Finding My Style

   I apologize if this isn't the most organized post, as I am just taking down my thoughts, as they come. Finding your style involves a realm of aspects that have to be considered, and as I address each one, they are not approached in any given order. This has been quite a challenge.
   The hardest part about becoming a professional photographer, for me anyway, has been trying to settle on my "style". Style, when describing a photographer, can refer to a vast array of characteristics. The way a photographer shoots, the way they might edit, how they brand themselves and interact with clients.
   For me, finding my style has placed me at the transition intersection of who I am, and who I want to be. I have spent some time researching the things I enjoy about my craft, the kinds of end-products I want to deliver, and the types of clients I want to service.
   One step in developing a brand is to choose a few power words. Words that describe your mission, your objective, your clients, any aspect of the business that's important to you. One of the most important things I want to do with my photography is to teach people to embrace themselves. I want them to know that they are beautiful, and I want that to translate across all hair and eye colors, income levels, body types, all walks of life. You don't have to work in Hollywood to feel like you do. Even if just for a day. I also want clients who want to share that feeling with their friends, to empower people around them to feel good about themselves, too. So, I have talked about what I want to do, and what I want from my clients. The next area is the photographs themselves. I want my images to evoke emotions in viewers. I know that each genre of photography won't have the same reactions from all sorts of people, but I hope to someday be able to draw emotions from, at the very least, the majority of my viewing audience. In regards to my relationship with clients, and in turn, their relationship with my work, my power words would be embrace, empower, and evoke.
   Now, to consider the way I want to shoot. This has been a long process, because before I can decide whether I even want to shoot something or not, I really have to actually shoot it. And then I have to practice the different ways to portray a subject. Then I have to decide what I want my work to say, to look like. 
   For example, I do not like photographing babies. I love babies, don't get me wrong. I just don't have the skill or the studio setup to do a great job. I have seen some photographers who have done some pretty impressive images with babies. I am just not one of them. And, I wouldn't know that if I hadn't tried, failed, and embarrassed myself miserably.
   I love weddings, and I am discovering my role as a wedding photographer. I prefer to shoot lifestyle portraits during a wedding, as opposed to the family portraits where everybody stands around and waits to get posed. I like the real, true to life moments that just kinda happen. I can see more personality shining through from clients when I shoot like this.
   I really enjoy doing contemporary glamour shots, and try to carry a little bit of this style over into corporate headshots, as well as engagement sessions, at least with the ladies.
   Another aspect I have found to be of interest is that I like to shoot outdoors. Now, I haven't had much experience with a studio setting, so it is hard to make a comparison, but I love the laid back feeling of a shoot that involves a bit of walking. I have a chance to get to know my client better, and form a deeper connection. This connection then visually translates through the images we create.
   So, in describing my work, I guess I want it to be contemporary, to show connection, and to feel like lifestyle portraiture, or have a photojournalistic approach. And I know you can feel the hesitation there, but, while I am very sure of the relationship I want to have with my clients, I have not yet settled entirely into a style of shooting. Presumably, this will most likely change a bit at a time over several years, if not throughout my entire career, as I learn and develop new techniques.
  

Constantly learning...

  I have always been a big advocate of continuing education, but now I feel as if I am a product of that idea. I  spend most of my days learning through seminars and books, and when I am not doing that, I am trying to practice the techniques and skills I am learning. The best thing is taking on challenges that other professionals in my field have issued. After all, they have been there and learned most things the hard way, and when the work is just not flowing like I wish it would, I take these challenges to heart. Challenges drive me, and push me to learn and master new techniques and ideas. And I find myself in the unusual position of working for myself rather than for a client, which means I have no limits, no boundaries on my creativity.
  I started this post nearly a year ago, and since have learned quite a bit. My posing has improved, as well as my composition, technique, camera knowledge, and most importantly, my confidence. I now possess a greater ability to roll with the punches at most of my shoots. When challenges come up, I often find myself being able to say "Hey, I've done this before, just breathe and make it beautiful." and it helps me maintain the focus I need in order to rely on my training. Whereas, less than a year ago, I was freaking out when all the conditions weren't ideal. Now I am learning to master the art of controlling the situations, and quick alternate routes for the times when I can't control everything.
   I plan to continue updating this post as I learn new things, hope to be revisiting this post often, in fact. And to those of you readers who are now or plan to be engaged in some kind of training or education, never settle for knowing enough. Always push your boundaries, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Constantly surprise yourself by meeting new challenges, and master your craft, whatever it may be. There is no greater feeling than being able to execute a task with expected results over and over again, and to have people view you as a trusted advisor in your field. While I have only had the pleasure of experiencing this on a very small scale, I still hope to someday call some of my favorite photographers my peers.
   If you have been motivated to keep learning, or already appreciate the value in expanding your knowledge base, please comment below and let me know what you desire to learn next, or what it is that you are studying for. Thanks for reading, now to crack another book...

Tasha

   Last Tuesday, the 26th of March, was the end of a very unproductive weekend-long stretch. After having shoot after shoot get cancelled during my 28 day challenge, I found a girl who was as committed to getting great shots of herself as I was. As part of the 28 day challenge, this post is going to be a bit different than my others. I will be sharing photos of the beautiful Tasha, but I will also be sharing images from behind the scenes, taken by my friend, Jamie Lee. I want to take this opportunity to thank both Tasha and Jamie for their participation, support, and good humor! I had a great time spending the day with both of these amazing women.

   When Tasha first arrived, we sat down for hair and makeup, and partway through her foundation, I remembered to get the before shot. Here it is, along with the afters from last week:

                   After Tasha's makeup was finished, we moved upstairs to style her hair:

 

 

 

After we finished getting Tasha ready, it was time to shoot!

 

 

We had a fabulous time playing with some of the accessories I had on hand, and even used some in Tasha's shoot. This black hat was amazing on her, and she really knew how to work that fringed shawl!

 

Getting some of that diminishing daylight back on Tasha's face.

 

As Tasha was getting ready to leave, she put her first outfit back on, and we were just hanging out on the upstairs balcony. This red scarf caught our eye, and I felt it was too good to pass up. This was one of my favorite series of shots, even if I do need to clean it up a bit. As my mentor says, great expression trumps all, and this is what great expression looks like!

Melissa

  On Saturday, I had the privilege of shooting a wonderful family. This couple

Melissa and Craig

                                          is ushering a new little girl into her life, Kylee was just 2 months old. I love the adorableness of this age.

Next in age, little Alivia. 5 years old, and does that girl ever love pink! It suits her quite well too, don't you think?

            

And next to her, her big brother Zachari, loves to show his edge. Quite a handsome fellow.

 

   I love to see a family that knows how to have fun together, and this bunch definitely has it going on! Some of my favorite shots were the playful moments at the park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Melissa and Craig, for allowing me to spend the day with your family, such a super-fun photo shoot!