Salem Photographer - Portraits, Models, Seniors

Newport scenic landscapes

2009-11-29T14:57:00.000-08:00

Business portraits in Salem

2009-09-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

Have been shooting a fair amount this year, but less seniors than usual. Usually, I have each weekend booked up with seniors, but this year, I have spent the weekends with family. Instead, I have picked up more commercial office work.

Here is one from a local skin care clinic. Highly recommended place with great staff!

Oregon Infrared Landscape Photography

2009-08-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

My wife and I had a chance to tag along with some folks who are hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (I think that's it) to get GPS coordinates for Backpacker.

I brought along my infrared camera with one lens, a Tamron 17-50mm on my converted 30D.

I will post some of the photos on flickr and update this post later today, I hope. For now, they are uploaded to Facebook (so that the group of people I hiked with can see them). Here is a link, or check back later for the photo.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1998906&l=12f5ceb166&id=590734203

Click on the album for more from that day.

www.adamphotographic.com for portraits or prints!

Macro photography prints

2009-06-28T20:47:00.000-07:00

I am printing some personal work, shot today on a random photo drive through the Mid Willamette Valley. Here is one shot from inside a random RV that looked like it was built originally in the 50s. I shot mostly in infra-red, but this color shot was one of the first I printed.

Order prints or book me for portraits - check out www.adamphotographic.com

Walk

2009-06-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

Here is an infrared photo I shot on a walk with my daughter and dog. Not much post processing, just a bit of a contrast boost (not much). I have been shooting more in this style just to refresh the creative process.

Portland photos

2009-06-20T23:03:00.000-07:00

Cruising downtown with my family and I shot some infrared photos today. Check them out or see my people photography at www.adamphotographic.com.

Senior photos in Salem

2009-05-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

Looking for some senior photos in Salem? Check out my portfolio at AdamPhotographic.com.

I shoot a mix of modern minimalist with some classic beauty and comic art perspective thrown in. If my work appeals to you, drop a line via my site and let's schedule a shoot.

Environmental executive portraiture

2009-05-03T18:44:00.001-07:00

www.adamphotographic.com

Last month was ironic. I finally closed my photo studio, not for lack of business as much as because most of my recent work was outside of the studio.

I used to use the studio as a crutch – a place where I could control most aspects of every shot. I have learned to use the external environment more in recent shoots and have taken to using client's spaces to dictate color within my most recent stuff.

What makes it interesting for me is working within a less controlled environment, using available and motivated lighting.

After several shoots on location, I find that people are far more at ease in an environment in which they are comfy. Keeping that in mind, I may pick up some additional environmental portraiture work in the future.

Until then, I have two photo projects in the works. After putting together a portfolio of my fashion work, I saw some additional opportunities that I wish to explore. I have never shot for a portfolio of work on a given project, but after listening to lenswork, I decided to give it a shot.

Details aren't 100%, but I think an 8.5 x 11 series would be easiest from a production perspective and would allow me to focus on the photos. Maybe I will get it printed by Asuka or get another lost-luggage port.

One of my photos will be on a poster for a big state bridge project on the Astoria Megler Bridge. You can check out some of my black and white fine art prints at www.adamphotographic.com.

Black and white photography in downtown Salem

2009-02-28T21:28:00.000-08:00

Here are a few from a shoot with Brittney:

Portraits in Salem

2009-02-14T19:37:00.000-08:00

Portfolio site:
www.adamphotographic.com

Shot today with Livvi. I will have a few more pictures up soon, but here is one:

She evidently collects gasmasks, so I shot one of those. Not usually my thing, but I thought it came out interestingly:

On the big screen

2009-01-17T14:50:00.001-08:00

I'm sitting with the family, ready to watch a movie at Northern Lights and I saw one of my photos on the big screen. That usually would not such a big deal (next month I will post some photos from an editorial shoot I did, and I have shot for a bunch of businesses over the last couple of years), but my daughter recognized the shot and thought it was the greatest thing - and so did I. Just to see my shot so huge was pretty cool.

Anyway, it was for a local small business, something I have done more of this year. I have shot less portraiture and done more with other businesses. It made me think that perhaps I can figure out a way to do a promotion that changes periodically. Something of the season - a discounted rate for things I want to do (environmental portraiture) or work on (maybe something new or for a good cause). I have done the high volume jobs before, and I much prefer taking more time with each person - the pictures tend to reflect how comfortable someone is, and it takes most people a few minutes to relax and let themselves through a little.

Check back soon for at a least a couple of new(ish) shots.

I have been tooling with my Lightroom library the last two weeks in order to better manage the 50,000 photos. I have deleted a bunch and have come across some landscape work that might make an interesting series of prints upon which to build. I have to finish my portfolio update first, which will take the next couple of nights.

If you are interested in my work take a look at adamphotographic.com.

Fashion and Beauty Photography in Salem

2008-12-05T22:26:00.001-08:00

Thank goodness for back ups! My redundant array just saved a whole bunch of work, so here is a belated photo of a local model, Lauren.

This year was good for fashion, with a spring shoot for Bend Living and a whole bunch of commercial shoots in between. I have not done much personal work, which is something that I need to do more.

Check my site www.adamphotographic.com to hire me for portraits, beauty or fashion photography in Oregon.

Oregon nature photography

2008-11-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

I have added a black and white infrared picture to my portfolio at www.adamphotographic.com. I am not that thrilled with the conversion. It creates a vignette that is fixable in lightroom, but at the cost of a slightly compressed tonal range. For my first IR experience, using it was interesting.

