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| February 12, 2014. Day 1. Logan Earl Crowder. |
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Daily Photo Challenge, Day One
Since my little man is definitely the most important thing in my life right now, I thought it would be appropriate to kick off this daily photo project with an image of him. Of course, we had to pay an homage to photography itself, too! ENJOY!
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Daily Project to Commence!
So, I'm going to start in on work slooowwwwly. With very short shoots! Of course, I gotta make up for it somehow, right? Because I LOVE to be a busy-bee. So, I've challenged myself to do a photo a day. Wahoo!
This project will be similar to the 365 project I started before, but was unable to keep up with (I made it through 133 days)... only much more low key, and with no focus, other than photography. No end date in mind... I'll just do it until I don't. Haha. I'd love to do as much fashion as possible for this project, but it's probably not feasible for that to happen every day. On occasion, I may shoot something else. Heck, I may end up shooting something else EVERY day. Who knows? I have no idea where the project will take me. I'm completely open. I'm just going to shoot. Easy breezy. Minimal work, maximum output.
If you would like to be part of the project, I am offering a ridiculously low rate once a day. A daily deal. Anyone can take advantage of this low rate, but it is for one person only. I am still offering regular sessions, as well (multiple person shoots as well as individual sessions). The daily deal includes fashion, boudoir, glamour, beauty, and all types of portraiture except for children under the age of 5 (those little boogers are cute, but small-child-energy is a bit more demanding, and thus require a regular session).
I leave you with the daily deal flier! Message me for more details and/or to book any type of shoot.
Tomorrow I will begin my journey. :D
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Glam Rock
Finally, finally we can share these images! A few of these were published in Ellements Magazine's November issue, so we had to wait. I've been dying to share with you all! This shoot was SUCH a blast to put together. It really satistfied my craving for something creative, loose, and just plain FUN. I need MORE shoots like this in my life. I might even need more GLITTER in my life. ;D
The whole team for this shoot was just amazing. Everyone was inspired and pumped up, and you always get the best images from shoots where the whole team is really into it. Shawn's makeup is killer- so creative, the hair by Sierra is edgy, and yet beautiful, and the garments... well, we all wanted to purchase them from Valerie of Verseau. They are sexy, but classy! Of course, the model, Alex Hogston of Page Parkes brought her A game to this shoot, too.
The hardest part of this shoot for me was glittering that dang couch, haha. Talk about monotonous. But I think it was worth it, in the end.
Anyway, enjoy these images and this behind the scenes footage from the shoot. I hope you like it all as much as I do.
If you want to see more of my work, you can check it out on my website, or my Facebook page. I often post Facebook specials, so be sure to "like" and follow my page for upcoming deals. You can also find me on Flickr, if that's your thing (although I don't post there as often as I should), or you can find me on Twitter (where I tend to be a little more personal). Also, if you enjoy my blog, don't forget to subscribe (on the top right), to be be notified by email when I've created a new post. If you'd like to contact me, the best way to do that is by email (stretchphotos@gmail.com), or by Facebook message.
Thanks!
P.S. Click on the images to see them larger!
The whole team for this shoot was just amazing. Everyone was inspired and pumped up, and you always get the best images from shoots where the whole team is really into it. Shawn's makeup is killer- so creative, the hair by Sierra is edgy, and yet beautiful, and the garments... well, we all wanted to purchase them from Valerie of Verseau. They are sexy, but classy! Of course, the model, Alex Hogston of Page Parkes brought her A game to this shoot, too.
The hardest part of this shoot for me was glittering that dang couch, haha. Talk about monotonous. But I think it was worth it, in the end.
Anyway, enjoy these images and this behind the scenes footage from the shoot. I hope you like it all as much as I do.
If you want to see more of my work, you can check it out on my website, or my Facebook page. I often post Facebook specials, so be sure to "like" and follow my page for upcoming deals. You can also find me on Flickr, if that's your thing (although I don't post there as often as I should), or you can find me on Twitter (where I tend to be a little more personal). Also, if you enjoy my blog, don't forget to subscribe (on the top right), to be be notified by email when I've created a new post. If you'd like to contact me, the best way to do that is by email (stretchphotos@gmail.com), or by Facebook message.
Thanks!
P.S. Click on the images to see them larger!
