Karen & Daniel's Wedding!

Greetings everyone! I have another surprise...fresh out of the box...Karen & Daniel's wedding! Today...yes...really, today...I had the opportunity of documenting Karen & Daniel's special day. Over a year ago I shot their engagement photos...and finally they became wife & husband! I hope you enjoy...and a special thanks to Krystle Hicks for coordinating today's wedding!

I hope you all enjoy the new montage style...give me feedback...I'm considering this type of montage vs. my usual...enjoy!

Ben Harper!

I'm really not sure if I'm allowed to show these pictures on my blog...b/c the venue had me sign a paper that stated I could not use the images on my website...well, this is my blog...not my website...hahaha! So, Mr. Harper...if your secret investigators snoop out my blog, I want you to know, I really won't profit from this blog post...I mean, perhaps a local band will ask me to shoot their show at some ratty venue...and they will compensate me with unbelievable exposure...as they say...(that's my sarcasm coming through)!

Unto the show....this was one of those nights of "firsts". First, I have never seen Ben Harper live! This was the first time I attended a concert that had assigned seats...and this was the first time I shot a concert!

Thanks to EU and Rachel Best Henley, I was given the opportunity to shoot the show...well, a very small part of the show. The deal is, I had a press pass...a photo press pass...and I could only take pictures for the first 3 songs...and from 2 assigned locations. But it was totally worth it! Thank you Mr. Harper for a good time!

So here's a few pics from the show...I hope everyone is enjoying "the unexpected" that lands on my blog. My blog is like a Cracker Jack's box...it comes with surprises!

Another Massive Slideshow!

Here's all the shots from the Retro shoot a while back...I think it's over 700 frames...again, you can see the shoot in progress...the minor adjustments...and the ridiculous amounts of repetition!

A few things that I've been thinking about:

If you really want to do something or make something happen...

You'll figure out a way to do it. You can't wait for someone to do it for you...you can't wait for your lucky break...it doesn't typically work that way! You have to do it yourself...and then naturally, you'll align yourself with the right people and they'll keep an eye out for you. But it's your passion that will make you succeed!

You have to work REALLY HARD! I mean...REALLY, REALLY HARD!!!

Create your own path...don't copy-cat someone else's path...it won't work...there's too many differing variables!

Don't expect overnight success...that's rare...

Be ready to drop everything you're doing at any given moment to further your progress in whatever you are trying to pursue...and if you are mentoring someone...then you should be super ready to drop anything that's happening to learn more!

Be inspired! Look to someone else (whether online or someone in person or even someone historical) that's doing/did what you want to do...look at their great work...their achievements...and be inspired!

Don't become stagnant...go back to being inspired...your progress should be ever-evolving!

Don't think whatever you are doing is great...there is someone always better than you...way better than you! If you think your work is the best...you will become stagnant...and full of yourself...and no one likes that!

With what was mentioned above...respect your work...enjoy your gift...don't beat yourself up thinking you'll never be that awesome lawyer that all lawyers look up. Respect your achievements within the proper perspective.

With what was mentioned above...again...do learn from your mistakes so that you can improve!

This one is specifically for my photog friends...aspiring photog friends...newbies (which includes me), etc...

You don't need anyone to teach you how to use your camera...or how to use Photoshop, Bridge, or Lightroom...really!

You CAN teach yourself! Grab your camera manual...google something...buy a used Scott Kelby book (his books will teach more about photoshop than you'll ever need to know)...play with the buttons on your camera...read some super outdated forum post...grab your flash or studio strobes...wait until sunset and photograph your friends...or that neat, interesting person you met last week...make mistakes...think about how you can fix your mistakes...look at Chase Jarvis' website or Nick Onken's...and then go out with your friends and try photographing them at sunset again....bring your strobes...and improve...this how you will really learn!

This is for everyone...you have to have PASSION...if you're pursuing whatever you're pursuing to make more $...blah...wrong reason! You need to be passionate...whatever it is that you are trying to do, needs to be pumping in your veins! It needs to be an Organic Pursuit! If you can't live without being a doctor...then you have Passion...and you will be a doctor (hopefully focusing on prevention and holistic approaches)!