I am scheduling a few TFP shoots for this weekend coming up. I need to get creative juices flowing after a tight senior year with folks waiting until the very end to schedule a shoot. Maybe it is the economy.

I hope this post finds you well and find promise in our recent, historical election. I am trying to do more charitable work in my very limited time. I am exploring the opportunity to shoot for a charity that helps reduce domestic violence. I will have more info in a week or so.

Senior photos

2008-10-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

It has been way too long since I have posted. Busy with seniors this year. It has been busier on the commercial end of things as well.

I will head out this weekend to shoot some nature photography here in Oregon and will post some of the pictures either on flickr or my portfolio, www.adamphotographic.com.

I am wrapped up in this election stuff. I think I have election-itis!

Computers and file management

2008-09-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

My portfolio - www.adamphotographic.com

OK, I am old enough to have had a Commodore 64 - that would be 64K.

I am wrangling my 35,000 images today, using 6 externals and 2 internal drives. I have 2 terabyte drives, 3 500 gig drives and 1 300 gig drive. I finally have enough for a simple 1:1 backup of everything with lots of space left for Photoshop to use as a scratch disc when editing.

This is a project that I have been putting off, but filling my 750 gig internal caused so many problems that Lightroom virtually stopped. Hopefully I will get it all square today to get out the photos I need to get done before I see So You Think You Can Dance tonight with the family.

In any case, here is how I will break down my files:

1 terabyte esata drive will hold my photos. There are about 650 gigs.
1 of the same will be backup

1 500 gig usb2 drive will hold family photos + drive image and Outlook backups
1 of the same will be backup with my music library back up as well
1 500 gig usb2 will have my higher value commercial work backed up monthly and kept off site

My 750 internal will hold my business and personal files as well as my Lightroom catalogue. Lots of space will be left for Photoshop scratch (temp) files.

1 300 gig usb2 will back up my internal 750

My 400 gig internal will have the OS.

Total = 4.95 Terabytes (Not counting my laptop, other desktop on which we use quickbooks or my passport drive that I use to ship photos to commercial clients)

I see myself outgrowing this in a year or two, so I may buy one of the network attached storage solutions - or add another 2 drives in my main machine.

Just to get away from the tech stuff, here is a photo from a recent shoot with Marissa. As soon as I am done with the file management stuff, I will edit some more and post again.

(Click to visit my flickr site for a bigger version)

Salem fashion photographer

2008-09-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

Marissa is one of my favorite folks with which to shoot. So far, I have edited only one photo, and here it is:

I used a lensbaby, sold by a Portland company. Neat little gadget that is a really good value. I encourage you to check out their stuff!

New shot

2008-08-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

At my portfolio site, www.adamphotographic.com, under Personal. Third photo is my new infrared.

Also, looking for some models for a couple of TFP personal projects.

Adam

Nature and infrared photography

2008-08-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

I just got one of my cameras converted to infrared, so I will be taking some nature pictures this weekend. Any cool dark-haired models out there want to do a vampire shot for an advertisement? Drop an email!

Adam

Salem senior photography

2008-07-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

I have not had as many seniors this year, instead focusing on editorial and advertising photography. While the money is better with advertising stuff, there is something I miss about shooting more seniors. I will share an email I got from a senior from last year, who is now working on her BA in Art.

"This is Lauren - you did my photos last year, and I stopped by your website to see if you're up to anything new when I saw a friend's senior pictures and was reminded of mine.

It may seem totally weird I'm emailing you, but I just wanted to thank you for the encouragement in pursuing my dreams/passion for art, even though I'll probably be pounding pavement and living in a cardboard box later on, haha. I pretty much tore apart that communication arts book you gave me looking at it so much... I'm going to the UO as an art major next year, and when I dropped by your page I just thought I would thank you again for the inspiration and encouragement. Hope you're doing well in life and with your photographs."

I can't tell you how awesome that was of her to send me the email, and, during a tough week, it really lifted my spirits and reminded me why I love photography.

Adam

www.adamphotographic.com

Salem model photo

2008-07-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

Just a quick edit of one of the shots of a model. The clothing store that the model counted on being open was actually closed. So all we had was the one bikini, which was not what we planned on shooting at all. Just went for the crazy alley near my studio - light wasn't great out, and I knew this alley would be mostly in shadow.

Used the wide angle to make the walls converge and create more interest. Broke the rule of thirds and lots of other rules, but it seems to work here.

Senior photos in Salem

2008-06-28T22:43:00.000-07:00

Summer is here, and senior season is in swing. Here is one of my favorites from last year, done at the family farm.

Anyone in Salem looking for creative senior photos, visit adam photographic
.

Adam

Black and white or color

2008-06-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

So which do you prefer?

Glamour photography

2008-06-13T20:31:00.001-07:00

My first TFP shoot in a long time went well today. It was short, just to see how the model would do. She is very inked, tall and has a very pretty face, all things that make shooting more fun.

Here is the only shot I have edited so far-

Astoria photography

2008-06-04T16:08:00.000-07:00

Man, I must have hit the weather black hole for my Astoria trip this week. It was just nasty with a super flat grey sky and non-stop rain. I drove around a couple of times and just gave up the ghost. I know, I should have shot something, but I just wasn't motivated to derive some photo where I didn't feel very inspired.

I need to try something new and fresh. Maybe it is time to do some TFP model shoots again. It has been a while - maybe it is time to pass out some cards around town.

