Proverbial stu-stu-Studio.

I carried three backdrops (5ft rolls) on the subway at rush hour and thru the pouring rain from Manhattan to Brooklyn last night so I could get my li'l studio space set up for the shoot (which happens tomorrow!) It was a struggle, but well worth it as it finally looks like a photo studio in here...

Once in a box on inspiration photos, I had a picture of a simple studio room with a backdrop and two lights & umbrellas... I knew I wanted this, but didn't have my head wrapped around how I would achieve it. I couldn't envision where it would take place or what it would entail... I had no idea what it would cost; I just knew that I wanted it... One year later, here it is, in the same room (my original bedroom) where I stored the original photo. I had my amoire right where the backdrop is, and the photo box is was on top of it... I'm thrilled to see this manifest, it took some time, some work and a lot of acquired knowledge and info... The dollar amount was not really that daunting, it was the learning, working and gaining confidence to come to this point. I still have a long way to go, but having this setup at home will allow me to learn and do so much more. There was a lot of baby-stepping along the way that allowed me to arrive here, and I'm so grateful!





Love and Light Fixtures

My alarm clock in the morning is NPR. I start the day informed and if I set it at the right time, I awake to a human interest story. So this morning, the story was about a pre-school teacher who was teaching her kids about different cultures and religions... She had the kids sit in a circle each holding a different looking lamp shade. Each lamp shade had a name of a religion written on it, and she explained that even though the shades looked different and had different names, they had one thing in common, they all had love and light inside. Bravo.

The Little Studio that Could

Recently, I mused about the possibility of switching rooms between a small studio room and my absurdly large bedroom to create a home photo studio.. Last week, I made the move... Tonight, I set up my backdrop; purchased last night along with some other minor necessities. This is the piece I've been waiting to get, to put things into motion. It's here and it fits perfectly on the intended wall!.. I'm thrilled, as I didn't have exact measurements at the store with me and had a few choices. I'm really excited to walk in the room and see it sitting there along with the new strobe lights. My last shoot inspired me to create a small studio while visualizing the studio I one day want to have... Somehow I asked, why not start now?

On Sunday, I'll have my first shoot here. This shoot is a collaboration, as I'm not being paid. For now, I'm ok with that, as I'm still working on my book, do not have an official business, nor is my space set up to be a business. That will come later, and for now I consider it my service. I'm working with 2 women in their early 20's, and I'm moved by their focus, vision and talent. I feel good I can provide them with strong photos for their promotion and marketing, so they can move forward with their music, modeling or what have you. It also makes me happy to know they are in nurturing hands and not somewhere where someone has ulterior motives. I've realized that is not at all a cliche, and I'm so glad I can provide an alternative.

Closer than Far

Some time ago, I did a couple of photo shoots with my friend Serena for her CD release. Serena is a cellist, singer/songwriter and fronts 'The Serena Jost band' here in NYC. Today she came to my building and delivered the finished CD for her new album Closer than Far. The record company designer used several of my photos from the shoot throughout the covers and booklet. We were both excited this day finally got here!... I was a kid, I wanted to design record covers, which I think was the inspiration for getting into graphic design.. Since then I have designed covers and packaging for musicians, but this was my first time being involved as a photographer. CD release party is at Joe's Pub a week from tonight. It's a tough bar to get into as a musician, so I'm very happy for her.

©Wendy Whitesell

My Friend on the MARTHA Show!

Lots to check in about as it's been an eventful week, but this morning I'm on my way to the Martha Stewart studios to see my friend Stephanie Kheder's appearance on the show !! I'm so happy for her... I blogged earlier about this and the day is here. I came into NYC on the red eye from San Francisco and met Stephanie for dinner last night... She has a high-end craft business called Bocage, and will be showing Martha and viewers how to make beaded flowers and jewelry using a 'bead spinner'... ( I found out she sent the wedding photos I took of her beaded bouquets and wedding cake topper to Martha's 'people' as part of her press kit.) Anyway, off to the show.

Finding Focus

Had a temperature of 103˚ in the middle of the night and continued to have a high fever throughout the day. It broke early this evening. I'm just below 100˚, so I'm not quite normal yet, but feel so much better with that behind me... Wednesday night it was at 104˚ and I wanted to die. (Not really, but it was so incredibly uncomfortable!)

The good news is that while home sick, I was here to sign for my new lens from the UPS guy. swear it was divine intervention that my other ones got stolen, because this new one shows me how sub-par other ones were... They were third party kit lenses, which are usually made with plastic optics and have other shortcomings. Anyway, this new lens is amazing. It's a Nikon 18-135mm; is very fast to focus and it captures gorgeous color and clarity... The interesting thing is, had I not made that blunder and lost my other lenses, it may have been a long time before I bought a quality lens or two. This lens will also allow me to make the most out of my home space, since the wide angle setting will compensate for the space... I can't wait to use it.

