So it just makes sense that we feel so attracted to it. It's calming, brings life, but also can be powerful and dangerous.
We humbly introduce some of our previous work with the life-giving liquid.
Enjoy!
Monday, September 29, 2014
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
For beginner photographers
I know it's been a while. Just so busy but I wanted to post something really quick. This time, though, it's for my colleagues instead of my clients.
I receive many requests from other photographers, asking for advice. I really feel honored that other people would reach to me to ask for advice.
When I was looking for advice, years ago, only one great gentleman offered any. The rest shut their door to me. He took time from his busy schedule to invite me in his studio. Back then, when you asked for advice, you actually went to a studio and talked to the photographer, showed your portfolio and shook his/ her hand with your sweaty and nervous hand.
Yes, time have changed a lot.
But the essence it's the same. Even though now a days almost everything is done via email and electronic communications, the idea is to present yourself in the best light possible.
So, based on many requests I received in past years, I will state some key points.
When you first contact a photographer, be aware that they have a busy agenda. Any minute a professional takes from his/ her day, means lost revenue.
So sending an email asking to Google your portfolio, or find you on Facebook is just disrespectful.
Be prepared! provide a link, straight to your portfolio. Select the best images and be consistent.
If you reach out to me, ask me about my field, this is boudoir. Don't ask me about baby images.
Check your grammar! (I know I'm bad at this myself) but at least try to use proper language and not slang.
Ask real questions. Writing an email stating that you want to know how to start into photography is as vague and useless as it can be. I need to know about you. I need to see your work. I need to see what knowledge you have and what you lack. More over, I don't have time to tell you the story of my life, but if you ask concrete and direct questions, I'd be delighted to answer them.
So, ask me to critique your work. Or to help you figure out your prices. Or what's my best marketing strategy. Even ask me how I did such and such picture. Or how to deal with legal stuff.
But an umbrella question is a big no-no.
Be thankful. Nothing makes me want to delete an email more than not having a single 'please' or 'thank you' in such email. I know, it's old school. But think about it. I can help you learn the business. But if you lack people skills and basic manners, your customers won't follow you. And that's pretty much the end of your non-yet-started business.
Recently, I received an email from a young lady who wanted to know how to get started in the business. She told me to find her on Facebook by such and such name and to tell her how to get into business. She didn't even say which business.
When I replied to her that I would need much more information to help her, I also sent her a list of questions. Her second reply was even shorter than the original email. And none of my questions was answered. Not paying attention to my very lengthy email told me so many things about her. The most important was, she wasn't paying attention so my time was been wasted.
So, be respectful of a professional's time. Be concise. Be thankful. Pay attention, take your time. Put your portfolio together. A bunch of selfies on Facebook with cheap filter effects is NOT a portfolio.
The reward?
You could actually get a professional to share the knowledge he or she has acquired in many years of hard work, many times based on mistakes that you don't have to make.
I did get valuable information once. Most of it was related on how to present my work. How to select my best images and how to improve my technique. The best feedback I got was the one that actually pointed out my weaknesses.
And that's what I treasure. It was raw, but was honest and well intentioned.
Cheers!
I receive many requests from other photographers, asking for advice. I really feel honored that other people would reach to me to ask for advice.
When I was looking for advice, years ago, only one great gentleman offered any. The rest shut their door to me. He took time from his busy schedule to invite me in his studio. Back then, when you asked for advice, you actually went to a studio and talked to the photographer, showed your portfolio and shook his/ her hand with your sweaty and nervous hand.
Yes, time have changed a lot.
But the essence it's the same. Even though now a days almost everything is done via email and electronic communications, the idea is to present yourself in the best light possible.
So, based on many requests I received in past years, I will state some key points.
When you first contact a photographer, be aware that they have a busy agenda. Any minute a professional takes from his/ her day, means lost revenue.
So sending an email asking to Google your portfolio, or find you on Facebook is just disrespectful.
