LIArtPhotography - capture the beauty of now...

LIArtPhotography.com Blog Has Moved...

2010-01-13T08:53:00.000-08:00

Now that my website is a nifty combined blogsite, I will no longer be posting here, but instead, will be posting blogs on my sites...so don't miss out on the updates! Go to www.liartphotography.com and www.liboudoirphotography.com and be sure to get RSS feeds and/or join my mailing list. Got lots of fun stuff coming up!

Have a super 2010!

All the best,
Susan Eckert

Thankful and Looking Forward to 2010

2009-11-20T06:47:00.000-08:00

2009 has been a whirlwind of fun, challenge, risk-taking, reward - the whole kit and kaboodle!

Early in the year I tentatively waded into the business of building a photography business. Despite getting my feet wet in 2008, I still felt unsteady and unsure of everything. I was doggie paddling in a sea of talented old timers and visionary freestylers.

Were my talents sufficiently different from the vast pool of photographers out there (or at least the hundreds out on Long Island where I live)?

Was my knowledge enough to carry me through a wide range of scenarios and lighting challenges (from screaming newborns refusing to pose for the camera, to the positioning of large families in blinding sunlight, to mastering the lightning speed and accuracy required to capture unrepeatable and critical moments during weddings)?

How would I make my voice heard and stand out in an ocean of bobbing heads? How could I offer something of value, a service that wasn't simply about being the best price?

I definitely felt overwhelmed. But I also felt passionate about photography, passionate about meeting the challenges head on, and passionate about learning, learning, learning. So I dove right in!

That passion fuels me still. Because now as I look back on the year that's quickly coming to a close, I've found that I'm holding my own despite the current high tide in the field, that I'm no longer doggie paddling, and that indeed, I'm finding my stride in this amazing field.

Of course, I owe a great deal to my "mentors" - gracious and generous people who've been in the field way longer than I have, who might not like the way the field has changed or the sudden influx of newbies, but who nonetheless have shared their wisdom, guided me in my growth, and have encouraged my ideas and hopes for a future in photography. To them I will be infinitely grateful!

And I hope they will continue to stand beside me in the coming year as I expand my reach, take on new and greater challenges, and establish relationships with clients I've yet to meet.

I have big plans for 2010. You won't find this photogrpaher adopting a casual backstroke. Nope. I'll be working hard to become ever better, ever more knowledgeable, and to deliver ever more value to the people and businesses with whom I'm fortunate enough to work.

So as 2009 comes to an end, I look forward.

My motto for 2010: Bring it on!

Happy holidays!

All the best,
Susan Eckert
www.liartphotography.com
www.susaneckertphotography.com

**Remember to plan ahead! My calendar is full for Christmas bookings and is almost full for valentine's day, so if you want to schedule a boudoir or portrait session for V-day make sure to book your date now!

Holiday Photo Shoot Special

2009-10-09T06:53:00.000-07:00

Start thinking about the holidays yet?

Well, if you'd like to have a nice photo to place on those greeting cards, now's the time to start thinking about it! : )

Announcing a holiday photo shoot special:
Enjoy a 45-minute shoot and choose 3 of your favorite jpgs files to use in creating greeting cards wherever and however you like - only $150! (Limit 3 people)

But hurry, this price expires October 31st!

Have a great day.

Best,
Susan Eckert
www.liartphotography.com

Announcing the Winner of the Free Child Photography Contest...

2009-09-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

In August, I announced a contest for a free child photography session.

Today, I am happy to announce the winner.......

THANK YOU Heidi for your submission and I am glad to announce that Shauna is the winner of a free photography session from LIArtPhotography.com!

Heidi wrote: "My daughter, Shauna, currently is playing travel soccer and is very athletic, has a bubbly personality with a great sense of humor to match. I would like be able to reward her with this contest for her hard work in the past in school, sports, Girl Scouts and all her volunteer work with the soccer club."

I am glad that you will be able to reward her for all her hard work with this photo shoot and I can't wait to capture her bubbly personality in images you are both sure to cherish!

Congratulations!

Best always,
Susan Eckert
www.liartphotography.com

LIArtPhotography in Newsday Today!

2009-09-08T14:37:00.000-07:00

So, when Patricia Kitchen (who writes for career and professional development issues for Newsday) called me and said she was working on a story, I hesitated before calling her back. I worried that she'd want to drag me back into my old life...that of professional development consultant...and I certainly didn't want to go back there!

After all, I'm having way too much fun, and I'm way too busy with my new blossoming photography business to take a step backwards into a place that, well, just isn't fun any longer.

But I called and chuckled as I explained my dilemma to her.

"Don't worry," she said, "this is related." And it was.

I was glad to share my experience starting my photography business with her - the struggles, the thought process, the steps, the...well, read the article!

You can find it here: Newsday article about Susan Eckert and LIArtPhotography.com.

Have a great day and don't forget to book your autumn family and even your Holiday Greeting Card photo sessions early!!

My best,
Susan Eckert
631.398.4487
www.liartphotography.com
www.liboudoirphotography.com
AND most recently....
www.candidweddingstories.com

Need a Fun Girls' Birthday Party Idea?

2009-08-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

Why not try a Glamour Shoot Party. Perfect for pre-teens, teenagers, or young adults!

A great alternative to a sweet 16 event or high school graduation party!

How does it work?

1. Invite 3 or more people aside from the birthday girl or teen star; (free for hostess if 4 or more additional guests)
2. You choose the theme (teen celebrity, retro doll, rockstar, etc.)
3. Each person gets ready for a mini photo session
4. A makeup artist and styler will be on hand to help the girls look their best
5. A professional photographer will setup in a designated space for photo sessions
6. Choose from a range of props
7. Decide on either: A) 1 8x10 group print and 1 8x10 individual print OR B) A soft-cover photo book for each person with one group image and their best individual shots
8. BONUS: Enjoy a“Look I’m on a Magazine Cover” Random Prize Drawing: Hostess and one lucky winner will receive a custom 8x10 print designed to look like a magazine cover
9. $99/person for print option A
10. $125/person for mini photo book option B

It's a lot of fun! Girls of all ages just love to dress up!

For more information, contact Susan Eckert at 631.398.4487 or via email at susan@liartphotography.com.

Have a great day!
Susan Eckert
Downloads:
Adult Pin-up / Glamour Parties
Life is Art - about art portrait photography at LI Art Photography
Love is Art - about boudoir art photography at LI Boudoir Photography

Download My Handy Guide to Budoir Photography

2009-08-27T16:44:00.000-07:00

Curious about boudoir photography - sensual photos you can give as gifts to your significant other?

Download my free handy guide to boudoir photography. Includes information about how the boudoir photography process works at my studio, as well as pricing information and helpful tips for looking your best for your big shoot!

Available now at: http://liboudoirphotography.com/MarketingLIBOUDOIR.pdf.

Have a great day!

Best,
Susan Eckert

Also available, a handy guide to art photography at LI Art Photography: http://www.liartphotography.com/MarketingLIARTPHOTO.pdf

FREE Child Photography Session: Does Your Child Shine in Photos?

2009-08-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

Who?
The free photography session is for any one child up to 10 years of age.

