In our natural state, we generally like the long form photography session, what we call our Single Shot Session, spread out over a couple of hours, leisurely walking or taking short trips to various sites, wardrobe and hair changes, yada, yada, yada. But 4 hours of time when you include hair, makeup, and travel is not always a luxury people can afford, especially for Senior photography where said senior has a multitude of activities and responsibilities demanding their time. Which leads us to our quick, down and dirty Half Shot Session available for any our portrait sessions.
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a single shot senior session with calla
And this is the beautiful Ms. Calla, a senior we are honored to have had the opportunity to take on a little jaunt along the roads of Evans for her senior session. A little mix of some familiar locations remixed a bit with some new “we’re taking pictures where?” locations. And without further ado, we’ll jump into what has become somewhat of a launchpad location for me, the backside of our local gym. It has turned out to be a convenient location for that first 15 minutes where we get to know each other and what it feels like to have a camera thrust into your face and I get to see how the reaction. But if you will note, we got a few new angles and vistas thrown in at the end as it can be a versatile little space.
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new construction equals new opportunities
I hate to beat the proverbial horse here, but I really want a studio to work out of. Sort of. I think. Well, yes and no. Yes when it is over 90 degrees, 90 percent humidity, no wind, no clouds, too much wind, 40 degrees, rain, yada, yada, yada. You get the picture. And when it’s not like that? Well, of course, outside is the way to go. Unless I want a pure color background with Cyclorama wall complete with beautifully constructed lighting that never changes unless I want it to. But outside of that pure color background, there is no way I could spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars for backgrounds when if you just walk outside and look, you have hundreds of “studio” backdrops available virtually anywhere you go. It’s one reason I can’t understand photographers that go to the same places again and again. There is only so much of the train tracks, depot, or Savannah Rapids before I go nuts.
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they say never work with animals...
It was W.C. Fields who coined the famous phrase, “Never work with animals or children” due to their unpredictability and scene stealing nature. I have worked with children before, and for the most part I would agree with their scene stealing nature, but animals? One of Rachel’s Zumba classmates lives close by and happens to have a little fluffy young goat to play with and we thought, what the heck, let’s test out this axiom. Couple of phone calls and voila, Jennifer has her hands full of some cute goat-ness and I have two lovely subjects for a photo session.
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a half shot session: senior style with cannon
A quick and well, not dirty, but wet mini senior session with the wonderfully affable Cannon. The mini session is not for everyone. It is quick paced, and we get the party rolling right from the get go because we run it for 45 minutes versus our long form 2 hour session. The first 15 minutes or so of a full session is just for our client to get their bearings and relax and be themselves versus the robotic smile for pictures which can dominate once I bring the camera up. With a mini session, we have to start that way from the start. But the thing I kept hearing from Cannon's mom Amanada during our phone consultation was his laid back demeanor. And she spoke the truth. It was an easy session to groove into and it was an absolute joy to shoot. Best of luck to Cannon in all of his future endeavors, in particular his ability to lead a lacrosse team to victory in goal, he has the right mental attitude to succeed wherever he plies his trade.
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my year in the miller theater, volume 4
This week in The Miller brings us a bit of color and texture shot from the roof, focusing on the surrounding environment of buildings and skyline of downtown Augusta and it's unique mix of brick, sculpture, peeling paint, and rust. We follow that up with a little tour back inside featuring some of the unique fixtures and textures of The Miller, also the ubiquitous front stairwell and finishing with some sunset shots from the roof. This volume's portrait session is a Senior Session featuring Emily introducing the back alley and the room under the secret yellow room room and getting her own time on the roof while joining the "just like a tree stand" club when presented with the many ladders on the roof.
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my year in the miller theater, volume 2
Welcome to volume 2 of my year at The Miller and thank you for showing up. I introduce a few new rooms (hello projector and uh, lady's bathroom ante-room...) and their treasures as well as establishing some returns from earlier. Here's looking at you , front door, phones and stairwell. The projector room was awesome and I would have loved to shoot there more, but shortly after my photo shoot with Ashley as you will see below, the lock was changed and I was unable gain access to the room. Oh, and for the record, it was not because I did anything, but there were quite a few copies made of the key from other people, so I think the powers that be wanted to limit access where possible.
Read Morelocation, location, location
On windy days such as been the case the first two days of this years Master's, it can make me somewhat wistful when it comes to the idea of a photography studio. Through the years I have come across several spaces that have suddenly come available, or in terms of downtown Augusta, spaces that have been vacant for many years, and stood outside of the door, checked every window, checked certain apps on my phone to see when and where the sun rises or sets in relation to those windows and dreamt of what could be. Enterprise Mill, the White building, that secret room in the Miller Theatre, large, small, and everything in between. I think Rachel has heard the phrase "I think I found it" so many times, well, at this point it has gone beyond any sort of response, even the "yes dear."