Enjoy the slideshow!

The Clothing Warehouse collab shoot from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Eco-Friendly Fashion Show!

This past Thursday was a first...I photographed a fashion show...typically not my thing...but if it's Eco-Friendly, then I think I can manage!

The fashion show was a collaborative effort. Aura Salon, Aveda, Violet, Sunrise Surf Shop, & Whiskey River put it all together!

What's up with this collage???...today I was putting up a ceiling fan...and it was so technical, so I think this was my subconscious trying to break free from the regimented feel!

A Day in the Life of the Grimsley's Slideshow!

As I promised...the Grimsley's slideshow! This was from a full day of shooting...a real life shoot! I hung-out with the super-cool Grimsley family and documented their day! If you're interested in "A Day in the Life of Shoot," you can get more info here!

Enjoy! And check out the Macs...it's a Mac family!

Music By Ziggy Marley - "I Love You Too".

A Day in the Life of... from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Cars!

Lately my blogs have been pretty diverse...so here's another...a direct result from my 1950s Retro Shoot. Johnny Angel's Diner has these car shows on a routine basis...so the owner asked if I could snap a few shoots...and here you go! My favorite car is the white & turquoise station wagon! I also got to ride in a souped up Mustang...which only gave me acute anxiety!

Enjoy!

A day in the life of...

During my family sessions, I try to create an environment that will help the family be themselves...to help the family interact with true emotions...but this is always difficult to achieve within a two hour window...in the middle of some park. So I decided to offer "A day in the life shoot" (which should be on the website very soon). A day in the life is exactly how it sounds. It's me living with your family for a day, documenting the things you normally do! It's a photo-documentary of your life...it's really REAL!

[Segue]

Yesterday, I got to live with the Grimsley's! I got there in the morning and caught breakfast and the kids watching Saturday morning cartoons...we walked the neighborhood, went to the Riverside Arts Market (RAM), watched a soccer game, went bowling, played outside, watched TV, ate dinner, cleaned up......ok, you get my point...I really did live with the Grimsley's!

Here's a few shots from the day...I should have a slideshow soon so that you can experience the entire day...enjoy!

Tanya of Southern Charm Events (& family)!

This past Saturday I hung-out with Tanya and her family (by the way, Tanya is a wedding coordinator...visit here )! Tanya's family gathered for the holiday weekend...the kids had an Easter egg hunt...and the rest of the family did what families do...talk, catch-up...oh, and eat!

Here's just a few pictures from the day...enjoy!

The Briefcase Part 2

First...another big thank you to today's participants - Amanda and Marc...and Wardrobe Stylist - Danielle Dyer...and Jerome and Angel...who helped out...thank you!

This shoot was a part 2 of this shoot.

A few things here:

1. Left the shoot not knowing if I captured what I was going after...and it stressed me out...I suppose this is a good feeling...but I don't like it...I hope this is the last time!

2. Stuck to a plan...wish I could have deviated...but as us photogs say, I'm running out of good light...or as Marc told me...we're chasing the sun...

3. Marc Boese is my professor who got me into photography...pretty cool that he became a participant...another full circle connection...

4. I sold my 17-50mm lens...hence I can't get super wide...hence, Angel let me use her Nikon D700 for the "jumping over me" shots...bad move...now I want to go full frame...

5. I want Profoto lights too...I hear they're good for action photography...

6. I think I'm done with running shots now...but I'm still wanting to do a BMX freestyle shoot...and breakdancers...hit me up, if you're out there!

Enjoy!

The Clothing Warehouse...straight off my website!

Flash Required to view this area.

E-Motion by Kim & Joey!

Yup...this is one of those ironic shoots that ends up on my blog. It was inspired by this Norman Rockwell painting/picture...and this video by Charlie Winston .

I think this was the hardest shoot for any of my participants (I think that's the best word for anyone volunteering to be in any of my personal projects). Kim & Joey have a pretty peaceful relationship, so they really stepped out of their comfort zone...but they did an awesome job! Additionally, I have over 5 years of work experience in the Domestic Violence field...so at times, I felt a little out of place.