I will probably do some work for The Salem Project, though I am not sure what at this point. There is a meeting tonight that I would like to attend, but my wife went and made a hair appointment that means I am on kid duty. I will have to connect with Will Bragg later to figure out what he needs me to do.

AT

Advertising photography

2008-05-29T17:44:00.000-07:00

I am shooting a couple of sets of ads for various businesses this week. Should be fun.

I did not get to the coast to shoot some personal work like I wanted to, but hopefully soon I will get away. I love photography and need to get some personal stuff set up soon. On another note, I have found a couple of new models to work with, and, if I can get some spare time, would love to shoot some with them.

Anyone out there interested, just send me some snaps. I might be able to use you in a project. I just ask that you not be offended if you are not right for anything I have going at this moment. I keep people's photos on file and do look them up as needed.

Anyway, hope all is well,

Adam

Personal work

2008-05-21T20:14:00.000-07:00

I am going to take the opportunity to do some personal work this weekend. Maybe some landscapes - not sure. I took this weekend off of portraits just to take a breath and hang with the family. Sometimes you need to do that, and I am not good about just lounging. I always am also reading a magazine, book, site or something. I have three books in the queue. Two design and - take that back - four books in the queue - one on photoshopping skin and one on lighting.

Photo editing

2008-05-17T07:55:00.001-07:00

I insist on editing photos before they go out the door. Some knucklehead decided that means somehow I am a lesser photographer and decided to share that with a model I shot. She cancelled her appointment with him (thank you!), but I thought it strange that someone would think they would get in a model's good graces by denigrating another (clearly superior-really) photographer. Ironically, this joker's photos look like they were over-photoshopped by a half blind kindergartener. Wierd.

Anyway, in case someone wonders about my policy, it is based on the fact that I want my customers to get the best possible photo. To me, it would be irresponsible not to edit the image as it represents me and my work. That's one reason why I don't give unedited photos - even if someone buys a CD of the images (something I try to convince them not to so that they actually print and show the photos), I provide the edited work only. How many photos of the same shoot does someone need anyway? I know I never send someone 40 pictures from the same set (unless it is a wedding). I send my favorite few, and those are the photos that I might print. I also print for relatively cheaply because I want people to have the photos where they will enjoy them.

I figure there are enough craigslist photographers out there who will take snapshots and provide them on CD. My business is different, much more customized to each client.

Just thought I would throw out the explanation so I can point back here if it comes up in the future.

More editorial photography

2008-05-16T16:45:00.000-07:00

I have gotten a couple of more bites at editorial work recently. I soooooo prefer editorial and advertising photography. It is about being around like minded folks, interested in making the most artistic photos possible.

Portland Monthly, where are you? Give a young brother a chance, come on. Show me some love. Oregonian or Statesman, I am here for you too - just give me some artistic freedom, and I will make pictures that people will take time to look at.

Anyway, several meetings coming my way, so I hope they pan out! In the meantime, I am almost done editing the pin up stuff, though I don't know that I will post any of them on flickr. Just too much of other folks' influence in the shots taking from my personal vision. I like pin up, but I want to give it a modern edge - less cheesecake just for the sake of cheesecake.

Anyone out there interested? At the last pin up session, I ran into a woman who had to be 6 ft., buff, and had a really pretty face. Her ink and pink hair make her interesting, so I hope to work with her a little and create some cool work.

It will have to be a couple of weeks, because I am taking a much needed vacation. Speaking of which, anyone wanting photos on the beach in Lincoln City, Oregon, drop a line. My in laws have a beach house, and I can shoot there any weekend I am not otherwise booked.

Pin up shots

2008-05-11T19:27:00.000-07:00

Did another shoot with GoGo Amy and her pin up class at Cherry Redd today. 10 women. It was fun. Should have some of those shots up this week.
Adam

Gear

2008-05-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

I know that gear is probably one of the least important things in creating a picture, provided the gear is reasonably decent. I have been futzing with pen and tablet sets forever, using an 8x6 Wacom until it got jittery. I got another brand, and it was really crappy. Right clicking was virtually impossible, and then it developed some strange double click behavior.

Anyway, this new tablet is cool. It works and does not get in the way. I gotta get back to printing some books today. Take care - Adam

Technorati verification post

2008-04-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

Technorati Profile

Editorial photography

2008-04-19T16:04:00.001-07:00

Here is a shot that was not used in the current Bend Living spread. I can see why they chose shots that show more fashion, but I think the model looked great in this one.

Anyway, thought I would post it here.

Printing photographs

2008-04-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

I am not sure why I have a portfolio anymore, as it seems like most jobs come from the internet. There is something to be said for viewing a print though. The detail, taking time to look through the photo, texture, etc. I love portfolios, but I am not so sure I like spending all of the time creating them. I enjoy the final product but not the process - I was not a darkroom fan, much prefering the creative time in front of the camera.

I love digital. I know hard core film buffs that will argue, but I really don't care. I enjoy this workflow and, aside from the more tedious editing and storage tasks, really believe that digital has helped by forcing people to be more creative. Technical prowess is no longer sufficient, so it makes me look more closely at the creative choices in front of me.

Today, on this fine, slushy Oregon day, I am making a fashion portfolio, which I will use to solicit some fashion work and for senior photos.

I got a book on using my iPhone, and it is letting me use some cool tools to access other peoples' blogs, feeds and podcasts. I am digging this thing, though it has its faults. It is a little slow, and managing content is not as simple as it should be. But, the complete access to the internet is a huge plus. Want to know what movie is playing? Fandango, right there - optimized for iPhone. News? Zillions of options. Photography? Lenswork podcast and a few others that are good as well. Viewing photos...not so much. No flash player on the browser, and flash is how many photographers show online.

