Thanks from our brave men overseas

Today I got an email from the husband of a customer. He was so happy and thankful to see beautiful images of his wife, while he was away and missed her so much. Needless to say, it made my day to know that I could help, even if seems like a small thing. I think when you're away from the ones you love, anything that helps bring them closer to you just makes a big difference.
So there, I'm happy to support our brave soldiers, with my work.

Adrian

Should I be flattered?

I received an email today, it was really nice. One of those emails that make you feel special and good at what you do. Here it is:

"First, I just want to say that your work is stunning! I am a news photojournalist who is looking to develop my boudoir photography in to an art form. I definitely do not want to copy your work, but I would like to learn more about how you light, stage, pose, etc. Do you have any workshops coming up or any tutorials online?







Thanks for your time!


XXXX
"
Of course, I answered politely. What makes me feel weird is the fact that this photographer already has a website offering boudoir, and I have to say is way pricier than mine! Her prices go all the way to $1295. My priciest at the moment doesn't go over half of that!
Such is life.
Adrian

Why creativity costs

As an artists who spends plenty of time planning concepts, modifying the studio, buying gear, insurance, back up hard drives, consumables, props, clothes for models and customers, refreshments for the shoots, paying rent for a big and comfortable space, editing images, uploading images, printing, cleaning, driving to and from shoots, networking, etc. it amazes me how little value many people assign to our efforts as creative people.

Never fails the model wannabe who solicits your services and then wants YOU to pay her. Or the customer who paid for two hours of service and keeps asking for 'just a picture like the one in the magazine'. How about the customer who comes with a laundry list of 'small requests' to change things to their images?

I've never been good at people like that. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. But as I become more aware of the responsibilities, legalities and little details that can make or break my business, it's just hard to keep pleasing everybody. specially the people who want to harvest the fruit of our job as creative and also who want it for free.

How many doctors, mechanics, contractors or other professionals do you know who will work for free?
How many people will provide a service without pay? Do you ask your mechanic to also replace the brake pads, since he's already into it, without expecting to pay for it?

As consumers, we've become used to the bargain, the special, the freebie. We're killing the livelihood of those who love their art and provide us with a number of satisfaction, services, art.

Let's re-learn to appreciate the time and effort  a professional puts into the goods we purchased with 70% discount at groupon and at least thank them, recommend them, why not, even tip them.
That professional may not be there next time you want him/ her.
Sorry for the rant.
Adrian

Yes, is still all about the Pin Up

 I had a great time putting my second Pin Up session together. I worked with really talented professionals and I just love the results.
I never thought it was so hard to find the right props! Many hours at antique stores were required to find just a handful props, which will be used soon. I can't wait to do the military and sailor scenes, the skates, the baseball and many other ideas.

 I also wanted to give my own spin to the Pin up genre. Maybe it looks like so many others, I hope not. It is a fine line, to be able to keep it recognizable enough, you must follow certain "guidelines". It's also a very different approach to my normal take on light. My whole contrast idea, rough on soft, Ying- Yang, had to be put on the back burner to come up with soft, dreamy, girlie and cute images.

 I think we succeeded. This particular session was about four hours. we ended up so tired but extremely excited with the results. Besides the session time, it took two and a half days of preparation, gathering outfits, props, changing the studio space, making gadgets to help the work flow improve. Lots of work, getting ready for the next Pin Up special, which we anticipate will be as successful as the boudoir one. Just for more conservative yet very sexy ladies!

Because of Popular demand...Pin Up!

 I just love challenges. I can't sit still. Have to get the adrenaline rush, come up with a new thing, or at least, something I haven't done before. The feeling of having to create a plan, logistics, create props and sets.
So I decided since my portfolio is always on the edgy, risque side of things, I needed a soft girlie and more accessible portfolio.
The answer? Pin Up! Calendar girls!

 It's always funny to see how many models always want to work with a photographer, they send you messages and hope you'll pic them, yet when you reach out, very few actually step up. Well, Sheryl did, and boy I'm glad she did! (Actually, she was introduced to me by a photographer friend)
I had Katia help with the make up, cup cakes and posing and on our trial shoot, this is what we came up with...

 I think they turned out lovely but even more important, I learned a lot about a photographic genre I wasn't familiar with. So my next shoot is going to be epic. Thanks also to Tiffany, Sheryl's friend, which didn't do Pin up modeling, but some really edgy and artistic modeling.
But that's another story.

Lovely gifts

 

What a better birthday gift for the Hubbie? It's been a while since I posted. I've had so many sessions lately that I'm barely catching up with other stuff, blog and editing. But this session stood up and summarizes what it's all about. The session was intended to produce a birthday album for the husband, who travels a lot. Since we where at it, we also made a video with the images and a customized message for him. I wish I had seen his face when he got the video while away traveling, in his cell phone.

As it happens, my customer turns out to be also a model, So her images will be in her new book. we managed to do very trendy, but also romantic and nostalgic images. Love it!

I love my job..

 What's not to love?
I get to thinker with my gear, create new sets, build, design... But most of all, I get to help amazing people to look best, to feel sexy and seductive.
I get plenty of inquiries, about if there are limits on age to do boudoir sessions. The answer? Absolutely not! Last week I met two amazing ladies, who gave themselves a boudoir session as their birthday gift. I think I never laughed so much in my life! They were mid 40's and still looking amazing.

 And to my amazing customers who allow me to use some of their images, thank you so much! means the world to me to be able to share my work, and to be able to show what we can do for other people.
Interesting enough, I'm getting lots of questions about couple's sessions.
Yes, I do those.
No, I can't post those. They tend to be more...outside of the box and really nice and artistic, but certainly not for the shy.

Stay tuned, I have new sets and scenes in the works.

Adrian