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| MODEL: Alex Hogston, Page Parkes MAKEUP ARTIST: Shawn Jones HAIRSTYLIST: Sierra Westre DESIGNER/STYLIST: Valerie Perez, Verseau PHOTOGRAPHER: Jennifer Crowder |
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| MODEL: Alex Hogston, Page Parkes MAKEUP ARTIST: Shawn Jones HAIRSTYLIST: Sierra Westre DESIGNER/STYLIST: Valerie Perez, Verseau PHOTOGRAPHER: Jennifer Crowder |
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| MODEL: Alex Hogston, Page Parkes MAKEUP ARTIST: Shawn Jones HAIRSTYLIST: Sierra Westre DESIGNER/STYLIST: Valerie Perez, Verseau PHOTOGRAPHER: Jennifer Crowder |
Friday, October 4, 2013
Mikailee Alton S/S 2014
Not only did we use the beautiful ambient window light, in my studio, but we also ran around the Finesilver Building seeking the light, to keep this shoot soft and feminine, with just a hint of edginess from the industrial feel. Sexy, but classy. Totally Mikailee!
Beautiful women were made to break the rules a little, so I had no
problem blowing out the light a little, to make Reebeka glow! I think
it's the perfect compliment for this see-through skirt, that has a whole
lot of sexy, but still maintains it's class.
And if you liked the see-through skirt, I know you're gonna love this dress! I do!
I absolutely love working with Mikailee Alton. She knows how to make a woman feel confident, sexy, and clasy all at once. Her clothes are wearable, and yet very fashion forward, and each piece is one of a kind! Not only that, but she is so easy to work with. She always makes the models feel comfortable, and has all of us laughing and having fun. You can check out more of Mikailee Alton's work on her website, or on her facebook. Be on the lookout for the rest of this line (with more color!), soon!
Don't forget to check out Reebeka, of Agence Red Wall, Deanna Leflore, and Cruz Jewelry Designs, while you are at it.
To see more of my work, visit my website or facebook. You can also keep up with me on a more personal level on twitter. If you enjoy the blog, don't forget to subscribe (on the top right), to be be notified by email when I've created a new post. Thanks!
Friday, September 13, 2013
What it's Like On Set with Stretch Photos
HAIR AND MAKEUP
During hair and makeup, I'm a bit goofy. I talk a LOT. It breaks the ice. I play, and laugh, and make silly jokes. It's ok to be sarcastic with me, I'm not sensitive. It's ok to dance around my studio (especially if you are doing something really awesome, like the Cotton-eyed Joe!).
I love models who converse with me, rather than just sit there. "A model should be seen and not heard," is not something I believe in. I love the model's input! I also love to let hair and makeup artists have some creative freedom with what they are doing. It brings energy to the shoot, when we are all "feeling" it.
Hair and makeup artists... this is your time to shine. When I ask what type of music you want to hear, speak up! Don't say "anything." Tell me what gets your energy up. Tell me what makes you creative! Tell me what you are in the mood for.
SHOOT TIME!
If the shoot is serious, I tend to get quiet. If the shoot is silly/quirky, I'll get loud and silly... it's all about setting the mood. MUSIC, again, is a must. Models, don't say "I pretty much like everything!" when I ask what you want to hear. I want to know what makes you MOVE. As I said before, music brings energy. I'm not going to judge your taste in music, because guess what... I like everything! (wink)
I love having fun, but when it's time to work, it's time to work! I don't mind a little dancing or a little goofing off between shots... it keeps us fresh. It keeps us enjoying ourselves. However, I don't like it when someone comes over and starts chatting to me about things that have nothing to do with the shoot. Save it for breakdown! I'm trying to be in my zone. I'm trying to brainwave with the model, haha.
I am a photographer, I tend to look at the big picture. This means sometimes I overlook small things like a crooked necklace... or even a boob popping out! I don't mind if someone says, "Hey, we need to fix that." I don't mind if the hairstylist jumps in every now and then to fix a stray hair, or a designer jumps in to smooth a wrinkle in the wardrobe. I DO mind if someone is popping in and out of the frame SO much that I lose my connection with the model. That connection is vital. If there is something major going on that needs that much attention, feel free to let me know. We can take a break, get it right, and get back to shooting without the interruptions. That way, the model and I stay connected! If it's something small, slide in and fix it really quick. No biggie! Do your thang!
