I began my photography business under the cozy clouds of the Seattle landscape. I loved photographing with natures built-in sun diffuser. I loved the light, I knew the light, I predicted my settings before sessions, I knew how I would execute each outdoor shoot with the soft, dark light being nothing but an asset. Then I moved to South Carolina where the grass was green (much like Seattle) and the landscapes gorgeous but the sun was so bright. Very different from the Seattle light I was used to. So initially I clung to the shaded areas for shoots. It worked, it was beautiful and I was comfortable. But I felt confined and knew I had to learn the South Carolina sun....so I studied it. I went out all hours of the day and photographed in it. I learned what worked with my settings and with the light and what didn't . Soon I was very comfortable photographing clients in SC's full sun. The light there was amazing! But I didn't really KNOW light until I moved to Arizona. This light here is so strong, so bright and so unforgiving. There aren't a lot of open shade places here so I was forced to embrace the sun. It was daunting...and quiet honestly I went into a bit of a professional depression missing the beautiful, lush areas I was spoiled with in both Seattle and South Carolina. After my little bout of depression (that still rears it's head sometimes), I picked up my camera and forced myself to study the light and how it interacted with the desert, reflected off the rocks, and the desert plants. It was a light so different but it's where I lived and I needed to know it and know it completely. And so I studied it from dawn till dusk.
I've lived in Arizona for 7 years now and I find some positives in this landscape now and I've also found a variety of locations that look nothing like Arizona. For a long time I didn't want my photographs to look like I was living in the desert. I couldn't find beauty in the faded landscape, prickly plants, dirt and rocks. But in recent years I've embraced both the landscape and the light. I still yearn to live where there are 4 season and my heart hurts every fall and winter but this is where I am for now. I've learned the light and know it inside and out, I know my camera settings without having to check constantly to see if everything is exposed properly. Know your light, know your shadows, and know your camera. Embrace the light or lack there-of. Moody clouds and diffused light is absolutely stunning and one of my personal favorites to photograph in so I miss Seattle immensely. And if you're in a full sun state, learn how colors are cast and shadows are effected and ultimately embrace the light.
Side note: this was a commercial shoot for Faith Works 4U. If you have a little girl and she likes dresses, you have to check out Faith's work. She wow's me every time. This dress can be all cream (with the attached apron piece tied in the back) or cream and floral. So smart, so fun! More detailed photos can be found on her site.
Outtakes are the best....Brielle is rarely serious so the photos below, are very much 'her'.
In another post, I'd like to touch more on editing. Take a boring photo and turn into a keeper. The photo below, I edited just a couple simple steps that took maybe 45 seconds. Learn photoshop...it'll be your best friend.