Read Moreportrait photography and patience, the katie session
For those of you in the know, it is Championship Sunday as I write this and one of the biggest story lines of the playoffs has been Le'Veon Bell and his unique running style. If you happen to be around the t.v. while the Steelers are on today, take a listen and see if you can count the number of times you here the word "patience" in reference to Mr. Bell. Please don't make a drinking game out of it, because with Phil Simm's behind the mic, it will be every other word out of his mouth when the Steelers have the ball and you would be well on your way to being toasted by the end of the 1st quarter. But outside of that digression, Mr. Bell truly does have a unique way of running with patience and if I may be so bold, I am going to use him and his style as my segue into this lovely Senior Session with Katie.
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Senior Photography in Evans GA: Alissa
Twenty years ago I entered my senior year in high school. I had just come home from a summer in Ecuador, and I had shoulder length blonde hair that I was devising a plan to cut into a pixy (do I sleep with gum? Do I just lie? My parents would never let me do it). I had gained a solid 10 or 15 lbs. that summer to add to the several I already possessed overweight. Heroin chic I was not, but maybe I could go skater/raver/punk. The girls at school already didn't quite get me, so who would care?
That year I clad myself in funky vintage sweaters and JNCO. I lied to cut off my hair, and desperately searched out an identity that wasn't entirely centered on singing. I didn't think I was able to be who I desperately wanted to be, so I had to find an alternative.
Read MoreAugusta GA Portrait Photography: Sommer
Happy Saturday, Y'all! It has been a wonderfully long week, and today is all the longer. I did think a little art might help the day along, so I wanted to share these images of our new friend, Sommer.
Bill Cunningham, the recently deceased New York Times fashion photographer, is quoted to have been searching for "birds of paradise" in and around Manhattan. He searched for women of "daring styles" instead of women with "cookie cutter sameness" for the subjects of his art. Young, old, poor, wealthy- his selection was based entirely on his artistic perception.
Read MoreAugusta GA Portrait Photography: Rebekah Too
We shot Rebekah two years ago, and it is a wonder to see her change. High school is behind her, and she is on to her first year of college in the fall. She has the loveliest gentle spirit, and a delight to be around.
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Augusta GA Portrait Photography: Hannah
Her name is Hannah, and she is the most peaceful angel of a young woman. Normally she is not so serious, but she reigned the smile in for some dark lipstick and wild curls done on a 1/3 inch iron (her hair is straight). Modeling is not for the faint of heart!
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Senior portraits in Augusta GA: Into Art
Swoon.
Isn't she lovely?
Today we get to work with this talented young woman again, and we are over the moon.
Read MoreAugusta Portraits: Our dear Miss Anna
Oh, our dear Miss Anna.
I have known her for five years, which puts her age then at 10. Her mother pulled me aside as we walked into a Kroger, me with a very fresh pixy, and her inquiring where I got my hair done. People ask stylists this question all the time, and my answer quickly diverts them:
"Actually, I am a hairstylist!" I exclaim with a smile.
No, I did not cut my hair like this. Yes, the person who did cut it had 7 years more experience, and was Vidal Sassoon trained. But, "Actually, I am a hairstylist" diverts them every time. And with this diversion I got one of my favorite, most consistently encouraging clients, and her sweet daughter.
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Augusta GA Portrait Photography: Crystal in a mood
This is Crystal, and if you are familiar with the blog you have seen her before. Crystal is usually cute, sweet, and full of sunshine. However this afternoon we made her moody and sultry- a little less California, and a bit more NYC. We love giving women the opportunity to show their extraordinary.
Here is Crystal, kindergarten teacher by day, and someone perfectly transformed by night.
Read Moreaugusta portraits: the miller in monochrome
Just consider this our flashback episode for our adventures so far in The Miller. In monochrome if you will.
There is so much to be said for the opportunity that Rachel and I find presented to us in this mystical place, one that we shall not rest our laurels in. So we invite you to look through this Miller review and then contact us at the bottom for your opportunity to take part in this exclusive backdrop of beauty.
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Augusta GA Senior Portraits: Beauty that abides
Senior portraiture has evolved and devolved since my moments in front of the camera in 1996. From glaring props, arty silhouettes, and girls in tall grass and floral crowns; senior portraits are now whatever a 17 year old wishes them to be. In this case, we simply did what we do. No pom poms or drapes; just a girl in her youth. Flawless skin, radiant hair, and an exceptional location were the only "props" in play. We desire a result that will not mortify as a #tbt in 15 years. We desire images of the abiding beauty we will carry to generations that follow.
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Augusta GA Senior Portraits: on a misty monday
On a misty Monday a few weeks ago, we met Emily at a barn in Harlem, GA.
I am embarrassed to say that prior to this afternoon, my only experiences with horses were on a trail ride in Tanglewood Park at age 10. and a pretty extensive "My Little Pony" collection. Besides sitting in school and trying to determine which girls rode horses based on the unruliness of their pony tails, I never gave anything equine a second thought. Horses can be massive, and I was small. I was afraid to fall off of one, and lets not forget that they are outside (which I never really cared for, anyway).
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