have already agreed on a theme so the shoot can begin without delay.
3) Have the models sign model releases. If you ever want to publish, you can’t do it without these. Get the business over upfront!
4) Get acquainted! Big mistake photographers make all the time is not getting to know your model. If they are comfortable, they will be thrilled, focused and beautiful and it will show in the photographs. I recommend a little music to compliment the theme of the shoot.
5) Have Fun! Why did you ever pick up that camera it you did not enjoy it. The model wants the same…to enjoy the experience.

So with that! Let’s discuss the models, the locations and the finished product in my Part Two of this blog.

Garfield Park Conservatory, Indianapolis . . .Simply Fantastic

Marco photography at Garfield Park

Indianapolis has a park on the Southside called Garfield Park. The park has a conservatory. I had never been there until this past Saturday. It was wonderful! Now I have heard many people rave about Garfield Park, but I am not really into flowers and my macro photography has mostly sucked! So, my good friend Sherri, who has been talking some great photos of these wild hawks, suggested we visit the park to shoot. So what are friends for, right! I agree and we do it.

Since Sherri was late, she paid my entrance fee to the conservatory…$1. Big spender, right! I should have gotten lunch out of it right! So we grab our gear and head into the building. Here is what Sherri had; a Nikon D90, with a 18-105 lens and a Nikon D3100 with a Sigma 150 – 500 mm lens (the Hawk camera) mounted on a 72 inch Manfrotto tripod. I had my trusty Nikon D7000 with my Tamron 90mm macro, a Nikon SB700 off camera flash and a Yongnuo ETTL off camera flash with a base, plus my entire camera bag and my 54inch tripod and my small tripod for mounting my Nikon SB700. We were ready for some macro.

Once they saw our equipment, this very mean Ogre of a woman (actually she was a very pretty, small and very nice young girl) said “although admission is only $1, if you bring a tripod it is $25.00!!!” So the big 150 – 500mm lens and all our tripods went back to the cars. Me sucking at macro photography, knew I was going to suck today with out my Tripod!!! However, I thought of my friend Shanti (that I have vowed to behead with a sword from Game of Thrones because he takes such incredible macro photos) when he told me “I hand hold all my macro shots” AUGH!!!

Back to Garfield. The Sunken Gardens was closed for repairs until March 2013 so I will need to return to see it in all of its glory, but the conservatory lived up to its billing. It was lovely. There were little ponds with Koi fish and very well maintained greenery. Nope more than, maintained, that garden was loved.

The best part of the day? My macro did not suck! In fact, I took probably the best shots of my life with my tripod in the car. Eat your heart out Shanti! (By the way, Shanti is one of the most humble and giving human beings on the planet. He spent an entire Saturday photographing CLD’s College Prep Conference, for free because I asked him to help. His images was stunning there as well. Check him out here (http://www.peacethroughlens.com/)

We had a such fun at Garfield Park Conservatory we decided to hit the Indianapolis Zoo and White Water Gardens after we hit the road. Because it is the middle of winter, the African animals we not on display, but we still captured good images at the zoo. However, the gardens at White Water Gardens were a big disappointment.

So in closing, beware of the Ogre if you have a tripod; Do visit Garfield Park Conservatory, Do visit my website http://www.newdawnphoto.net to see more of my work, and keep taking pictures.

Product Photography Experience…I need some!

In looking for opportunities to earn income to support my habit…the habit of paying my mortgage and feeding my children…I was responded to a freelance position with a local manufacturing company. They reviewed my portfolio and loved my work and complimented me on my talent…but they said…we did not see any product shoots. Oops! I told them I have experience shooting events, portraits, groups, families, corporate photos, landscapes, interiors and buildings. I even have a little macro and HDR experience. But what was missing from my portfolio, because I have not shot it…yelp, product shots and cataloging. So the call went “Thanks…but no thanks.”
So, today I purchased a few items to help me add some product shoots to my portfolio. If you have any advice on how I should go about getting experience, product tips or tools, or even a product assignment where I can gain this valuable knowledge, let me know!

Is Financial Wellness & health care…subjects for photography???

The answer is NO! However both are subjects I am involved in daily as part of my role at the Financial Center. So I must say something about those topics from time to time. I will try to stay away from the political side of health care…but I may say something like “we either need consumer directed health plans or universal coverage”. However, I will keep it from sounding like talking points and I will not call it Obamacare.

I will talk about financial wellness and best practices for sound financial management. How can you manage financial stress in a stressful financial economy? More on that later. I will share link and post comments from some of my friends, colleagues and contacts, like Karl Ahlrichs. Karl is simply brilliant! He gave a presentation on social media that knocked my socks off. I will say it now, Karl is why I am back on my blog. In fact, if you want to check out a very cool blog, check in on Karl at www.uncommonzone.com

Finally, check out my latest job covering the Indianapolis Sister Cities Festival. See my photos at www.newdawnphoto.net under community service then click on Sister Cities.

Andre 

Mobile blog

This my first post from my mobile device.

An amateur’s journey to become a pro photographer’s!

When does a hobbyist become a pro? Is it when he takes more paid jobs, then give free ones? Is it when he get’s a “pro” lens? Once he successfully photographs a wedding? What about senior day?

Perhaps there are levels of Pro Photographers. What do you think? Share your experience!

Share Your Experiences Here!

Welcome to New Dawn Photo Blog, also known as  the ND Blog. This blog is primarily  about photography & travel…and your experiences from travel and photography. topics can range from equipment, reviews, photo shoot, photo clubs, best practices and of course…photo!!! Travel topics can range from reviews, photo tours, family fun, day-cations, timeshares and hot discounts.

So jump in and share your experiences.

Andre