What?
To celebrate back-to-school I will be giving away one free child photography session during the month of September. What's included? A 30 - 45 minute photo session and 7 prints of your choice - any size up to 8x10.

Where?
The free child photography session can take place in my studio or a nearby park, or, if you live close to the Bay Shore area in Suffolk County, at your home.

When?
Enter by September 15th.

How?
To enter, send a brief e-mail with the subject "September Free Session Contest Entry" to susan@liartphotography.com. Tell me in 75 words or less why your child shines in photos and why he or she should be the winner of the free child photography session. Feel free to attach your favorite photo. Confirmation of receipt of your submission will be provided.

Why?
Why am I offering this free session? I realize in speaking to some families, that although they would love to hire a photographer to capture the beauty of whatever stage or age their child is currently in, that money is tight in this economy. I can relate. I have three beautiful children and I cherish the beautiful photos I am able to capture of them -- they serve as mini time capsules and as any parent knows all too well, time flies by so very quickly.

So, I decided to give a gift of beautiful images to a family that will cherish them. Whether your child has achieved something wonderful this year, or you simply want to celebrate their life, this is your opportunity.

Submit your email today. And remember, the deadline is September 15th.

Have a great day!

Best,
Susan Eckert
www.liartphotography.com

Wanna Have a Good Time with Your Girlfriends? Host a Pin-Up Party!

2009-08-05T11:43:00.001-07:00

Most women can probably say that they've loved playing dress up and channeling their inner divas ever since they were little.

Have you?

If so, then I have the perfect girls night out activity for you!

Instead of going out for an expensive dinner and $15-a-pop cocktails, why not stay in, host a pin-up party, and channel that inner diva amongst your buddies!

Whether you're newly single; married and want some time with the girls; looking for something to do while hubby is watching sports with the guys; getting married and looking for something fun to do with the bachelorette party; or even pregnant and wanting to celebrate with your other blossoming friends; a pin-up party can be so much fun!

You Choose the Theme

It can be as simple as everybody wearing something leopard, choosing leather and lace, donning your best sophisticated socialite gear, or channeling your inner retro girl with a 1940s pin-up diva style shoot.

And it can be as revealing or as conservative as you like! Comfortable in your PJs and underwear? Then go for one of those themes. Shooting will ideally take place in a separate room anyway. But the idea is: it's all up to you.

Everybody Comes Away with Images They'll Treasure
You can also decide on the pin-up party details: whether images will be shot individually, as a group, or both. How much each person will invest, and accordingly, what they'll get in terms of prints or memory books.

And there's a special bonus I'm offering right now: book your party with five or more women and I'll throw in a random drawing for a Calendar Girl Prize. The winner will receive a 12 month calendar featuring her favorite image. What's more, I'll throw one in for the host as well!

Hosts receive extra prints and thank you gifts. And larger glamour / pin-up parties translate into a free follow-up 1 hour solo "Calendar Girl" session for the hostess and a 12-month calendar featuring a new and different favorite image for each month.

We Help You Transform Into Pin-Up Darlings!
Provided at pin-up parties is:

*A makeup artist and hair styling
*A selection of props
*Photography - individual and/or group photo shoots (me : )
*Retouching (you choose the level)
*Backdrops as required
*Prints and/or memory books
*The option of having a combined pin-up and passion product party where each guest receives credits toward passion party products

For more information, access the pdf file on the LIBoudoirPhotography.com site, or call me at 631.398.4487. Alternatively, you can shoot an email to me at susan@liartphotography.com.

I'm always happy to answer any questions you might have.

NOTE: I also offer glamour girl parties for pre-teens and young adults - themes here can include Rockstar, Teen Celebrity, Retro Doll, etc. These are a perfect alternative to elaborate and expensive Sweet 16 Events, and birthday or graduation parties). For information on this, access the pdf file on the LIBoudoirPhotography.com site for teen glamour parties.

Have a great day!

Susan Eckert
www.liartphotography.com
www.liboudoirphotography.com

Boudoir Photography, Portrait Photography & Event Photography serving the Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk county), Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan areas of New York.

Sometimes the Little Things Do Matter: How to Look Your Best During Your Photo Shoot

2009-08-04T07:40:00.001-07:00

Portrait photography is a perfect career for me! I just love making people look and feel great.

And while I do appreciate "the natural" approach to photography - use of natural light and minimal digital intervention (particularly for children and babies), I am inclined to yield to my grownup models' requests that I soften the effect time has had on their faces and/or bodies.

"Restoring what time has taken away" is how I look at it. And my clients love it. With a soft touch of a digital wand, I can boost self-confidence, self-esteem and help people reconnect with both their inner and outer beauty.

But above and beyond this digital work, there are steps that YOU can take before you even arrive for your shoot to ensure that YOU look your absolute best. (These will also save your friendly neighborhood photographer a bundle of time in Photoshop!)

Small Things Have a Tendency to Loom Large

When I sit down to edit images, I zoom in on clothes, smiles, eyes, hair, just about everything. I want to be sure there will be no distractions from the main focus of the image - YOU!

Following is a list of little things that, alone or all together, serve as major distractions. Provided are also suggestions for ensuring a great result from your photo session.

1. Clothing

When you select your outfit for your photography shoot, examine the items very closely. Remove tags that show through fabric, or that demonstrate a stubborn tendency to peek out from beneath your clothing. Any stains, even light ones, are likely to show up under studio lights. Pills - those annoying little balls of fabric and thread - will likely resemble a solar system, only they will be floating on your outfit and grabbing attention away from the star attraction--YOU. : ) And need I mention wrinkles? The contrast between light and shadow will create a mountainous range on your shirt or other article of clothing.....so, do yourself a favor - try your best to choose items that are free from these distracting features and you'll look fantabulous!

2. Skin and Hair

Unless you happen to be an expert in waxing and facial care, a once in a year or once in a lifetime shoot is not the time for a do it yourself approach or a courageous experiment! : )

Uneven eyebrows, irritated skin, a brand new untested haircut or hair color - these are all little things that tend to scream out loud in photos. So, be sure you let trusted experts handle them and you'll feel comfortable about how you look in front of the camera...and feeling comfortable will translate into confident and vibrant photographs of you!

3. Nails

It's easy to forget manicures/pedicures - but if you're planning on anything but a series of tight headshots, be sure not to overlook these ten little details. Fresh paint will lend itself to a more polished overall result.

4. Poses

Although you might feel silly, practice your favorite poses before a mirror. All of us have little tiny, nitpicky hangups -- usually things other people never notice. Am I right? I've heard things like "I don't like my turkey neck...my double chin...that my eyes are different sizes...etc. etc."

So, practice poses in the mirror. Find angles and positions that eliminate focus on the things you don't like, and that instead emphasize your best features. Feel free to use a magazine or clothes catalog (such as Victoria's Secret if you're going for boudoir photography) as a guide.

5. Channel Positive Thoughts

The last thing on my list: thinking positive and confident thoughts will absolutely make you feel and look positive and confident...hence, better photos! : )

Don't believe me? Try this little experiment.

Stand in front of a mirror and spend a minute or two focusing on all the things you love to nitpick about your hair, your eyes, your smile, your skin, your height, whatever it is. Then examine your expression. How do you look. How is your body positioned? Do you look relaxed?

