Do you challenge yourself, creatively?

Do you challenge yourself, creatively? When you reach a certain level of experience, you form a style and visual voice.

Starting out with my photography career and work as an artist, I experimented with different film types, printing papers, photography styles, equipment, time of day, etc. I studied the masters and the new artists making their art their way. After professionally working for a number of years and gathering clients that seek out my style of creative work, the process of trying something new is pushed to the side (or the back of the room).

On a recent fashion editorial photography shoot, published in ROIDX Magazine April 2021, I made the decision to challenge myself with different lighting and photography techniques. Let’s talk about the various creative ways I challenged myself.

1. Using Cinefoil to create moody light reflections. This black matte foil, almost like tin foil, can be flexible and shaped into a variety of ways. I took a large piece and cut strips into it. I attached the large piece to a C-stand and arranged my strobe light behind it. My thought process was to create window shade type lighting. However, since Cinefoil is flexible, I mangled the strips to be bent in different ways. Wavy or straight, I was seeking a moody light wave effect. With the model in place, I moved the cinefoil around to where I felt it was most dramatic. Here is the result:

2. Getting down on the ground-listen to your instincts. For fashion photography, unusual body angles are the norm. I move around my models and change my body height often. However, I thought about getting low on the ground and having my model on the floor with me. Granted, this is not a groundbreaking way of photography. For me, it was going with my instincts and guiding my model to follow me along this journey. My model was keen to play along and was in total character for this set up.

We performed a number of hands in front, hands over head and hands close to the face. We had such a great rhythm of “dancing” on the floor together to create amazing images that were not planned. 

3.Pairing your images to move your editorial. While retouching mode, I was noticing the editorial needed a boost. I do a few rounds of editing and layout all of the images on my screen before sending out to any magazine. While I was reviewing the outfits, mood, coloring, retouching and overall feel of the work, I decided to pair my edgy look with a softer look. Nothing new in the photography world these days. I was seeking a balance and telling a story with one look. The specific hairstyle, coupled with glamorous makeup and a punk rocker dress, we were able to present different sides of this model’s character. 

4. Body language can say so much. Each photographer and project will have a number of similarities and differences. I find each fashion or beauty shoot has small and big differences. Some photographers have their models or subjects photographed in a particular body stance or language. I have been guilty of this myself. With this particular fashion editorial, I wanted to produce photographs with a variety of poses that also show different body language. 

This look was bold. I asked myself what would be the opposite pose or body language? Sitting down and looking bored is what I came up with. My model went for it and it is stunning. How can you be bored with this hat on your hat?

The question of the model’s reaction is fantastic. I had the model lean in to me and hold the jacket lightly. I wanted her facial reaction to be the force of her emotions. The hairstyle, neck choker, red biker jacket and messy eye makeup all play a part in the overall look. For me, I usually do not photograph with the model’s chest out that much. But I was aiming for earnest and powerful with this look.

With this look, I wanted to combine tough and gentle. Holding the arms close to the chest is generally thought of as protective or closed off. But the model’s expression allows the viewer in. The softness of her expression and the strength of herself in these edgy accessories and flowy dress is stunning. I usually do not cross arms, crossed over a fabulous fashion look but this time I went with the model’s instinct. 

In review, going with your instincts can be the gift you give yourself with your work. Bringing in new creative techniques and styles can be key to a new style or a new client. Or it can be a really great avenue for you to have some fun, while on set. You are a creative talent. Be creative.