Be prepared! provide a link, straight to your portfolio. Select the best images and be consistent.
If you reach out to me, ask me about my field, this is boudoir. Don't ask me about baby images.
Check your grammar! (I know I'm bad at this myself) but at least try to use proper language and not slang.
Ask real questions. Writing an email stating that you want to know how to start into photography is as vague and useless as it can be. I need to know about you. I need to see your work. I need to see what knowledge you have and what you lack. More over, I don't have time to tell you the story of my life, but if you ask concrete and direct questions, I'd be delighted to answer them.
So, ask me to critique your work. Or to help you figure out your prices. Or what's my best marketing strategy. Even ask me how I did such and such picture. Or how to deal with legal stuff.
But an umbrella question is a big no-no.
Be thankful. Nothing makes me want to delete an email more than not having a single 'please' or 'thank you' in such email. I know, it's old school. But think about it. I can help you learn the business. But if you lack people skills and basic manners, your customers won't follow you. And that's pretty much the end of your non-yet-started business.
Recently, I received an email from a young lady who wanted to know how to get started in the business. She told me to find her on Facebook by such and such name and to tell her how to get into business. She didn't even say which business.
When I replied to her that I would need much more information to help her, I also sent her a list of questions. Her second reply was even shorter than the original email. And none of my questions was answered. Not paying attention to my very lengthy email told me so many things about her. The most important was, she wasn't paying attention so my time was been wasted.
So, be respectful of a professional's time. Be concise. Be thankful. Pay attention, take your time. Put your portfolio together. A bunch of selfies on Facebook with cheap filter effects is NOT a portfolio.
The reward?
You could actually get a professional to share the knowledge he or she has acquired in many years of hard work, many times based on mistakes that you don't have to make.
I did get valuable information once. Most of it was related on how to present my work. How to select my best images and how to improve my technique. The best feedback I got was the one that actually pointed out my weaknesses.
And that's what I treasure. It was raw, but was honest and well intentioned.
Cheers!
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Time, time. Do you need more time?
Hey there!
I figured I could post a quick refresher, since my clients are sometimes too busy to go through past posts.
Today, I want to explain my clients how time is allocated during a session. But first, to remind them that during a session, my goal is to create as many diverse images as possible. My clients bring many lovely outfits and I try my best to take pictures of them wearing most of their cute clothes.
That said, sometimes we have to leave some out, but even then, I try to give them as many different looks, poses and angles as I can. Many clients choose a 1hr session. This is great if you're in a budget. However, that hr. goes by very quick. I mean it! In an attempt to help and make things faster, there's some preparation required from my clients. So when you get your pre-session package, please read it a couple times, use the checklist, print what needs to be printed and, if you have questions, ask them in advance.
Just as a quick example, I will write a real-life scenario, just from this week:
Client was scheduled for one hr. session. I had sessions before and after hers.
When my last session left, I proceeded to get ready for her session. When the time came, she wasn't there. I waited 5 minutes. Nothing. Then I called her. She was almost there. A couple minutes later, she called me, saying she didn't see the studio. Turned out to, she was at the wrong street.
Once she made it to the studio, we proceeded to go through her outfits. Then we had to go through her forms and discount voucher. She didn't have them printed. So I printed her the forms and explained them to her. Then, She had some problems logging into her email to pull her voucher. By the time we started shooting, over 25 minutes of her session. About 30 minutes into shooting, we had to wrap it up.
If she had taken the time to go through the package I sent her, She would have found the studio on time, she would've had her forms ready and signed, her voucher too. Lastly, we would've been able to do at least another 2 outfits and it would've been way less stressful to her.
The morale of the story is: Use my experience to your advantage. Read through the information I send you and things will go smoothly. Waiting until the day of your session to ask questions or to prepare, is not the best idea. Even a better idea is to add some extra time to your session, so you are relaxed, we get more outfits, backgrounds and new ideas.