Now, stand before the mirror praising the things you do love about yourself, your hair, your eyes, your skin, your body, etc. Now examine your expression again. What's it like now? Are you holding your head a bit higher? Are your lips curled into more of a confident smile? Is your body more relaxed?

Feel the difference between these two scenarios and then see the difference. That's what the camera will see too.

: )

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this little exercise if you happen to take it on. Send a note to Susan's Email at LI Art Photography.

And make it a superb day!

Best,
Susan Eckert
www.liartphotography.com
www.liboudoirphotography.com

Retro Pinup is Truly a Blast...from the Past!

2009-07-26T10:26:00.001-07:00

Borrowing from days gone by -- trying on pin curls, fitting into retro / vintage clothes and posing like a 40s/50s darling -- is absolutely a blast!

Check out the above image from my last night's retro pin up shoot. K was perfect!! And while I struggled to get the pinup curls to hold in her fine, silky smooth hair (without further eroding the atmosphere with too much Aquanet), she seemed to channel a pin up queen with ease!

It started with a simple theme. Black white and red. And when she showed me the red lace trimmed bra with cherries over it, I was instantly excited. The umbrella was a spontaneous pickup from earlier in the day - and I thought that lit from behind with a softbox, it would provide that perfect bit of design interest I love to include in my images.

I thought this image was so beautiful that I wanted to make it look pretty as a postcard and included the text above and behind her.

Below is a second image from our shoot. For this one I wanted to give it the feel of a vintage magazine cover.

They're both fun images that reflect the fun K and I had last night during our shoot. So much so, that I shot over 250 images! Now comes the fun part - I get to create art out of the work we did together! So, it's back to editing for me....

Enjoy what's left of your weekend and make it a great week!

Best,

Susan Eckert

liartphotography.com

liboudoirphotography.com

Yes! Boudoir Does Equal Classy

2009-07-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

There are so many different ways to shoot boudoir photography.

And yet, a friend recently shed some light on lingering misperceptions about this blossoming niche.

"I thought you have to pose nude. Isn't it the same thing as a playboy type of shoot," she asked.

Wow. It could be. But doesn't necessarily have to be. Photographers who offer this service are rather creative. As a result, boudoir photography takes on many forms and styles.

Some photographers like to do retro pinup style shoots where nudity or vintage lingerie can be featured. Others create sophisticated sets and nudity is never a part of the equation. Still others offer a wide range of styles meant to suit the personality of the client.

Boudoir can mean nude, sure. But it can also revolve around a theme...vintage lingerie, a man's tailored shirt, retro swimsuits, even cocktail dresses. And it's usually best when it incorporates a style that has meaning for the couple--such as wearing an item of clothing that represents the hard work a husband does for a living in order to care for his family. It becomes a way for the woman to say "Thank you for the hard work you do."

In short, the idea of boudoir photography is to showcase a woman's sensual side--and what that looks like is as diverse as the women who seek it out.

If you're considering boudoir photography, consider the mood you wish to convey. Is it playful and flirty, sophisticated and elegant, classy yet sexy, or sensual and moody? Once you've answered this question, you're one step closer to conceptualizing a photo session that will wow your significant other and make for a wonderful gift!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Best,

Susan Eckert

LIArtPhotography.com

LIBoudoirPhotography.com

I can also be reached anytime via cell phone: 631.398.4487

******

Susan Eckert is a female Long Island photographer who loves offering boudoir photography services as a means of boosting women's confidence and creating meaningful gifts that help couples say "I love you" in a fun and creative way. Current special: For a limited time, you can schedule a Boudoir Packages starting at only $175.

Answers to Your Boudoir Photography FAQs

2009-07-20T09:22:00.001-07:00

Quite often I receive emails from women who are intrigued by the idea of a boudoir shoot.

And almost as often, I get the sense they're unsure whether or not they feel they can really go through with it.

As a female photographer, I put myself in the shoes of these women and I can totally understand the hesitation.

Whether spoken or unspoken, I know most women have questions like these...

Who else is going to see these images?
Will my pictures get plastered all over the internet for the world to see?
Will my job be in jeopardy if they find out I posed for sensual images?
Will it feel uncomfortable posing nude or in lingerie for someone I don't even know?

Speaking from the perspective of a female boudoir photographer, here are my answers to these questions. Please note: I can't vouch for other photographers on their process or policies, but following are certainly mine.

1) Who else is going to see these images?

Since I handle all aspects - from the shooting to the editing and retouching (if that's chosen as an option) - aside from me and you (once they're edited), the only other people who will ever see your images will be the ones you decide to share them with! : )

2) But I see images on your website - will my pictures get plastered all over the internet for the world to see?

I handle boudoir images differently from my usual portrait work. Although I retain copyright of the images, I am sensitive to the challenges that can arise from having sensual pictures posted on the internet.

For this reason, I post images in a personal, password-protected gallery for YOU to see (you choose the password). And this gallery expires after a short period of time. Once it does, the images are removed altogether from the server.

Now, should you feel comfortable having one, a select number, or even all of the images posted on my website, then you can inform me of that once you have had the opportunity to review the images.

Women I've worked with have handled this differently. Some don't want any of their images posted, and I fully comply with their wish. Others approve of "privacy cropped" images - where faces are left out, but nonetheless viewers can get a feel for the style and types of images I shoot. Some select a small number of images they feel comfortable having posted. And still others say they're not at all uncomfortable, and allow me to post whichever images I choose.

Either way, it's your decision.

3) Will my job be in jeopardy if they find out I posed for sensual images?

To this question I say, if you have any concerns about this, then opt either to not have images posted at all, or opt for a privacy crop in which you are completely unidentifiable. Either way, the choice is yours. I never pressure a woman to make a decision she's uncomfortable with in this regard. I have complete portfolios of boudoir shoots I don't share on my site for this reason.

4) Will it feel uncomfortable posing nude or in lingerie for someone I don't even know?

I am a personable woman and mom (usually I have people laughing in no time), and I do my very best to help my clients "warm up" for their shoot. We proceed as your comfort level dictates.

To demonstrate this, I'll share an experience I had with one client recently:

D showed up to her boudoir shoot with her sister in tow. She thought her sister's presence would help her feel more comfortable. As the shoot began, her sister chimed in regularly telling her how to pose, how to smile, how to position her body, what to wear. I noted that not only were some of the suggestions ill-advised or unflattering, they seemed to be going in a different direction from the look and feel my client said she was going for.

After about 20 minutes, it became clear to me that rather than serving as a form of support, the sister was making my client feel even more tense! I began to assign tasks to her sister that would allow me and the client the opportunity to work together without the sister's interruptions. Of course, the client and I ended up working together very well during these intermissions! So much so, that my client finally told her sister that she could leave, that she was fine. Once the sister left, my client fully relaxed, and we then shot the best images of the session.

While I never verbally addressed the issue of the meddlesome sister, the client did. She turned back to me just as she was about to leave and said, "I can't believe I felt more comfortable with you than I did with my own sister here. It went so much smoother once she was gone. I'm really happy that she left and that we could finish up our session without the interruption!"

