Deconstructing a Photo

Let's dig deep into the process of these images of Katie of La Rousse Photo. Like I said before, Katie loves movement as much as I do. I wanted these images to feel like you were swimming in between the movement.

Pre-visualize. Before you start your shoot, ask yourself what type of mood you'd like to establish with your images. If I don't have a message to tell or an emotion to establish, then I'm shooting without intention. When I DO have a message, I am finding ways to TELL YOU this message. I think about how my composition, subject movement, and light are the ways in which I communicate. It can't just be about what's in front of me. 

And behind the layers of creating the photo - before I even pick up the camera - it all starts with your subject. Honestly, what takes time in a business is to draw in the clients that resonate with your style. And I'm not talking about clients with style, I'm talking about clients that simply connect with your work emotionally. They will bring it if they believe in it. If you're not there yet, then start with friends. Take steps towards that direction. If you are consistent, I promise you will get there sooner. If you have a hard time articulating the style, hire a stylist. Alex of AVE Styles was Katie's styling consultant to prep her for her trip from LA.

You're as strong as your team.

And if it's just you (which is completely fine) then at least sit down, before the camera is in your hand, and imagine what those photos of that specific person in that specific environment could look like. Once you're there, don't force anything - but at least you will be mentally prepared to create visuals with a meaning.

Content Creation for Brands

I don't know when exactly it happened during my conversation with Alex, but we used the word "original content creation." And it was one of those moments that just made you say "YES!!!" We were able to articulate specifically what our partnership was doing. The impact of our gifts used together.

Alex is a stylist. I am a cinematographer. But together, we create content to be used strategically for brands. Alex isn't just a "stylist." She is able to curate content that not only aligns with the story we want to tell, but resonates with social media (PAUSE: Curate - to collect, style, and piece together with purpose). Then I come in and shoot it with Pinterest / Social Media in mind AND with the story of the brand. That's how your content is strategic. Now, you have a purpose for the way you shoot because you have a message to tell. Alex couldn't have said it better on her blog.

Getting to work with Lone Flag was so inspiring. They are a new, retail shop with a very specific look and well defined mission statement. I get fired up when I work with brands that have a confident understanding of their style but are looking for ways to tell their story through strategic visuals. Because their shop is new, this also allowed Alex to use her Pinterest marketing and curating to draw traffic to them. More pins = more traffic = more probability someone will buy. 

Am I boring you? Cause this stuff makes my heart race :)

More importantly, helping businesses grow makes my heart race. Working with others makes my heart race. I'm so thankful to see how this evolves using the gifts that God said "yep, this one's made for Ale."

In case you missed the brand film last week, you can see it here. Thanks for following along on this journey with me :)

Lone Flag Brand Film

Let me tell you, the debate between releasing the photos AND video at the same time in my head was intense.

But in this case - I need you to see both separately.

This film is a labor of love and more specifically - a motion piece with original content creation. I know some of you have wondered what Alex of AVE Styles and I are creating together. The easiest way to understand is cinematography + art direction with a specific goal to boost brands (via campaign films, stills, and Pinterest content). And you guys. LONE FLAG. Oh-my-laaaaawd. The coolness that drips from the couple behind this retail concept is like butter. Except maybe butter made from coconut oil because they're that cool.

In all seriousness, when we first exchanged e-mails with Kelli and Sam about the story of Lone Flag - the word that was constantly used was "community." They are a brand with a focus on American made goods and they partner with other vendors that share the same mission statement. Visually, I could feel the masculine and raw elements of this brand so I really wanted to portray that and the community in motion. Alex curated a specific look for the overall feel and this is how we brought it to life...



