Thanks guys and enjoy!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Lauren & the Boys
Thanks guys and enjoy!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
A Little Something About Inspiration, Cornflake Girl & Why Pixar Always Gets It Right...
My husband, son and I just got back from our summer vacation. It was a little late this year, but that is how it works with farming sometimes. I took a break from photography because I needed to have my camera serviced while I was away, and opted not to take my backup camera. I'm feeling recharged this week. I took about 5 photos on my trip, all with my iPhone but I will never forget the look on my child's face when he saw the white, sandy beach and waves.
I decided I would do an informational post today. I have several commercial shoots this week, but today I'm making time for me. Sometimes when your hobby becomes your job you can lose sight of why you loved it enough to make it a career. Deadlines and pressure, billing and taxes, should I get that lens?, should I go that workshop?, should I find a bigger space?, will I make enough to pay myself this month? (ha, ha). So much pressure and stress can definitely put the kibosh on your creativity, which is why I periodically remind myself that one of my hobbies is still photography.
I love photography. I also love to see great design in all sorts of things. As a photographer, I am constantly inspired by magazines, movies, fashion, art, architecture and nature. I subscribe to several magazines primarily to look at the photography, Vanity Fair being my favorite (of course, the articles are also great). Looking at classic paintings is also very inspiring. Many lessons can be learned about setting the scene and posing people just by picking up an art book.
One surprising source of inspiration is from Pixar movies. Pixar never gets it wrong. I think they have found the best of the best and hired them all. I have this idea, based on no factual information, that when Pixar shows a room, they not only have their animators working on it but also bring in architects, interior designers and so forth. Everything looks amazing. I think their best example of this is in The Incredibles. All of the "sets", costumes, architecture etc., in that movie are so aesthetically pleasing.
When I watch Pixar movies, or any movie, I always watch how they set up their shots. Many times when the director really wants you to focus on a particular character's emotion, they get in very close and actually cut off the top of their head. The character is typically positioned to one side. That setup is usually always eye catching, no matter how many times you see it. Every shot in a Pixar movie is thought out; nothing is an accident. They frame everything thing up perfectly because, well, it's animation. They can take their time and do that.
People sometimes confuse inspiration and plagiarism. Growing up with five older sisters, I heard the word copying many times. When you're the youngest in a family of that size, no matter what you do, someone has always done it first and probably done it better. The truth is, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Many photographers claim that others are copying their work. If I see someone undeniably copying my work, then Hallelujah! I've done something right! You can be inspired by others without doing the exact same thing.
The image below is a good example of how you can be inspired by something and still produce an original image. I love the song Cornflake Girl by Tori Amos. A few weeks ago I noticed the image on the album cover. Tori Amos is standing in a white dress, in front of a gray background. She is small and the background is large. I decided to do an image based on that album cover. The setup is different, but the idea is the same. My husband's first reaction was that he really liked it, his second was that the client would probably not be interested in it. I didn't do it for that reason. In a creative industry it is important to push yourself not just to get paid, but to continue to love what you do, to be inspired and to improve yourself. I truly believe that if you do that, the clients will follow.
And so today... this one's for me.
I decided I would do an informational post today. I have several commercial shoots this week, but today I'm making time for me. Sometimes when your hobby becomes your job you can lose sight of why you loved it enough to make it a career. Deadlines and pressure, billing and taxes, should I get that lens?, should I go that workshop?, should I find a bigger space?, will I make enough to pay myself this month? (ha, ha). So much pressure and stress can definitely put the kibosh on your creativity, which is why I periodically remind myself that one of my hobbies is still photography.
I love photography. I also love to see great design in all sorts of things. As a photographer, I am constantly inspired by magazines, movies, fashion, art, architecture and nature. I subscribe to several magazines primarily to look at the photography, Vanity Fair being my favorite (of course, the articles are also great). Looking at classic paintings is also very inspiring. Many lessons can be learned about setting the scene and posing people just by picking up an art book.
One surprising source of inspiration is from Pixar movies. Pixar never gets it wrong. I think they have found the best of the best and hired them all. I have this idea, based on no factual information, that when Pixar shows a room, they not only have their animators working on it but also bring in architects, interior designers and so forth. Everything looks amazing. I think their best example of this is in The Incredibles. All of the "sets", costumes, architecture etc., in that movie are so aesthetically pleasing.
When I watch Pixar movies, or any movie, I always watch how they set up their shots. Many times when the director really wants you to focus on a particular character's emotion, they get in very close and actually cut off the top of their head. The character is typically positioned to one side. That setup is usually always eye catching, no matter how many times you see it. Every shot in a Pixar movie is thought out; nothing is an accident. They frame everything thing up perfectly because, well, it's animation. They can take their time and do that.
People sometimes confuse inspiration and plagiarism. Growing up with five older sisters, I heard the word copying many times. When you're the youngest in a family of that size, no matter what you do, someone has always done it first and probably done it better. The truth is, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Many photographers claim that others are copying their work. If I see someone undeniably copying my work, then Hallelujah! I've done something right! You can be inspired by others without doing the exact same thing.
The image below is a good example of how you can be inspired by something and still produce an original image. I love the song Cornflake Girl by Tori Amos. A few weeks ago I noticed the image on the album cover. Tori Amos is standing in a white dress, in front of a gray background. She is small and the background is large. I decided to do an image based on that album cover. The setup is different, but the idea is the same. My husband's first reaction was that he really liked it, his second was that the client would probably not be interested in it. I didn't do it for that reason. In a creative industry it is important to push yourself not just to get paid, but to continue to love what you do, to be inspired and to improve yourself. I truly believe that if you do that, the clients will follow.
