Sporty in the City
Sporty in the City
Had a blast working with a new team a couple of weeks ago! I really enjoy discovering talented makeup artists, hairstylists, models, and wardrobe stylists and to just collaborate. This photoshoot was easy breezy and there was definitely something magical about just hanging out and taking some fun photos. As a commercial photographer a lot of my work is planned down to the tiniest detail. So, it was pretty incredible to do something just for the fun of it!
Hair: Dee Lanee Shears @deelaneehair
Makeup:Nikki Brown @flawlessfacesbynikki
Models: DeAera Chatman (Lmodelz) @deechaat, Tiana Hall @tianaaa_hall
Styling/Concept: Lamya Cruz @thatgirllams
What do I wear to my portrait session?
What do I wear to my portrait session?
So, you've booked your portrait session but now the real question is how do you want to represent yourself? Here are a few quick tips that will insure you look your best!
So, you've booked your portrait session but now the real question is how do you want to represent yourself? Here are a few quick tips that will insure you look your best!
Men
The Do's
- Button up dress shirts in solid colors or white
- Blazers/jackets in navy, black, dark gray, and light gray
- Ties can be patterned or solid. Please bring options so not everyone shows up with a red tie!
- Pocket squares are another great way to add some personalty to a business headshot!
Don'ts
- Don't bring wrinkled clothing! But I do have a steamer if something happens during transportation.
- Don't bring a button up dress shirt with pockets. I know most people don't do this but it's happened before and the pockets always show up by peeking around the lapels of the coat.
- Don't bring just 1 tie
Women
Do's
- Wear a little extra makeup and bring it with you day of so you can freshen up right before your portrait. The flash typically washes out the face, so a little extra blush, powder and lipstick goes a long way!
- Bring a range of different colors and necklines. If you have any doubt about whether something will work or not just bring it along. Textures and layers are the best and try to keep jewelry minimal. Studs or small earrings work and simple necklaces, anything hanging or chunky will usually draw too much attention in a headshot. Have some fun with this, if you feel your wardrobe is missing something then go shopping and keep the tags on it in case you’d like to return the items after the shoot.
- Jewel tones and solids photograph best!
- Do wear tailored pieces
Dont's
- Don't bring wrinkled or lent covered clothing
- Don't wear bold busy prints, unless they are under a blazer or layered
- Don't wear loose baggy/flowy tops, or sweaters these tend to look less flattering on all body types.
If you still have no idea what to wear I am more than happy to recommend a stylist!
Jersey City & Mana Contemporary
New York City never ceases to enchant me! Every chance I get I am on a plane to experience all the culture, architecture, and best of all the food that NYC has to offer.
On our last trip we stopped by Jersey City to visit Mana Contemporary. Wow, talk about dream work space. Every floor was inhabited by artists and the basement was even utilized for a residency program for young up and coming artists. The best part of our visit was hanging with our friend Cey Adams and Gary Lichtenstein as they worked on a new collaboration.
Hidden Oasis
Only 15 miles from downtown Indianapolis, Traders Point Creamery is a quick get away from the city life. A great spot for an afternoon milkshake or a Sunday morning brunch!
I can barely look at these pictures without salivating as much as I did when I was taking them. About 5 mins afterwards we devoured every bite of this tasty meal.
You must check it out for yourself!
Exploring Landwerlen Leather Co.
Indianapolis is full of surprises. One of my favorite surprises is stumbling upon historical landmarks that are hidden and often go unnoticed. I got the opportunity to check out Landwerlen Leather Co after hearing about it from a good friend who shops there frequently. If you work with leather goods, you must check it out for yourself!
PatternXNYC
My first trip to NYC last year was a tantalizing introduction. The entire experience was an illusion of future possibilities for growth and experience. I was energized and inspired into going back and doing something I have always dreamed of, shooting a legit fashion editorial in New York City.