I hope this helps! Trust me, my goal is to make your session the best experience for you. I just need a little help from you :)
Adrian
I figured I could post a quick refresher, since my clients are sometimes too busy to go through past posts.
Today, I want to explain my clients how time is allocated during a session. But first, to remind them that during a session, my goal is to create as many diverse images as possible. My clients bring many lovely outfits and I try my best to take pictures of them wearing most of their cute clothes.
That said, sometimes we have to leave some out, but even then, I try to give them as many different looks, poses and angles as I can. Many clients choose a 1hr session. This is great if you're in a budget. However, that hr. goes by very quick. I mean it! In an attempt to help and make things faster, there's some preparation required from my clients. So when you get your pre-session package, please read it a couple times, use the checklist, print what needs to be printed and, if you have questions, ask them in advance.
Just as a quick example, I will write a real-life scenario, just from this week:
Client was scheduled for one hr. session. I had sessions before and after hers.
When my last session left, I proceeded to get ready for her session. When the time came, she wasn't there. I waited 5 minutes. Nothing. Then I called her. She was almost there. A couple minutes later, she called me, saying she didn't see the studio. Turned out to, she was at the wrong street.
Once she made it to the studio, we proceeded to go through her outfits. Then we had to go through her forms and discount voucher. She didn't have them printed. So I printed her the forms and explained them to her. Then, She had some problems logging into her email to pull her voucher. By the time we started shooting, over 25 minutes of her session. About 30 minutes into shooting, we had to wrap it up.
If she had taken the time to go through the package I sent her, She would have found the studio on time, she would've had her forms ready and signed, her voucher too. Lastly, we would've been able to do at least another 2 outfits and it would've been way less stressful to her.
The morale of the story is: Use my experience to your advantage. Read through the information I send you and things will go smoothly. Waiting until the day of your session to ask questions or to prepare, is not the best idea. Even a better idea is to add some extra time to your session, so you are relaxed, we get more outfits, backgrounds and new ideas.
I hope this helps! Trust me, my goal is to make your session the best experience for you. I just need a little help from you :)
Adrian
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Project in the works
I got this idea from a peer. He was doing a big mess with a model, and asked me to help him. I figured since she was already a mess, why not just throw the paint to her? Then I decided to do my own take on the concept. So far, this is what I have. I need to experiment with colors and techniques. Any takers to model?
Nervous? actually, it's a lot of fun!
I have many clients who keep coming back, over and over. I think the record so far is a lovely lady who drives 3 hrs, just to have her sessions and then drives back home. She's been at the studio 5 times! That got me thinking, that there must be something else, besides getting great pictures, that makes my clients come back. Then I remembered the images that never make it to the prints, sort of 'behind the scenes'. That gives a better idea of what really goes on on a session. I figured I would post the 'official' image, next to the 'BTS'
Many ladies tell me they just don't know how to be sexy. I always tell them that their problem is that they try too hard! The secret is not to try to be sexy, but to relax, enjoy and have a good time. Then, when they least expect it, click... I got my image.
Some choose to have a glass of wine, some bring their favorite music. Some bring their hubby, or BFF. Whatever makes them feel great, is certainly welcomed.
It's not only about the images. It's also about the experience. The adrenaline rush, the fun, the excitement and empowerment that confidence gives us as human beings. And what a better way to feel confident than have beautiful hair, make up, sexy outfits and a photographer that knows how to find your angle, the perfect light for your features, and makes you feel at ease?
And some other clients just feel pretty comfy :)
Male Boudoir? Just for my lady customers :)
However, I was willing to give it a try.
I was quite pleased with the results. It didn't hurt that he brought his bike to the Studio. Such a trooper actually, he rode it 3 hrs for the session, and rode back home right after the session.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
The simplicity of white seamless - NSFW
It just has something. It's simple, elegant. The whole image revolves about one thing only: The subject.