I laughed and told her she would be very happy with the images I'd taken. And sure enough, she and her husband both were.

One thing I like to make sure my clients understand is this: My job is to make you look great. I can only accomplish that if you feel great, if you feel confident and trust that my only interest is to make you look great. I'll never tell a client that a pose they've taken may be unflattering, but I will suggest an alternate pose or move to a different angle that will allow me to capture a beautiful image. Every woman is beautiful - I truly believe that. And because I do, I always shoot images that showcase a woman's best features. And that includes the beauty of her spirit.

If you've been considering boudoir, now's the time to try on a session. See my previous posting and take advantage of the current $175 boudoir special package. You WON'T be disappointed!

Have a great day,

Best,

Susan Eckert

Long Island Photographer

www.liartphotography.com

www.liboudoirphotography.com

You can call me anytime on my cell. Even if you'd like to ask me these questions in person! : )

631.398.4487

July Boudoir Photography Special Offer

2009-07-12T15:49:00.001-07:00

If you've been wanting to try a boudoir photography session, but have been putting it off, now's the time to give it a try!

July 15th through August 15th is the time to schedule a session to capture your beautiful tans!

Hubbies, boyfriends, fiances, significant others (whichever may apply) will thank you for it! You choose the theme - whether vintage retro pinup-girl, calendar girl, sophisticated woman, or some other. And you decide how revealing or not you want your session to be.

I promise you'll have fun in the process!

What's involved:

Boudoir Photography packages normally start at $300.00, but if you book your 2009 boudoir session between now and August 15th, you'll have the opportunity to avail yourself of the following special offer:

The Classy Boudoir Photo Shoot

$175

1 hour photo shoot

2 outfits

3 fully retouched 8x10s of your choice

As usual, makeup and hair artistry is available as an add-on if you really want something special.

Don't miss out! This special won't be around forever.

Call Susan at 631.398.4487 to book your session today.

Have a great week!

Best,
Susan Eckert

www.liboudoirphotography.com

Inked Magazine - "Girl of the Day" Photo Contest Won by Yours Truly : )

2009-07-02T12:04:00.001-07:00

I submitted a couple pics on a whim at the recommendation of a friend to magazine I enjoy...Inked Magazine. The magazine runs a daily contest - capturing inked women in pinup poses. Very fun. And I've been working on a tattoo project for the past several months, and so I had lots of images to choose from.

This morning, I learned one of my images was chosen. My model - Leah - was Girl of the Day, my pic chosen among many talented and beautiful submissions. Even though it's a little thing, it makes me proud.

And even though I personally don't have any tattoos, I love them. I love the artwork. Some of it really leaves me quite speechless. It's an amazing concept altogether - artwork using skin as a canvas. Centuries old and yet so modern.

My current favorite is the whole rockabilly pinup style - retro 50s looking women, usually inked, wearing vintage clothes - swimsuits, dresses, lingerie. In any case, looking, well, very ladylike! An ironic and amusing modern twist on the whole way-too-uptight style of the 50s. Fiercely independent women showing their unique styles and doing it in a feminine fashion.

LOVE IT.

With upcoming shoots already scheduled, I look forward to building my portfolio in this niche!

Have a great day, enjoy your July 4th, let's celebrate our many freedoms. And I thank you for stopping by!

Best,

Susan Eckert

Best,

Susan Eckert

http://www.liartphotography.com

http://www.liboudoirphotography.com

http://www.myspace.com/liartphotography

Photography and Fireworks: Get ready to shoot fireworks

2009-07-01T10:19:00.000-07:00

Shooting fireworks is so much fun! One part luck (Where will the next set go off?), one part skill (How do I optimize camera settings to get the best shots?), getting the best shots can sometimes be a challenge.

And it's one I look forward to every chance I get.

Following are a few simple tips for getting the best shots:

Be prepared - the longer the show goes on, the more smoke you'll have to contend with
Set up before the show - place your camera on a tripod if possible and get ready for clear and bright shots
Set your camera on manual if applicable - I like to set my camera at f/11 and extended shutter speeds in excess of 1 second (open long enough to capture the trails of light as the fireworks make their way across the sky). Since the lights can be very bright, be sure to use a low ISO setting.

Challenge yourself this upcoming July 4th and you may find your memory card filled with beautiful images that will recall the lights, sounds, and excitement of Independence Day 2009.

Did you know?: The images you've captured can make for great abstract art! Have them printed on canvas and then hang them individually or in a series to create a unique art statement in your home or workspace.

Take the following examples:

Have a great July 4th!

Best,

Susan Eckert

http://www.liartphotography.com

http://www.liboudoirphotography.com

Expressive Photography: Shooting Images to Express Mood, Emotion, Thoughts

2009-06-28T08:42:00.001-07:00

There are a lot of things I love about photography. But the diversity of subjects you can focus on is high on the list.

Yesterday was an extremely stressful day. And craziness seemed to be coming from all directions.

But once I'd put the kiddies to bed, I decided the best way to relax, to release all that stress, was to shoot.

So I set up a new backdrop that had just arrived from overseas. I set up different configurations of vases, flowers, fabric, chairs and other decor, until I found one that said "serenity."

It took a few tries. The following image was nice, but didn't quite express the mood I was going for:

But once I shot the following photograph, I knew I was done. It was the last image I shot.

Here -- the softeness of the tulle fabric, the muted tones of the backdrop, the single flower, and the antique vase -- everything works together to create a calming image I want to keep looking at, to dive into even.

I've now set it as my backdrop. So that as I work on my computer, I can take breaks, minimize any open windows, and just relax.

This coming fall, I will be launching a line of greeting cards. I'm sure this soft photograph will ultimately serve as one of the featured images in my collection.

Have a great, relaxing week.

: )

Best,

Susan Eckert

http://www.liartphotography.com

http://www.liboudoirphotography.com

Crazy Weather Can Make for Beautiful Images!

2009-06-09T06:50:00.000-07:00

So I shot a wedding on Sunday the 31st of May. The weather was INSANE. Kept changing every 2 minutes - which made it tough to shoot the ceremony. One minute there was a blazing sun, the next minute dark heavy clouds, the next minute a flat gray sky...you get the idea.

Because I like the creative freedom that comes from shooting manual, I kept having to shift my settings to keep up...but it was worth it!

Take this image:

To my eye, the coulds make this shot! Sure, the preacher's position--looking skyward as he prays to God and bestows blessings on this lovely couple--is key as well. It tells a great story. But it wouldn't be a complete story without the coulds.

The puffy blue, powerful looking clouds could symbolically represent God's presence here at this holy event. It's almost as if God is listening - and the clouds serve as evidence of that!

Not to mention that the clouds add visual interest and serve as a nice backdrop. Picture the same image against a flat grey sky...just wouldn't be the same, now would it?

It did drizzle a bit. And my heart did flutter in my chest as I noted that my camera and lens (worth more than some used cars) were exposed. But, the weather kept changing. And sure enough, the sun made its appearance yet again.

So, if the weather isn't ideal on the day of your big event, don't worry - in the right hands, it can add to the artistic beauty of your images taken on that day.

Make it a great day (even if it is raining cats and dogs - at least here in Long Island, NY!)