Anyway, it is a little boring to go through and print everything, so this post is me procrastinating. Gotta get to work!
Adam

Fashion mid-day

2008-04-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

Life has been super busy lately - seems like there is always something more important to be done than photograph and print. Funny thing, making a business of photography. However, professional work does have its advantages, like creating good working relationships with other small business people.

Take Cherry Redd, in the same building as me (Obama's campaign just created an office there, 155 Liberty) the guy built many of the fixtures using recovered pieces of a bowling alley - how cool is that? Check out the counter if you get a chance.

Anyway, I get clothes from there for my shoots. I ordered a black dress similar to the red one in this photo that I will use in a photo sometime soon. Many of the models I work with shop there, and one of them wore this dress from Cherry Redd.

Photographic Inspiration

2008-03-31T15:41:00.001-07:00

Interesting couple of weeks have passed since I have written anything. It is not without having done any photography. I have written a lot, ideas in my book, etc. It is tough to find the time to put together the kinds of shoots I would like to. I am kind of past the whole shooting pretty things phase, though I still work with models quite a bit. I just don't get as much satisfaction from headshots and such. I feel like I have been there and done that.

It is time for some more environmental work. I have several ideas for people and their environments as well as several other ideas for projects. I just don't have the time. Heck, I am taking a few days off and have not even updated my portfolio site, www.adamphotographic.com, with any of my recent work. Need to get on that.

Anyway, I am printing some photos for my wall at home, including some of the shots that were in Bend Living. It was interesting to see what other people picked. Most were the same I picked, but there are a couple that I would have rather seen included. However, I understand that the photo is not the reason for the shoot so much as the fashion. I am still happy for that opportunity and hope to shoot some more.

Anyway, I have to get back to printing, but I thought I would post this latest shot of Mary that I liked. It is intentionally cheesy, but I am from Las Vegas and used to have a pair of shorts with the same pattern as the dress that she is wearing. Even more so, I think the environment, lighting, clothes, etc. work. Maybe it is the warped Las Vegan in me.

Family photographer

2008-03-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

I shoot pictures of families more than you might think. I really enjoy the commercial and editorial work, but there is something about taking pictures of children that is refreshing - not to mention the look on peoples' faces when they see a really nice picture of their child.

One of the first things that really made me want to be a professional photographer was a mom who cried when she saw her daughter's senior pictures. The daughter cried because she had never seen a picture of herself that she liked (she was a cute girl too), which then made her mom cry.

That made me think that this is something I want to do more of.

Don't get me wrong, I love the kudos from other artists on a cool shot that is executed well and is visually compelling. That is awesome too. That said, there is nothing like simple pictures sometimes to best reflect the subject -

- or even the unposed photos that reflect the context of a typical day -

Color photography

2008-03-09T20:21:00.000-07:00

I have been listening to the lenswork podcast lately, and I have to highly recommend it to anyone out there interested in photography or art generally. Some very insightful podcasts made me try some new stuff, and it worked out well. I went out light, brought only a tripod and reflector with a couple of prime lenses (50mm 1.4 and 100mm 2.8) and my 24-105L on my 5D.

I don't usually shoot photos with strong color elements, and I really dislike ubersaturation, but this one worked for me. It was really cold, so Mary and I had coffee afterward. I took the opportunity to shoot some off the cuff lifestyle-ish stuff.

Man, Mary commands attention. Men and women stop (or honk, screech or rev) in their tracks when she is dressed up and we go somewhere. Some woman almost got rear ended while we walked down the street with Mary in a nice (but not that revealing) black dress. It was funny at first, but it would get old after a while. That said, there are worse problems than being six foot, blond and slender (and I would add for Mary's sake - smart and really nice to boot). It was just odd to me, being a middle of the road looks kind of person, to see people act like such dufuses (dufii maybe?) when a pretty woman is around.

Here are a couple of photos from today's shoot:

Salem fashion photo

2008-03-09T14:10:00.001-07:00

I find myself wondering what makes a good photo on flickr.

Explore, flickr's automated cool photo chooser, tends to pick trite crap, like kittens and uninspiring flowers (there are great flower pictures, but 99% of them are really bad). I have only had a couple picked for explore, one of which I don't what it was. I had deleted it before I found out it was chosen (you can look up which of your photos were chosen).

I did post one of Mary today that got four comments within 30 seconds of posting, so I thought I would blog it as well. Here is Mary, on a cloudy day, using exposure to create a high key look. Please feel free to comment here or on flickr. I moderate the comments here just to cut out spam, but I do appreciate hearing feedback.

Amy's pin up shoot

2008-03-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

OK, now that it is over, I can say that I recommend folks take the class and shoot when Amy comes back in May. All of the women seemed like they had fun, and all but one loved their make up and look. The person who did make up used to be my hairstylist, and now he has his own place. It was probably the least I have had to touch up anyone, though he is not as good as the Amy I usually use for make up at eyeshadow. That said, his under-eye circle make up was top notch. Clothes were solid, from Cherry Redd, and they definitely served to accentuate the girls' figures.

All said, good so far. I did screw up tracking who was who, but I will just print a contact sheet and go into Cherry Redd, to get Derek or Nina's help in identifying everyone. Photos are all edited and will go up on flickr soon. I don't know that any were good enough for my port, but one that I like is below. We went with a white seamless, one of my least favorite ways to shoot, because of the volume of people. With 20 minutes or so each, there was not time to tool much with lights and such.

