A couple of nights ago, we tiptoed down to the almost completed studio. I wanted to test lens length in the space, so asked kids to stand in. Didn't have a single light set up, no backdrop: just my new space, natural light in the evening in the rain. This is the result. Back of camera, as unedited as it comes.
The hardest times can be the most beautiful. We shut down with the world. It became apparent that every decision would be one of risk vs reward. A decision that we made, not without risk, has been richly rewarding beyond belief. We came to bond with our neighbors. We decided together to proceed as a bubble as cautiously as possible, and to socialize outdoors. These kids have come to see each other as family as much as friends.
Missing in action: Yaira, George, and Dovi. Special shout-out to Miriam Ahuva.
Outdoors is a hot bliss filled with squeals, swings, laughter, swinging, fighting, bleating sheep, zip lines, hiking through creek tunnels, scooters, felling trees and climbing them, too.
Discovery
We all hope to go back to the world. To see missed friends, restore balance, and to actually go into each other’s homes. But this time is equally precious and scary.
Elisheva bid on a session with me at an auction to support The Jewish Fertility Foundation some time ago. We got together for a socially distanced session at her home, in front of her favorite tree.
Among her favorite things, which include a passion for helping children, American Sign Language, and promoting exercise health, is snuggling her sweet children and puppy. The images that made her coo weren’t perfectly posed, but rather when there was a connection. She loved this image, but unfortunately, puppy Oreo’s face was hidden behind them. That’s why you hire a photographer who can photoshop! I can’t wait to see her face when she holds the finished mounted print.
Remember this friend/client, who convinced me to do my version of a corona porchtrait for her?
It was a beautiful session. Perfect weather. She had great ideas in mind. And seeing her children again, even if many feet apart, was bliss.
That first picture? It’s actually a composite of three different images:
As I left, her amazing daughter asked, repetitiously, “When the sickness is over, can we come to your house? Can we come one day, when it’s over??”
I feel like this whole experience is a constant contrast of tender and heartbreaking. A craving and appreciation of connection.
I am Corona Woman!
Hear me roar. Or cry. Or call out in gratitude. Or fear.
I wear all the hats and I want to cast them to the ground. Sometimes I do, and hide in the closet. Sometimes the hats stack nicely.
I am so proud of myself. And ashamed.
All these people are me.
I am Corona Woman. A self portrait dedicated to all those who are doing all the things all the time at the same time right now.
About the portrait: this is 6 separate images taken over the course of one morning in my dining room. I had one speedlight behind the camera and one bare-bulb strobe off right, both bouncing from the ceiling. I tethered my camera on a tripod to my computer, and set it to automatically take 15 shots of each story. I inched myself around the space so that I would have a variety of positions to assist with overlap. Then I spliced them together in Photoshop . I edited the now singular image with a heavy hand of dodge and burning to make it pop. Yes, my little one was actually fighting during the session (he rescinded his protest and requested to take part after he saw big sis was excited.) I desperately wanted to tidy, but didn’t permit myself to move a single item, so this is life during Covid-19 in all its glory.
Rebekah was a dear friend in college, we bonded performing in a production of Tommy. Fast forward, the lady is rocking as owner of the Center Stage Arts Studio in Ohio, is the proud mama of 6, and military wife.
She and her family (four brothers), were gathering outside of Atlanta for Thanksgiving, and she wanted to take advantage of the gathering. I was equally excited to make art with her as I was to simply catch up with someone who has always been a magnetic match.
This week, some metals are shipping out to Vegas, for her brother and sister-in-law!
Rebekah is the queen of keeping it real, and pushing for her dreams. A true Wonder Woman.
I’ve been shying from requests from front porch/yard portraits during this time. I want to stay true to the custom art that my clients expect, I want to be meticulous about safety, and I want to make sure my own family is holding it together.
Then, a repeat client who had been amongst those inquiring hit me hard last night with a: “THIS TIME IS CRAZY! AND I WANT TO REMEMBER IT! I want to add it to our home gallery, because it’s a great way to remember this insane time beautifully.”
After processing it with her, I realized I can indeed accomplish all three while creating art with my clients and neighbors to commemorate this period.
$400 includes:
Photography session outdoors on your porch or in your yard, from a safe distance.
Virtual consultation where you select your portrait, and we envision custom alterations.
Optional gallery design included: see your image(s) in different sizes and configurations in your actual space.
A calibrated, heirloom, mounted 8x10 art print, with the accompanying 8x10 digital image.
Option to change print size, material, and add additional images. Upgrading your mounted print to wall art begins at an additional $235.
SIGN UP FOR A SLOT ON SUNDAY, MAY 3RD, AND RECEIVE $35 OFF.
The first three images were combined to create the final portrait.
Sign up for your slot here. We will chat on the phone afterwards to discuss your vision, narrow down timing, and answer questions.
How exactly does one get the opportunity to photograph the smiles of one of Atlanta’s most Brilliant dentistry offices?
You do a family photoshoot. Their extended family sees it, and books you to do THEIR family photoshoot. Their office staff sees it, and says, “We all need new headshots, and we want beautiful photos like the ones you have!”
Wow.
We did this one UP! We brought in Renee Locher Hair and Makeup and went glam! Each person moved seamlessly from the makeup chair in-studio, to in front of camera just outside, all at the Shayna Image compound..
We had FUN! This group was chatty, friendly, and excited. Exactly as I imagine they would be with their own dental clients.
With schedules, lots of people, and primping mixed in, we completed this shoot over the course of two days (and they have another staff member to come!) Lighting shifted dramatically between each person, so the goal in editing was a cohesive look.
Want a smile like theirs? Go see them, and come see me!
Creating art requires a tremendous amount of control.
Something you totally lose when you decide to not only capture an image, but simultaneously jump to the other side of the camera, try to look good, and wrangle your kids. I admit it: every year, I struggle taking my own family portrait for our walls. And then every year, I say, I’m another year wiser, they are another year older, let’s give it a go!
This year, rather than going epic, like I enjoy doing for my clients, I said, let’s keep it really streamlined. Just us, in the new studio. Not my usual style, but a greater likelihood for less stress.
HAHHHAAAAAAHHAHAHAHA! It was a terrible experience! But we got this gem at the end:
Which works for me, since these were some of our other images:
Next year, I will once again say, “I’m another year wiser, they’re another year older, why not?”
LOLOLOL! (*cry)
My third shoot with the Marvelous Rabba Melissa, and I’ve learned about what she craves: authenticity. She wants gorgeous art on her walls, but she isn’t looking for everyone looking perfectly catalogue chic. She wants the expressions and moments that speak to her everyday life in this phase. The “pouty snuggle face,” the “I’m just silly,” the “I’m totally teenager.” She wants to remember everyone, exactly as they are.
When she knew her brother and nephew were coming to town, she said it was an occasion to be remembered and documented. Our next step together is to mount her gallery wall with images we’ve printed together from this shoot, last year, and occasions before we were blessed to know each other when the littles were littler, and their wedding day. Their growth so far, to be added to for years to come.