Product Photography

July 14, 2016 Tim Farr

Why yes, thank you for asking, I have been doing a fair bit of product photography lately. The funny thing about it, is that the thing that troubled me about product photography waaaaaay back when is what I love about it now: It presents challenges. There are unique lighting and staging challenges with shooting products. And it's actually just part of the shoot, each and every time. Shooting jewelry is always fun. It's like the Hall of Mirrors at the carnival. It's a puzzle getting the angles just right so all you're seeing is the jewelry, and not reflections of other items.

Shooting something in it's ideal state, without departing reality (see ya later...!), is definitely an art. But that's what I've embraced over the years in all my photography, and I love the challenge here. Seems like there might be a lesson there of some sort? :-)

Take a look, won't ya? And don't you just love that infinite-love piece above. I know I do.

You just might have a product of your own. Want a stark white background for your product on Amazon (Amazon loves those white backgrounds)? Want to get creative on a shoot to show your product in use? A piece of apparel out there in the big, wide world (perhaps on a lovely model)? If you do, let's talk! ;)

Let's Talk...

June 29, 2016 Tim Farr

I've fallen in love with headshots again. I'll admit it. And it got me thinking.

You're an actor, a businessperson, or a salesperson. Or you're establishing your personal brand. Guess what? You need a headshot that captures who you truly are (or who you're capable of being, you actors out there).

In order to capture this, I ask my client a series of questions (I'm so nosy!) before they come for their shoot. From these magic questions (ain't magic fun?), we are able to create the tone for our shoot. And when I say "create" the tone of our shoot, I've chosen that word carefully. You and I, as a team, create the feel of your shots. Neat, eh?

Having established the tone or tones for the shoot we get down to the details. The location of the shoot is important: in studio allows a high degree of control over the environment of the shoot; and then there are moods that really can only be conveyed outdoors. The color of the backdrop when shooting indoors can change everything: brighter colors can help a casting director to envision you in younger roles; blue, green and grey eyes will really pop with a blue backdrop; a darker backdrop, with appropriate lighting, will convey a dramatic personality and depth. And of course, styling and makeup are key. (In another lifetime I was an agent, so that helps us a bit as well :) )

In addition to everything we discuss, there is a lot going on behind my forehead. The selection of appropriate lenses, lighting set-ups, and settings are always rolling. And while a similar lighting set up may be used for several different clients, I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm such a control freak about my clients being happy, that I'll do lighting tests beforehand, making minor changes as needed, to make sure that I'm getting exactly what my clients want, with our discussions in mind. The point isn't that I'm a control freak, the point is that I'm YOUR control freak! ;)

A Note on Corporate Headshots

If you are a business person, I'm sure you're familiar with understanding your ideal client or public. If you're a salesman, this translates to your ability to allow your prospect or potential client to identify with you. In working with a business or salesperson, I help my clients determine what kind of clients you have and would like to have, and what these would expect of you. Many times this boils down to what will allow your client or prospect to be most comfortable approaching you: Do they expect a suit and tie from you? Will they feel you're more approachable with rolled-up sleeves, an even more casual look, or maybe a particularly stylish look? In practice, this also works out to determining also what setting and lighting will help you to appeal to your ideal audience. With corporate headshots, as well as personal branding, understanding the current and desired audience is key.

A Confession

Confession Time: I love meeting people. I KNOW. You're shocked! Get over it. ;)

What I really love is hearing what my clients are looking to get out of their photos. It might be a strange thing for an artist, but it's true. The feeling when we (yes, we) get what we're looking for out of a shoot is amazing. I love the collaboration!

And of course, in that spirit, I'd love to hear from you.

Until then!

Best,

Jamie

One Happy Mom

May 24, 2016 Tim Farr

I've known this mother for quite some time. We met at a party and haven't looked back.

I've this nasty habit of photographing her family. And they have the nasty habit of being some of the more ridiculously photogenic people that I get to shoot. ;)

It's honestly a little scary how great their shots always come out. Just take a look at Liam, their oldest, getting up close and personal with the camera. He loves it and it loves him!

So, to commemorate a third little one being on the way, we of course needed to get some fresh shots. And, there are some shots below of their current youngest, Sky, doing what Sky does best!

The young man to the left has a long history of dressing up. That's the first shot I ever got of him in his dress-up history. He's sort of an expert to be honest. :)

He really does love it and has for as long as I've known him. Sky learned his love of dressing up from big brother Liam.

Sky is probably the cutest little cub you've ever seen, but he happens to be a pretty cute raccoon, duck, business man... you get the point. He's cute no matter what.

I can only hope that one day he'll be an actor and I'll be doing headshot and editorial shoots with him!

And, of course, this little prince loves his mom. Even when she's sticking her tongue out at him. Maybe even especially when she's sticking her tongue out at him!

Kirstin Ford

May 16, 2016 Tim Farr

That top shot of Kirstin Ford was the only one I've posted so far, and it was definitely popular! So, I thought you might like to see some of the others shots from the shoot. Let me know what you think below!

If you're interested in getting some beautiful shots of yourself, click here and fill out the form. I'd love to hear from you!

This trip is different...

April 27, 2016 Tim Farr

It's a little easier than I'd like to admit to forget how magical Los Angeles can be. But sometimes magic has some history to it.

About a year back, Diego was on a trip to Los Angeles and began experiencing headaches serious enough to take him to the hospital. Imagine this: one minute you're on a trip across the country from your home, the next, by way of a few doctors, you're in front of a neurologist who is telling you that you need to get into surgery immediately. And no, you can't get the surgery back home in Georgia. It's that serious. Diego had a cyst in his brain which was causing a build up of fluid that was life-threatening. Without the surgery right then, he would die.

It's just about one of the scariest scenarios I can come up with.

Of course, all you want is to be home with your loved ones. The neurologist took the first part off the table, but that doesn't mean a loved one can't come to you. I can't guarantee this part of the story, but I'd bet there wasn't a red light bright enough to stop Diego's girlfriend Kristina on the way to the airport to be with him.

Fast forward to present day. A few days ago I received a text message. It was from a gentleman named Diego, who is back in Los Angeles

The basic story is this: Diego's last trip to Los Angeles with his girlfriend had been a bit of a nightmare. This trip is going to be memorable for an entirely different reason. You see, Diego's girlfriend is an amazing woman who has been with him through a lot (understatement). Diego has no intention of going home with a girlfriend; he's going home with a fiancé. And, being the smart man that he is, Diego wants to have this trip remembered for every right reason there is. That's where I come in. I was lucky enough to show up when the magic did.

Diego proposed at sunset, at the Griffith Park Observatory. Traffic was fighting him, but when you've given death the finger, traffic parts when you need it to.

And, of course, she said yes.

They get engaged while in Los Angeles and suddenly they're the coolest people you've ever seen, right? But that's their secret: nothing sudden about it, they're just that cool. Diego's story of his surgery and recovery is amazing. But what's even better, is that Kristina was right there with him, every step of the way.

Diego and Kristina ended up back where our story began. But now, they're healthy, happy, and engaged.