I have a new episode out where I am using my TOES to take self portraits 🤪 Watch it and let me know what you think! 😉📸
https://of.tv/video/66043a135ab1c20001fc8519/
**“It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter.”**
– Alfred Eisenstaedt
Photographing individuals presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to photography. It requires more than just technical skill; it demands the ability to build connections, communicate effectively with the model, and bring a positive energy to the shoot.
Each photoshoot offers the chance not only to capture images but also to create lasting connections and evoke genuine emotions. While knowing your gear and settings is crucial, the real challenge often lies in the art of photographing people. This assignment requires not only technical skill but also the ability to build relationships, enhance communication, and foster the appropriate environment for the photoshoot. Remember, fostering a positive atmosphere can reduce your model's anxiety, creating an environment where creativity flourishes and each photo tells a deeper story.
The mood you bring to the shoot significantly impacts the outcome. Models can sense if you're nervous, anxious, or having a bad day. Thus, maintaining a positive mindset and vibe is crucial. Admittedly, this can be difficult; life's unpredictability can sometimes be overwhelming. However, the more you can compartmentalize those feelings and maintain professionalism, the better the quality of your images will be. Embracing this approach not only improves the shooting experience for everyone involved but also enhances the final product, capturing moments that truly resonate.
With that said - always bring positive and good vibes 📸✨
**“The great geniuses are those who have kept their childlike spirit and have added to it breadth of vision and experience.”**
- Alfred Stieglitz
Something that can quickly stifle your creativity includes negative energy and people around you trying to crush your dreams by saying things like, "You won't make it," "The camera is too expensive," or "You should get a real job." I strongly believe it's crucial not to let this deter you from pursuing your dreams. We all make mistakes and have explored various paths in life; that's what life is all about. However, there's one thing I truly do not want to find myself saying as I lie in bed, old and reflecting on my life: "I just wish I had gone for it and not listened to others or worried about their opinions."
If you don't try, if you don't dare to dream, I believe you'll regret it and wish you had taken the chance. By dreaming, being bold, and just going for it, you're truly living. And we're all here to live, right? 📸✨
What is a big dream of yours? Comment below or send me a DM
Make sure to watch my latest episode @oftv !!
@sunneebuilds showed my how to make a really cool leather harness so we decided to do a fun photoshoot wearing them. I absolutely love how the photos turned out, Sunnee definitely understood the assignment 😉
If you want to see the parts that I couldn't include in the episode, hit me or Sunnee up in DM's 😈
https://of.tv/video/65f1f7d2f6dd1500019a925f/
**Let's get real for a moment ✨**
What's your greatest challenge with photography? For me, it's patience—and not letting the presence of others stress me out when I'm aiming for that perfect shot 😂
Whenever I find myself in a busy spot, like a popular tourist destination, I often have to remind myself to stay patient and wait. Even though part of me wants to clear the area, we're all there to appreciate the beauty and have a good time. But, when I actually embrace the wait and find joy in it, the satisfaction of capturing the photo afterward is always worth it.
So, take your time, savor the waiting process, and enjoy photography! Don't let the hustle and bustle of busy scenes dampen your spirits, which can also negatively impact your creativity and the final outcome. 📸
Light is the brush, the world is the canvas: in photography, light paints reality, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary. 📸
I love natural window light when photographing.It is softly sculpting scenes with the gentle touch of the sun's rays, turning ordinary moments into luminous tales.
I have a new @oftv episode out with my amazing handy-woman @sunneebuilds
In this episode she's teaching me how to make a custom leather camera strap. Watch the episode and let me know in DM's how you like it 😁📸
https://of.tv/video/65e77a9a85ecec00010ba7e0/
**Early bird gets the worm! 🐛**
If you've been following me for a while, you know by now that I love to get up very early in the morning to take photos before the light gets too harsh. There's something magical about the soft, gentle glow of dawn that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Why do I love early morning photography? It's all about the light! Before the sun climbs too high, the world basks in a golden hue that's perfect for capturing stunning, serene moments. Not only does this early light bring out the vibrant colors of nature, but it also creates fascinating shadows and textures, adding depth and dimension to photographs.
So, the next time your alarm goes off before the break of dawn, consider it a call to adventure. Grab your camera and step out into the calm of the morning. You might just capture something truly breathtaking. Remember, the early bird doesn't just get the worm – it catches the best light! 📸✨
I've had too much fun lately in my home studio, and time flies by way too fast when you're having fun right?
Playing around in the studio is definitely a great way of learning. Taking self portraits can be time consuming since it is a lot of running back and forth. Adjusting the light, snap a photo, analyzing the photo, move the light, take another photo etc etc.. But seeing how much a picture can change just by changing the light or settings is just amazing. It is just important to take your time, have patience and to not stress the photo - then the photo will come alive just the way you want it to. But the most important thing to remember - HAVE FUN!
