It's not often that I get a chance to do a senior session, but this last week I had an opportunity to work with Ben, on perhaps the most beautiful day of the fall. Good luck in your Senior year, Ben!

We had so much fun at this session yesterday. Metrocurean creator Amanda McClements needed a batch of fresh new images for the relaunch of her blog. When she approached me about the job, I was so excited to work such a beautiful person, who is totally into food and entertaining. When I arrived, she had great produce to inspire us, beautiful linens, and a light airy space where we could work. Here are some of my favorite images:

more soon!
svg

Some weekend fav's - more on this project to come. Wardrobe courtesy of Kaarin Moore, Closet Caucus founder. Makeup by Bobbi Brown makeup artist, Irina Gerasimova.

This weekend I did a maternity shoot, a 5 hour fashion extravaganza shoot (complete with makeup and wardrobe makeovers), a mini session with 18 month olds, and this rooftop shoot with two great models and fellow shooter, my dad. I would like to say that all the work brought out the best in me, but at the end of the last day, having hauled my 12th load of 50 pounds of gear in 24 hours, well, let's just say it was not my finest moment. I live a blessed life, this I know. Well, with all that gear, the 2 story walkup ain't much of a blessing, but generally, things are good. Creating images and challenging my brain to figure out solutions day in and day out really makes me feel useful, engaged and ever-growing. But, as life goes, the internal driver that pushes me to get out there and do this every day also is often accompanied by the internal critic that tells me I have no business doing what I do - that clearly there are people way more qualified than I. So with these two little guys spinning around in my head - the pusher and the critic - vying for space and attention in an exhausted body and mind - I gave in and melted down.

But 24 hours of distance and rest gives just enough perspective to realize that the stress on body and mind is temporary. The pusher makes us grow and the critic, while a little irrational, is only trying to make us do better. And now, with my ramblings all out in the open, I have this set of images to share. And, hey critic - that's enough for today. Just be quiet and look how pretty Kaarin and Sarah are.

And we're off...


Yesterday I continued on the project of profiling each of the Past Tense employees. Again, Irina lent us her time and incredible makeup artistry, and the studio assistants of Past Tense came over for a fun shoot. They got all bendy and strong in the right here on our property, and generally rocked this shoot...

Sarah

Laura Pohl - photographer and videographer extraordinairePatrick - Videographer, trained yoga teacher, and amazing yogi

Rob - AcroYogi and arm balance junkie

Tori

Maggieoff to a maternity shoot - more soon!

-sv

So, if you have been following me on Facebook, you know I was seeking a rooftop for a shoot. We found an ideal spot for last night, thanks to you know who (we sort of snuck up there and then snuck over a guardrail, so i'll keep my accomplice anonymous).We were looking for an unobstructed view of the sky, and got somewhat close. However, we were cautious. Not because of the lack of guardrail, but because of the circles drawn in random squishy spots all over the roof, with the word "hole" written next to them.

There is only one explanation for that diagram, and it ain't a technical one. I can't believe i didn't take a picture. Guess I was trying not to fall in.

So. This was my first semi-successful twilight shoot. I have a lot to learn, but it was a fun go.

We first got settled....

...and played with the small flashes. I was trying to balance the artificial light with how I anticipated the ambient twilight was going to look. I am sure that there is something I wasn't taking into consideration as to how to push the twilight-look of the sky by adjusting my exposure compensation, but on the fly I couldn't figure it out. Although I still like this shot.

...then the sky began to deepen...

...and we got dramatic. Throwing a sari and gold pants into the mix never hurts...

Or perhaps a cute cocktail dress and heels? Is this the 2009 equivalent of vacuuming in heels and pearls?

A happy accident, cityscape building silhouettes on the horizon. And Kelly embraces her true, happy, ever-optimistic inner yogi.

...Ximena got beautifully bendy...sigh. I wish the shot did this pose justice. Next time.


And then beautiful Kelly got still for me so that I could capture her as is, in her lovely green dress.

more to come....sv