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Engaged: Joshua & Erika

Posted on April 24, 2010

In November, Gwen and I shot photos at our co-worker’s son’s wedding. While we were there, his other son’s fiancée asked us to shoot her wedding and, of course, we agreed.

Having a fledgling photography business, I want to shoot as many sessions as I can. Gwen and I have tons of ideas and we made sure Erika knew we wanted to shoot engagement and bridal photos prior to the wedding. A week ago, we did it! It was a marathon double-session, and it was exhausting, but so. much. FUN!

Erika and Joshua aren’t getting married until May 22, so you’ll have to wait to see the bridals, but the engagement photos are a go!

In my last entry, I shared all of the scenery for the engagement shoot. Our locations were all in about a half mile of one another along Hwy. 59 West/Main Street in Mason, Tennessee. We had beautiful gothic-style arches, painted brick buildings and railroad tracks. And obviously, a very easy-going couple.

Poor Joshua was subject to primping by his bride-to-be and future mother-in-law prior to the shoot – he’d better get used to it (right, ladies?).

We started at the church, then made our way south towards the tracks.

Remember the blue wall? It looks kinda shabby, I know. But in photos, it rocks. I hope that in seeing these, Erika’s mom agrees. lol. When we said we were headed to the businesses she was a little surprised.

This has to be one of my favorites (below).

It’s no secret they’re in love – and have been since Erika was in the seventh grade and Joshua was in the tenth (Erika graduated with the Class of 2009).

Another run-down building, but the teal-ish paint made a teal-ish stripe in her dress pop.

Next up, the tracks! During our consult – which we actually did via Facebook chat (gotta love technology!) – we discussed several ideas and Erika asked for railroad tracks. Before she asked, I was tempted to toss the idea out there, but not many people are willing to play on the railroad tracks. But this was one gamble that worked out (and thank you, Gwendolyn, for finding some fabulous inspiration photos for the basis of this entire shoot)!

First, helping each other walking along the rails. Hand-in-hand, working together.

And then? A little sit-down. So, so sweet.

I love the way Joshua and Erika were up for anything we suggested! This is a modern take on the famous post-World War II shot taken of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square. Except, you know, in Mason, Tennessee.

Thank you, you two, for such a great session! We cannot wait until May 22.

Beauty's where you find it

Posted on April 23, 2010

Meet Mason, Tennessee. Population: about a thousand, including approximately 200 inmates.

A former railroad town, Mason is now one of those towns that make you think the world is flat. When people leave, they don’t often come back. There is little commerce, save for the super dollar store, gas stations, Christmas Spirits Wine & Liquor and a few other businesses. There’s a fairly new Dollar General store, too.

Mason is also home to world famous restaurants like Bozo’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Q and Gus’s Fried Chicken – an MMM! on both accounts – and several older churches with beautiful architecture. When Erika and I discussed her bridal and engagement shoot, I knew I wanted some photos in Mason with the beautiful arches at Trinity Episcopal Church.

The church is what locals call “New Trinity” church, even though it was built in the late 1800s. The older version – Old Trinity in the Fields – is equally beautiful, but stays locked up.

The point? The arches are gorgeous. We got some great shots of Erika here as well as some cute couples shots.

I also knew I wanted to try to get some shots with this exposed brick wall. I spotted it one day while interviewing the mayor about infrastructure upgrades and federal grants.

Isn’t it a fabulous backdrop for an urban engagement shoot?

Apparently a store used to occupy this space, though it is now gone. Judging by the debris still remaining, the store had a lot of shoes in its inventory. Oh, and someone nearby sells drugs (see the shoes hanging from the power lines in the upper left?). We decided to opt-out because we have to climb down and into the lot and our shoes weren’t exactly practical, but I still love the wall.

While I was down there scoping out the wall and the church and lighting, I also found some gems I’d never really noticed. I’ve been to Mason plenty of times, but I’d never scouted locations for engagement shoots (as a reporter, we were chasing leads for stories, not scoping out the environment). You really can find some beautiful backgrounds where you least expect it.

Right next to the exposed wall are these painted exteriors. The blue would be PERFECT for a ring-kissing shot we’d planned. It’s actually a hair shop. The green building, I believe, is vacant. I sat Erika and Joshua in front of the teal building and a stripe from her dress just popped in front of that teal paint!

This yellow building is some sort of auto detailing and repair shop and is next to the teal building. We didn’t end up shooting any photos here because the owners were out and washing vehicles, but I’d really like to come back and try some shots here.

And right behind where I was standing when I took this? Railroad tracks. I wanted to try some on the tracks but didn’t know how Erika would respond; I didn’t even have to ask because she brought it up! Love it when that happens. And I love the photos we took on the tracks.

Mason is definitely not an attractive town, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have possibilities. We shot the entire engagement shoot here and came away with some wonderful photos!

Step outside the box once in awhile. As Madonna says, beauty’s where you find it.

Sneak peek: Erika & Joshua

Posted on April 18, 2010

We had a fun (and long!) double session this afternoon with Joshua and Erika. We started out on the square in Covington with Erika all dolled up in a dress that is “seriously, five layers of poof!” as Erika said. We shot photos all over the square and at a nineteenth century church in Mason. Then, two hours later, we met up with her groom for some railroad chic engagement photos.

I really love the series and can’t wait to share, but until then, here’s something to tide you over. Erika and Joshua, Gwen and I had a blast hanging out with you!

Quick Tips: Sunny 16

Posted on April 6, 2010

Spring is finally here and, though it provides an obstacle you have to learn to shoot around, the sun is back and better than ever! Exposure in full sunlight can be tricky and overwhelming, but someone very smart came up with the mnemonic Sunny 16 to help remember recommended aperture settings and shutter speeds.

The Sunny 16 rule is a method of estimating correct daylight exposures without a light meter. Simply put, when it’s sunny, change your aperture to f/16.

Great, now what about the clouds? Glad you asked:

When it’s slightly overcast, f/11.

Overcast? Go with f/8.

And heavy overcast, f/5.6 is your best bet.

A gorgeous sunset that you absolutely must preserve? Your best bet is likely f/4.

Of course, like most of photography, it’s a little more complicated than that.

Choosing a shutter speed

If you are using manual mode, which is usually denoted with an M on the dial of your dSLR, you can also choose your shutter speed. (If you’re working in aperture priority mode, your shutter speed will be chosen by the camera.)

Your shutter speed should be set to the (nearest) reciprocal of your ISO setting.

What this means is if your ISO is set to 100, your shutter speed should be 1/125 (since it’s closest to 100). On a sunny day with your ISO set to 200, your aperture should be set at f/16 and your shutter speed at 1/200 or 1/250.

Your shutter speed can be changed as long as you change your f-stop to compensate for it. For example, f/16 at 1/125 is the same as f/11 at 1/250.

Practice makes perfect

“Sunny 16″ sounds easy, right? Like anything, it takes practice. And you to help you practice, I’m now offering free Quick Tips reference cards! The cards are 2×3.5 inches in size, perfect for on-the-go. The first in the series is the Sunny 16 card, which can be downloaded on the Freebies page.

Did I mention they’re free? Because they are (and free is awesome!). Send yours friends!

Make sure you snag yours and keep coming back for more. I have a neat plan for keeping the cards together and attached to your camera, so make sure you check back for that in the coming weeks.