I had the opportunity to present the story of how I became a professional photographer at 1 Million Cups this week here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a chance for me to really think about what was the start of my path to becoming a professional photographer. I realized it began back in 2001, on a trip to Thailand and Cambodia. I invite you to watch the video below to hear the full story. I begin presenting just a couple minutes into the video.
Looking for updated headshots to help him in his profession as a baritone opera singer, Jonathan visited the JCP Home Studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Like in many of my headshot shoots, we started on on a white background and the moved to a black background. I use two different lighting setups and a number of different poses. This was my personal favorite headshot from our session. The lighting and the expression Jonathan has I feel matches the headshot look and feel I wanted to create for him as an opera singer.
While attending a pop-up market at WESST, hidden way out back with no one around were these skeletons propped up to be made to look to be driving farm equipment. It was extremely creative and unnerving in a way to see skeletons on benign human objects like a tractor. I had my Sony a7R IV with me of course with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART lens on to get these detailed shots focusing in on the skeletons and their respective rides. The werewolf in the top photo unnerved me the most. Who thinks to make a werewolf skeleton?? Well done to the team that created this Halloween display!
More and more actors in Albuquerque are choosing me at their headshot photographer and I could not be more flattered. Victoria visited the JCP Home Studio having had headshots made before, but not full on professional ones. She realized how important it is to have the absolute best headshot possible in the very competitive acting field. We shot on both a white and a black background to get a dramatically different look, without even really a lighting change. That’s the power of just using contrasting backgrounds. We did take time also for a fun new headshot style I wanted to try, the hair toss! Check out how fun and dynamic the headshot is below. Victoria spun in place while holding a smile and the results speak for themselves. That is one unique headshot!
While at the Cottonwood Mall waiting for a pet costume contest, kids in costume started also ambling in for their own contest that would follow the pet one. One kid really stood out as he was in complete makeup to look like the killer clown from IT. He was standing right next to me and it was kind of unnerving, but also amazing as I surely never had this level of costume for Halloween as a kid! I asked if I could make a photo, and got permission to make these quick natural light portraits. Even with all the makeup, the Sony a7R IV’s amazing eye autofocus nailed the shot shooting at f/1.4 no less.
What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid? Let me know in the comments below!
On a recent rural land real estate shoot just west of Grants, I was able to take a detour to nearby Bluewater Lake State Park in a semi-official capacity, as the client wanted drone video of the lake to include with the property drone video. I had never even heard of this state park until I got this photo job neighboring it. In satellite view on Google Maps it did not look that impressive. However, my impression was instantly changed upon driving up, and essentially being able to drive right to the very edge of the lake itself! As you can see, the lake’s name is indeed apt, as its water is a deep blue. And, the park was entirely empty. I had it all to myself to enjoy for nearly an hour. Well, there were a lot of prairie dogs around, and some cows in the distance, but I do not mind animal friends for company. This is another hidden gem that is a short escape from Albuquerque. I highly recommend checking it out, especially on a weekday afternoon when it might be empty!
For the second year in a row, the day we went to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, was the one day there was no mass ascension. This is actually the third time overall in a row trying to go to Balloon Fiesta that resulted in no access or no mass ascension. So I do not have a collection of spectacular photos showing a sky full of hot air balloons. What I can share at the detail shots from very first light, through day break. The one new special shape balloon I did get to see was of a Smurf, who I think is Jokey Smurf in particular.
