Tattoos and Photographers

I have tattoos and so do a lot of people. I have met quite a few people that have tattoos. A lot of my friends do. Jason, shown below, he does too. He came into the studio a few months back and I did a few portraits of him then, when his chest piece was "under construction." Since then, it has been completed. Tattoos, like clothing, are worn as an accessory. They, like a scarf, specific style of hat, or type of shoes, become an element of style, which define who we are. On Friday night as the girl who took my order slid my debit card, (has my business name with the word photography in it) asks if I am into photography. Realizing that she was making small talk, borderline flirting, based on how she acted next, I simply lifted my right hand up, exposing my wrist, where I have a small camera tattoo. A very simple vector based outline, enough to show people, "yes, I am into photography, I live it every day of my life." I chose this location, because like some people who wear their heart on their sleeves, I wear my occupation on mine. Ever visible is the lifestyle that I live, the job, the passion, the obsession, that is my life, photography.

Lifestyle Photography: Boston

I am heading to Cape Cod for the long weekend. Before I do, I want to share a few new photographs I made. Have a great long weekend! Stay safe.

This first photograph was shot for the silhouette, but in post, I played around with some new light leak actions I am working on. Fun stuff.

I love photographing people. Especially doing head shots. I've been playing with light and a specific backdrop I have in studio. #notjustablackbackground

Recently I did head shots for a child actor who needed to update his comp cards.

Fitness and Lifestyle Photography

Fitness and Lifestyle photography are two avenues that I do not have much experience in. In fact, I will be the first to say that while I develop my portfolio and have been adding fitness and lifestyle work, I am seeing challenges that I have yet to encounter. Fitness photography is beyond a niche, it is a lifestyle in of itself. They always say, (I am not sure who "they are", but they do say) know your subject matter. Having spent years in a gym still isn't enough for me to know the subject of fitness. Working with a fit model is still not enough to get the images that I am looking to produce. Studying, reviewing, and shooting has been great, but I am seeing that I am kind of at a wall. For me, this is encouraging. It means that I am aware of my restrictions and am willing to surpass them to get the work that I want. From what I have seen, most fitness and lifestyle photographers specialize in those areas. They know their subject matter, posing, and lighting through and throughout.

Now, you must be wondering, what is the point of explaining all this? Well, it is very simple. I am not perfect. As a professional it is important that I am transparent. Future clients want to see that I am willing to take on new projects and new ideas. Being able to admit that something is not your strongest means you recognize you see the weakest points and will take them and make them your strong points. That is exactly what I am doing. When I spend hours searching photographs, shoots, ideas, inspiration, I am always impressed with fitness and lifestyle photography. Especially lifestyle. When you can produce a shoot that elicits a connection, a visible emotion with a brand, you're directing people in a way that requires a lot of talent and energy. I have a profound respect for the photographers that are capable of this.

Below are a few photographs from two recents shoots. One in studio and one in Boston.

Fashion Photography: Lights, Cameras, Hats, Hats?

Everybody looks great in a hat. I personally spend a bit of time each season trying to find the right hat that defines who I am. Not everyone looks great in the same stye hat. I know for a fact I couldnt pull off one of those irish hats, you know the one you see EVERYONE wearing around St. Patricks Day.. I can rock a hat similar to Indiana Jones. Here are a few shots with some hats.

Fashion Photography: Recent Works

Two weeks ago I met up with my friend Jules. She is a budding model/actress based in New York City. I have worked with her a few times. You can see a few examples of her on my website { JeffreyB | Photography Dot Com } She was in the area for the weekend and with only an hour and a half to shoot, we picked a location and arranged to produce a shoot. Honestly, we had a narrow budget of time to work with. I am accustomed to fast shoots, but this was the fastest from planning to shooting that I have had in quite some time. We had a few wardrobe changes, but in the end, the following images are the ones that are favored from the shoot. What really brought this shoot together was not just the fact that we had the opportunity, but the quality of the light, the location, and the dress, (Forever 21) and leotard (American Apparel) .

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY: Muse in studio

I caught up with a friend over the past two weeks. She was in town from Australia, her new home. We had a few lunch meetings and a few micro shoots in the studio. Over the last 6 years or so she has appeared in front of my camera. We formed a friendship because of mutual hatred of a college course and a love of photography. Since the instant I bought my first digital camera, she has been musing around in front of the lens. Over that period of time she has grown as a person and I have grown as a photographer. Every time we work together, there is a strengthening in my photography. Gracefully walks in to the studio, poses, and something new appears. It may not be visible to people that watch my work, follow me, or have just started seeing my photographs for the first time, but it is true. There is always that one small thing that she gives me that is new, fresh, and something I was looking for. Even though I do not photograph her as often as one would like, she still enhances my work to some degree and rightfully has gained the title of Muse.

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