Yes We’re Open
If I had a storefront business, in the morning I would come to work and put my roll down open sign in the front window. I think it would really be a big improvement in most downtown business areas.
One of my absolute favorite models, Aristodeme. Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Good stuff!
BTS
BTS, that means Behind The Scenes. I thought you might want to see what goes on in a few snapshot photos. The photo shoot with a worked out and wonderful personal trainer, Joanna Johnson. The location is World Gym in Palm Desert California. The tall blonde, also very worked out, is my long time Makeup and Hair Stylist Natalie Lyle. She is as well, a marvel with posing and wardrobe.
The camera is Hasselblad digital. My lighting is Broncolor with the Para 133 reflector with the Move 1200L pack. Even the light stand is important, it is a Matthews roller stand. Can’t have things breaking and falling over, despite carrying a multi-million dollar insurance policy. I make it an important point to use only the best gear. I want everything to work right and the best every time. Thanks!
By the way, these photos were shot by my very able assistant Clyde Sawyer. The guy who make sure that it all goes right from loading the car to setting it up to taking it down. Gets it all done!
Gym Motivator!
That is what you call Joanna Johnson, a Gym Motivator! And not just my words, others around World Gym in Palm Desert yesterday, men and women, walked up and congratulated her on the way she has worked so hard to build her body. Joanna drives the goals and admiration of others to be a better self. Go visit her, Joanna is a trainer there and she can be your Gym Motivator too!
This photograph was just a quick example I picked out from our photo shoot because it is so fun. Joanna’s first professional photo shoot, she warmed up and gave me some of her own posing. Good job!
Photo shoot notes… Makeup and Hair Styling by another gym motivator herself, Natalie Lyle. Hasselblad digital camera system. Lighting by Broncolor with the Broncolor Para 133 reflector and Move 1200L pack. Only the best!
Don’t Mess Up
If I am giving first credit to the success of any of my photographs, I owe it to the extraordinary men and women I have had in front of my cameras. There is little question I have had some of the most amazing people as models. And here the most breathtaking elegant ballet dancer Viktoria in this behind the scenes photograph from our photo shoot.
Yes I am lucky to have so much space available to realize most of what I want to do, from studio shooting to my outdoor pool and gardens. Close by I have even larger studio space available, the great outdoors, the Salton Sea and even vintage aircraft.
Next is what I and many others consider the finest equipment available. Hasselblad digital camera equipment and Broncolor lighting.
What is left for me is to stage the photographs I have in the back of my mind, and more important than anything else, each and every time, don’t mess up. Thanks!
Voting
Would you vote for this photograph of Kajira full-length or closer up? The dilemmas I face when editing from a photo shoot. My vote… Must have both!
Photo shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system. Broncolor lighting with the Broncolor Para 133 reflector. Thanks!
Just Love It
I love the people I photograph! I love the creation, the wardrobe or lack of wardrobe, the makeup, the process, the cameras, the lighting equipment, even the light stands, all of it. And I am a true lover of photography, not just my photographs but the world of photographs.
My photo shoot with the beautiful Amber Flowers. The camera is Hasselblad digital. The lighting is Broncolor with the so unique Broncolor Para 133 reflector. I love it all, I truly do!
Noel Pre Paris And Greece
She just returned from photo shoots in Greece and Paris. My buddy Noel VanBrocklin in her photo shoot with me before she left. Now that she is back I will have to see if she has changed any. Become more European perhaps? What would that be I wonder?
Photo shoot notes… Wonderful Makeup and Hair Styling by the world traveling, Estee Lauder featured Blanche LeBeau. Hasselblad digital camera system. Lighting by Broncolor. Surrounding myself with the best people and the best gear!
Looking At Me?
Yes we are looking at you! It would be a tragedy not to! Amber Flowers in our photo shoot. Superbly wardrobe styled and makeup and hair by Amber. Hasselblad digital camera system and lighting by Broncolor. I am sure happy I shot some photos to remember all this!
Dance In Motion
Motion captured in a photograph with professional ballet, dance model Viktoria VikTory Hofstaedter. One movement that becomes a story all by itself.
Photo shoot notes… The beautiful makeup and hair styling by Natalie Lyle. Hasselblad digital camera system. Lighting by Broncolor with the Move 1200L Pack and Para 133 reflector. Only the best.
Another Look
So many people have commented to me about the looks of model Kajira. Here yet is another look, the look with that red hair that so greatly intrigued me. This woman is just so gorgeous and what a fun model!
Photo shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting with the Broncolor Para 133 reflector. Only the best!
Back Of The Closet
I always suggest to models that they should bring along the things they bought but have stuck in a closet or in a drawer because they never found the opportunity to wear those things. It can be so fun! in our photo shoot, Kajira had a few of those kinds of things.
Photo shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting.
Actually Simple
Behind the scenes with a stunning model, Kajira. Much of the time my setups are pretty simple. Although I usually have an assistant on hand for at least setup and tear down, most everything else is pretty much easy for me to do by myself if needed.
My surroundings obviously are very comfortable and roomy. I can reverse this room and have even higher ceilings. I also have tilt up sets that can create entire rooms outdoors in complete privacy. A very beautiful pool and spa with stamped concrete patios and decks recently all redone just before Summer. New landscaping going in now that will allow for garden and tree scenery. Plenty of room on hand for full makeup and hair styling as well and wardrobe changing.
I do depend on the best equipment to make sure I have not only great results but also no failures or problems. From heavy duty Matthews stands to Broncolor lighting and a Hasselblad digital camera system. I make no excuses for wanting to make sure that each photo shoot works every time. Only the best!