In keeping with the theme of the connection between the photographer and the model... I can't stand it when someone other than me starts coaching the model on how to pose, or what type of facial expressions to make. If you keep telling the model what to do, all of a sudden his/her attention is on YOU, not where it needs to be, which is on the photographer, or more specifically, the camera. I understand that you know what a good pose looks like, but you need to understand how important the connection is. Don't break it! Also, just because a pose looks great from where you are standing, it doesn't mean it looks great from where the camera is standing. Unless your face is directly behind the viewfinder, you have no idea what the frame looks like. An arm above the head looks awesome from the front, but if I am to the side of the model, I'm getting nothing but giant elbow. Especially if I have a wide angle lens on my camera! (Elbow ain't pretty, yall.) Additionally, I want the model to feel confident. I like to let a model do his or her thing, and make only small tweaks, in a positive manner. You'll often hear me say things like "That looks perfect! Now add a little sass!" or "That's so beautiful! Can you hold that, but lift your chin a little?" I don't want someone shouting "Suck it in!" at the model over and over again. Believe me, it does NOT give them confidence to hear that! For all you know, I may be taking a headshot. If I need them to suck it in, I will let them know myself. Kindly. So, I'm not trying to be mean when I ask you to back off... I'm simply trying to keep up the positivity, get the right pose for the angle the camera is coming from, and hold my connection with the model. If you want to say something every now and then, do it! I'm not saying you should never give input... I like input. I'm saying don't take over the shoot.
I love to hear your ideas! I might not want you interrupting our connection by constantly shouting out things at the model... but if something awesome strikes you, feel free to find the right moment to say "Hey, Jen! Can we try something?" Once you've told us your idea, we can try it out, while maintaining our model-photographer connection. I love when other people bring ideas to the table... it challenges me, and it brings more creativity to the shoot. Some of the best photos I've taken were taken on the whims of other team members. Check out the photo below... makeup artist Deanna Leflore, and hairstylist Johnny Serafin thought it would be fun to wrap Stephanie in some ribbon Johnny randomly had in his car. The photos came out awesome! They are some of my favorites. Don't be afraid to speak up!
Models... I love models who aren't afraid to assert themselves. If you're modeling, and all of a sudden you feel like you want to use a stool, grab one! If you want to jump, say "Jen, I wanna do some jump-shots!" I'm all for it. There is give-and-take between a photographer and a model, it's part of the connection. It's each of us understanding what the other is trying to convey, and I LOVE a model who I can connect with easily. I love models who are not so afraid to look ugly, that they don't take chances, models who are willing to try something new. I love models who are strong and confident, and models who change poses often. There is no reason to shoot the same pose six or seven or fifteen times, haha. It's a waste of shutter clicks, and a waste of time. I love models who can give me face. By that, I mean models that can give me lots of expressions. Versatility is the most important quality a model can possess!!!
WRAPPING IT UP
Shoots are HARD! We all put so much of ourselves into it, creatively, not just physically, that it's like all those creative juices suck the energy right out of us. I hate turning off the music, bc it feels like "closing time" at a bar. It feels like I'm kicking everyone out in a matter of minutes. I'm not! Take your time getting your things together. Breathe. Don't feel like you need to help me break down, it's therapeutic for me. Just pick up after youself, is all! If you need a ride, let me know. I'm a nice gal! I can probably help out! :D
I may sound a little bossy, but I promise, I'm also FUN! If you'd like to get to know me better, you can follow me on Facebook. There, you can also find my latest specials, book shoots, etc. You can also check out my website to see more of my work.
Thanks for reading my blog! If you enjoy it, please click the subscribe button on the top right, to be notified by email when I've posted something new.
During hair and makeup, I'm a bit goofy. I talk a LOT. It breaks the ice. I play, and laugh, and make silly jokes. It's ok to be sarcastic with me, I'm not sensitive. It's ok to dance around my studio (especially if you are doing something really awesome, like the Cotton-eyed Joe!).
I love models who converse with me, rather than just sit there. "A model should be seen and not heard," is not something I believe in. I love the model's input! I also love to let hair and makeup artists have some creative freedom with what they are doing. It brings energy to the shoot, when we are all "feeling" it.
Hair and makeup artists... this is your time to shine. When I ask what type of music you want to hear, speak up! Don't say "anything." Tell me what gets your energy up. Tell me what makes you creative! Tell me what you are in the mood for.
SHOOT TIME!
If the shoot is serious, I tend to get quiet. If the shoot is silly/quirky, I'll get loud and silly... it's all about setting the mood. MUSIC, again, is a must. Models, don't say "I pretty much like everything!" when I ask what you want to hear. I want to know what makes you MOVE. As I said before, music brings energy. I'm not going to judge your taste in music, because guess what... I like everything! (wink)
I love having fun, but when it's time to work, it's time to work! I don't mind a little dancing or a little goofing off between shots... it keeps us fresh. It keeps us enjoying ourselves. However, I don't like it when someone comes over and starts chatting to me about things that have nothing to do with the shoot. Save it for breakdown! I'm trying to be in my zone. I'm trying to brainwave with the model, haha.
