June 2024 Shoots

So far, I have three shoots planned for the month. The 1st and 2nd are on Thursday and Friday of this week. Both shoots are my first with these models. Both are very experienced. Experienced models usually mean smooth shoots if the photographer is well prepared. I do my best.

Rachel Shoot Plan

I plan my shoots as far in advance as possible. That means deciding the concept, location, and model (if the shoot is for a client) as well as choosing the outfits and props. The key, however, to the best shoot relies on a written shoot plan that can be referenced during the shoot and remains flexible enough to change if necessary.

Thursday's shoot is with Rachel. I contacted her back in April hoping to set a shoot in May. Unfortunately, the weather and personal plans for both of us didn't work out, and we were delayed until this week. I've corresponded with her manager/husband weekly since our initial contact so the logistics are all in place, the plan is in place, and I hope the weather remains true to the forecast.  We'll be shooting a combination of my Goddess concept and some Barefoot Glamour.

Nicole's Shoot Plan

The following day, I'm shooting with Nicole. I've known Nicole for a couple of years since I've used her property for a few outdoor shoots. I've followed her and her photographer partner for even longer on Instagram and Twitter. I finally asked her about shooting last fall, but for the concept I wanted to shoot with her, we decided it would be best to wait until summer. We set a date back in April with hopes the weather would cooperate, and it looks like it will. We plan to shoot in the evening light at her place since I've already worked at a few locations on her property. Nicole will be shooting my Sword & Chains concept for me. 

I've included shots of both Rachel's and Nicole's shoot plans to provide an idea of how I put together a shoot. The outfits and small props will be placed in a large ziplock with the sequence number label on the bag. After each outfit gets used, it goes back in the bag so nothing get lost. Outfits get washed and props get wiped down after every shoot. 

I haven't finished planning for the 3rd shoot of the month yet because the model will be traveling here from out of state for a short visit and I'm unsure of the weather during that time. May and June can be volatile with cool temperatures and rainy part of the week and warm, sunny conditions the rest of the week. Fortunately, I've worked with Nanci before and I know how fun shooting with her can be.

Recovery and Summer Shoot Planning

Random OCF Attendee

Since I'm confined to the house for a few days, it seems like an opportune time to write a bit and share some plans for the summer shooting season.  I'm good at planning my shoots, and I can generally stick to the plans allowing for some deviations for creative flexibility. Good planning helps me stay on track for my projects, and I leave some latitude in the scope of the shoot so that I'm not constrained so much I can't take the shoot in a different direction if the creative flow takes me there.

My wife, Wanda, will be gone for about three weeks this summer on a visit to our family in Arizona, so I'll probably be shooting at least a few projects during that time frame, including at least a day at the Oregon Country Fair. The OCF is an event that I routinely shot for about 5 years, but I haven't gone in the last couple of years due to family commitments. I'd like to get back there this year just for some general people photography, as there are always interesting costumes, presentations, music and people at the fair. It may also be a good opportunity to pass out some of my business cards to get paying clients for some of my photographic specialties.

I'll also be shooting quite a bit more of my Military Glamour project this summer.  This is a subset of my Barefoot Glamour project, but with an emphasis on a military flavor with the costumes and props. Several of my regular models have expressed an interest in working on this project with me as it gives them a different look for their portfolio.  This is also a good genre for new clients as it gives a person an opportunity to have a sexy shoot done for their military boyfriend or husband.

April in Soft Focus

These shoots are also quite fun, as they are logistically easy to set up, shoot, and post-process and that means I can concentrate more of the creative aspects of the shoot: the composition, the lighting, and posing the model. Since I have a variety of military themed outfits and props, there's very little expense in the shoot for me or the model.  Now, if I could only find a costume like Christina Aguilera wore in her video, Candy Man.


Another theme I want to explore this season, is Steampunk. I haven't actually shot any images using the style yet, but I've been researching the costumes and props and it seems like it will be fun to both shoot and design. I know of some good outdoor locations to shoot and I've compiled a list of props that should be fairly easy and inexpensive to acquire. A number of models have already expressed interest in shooting this with me, and several of them are very creative with their costuming ability, so there is the opportunity for even more variety in the shoots, from very sexy to almost Victorian prudishness.

There are several more projects in the works as well and they're all quite different from what I've shot in the past. I also want to try some concepts that I've considered in the past, but haven't taken the time to attempt - light painting, random faces, abandoned nudes, and fabric suspension. I may not get to try them all, but I at least have a list of concepts from which to work.  I certainly hope to have a fun and creative summer with my photography and with my family.