And just like Bill Brandt said; **“Photography has no rules, it is not a sport. It is the result which counts, no matter how it is achieved.”** 📸✨
Cheers to Strength, Grace, and Progress - **Happy International Women's Day!** ✨
Make sure to show the ladies in your life some extra love and support today, but definitely also all the other days of the year!
Make sure to check out my latest episode, and if you want to see the ending of the video… let me know, it’s hot 🤗📸
https://of.tv/video/65e7939a78e9f500017c6656/
What do you think I'm photographing in this photo? 😉📸
Sometimes, when you're out capturing moments through your lens, it's easy to become completely absorbed in your surroundings – in the best way possible. To achieve a particular shot, you might find yourself getting down on the ground, lying flat, standing on a bench, or even climbing up a tree – whatever it takes to capture that perfect image. If you're concerned about others judging your photography style or your unconventional methods, just ignore those people. In the realm of art, there are no rules. The only thing that can truly hinder your creative expression and prevent you from doing what you love is yourself. So, go out there and create! ✨
**“Photography has no rules, it is not a sport. It is the result which counts, no matter how it is achieved.”**
– Bill Brandt
Photography is an art form, and art is boundless. We all have our unique preferences, but beyond that, you're free to explore and express yourself in any way you choose. Of course, there are technical aspects to consider that contribute to a photo's impact, but aside from that, I encourage you to go out, capture moments, and not be overly concerned with others' opinions or comments. If I were to heed every critique or negative remark about my photos, I would risk losing my unique style.
Ultimately, the question to ponder at the end of the day is - are you taking photos to satisfy your social media audience, or are you capturing moments for yourself? 📸✨
I don't know what it is, but there's just something about a white button down shirt and black and white photos.. I need more of those 😁
I am currently planning some upcoming episodes, so comment below if there's something you want to see more of in my OFTV. 📸✨
Just wanted to share some of the photos I snapped while filming an episode of OFTV last year, at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota. It was a fantastic spot for the episode I was filming, since I was trying out the Leica Q2, and I **L O V E D** it! It's the perfect size for traveling or for more street photography, fitting perfectly in my smaller camera bag.
I have a lot of fun stuff planned in the near future and will definitely share more exciting photography with you, including shots of other models, food, drinks, wildlife, and nature. So, stay tuned 😁📸
**“A good photograph is knowing where to stand.**
– Ansel Adams
Finding a good angle or spot to stand—or to lie down, squat, kneel... lol—while photographing can be challenging for some. I actually quite enjoy it, but I am definitely extra grateful to have a screen that I can tilt either up or down to see what I'm doing, since some angles can be challenging to view through the viewfinder.
Next time you take a photo, whether with your camera or even your phone, challenge yourself. Don't just hold the lens at eye level; play around with it. Squat down, maybe climb up on a bench, or wherever you are, and see how different the same scene can look from various angles. 📸✨
I know I always talk about golden hour.. but look at this light! 😉
I've always been an early bird and I love to get up and going early in the morning. There's less people out, less cars, animals are usually more active, magical light and I just love to bring my coffee out and get some fresh air to start my day.
So.. how does a perfect day start for me? Either yoga followed with coffee and breakfast, or out on a boardwalk or in the city, coffee in one hand and my camera in the other. Watching the world wake up as the sun rises.. it's magical.
What's your favorite thing do to in the morning? 📸✨
Have you ever heard a photographer talking about light? And how important it is for good photos?
Light is the heartbeat of photography. ✨ It's not just about illuminating a scene; it's about shaping and defining it. Light influences the mood, texture, and emotion of an image, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Whether it's the golden hour's warm glow or the dramatic contrast of shadows, light plays a crucial role in capturing the essence of a moment. It's the difference between a flat image and a captivating one, making light not just important, but essential in photography.
This is something I'll be talking about and showing examples of in one of my upcoming OFTV episodes. 😊📸
I am so excited to have my friend @sunneebuilds coming to visit me! We are going live tomorrow 8PM EST, it will be ton's of fun, games and more.. So make sure to set the reminder so you don't miss out 🤭
Make sure to watch my latest OFTV episode, and then let me know if you want to see the rest of this content... it's hot 🤭🫦
https://of.tv/video/65ce6000d5464b0001f6f232/
**“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s lethal.”**
– Paulo Coelho
I love having routines, but I also recognize the danger of never stepping outside your comfort zone and just being stuck on the couch. This applies to pretty much everything in life. To grow as a person, as an artist, to get stronger in the gym, etc., you have to switch things up, try new exercises, and sometimes do things you don't want to do but still need to because it's part of the job. I mean, if humanity always just did things that we love, where would we be today as a society?
With that said, what do you do to push yourself outside your comfort zone? ✨