I know, even on white seamless, I have to make it dark. But what's the fun on leaving it white? I mean, we can turn it gray, whatever shades of it, or even black, right?
Here's a truly white one.
I admit, my way of utilizing seamless can be a little less conventional than other photographers. And that's how I like it :)
So there, even I like clean and high key images.
Adrian
Sunday, August 18, 2013
The posing trend.
When I shoot, either weddings, models, boudoir, kids or pretty much anything, I'm an advocate of capturing emotions.
You see, there's a trend to make people look perfect. Family members will stop a photographer to 'fix' the bride, to move the dress, to ask her to smile.
Truth is, the more people tell the bride or the groom what to do, the more confused they get.
They hired a photographer to make them look good, but their friends, family members or bystanders keep interrupting and giving them all sorts of advise. Most of it contradictory and confusing.
By the time we get to take a picture, the look in their faces is truly the look of confusion.
What happened with spontaneity?
Years ago, the trend was photojournalism. Although most people really didn't understand the concept 100%, there was a hunger for pictures that looked honest, non-posed, true to reality.
Hereby I ask:
What's of more value to people, A true emotion or a posed and daunted look?
I choose the first one.
Granted, a professional already thought of the basics of composition, light, technique and overall mood before he/she takes an image. But there's this element of intimacy that a couple has, that a true professional tries to bring out, instead of eliminating it with constant interruptions and posing. Some guidance is great. Telling people what to do every moment is not.
This is true even more with the flood of 'perfect' images that people pin in their pinterest walls, or gather through months of research.
People are so desperate to have those 'perfect' shots that they loose track of what matters the most:
Each couple is different. Their language and story is different. The photographer may not do the images you saw on pinterest. And... would you want to have the same images another 1500 photographers are doing on every wedding?
As photographers, we see the new trends and try to balance what couple's want with what we do.
The most amazing images I get from my weddings is when I have freedom to do what I feel like doing, just for that couple.
On the following image, the couple was getting ready for the 'official' image. They are not even looking at the camera.However, you can feel the emotion and excitement.
So here, some images that show true emotions, without been technically perfect. I value these more. And all were taken on the flight, just casually between other images one the list.
Love the true love these guys have in their eyes :)
Often times, all it takes is to have the perfect setting. The rest just happens.
You see, there's a trend to make people look perfect. Family members will stop a photographer to 'fix' the bride, to move the dress, to ask her to smile.
Truth is, the more people tell the bride or the groom what to do, the more confused they get.
They hired a photographer to make them look good, but their friends, family members or bystanders keep interrupting and giving them all sorts of advise. Most of it contradictory and confusing.
By the time we get to take a picture, the look in their faces is truly the look of confusion.
What happened with spontaneity?
Years ago, the trend was photojournalism. Although most people really didn't understand the concept 100%, there was a hunger for pictures that looked honest, non-posed, true to reality.
Hereby I ask:
What's of more value to people, A true emotion or a posed and daunted look?
I choose the first one.
Granted, a professional already thought of the basics of composition, light, technique and overall mood before he/she takes an image. But there's this element of intimacy that a couple has, that a true professional tries to bring out, instead of eliminating it with constant interruptions and posing. Some guidance is great. Telling people what to do every moment is not.
This is true even more with the flood of 'perfect' images that people pin in their pinterest walls, or gather through months of research.
People are so desperate to have those 'perfect' shots that they loose track of what matters the most:
Each couple is different. Their language and story is different. The photographer may not do the images you saw on pinterest. And... would you want to have the same images another 1500 photographers are doing on every wedding?
As photographers, we see the new trends and try to balance what couple's want with what we do.
The most amazing images I get from my weddings is when I have freedom to do what I feel like doing, just for that couple.
On the following image, the couple was getting ready for the 'official' image. They are not even looking at the camera.However, you can feel the emotion and excitement.