Planning, working, and soon, recovering.

Jasmine in Shadow

I'm working on plans for my summer shoots. I want to wrap up my existing projects and move on to some different concepts and explore other avenues in my photography, including some collaborative projects with another photographer and artist. That's not to say, I won't revisit these current projects from time to time, but I really need to work on some new stuff that challenges my technical and compositional techniques.

The key to this is finding the right models, locations and props for the new projects, as well as determining the lighting and ambiance necessary to complete the compositions I have in mind. I definitely want to experiment more with lighting techniques including light painting, low key shots, and different frequencies (UV, infrared) of light.

I'm also planning on trying some different costume concepts - Steampunk, Victorian Pinup, Glamour Goth, etc. I'm also open to other suggestions as well from other creative people.

In the meantime, surgery is scheduled for Tuesday the 10th and with any luck, my knee will be fully recovered by the time I starting shooting in earnest.

Planning Summer Shoots

I'm currently scheduling my summer photo shoots. The current of shoots include:

1. Woodland Pixie (tentatively scheduled for June 26th with Amy M. of Model Mayhem).
2. Dark Fae (tentatively scheduled for July 11th with Sarah T. of Model Mayhem)
3. The Reaper Fairy, tentatively scheduled for sometime in July with my good friend, Bridgett (note to self - get Bridge on the hook for a specific date - she gets too busy otherwise.)
4. Fire Fairy - I have to get this shot this summer. The model I want to use is currently not available but has told me she'll be able to shoot sometime in June. I have two models I want to use for this, but since it's a very complicated lighting setup, I'll need to schedule the two models on consecutive days.
5. The Forge Fairy (and his assistants) - which will get shot as soon as my friend, Mark, can spare the time.
6. Fashion Shoot - with Gabriell for her portfolio (to be determined).
7. Special Forces Fairy - with camo wings, a carbine, and an attitude!
8. Plus some barefoot glamour, fashion and other shoots as I can fit them in.

It's going to be a busy summer. Here's an image from my 1st shoot last summer.

Body Jewelry

I like to use body jewelry in my images. I just like the way that chains, rings, charms and other objects look against skin. As I've done more projects over the last few years, I've purchased a number of pieces that work will with my glamour and fantasy project. A couple of years ago, I found a company, Chain Mail and More, that sells lovely products that are designed and manufactured directly by the artists. They have quite a variety of products, and though I haven't had anything custom made, I suspect for the right price, they would produce a custom piece for an interested customer.

One of my favorite pieces is called the Ice Flame Body Chain and I've used it for a number of shoots:

The Water Fairy


The River Fairy:

and this image from a recent shoot are good examples of this piece:


And they sell many smaller and larger pieces that can be combined to enhance costumes, such as the Diamond Waist Chain and the Barefoot Sandals in this shoot.


I recently purchased several other pieces from this company and I plan to use them for several shoots this year.

2009 Planning

Detailed planning contributes to great shoots. I learned that lesson in 2008 and I hope to build on it in 2009.

I'm planning all my 2009 photo shoots. 2008 was a most productive year for me photographically, both in my personal projects as well as my family projects. By my rough count I worked with 16 models for about 20 separate shoots over the course of the year. This isn't including all the family photo shoots I conducted. Indeed, one of my projects which I hope will lead to a book publication within the next 1 - 2 years, is going quite well. I have been working with some very nice, lovely and stable models lately. Some of my other models are a little less stable and seem unwilling to take directions well, but I love the images just as much from them as I do from my more mature and professional models.

You can read about my 2008 year in photography here in the post below.

The two little problem models are Jocelyn and Ryker who are cousins and born just a little more than a month apart. They're my latest granddaughter and my first grandson. So 2009 will keep my camera busy, no matter what other projects I'm able to start and finish. And they can always provide a bit of stress relief. If some of my other shoots go poorly, I can at least count on these two to give me a big old slobberly smile which can immediately light up my heart, just like hugs from their bigger sibling and cousin.

Anyway, I'm working on my 2009 project plans. I have several shoots I intend to complete this year. There are at least three or four to be done in January and February, two that I'm planning toward the middle to end of March, and another 6 over the course of the summer, and an additional 4 in the fall. This is, of course, if all goes well and I get enough models willing to work within my budget.

So, what are these projects? Well you can read about them all here:

Mark's Current Projects

If there are any of you that want to help with the project - photo assistant, 2nd camera, Makeup Artist or Stylist, model or csotume designer, let me know and make me a pitch. Any of these could be a fun project and I'm looking for some creative minds to work with during the year. Let's all create some art together.