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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PREVIEW: Matsuricon 2013!

Matsuricon 2013 complete!
Enjoy the previews while I'm working on the photos!

New Blog Series: Hello Sweetie!

I need your help!

I'm about to do a blog series on the struggles of getting good photos with your partner!

So you're in love! Over the moon, head over heels, all that jazz. Neat! But you know how it is... meetings, work, who has time to relax for photos? Plus, EVERY time you pick up your camera, the love of your life goes "Noooooo, I HATE having my photo taken! I look gross!"

Geeze. All you want is maybe ONE damn picture of this person you care about!

Sound familiar? I can help!

I'm looking for three couples who will be willing to model for me in the Columbus area between the dates of July 22 - July 26th or August 5 - 18th. I would prefer those who have been together a year or more. Gay or straight is awesome! (Dating, engaged or married - any are fine.)

These shoots are relaxed, about an hour, and I PROMISE to get at least ONE photo of you both looking cute. (Because fact: People who like spending time together are cute anyway!)

ALSO!

For being willing to jump in front of the camera, I have a special thank-you gift  from Emperor's Newest Clothes and Smartypants Vintage, who are sponsoring the series. (Hint: It's pretty great!)

If this sounds like something fun for you and your Sweetie, please call me ASAP. If you know someone who would enjoy a fun Couples Shoot and free gift, please forward this to them!

I can be reached at 740 350 3848. If I don't answer the phone, please leave a voicemail so I can call you right back!

You can also reach me via e-mail: ctgraphy@gmail.com.

The 5 Minute Photo Fix!

These days, cameras are everywhere. We all have the power of photography at our fingertips, in our pockets. Yet I still see lousy selfies popping up on Facebook. Dark hallways. Great Aunt Ethel glowing like a ghost from on-camera flash.

I just want to grab people and go "Oh sweetie, no. NO. You can FIX THAT, it would take you TWO SECONDS."

But, since I probably should NOT start shaking people, I made a tutorial instead!

These are little, TINY things that make a HUGE difference. These are mistakes that everyone has made. You. Me. That guy with the Canikonony 9000.* Big cameras do not equal great photos - so this tutorial is going to help you whether you shoot with a cell phone or an SLR.

*Note: Not an actual camera. Yet. Give them time.

Also, these are tips aren't just for costume. You can use them in ALL your photography. Trust me. Once you start noticing trash cans and bad carpeting, you can't ever unsee them!
 
In fact, I came up with so MUCH stuff, I turned it into a pdf file! How do you get it?

Through the Mailing List!

Sign-up is totally free. Along with "Better in 5", you'll also get Weekly Flashing (my newsletter) and first crack at con photoshoots, too!

So sally forth, brave photographer! And I hope you find "Better in 5" useful!