Thanks to Daisy (Hairstylist) of Oscar & Lula's

Enjoy...but not too much!

See, they do really love each other!

Photogs: If you've been reading my blog for the past 3 months or so, you've noticed there's a lot of movement in my work. I guess I'm super intrigued by the energy given off when people are moving. As people, we naturally move a lot...that's why we have legs, arms, muscles, etc...

Even if we're in a situation where we have to be still, we people find a way to be doing something (i.e. on the cell phone in your car...tapping your feet in that boring staff meeting...bobbing your head in your work cubicle...). So for me, at the present moment, it's fitting for me to catch people in motion...doing things that may be real...yes, I actually have seen a woman & man fight outside...on several occasions...except it usually involved a car...not a scooter...

Micah Lifestyle!

Another cool shoot...thanks to Micah...who by the way, is a friend of Mark Hubbard - the center of my Social Life.

Photogs: This shoot was full of much experimentation...some were real failures...like taping my camera to Micah's board while he chased his board...if you saw this picture, you'd have no clue what the heck was going on! But that's how it goes...you win some, you lose some...here's a few winners!

Enjoy!

From Chi-Town to Florida!

I was thinking about this drawing...and then I realized that this thing is an artifact! It was drawn during Easter Sunday...1993...94ish! This drawing for some reason is really special to me...I've kept it through high school (it was my folder decor)...it survived college...and even went to work with me for 5 or so years! My cousin, Camilo, drew this while were in church. Our aunt Michelle dragged us to church on Easter (I was up in Chicago visiting during Spring Break)...and I remember this might have been only the 2nd or 3rd time that Camilo, my other cousin, Pablo, and I were together at the same time (it's so rare that all 3 of us are together at one moment???). During the church service, Camilo started to draw my name...and then he gave it to me...just like that. For whatever reason, this drawing has followed me around...but unfortunately, I haven't been a good cousin...I haven't talked to Camilo in a few years...shame on me...I think I'm going to send him a letter.

Check out this blog Camilo Cumpian and an old website. Pablo...if you read this...did you start Camilo's blog?

Enjoy my cousin's Easter Sunday art work...no, we were not listening to the Pastor...sorry Michelle?

Here's the back of the drawing...I guess this is what the sermon was about...

Marilyn Monroe Soiree at the MOCA!

Saturday night, MOCA had an event to celebrate the Marilyn Monroe exhibit. The event was a fundraiser for the MOCA's educational programs. I was given the honor to photograph the event...which I thank the MOCA for asking me...and it also keeps me in par with my goal to do some type of charitable event every other month!

The night was fun...and exciting...I think everyone smiled when they saw the food! Music was great as well. Trae Gurley kept the dance floor moving! And I got to meet some awesome people like Emily from Studio Orange...she does great work!

Thank you MOCA for the good time...thank you Rebecca!

Click here to visit the online gallery...you will need a password...it's on the card I handed out that night...

Enjoy!

Photogs: Lighting...the old fashion way...on camera lighting...that was the only way to capture the night. I shot with my Nikon SB 800...everything manual...and no diffusers tonite. I didn't feel like dealing with that one piece of tupperware that you put on your flash unit (you know which one I'm talking about)...way too cumbersome and protruding...especially when there's a few hundred people!

Erin & Matt's Wedding!

This past weekend was super busy...and I wrapped it up with Erin & Matt's wedding! They had an awesome Sunday wedding at the Garden Club of Jacksonville that incorporated a few Jewish traditions. And as you can tell from the montage below, everyone was living it up and having a good time!

Hair & Make-up: Beauty Lounge: 904-387-7850

Wedding Planner: Tanya of Southern Charm Event Planning

Florist: Susan of A Fantasy in Flowers

And as more often than not...thank you again to my friend, Jerome, for assisting!

Enjoy!

Photogs: I lit the reception hall with 3 Nikon strobes mounted on light stands. When I light up a venue, it always depends on how the room is set up (you want your lights out of the way)...typically I shoot with 2 strobes on stands...but this place is pretty big! So Jerome and I created a "triangle like" lighting scheme. Each strobe was pointed at a 45 degree angle towards the center of the room. Now it's up to you to capture people partying and having fun!

