Earlier this month, I went to a Los Angeles workshop to beef up my headshots skills!  I learned SO much and had just an incredible time (www.peterhurley.com).  Not only did I learn a million new techniques, but I feel completely re inspired!.

One of the most valuable aspects of the workshop was that I had to stand in the shoes of a model.  Each participant had to have their headshot taken by instructor/photographer Peter Hurley .  I was so nervous….I completely freaked out in front of his camera.

I cant say enough about the experience of being a photographer who is camera shy and feeling what my clients go through on the other end of the lens.   I was not an exemplary client.  Sweating, twitching, giggling…. I was a total mess.

Round 1: my photo shoot! I proceed to stand in front of his camera and ignore all his instruction.  I cant stand still.  I look away constantly.  I’m completely embarr

assed.  If I were the photographer, there is a great likelihood I would be rolling my eyes (at least in my head).  In seconds, after viewing the images,  I determine my had is freakishly large and my eyes are small and beady.   I think that I must immediately  go on a diet.  After a firm lecture by Peter, I get to try again.  He tells me to follow his directions.  He tells me to stop freaking out.  Round 2….I still wiggle and twitch, but I think I am following direction better.  I try to trust him, through I still felt like a train wreck.  What am I freaking out about?????

I had no idea this could be so traumatic.

Now I really “get” how intense it can be to have your photo taken, particularly if you are not a professional model or actor.   I really do!   But why is it so hard? I know I am not a super-model, but after looking at these photos nearly three weeks later, I really REALLY like them.  Why couldn’t I love these photos back then?

Obviously I can mention a cliche like  we all need to love ourselves more, or point out that we never see ourselves how others see us.  But my summation as a portrait photographer who works with models, who may or may not have their photo taken regularly, is that self image can be very fragile.   I think we all can take ourselves too seriously, and  once trust is there, we can then work together to make a great image as a team.  Also, once the initial shock of seeing ourselves is over, than we can “take in” the beauty of our own image.  This was a completely eye-opening experience.

SPRING SPECIAL

March 14-March 24

Families, Newborns, Kids, Pets & Individuals: Everyone Welcome!

$60 sitting fee PLUS 50% off print prices

(if ordered by the April 7 deadline).

Special does not include digital files.

Call to book your 15 min. appointment.

415.454.2102

www.creativeportraiture.com

&

www.partywithstephanie.com

Tuesday and Wednesday was the official day that we were to find out if we were going to be offered Burning Man Tickets through their dreaded lottery system. I neurotically hit the refresh button over and over, waiting for my letter of acceptance. I pathetically spent two days doing this.  With my attention span, I don’t think I have ever concentrated on anything for two day.  At least not the things that would make a difference.  the email never came. At least not the one i was looking for.

I know your thinking there are so many more important things in life that one could spend entire days worrying about…for example war, the economy, global warming.! And I would tell you your right! But that did not stop me from spending the last few days going through the many phases of loss. I fought with a friend, I cried many, many tears, I felt anger at the 1% (don’t know why I went there), I even upset my son by my depressive mood.  Literally felt like someone took away an appendage and then slapped me in the face.  None of my friends got tickets either.

After several days, I had to get it together and get back to work.

So today I had a photo session but  I was concerned that I might not be able to focus on my work (get it…focus??). I was working with guitarist Teja Bell, someone I have worked with quite a bit in the past.   Steve Wolf, singer, songwriter and friend (he is also the featured musician on my website) was also there.  I would have to get through the shoot without breaking down.

I felt awkward  after a few days off.  I just started shooting without any intention.  It felt really good to be doing something productive. As usual, Steve is really funny and twists words in such a clever way.  I was starting to feel better.  Steve is hilarious once he gets going.

Rapid fire…..Im finally on a roll.  I actually feel like I have some vision and some good ideas.  Relief…..compulsive laughter.

CRUNCH!

I stepped on Teja’s glasses. I broke them in half.  I literally felt the break shoot up my entire body. I ruined them.  I was mortified.  I tried taping them. DESTROYED!

Unfortunately after days of stress, I could not stop laughing!  Laughing away the bad feelings.  I  felt so much better. 

Thank God Teja is SO nice.  And we got some nice pics too.

When I got the call to photograph Kathy and her 5 year old horse, I went through a series of emotions.  At first I thought, “I cant, I dont know enough about horses to make decent images.”  Then I argued that the light will create too many obstacles.

Location photography is very different than studio photography and I think as a photographer, I have become lazy and unconfident.

“I should refer Kathy to a real equine photographer,” I told Vicki.

Clearly I was intimidated, but I reluctantly took the job.

I drove up to the dirt path, parked and stood there, not knowing my way around a stable.  I was feeling really nervous, however when I found Kathy, she was so excited and positive, my concerns went away.

First thing, she gave me a hug and introduced me to her beautiful horse Sereno.  She really loves this horse, “he is my soul truly,” and really wanted to capture this feeling in photos. I really wanted to make this happen.  Gulp….

I had been taught to always look for the shade for best results, which is where we began our session, but as the shoot continued, I began feeling more experiemental.  We shot silouettes by shooting directly into the sun, beautiful side light. giving a slight sunlight flair, even the `forbidden’ direct sunlight.

I walked away with more than 800 images.  I’m so glad I took on this session.  So here are  some of my new favorite images from this last year. Thank you so much Kathy for helping me grow as a photographer and for letting me share these images.

I think the root of my work comes from the old family portraits I saw in my house growing up.  I love traditional family portraiture that uses dramatic, shadowy lighting & painted, mottled backdrops.  Typically, I set up my family shots and start shooting, but hope and wait for that moment that the family ‘lets go’….and click….crossing my fingers….I got it.

Shooting for the holdiays now…..  

Traditional with a twist…

Traditional….

Location, location, location….

Sunday, June 12 · 11:00am – 6:00pm

Babies, Groups, Families, and Tye-dye Dancer Guy!  Everyone Welcome!

+

Beginning Class

June 27 – July 1, 10-5PM

Please visit my website

http://baylist.cityvoter.com/stephanie-mohan-creative-pet-traiture/biz/505577?r=short

WEBSITE

Call to make your 15 min. appoint.

415.454.2102

www.creativeportraiture.com

Here is the flyer below.