JVS Speedlites Workshop

Flash.  Off-camera lighting.  I love learning about these aspects of photography.  I feel like anyone can pick up a camera and learn the mechanics of ISO, shutter speed and aperture in relation to ambient light.  But introduce off camera flash and modifiers and I turn into a head-spinning cartoon character.  Zack Arias' OneLight workshop gave me the foundation of lighting knowledge (can you say "Inverse-square law?"), but the JVS Speedlites Workshop slowed the head-spinning and allowed me to work on fine-tuning my skills and knowledge.

Joseph showing us how to use the Bruce Dorn Strip Bank...

...the beauty dish...

It's incredibly liberating to create your own light, rather than having to find it. All of these images were SOOC.  Camera settings:  200iso, 200 shutter, 4.0 to 5.0 aperture.

Jen Lowe was my fabulous lighting partner and subject.  Practicing using an umbrella as a reflector...

Jill Myers, working it for the camera!  Beauty dish...

Shoot-through umbrella...

Holy.  Smokes.  The first time I've seen a parabolic umbrella in real life!  (As opposed to head-spinning cartoon life, naturally.)

Speedlite with grid (I love this dramatic lighting!)...

A huge thanks to Love Life Images for hosting the workshop in their amazing Savage, MD studio! Pin It

Ceresville Mansion Wedding: Pam & Justin

Pam had a stalker on her wedding day.  And this person was paid to do it.  It might have been creepy, except it's one of the perks of getting married at Ceresville Mansion.  I loved it, and thought it was a fantastic idea.  I mean, who doesn't want to be pampered on their big day?  The bride's stalker made sure Pam had an array of food (cheese platter, fruit platter, and hot appetizers!) to nibble on as she got ready, as well as water, drinks and ice to keep her refreshed before the ceremony.  I could have spent the entire evening upstairs in the mansion and been perfectly content!  Oh, but, it wasn't about me!

The wedding was intimate - filled with their closest family and friends.  Pam opted to walk down the aisle unaccompanied, and drank in the sight of all the guests who watched her radiant approach.  She then locked eyes with her future husband, and her gaze was inseparable from his for the rest of the evening.  And if the love and affection they displayed for each other throughout the evening is any indication, they will be joyously stalking one another for the rest of their lives together.

I loved all the purple hues in Pam's bouquet.

Carla Ligon-Miller did a beautiful job on Pam's hair and make-up.

Wooooork iiiiiit...

Pam and Justin opted for a first look.  I *love* when couples choose to do this!  Many think that a first look takes away from the moment of first seeing your future wife or husband during the ceremony, but those who do a first look are able to experience the same joy and excitement, and even enjoy the ceremony that much more.  It also gives a couple more time to get the photos they want on their special day.

The glowing bride.

I absolutely loved this lily pond...

Pam and Justin, thank you for allowing me to share in your special day with you. I wish you much love and laughter as you begin your lives together!

Also, a huge thanks to my west coast friend Ashleigh, of Ashleigh Taylor Photography, for allowing me to shoot along side you for the day. I loved seeing you and spending time with you again! Pin It

Sneak Peek: Elisha & Justin

Here is a sneak peek at Elisha and Justin's wedding!

I had SO much fun shooting with Melissa Manzione again! Pin It

Northern Virginia Wedding: Shelley & David

David was excited as he donned his vest and jacket, surrounded by his best friends.  It was a six degrees of Kevin Bacon story - one groomsman had been the cornerstone on which these friendships were built throughout the years.  I could sense their closeness as they shared stories of the past and joked around with one another.  And David couldn't stop smiling.  Not because of all the stories, but because he was overjoyed with knowing he would soon wed the love of his life.

Shelley was glowing as her mother pinned the veil in her hair, and tears came to both their eyes as her mom stepped back and looked at the woman before her who was about to become a wife.  Shelley's glow matched the loving look in David's face as she anticipated taking him as her husband.

Their ceremony at St. Veronica's was filled with loving glances and sweet smiles, and the reception was a true testament to who they are as gracious and generous individuals.  Throughout the evening they selflessly gave recognition and praise to those around them.  Because of their July 3rd wedding, they honored the current and former service men and women in the room and spoke lovingly of those that were stationed overseas.  And since David's birthday was the following day, Shelley surprised him by leading us all in a rendition of "Happy Birthday" to celebrate her husband's turning another year older.  And to top it all off...in spite of all the guests who wanted their time and attention throughout the night, they made time to insist that Christine and I eat dinner and were always asking how we were doing and if we needed anything.  They are incredibly thoughtful and so giving!  (And, P.S., the filet and chicken topped with crab meat were to die for!  Seriously, the best reception meal I have ever had.)

Shelley and David, you are both just as sweet as can be, and I feel so honored and blessed to have shared in your beautiful and special day!  Much love to you both!

Also, a HUGE thank you to Christine of Christine Gacharna Photography for allowing me to shoot with you that day.  I *loved* working with you and can't wait to shoot together again!

Pretty place cards from Wedding Paper Divas matched perfectly with Shelley's hydrangea bouquet....

The guys insisted on staging the Iwo Jima memorial pose on the golf course at Old Hickory Golf Club!

A special thanks goes to Bob Artman who kept Christine and me informed of every event throughout the evening.  You are a true professional and we loved working with you! Pin It

Just Because...

As I finished culling and editing my OneLight Workshop images, I came across this one that I decided I really loved.  And so I'm posting it, well, because I can....  :)

Pin It

OneLight Workshop with Zack Arias

I signed up for his workshop last November as soon as I read the email releasing the tour dates and locations.  The Washington, DC stop for OneLight sold out in one day.  I was super excited, and almost thought I'd never see the day...seven plus months of waiting seemed like an eternity.  But it was worth the wait!

If you don't know (and if you don't know, what rock are you living under?!), Zack Arias is an Atlanta, GA-based, nationally renowned, music and editorial photographer.  Over the course of a nearly 15-hour day, Zack took the ever-intimidating and often-frustrating subject of off-camera lighting and broke it down to a 2nd grade level.  (Apparently, I'm stuck in 1st grade, because my eyes glazed and my head spun a couple of times throughout the day.)  He reviewed his preferred equipment and explained what he would use in what conditions.  He then walked us through the relationship of shutter speed, aperture and flash power, and how they all work together to give you the results you're seeking. 

Two of the most important lessons learned: 
- Previsualize:  You can't set up a shot if you don't know how you want it to look.
- Know Your Numbers!  Know the relationships between the numbers and how changing one setting affects another.  This means you aren't sitting there fiddling with your gear while your client waits for you.  (i.e. - if you want to open your aperture 3 stops, you know you need to bring your flash power down 3 stops, and you know exactly what those numbers are.)  And........practice, practice, practice!

Zack setting up a shot to practice fill flash:

Sarah was one of our hard working models for the day...

Emma Saal is a certified yoga teacher and Thai massage practitioner...

She gave us some killer moves to photograph later in the night:

Flow is a DC-based hip hop artist from Senegal and is a member of the group Wagëblë.  He has a real presence about him, and my absolute favorite images from the day were of him.

One of my last images taken around 11 p.m., when I was barely functioning and on information overload.  Emma, you were awesome for hanging in there till the end!

Thanks to Stacey Vaeth Gonzalez for graciously hosting the workshop at Past Tense Studio in Mt. Pleasant.  And a big thank you to Zack for all the wisdom you imparted throughout the day, and staying until all of our questions were answered.  Also, a huge thanks to Meg and the kids for allowing us to borrow Zack for the super long day.

If anyone is considering this workshop, don't hesitate to sign up!  I just love this guy....

Pin It