I am a photographer, I tend to look at the big picture. This means sometimes I overlook small things like a crooked necklace... or even a boob popping out! I don't mind if someone says, "Hey, we need to fix that." I don't mind if the hairstylist jumps in every now and then to fix a stray hair, or a designer jumps in to smooth a wrinkle in the wardrobe. I DO mind if someone is popping in and out of the frame SO much that I lose my connection with the model. That connection is vital. If there is something major going on that needs that much attention, feel free to let me know. We can take a break, get it right, and get back to shooting without the interruptions. That way, the model and I stay connected! If it's something small, slide in and fix it really quick. No biggie! Do your thang!
In keeping with the theme of the connection between the photographer and the model... I can't stand it when someone other than me starts coaching the model on how to pose, or what type of facial expressions to make. If you keep telling the model what to do, all of a sudden his/her attention is on YOU, not where it needs to be, which is on the photographer, or more specifically, the camera. I understand that you know what a good pose looks like, but you need to understand how important the connection is. Don't break it! Also, just because a pose looks great from where you are standing, it doesn't mean it looks great from where the camera is standing. Unless your face is directly behind the viewfinder, you have no idea what the frame looks like. An arm above the head looks awesome from the front, but if I am to the side of the model, I'm getting nothing but giant elbow. Especially if I have a wide angle lens on my camera! (Elbow ain't pretty, yall.) Additionally, I want the model to feel confident. I like to let a model do his or her thing, and make only small tweaks, in a positive manner. You'll often hear me say things like "That looks perfect! Now add a little sass!" or "That's so beautiful! Can you hold that, but lift your chin a little?" I don't want someone shouting "Suck it in!" at the model over and over again. Believe me, it does NOT give them confidence to hear that! For all you know, I may be taking a headshot. If I need them to suck it in, I will let them know myself. Kindly. So, I'm not trying to be mean when I ask you to back off... I'm simply trying to keep up the positivity, get the right pose for the angle the camera is coming from, and hold my connection with the model. If you want to say something every now and then, do it! I'm not saying you should never give input... I like input. I'm saying don't take over the shoot.
I love to hear your ideas! I might not want you interrupting our connection by constantly shouting out things at the model... but if something awesome strikes you, feel free to find the right moment to say "Hey, Jen! Can we try something?" Once you've told us your idea, we can try it out, while maintaining our model-photographer connection. I love when other people bring ideas to the table... it challenges me, and it brings more creativity to the shoot. Some of the best photos I've taken were taken on the whims of other team members. Check out the photo below... makeup artist Deanna Leflore, and hairstylist Johnny Serafin thought it would be fun to wrap Stephanie in some ribbon Johnny randomly had in his car. The photos came out awesome! They are some of my favorites. Don't be afraid to speak up!
Models... I love models who aren't afraid to assert themselves. If you're modeling, and all of a sudden you feel like you want to use a stool, grab one! If you want to jump, say "Jen, I wanna do some jump-shots!" I'm all for it. There is give-and-take between a photographer and a model, it's part of the connection. It's each of us understanding what the other is trying to convey, and I LOVE a model who I can connect with easily. I love models who are not so afraid to look ugly, that they don't take chances, models who are willing to try something new. I love models who are strong and confident, and models who change poses often. There is no reason to shoot the same pose six or seven or fifteen times, haha. It's a waste of shutter clicks, and a waste of time. I love models who can give me face. By that, I mean models that can give me lots of expressions. Versatility is the most important quality a model can possess!!!
WRAPPING IT UP
Shoots are HARD! We all put so much of ourselves into it, creatively, not just physically, that it's like all those creative juices suck the energy right out of us. I hate turning off the music, bc it feels like "closing time" at a bar. It feels like I'm kicking everyone out in a matter of minutes. I'm not! Take your time getting your things together. Breathe. Don't feel like you need to help me break down, it's therapeutic for me. Just pick up after youself, is all! If you need a ride, let me know. I'm a nice gal! I can probably help out! :D
I may sound a little bossy, but I promise, I'm also FUN! If you'd like to get to know me better, you can follow me on Facebook. There, you can also find my latest specials, book shoots, etc. You can also check out my website to see more of my work.
Thanks for reading my blog! If you enjoy it, please click the subscribe button on the top right, to be notified by email when I've posted something new.
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| Model: Stephanie Grace, Agence Red Wall, Makeup Artist: Deanna Leflore, Hairstylist: Johnny Serafin, Wardrobe designed by: Deanna Leflore and Johnny Serafin |
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Newborn Baby Portraits!
