Ian, a local actor, contacted me with two specific headshots he wanted, one that was kind of moody and serious, and the other that was lighter and smiling. So that’s exactly what we set out to do in our headshot photo session here at the Jason Collin Photography Studio in Pacific Grove, California. Whatever the client wants, whatever the scope is, that’s why I tailor the shoot too. We started with the moody headshot, settling on a background look, and then finished with the smiling, friendlier style headshot changing up the background to bright white for that. Thank you Ian for choosing me as your headshot photographer!
Visiting a Pacific Grove lumber yard to make live social media photos
As sometimes happen, how I think a shoot will go, and how it actually goes, are quite different. Such was the case when I arrived at Hayward Lumber in Pacific Grove, California to first make social media content photos with a provided shot list, and then to get a few photographs of the event taking place right in the lumber yard parking lot. Normally I would want to setup shots, likely use off camera lighting, and be in a controlled environment when doing this kind of photography, but, none of that was possible in an open for business lumber yard! I had to get the shots I could, as work happened live, finding volunteers for photos when possible and trying to tick off as many shots as I could from the shot list. With the help of a few team members, I was able to complete the list in the end!
Making candids across Monterey County starting in Salinas
In yet another hard to believe photography connection, a media company I did a shoot for in Albuquerque three years, has another campaign they are working on here in Monterey County where I moved to 1.5 years ago. So through this cross time and state connection, I was out on assignment working with a representative from the Monterey County Department of Education making photographs of the first of 6+ kids and students across the large expanse of the county. I was told just to get photos of the kids being kids, so that’s why I did for this first student at a school in Salinas. I really like this kind of “on assignment” type photography. More photo shoots to come this month for this campaign!
Always interesting to think and talk about photography
I was contacted by Bold Journey to share some of my thoughts about different aspects of becoming and being a professional photographer. Like, how does one get the confidence to be a professional photographer? What qualities are the most important to develop? It was a fun challenge to think on these questions and answer them in some detail. Thank you to the team at Bold Journey for this opportunity!
Using shallow depth of field for Pebble Beach sunset photography
It was a beautiful evening here in the Pebble Beach area so I took my camera to one of my favorite spots along 17 Mile Drive, Bird Rock. I already had the Sony 50mm f/1.2 lens on my camera from a shoot the day before, so I left that on, to get a different perspective for sunset photography, and I knew before going there I did want to shoot at f/1.2 for shallow DoF shots. Then I saw these flowers growing atop a small cliff, and used them as the focal point and let the sun go out of focus. This extreme difference in foreground and background focus interests me and I feel reveals a different world.
Carmel Airbnb Photography for a cozy cottage on Torres St
Melissa did a fantastic job of preparing her Airbnb property in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California for its first photography day of two. I will return to get twilight shots and more exterior shots in the near future. This photo focussed on the main living space, the dining room, and the two bedrooms. I worked closely with Melissa to photograph just the spaces from the angles that were the most photo ready. It was a true team effort on this Airbnb photo shoot in Carmel. Thank you for choosing me as your Airbnb Photographer Melissa!
Car Auction Photography for Monterey Pebble Beach Pacific Grove Carmel
Have your car photographed in the Monterey, California area for auction by a professional photographer who is also a car enthusiast (E46 M3 owner) and an experienced car auction photographer that has worked for all major car auctions houses, like Bonhams, Mecum, Bring-A-Trailer, and more.
Car Auction Photography starts at $550 and includes:
50 edited photos of the exterior and interior following car auction house guidelines
off camera lighting used for the best interior photo results