Susan Eckert

www.liartphotography.com

www.liboudoirphotography.com

A Memorial Day Vow

2009-05-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

Some of the best photos happen the smiles they reveal come from within.

There's a spark, a feeling of life, of authenticity that happens when a smile is genuine.

I've always known this, and yet I have to admit that I've nonetheless cultivated a bad habit: sometimes I'll ask my model to "Smile." But if I'm honest, I have to admit that that well-intentioned directive never delivers what I'm really after.

And so, I'm making a vow, starting right now, to never tell one of my clients (which I endearingly call my models) to "Smile."

At best, "Smile" gets me a canned grin. But more often, it's something more like a grimace (NOT a good look!). In short, it's never the expression I'm after because, ironically or no, "Smile" never inspires a genuine smile.

In most instances when I say "Smile," I realize that I'm reacting to the nervousness I sense from behind my camera. Of course, my intention is to help the person relax. But, "Smile" never does the trick. And in fact, it probably does the opposite by pressuring my model into faking it. (YIKES!)

Stupid is as stupid does.

So, I'm wisening up.

You see, I've also found that engaging my model in coversation, learning a bit about them while we shoot--finding out where their interests lie, the particular brand of wit and humor they appreciate--is all very useful. This information clues me in on the things that will help bring out that genuine smile. And while I'm no comic, I can and usually do call on a sharp sense of wit.

Thankfully, this allows me to make people smile, laugh, forget they're posing in front of a camera. Even if just for a little while.

In fact, sometimes we end up finding it hard to keep a straight face....such as in my boudoir sessions, where my models tend more often than not arrive tense and nervous at first. It's hard to convey sexiness when you're busy laughing.

So, it's a constant balance. I want to make my models feel comfortable, confident, and happy. Because that's the way to a genuine smile, to capturing that spark that will ultimately make for a great image.

It's a challenge that begins anew each and every time I start a session with a new individual. But it's one I look forward to each and every time! And I promise, I'll never again try to achieve it by saying "Smile!"

Best wishes for a happy Memorial Day weekend from my family to yours!

Susan Eckert

www.liartphotography.com

www.liboudoirphotography.com

*************
Susan Eckert is a portrait and event photographer based in Brightwaters, Long Island in New York. She works with clients all across Long Island, and the metro New York City area.

Congratulations Debbie and Matthew!

2009-05-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

A photographer-friend invited me to come and shoot with him on a wedding yesterday. I was very grateful to the bride, groom and family for allowing me to take part in capturing their big day. It was the most pleasant wedding I'd ever been a part of - the bride was LOVELY throughout the ceremony and picture-taking activities which preceded the reception. And even though the weather was kind of crummy - it was cold, foggy and misty - she and her groom kept smiling. I was disappointed that I had to leave before the big party began due to a prior engagement I'd already scheduled.

But this is one of my favorite images from the wedding:

Children are adorable - and playing a role in a formal wedding must be daunting! I watched as this little one kept getting lost in the hustle and bustle of the big day. And decided to capture what it must have felt like for her - so small amongst all these tall, busy people. A tiny princess among them.

Congratulations Debbie and Matthew! I look forward to sharing your images with you.

Best,
Susan Eckert
www.liartphotography.com

*************
Susan Eckert is a portrait and event photographer based in Brightwaters, Long Island in New York. She works with clients all across Long Island, and the metro New York City area.

New Press Release

2009-05-13T21:11:00.001-07:00

Press Release: Long Island Boudoir Photography "Just in Time for Father's Day"

When you hire a professional photographer, what are you paying for?

2009-05-13T17:29:00.000-07:00

I get this question a lot: "Why does professional photography cost so much?"

And while I understand where it comes from, I make every effort to educate consumers about all the time, training, not to mention the expense, that goes into photography.

The Challenge
Part of the problem, and what goes a long way toward shaping general perceptions about photography, is that just about every American owns a digital camera. Whether simple point and shoot camera or a DSLR, most Americans own and use some form of camera. And even if settings outside of "Auto" constitute unexplored territory, they're pretty pleased for the most part with the images they get when they let the camera do all the work. So, if you set your camera to auto, allow it do all the thinking, point and shoot, and get good enough images, then what's so hard about photography? And why should you pay a professional photographer so much?

So goes the thinking.

Aside from the obvious value a professional photographer offers -- skill and talent at capturing beautifully artistic images that the average camera owner cannot -- there are the fiscal realities of running a photography business, many reasons why a photographer cannot charge $150 for a 5 hour event, spend hours upon hours editing, and then simply hand over all the jpg files on a disc (he'd go out of business in no time for starters).

What really goes on behind the scenes

Let's just talk briefly about what's involved in running a photography business - the challenges that photographers must overcome. Because after all, it is a business.

1) How do you get people to find you? Marketing and advertising are required in some form. Even seasoned professionals need to continually find ways to boost new business above and beyond word of mouth. For one, there's always new competition. And Americans are more mobile than they've ever been. Your sources might not always be around. Then there's website development, marketing and search engine optimization...

2) How do you protect yourself? In this sue-crazy world, photographers have to protect themselves. That means paying for insurance to cover anything that can possibly go wrong. And I've heard horror stories: the wedding photographer who sat on his disc full of new wedding images and broke it; the lost card; the corrupt computer files; the computer that crashes and obliterates 5 years worth of work; the client who just wasn't happy with the outcome of your work; and the list goes on and on...

3) How do you build credibility and ensure your skills stay fresh and competitive? Professional association fees cost several hundred dollars. A piece. And so does attendance at key national conferences. Yet they're critical for ongoing development, networking and growth for the professional photographer...

3)Equipment and resources are far from cheap. Nor do they last forever. Photoshop--the digital photographer's must-have software runs $600. And with quality lenses ranging from several hundred dollars to over a thousand, or perhaps even several thousand, the professional photographer is always balancing his desire/need for better equipment with the reality of his sales. Lighting isn't cheap. Even the backdrops, and the equipment that holds it in place costs a pretty penny. All of these things are essential in providing you, the customer, with exceptional images you would be hard-pressed to create on your own, even if you had the know-how.

4)And it may be cliche, but one thing is especially true for the digital photographer: time is money. I often read about the work done by fashion photographers and their Photoshop editors, how they spend up to four hours correcting, retouching and perfecting an image. A SINGLE image. Not an entire session of images. Some forms of photography, such as boudoir photography, which I do, naturally require more editing and retouching to create that soft, perfect, fantasy feeling than would a straightforward, largely unembellished child photography shoot.

Another problem is this: the client walks in, has a 1/2 hour, 1-hour, or maybe even a 2-hour session. You shoot. They go home. All they've experienced so far, is the time you've spent shooting with them. I imagine they think all that's required is to upload the images. But there's lots that goes on after the shoot.

So, what's really involved in a session?