Ashley & David!

Meet Ashley & David! We met in St. Augustine and hung-out for a few...can't wait until their wedding in May! These 2 were awesome. They know how to rock out in front of the camera! Photogs...this is a perfect example of me having about 15 concepts...and then giving your subjects enough room to be themselves while achieving your conceptual goals! With that said...make sure your "clients" like your concepts...if not, save the concept for your friends...or a model...???

Enjoy!

Thanks Jerome for helping out again!

Bruce Gilden...what do you think?

I saw this video today...and until today, I have never heard of this photographer...Bruce Gilden. As I was watching this video and Bruce's approach...I almost fell out of my seat. I thought that one lady, at the beginning of the video, was going to have a heart attack! Regardless, when I was done watching it, I wasn't sure how to digest this thing. As the night progressed...I realized something - this man takes his trade VERY SERIOUS...and that I do respect.

It's kind of funny, because if I tried to pull off something like this, it would be totally unethical...but when I watch him do it...it seems fine...and I'm ok with it. He's doing it from some where deep within...he's trying to find something there...so I guess that's not so unethical. Goes to show how ethics are sometimes...just depends on your perspective...where you're coming from. Check out this video...what do you think?

By the way...google Bruce Gilden...get some info on him...pretty cool...

Retro shoot video!!!

Mark Hubbard cut this video from our shoot this past Sunday. This will blow you away! Thanks Hubbard...absolutely, ridiculously, awesome!!!

Enjoy everyone...

50's from Mark Hubbard on Vimeo.

Fun Retro Shoot!

Today was a total blast! For the past 4 months, I've been thinking about this shoot...and about a month ago I started putting the pieces together...and here's super minor teaser (because I'm saving the best for another time...for The Clothing Warehouse - who provided the clothing...thank you Kim and Jim)!

This shoot was a massive undertaking...like I said, the concept came up a while back...but the action started about a month ago. Unfortunately, this past week, things started to NOT go as planned. Due to a schedule conflict, I lost my vintage car...and a few other's were unable to attend. So I had to scramble to put the pieces back together...and little persistence paid off!

First I want to give a super thank you to the Northeast Florida Antique Auto Club for responding to my e-mail. Within 24 hours (this past Friday) I had a car...in fact, I had 2 cars! Thank you Judy and Ralph!!! Secondly, I want to thank Johnny Angel's Diner for letting us in their diner...Owner, Salem, gave his blessing about a month ago!

Thirdly, I want to thank the talent, the stylists, and my assistants...some came with little notice...some committed a month ago!

Credit goes to:

Michal May (Make-up Artist) - 786-390-0066

Sonia Garza (Hair Stylist)

Danielle Dyer Tyler (Wardrobe Stylist)

Jerome Esperar (my good friend and assistant)

Katelyn Vonfeldt (fellow photog and assistant)

Mark Hubbard (good friend and videographer)

The wonderful "models" are:

Calder Yates

Eric Main

Sandy Haltiwanger

Catherine Faulk

Adam Wittekind

Jack Twachtman

Everyone did a great job...thank you for your commitment, your patience, and your sense of humor!!! Enjoy!

The Crew!

Crystal!

I got a hang-out with Crystal Floyd...an artist...but not the snobby kind...she's so down to earth (she has a real sweet spirit). We shot for a little over an hour...at 229 Hogan St. These shots below are in 229's retro elevator...it looks like it belongs in one of those art deco buildings in Miami. Thanks Crystal!

Oh...here's a little experimental thing...it views like a trailer...sort of leaves you hanging...sorry...perhaps I will do a full featured version...hmmm....

Crystal... from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday, Emily!

Emily's b-day celebration at the Underbelly!

Art Walk (Things you learn...)

Last night I went to the Art Walk and realized that the world is really smaller than that old saying or song, "It's a small world." Let me explain. First, I met Mark Hubbard over 2 years ago while taking video production courses at FSCJ. Through our friendship, I've met a good deal of his friends...one being Super Curtis. Second, about 3 months ago, I met Matt from Burro Bags.