I definitely want to rent a hotel or something next time so that the bigger girls are not shot super-contrasty against white. We need to get an environment that takes away from the bold figure contrast of the white seamless.

All said, it went really well, and I had a lot of fun. www.adamphotographic.com for my official site.

Pin-up photography

2008-03-03T17:04:00.000-08:00

I did a shoot with a bunch of people taking a class by Amy on pin-up modeling. I had a good time, and it was interesting to shoot with such a wide variety of people both age and body styles. I will edit some of the photos and post some on my flickr account this evening. I went generic at Amy's suggestion because of how many people we shot in the day - no time for my usual on-the-fly setup.

Thanks to Cherry Redd (come on Derek and Nina, get that site built so I can link to ya) for putting the event together. I hope we can do more in the future.

Anyone interested, give me a shout, and I will email you when the next class comes around. I think Amy does this here and in Seattle. From what I could tell all of the women really liked the class. One woman didn't like her make up, but everyone photographed as well as they could (photography make up is a little heavier than typical make up) regardless.

Probably the thing I enjoy most about photography is working with people who are surprised at how good they look when a make up artist and decent photographer get done with them. Anyway, fun was had for all. I will post again when some photos are done.

Salem fashion photographer

2008-02-26T16:03:00.000-08:00

Wow, life is super busy these days!

First off, I got an iPhone. I know, I was going to wait for V2, but this had a lot going for it in my eyes. The real internet is a big plus, not to mention the access to email anytime. Big shout out to the editor of Lens Work who has a really good podcast. I need to take some of that advice to heart and shoot what I want more - it always turns out better when I do.

That said, I have a very large shoot Sunday with 18 women who are doing a pin-up modeling class at Cherry Redd, the clothing store in my studio building. Should be a lot of fun. The class is booked, so email me if you want in for the next one and I will hook you up with the people running the show. The class ends with a second day photo session of 20-30 minutes with yours truly.

Anyway, I am also working on getting a new web site to split my portraiture and commercial work. Some commercial jobs look down on people who shoot portraits as do some in the fine art world, so I will break up my various efforts into little mini-brands if you will.

I haven't updated my portfolio for a bit nor posted at flickr despite being so busy shooting. I will try to post some today, but I also need to edit some files from a shoot yesterday and last week, which is what I am doing this afternoon.

On an even further non-photo related note, a girl that I dated a little in college emailed me through myspace (I don't visit it very often, so I responded a month late). It was wierd to read that we dated 12 years ago. Holy crap that makes me feel ancient. Anyway, she is still in the motherland of Las Vegas, so maybe I will stop by and say hi next time I am there.

Drop me a line if you stumble across this and we knew each other back in the day,

Adam

Salem modeling

2008-02-10T11:14:00.001-08:00

There is some kind of modeling event going on in early March that I have been asked to photograph. I am not sure about the details, but we will see what happens there. The event is Mar. 8-9, with some auditions prior to that.

Likewise, Cherry Redd, a clothing store in my studio building, has asked me to shoot some pin up fashion shots for a pin up modeling class. I think those are Sunday, Mar. 2.

Snow day

2008-01-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

Salem school district called a snow day, so I am home editing some pictures while kids play in the snow. I had a lot of fun working with the constraints of the editorial assignment. I may have to try and create my own sometime.

Anyway, there are some more pictures of Lauren on my flickr account, and I will probably put a few more up today.

Editorial fashion photography

2008-01-27T16:49:00.000-08:00

It has been a week or so since I posted last - super busy week. Shot with Lauren, who has a fantastic figure, then shot for Bend Living magazine. I can't post those until after they are in print (March edition). I think there were several really good shots in there, which is more than I expected given all of the variables (can you tell I am right-brained?).

Amateur model worried me, but she was super nice, brave, tough and had gorgeous eyes. Makeup was especially solid considering there was no MUA. My alienbees battery failed - I rented some profoto gear that went unused, but we managed to get the only sunny day in memory, so reflectors was all that was used. The model had to look warm while shooting spring fashions at 35 degrees while trying to include waterfalls that didn't look frozen (they were). I was a bit stressed, but once we got into the groove of shooting it went well - the model did a bang up job, and the Art Director came up with a really good shot with a distant waterfall in the background. I had to bust out the 30D just to use my 70-200 at an effective 320mm to get close enough for the shot.

Aside from the first couple of shots, it turned out well - there were a couple of wow shots in the group that I hope are used. I appreciate the opportunity that the magazine gave me and hope to shoot some more for them in the future.

What is the best lens or camera for ....

2008-01-21T09:05:00.000-08:00

Your camera doesn't matter anywhere near as much as you think. People spend lots of time online asking, "What is the best camera for...?" or "What is the best lens for...?" I get several emails a week through flickr or my web site asking about what gear I used in a given shot. Usually the question also has no more information, like what they are shooting, where, under what conditions, theme, look, or anything else, just - what is the best?

It really doesn't matter.

You can shoot portraits at a 10mm or even use a lensbaby. I use a 20D, 30D and 5D. You can pick up a 20D online for $500. A lensbaby is around $150. A 50mm lens is $80. If you shoot well, you can find models to shoot for free or who will pay you.

There are 100 other decisions that you make when shooting that matter more than your camera, like concept, lighting, pose, composition, color etc. I shoot in Oregon, which means that it is raining 9 months per year. I have the same places to shoot and try to use them differently (though there has a been a lot in the white room lately). Heck a handy person can turn a garage into a studio).