Following is a partial list of the steps taken to process a shoot. Work that you, the client, never see. And it begins even before you arrive for your session:
*Prepare contracts
*Setup studio and plan shoot - if the shoot is indoors
*Scout location and plan shoot - if the shoot is outdoors
*Prepare and check equipment to ensure all is in working order
*Shoot (this is the tiny part you do see)
*Upload images
*Create backups (preferably in triplicate) of all images to safeguard against the aforementioned horrors
*Review images and select images for editing
*Crop, correct, and/or enhance images so that each one stands alone as a work of art (not all photographers do this, but some, like me, pay meticulous attention to each image, studying each one and applying effects and finishes to tell a story, convey an emotion, or more accurately capture the moment. This is the point at which, for those photographers who handle this, all the time-consuming retouching work occurs - every pimple gets removed, every red patch is relieved, thinning spots are filled in, secondary reflections from strobe lights removed, teeth whitened, etc., etc.
*Prepare each image for uploading and optimal viewing in a personal gallery - this requires resizing and sharpening for the web.
*Following-up with clients, answering their questions, meeting their requests for image modifications and or orders.
*Once an order is placed, more time is spent designing materials (e.g. calendars, books, slideshows, montage prints, etc.) or preparing images for printing. Even if the client just wants prints, the images must now be sized accordingly. What many people don't realize is that images coming out of a DSLR aren't perfect 8x10s, 5x7s or 4x6s. Further cropping of the image for artistic purposes in the editing process (e.g. to remove extraneous pieces of information or emphasize others) creates images that vary widely in size and dimension. So each image must be re-sized to match the client's preferences.
*Images are then either printed by the photographer, or outsourced to a professional lab.
*Once the images or materials arrive, quality checking, in case of outsourcing, is a must.
*Items are nicely packaged and delivered/arranged for pickup by the client.
*F/up to ensure the client is satisfied with their images.

And all the while the above is going on, the photographer is fielding inquiries from prospective clients, researching ways to grow and market the business, managing the business from an operations standpoint (supplies, finances, compliance issues, etc.), and so on. In short, the photographer, aside from just shooting and editing, is running a business.

Hours go into a single shoot. I'm scared to tally up how much my hourly rate is when I'm done working on some projects. I'm sure it would make minimum wage look attractive.

So now that you have some background information, let's take a look at the photography fee structure.

Most photographers charge a separate sitting fee and print/materials fee arrangement or a fixed/bundled/package fee for services. I offer both.

In cases where there is a sitting fee (let's say it's $100 for one or two people on a one hour shoot), the client has the option to buy as little or as much as they want on the back end. But what's going into the shoot? All the prep, the hour-long shoot, the hours of editing and uploading for viewing. If the client buys nothing, then the photographer has lost valuable time and possibly the opportunity to have taken on a more lucrative engagement. If the client does buy images/materials then the photographer has an opportunity to earn money against the time he's already spent. But since the upfront investment (the sitting fee) was low, here is where he must earn his profit. For this reason, print prices run higher than your average CVS print price.

Some photographers avoid the question of high-priced prints by charging more for their time up front. In this case, they may charge $450 up front just to sit with them and have them shoot. In part, this is insurance for the time they know will be spent on creation of images, whether or not the client chooses to buy. In this case, the photographer can charge less for prints. He's already earned his profit up front. But he doesn't have to answer the question about why prints are so costly. If you, the client, choose not to buy as many prints as you otherwise thought you might have, you've still laid out a good amount of money up front.

So, in short, each image produced by a photographer who makes a living at this work is a significant investment of resources, time, energy and effort - much of which you, the client, never see.

For this reason, each image should truly be viewed as a work of art, and one created by a professional totally dedicated to his or her craft.

And that's, in short, what you're paying for.

What I love most about photography...

2009-05-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, when I reflect on my life--the many paths I could have taken but didn't, the rare and amazing opportunities I was too chicken to pursue, the many obstacles that set me off in a new direction--I wonder it all wasn't just preparation for here. For now. For my work in photography.

Since I launched the business in 2008, I've been at times inundated, at times overwhelmed, but always impassioned. I'm in love with my camera and how it can transform a vision living in my head into an image printed on paper. In love with the many wonderful people I've had the chance to meet and to shoot--people who've overcome shyness in order to reveal themselves so that I might truly capture them with my lens. And in love with learning--it really does seem there can be no end to the many intricacies of digital photography and digital photography as art.

I've tapped into a warm and welcoming community of talented artists--even outside of the U.S. Unselfishly, they've shared wisdom, experience and advice. Some have even shared equipment and clients. And I am truly grateful to them.

There's just so much to love about the field of photography. And though where I live (Long Island, New York) may seem small at times, particularly given the fierce competition among the many talented photographers here, I'm glad my path led me here and that I'm forging a future among them.

But what I love most about photography are the images I see in my mind's eye, even before my finger's pressed down in attempt to capture it.

Those beautiful moments--whether they celebrate a milestone, embody a moment in time, or convey an undeniable feeling--propel me forward and encourage me to keep working to become the best I can be. So that one day I may truly be able to say I've captured the essence of the human spirit.

Make it a great day!

Susan Eckert
www.liartphotography.com
www.liboudoirphotography.com
631.398.4487

Let’s Compare Apples to Apples, Shall We?

2009-04-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

If you’re like most people, you’ve looked through beauty and fashion magazines time and time again, admiring those models with their unattainable beauty. Am I right?

You’ve noted the baby-smooth skin, bright eyes, perfect figures, and, let’s be honest here, cellulite-free limbs, and you’ve undoubtedly thought to yourself, “I could NEVER look THAT good in photos.” Am I right?

Sure you have. But have you ever acknowledged that you weren’t quite comparing apples to apples, oranges to oranges?

As “renegade” models like Tyra Banks and others have said, beauty, or perhaps more to the point, “perfection” is almost always an illusion. Those perfect limbs? Most likely they were subjected to a painstaking and meticulous process of smoothing, and maybe even artificial lengthening. That skin? Undoubtedly healed, smoothed, airbrushed, retouched, and enhanced to look youthful and radiant. Those figures? Surely those were tweaked, pinched, or maybe even bloated in certain strategic spots—all in pursuit of (and simultaneously shaping) our ideal image of beauty.

So every time you thought “I could NEVER look THAT good in photos” you were wrong. Yes, absolutely. You were wrong.

You were comparing apples to tomatoes, oranges to guava fruit, a pinto to a……I think you get the idea. There is no comparison, because you haven’t had the benefit of perfect makeup, softly diffused lighting, a photographer with an eye capable of finding and capturing the beauty in every single person—whether short or tall, skinny or voluptuous, pale or brown. And just as importantly, you haven’t had the benefit of the digital techniques that truly make photography a creative art form and that allow you to, at last, compare apples to apples.

So, check out my new program – “Modelesque Makeovers” – and you’ll see. You’ll never again utter those words – “I could NEVER look THAT good in photos.”

Have a great day!

Susan Eckert
www.liartphotography.com

Create Special Family Portraits During the Holidays

2008-11-26T14:54:00.000-08:00

Given the hectic pace most of us experience day after day, holidays are a great time to pause for a moment. To enjoy good food and wine. And to simply enjoy being with family and friends we love.

Since everyone's already together, holidays provide a great opportunity to create beautiful images of family and friends. In other words, to capture the beauty of the moment, the here and now.

I'll be shooting two families this Saturday. One has a daughter who, just this year, moved away to college. She'll be coming back to visit for Thanksgiving and her mom thought she'd take advantage of having all five of her children together for a family portrait. When loved ones move away, we realize just how precious the moments spent together really are.

