Behind the Scenes: Hobbits and Dwarves at Hocking Hills!

A bright morning dawned over the Hills of Hocking. Birds chirped. Tomatoes and eggs sizzled (oh yes, there were tomatoes!) As the sun rose higher, one Hobbit, four Dwarves, and a photographer set out for a (quite expected) journey!

Emma had the fine idea of shooting this Hobbit Lolita group at Hocking Hills State Park. So on Saturday, everyone donned their prettiest frocks, best hiking boots, and sallied forth! We braved many perils such as cliff walls, stone bridges, and probably a spider. Oh, and HEELS.

PORTRAIT: Ali as Ori
(all Lolita designs based on artwork by Siren)

Light Set Up:
Strobe 1 (Left side) - Pointed at cliff face to light up rocks
Strobe 2 (Right side) - Pointed at model

Triggered with Pocket Wizards
(BTS photo by Emma)

PORTRAIT: Leaux as Queen Under The Mountain

Light Set Up:
Strobe 1: Pointed at model
Strobe 2: On a ledge behind the model, to get some light on the wall.

I love how everyone looks so fancy in their dresses and I am dolled up in my high school Senior jacket! :P CLASS OF '02 YEAH!

(BTS photo by Ellie)

Stay tuned for more photos and Hobbity shenanigans!

CAST:
Bilbo: JadeKat
Thorin: Leaux
Balin: Emma
Dwalin: Ellie
Oli: Ali

SUPPORT:
Emma's Mama! Thanks for having us! :D

DESIGNS:
based on artwork by Siren

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What's your favorite color? (5 tips for fall photos)

Never EVER ask a photographer what her favorite color is. Normal people say "black" or "purple." The photographer will answer "The color of maple trees in fall against a blue sky at 4:00 PM."

Then, when her friends look at her like she is crazy, she will grudgingly amend it to "red."

So yes, anyway, I adore fall. The blazing leaves add a kick to photos, and it's the last chance to run around in a sweater. Also pumpkins. Also Halloween costumes! It's a great time of year to shoot - here's a couple of tips to keep in mind.

1. Visit the location before the shoot - Get an idea of the layout, and think about where you want to take your photos. If working with your kids, how old are they? How far will they be able to walk? Is there a playground? Water? Flowers?
   
   
2. Shoot at peak color - Usually mid-to-late October.
   
   
3. Best time to shoot is afternoon to early evening - Sunny day is good, cloudy is better. We are trying to avoid bright overhead sun that causes squinting and under-eye shadow. Also, turn OFF your auto flash - you have plenty of light!
   
   
4. PLAY! - Don't worry too much about getting a perfectly posed picture. Make a huge leaf pile! Climb trees! Let them wage an Epic Leaf Battle! Just KEEP SHOOTING - you can pick your favorites later.
   
   
5.  Get down on the kid's level. - The most boring thing is finding an album full of shots of the tops of kids' heads.

BONUS - Fall means Halloween! Wear your costumes - and invade the park with your own horde of ghouls and witches!

Shooting before Trick-or-Treat means
A.) Your zombies aren't howling for candy/brains yet and
B.) There's plenty of light to work with.

Good Fall Photoshoot locations in Ohio:

• Inniswood Metro Park (Love the playground and field areas)
• Prairie Oaks Metro Park (fall flowers as well as pretty trees)
  
• Alum Creek (lots of water to reflect the colors)
  
• Hocking Hills (great for a hiking day trip - don't miss Old Man's Cave!)

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