And so today... this one's for me.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Are You Ready for Some Football?
I think their Christmas card should read, "We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit, how about you?" I love it Lauren!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Mandy
Some images from a recent shoot with Mandy Smith. Mandy counsels kids, families and does much more. We did some headshots last fall for her practice but this time we got some kids in the mix. I think the images will be a great addition to her brochures and website. Thanks Mandy! Always nice to have repeat clients.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Fall Petite Sessions
The first person to schedule a Fall Petite Session will receive a $50 print credit toward any additional print orders and an additional set of 25 custom Christmas cards!
The second, third, fourth and fifth people to schedule will receive a $25 print credit towards any additional print orders!
Please call 870-740-3317 or email amy@amylongphotos.com to schedule your spot.
Donate canned goods for a discount on your package. 1 can = 1% off, up to 30% off. Donations will go to needy families this holiday season. Let's help each other give back.
Hannah - Preview
I really enjoyed the session with Hannah and her mom. Hannah is about to be a teenager and her mom wanted to document this special time. She was a very sweet girl and I tried to capture that but in a little bit more of a grown up way.
I know that many photographers are going for more of an "edgy" look in teen and senior photography these days. That is just not my style. I think we should let them be kids for as long as possible.
I sensed that her mom was a creative lady, so I did a few things this time that are a little different. The shots of her on the fence were taken using off camera lighting at sunset.
PS Hannah, your hair looks fantastic!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Eden
It's time to cast your vote again... on Eden's new billboards that is. What do you think? Close up or makeup brush?? Either way, it was a great shoot. Another success for Eden.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Lindsey
Who says you can't shoot in the rain? I love these shots of my lovely niece Lindsey, as sweet as she is cute (and tall like her aunt ;-). This is only the first round of senior photos for Lindsey, but I think we definitely have some keepers.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Glinda & Her Boys
My Recipes - Ribs
Being the 4th of July and all, I thought I would share my recipe for ribs. I don't make saucy ribs, but they aren't dry either. My sweet daddy, whom I miss very much, was a grilling master. I remember watching him every year on the 4th, grilling chicken, pork chops, and ribs for his enormous brood of daughters, sons-in-law and grandkids. I would sit on the back porch watching him grill in his starched blue jeans (reserved for those occasions when he wanted to relax, starched khakis were for work). My ribs are not exactly the same as his, but a similar variation. They always seem to please a crowd, so I hope this 4th you will give it a try.
Start with baby back ribs that have been rinsed well and patted dry with paper towels. I lay out a long piece of foil for each one, several inches longer on each end than the ribs. Make sure they are very dry. Sprinkle them generously with meat tenderizer, garlic powder, oregano and cumin. Sprinkle them lightly with cayenne pepper and a little salt. Be careful with the salt, tenderizer is salty. Next I put a good dose of Wishbone Italian Dressing on them (my dad pronounced this I-talian) and wrap them up, making sure the foil is sealed. I stack them up on a baking sheet and leave in the fridge for a couple of hours (so do this in the morning).
I start grilling them a couple of hours before we want to eat. I get my coals ready and let them settle a bit, then put the ribs right over the high heat for about 5 min per side to sear. Then I move them over and lower my coals to the bottom of my grill, so they get indirect heat. If your coals don't move down, put the ribs up higher on top rack. Let ribs cook slowly for...um...well... this is the tricky part. I'm not really sure how long I cook them. I never seem to remember to time this part and just go on feeling. I can tell by looking at them that they are ready to come off (you could use a thermometer too:). If I had to guess I would say an 1 hour.
When they are ready to come off of the grill, wrap them in foil and either put them in a cooler or put them in the oven. If you do the oven, turn it on about 200 degrees and then turn it off when it gets to temperature. Let them rest about an hour and you are ready to go!!
I won't have a photo of my ribs until after the 4th. Instead I'll put this one for my dad, who loved hats.
Start with baby back ribs that have been rinsed well and patted dry with paper towels. I lay out a long piece of foil for each one, several inches longer on each end than the ribs. Make sure they are very dry. Sprinkle them generously with meat tenderizer, garlic powder, oregano and cumin. Sprinkle them lightly with cayenne pepper and a little salt. Be careful with the salt, tenderizer is salty. Next I put a good dose of Wishbone Italian Dressing on them (my dad pronounced this I-talian) and wrap them up, making sure the foil is sealed. I stack them up on a baking sheet and leave in the fridge for a couple of hours (so do this in the morning).
I start grilling them a couple of hours before we want to eat. I get my coals ready and let them settle a bit, then put the ribs right over the high heat for about 5 min per side to sear. Then I move them over and lower my coals to the bottom of my grill, so they get indirect heat. If your coals don't move down, put the ribs up higher on top rack. Let ribs cook slowly for...um...well... this is the tricky part. I'm not really sure how long I cook them. I never seem to remember to time this part and just go on feeling. I can tell by looking at them that they are ready to come off (you could use a thermometer too:). If I had to guess I would say an 1 hour.
When they are ready to come off of the grill, wrap them in foil and either put them in a cooler or put them in the oven. If you do the oven, turn it on about 200 degrees and then turn it off when it gets to temperature. Let them rest about an hour and you are ready to go!!
I won't have a photo of my ribs until after the 4th. Instead I'll put this one for my dad, who loved hats.
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