I just saw an example of some friends of mine who hired a "pro" for $300 to shoot some simple pictures for use on a web site (she had an impressive camera apparently). I have never seen pictures that awful, even from the worst $50 craigslist photographer (I use craigslist too, but what I am talking about are the ones who use a google or flickr account as their "portfolio" and will shoot anything for under $100). I only wish I were unprofessional enough to provide the link, your jaw would drop at the gall of someone to charge for that crap. Anyway, rant over there :)

In short, a camera will record something. Most of them are pretty similar in the grand scheme of things. A good photographer thinks less about the technical stuff (usually it is second nature) and more about what makes a photograph good.

Artistic photography in Salem

2008-01-17T19:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I don't usually pull out the lensbaby, but it was a particularly crappy day outside, messing up my plans for a shoot outside with Mary, so we tooled around inside the studio. I had to get up in her face to shoot this, but I really dig how the bokeh worked out - her hair virtually flows.

Salem Oregon Fetish Photographer?

2008-01-11T21:53:00.000-08:00

Not really intentionally, I have shot a bunch of latex stuff recently. I had plans to use the leggings and a fuzzy sweater with Marissa, but she dug the corset so much when she saw it that she asked to shoot in it. That corset has been photographically awesome. It is sleek, shapes and pretty much looks good on everyone who wears it. It was a little big when Mary tried it out, but it still worked. It was perfect for Marissa, creating an S curve on the torso and V shape downward.

Lingerie in Salem

2008-01-10T18:08:00.000-08:00

Had a shoot with Mary today. Love her figure. She is around 6 ft. and thin without looking sickly. On top of that, she is really nice and smart - really nice to shoot with. More to come at my flickr page and www.adamphotographic.com.

Fashion Photography

2008-01-04T19:18:00.000-08:00

You know, this girl's face is amazing. Not only is she a great model, she is super cool to work with.

This one was shot at 1250 ISO and then made even granier in post. I made it more contrasty to go with the dark feel of the shot.

Salem glamour / fashion

2007-12-27T22:09:00.000-08:00

Here is another photo from my shoot with Marissa. I am getting them edited to get to her and thought I would add another post with a shot or two. I really like this headshot in black and white:

but I also think she pulled off the rest of this shoot (as always) really well. It is much harder than people think to model - especially when you are 5'4". Inch for inch, Marissa is the best in front of a camera. If I was selling something that needed captivating eyes and great presence, I would hire her.

Marissa in Salem

2007-12-24T21:07:00.001-08:00

Here is one from my shoot with Marissa. I will post more on my flickr page as I get them done.

Merry Christmas!

Salem Fashion Photographer

2007-12-23T09:19:00.000-08:00

The holiday season has been crazy busy. I have been booking shoots left and right, developing more commercial business than anytime in the past - a lot of fashion and some business executive portraiture.

I have to run to shoot this morning with Marissa. We haven't shot in a while. She is awesome to work with, but our styles diverge quite a bit. If you look through her portfolio, there is a lot that I do not personally prefer (probably because she has worked with so many different photographers of varying skills and styles), but there are shots in which she looks stunning. I have had some of my best shots come from Marissa as well as whole sets that have not worked so well, through no fault of hers. It could be that I am out of touch with what is fashionable, but I prefer more minimalist stuff than what she usually does (kind of the Gordon Ramsey Kitchen Nightmares school of photography, simple, good, clean shots). The challenge is to do something different each time, and this time, I have several new ideas, weather permitting a couple.

Overall, shooting with her is very much worth the potential reward of getting one of those jaw dropping shots that her experience brings. I work with a couple of models that are physically more suited to modeling than Marissa (like Mary who is 5'11") but none are better at working in front of a camera.

Latex in Salem

2007-12-19T22:09:00.000-08:00

Got ahold of some latex fetish gear from a friend, so I have tried it out on some models and a boudior client. It is actually a tough thing to photograph well.

While I am not a fetish photographer, I do like to shoot all kinds of different stuff. The most interesting thing about these outfits is that the people seem to get into the persona a bit more and give me some better emotion when posing. Props to TS for letting me post this and for being a mom of two, she looks great and pulled off a difficult modeling shoot for someone who has never modeled anything before.

Salem Photo Lessons

2007-12-18T21:37:00.001-08:00

Just curious if there would be any takers for some fashion/glamour photography lessons? I have seen them before where a photographer hooks up a model or 2 and gets 4 or so people to pay for the lesson and shoot with models. All releases signed, etc. Anyone interested drop me a line.

www.adamphotographic.com

First magazine fashion spread

2007-12-18T21:24:00.000-08:00

I have been contacted by a regional magazine to shoot some fashion outside at the end of January. I am hopeful that we will sign the contract in the next couple of days.

I also shot some crazy photos in a crazy effort to get some additional business from an unconventional client. Here is an example of what Mary looks like all darked up. Simplest lighting setup I have ever done. Ambient room light with a flashlight to get the glow behind the model.

After that, I took some headshots in the same make up since I didn't think that I would get another shot at Mary with such dark make up on. What do you think?

More at www.adamphotographic.com

Doctor's Office Shoot

2007-12-09T18:07:00.001-08:00

The doctor's office shoot went very well, and I got to know my doctor better. My wife and I already liked her a lot, but we left liking her even more. The nurse who does the laser zapping (I imagine Doctor Evil every time I say "laser") was very cute and had one of the easiest smiles ever.

