My assistant, Shouten, and I put in some shooting practice time earlier this summer. Our model for this photo shoot is Shuming from China. Thanks, Shuming! You did a fantastic job!
Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category
Photo Shoot with Shuming: Kitakyushu, Japan
October 24, 2011Photo Session with Winnie: Hibikino Campus, Wakamatsu City
April 19, 2011Last Wednesday, I went shooting with one of my former students on the Hibikino Campus. This is the campus where I work part-time as an English teacher. Our model that day was Winnie. She is a graduate student at Waseda University but as you will see, she is also a beautiful model. Shouten, my former student, is from China and he loves photography! Today was his first time to shoot using the off-camera lighting technique and he did a great job. He was so excited that he is now planning to buy his own trigger system for his flash. I had a great time shooting a beautiful model and getting satisfaction from Shouten’s improvement as a photographer. Thanks, Shouten and Winnie! Can’t wait to do it again soon.
Here’s a black and white version of the same image.
WPPI Part 1: Desert Shoot
March 4, 2011This was my third consecutive trip to Las Vegas for the annual Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) Convention and one thing that I have not been able to do the first two years was a desert photo shoot. Well, I finally got the opportunity to participate in one when Gavin and Erin Wade posted on facebook that they were organizing such an event on a Saturday afternoon. Gavin and Erin did a wonderful job putting together their very first photo shoot in Vegas. All who attended had a great time and walked away with some pretty spectacular images. Make sure to sign up for one next year if Gavin and Erin organizes another photo shoot. Gavin and Erin, thank you !
As a bonus, I got to share a ride with my friend, Mike Colón. I’ve learned so much from Mike about wedding photography from both the technical and business standpoints. But on this day, Mike shared with us the funny and lighthearted moments of shooting weddings. It was fun listening to his stories. And writing about Mike on this post has also taught me a valuable lesson: how to type an accent mark over the “o”: ó…see?!? Ha ha ha!
As you will see below, I decided to post my images in black and white. I wanted to view the images from a different perspective. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the images!
And I must not forget to give a big shout out to the following people for their contribution to this great shoot:
Models: Brittanie and Tomas Cruz (Bride and Groom) Kate Colosi (High Fashion)
Hair/Makeup: Lindsey of Linsey Shea Photography
Amazing Hair Pieces: Custom Designed and Available by Dara Cobb
Tuxedo: Mission Tux Shop
Awesome Sponsor: Pixel2Canvas
Just look at the amazing landscape for our shoot!!
This guy kept getting in my shot and directing like he’s a $20k photographer 
Our beautiful couple for the shoot, Brittanie and Tomas Cruz.
And thank you, Kate, for being our gorgeous High Fashion model! Kate is also an exceptional photographer.
Coming up: Desert shoot with my sister and her family….
Scott Robert Lim Workshop – New York City (Part II)
November 3, 2010Sometime after the workshop in New York City, I went to a service at a church that Anne and I used to attend when we lived in the States. I had to use the men’s room and as I entered, something struck me by its very absence. The huge bathroom mirror was entirely gone! I don’t know if it was damaged or if it was being replaced but it felt strange looking at a bare wall.
At the workshop, Scott invited three of his former students to share with us. All three challenged us to look at things in a whole new way that, if not practiced, will seem strange by its absence (similar to the mirror). Junshien Lau challenged us to dream big and to work towards our dream. Marie Lyssa Dormeus challenged us to consider our dream as not a destination but as one to be lived out moment by moment. And finally, Tauran Woo challenged us to be proactive, to think thoughtfully on how to compose our images. Dream, journey, composition…all three, in my opinion, have an essential element: thoughtful and careful reflection. These require some serious “soul-searching” if we are to excel in both photography and life. A missing mirror is not a big deal but a missing “self” is a big deal when we don’t find the time to examine our lives. Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Benfante Family Sneak Peak: September 19, 2010
September 28, 2010
Moji, Japan Wedding: Takatoshi & Makiko Sneak Peek
June 12, 2010
China 2009 – Scott Robert Next Level Workshop 2009
November 12, 2009Well, I have finally gotten around to posting the second part of my China trip. After an excellent time in Hong Kong, our group flew to Beijing and had a once-in-a-lifetime shooting session on the Great Wall. It was cold but experiencing firsthand one of the great wonders of the world was quite exhilarating! Our original plan was to shoot for a couple hours but we easily went over that time. What made this trip to the Great Wall special was that our group had this portion of the Wall all to ourselves. There were no tourists or gimmicky shops. Heck, there weren’t even any locals. We had private access to a portion of the Wall that is unrestored. How awesome is that?!?
