Looking Back at 2009

It's almost 2010 here in the Midwest, and I thought I'd share some of my favorite photos of 2009 (in no particular order)! Enjoy and happy new year my dear readers!

Modeling Photography Easy as 123!

While my computer is exporting some proofs for the client, I shall keep this blog up to date. Since there are no pictures this time (Boo, I know), I will share how I get some of the modeling/senior pictures I got. Wedding photos have a bit different approach, so I will write another post on that when I am actually good... :D

I try to stay humble, but many times people will tell me how much they like my photos, and tell me that I am so talented. Ha ha! Thanks, but I do have a few non-talent tips for people to get the pictures that others will like:

1. Know your camera/gear - You gotta know how to use your camera before you can take pictures. READ THE MANUAL! Know what every button/dial mean, and then learn what stuff they change. You can't really mess up a camera, so play with every setting in every combination (i.e. ISO/Aperture/Shutter speed). I am not going to get into the details of what each will do here (you can take me out to lunch and I will teach you what I can, ha ha), but you can find way too much info on that on youtube/google.

2. The subject - It's the truth, everyone likes to look at pretty people. Take the time and find pretty people and beg them to step in front of your camera, tell them in return they will get some photos. Who doesn't want pictures of themselves now that we all have facebook/myspace? :) Also, pretty people are much easier to photograph as you will basically just click the button a lot. Now, once you are better, it's the photographer's job to make everyone look the most flattering. I tell my models to just come in whatever, and I will make them look nice. So far so good!

3. Shoot lots! - There are no better way to get better photo than bettering your skills, both with your camera and people. You don't need a fancy camera to start, but the more you shoot, the better you will get, whether you like it or not. I have lost count of how many models/seniors I have shot, but I feel I get better with every shoot.

Sorry for the long read, I hope these tips will at least get you started in the right direction. Since we are on subject, I am available for hire to tutor you on your new camera or editing photos, as well as come along to your shoot to advice hands-on learning! Contact me for details! mike@4honorphoto.com

Janessa

There are times when you get really lucky and get models like Janessa, who's sassy enough that they know what to do and you just have to click away. Made my "job" a heck of a lot easier and fun!

I really feel proud of this series of shoot, and I will be taking more soon, so be on the look out for new ones later. Subscribe to the RSS feeds or something... :) by the way, if you can see the original large files, these images are stunning!

Samantha

You may remember from the earlier post about Layne? Well, we had like 3-4 models that day, so here is another girl that we shot. Samantha was very easy to work with, follows direction well, and very patient! She has a really pretty face, so these headshots are super awesome! We did go outside real quick for some night time shots too! I hope you like them! :)

Wedding: Kayla + Tyler

The second wedding I helped shoot with Laura Kathryn Photography! This was the first out of town wedding I shot, in Tulsa, OK, about 5 hours away from Kansas City. It's actually not bad of a drive if you are not driving by yourself. Plus, there were plenty of McDonald's off the highway... Ha ha!

I didn't use my XSi much at all, since the sun set pretty early now, and the venue is (as usual) very dark. So glad I had my 5D Mark II! I stayed with the guys most of the time, as Laura got the girls, so most of shots here are of the groom. Enjoy!

Layne

Now that the wedding season has slowed down, I was invited by a friend to shoot some models. We were very excited as we got a makeup artist and hair stylist that day!

Hair and Makeup by Shana and Ashley of "Shana Nicole Beauty"
shananicole.stylist@gmail.com

So, here is the dark side of model photography that almost every pro knows: some models like to no call no show, and no respond when you try to reach them.

Anyways, enough about that. So, what do we do when we have spare time and a bunch of pros sitting around? We turn one of our photographers into a model of course! :D She said she wanted to look like Taylor Swift, so then our beauty team goes to work, and this is what we came up with... P.S. I got more of the same series coming, so check back soon!

Just so you know, you can see more at my Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/4honor

Wedding: Stephanie + Jack

Always wanting to meet new photographers, so this time I tagged along with Laura of Laura Kathryn Photography and this is what I came out with.

By the way, the groomsmen from this wedding were super fun, and the bridesmaids stole the dance floor at reception! Oh, and this is one of the first weddings I shot with my new 5D Mark II :D

Gotta always have the dress shots! :)