I'm laying on my office floor typing. He tells me not to get lost. In the mire, the stress, the indecision. JD and I have been working on a project for a while and we're at a complete stand still. A place I hate, a place I never want to be. Sometimes timing in life doesn't work with the timing in my head, and, really, those two timers need to have a conversation. And WORK IT OUT.

But I know I'm not alone. I know there are a ton of people who are feeling the exact same way. You know, with the whole timer thing. We want everything to happen in our timeframe, but it isn't until we can look back in the future and realize that everything–yes, everything–works together when it's supposed to. So, until then, I'll wait. And when things are ready to go, I'll know it was the perfect alignment of my mind's timer and life's timer. Bing!

In the meantime, let's get into a couple FAQs on this fine Thursday morning…
Mark asked
How did JD expose for this shot without flash and everything not getting blown away. How do you expose for the skin on something like the following shot?

Well, JD shot on the rooftop of the SLS Hotel in Los Angeles and it was very bright out. Ideally, we'd shoot at sunset, but I was hungry. And when I get hungry I get cranky. And who wants to shoot a cranky girl?! 😉
Lucky for JD, the hotel was beige in color. So, yes, the sun was behind me (the subject), but the white building was behind JD (the shooter). The wall of the building acted as a natural reflector (instead of using an artificial reflector or fill flash) and pushed reflected light onto the subject (me). This is how we always try to shoot given these situations.

Alice asked
My question is this–I just adore how your large bridal party shots have a casualness to them. Using the example of Michele and her gals, in the slideshow, how do you direct everyone to do that? I'm sure it's not complicated but I would love some insight to your process!!!!

My process is simple. I draw inspiration from fashion magazines. And Renaissance art. If you haven't looked at either of these two things in a while, I definitely suggest you should. Vanity Fair does an amazing job at featuring epic group shots and I learn SO much from each spread. Also, a recent J. Crew catalogue featured wedding wear and the group poses made me swoon. I save these images (literally and figuratively) and draw inspiration when needed. Also, Renaissance artists drew inspiration from Biblical commissions from rich families and churches and seeing religious depictions of group settings helped me a ton. No, really, a ton.

Yasmin asked:
But, one thing I've noticed about your photography is the vibrancy of your images, particularly the e-session you just photographed here in Las Vegas out at Red Rock. The issue I'm running into, is when I'm shooting on overcast days such as the previously mentioned e-session, my colors come out very flat. What are you doing post production to get that great color?

Actually, shooting on overcast days is my absolute favorite thing. It's like God gave me one, big soft box. Holllllla!
I don't do anything differently when I'm shooting on overcast days, except I feel more at liberty to pose clients however I like because I don't have to factor in the sun. I also don't do anything in post production to achieve a certain look. Like always, I use Kubota Actions (as blogged here and here), but what I think makes a difference is the light itself, and not what I'm doing in post. As those who've come to my workshops in the past, I use very little Photoshop on my images and, instead, try to find the best light. On overcast days, that's a whole lot easier.
I don't know if that helped, but I definitely wanted to address the notion that overcast days aren't as good to shoot on…find the best light, shoot wide open, and have fun. That's all I got! 😉

Laticia asked:
Do your clients choose your locations or do you? Also, do you bring along the few “props” that you use in some photographs once you have decided the location?

Yes, my clients choose the locations for their engagement shoots…and, yes, my clients are incredibly awesome.
I think that when they choose the location, it makes them a part of the process itself and they can take ownership in the results. If they're happy with the outcome, they can tell their friends and family, WE chose THAT spot! I love that! It also forces them to have a conversation about the type of environment they feel comfortable in, instead of depending on me to simply tell them what I think is good. They know what's best for them, so why not allow them to make that decision?
Yes, I encourage my clients to bring props if they think of something that helps show who they are and what makes them different, but I don't require it. However, when they do show up with cool things, I get extra excited to use them to showcase more of who they are as a couple.Happy Thursday!