Meeting these two people has probably been the most unique experience ever...and has introduced me a whole new host of friends! Words are too hard to explain...but for example: I'm talking to Crystal that I met earlier this week via a pretty long string of people...she says, "I'll ask my roommate Roy." I say, "Roy who?" She says, "Roy B." I say, "Really...he's your roommate! I asked him already. So you know Hubbard and the crew..." Crystal, "Yes....." Now repeat conversations similar to this...and that sums up last night...and heck, the last month!

Here's a diagram that poorly displays how everyone is connected...and I left a few people out simply b/c my brain can only retain so much info...and I'm sure more of these lines could connect, but then that could cause you to go cross-eyed?

By the way...it's Matthew Abercrombie...not Abercombie???

Innocent bystanders who showed up at 229 Hogan St. And art work by Crystal!

Skyler...again!

Yesterday...out of nowhere, I decided to see if I could pull together a little shoot...a shoot revolving around basketball. Somehow, with little time, I got my neighbor Skyler...and friend Jerome to come out. Skyler, as you may already know (if you follow my blog), is an avid fan of basketball...even to the extent that late last night he called me to tell me that alma mater, Valparaiso University was playing on TV! Jerome is my trusty friend...and helpful hand!

We shot in Brooklyn...a real small part of town near Riverside...it's definitely not a place for the weak-hearted. I found this basketball court while driving around scouting for a shoot next week. Sometimes, I take alternative routes to see if I can find something new...I'll keep the location in mind...maybe even write it down...and then one day I find the perfect opportunity to use that location.

Here's a few pics...and for once, no running shots...these are pretty stationary (no...not talking about paper)...enjoy!

5 minutes with Blue Franswa...

During this Sunday's Composition 101 "thingy" at the very generous Michal May abode, I charged everyone to pair-up and give each other 15 minutes to do portraits with their partner...happen to be Blue Franswa was setting up for a shoot and he was using Michal May's (Make-up artist) abode as home base...so I took him out for about 5 minutes to shoot a few portraits...to follow suit with the rest of the group...

Here's our 5 minute session...

Because this education piece was focusing on composition, I asked everyone not to bring any lights...hence, I had no lights...so if you are wondering, I'm shooting at a high ISO...any where between 800-2000 ISO...max shutter speed was 1/200th of a second...and I used whatever light was available...which made for tricky color balance issues on a few shots...ah...and as usual...I'm wide open - f1.8...

Enjoy!

Motion...by Curtis...

I could make this blog entry like 5 blog posts...but I won't...or at least I'll try to condense it.

First...I know it might be kind of ironic (especially after watching this video) that I'm a wedding and family photographer. But it shouldn't be. I'm married...I have kids...hence, I have family...so weddings and family work is right up my alley! But I do see where the irony comes in...so let me explain a little about me...I'm a little radical...I've always been. It's part of my genetic make-up...and the environment I grew-up in. Let's just say that if I didn't have this little rebel side to me, I would still be sitting in my old office from 9 to 5...and I would have never picked up a camera...ever!

Second...photoshoots are not so glamorous. It's a lot of work...and not every shot is golden...especially when you're dealing with running, flipping, and flying people. Plus, I laid down on the ground in that nasty tunnel like underpass (yes, Jax natives, that's Myrtle Ave.)...gross!

Third...focusing on fast moving objects is not an easy task for cameras...especially when it's dark! There's various techniques...but when people are moving real fast...I'm not so sure. So this is what I do...I have the subject stand in the place they will be jumping or running through...or by. Then I manually focus on them. And then I stay as still as possible. I wait...and then the subject runs, jumps, grabs walls...or whatever crazy thing we can come up with. Sometimes the subject hits the spot perfect...sometimes they don't...sometimes my flash doesn't recycle quick enough, hence why some shots were dark...blah...it happens...

Fourth...a quote I found on twitter: "Creativity is allowing oneself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." ~ Scott Adams

Fifth...enjoy this video/slideshow...turn your speakers down...just warning you...I didn't think Beethoven or Jack Johnson were the right fit for this one...sorry....loud music instead...that's the rebel in me...

Thanks Curtis...this is definitely one of my coolest shoots to date!