The Absent Minded... Photographer

Just got back from doing a photo shoot for a friend's band.. we got off to a slow start, but everything seemed to work out okay. The preview of the pics looked great. I left the memory cards with them, but will get copies in a couple of days. We reviewed them briefly and it looked like there were a lot of good ones...

The shoot started out rocky because I had a glitch. I'm sick about it, but I'm going to make the best of it and move on... Unfortunately, I stupidly left a camera bag with some of my equipment in it, in a neighborhood restaurant. When I realized my mistake, I went back immediately to get it. I was relieved to learn they had my bag, but my heart sank to find it was empty. The good news is my camera wasn't in it when I left it behind, nor was my best lens, but I lost 2 lenses and a few minor items that will be relatively easy to replace (batteries, etc), but it made the shoot today a little different without them. I felt bad about losing my things, but it was a mistake. (A weird mistake, because I'm usually hyper aware of my stuff in public-- I cannot believe I did this.) I was happy to at least get the bag back.... The bag was somewhat of a splurge, and whoever stole my lenses didn't realize they'd probably get more money for that bag than the junk lenses they stole. I'm bummed, but it's just a setback and it could be worse.

The positive thing that came out of it, is by using rental lenses, I got to learn what I really need to buy to step up my game. Besides my one good lens that luckily didn't get stolen, I've been using cheap kit lenses that came with my camera. I need to invest in something good when money allows, and using top quality lenses today was a real eye opener. I could really see a huge improvement on my images by having exceptional lenses. It was a great learning experience. In a weird way, losing my lenses put me on a path to getting better ones... Kinda like the Universe just said, time to step up your game; enough with the crappy equipment.

At least it feels better to think about it that way.

Minding my Business

Thinking a lot about the business of photography as I piece together my plan.... The whole photography field is upside down in terms of standard practices and rates, because of the advent of digital imaging. People have a hard time understanding the costs of the profession in the absence of film. Photographers are getting the short end of the stick since people don't always value the digital 'image capture' in the same light as they would film because it is not a durable good. They perceive the photographer not having much cost, simply because h/she does not have the purchase of film or the costs of processing when working digital. They often don't value the photographer's time, professional training, thousands of dollars worth of equipment or artistry. Photographers are often seen today as vendors of digital assets and not as artistic professionals. Microstock sites have become the go-to shopping center for art buyers and photographers no longer have stock photography as their 'pension', and are commissioned less and less for special assignments when so many images are available much cheaper online... From what I've read, Photo District News (PDN) is working on some surveys to get some idea what the perceptions are for going rates in the industry for all kinds of photographic services in the digital age of photography, to help clear the confusion and support the photographers. Everything from a basic head shot package, to weddings and retouch services.... This will help everyone from newbies to old pros, because it's a new terrain for everyone. It's a real conundrum and everyone is trying to find their way.

Another issue is that there are so many more people involved because of digital. Not needing to use a darkroom and having instant feedback on the image shot makes it an appealing hobby and and profession for many newcomers. Online communities like Flickr have certainly helped grow that interest for many people, I know because I'm one of them. I've had cameras since childhood, but being a digital designer, the digital explosion in photography has definitely been the fuel of my passion for it. Throw in a community of constantly changing content, feedback and interaction from fellow photographers all over the world is quite powerful! All of this means more photographers!

Meanwhile, back at the original blog topic... Because of the realities I've just babbled on about, starting a photo business is a little daunting.... The industry is in a state of flux, which puts even the veterans in a quandary. Certainly, basic things are still in play like bean counting, business plans, and liability insurance. (I'd hate to have a odel will trip on a sync cord and sue me for a scar on her prized cheek bone.) And of course, good old fashion communication skills are still in style. In photography, people skills are almost more important than knowing which aperture to use on a sunny day... At the end of the day, as a photographer, the interaction between you and subject is the most meaningful asset you have as a business person. You are chasing light AND a person's essence here.. (If you're photographing landscapes or wine bottles, you can maybe scratch that last line ;)

Shoot Out

Our class shoot yesterday was somewhat intense and chaotic, but everything worked out in the end... One team member was over an hour late, the model forgot her shoes and make up, the light was tough to get used to because it was a cinema light from 1926 and blazing hot... It had to be hand held by someone and directed by me... The someone that held this critical element didn't speak English, and of course she was frustrated with the heat. Why they insisted on these lights was beyond me. They look cool, but that's where it ends.. It was tough for awhile, but we got it together and came out with some decent pictures... I'm grateful my own shoots don't go like this! (I learned a ton in this course, so it was all worth it.)

