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Pictage U: Something Vintage

San Diego, California
I loved working with Victoria during Kelly Segre’s class. She has the perfect vintage look. And before I forget, I need to give props to Paul Spataro for doing an awesome job with hair and make-up.

The lighting was a single light set-up similar to what I use during my Polka Pin-Ups shoots.

I was going for an Old Hollywood look here, à la Hurrell. What do you think?

I looked at some Marilyn Monroe photos after toning the above shot and realized my toning was similar to this shot of MM.

I adore these last two photos of Victoria. Not sure which one I like better: 
serious & sultry or cunningly cute.

FL&R

Pictage U: Something New

San Diego, California
I have a ton of photos to share from Pictage U’s first workshop: Boudoir & Lighting.

I love learning techniques I can use every day. I adored Kitty Maer’s Photoshop class. There’s so much that can be done with PS – Kitty keeps it simple but good – that’s my kind of PS. And I was happy when Kitty mentioned she can spend 20 minutes working on one photo – because as most of you know I take my time when working on images to make sure they’re perfect. Quality trumps speed in my book.

I also love learning techniques that I might never use. Outdoors I use mostly available light and some flash. Lan and Vu Bui taught an outdoors lighting class using two different lighting set-ups. The idea behind the first set-up was to overpower the sun using Profotos. You can see two of the lights in this shot.

And here’s what the result looks like. I didn’t have a lens hood on resulting in some sun spots. The background is intentionally under-exposed but Lauren the model is lit perfectly by the Profotos.

The second lighting set-up consisted of two Canon 580EXes – which are the flashes I use. Thank you to Simon from Pictage for indulging me and posing with his serious look.

Stay tuned for more!

FL&R

Barb Dubrawski - Nicely done and well posted! Thanks for sharing!
I particularly like the image of Simon…but then again I am a sucker for accents 🙂 …Kidding Simon !! 🙂

Polka Photos - Thanks Barb!

Back to School

San Diego, California
One of the things I love about photography is there is always more to learn. Recently I went back to school to Pictage U’s first workshop: Boudoir & Lighting. I cannot say enough great things about this event. All of the instructors are truly celebrities in the photography world. When Lan and Vu Bui sat down at my table for lunch it was like lunching with Luke and Owen Wilson. Although I think the Bui brothers may be funnier.

All of the presentations and shoots rocked. The highlight for me was having my Polka Pin-Ups portfolio reviewed by the incredibly talented and super sweet Anne Ruthmann. Anne I can’t thank you enough!

My real photo editing just started. But I wanted to share some quick pics from the awesome Christa Meola’s shooting session.

FL&R

Getting Racy for the Cure

Chicago, Illinois
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the ladies who got racy during the Polka Pin-Ups marathon boudoir session last week. We raised $500 that will go towards my friend Michele’s fundraising for Susan G. Komen’s 3-Day for the Cure!!! If you didn’t participate but would still like to donate, click on the above link. Thank you!

FL&R

Natalie White - Your Polka Pin-Ups are absolutely gorgeous! Great job.

Polka Photos - Thank you!

Anonymous - Thanks again for coming out to Chi-town and doing this for such a great cause….and a perfect bonus for us that were involved! 🙂
~Jenn

Back in LA

Goodbye San Diego, Hello Los Angeles
After almost three weeks shooting in Chicago and a few days in San Diego for a workshop, I am finally back home. I’ll be busy working on thousands of portraits, some of which I’ll share on the blog as well. Here’s my last photo from San Diego taken looking out the patio door at the lovely Sheraton Hotel.

FL&R