So here, some images that show true emotions, without been technically perfect. I value these more. And all were taken on the flight, just casually between other images one the list.
Love the true love these guys have in their eyes :)
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Why photographers need exclusivity. The Cousin saga.
A couple weeks ago, I shot a destination wedding. The place was amazing. A castle by a lake!!
I had quite an interesting experience there. It's always so uncomfortable to have to ask somebody to please stop shooting over your shoulder, or just to move out of the scene.
Have you heard those horror stories, where the most important image from the shoot is lost?
Well, that didn't happen, but quite close!
See what happens when a cousin believes he's a pro-photographer...
Let's see who can figure out who is our dear Primo!
Groom is ready to take his place down the isle, nice arch, stone and...Primo!
We have father of the bride, Groom, Pastor, Bride, somehow DJ was also there and then...Primo!
Primo is busy checking his images.
What a lovely scenery in the background.
Flower girl and Ring bearer, plus photo- relative.
Some nice jacket and elbow.
Primo didn't want to miss the shot.
I bet his image looks awesome with me in it too :)
Primo also doubled as entertainer!
Al joking aside, these are some examples of why is important to keep things under control. Many Brides are now opting for electronic-free weddings due to this very reason. The number of images where all the guests are staring into their little electronic screens instead of looking at the newly weds is just breath taking. When your professional photographer has to continuously ask other members of the ceremony and guests to please move so he can get the shot, is just uncomfortable for everybody.
Our goal is to get you the best images, so help us and make sure somebody keeps an eye on all the uncles, cousins and friends who have a really nice camera and are so eager to become the next family pro.
Certainly, we can take charge and just ask the other people to stop. But then again, why ruin the most important day for a relative if all could've been avoided?
Just my 2 cents :)
I had quite an interesting experience there. It's always so uncomfortable to have to ask somebody to please stop shooting over your shoulder, or just to move out of the scene.
Have you heard those horror stories, where the most important image from the shoot is lost?
Well, that didn't happen, but quite close!
See what happens when a cousin believes he's a pro-photographer...
Let's see who can figure out who is our dear Primo!
Al joking aside, these are some examples of why is important to keep things under control. Many Brides are now opting for electronic-free weddings due to this very reason. The number of images where all the guests are staring into their little electronic screens instead of looking at the newly weds is just breath taking. When your professional photographer has to continuously ask other members of the ceremony and guests to please move so he can get the shot, is just uncomfortable for everybody.
Our goal is to get you the best images, so help us and make sure somebody keeps an eye on all the uncles, cousins and friends who have a really nice camera and are so eager to become the next family pro.
Certainly, we can take charge and just ask the other people to stop. But then again, why ruin the most important day for a relative if all could've been avoided?
Just my 2 cents :)
Going Guerrilla Style
From one of my Mini session calls in Facebook, I choose to work with a previous customer,
who not only is tough but also adventurous.
The idea was to start at sunrise. She actually had to be ready with hair and make up by sunrise...Ouch!
So we met at a coffee shop, she followed me to the previously scouted location, by a lake.
This is summer. full of bugs. I got ticks as I went through the woods to set up my lights. I guess when you have passion for something, you just don't care :)
It was hot, humid and we moved rather quick. All in all, we shoot for about 30- 40 minutes tops.
So, are you up for some of my Mini sessions? keep an eye on my FB page!
who not only is tough but also adventurous.
The idea was to start at sunrise. She actually had to be ready with hair and make up by sunrise...Ouch!
So we met at a coffee shop, she followed me to the previously scouted location, by a lake.
This is summer. full of bugs. I got ticks as I went through the woods to set up my lights. I guess when you have passion for something, you just don't care :)
It was hot, humid and we moved rather quick. All in all, we shoot for about 30- 40 minutes tops.
So, are you up for some of my Mini sessions? keep an eye on my FB page!
Friday, June 7, 2013
There's something about feathers...
Thinking about it, I can come up with several approaches, different than the much seen Lingerie brand.