I was amazed at this feat of engineering. The Great Wall just seems to go on forever, its walls disappearing into the horizon. The Wall was built by the vision of its engineers along with the right tools. And I think this sums up what it’s like to attend one of Scott’s workshops. He gives you a vision and the tools needed to prosper in the photography business. Just as the Wall seems to go on and on, Scott mentors and challenges us to see the potential and limitless possibilities before us as we build a career in photography. I am looking forward to some more mentoring in 2010!
And I must be out of my mind for not saying this earlier. Big, big, big props go to Jeremy Chan and his wife Zabrina Deng for organizing everything. They worked so hard to give us a wonderful experience. Thanks, Jeremy and Zabrina! We are so thankful for you! Check out their work on flickr. I also want to thank the models (Yu-Cheng and Mei-Qian). They braved the cold weather and worked hard to give us fantastic images.
Here’s Anwar helping me with my set up. I learned a lot from him.
Enjoying a nice, relaxing dinner.
Tauran took this shot of me. Thanks for the profile pic, T! I appreciated Tauran sharing his insights.
And Chantal was very generous. She gave me plenty of advice/coaching on setting up my images.
Chantal wondering if we will ever get to our destination. It was a long trip from Badaling to central Beijing.
Paramilitary officers on duty inside the Forbidden City.
The walls just outside the Forbidden City.
Local Beijing resident. I was happy to capture this image. I realize that China is changing with the times but this image seems, to me, to symbolize China.
Hong Kong Portraits – Scott Robert Next Level Workshop.
November 4, 2009My blog is long overdue for a post and what better way to break out of that slump by sharing with you images from a recent workshop I went to a couple weeks ago. I attended the Scott Robert Next Level Workshop and IT…WAS…INCREDIBLE! Okay, sorry for the superlatives but Scott Robert Lim is an amazing photographer, mentor and friend. Scott not only helps you improve your craft but his style of teaching is holistic so you learn so much more than just the technical aspects of photography. He really will take you to the next level. What made the workshop unforgettable were the new friends made and the location…China!! It was an unforgettable experience learning and shooting in a totally different culture. And let me just say that, training and friendships aside, I could go back to China just for the food alone!! Special thanks to the Hong Kong models (Juju Chan, Angelica Hung, Carmen Chan and Amisa Meow) and Hong Kong photographers Kelvin Lau and Mina Yuen. This post is the first of a 2-part series. The images below are from our time in Hong Kong. Let me know what you think. Beijing images coming soon…
This image was my first lesson in off-camera lighting. The vision for this image was created and inspired by Scott Robert Lim.
This image was also created and inspired by Scott Robert Lim. It was a photoshoot on a double decker bus of all places!
The master at work.
This vintage Hong Kong diner was great! So many shooting possibilities but the owner was a bit of a grump. LOL!
The background for our last shooting session. To my Japanese friends, notice the Yoshinoya; it’s taking over the world! Ha ha ha!
This image was actually a test shot but I kinda like its moodiness and how it turned out. What do you think?
And the best shot of the night goes to my roommate: The amazing and situational vegetarian….drumroll please…Anwar Torres!!!
China Workshop Teaser Image
October 18, 2009Hey guys,
I’ll be sharing more shortly but here’s a teaser pic from the Scott Robert Lim workshop that I attended from October 12-18th. Enjoy!
Texture Tomfoolery
July 4, 2009Okay, it’s not exactly tomfoolery but I have been experimenting with some textures I purchased from Scott Robert Lim. I warn you, though. You’re gonna need a small towel because you will be drooling after looking through his images. I’m attending his China Next Level Workshop in October. Wanna come with me? Click here if you are interested.
These sweet ladies are former students of mine. Some of you will remember my photo session with them last fall. Here are some more from that shoot. I don’t want to give it all away so there will be another post with these awesome models. And this summer I will have another photo session with them. It’ll be off the hook! Good times!