©Wendy Whitesell

Story Book

In my FIT class, we are learning the important elements of high-end Editorial photo shoots for magazine spreads. I was always aware there was a 'story' that the looks were supposed to tell, but was unsure how to build them or even conceive of them...

I've been wanting to host a photo shoot/ portfolio development event for a while, and now that I'm starting to understand Editorial a little more, I've come up with some ideas and themes to make the event much more effective. I'm thinking of inviting stylists and models to the event, and charging a studio fee to offset the costs. I'll send a list of possible themes or story lines, and ask stylists to bring at least 4 garments with accessories to one or more of the themes. Models will bring footwear and other items that meet the themes. We can mix and match accessories once there.

I'm excited about putting this together. Makes so much more sense to have a road map. The class has put me into contact with a pool of stylists, so it's a great combination. I'm learning that stylists make my job so much easier, and make the pictures more professional looking. What I offer is valuable to them, as it records their craft into quality artful photographs for their books. Same with models, makeup and hair. Everyone wins.


Patrick Demarchelier

Best part of today was having a great dinner at Pastis with a friend and getting a chance to catch up. We talked about the above ideas and a million other inspiring things.

The Old Instamatic

I recently sent a request to join an NYC photographers group and was sent the following questions to answer.... At first it seemed a like a lot to mull over and somewhat tedious, but then I realized I really enjoyed writing this short history out. I learned some things about myself and this journey many of us are on with our camera-filled lives :) Thought I'd blog it here, and would love it of some others in my network answered the same questions-- It's a great exercise and I always love to hear how people are inspired along the way as well as how they morphed into photographers...

When did you get your first camera?
Around the age of 9... It was a old Kodak Instamatic my mother gave me to take to summer camp. I went armed with a few packages of film and 'flash cubes'; those cool little things that had four flashes to a cube. --They would burst inside and turn blue after use. I love the snapshots from that first trip with the camera. Still have them somewhere...

How did you get started in photography?
Fast forward to college, my grandfather gave me an old Canon A1 he got in Japan in the 70's. I was in a fine arts program, and saw the camera as a tool for documentation of the art process, and also kicked around Europe with it; creating a more involved sense of a travelogue than my old summer camp pictures. I was intrigued by the broader depth of photography, but had not really been 'bitten' by the bug yet. I got the general concepts, but was still kinda wingin' it. The processing of images was pretty magical to watch, but I had no interest in spending my days in a darkroom. I was a painter and that was my love... It required living in light :)

How long have you been shooting?
After grad school, I got into the digital world; working as a graphic designer and web developer. I was introduced to digital photography in the mid-90's, and again, used it as a tool for other media. I used a digital camera at work to create assets on the fly for enhancing digital imagery... (Before that, we would spend hours going thru lifestyle photography books looking for the perfect assets for projects; sometimes spending hundreds of dollars on one image.)

In 2003, I finally got my first own point & shoot digital camera -a small Canon A70- before a trip to Paris. I started gravitating from typical vacation snap shooting to noticing textures and general moments on the street. The immediacy of digital was especially exciting to me... I came back with something that looked more like a photo essay than a travelogue... This is where I got 'bitten'. Photography started playing a larger role in my mixedmedia painting, and eventually became it's own beloved discipline. The digital back end part of processing was akin to what I had been doing for years in Photoshop for my work, so it was a natural for me... I eventually upgraded to a prosumer Lumix FZ20; falling in love with the colors those cameras produce (thanks to the built in Leica lens.)

Summer 2006, I started working with a couple of friends who are musicians and actors; doing cover and promotional shots, as well as stills for an independent film. I had designed cd covers for a couple of bands in the past, but doing the photography for someone else to design around was very different. In October, I was asked to shoot a friend's wedding in California... I had planned to do it free of charge, but they insisted on paying me; leading to a purchase of a Nikon DLSR. The Lumix had served me well, but I was outgrowing it...

Last year, I had the opportunity to do a photo shoot for a musician being scouted by Clive Davis, as well as Universal Records... That led to other opportunities and the ball has been rolling ever since....

What area of photography are you interested or specialize in?
Having a fine arts background, this is likely the backbone of what I'm doing (with a couple of exhibits per year), but I have a strong interest in street photography, as well as a rapidly growing interest in fashion photography. The last two are key, as I love the human image, the interaction necessary in the capture, as well as design in clothes, architecture, and story telling. Of course, these can overlap in many ways.

What kind of equipment do you use?
I have a Nikon D200, a Lumix LK1, a Kodak DuoFlex II, and my original Canon A1.
For lenses, I have a Nikkor 50mm 1.4, Nikkor 85mm 1.4 Nikk0r 28-80mm, Sigma 70-300mm, etc. An SB-800 Flash unit, and plans to buy strobes and soft boxes. I'm not a big fan of tripods as I feel kinda limited in motion with them; I know I need to get over this... I prefer a monopod or just a prayer for a steady hand.