Our friends James and Wendy Estess gave birth to a beautiful baby girl August 22nd, 2013. I am honored to have taken Isabella Grace Estess' newborn portraits only twelve days later. What a sweet tiny baby! It's got me thinking about what we will do for photos when our own little newbie arrives, in December. :D
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Sunset with Kay
I really wanted to do a blog about this shoot because 1. Kay's outfit is KILLER. Love how she put it all together. 2. Longhorns! 3. I love sunset shoots!
As much as I love them, however, (ambient) sunset shoots, for me, are a pain in the you-know-what! My subject is backlit, meaning when I focus on my subject the sky is overexposed and I lose the sunset, which was the whole point in the first place. Womp womp. If I focus on and expose for the sky, I might get a really cool silhouette, but if I am wanting to showcase my subject- no bueno. I've found that by exposing right on the edge of my subject, where he/she meets the sky, and overexposing just a bit, I can get some pretty cool exposures.
Still, a lot of times, I simply allow my subject to be underexposed, knowing that I will bring everything out in my post processing. I only bump up my ISO as much as I need to in order to keep the blur away, so that there is as minimal an amount of noise as possible. Then, because I am shooting in RAW, I can open the image in Photoshop the way it was shot, as well as an image that brings out the subject (overexposing the sky), and lay it on top of the original image. Then, I erase the overexposed sky from the top image, and the beautiful sunset on the original image shows through. Voila! These sunset images are very soft... the sunset is barely there, but it is! I felt like it suited the photos best. You can make the sunset as intense or as dark as you want it!
Of course, I could throw a flash unit in the mix and get a great exposure, saving myself the post processing time, and the headache while shooting, but in my opinion, it really takes away that dreamy effect. I love the smoky soft effect of the sun setting naturally behind my subject! I love the artsy sun-flares! I'm willing to use a couple hundred shutter clicks for a couple handfuls of lovely images.
(Note- a very patient model is essential. Sometimes I shoot the same pose four or five times before I get an exposure I am happy with).
This is just one way to get some really cool sunset shots. Of course, there are others! What do YOU do when you are shooting at sunset? How do you solve exposure problems? Let me know in the comments!
If you'd like to see more images from this set, you can "like" and follow me on Facebook, where I will be posting a few. See you there!
P.P.S. I also use these techniques to capture clouds or blue skies in the background, which unfortunately, are rare in Texas. I find myself saying "forget the rules!" and shooting a lot of blank backgrounds... but that is another blog post!
As much as I love them, however, (ambient) sunset shoots, for me, are a pain in the you-know-what! My subject is backlit, meaning when I focus on my subject the sky is overexposed and I lose the sunset, which was the whole point in the first place. Womp womp. If I focus on and expose for the sky, I might get a really cool silhouette, but if I am wanting to showcase my subject- no bueno. I've found that by exposing right on the edge of my subject, where he/she meets the sky, and overexposing just a bit, I can get some pretty cool exposures.
Still, a lot of times, I simply allow my subject to be underexposed, knowing that I will bring everything out in my post processing. I only bump up my ISO as much as I need to in order to keep the blur away, so that there is as minimal an amount of noise as possible. Then, because I am shooting in RAW, I can open the image in Photoshop the way it was shot, as well as an image that brings out the subject (overexposing the sky), and lay it on top of the original image. Then, I erase the overexposed sky from the top image, and the beautiful sunset on the original image shows through. Voila! These sunset images are very soft... the sunset is barely there, but it is! I felt like it suited the photos best. You can make the sunset as intense or as dark as you want it!
Of course, I could throw a flash unit in the mix and get a great exposure, saving myself the post processing time, and the headache while shooting, but in my opinion, it really takes away that dreamy effect. I love the smoky soft effect of the sun setting naturally behind my subject! I love the artsy sun-flares! I'm willing to use a couple hundred shutter clicks for a couple handfuls of lovely images.
(Note- a very patient model is essential. Sometimes I shoot the same pose four or five times before I get an exposure I am happy with).
This is just one way to get some really cool sunset shots. Of course, there are others! What do YOU do when you are shooting at sunset? How do you solve exposure problems? Let me know in the comments!
If you'd like to see more images from this set, you can "like" and follow me on Facebook, where I will be posting a few. See you there!
P.S. I always start my sunset shoots BEFORE the sun sets! That way, I can get some great images without all of the hassle (safety images!!!). Those moments before the sun sets, the light is nice and soft on the skin, and shadows are not harsh.
P.P.S. I also use these techniques to capture clouds or blue skies in the background, which unfortunately, are rare in Texas. I find myself saying "forget the rules!" and shooting a lot of blank backgrounds... but that is another blog post!
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