Boutique Party

2007-12-09T17:40:00.000-08:00

What a joke. I have my port on the counter, since I am donating a session to this raffle. I leave for a little bit and come back to find it out in the hall. I was told that the person selling the raffle tickets was showing people to get them to buy tickets - fair enough. When I went to leave and let her know I needed to take my portfolio, I get, "Oh, is that what that is?" Obviously, she never showed it once.

Lesson learned, and I won't be participating in anything like that in the future.

Salem Boutique Party

2007-12-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

I am going to show off the new portfolio tonight at the Olive Boutique's Christmas party tonight. I think it is invitation only, but if you are going, stop by and say hello. I will be showing off the new fashion photography portfolio.

Portfolio Building

2007-12-01T12:51:00.000-08:00

I am still going through older photos cataloging and reworking some photos from a while back. Here is another of Cottage Grove based Katie that I worked on and may use.

Portfolio Prep

2007-12-01T11:07:00.000-08:00

While going through my files prepping them for my new portfolio and importing the PS files into Lightroom, I found an old picture of Katie that I reworked a bit. I usually don't process files quite as much, but I used the pinch filter a little on her nose, converted to black and white, added a high pass filter to bring out her crazy hair and great lips and used a little diffused glow at low opacity to soften the skin.

I will have my new http://www.lost-luggage.com/ portfolio done today, I hope, ready for a Christmas party at a boutique next Friday.

New digs, new port - need advice to make my studio more girly without losing my balls

2007-11-30T23:37:00.000-08:00

I am running a few trial sheets of some moab paper through, getting my port all set for a few professional opportunities next week.

After the swanky Olive Boutique party, I will shoot some photos of my super cool doctor at http://www.vidafamilymedicine.com/. Gotta get a licensing deal arranged. I am not a big fan of unlimited use but we may be able to work something out.

In any case, my fashionista doctor will make an excellent subject and will finally push me over the redecoration edge in studio. We need to paint, mount stuff, get a fridge, sink, mirror with light bulbs and a couple of hanging bare bulbs from the ceiling. Move my leather couch in with Pioneer receiver and a couple of speakers, we can make it sound good.

For the event, we need to get some pictures hung.

No more industrial shoot schack. Hello feminine experience. Women buy photos. My shop must ease up on that manly stuff. That manly stuff just makes good pictures. That happy stuff makes saleable pictures damn it. Only one way to see, keep as much manliness in the design but put womanly aspects of design such as a fridge filled with french water. A special chair, A big movie style fancy chair with flowers that we can also use in a shoot. A couple ligts in the ceiling woucd be good if they could work on pulley.

Hopefully I can get my industrial Salem studio to work well for women since they are the primary purchasers of portrait photography.

Salem Photographer - Fine Art Photos Featured in Journal

2007-11-28T20:24:00.000-08:00

My fine art photos will be featured in the Salem Project, an art journal that will be sold at the Coffee House Cafe.

Stop by, pick up a copy - or visit my site at www.adamphotographic.com to see some of my fine art work.

Lightoom organization

2007-11-24T11:26:00.000-08:00

Although I am loving Adobe Lightroom, I am struggling with organization of all of my photos. My portrait photography business has generated 27,369 photos that I have kept. My family photos are separate. I need to figure out and apply a keywording scheme as I am having a harder and harder time finding specific photos, especially my landscape fine art photography work.

I have two Lightroom books, and I need to sit down and go through everything this weekend.

Trying to determine the cost benefit of spending so much time organizing, but I am seeing it as inevitable at this point.

Salem art magazine

2007-11-21T16:22:00.000-08:00

Some of my photos will be in the Salem Journal, to be sold at the Book Bin in downtown Salem as well as a few other spots around town. I had actually submitted a bunch of them a while ago, so they are not my latest, greatest stuff, but still worth looking at.

Straitjacket

2007-11-17T21:34:00.000-08:00

Here are two photos with Marie. I had this insane shot in mind for a while after seeing the all white brick basement of my studio building. With the model working on being a psychologist, I thought it might work out well to take a first run at the shot I had in mind.

The final shot I would like to do involves another person and a little bit more cinematic perspective, but just for the high key factor, I like these. Trying to avoid the whole appearance of bondage, but that is tough to do with the subject. What do you think? While it is high key, there is detail in the highlights, so if you see a mass of white, with no detail, either your brightness or contrast may be a touch high on your monitor.

Salem Photographer

2007-11-17T12:42:00.001-08:00

Wow, just noticed that this blog put me on top of the google search for "Salem photographer." Awesome!

ADAM PHOTOGRAPHIC - PORTFOLIO

I will be at a Christmas party held in the Salem Arts Building on Friday, Dec. 7, by the Olive Boutique. It is an invite only affair with the Olive Boutique's top clients. They sell fairly high end boutique stuff. Hopefully, the new store in the building will also participate. It is a pin up style, fetishy pin up clothing store called Cherry Red.

I will have a small display and offer a 50% discount on my sitting fee for bookings made that night.

I am also excited about shooting some pictures for my doctor's office. She is a good doctor and a pretty cool person, so it should be fun. She also has a razor wire tattoo on her leg that reminds me of George Clooney's tattoo on his neck. I might shoot something in the freight elevator that just focuses on her calf with a cool shoe.

I will post a lot more to this blog today, with lots of pics.

Salem photographer

2007-11-11T08:29:00.000-08:00

Alright, I am now on the hunt for the ever elusive SEO. That would be search engine optimization.