Kajira Behind The Scenes In Our Photo Shoot
Add A Vintage Turban
Photo shoot with model Kajira was just so very fun! Tall, slender and so very well poised! I cannot even begin to tell you, but I have the photos and some great video! But for now I loved her look with such a simple wardrobe addition as this vintage turban. Made my day!
Photo shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Only the best!
Elegance Of Posing
Working with professional ballet, dance model Viktoria “Viktory” Hofstaedter. A photo shoot filled with her elegance of motion as part of her posing. Each and every pose a work of art.
Photo shoot notes… The beautiful makeup and hair styling by Natalie Lyle. Hasselblad digital camera system. Lighting by Broncolor. Only the best.
Up Close
Like nowhere else, you get up close at the Palm Springs Air Museum. That is where you find me with my favorite Hasselblad cameras. The cameras that orbited the Earth and went to the Moon.
This plane coming in from a flight demonstration is the North American Aviation T-28 Trojan… I have been told that it, in many ways, actually outperforms the famed P-51 Mustang of World War II. The T-28… “a basic trainer that was ordered in four advanced versions, the T-28A for the U.S Air Force and T-28B and T-28C, by the U.S. Navy, with the latter version designed for carrier training operations and the AT-28D. It was the first trainer designed to transition pilots to jet aircraft. In its second life, the AT-28D was used in counterinsurgency missions and later as a ground-support fighter in Southeast Asia. It’s a remarkably strong, fast, and capable airplane, and the big Wright radial engine makes that wonderful music that only a round engine can. The Trojan was the first American fixed wing attack aircraft lost in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.”
“Specifications and Performance –
T-28B Engine: One, Wright Cyclone R-1820-86 radial piston Engine. Horsepower: 1,425 hp., at sea level with auxiliary supercharger. Dimensions:Wing Span: 40.1. Length: 33 ft., Height: 12.8 ft., Weight Empty: 6,424 lbs. Maximum Speed: 343 mph Service Ceiling: 35,500 ft.”
Skyward!
I was at the Palm Springs Air Museum the other day and all the talk is the excitement of flying again for this season! This is a flying museum along with all kinds of great programs. You can watch historic aircraft take to the skies, sit in cockpits and see incredible one of a kind programs. Yes and you can fly too! Check it all out on the Palm Springs Air Museum website here at http://palmspringsairmuseum.org
And you will see me there with my favorite Hasselblad cameras. Hasselblad cameras were the choice for NASA taking into Space and to the Moon. So my first choice too!
“I’m Not Going To Move…”
“I’m not going to move until I get your attention” says Maria Bertrand. You got it Maria!
Photo shoot notes… Superb makeup and hair styling by Blanche LeBeau. Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Only the best!
Movement Ballet
Wonderful to see, hard to describe. A photograph that shows the movement from start to finish. The wonderful professional Ballet Model Viktoria.
Photo shoot notes… Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle. Hasselblad digital camera system. Broncolor lighting with the Move 1200L pack and Para 133 reflector. Only the best!
Every Pose…
“Every pose she does is a work of art” said Natalie Lyle who did the wonderful makeup and hair styling yesterday for our photo shoot. The incredible ballet dance model Viktoria. Extensively published and world traveling, I am more than thrilled to have her in front of my camera. Originally from Austria and having danced on the stage of the Vienna Opera House, I am without words to describe seeing her work. So I will let the photographs speak for themselves.
Shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system. Broncolor lighting with the Broncolor Para 133 reflector. Only the best!
Autumn For Only Minutes
Only a few minutes into Autumn and I am already looking back at Summer. I can’t help it, I had such wonderful models in my pool for photo shoots like the breathtaking Noel VanBrocklin.
Shoot Notes… The wonderful makeup and hair styling by Blanche LeBeau. Hasselblad digital camera system. Lighting by Broncolor. Only the best!
Not Fall Flowers
This is not Fall flowers, this is Amber Flowers and she is just perfect. And wardrobe styling by Amber as well. She is so good!
Shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system. Broncolor lighting with the Broncolor Move 1200L pack and one strobe head in the Broncolor Para 133 reflector. Only the best!
Hasselblad Demo, Samy’s Camera & Noel
When Hasselblad needed a model for the demo at Samys Camera, I sent them my latest great model, Noel VanBrocklin. Who better to show off the new 100mpx camera and the latest Hasselblad X1D! Of course Broncolor lighting with a Para 88 and Siros L. Perfect!
Instant BTS
Fun shooting behind the scenes photos with instant film cameras. This one with the Fujifilm Instax. Of course no one really cares because I know you are staring at the magnificent Noel VanBrocklin. Model, actress and the stunning creature in the blue lagoon of my pool. Shoot notes… lighting is a Broncolor Move 1200L and Broncolor beauty dish. The actual shoot with a Hasselblad digital camera system. Often overlooked, the stand and boom are Matthews Studio Equipment. Wonderful and sexy makeup and hair styling by Blanche LeBeau.
My World
The ever so gorgeous Maria Bertrand, often in front of my camera. And my friend! I am so lucky that so very many of the beautiful women and good looking guys I photograph become and remain my friends.
One of my buddies was walking around an event with me a few months ago. He said, looking around at the crowd… “None of these people look like the people you photograph”. Very true! Nothing wrong with it but the thought stayed with me. I do indeed work and live in a different world than many. Just different. I guess I did recognize that some time back when I named the portfolios on my Website as “My World”.
So maybe visit the “My World’s” on my Website at SecondFocus.com. Maria Bertrand is certainly there. Some of you too are there. And there will be more, changing it soon! Thanks!
Shoot notes… Maria Bertrand photographed by me. Makeup and Hair Styling by the Estee Lauder featured Blanche LeBeau. Hasselblad digital camera system. Broncolor lighting. Only the best!
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