Woooooo!! :)

Desert Rendezvous: A Motion Brand Film

 

So remember the “less chronological, more emotion and mood” films I alluded to on Monday? It’s time to dive in.

photo by Jasmine Star

It started with an idea – a desire to highlight a brand based on how it feels. Or rather, how the brand wants you (the viewer) to feel.  I imagined collaborating with a team of artists and storytelling a brand together. I’m talking plenty of planning and professional styling.

photo by Jasmine Star

And what do we do with crazy ideas?! Make them happen!  Fortunately, Jasmine Star found the idea crazy enough to believe in it. When I mentioned the idea of bringing styled shoots to life – of bringing one component of her editorial brand into a motion piece instead of a talking piece, she rocked my world with a big fat “HECK YEAH.” 

photos by Jasmine Star

Fun. This is the word that Jasmine Star said she wanted the video to feel like in order to represent her, to represent her experience.  After coming up with a concept, I placed it in Alex’s hands to translate those elements into apparel. As the art director, she selected a team of hair and make-up artists, and a prop stylist that would realize the vision. The day of the shoot Jasmine and I tag teamed with our couple, filming and photographing them in ways that told a very specific component of her brand story.  It was thrilling to be shooting alongside Jasmine and playing off of her energy.

photo by Jasmine Star

Aaaaand, well, that is where Desert Rendezvous was born. This is that piece in motion:

photo by Jasmine Star // 

Photography: Jasmine Star, Styling: AVE Styles, Prop Stylist: Misha West, The Agency AZ, SN Makeup, Hair by Kim Cornwell, Location: Jennifer Bush

The amazing team up there :) You should check out Alex's perspective as a stylist and Jasmine's perspective on this project.

As Jasmine and I drove to dinner that night, I sometimes had moments of disbelief that she was there, sitting beside me in my car. She was so good about asking me questions that forced me to verbalize what I really wanted to be doing with video. On the way to dinner that night, I said, “this is it Jasmine. This is exactly what I want to do more and more of.”  You could TOUCH the energy that day. And I believe that comes from the power of a team over the strength of just one.  That is exactly where I want to be.

Coral and Mint Inspiration

Oh, la la Spring. I'm in love with the styling of this shoot. Coral and mint are typically very romantic colors that are matched together but these colors can be more than romantic... 

I partnered up with Alex Evjen and Megan Bryant of AVE Styles to explore the shades you'll be seeing a lot this Spring. And don't worry, Alex can guide you on the different ways to incorporate these colors.

Stephanie Neiheisel (check out her blog!) of SN Makeup Artist has a natural edge - she was not only our makeup artist - but our model as well. Stephanie has a beautiful blend of feminineness and edge. My fav :)

Megan Bryant's fun hair:

See... romantic, edgy, or chic. Coral + Mint.

But how gorgeous are those shoes?! I'm really loving that electric blue. And coral? Well, that love affair has been going strong for years now ... years ;)

p.s. Check out Stephanie's post for more photos and even more details. Seriously. Do it!

Outfit Chronicles: One Piece - Three Ways PT 2

Here is Part One if you haven't checked it out. The rundown is basically this:

Alex of AVE Styles + Me = A fashion series to make styling a little more comprehensible
Challenge: Take 1 article of clothing and make 3 different looks with it.

While Alex is typically behind-the-scenes, helping couples, models, and other clientele find items that suit them best -- she brought the party in FRONT of the camera this time. And I was ready :)

Alex's one piece: Striped Long Sleeve Top

Isn't it amazing how a striped top can be elevated to "French Prep" by pairing it with a blazer and riding boots? I mean, it makes sense but it's such a different feel from the Bold Artist!

I love this last look! I've seen Alex sport long sleeves under dresses before and it's something I really want to try. In fact, as I was leaving Alex told me to try putting the cardigan I was sporting in yesterday's post under the printed dress I was wearing.

A huge thanks to Alex for helping me carry out this idea to make the world of fashion easier to digest. Or simply to provide y'all with some inspiration as you stand in front of your closet! :) Check out Alex's post for an insight on her styling process for these outfits.

We have more tutorials planned for the future! Hope you've enjoyed the first and are looking forward to more! Feel free to send in any requests or just share your thoughts ;)

Outfit Chronicles: One Piece - Three Ways

Ever have a how the heck did they even come up with that outfit?! moment?

Alex from AVE Styles and I are working together to bring you a set of series where fashion and style are a lot more accessible. Where you can start thinking about what you already have in your closet rather than the brands you don't own. Kind of like shopping for free. How ridiculous is that?

First challenge: One piece of clothing styled in three ways. Three completely different looks.