Untitled from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Curtis...the stuntman!

I met Curtis about a year ago during the making of a short film...but I saw him first in this short film. Unfortunately, it took me about a year to figure out that I need to photograph this guy. I called Curtis...left him a message...and thank God he got back to me!

I love personal projects like this. Fortunately for me, I've always been about doing personal projects...and then Chase Jarvis & Amanda Sosa Stone reinforced the importance of doing these types of shoots! They really push your creativity and problem solving skills! Additionally, you get to experiment with light, flying bodies, and water puddles! Again, like Steven, Curtis was a good sport...he must have did about 50 flips today!!!

To all of my "past clients," I hope you enjoy these pictures. I know...they're a little different than wedding and family sessions...I hope you don't mind? To my fellow photogs who visit my blog...go do a shoot for you! Push yourself...experiment...do something out of your norm!

All shots were take with 2 nikon flash units...one with a portable soft box...the other bare.

I'm a minimalist...I don't have expensive studio lights...or those fancy transmitters. I firmly believe in exhausting the possibilities with my current gear before upgrading...once my gear causes serious limitations and is holding me back from achieving something, then I'll consider upgrading...in the mean time, the minimalist way is suffice...and lighter! This was all written so that you don't feel limited by your equipment..like Nike says, "Just do it!"

Carmen, Rafael, Jetti, & River!

This is probably the most diverse montage I have created yet! Today I got to hang-out with Carmen and her family. (Carmen is the Executive Director for the Riverside Avondale Preservation). I met Carmen a few weeks ago during RAP 180 at the Underbelly. She's super cool...and so is her entire family! As you can tell from the montage, we had a lot of fun...and some serious spontaneity!

Ahhh...and because this popped-up during a conversation with Rafael...Carmen's husband...I'd like to share this bit of info with everyone. As a photographer, I have to back-up all of my files in various places. Backing up on extra hard drives is cool and necessary...but we have to take it step further...we have to get our files saved outside of our houses (b/c of theft or fire)...so I save my files in the cloud! Yes...I additionally back-up my files with Backblaze. I use Backblaze because they back-up external hardrives (not all companies do) & because it cost about $60 for a full year of unlimited storage! The con of using Backblaze is it's speed...it takes quite it bit of time...like months to back-up 500 gigs...but once you get caught up...it's pretty fast! That was my lesson for the day...I hope you enjoy the montage!

Anomaly!

Today I had the opportunity to hang-out at Anomaly (& the Underbelly) in 5 Points...and as with all of my shoots, I had a good time! This place is real cool...mellow...but "fun & funky" as co-owner, Emily puts it. Emily opened shop in 2004 upon returning home from L.A (where she was a designer for a clothing company). Anomaly carries quite a bit of local products (clothing, jewelry, etc...). They also carry small label wears and vintage shoes!

About 3 weeks ago with the help of Shea (co-owner), Emily opened the Underbelly...a cozy little bar adjoined to the shop in the back...it's a must go...so go! Shea has a background in art...she once owned a local art gallery...so when you visit the Underbelly it's like a cozy art gallery...where you can chill and have a few drinks...wine or beer!

Here's a few shots from the day...check out the pics...and then tomorrow go visit Emily & Shea...experience the cool vibes!

Anomaly opens at 10am...the Underbelly opens at 3pm (but not on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday).

Thanks Emily & Shea, for the vegan grub and beverage!

Anomaly

Underbelly's

Composition...basic photography aesthetics...

Last month I met with 12 up&comers and hobbyists to help them take control of their cameras...and it was a load of FUN! This month, I'm offering another "thingy" that shall go unnamed... This time around, we'll focus on composition. We learned about exposure...and how to do it manually last time around...so now we're free to move onto Composition...the Aesthetics of photography.

The date for this month's Composition "thingy" will be on February 21st. Like the last time, it will be VERY hands-on...and perhaps a bit exciting! I'm opening this up to 12 participants...but I already have 7 participants confirmed...so I only have 5 available spots!

If you want more info...or would like to attend, contact me at ezra@ezramarcos.com or 904-338-3901.

And yes, there is NO charge...just like last time...