This trip taught me a couple things; going after what you want and the importance to letting others help you get there. Some dreams are just too big to tackle on your own, surrounding yourself with a great team makes all the difference in the world.
As the client...
During a portrait session each person has a particular role that makes the entire experience a successful one or a not so successful. Here are a few tips for you as the client to get the most out of your portrait session.
1. Plan ahead
Make sure your concept for your photoshoot is well organized beforehand. Share with the photographer inspiration images of how you would like your photos to look. Please include images of hair and makeup looks as well. That way on the day the whole team has a well laid out plan for what you would like.
2. Speak up
If you have booked a makeup artist, hairstylist, or wardrobe stylist for your shoot speak up. We are there for you! If you are unhappy with our makeup choices, hair styles, or outfits, we wont know unless you give feedback. Maybe you aren't feeling the lipstick color, or that fancy tie, let us know! These are often easy fixes when you have a good team of professionals. These are not easy fixes in photoshop.
3. Take a breath
Okay, so you asked the team to make a few changes. No worries! We are here to make you look and feel the best we can! : ) Now enjoy your moment as a celebrity in the studio and work it!
Studio F140
Every now and then you take a moment and look at where you came from. Today was one of those days. After spending a few consecutive days in the studio I looked around and remembered the first time I stepped into the Stutz building.
When you are in college you really don't know where you will end up. Things are confusing and the world is too vast. That's exactly how I felt when I found my first internship with Cassidy Photography. I got lost trying to find his studio in the old car factory building, but somehow I arrived on time and walked through the barn doors to the studio that 6 years later would become the very place I work out of today.
It isn't glamorous by any means. The floors need to be painted, there is a constant layer of dust on everything, and it always smells like french fries from the Bearcats Restaurant next door. But I wouldn't change the fact that I have so many memories in this place. I met my good friend Polina Osherov here, my business started here, and I have worked with many friends on fun projects that have shaped my career.
Today was a flashback day and I am thankful for it!
A Day At The Rolling Stone Office
Day 1 of creative week in New York I will never forget for as long as I live. I barely slept I was so excited to photograph THE publisher of Rolling Stone Magazine! Read the interview with Michael Provus in the current Pattern Magazine Vol. 6!
Up Close & Personal
What are the benefits to booking a makeup artist for a photo shoot? There are many benefits to booking a makeup artist! Even when you think your own way of applying makeup is decent and you are happy with it, take a moment to check out these comparison images. (The makeup and skin have not been retouched.)
The first 2 images show makeup applied the way I typically do on an everyday basis, which I thought was just fine and dandy. The last 2 images show a fresh coat of photo ready makeup applied by my good friend and makeup artist Sarah Jackson.
Lets talk about a few things that a makeup artist can help you with. Foundation and concealer, are two of the main problem areas that can show up on camera. When the color is off or not blended well, it can be very noticeable and is something that can be a real issue for photographers to blend after the fact. Blush and lip color are also super important. Blush is easily washed out by either strobes or the sun, leaving you looking pale. Your artist may add more blush than normal for your portrait session to fix this, but don't worry you won't look like a clown. Lip color, as you can see, makes quite a difference dry chapped lips are almost impossible for photographers to correct in retouching. Just add a gloss or lip balm and this will quickly smooth out the problem.
For your next portrait session ask your photographer for makeup artist recommendations! You will feel more put together and prepared for your close up. Trust me, I did. : )
The Big Apple
This past weekend was beyond phenomenal! We walked close to 20 miles on the streets of New York, visited FIT, shopped at Century 21, indulged on ice cream and most importantly checked out co-working spaces. What really topped it all off was spending time with friends that are constantly inspiring and motivating me to work harder than ever.
Some of my favorite stops were:
Fashion Institute of Technology
Paris Was a Dream
A couple of months ago I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Paris. One week was not enough to experience all that the City of Light had to offer, but I did get a taste for café life, crêpes, and more bread and cheese then I have ever consumed in my life!
Enjoy this handful of images! More to come!
-Esther