What are your plans for the next 3 months with your photography?
I have several fashion photo shoots coming which I can't wait for - I love doing that. There a few seminars in mind at the Photo Expo here in NYC, a course in contemporary photography at Cooper Union, as well as ongoing lighting workshops (something I don't think I'll ever stop learning.) I have plans to rent a studio to host some fashion shoots of my own, so I can collaborate with some stylists, models, and musicians. There are also the days of just walking down the streets snapping graffiti and basic goings on of people and things. I could do that everyday :)


The Right F.I.T.

I left the house this morning, dragged onto the train (not typical for a Saturday morning), rode into Manhattan, and climbed the stairs to the street level and a sign which read 'Fashion Avenue'. At 9 am, I was starting my first of 3 weekends of fashion photography boot camp at F.I.T, the Fashion Institute of Technology... This was an amazing day. The instructor, a native Parisian, has been shooting fashion for over 40 years. The pearls of wisdom I gleaned from this guy in one day have blown me away. I'll never look at a fashion magazine the same way again, now that I'm aware of some of the formulas in place along the pages of an editorial fashion spread...

We were placed into groups; one photographer and 3 stylists and were told to come up with a concept for a photo shoot which will take place in two weeks... We will spend the week collecting garments and accessories, will do a fitting with our model next weekend and the shoot the following.
Model Fittings!

The more I learn about fashion photography, the more I realize how very difficult it is to break into, but I also realize how I natural I feel in that environment; how much I fit in. The underpinning of editorial fashion imagery is pure art. Fashion photographers are so married to fine art, it seems sometimes they reference art history more than most of artists I've known. I went to six years of art school and have had constant disappointment in the art world in my professional life. It seems to toggle between craft and corporate, with the history, romance and the intellectual aspects often being lost along the way. Fashion photography embraces the all elements of fine art, while showing us fantasy stories wrapped around exquisite garments.
I absolutely love it...

Holistic Photography

Last year, I completed a holistic health program at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and was certified to be a Holistic Health Coach... We were taught in a truly holistic way, with lectures and instruction from the top people in their fields ranging from Dr. Andrew Weil, to Deepak Chopra and Debbie Ford. The list goes on and on, and it was a spectacular experience of the mind, body and soul... We were led to recognise our dreams, visions and goals, and the course was supposed to culminate in us being set to go into the world as coaches in all aspects of holistic health.

For me, there was an irony. I chose to park one of my loves during the course, which is photography; the idea being I'd pick it back up when the year-long course was over. During all the journaling exercises we did, which were designed to help us w/ clarity in our vision, my vision became more and more about photography, and less about health coaching. I want to include healing in my future, (I just got certified in Reiki), but being a fashion and portrait photographer is where I learned my passions are. As soon as we graduated, my classmates went off to start their practices, I jumped into the business of manifesting a profile as a fashion photographer. I won't get into how rapidly the manifestations were developed and how the flow of getting into this discipline felt so right. Even so, there was a slight guilty feeling of abandoning my original intention.

Or did I? Lately, I've been toying with this idea of 'holistic photography'. I'm finding that there is a certain esteem between myself and the models I'm working with. There is trust and integrity on the set. There is a sense of collaboration and accomplishment... I'm learning a lot from these models about the beauty of positive self-image. What if that could be brought to the average woman? What if the average woman had the attention and treatment models do before a shoot; expert make up, beautiful clothes, an attentive hair stylist? With all of that; the trust, the professional treatment, fun and laughter on the set, positive energy, wouldn't it be great to have a portrait series of oneself from that setting?

All that said, I'm beginning to imagine a beautiful place with a photography studio, a dressing room with closets and amoires of elegant vintage couture, the ability to get reiki, massage, hair/makeup, work with a stylist, and THEN have a photo shoot when one is in a beautiful, blissful state of mind and body.

...And all this coming from woman who pretty much hates to have her picture taken :)

Just imagine.

Photo Essay: Woodstock, NY

Sent to Woodstock for an assignment during a Dennis Stock workshop.. I decided to show the youth of Woodstock in contrast with the hippie contingent the village is famous for. This place is an icon of 1960's counter-culture and peaceful rebellion, but the kids rebel against the rebellion of their parents and grandparents in a different way. From skater punks to 'Sex and the City' wannabes, they try their best to be anything but hippies... I also threw in some younger kids still happy to be kids and older locals who were acted like kids when they saw the camera...


©Wendy Whitesell
©Wendy Whitesell
©Wendy Whitesell

Comfort

Comfort ©Wendy Whitesell
On exhibit in Black and White at
The Center for Fine Art Photography
Fort Collins, CO, July-August 2007

This photo will be part of their permanent digital archive!