A little background to this shot. First...it was shot on a Nikon D40...so never blame your camera for bad pictures...an artist never blames his tools. This shot was taken in the Redwoods National Park...uh...the BIG trees were behind me...but these interested me more. I first took this shot without a tripod...at a slow shutter speed. When we (family) got back to the hotel...about an hour away, I looked at the shot on the camera display screen and I was a bit nervous that it was out of focus. But because I loved the aesthetic of this shot, I woke-up early the next morning...and drove back to that spot by myself...this time I brought my tripod. I took the shot...drove back to the hotel...and again, I was concerned that the shot was out of focus. When I got back to Florida, I showed the shot to my professor (by the way, when I took this shot, I had only been taking pictures for about 3 months...I was just getting started!)...anyway, I showed the shot to my professor...and he told me it wasn't out of focus...on the other hand he praised me on this shot like you have no clue! There's multiple lessons here...take your tripod when your doing landscape photography...do what you have to do to get the shot...pay attention to details...and have a good mentor!

Lifestyle?

This is a pretty long post...if you don't feel like reading it...scroll down and watch the video. If you got time...read away!

Lately I've had a few photographers ask me how I do my shoots...or more specifically, how do I do LIFESTYLE photo shoots...how do I get my "clients" to do the things you see in my images?

First, I think we need to all ask Bruce Weber or Ben Watts this question. To me, those are the masters of lifestyle photography...my work is novice in comparison! But to answer your question, I think it comes from my background in Social Work.

In Social Work, for any progress to be made, you have to establish rapport. If you have rapport, then you have TRUST...and TRUST is the key factor! This is especially true in photography in general. When your working with families or couples...or in other words, "normal" people (I also do lifestyle shoots with models or actors...and those are much "easier" or simple) you have to gain their trust...they have to know that having them play with their kids on the grass is going to look fantastic! So RAPPORT is king in this issue!

But you have to have concepts. See, a lot of photographers come to shoots with poses in mind...for me, it's CONCEPTS. These concepts come from real life experiences, music videos, movies/documentaries, photojournalism, and looking at other lifestyle photographer's work...(yes, like most, I do that too... just add your own twist). So when I show up to a shoot, I have a little paper in my pocket that reads, "running shot" or "taking pictures of each other" or "flirting on bench" or "chasing bus" or "baking cookies with daughter." I'll have like 20 or so concepts...but I also keep my mind open for other possibilities that might pop-up on the field...I kind of keep it free-form.

Let me start another paragraph...it might make it easier to read. And then, while I'm shooting, I keep my eyes in the view finder trying to capture a real moment! So, if I say to a couple, "embrace and flirt"...I know I have to be patient. The first click isn't going to be the money shot...I wait...and wait...click, click...and then all of the sudden they start laughing...giggling... and kissing...it's all spontaneous and ORGANIC - it's THEM! These are the keepers! This is also something we use in Social Work...it's called silence. If you're a parent...try it on your kid. When they've done something wrong...and you question them...and they don't respond quick enough...and then you usually jump in and give some sort of a lecture...well, don't do that...be silent...let it get uncomfortable...and watch...the truth will come out...or they'll put their foot in their mouth...and if that doesn't work...you have one STUBBORN kid! Point is, give your "client" space...back off...and watch the sparks. It's way better than telling them to move their head or arm a little...(at least I think so)...

Here's a shoot I posted a few days ago...THE ENTIRE SHOOT...Motion by Steven. Most of the images are in their natural state (SOOC)...you'll be able to tell which one's made the cut...the first cut, at least.

This shoot will give you an idea of me actually inputting my concepts...and trying them...and trying them. And you'll see...some of them are complete failures...and only a few are keepers! Oh...and before I forget, I think Lifestyle photography, in general, likes a 50mm or 35mm lens...sometimes being too wide (i.e. 17mm) takes the attention away from the subject...but then again, it depends what type of Lifestyle you are incorporating in your shot...enjoy!

Motion...by Steven from ezra ayala on Vimeo.

Music by Beastie Boys - "Sabotage"

And by the way, that was 540 pictures...I hope I didn't hurt your eyes!