I'll work on it. More to come soon!
Adrian
Thursday, May 2, 2013
After your session, get the goodies!
Choose from a variety of options. Lay flat coffee table books ranging from 6x6 inches to 12x12. Square or rectangular. in 26, 38 or 50 pages. Accordion mini books, calendars, personalized CD's, prints, Canvases, the works! Because your images deserve the best presentation!
All done with true photographic paper and with the highest quality standards.
email me for more details!
Adrian
The outfit issue, or what to wear?
The answer is complex. It is complex as it's tricky. When clients ask me if I provide outfits, or what to bring,
they probably believe there's a right kind of outfit. But there's not. What you wear is a reflection of who you are.
So, It would not be fair for me to provide outfits. It would make everybody look exactly like the other 550 clients I had. And...who wants that?
People come to see me because I do something that nobody else does. But the big part of that is that my images are not cookie cutter, like they would be if I provided outfits. That leaves still a big chunk out there:
So what should I bring?
Well, that depends on many things. What's your personality? Who are the images for? Are you confident? I've done session with one outfit through the whole time. And with one pair of shoes. Not ideal but I can work with whatever you have, however, I would ask you this:
When you go out, say on a very important event, maybe a wedding. You pick the perfect outfit. Spend days browsing on dresses, and finding matching shoes. Maybe some jewelry. You do this in an effort to find something in which you just feel gorgeous. Then you make an appointment for hair and make up, right?
Boudoir is pretty much the same. With on little caveat: The images might be intended to make you gorgeous on somebody else's eyes. Find out his/ her preferences!
And usually, guys and girls have different approaches to beauty and sexy standards.
Let me share some images. Check them out and see by yourself. What works best for you? simple? elaborated? is it worth it getting new stuff?
A boudoir session is the perfect excuse to do some shopping!
So, which one is more "you"? bright color? matching set? dark? conservative? wild? No, there's not a 'right' kind of outfit. They're just different, as every person is.
A couple of things though,
Adrian
they probably believe there's a right kind of outfit. But there's not. What you wear is a reflection of who you are.
So, It would not be fair for me to provide outfits. It would make everybody look exactly like the other 550 clients I had. And...who wants that?
People come to see me because I do something that nobody else does. But the big part of that is that my images are not cookie cutter, like they would be if I provided outfits. That leaves still a big chunk out there:
So what should I bring?
Well, that depends on many things. What's your personality? Who are the images for? Are you confident? I've done session with one outfit through the whole time. And with one pair of shoes. Not ideal but I can work with whatever you have, however, I would ask you this:
When you go out, say on a very important event, maybe a wedding. You pick the perfect outfit. Spend days browsing on dresses, and finding matching shoes. Maybe some jewelry. You do this in an effort to find something in which you just feel gorgeous. Then you make an appointment for hair and make up, right?
Boudoir is pretty much the same. With on little caveat: The images might be intended to make you gorgeous on somebody else's eyes. Find out his/ her preferences!
And usually, guys and girls have different approaches to beauty and sexy standards.
Let me share some images. Check them out and see by yourself. What works best for you? simple? elaborated? is it worth it getting new stuff?
A boudoir session is the perfect excuse to do some shopping!
A couple of things though,
- Please bring matching shoes for each outfit.
- Make sure all outfits are ironed.
- Remove tags from all of the outfits.
- Clean shoe's soles.
- If you bring garters, make sure you bring stockings and know how to attach them.
- Make mental notes of which outfits you like more and which less.
- Try to bring an average of 5 outfits per hr of session.
- I tend to favor matching outfits. But that's just me. I consider a matching outfit to be one with the same colors and fabric on both parts of it. Close enough is just close enough. However, it's your session and we'll do it YOUR way! :)
- Push yourself out of your shell. This is a once in a lifetime experience. So what kind of images are you creating? cute or mind blowing?
Adrian
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