I think I have a good reputation locally and have never had a client less than thrilled with the photos, but it is time to try and fill in the slow periods. Although the last week has been slow (and I have really enjoyed it after senior and school photography), I also like shooting a lot.

Maybe I will see if Lauren wants to shoot. She has an interesting look but works a lot better with a make up artist, which I don't have handy this weekend.

Tis the season for boudoir pictures, so maybe I should beef up my site, http://www.adamphotographic.com/, for that a bit. Problem is, people think that if you have a lot of boudoir photography you are just trying to take pictures of people nekkid. For me, it is the fashion and model photos that drive wives to my site to get hot pictures for their husbands.

I may be able to get some of my fine art work hung at a nice downtown establishment. Will post more information as it is available.

Is blogging worth it?

2007-11-02T16:33:00.000-07:00

Not sure. Maybe my content just sucks.

I don't know that I have time to do this much anymore. Maybe now that I took some time off school, I will post and shoot more. I have added any photos to my flickr account in a while either. I think I will this weekend. It is tough though because it takes time and I don't want my images to get ripped off.

Senior and school photography were super busy this year! One more weekend day of editing photos and I am done though. Should be a little slow in November like always. I do get a smattering of boudoir requests from wives wanting to look hot for their husbands and am shooting one of my friend in the next couple of weekends.

I keep adding pics to my site at http://www.adamphotographic.com/. I may get another site to rank a little higher in the search engines.

Slacking

2007-10-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

I dropped Academy of Art classes. They were sucking this term and no where near worth the money. People thinking about attending http://www.academyart.edu/ need to really consider whether it is worth the money on a reputationless school. Pick up US News and apply like mad to all of the other schools instead.

Anyway, been finishing up portraits. You can see them at http://www.adamphotographic.com/.

I will add one of Mary being a little crazy in a photo shoot. She is great, not only really pretty, tall, etc, but a very nice person who is easy to work with. She wants to be a psychologist, so we went with a madwoman shot. Impressions?

Senior city

2007-09-23T03:54:00.000-07:00

Senior pictures are in full swing and I have been so busy that it has been hard to write for the blog. I write at my day job almost all day, so when I come home, I just want to spend a little time with the family.

Anyway, I got a 50mm F1.4 Canon lens and used it yesterday. Wow, for $300, it is very nice. Kills the plastic fantastic 1.8 on image quality and bokeh (camera nerds will get that).

Shot again with Mary and loved this photo that I shot with my lensbaby 2. I just got a lensbaby 3 for my still life class as sort of an ubercheap bellows/tilt shift lens. Because of the finnicky focus of the 2, I had to shoot a bunch in order to get one sharp enough in the eyes. I think the lensbaby 3 will lessen the number of exposures needed to get a sharp shot.

New site getting set up

2007-09-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

I bought a site from bludomain.com, and I am populating it prior to my switch from my livebooks site, which you can see (at the time of posting) at www.adamphotographic.com.

My new site is cheaper and has more features, so I am pretty excited. Best of all is the proofing gallery, so I can have people look through the outtakes and see if there are any additional they want. That is the one sucky thing about digital, people expect to see everything. I used to have to go through a real hassle to watermark and pdf them in such a way to make it a pain to use images that may not be up to my quality standards.

Now, I just use Lightroom to create jpgs and upload to a client proof gallery. Super cool.

School starts again

2007-09-13T19:52:00.001-07:00

I am going to keep at this blog if for nothing else than as a cathartic exercise.

I have been uberbusy this year with senior portraits. I think they have come out really well. I don;t have a lot of them up, but you can check out a few under individuals at http://www.adamphotographic.com/.

I am in the process of switching to another web server so both my email and website could be messed up for a couple of days.

On Wednesdays, I have begun working with Mary, who is super nice on top of being pretty and super tall. Here is a picture in which I put my old logo (doh!), but it is a good example of my work.

Anyway, just thought I would post an update. It is much quicker to blog it than post it on my own site!

Website

2007-09-03T15:16:00.001-07:00

I am looking for a new website provider. Livebooks is too darn expensive.

2007-09-03T07:06:00.001-07:00

Spent all day yesterday printing senior portrait orders. I have been lucky this year with lots of pretty people. Makes it much easier.

I am surprised sometimes about what photos other people choose. For instance, this photo of one of the seniors was my faves but did not get ordered:

I still have a bunch of sessions waiting for print orders, but I have been surprised this year. I have had everything from super thrilled with my photos to people whose spouses obviously told them to hire me and weren't thrilled with it.

2007-09-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

Alright, I signed up for photographers.com listing. I am not sure if I wasted my $135, but people over at modelmayhem seem to report that the site is bringing them referrals. We will see.

Even with Adobe Lightroom, I am still wading through piles of images. I have to get a handle on keywording and categorizing. Last I checked, I had 22,000+, so it won't be simple.

What is the point?

2007-08-31T22:42:00.000-07:00

Why blog? I am not sure.

I am up late working sometimes, between two jobs and school, I need some time to do something besides work. I like to write, and there are a brazilian people taking up photography, so maybe this will evolve into a teaching tool, marketing tool or just way for me to vent about crazy shit that happens during the day or I hear when shoot model ports. For example, did you know that cauliflower is broccoli grown in the shade or strawberry milk comes from red cows?

I shoot portraits and model portfolios mostly from my downtown Salem studio, http://www.adamphotographic.com/. Just got done with a gaggle of senior portraits with very cool, pretty people. Some of them are at my flickr page, and some are posted on my Web site.