The second family had been spread all over upstate New York and Long Island. And then the parents moved away to Indiana. Going forward, the opportunities this family of six will have to spend all together are sure to be treasured.

Portrait photography is so beautiful because it forever freezes individuals and families within a specific moment in time. As we look back on these images, they remind us of the laughs we shared, the relationships we nurtured, and the growing up we've done.

I feel so honored whenever a family invites me into their world so that I might help them record the things that are most precious to them at this very moment...right now.

Even if you don't hire a professional photographer this holiday season, be sure to keep your camera nearby during family get togethers. You won't want to miss the opportunity to snap a picture of Aunt Anne in the middle of a hearty belly laugh, or of your toddler as he plays quietly in a corner amidst all the business of the gathering, or of mom as she serves the pumpkin pie she worked so hard to make.

And don't feel the need to pose everyone for every picture. Candid shots make for some of the most beautiful moments, and therefore, some of the most beautiful images.

Lastly, don't forget the four-legged ones! They're family too!

Have a wonderful holiday!

All my best,
Susan

www.liartphotography.com

Have You Captured the Beautiful Fall Colors Yet?

2008-10-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

Remember: Contrasting colors make for visually interesting pictures!

If you haven't done so yet, now is a fantastic time to break out your digital camera (or film camera, for you die hard traditionalists).

It's that time of year when mother nature is at her most colorful. And this particular autumn's colors are not to be missed!

In fact, a few days ago, my husband and I dared to venture out with cranky 1-year old twins and a feisty hermit-of-a-7-year old in tow. Now, I must confess that in all the flurry of activity that precedes any outing these days, I almost left the house without my camera. But thankfully, my husband noticed.

"Aren't you going to take your camera?" He looked at me as if he was about to go into shock. Needless to say, I scurried back to get it.

And boy was I glad I did. Once I decided to ignore the cacophonous soundtrack of my life (the ongoing complaints of my 7-year old who would much rather have been home with his Shrek Smash & Crash video game, as well as the intermittent shrieks of impatience emanating from my 1-year olds) I found our trip to Bayard Cutting Arboretum to be a magnificent opportunity to commune with nature.

And despite the many forces working against a leisurely and productive outing, I even managed to snap a few pictures that, at least to my eye, perfectly captured the beauty of this mild autumn day at Bayard Cutting Arboretum.

So, why don' tyou give it a shot? (Pun is absolutely intended here : )

Fiery reds, brilliant oranges, and bright yellows await you!

To help you get started, following are a few pointers that will ensure you create beautiful images and beautifully capture the colors of fall:

Contrasting colors make for visually interesting images:

Aim for wide angle shots capturing a range of fall colors...or...

Get up close and personal! Zoom in on those bright fall colors and contrast their brilliance with the darkness of branches or dirt.

Let the sun be your spotlight:

Find angles where the sun sets fall colors ablaze through backlighting

Experiment with your camera settings:

If you're using a digital camera, experiment with settings to get the most dramatic contrasts. Overexposed images will wash out the bright colors and result in pale, uninteresting images. Similarly, underexposed images will muddle fall colors and make your pictures dark and gloomy.

Now, get out there and shoot!

And if these tips have led you to success in capturing interesting images, please be sure to share them with me.

eMail your images to susan at liartphotography dot com. I look forward to seeing them!

And make it a great day!

Warmly,
Susan Eckert
www.liartphotography.com

Remember: Contrasting colors make for visually interesting pictures!

Pregnant Women Are Beautiful!

2008-10-22T07:18:00.001-07:00

Thought for the day: We owe thanks to Demi Moore! Because of her courageous 1991 appearance on the cover of Vanity Fair while nude AND pregnant (Note: the highly controversial image was shot by Annie Leibovitz), pregnant women now feel empowered to celebrate the beauty of their pregnant figures!

A few days ago I had the pleasure of photographing a woman in her 37th week of pregnancy. Maternity or pregnancy photography is a particular favorite of mine. Pregnant women really do glow and I love using lighting techniques to make that all the more apparent!

Ellie was relaxed the entire session and it shows throughout her gallery of photos; the result was over 13o amazing images!

Having so many good images meant I was able to play with the collection and create fun abstract images like this one:

Even better, I especially love when a spouse or significant other gets involved! It's so beautiful when you capture the chemistry between an expectant couple truly in love! And I did.

I look forward to capturing many more beautiful, glowing, expectant moms-to-be in the very near future! And I hope you'll look forward to viewing them!

Enjoy your day!

Warmly,
Susan
www.liartphotography.com

Remember the thought for the day: We owe thanks to Demi Moore! Because of her courageous 1991 appearance on the cover of Vanity Fair while nude AND pregnant (Note: the highly controversial image was shot by Annie Leibovitz), pregnant women now feel empowered to celebrate the beauty of their pregnant figures!

To Edit or Not to Edit - A Key Portrait Photography Question

2008-10-12T00:42:00.000-07:00

Thought for the day: Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it--Confucius

About a week ago, friends of ours came over for dinner. As our conversation--fueled by a delicious red wine--ricocheted and bounced from one subject to another, it ultimately settled on what is probably one of the most controversial subjects in portrait photography. Digital editing.

The husband who, by the way, happens to be a minister, felt that digital editing misrepresented the truth, distorted reality, presented a lie.

Now, as a woman, I can relate to his perspective. I, like most women, can remember all too well how I used to feel as a young girl as I flipped through magazines and studied the beautiful, skinny girls with perfect skin and perfect smiles. Why can't I look like them? was always the question in my mind. It wasn't until I was older, much older, that I learned the extent to which editing plays a role in shaping our general idea of "perfection." And even though I don't have any daughters, I'm eternally grateful--as a mother and as a woman--to those rogue magicians of the modeling world--people like Tyra Banks, who openly exposes the beauty industry for all its magic tricks. Surely, use of digital methods to lengthen limbs, erase skin imperfections or even change the contours of a person's features are all practices that inadvertently set the bar sky-high for young girls in their struggle to achieve perfection and supermodel looks.

The virtually unattainable image of beauty is dangerous for young girls and women. And I get that. It is for this reason that some portrait photographers choose not to use digital tools at all in their work.

To be fair, I should also mention that the minister has two daughters. But over the course of our dinner, I nonetheless politely disagreed with my minister-friend that all digital manipulation is evil.

And here's why.

I view my work as an approach to art, to storytelling. When I sit down to write a chapter of a book, or an article, I ask myself "What's the main idea?" Likewise, for each photo I review, I ask "What's the main focus of this image?"

For example, take the photo accompanying this post. A beautiful girl. Naturally great skin. Yes, she had a few beauty marks on her face and this was originally a 3/4 body shot. But as I reviewed the 300+ images from our session, I paused when I saw the intensity in her eyes in this one. That look in her eyes was, to my eye, the most compelling part of the image. My goal then, for that particular image, was to make those eyes, that look, the main focus. So I cropped it in tight. And I removed the beauty marks from her face.

If I'd left the image as a 3/4 shot, the image would have been less effective. If I'd left the beauty marks, they would have competed for attention and distracted the viewer from those eyes.