I showed up to Alex's place with a duffel bag full of clothes. I would consider myself a relatively stylish girl. BUT. I have NEVER put any of these outfits together that Alex whipped up. After the fastest camera/photography tutorial ever, Alex became the photographer and together we created these fashion profiles. Consider the notes like recipes -- you can mimic or reinterpret it to whatever taste you like.

My one piece: Coral Blazer

--

Add some sparkle and now it's a night time outfit. Alex said this outfit reminded her most of me. Not gonna lie, definitely a favorite...

--

And last -- this one really surprised me. I would have never thought to pair a cardigan under a blazer.

Cra-zy. Felt like I went shopping. The wonders of working with a stylist. Lucky for us, Alex is raining down some of that styling wisdom on us :) Tomorrow it will be her turn to be in front of the camera... yeeeep!

Make sure to check out her blog for even more details on the thoughts behind the styling. Hope you're looking forward to these series! Requests are welcomed ;)

Inspiration and Creation Behind Menswear Fashion Shoot

So how did this even start?

First, there was an email. I was contacted by Alex (model) about collaborating on a shoot. When it comes to fashion, I have to have a theme or concept so I asked if he had any ideas in mind. He sent me some of the following photos that inspire him...

Then it hit me. Literally, it just took an understanding of his direction and I flew with it.

These photos, to me, had very common themes: relaxed, effortless, and masculine. And for some reason, the FIRST thought in my head was -- musician/song-writer concept.

#1.) Concept - done

#2.) Inspirational board - Piano. I couldn't get that idea out of my head so I did some research. And that's when I found the glorious session with Robert Pattinson on Vanity Fair. Hey, hey, I'm calling the CONCEPT glorious -- not Pattinson boy.

k, done!

#3.) Make it happen. Find creative team, location, pick a date, and organize the little details (props, info sheet, etc.). Making it happen is sometimes the hardest part :)

The creative team only consisted of one other person aside from me (photographer) and Alex Lasheen (model)... Alexandra Evjen. Alexandra of AVE Styles was incredibly important to this shoot. A stylist, even when it's not a fashion shoot, solidifies the concept and picks articles of clothing that will enhance not only the theme, but the individual wearing the clothes (and as a result.. the photos!). I was blessed to have such a hard working and dedicated team.

Once I got permission from Geoff Trachtenberg to use his breath-taking home -- I was ready to go!

.... Well, almost.

The video. This is a bit hard to explain because Jose himself has asked me "where do you get these ideas from?" And the truth is, it's deep in my nature to be a story teller. I mean, that's the epitome of my photography. What I CAN explain is that the only way you can make this happen is with a storyboard.

Going off of my "musician/song-writer" character, I already knew the emotions I wanted Alex Lasheen to portray. He's a frustrated, in love, song-writer that dresses savvy without even trying. And he plays the guitar. I WISH I had a piano, but hey -- it worked out with the "effortless" idea. The plot line came to me from the character concept: a day in the life of this musician who struggles to write a song.

The next important element to this storyline is MUSIC. And that, my friends, is a personal thing. Driving home when I was in high school, I would glance at my rear view mirror and pretend I was part of a music video. Oh, the ideas I had. When music came on in my car, it just penetrated my emotions so strongly. My secret wish... to film a music video. I never in my wildest dreams imagined I could get this close with a photography camera. Staying up late with Jose and spending another set of hours the next day -- I found James Blake. When I heard the song, the images started to just POUR into my brain. I was already creating the video!

I wrote everything down. Model wakes up, messes with hair, shots of him on bed. Model starts to get ready for his day, etc., etc. Why I chose to film it the way I did? That's just my style. Intimate, up close, and with a shallow depth of field. I am constantly thinking about transition shots as well -- this is KEY to piecing a story together.

Once Alexandra showed me the outfits she styled for Alex, I could adjust my storyline based on her selection. However, keep in mind that this structure is to allow the concept to grow organically. I simply guided it -- just like my photoshoots. You set the mood, and the moment unravels itself. Do not force anything.

So... that's how this whole project evolved. How my ideas evolve. Hopefully that gave you some insight into my creation of a photoshoot :)

(In case you missed it yesterday, make sure to visit Monday's post with the fashion video :)