And then I had dad get involved, and look at the this! Kids and their dads are always so different then with their mamas. The contrast between the two relationships is something I love to capture. (Steve, the face you have in this shot is classic! :))
what an awesome session! i love shooting in places like this 🙂
great job me ra!
Your light meter? That’s how I know where to set my shutter speed anyways! 🙂 I went to the Seattle Workshop! WHOOT WHOOT!
MeRa, these are absolutely amazing. The emotion that you captured in such difficult circumstances is pretty unbelievable. I would say another thing I learned from reading your post is that by you staying calm and confident it helped the mom and dad stay calm and confident. Most people would probably freak out or worry in such weather thinking their pictures aren’t what they imagined but you helped them to think otherwise. Thanks for all the insight.
Man, I wish you class wasn’t sold out at WPPI!!
That would be the light meter!?!? – Atlanta workshop. Guess what, I have already convinced my husband that I really needed a 24-70mm f2.8 lens – its on its way!
Beautiful shots, MeRa!
Oh, and you used your meter!!!!
(which, before the Chicago workshop, I thought was a random attempt on my camera’s part to be more like Kitt from Knight Rider, or something)
🙂
I made a goal about a year ago to “never shoot in the same place twice.” I’ve actually honored that all but once, when a client insisted that she wanted the same picture she had seen on my site of another couple. The result has been so much fun for me! At times I admit that it makes things harder because I have to consistently come up with new places, but it always keeps things fresh and creative. I love all the color, patterns, and textures that I can spot just driving to the grocery store or going on a walk. It even encourages me to not always take the same route on routine trips. Constantly keeping an eye out for something unique. There are SO MANY PLACES to choose from! Sometimes those moments of “rain” are great blessings to get out of the box. Thanks for your post! Love the pictures!
Me Ra! These are gorgeous! I love how perfectly that it is possible to get a beautiful image ANYWHERE!
Your light meter is your friend (although some days are friendlier then others 😉 ). I really struggled with my exposure before, but during your workshop in Sonoma I really became comfortable with taking a deep breath, checking your settings, adjusting where needed and then capturing the moments as they come.
I think Brooke’s idea of shooting in new places consistently is brilliant (although I have a few favorites i am not willing to let go of just yet!)
I am Liz’s father. You did a magnificent job with the photos. Of course you had great material to work with. I might be alittle bit prejudice. You are very creative. Really enjoyed the pictures. Randy Ziffren
Light Meter. Chicago Workshop.
Thanks for sharing with us how you turned a potentially challenging situation into a perfect opportunity!
Whoah, I can’t get over those ivy pics. They are perfect.
Now I can’t wait to get home and dig back into my camera manual to figure out how to work with the light meter.
good tips. i know that sharon ran into a similar problem on a shoot recently. thinking on your feet is crucial. thanks for the insight.
great job!
I will also say light meter – Atlanta workshop. I have been practicing shooting on manual the past 2 days and using my light meter! Probably wouldn’t have attempted that before the workshop! These pictures are great – I love the monster costume ones! And I would have never thought you were by a freeway just by looking at them.
What a fun photo session!!!!
So ironic! I just blogged about a senior shoot I did last fall with dad’s semi-truck as one of the “locations”. “Never shoot the same location twice” has been a mantra of mine, too (not that I ALWAYS succeed)..being under new circumstances is like being a cat with a new toy…
The “tinkling” shot is such a hilarious treasure!!!
I’m so glad you all enjoy this post! Isn’t it funny to think that the ivy was under the freeway with random Taco Bell trash scattered! 🙂 You would have never known.
And Randy, what a fun surprise to have the kids’ grandpa post a comment! Yes, you are right! The subjects were quite enchanting to work with! And Liz is so photogenic! I don’t you think you can take a bad shot of her. I love how she lights up with her boys, she’s such a good mama!
meter baby! and guess who went into NYC this morning to the mother ship (B&H) to get herself a 24-70mm lens? yes that would be me!!
Ehem.. I think the father’s DNA clearly has something to do with how cute our boys are. 😉
Thanks again Me Ra for such a wonderful memory.
you metered!!! ha ha! yea!!!!
the booty shot is awesome! a sight I see frequently!!
You used your handy dandy light meter!
Sonoma Rockstars!!!
What a fun shoot! I have still yet to get people to go with me
when it comes to thinking out of the box.
“Trust me! It will be fun!”
“Go with me on this… it’s going to be great!”
Only to get sourpuss faces…
One of these days!
Thank you so much for this post and the recipe! I love the ivy shots and the first thing I thought of was “What the heck was in there”-funny-you so made it work x10!! Great learning lesson today.
Thanks so much for sharing the wonderful pics! and the “recipe”. I adore you for willingly sharing with us your knowledge!
I haven’t attended any workshops but, to answer the question; you use the exposure meter/display to choose shutter speed. 🙂
Have a fabulous day!!
Hey Me Ra! Great shots, and I LOVE the B&W conversion. If I learned anything at the Sonoma workshop, it was how to use the light meter. Before the workshop, I don’t think I ever even noticed it! Hope to see you and the whole gang in the Spring for a reunion!!
I love this post MeRa. I have been wanting to do shoots at or near peoples homes and sometimes people worry that it is not “pretty enough”. Sure..it is nice to have family pictures in front of a gorgeous backdrop, but it is alos nice to have the backdrops be something meaningful to them. OK..even though under a freeway is not meaningful, it does go to show that it is the subjects that make the picture not the location.
I love how the boys seem to be growing out of the ivy! So fun!
I LOVE your favorite shot of the day! I’ve been there… wish I had a picture of it!
So much fun! I hope you are feeling better Me Ra! Miss u!
Me Ra, this was such a fun day and we love the pictures (as you know). Thanks again for everything!
Light meter, light meter…that thing I loved to ignore. And it’s now my best friend courtesy of the Chicago workshop. Okay, maybe second best after my new 24-70 lens.
this is so adorable! I LOVE the ivy shots – what a sweet family – the photos are beautiful, mera!
Love the idea to take a rainy shoot under an overpass!! Thanks for so much inspiration!!!
Me Ra, I can’t thank you enough for what you do on this blog. I love photography, would love for it to someday be my profession but right now with 2 babies and 1 on the way and the economic situation such as it is, going to school/taking classes aren’t an option for me. But in the few months that I’ve been reading your blog and since ordering your DVD’s, my photos have improved by LEAPS AND BOUNDS. I’m learning so much every time I check in here, not just from you but from the other photographers that comment and from their blogs/websites. You all are truly amazing and inspiring. You’ve made my dream not seem so much like a “dream” and more like a definite possibility! 🙂
Thanks for offering some advise and not just posting photos that is sooooooooooo helpful to those of us just starting out! My favorite shot is definetly the little boy going to the bathroom – gotta love it! ANd I hope his mom shows is to all of his future girlfriends!
Love these shots! Especially your favorite!
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