Now, I have to pause to say this: I always ask a model beforehand about their preference for digital retouching. I recognize that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. And I'd never want to make the terrible mistake of communicating the idea that a feature or trait a particular model has is less than perfect by editing it out. In this case, the aspiring model/actress had indicated a preference for removing the beauty marks, and for this particular image I found it helped to solidify the desired focus.

My minister-friend narrowed his eyes at me as I attempted to explain my position on the subject: portrait photographer as storyteller. He wasn't immediately buying it. "So, if you photographed Nelson Mandela, for example," he said, "you'd take out all his wrinkles?"

I laughed. "Absolutely not!" In my mind, Mandela's wrinkles could serve as an amazingly poetic vehicle for telling his story. The lines of his face mapping the amazing journey the man has taken over the course of his life... I told this to the minister. But I still wasn't sure he understood my perspective.

In any case, I remain resolute in my opinion that digital retouching, when used with a caring and tender hand, can be a powerful tool to convey a great idea, tell a wonderful story, paint a beautiful picture, capture the true essence of a person. Would I ever use it to narrow someone's thighs or change the structure of their face? Just for the heck of it? Most likely not.

But...if I was asked to do so in the interest of reclaiming a figure or feature that motherhood, time, or stress had somehow modified, I might. Those are each valid stories. And every picture has its own story to tell.

Warmly,
Susan
www.liartphotography.com

Remember the thought for the day: Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it--Confucius

Portrait Photography - A Week in Reflection

2008-10-10T14:17:00.000-07:00

Thought for the day: "No man or woman is an island. To exist just for yourself is meaningless. You can achieve the most satisfaction when you feel related to some greater purpose in life, something greater than yourself."- Denis Waitley (Quote courtesy of Thinkexist.com)

As the traditional work week winds down, I sit down to reflect on all I've accomplished. And although, for me, shooting will continue on into the weekend I guess it's become something of a habit this Friday reflection.

Overall, when I sum it all up, I feel blessed. I've met some wonderful people (I call them my models) this week.

There was a beautiful family with three spunky children--each with his own look, style and energy. How I love letting children dictate where and how the photo session will go. I'm finding that when you follow the children's leads, you're just about guaranteed photo magic.

I also met strong women - each beautiful in her own way and each seeking something different out of their photo session experience.

But no matter the reason for their shoot, in just about every scenario I found myself playing the same role: the enthusiastic cheerleader. How I love encouraging those who stand before me to shed their defenses, and to reveal themselves, their natural beauty--both inner and outer. This is what drives me most in this work.

Sure, there were frustrations this week: for example, on Wednesday I rushed breathlessly back from location scouting and a beautiful outdoors to setup for a mid-afternoon studio shoot. I like to have lighting and backdrop details ready to go when my model(s) arrive. I'd quickly showered and rushed to set everything up, only to wait for a model who would never arrive. No phone call. No email. No courtesy.

And then on Thursday I woke up feeling crappy. But, while I ended up shooting that night anyway, I was certainly glad I did. My model was a beautiful young woman and aspiring model/actress. As I reviewed the many gorgeous shots of her, I was sure I detected that "special something" along with a fire and determination to succeed. I found it interesting that her looks recall a certain supermodel from the 90s (Stephanie Seymour--the siren who pretty much made the George Michael video for his popular song "Faith"). As I reviewed our session, each image was more beautiful than the one before.

Now, Friday evening, I look forward to the three family shoots I've lined up for the weekend as much as I look forward to the time I'll be spending with my husband, spunky 7-year old and feisty 1-year old twins.

And while managing the building of a portrait photography business along with household duties and child-rearing is certainly a major juggle, I truly feel I wouldn't trade this particular challenge for the world.

Warmly,
Susan
www.liartphotography.com

Thought for the day: "No man or woman is an island. To exist just for yourself is meaningless. You can achieve the most satisfactino when you feel related to some greater purpose in life, something greater than yourself."- Denis Waitley (Quote courtesy of Thinkexist.com)

Introduction to LIArtPhotography - Art Photography Capturing the Beauty of Now...

2008-10-09T13:47:00.001-07:00

Thought for the day: The path to your dreams isn't always a straight one...

Welcome photography, portrait and art lovers both on Long Island and beyond!

LIArtPhotography is a blog about photography, my experience building a portrait photography business, and the pursuit of art.

About Me:

I've always loved photography. It was for me both a fun hobby and a challenge - the challenge of working to render images the way I saw them; the challenge of marrying technical skill with a creative eye in pursuit of that ever-elusive goal - art.

And for years, art - painting, singing, drawing and photography - occupied the back seat on my long and winding drive through corporate America, independent professional development business ownership, and motherhood. But like any back-seat driver, it kept nagging, reminding me of its presence, suggesting detours that would take me back in the direction of the things I truly loved, things I felt passionate about.

Still, I kept on my path. Until one Christmas. It occurred to my husband that I might want to upgrade from a point-and-shoot digital camera (albeit a nice one) to a more serious camera. To be honest, at first I was rather intimidated. I'd never had the courage to leave the "auto" setting in exploration of "aperture priority," "shutter priority," or, heaven-forbid, "manual" modes. Now, my new Nikon, with its interchangeable lenses, beckoned me to forge ahead. To experiment. To override the bland, common, boring results I was getting from "auto" mode, and to pursue my vision.

When something strikes me - whether it's a mossy area between old willow trees dappled with sunlight, or a sparkling glint in a child's eyes - I want to capture it exactly how I see it. "Auto" wasn't cutting it.

The discrepancy between what I saw in my mind's eye and what I was getting back in print form, was disheartening. This was true creative tension...

So, I enrolled in a photography program, determined to overcome my intimidation, fired up about learning everything I needed to know to get closer to achieving my vision. I read my camera's manual over and over. Studied my educational lessons intently. And even better, began testing what I was learning in daily shoots.

I shot everything - nature, children, people, landscapes, old buildings, shadows, shapes, lines, anything that struck me as interesting, things filled with possibilities....

It wasn't long before the images I saw in print began to catch up with the "art" my inner eye had first envisioned. The closer I got, the more excited I got. The more excited I got, the more my passion for photography was fueled.

But still, something was nagging at me. Did I really want to be taking pretty pictures of nature? Of interesting cracks in cement? Sure. But there was something else that called much stronger. As an artist, I'd always drawn portraits. I'd spend hours rendering faces, never satisfied until I got it just right. I have a wonderful memory for faces and I had a knack for capturing the essence of a person in my renderings. Why not focus on portrait photography then?

That back seat driver was right again. And the decision to heed its advice, has shaped my life tremendously. Every day I look forward to new sessions, to meeting new and interesting Long Islanders, to capturing the essence of a wide range of people from newborns and up. And it's rewarding. The emails I get when they first view their online portfolios, the happiness they convey, make me smile. THIS is what life is all about.

I look forward to my continuing journey, the ongoing pursuit of art, the challenge and rewards of using art photography to help others capture and preserve the many beautiful things in the here and now.

I thank you for visiting and hope you'll come along for the ride!

Warmly,
Susan
www.liartphotography.com

Remember the thought for the day: The path to your dreams isn't always a straight one...