Every time I see this lil’ man, I have to photograph him. How can I not? I only see him months apart at a time these days, so he knows he has to be camera ready when I do get a chance to see that adorable face
Since moving into a different apartment this past August, the available light is not nearly as wonderful as it used to be because I now face a different side of the building. I plopped this guy on my bed, open up my shades, but was not loving that there was no light in his eyes and little detail from his black fur. To add some fill, I actually used quickly setup my flash off camera about 90 degrees on the left and attached a small white umbrella. I was using the ambient light as my main light source, but then added a fill with my flash at its lowest power 1/128 so that I could still shoot with a shallow DOF at f/1.6
For those who are curious, my camera settings were : 1/80 , ISO 320 , f/1.6 with my flash power at 1/128
In order to produce the highest quality images, the quality of light is very important to me. I recommend practicing OCF with pets :) They are pretty cooperative and make for some portraits you cannot resist! Thanks you to my model, Jack, for standing in for this. haha!
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This past weekend was a very special engagement shoot! I have actually known Jessica since I was in 1st grade. Crazy, right? We also went to the same high school together too. After graduation, Jessica went out of state for college and if it was not for a mutual friend who introduced Jessica to my work, I probably would not be lucky enough to have her and Taylor as clients.
Taylor currently lives out in Boston, so he flew in this past weekend just for this shoot! I knew photographing them was going to be fantastic because they both were excited for the photo experience. I took the liberty of making some fun props to make this shoot extra special
I am no handy man, so the tent was pretty flimsy. However, with the help of Taylor and my assistant that day, Whitney, we got the tent to stand. Horray! I even took the liberty of crafting a “kiss me sign”If you got as many Jo-Ann Fabrics coupons as I do, you would be crafting every weekend too! Jessica has been crafting like crazy for the wedding, so I am sure she can relate. haha!
Dispite the unpredictable weather, this session could not have unfolded more perfectly. It was overcast the day I photographed them, but their love shined brighter than the sunYup, I totally just got cheesy there for a second! We were all giggles for about 90% of the shoot . Afterwards, we went and grabbed burgers and laughed some more
One month until their big day, and I am already itching to photograph them again!
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Oh my gracious goodness I love EVERYTHING about this shoot. Maggie you’re fabulous!!!!!!
gorgeous photos + great variety! I think I love every b+W image up there
oh my word, they are like the most perfect gorgeous models ever! gorgeous images! love them!
Maggie, these images are perfection. I love how you captured their love and giggles. Simply beautiful.
Gorgeous! I love your photography!
You totally rocked this shoot! I can feel the love!!! <3
Awesome job, Mags!
Love, love, love… you are able to capture such amazing emotion and love… so looking forward to my session with you this fall Maggie! you are truly an amazing photographer!
Hi! Love your work how do I get a hold of you for our wedding?
Light is a gift. After all, on the first day of creation God said, “Let there be light”, didn’t he? I am currently reading the book, Luminous Portrait, by the ever so lovely and talented, Elizabeth Messina. It arrived in the mail just yesterday, and the only reason it is not in my hands right now is because I am writing this blog post. I hate to be cliche and say she is my biggest inspiration but … cough … SHE IS MY BIGGEST INSPIRATION! Her work is so incredible and it is worth sounding cliche over
I think all photographers would admit they are obsessed with light (or at least I hope they are). I am constantly watching what light does. I am always looking at the catching lights from the window in someone’s eyes of a coffee shop, the way the sunset backlights a leaf perfectly … sigh, light is incredible. Although I am finishing the last few chapters in Elizabeth’s book today, I have already taken away so many more tools on how to see light. As emphasized many times in the book (because it is just that important), light is the most important element to an image. How incredible is the thought of that? I do not know if that is just the dorky photographer is me but that makes me want to skip up and down the side walk (totally worth the crazy looks).
Diffused window light … it is the most beautiful quality of light to photograph in. I love how much this book mentions that. I was sparked to take this self portrait yesterday as I begun reading the book because Elizabeth mentioned how taking self portraits is the best way to understand light. She is correct! You have the opportunity to really study the light without having to think about a client waiting on you. You can see what angles work best and what do not, learning and fixing these things and applying them to your own professional jobs. Both images below we taken yesterday evening. I posed for my camera (using my 85mm f/1.8 at f/2) while using a tripod, focused on an object, and went and stood where it was. My goal was not just to simply take a portrait but to show my personality as well. After all, isn’t that our goal with each client? Sounds silly but I had to direct myself (in my head … I am not crazy!) to find the light and pose in a way that was most flattering for me. Afterwards, I ventured outside to study the evening light a bit more. I actually do this often, whether I bring my camera or not, and I highly encourage beginners and professionals to do this regularly!
Let the magic of light inspire every image you take.
“Photography is a way of feeling, touching, of loving.
What you have caught on film is captured forever …
it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”
Let’s all remember that every time we take a photograph … xoxo
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You’re right…light is EVERYTHING!!! Great wtiting too
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Catherine Marciniak - Love love love and love !! So cute !
Alicia - GORGEOUS! oh.my.gosh.
love these shots maggie!