First We Contact The Mars Rover…
First we contact the Mars Rover. Then we turn it around and light you up for my camera. And then I make you look so good! Try me! Send me an e-mail to SecondFocus@mac.com and Thank You!
My Secret To Working With Gorgeous Models
I am often asked by newer inexperienced photographers how to get the most out of models during photo shoots. It can also be especially intimidating for new photographers when working with tall, gorgeous professional models like Maria Bertrand. I will tell you my secret… Cookies and Milk. Yes that’s it! You can get the best photo shoots ever with a model if you give them Cookies and Milk.
A Couple Of Firsts
Behind the scenes in my photo shoot with Katie Madden just recently. A couple of firsts here; the first time Katie will be published in a magazine. And the first of my photo shoots to be published photographed with my Hasselblad camera! The superb Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle. Very Fun!
Hasselblad Reality
When I announced that I had added a Hasselblad digital medium format camera system to my equipment, it generated a lot of interest. I received lots of messages and have been asked about it personally from photographers, models and people generally.
My decision to go Hasselblad, after trying out pretty much every high end camera system, came back to this one photo I shot of bodybuilder Travis Elywhen I first tried it out on a real photo shoot. Click on it to really get a look. The completely real colors, skin tone and definition were exactly what I wanted. It is more than a photograph, seemingly a duplicate of reality.
There are other reasons I chose Hasselblad. It is a legendary manufacturer of cameras made famous when chosen by NASA in 1962 to be the cameras to go into outer space. And of course used by so many famous photographers in the past and today. So who is next in front of my Hasselblad?
Saw Randalene In A Coupe de Ville!
Oh wait! That was Maybellene when Chuck Berry was singing about her. Randalene Sergent would look good in a Coupe de Ville! I am thinking if he had seen her, that very first rock and roll song would have been “Randalene”. Actually Randalene looks good everywhere and especially in front of my cameras. And she will be in front of my cameras again on July 4th weekend. You can too!
I will be shooting at the big Muscle Beach show on July 4th. However even if you are not doing the show, you can shoot with me at the beach in Venice or Marina Del Rey on Friday July 3rd or Sunday July 5th. I will be working with a few people each day to keep it as inexpensive as I can for you. I would love to shoot with as many of you as possible but there is only so much time. So please sign up as soon as you can, it is right around the corner. For more details and sign up click here and Thanks! https://squareup.com/market/secondfocus
Just Wonderful!
There are so many wonderful’s here in this photograph but I will start with Katie Madden. She is just incredibly gorgeous and has built herself a beautiful fit body. A health and fitness professional she actually started in fitness at the age of 42. I first photographed and interviewed her at the NPC Nationals competition in Miami 9 years ago. Now are you ready for this… Katie in my pool here in Palm Springs for this photo shoot on Monday at the age of 56!
The next wonderful is the Makeup and Hair Styling by my ever present Natalie Lyle. She never ceases to do wonderful work and brings a trusted professionalism to every one of our photo shoots!
And another wonderful is Hasselblad. A historic name in camera systems that has seen work in the finest fashion houses, in the hands of the most famous photographers and has even seen Outer Space and the Moon. Now in my hands producing a realism, perfect colors and skin tones and the definition that I have always wanted to see in my photographs. Don’t be fooled, lesser is not just as good.
Always So Many!
Only some of the many looks of Katie Madden from our photo shoot the other day. The hard part for me is always selecting the very best shots when all are so good! MakeUp and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle who makes it equally tough on me by doing such great work!
When It Is This Hot…
Behind the scenes from Monday with a totally captivating Katie Madden. Finished doing our studio shoot and with it being so very hot here in Palm Springs what better then to move the photo shoot to the pool! I must say that Katie did not do anything to lower the temperature!
Makeup and Hair Styling for the day by an also very hot Natalie Lyle. The hard work was down by my assistant Clyde Sawyer. And I got to use my new favorite Hasselblad camera. Outstanding!
Secret Admirer
A fit and sexy Shawn Towne has a secret admirer. Not a surprise as this smoldering hot Mom showed us all that fitness is indeed the fountain of youth. Not only a Mom but also a busy model who has been seen on billboards around Las Vegas and fashion featured by haute couture designers. No wonder she easily caught the attention of Chaun Williams! You will be seeing more from this photo shoot!
From our photo shoot In Las Vegas at City Athletic Club and the Bellagio Las Vegas. With a wonderful day of Makeup and Hair Styling by Christine Copeland. Wardrobe styling assistance and posing coaching from my assistant for the day, Jennifer Chamberlin. Just a totally Wow photo shoot! Thanks!
A Little Inside News
For those of you shooting with me you can sometimes from now on expect this thing to be pointing at you.
No Tie Required
From now on all of my invitations are going to read “No Tie Required”! From my photo shoot with Randalene Sergent. The superb Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle.
Tilt Up Studio
I have been getting a lot of photogrpahers asking for a closer look at my tilt up studio background system. Actually I think they wanted a closer look at Randalene Sergent. Perfectly reasonable! To the left is Natalie Lyle who does so much of the superb makeup and hair styling you see on my photo shoots. Although I have huge space inside to do photo shoots, this system allows me to create all kinds of spaces, paint schemes and more designs. I can also shift to do doing scenes by the pool or tress without moving all of the lighting equipment or very much additional work. Thanks!
Dark Corners In The Sunshine
Behind the scenes yesterday in my photo shoot with Randalene Sergent. I must tell you that Randalene is one of the most beautiful women I have ever photographed. Standing to the right is Natalie Lyle who did the most wonderful Makeup Styling on Randalene. It was perfect, exactly what I wanted and more! The heavy lifting and set up by my assistant Clyde Sawyer. From daylight poolside to dark corners we create it right here. Is that too fun!
I Am The Face!
Is this too fun! I am the featured face of the Professional Photographers of America. The world’s largest non-profit association for professional photographers, with more than 27,000 members.
Proper Lighting On A Bed
My photo shoot assistant for the day, Jennifer Chamberlin showing the proper use of the Sekonic light meter. It is not that easy to get the proper lighting on a bed at the Bellagio Las Vegas so Jennifer got right into the moment for me. Actually she was a superb assistant for a very long day, great posing coach and wardrobe stylist too! And if you don’t know, Jennifer has been featured as a model in many a fitness magazine and is a wonderful photographer herself.
Not About Me!
I know everyone is going to want to know where I buy my clothes and get my hair done. But this Behind The Scenes photo is not about me. Photographing a scene with the beautiful Shawn Towne and Chaun Williams as an extra. Although Shawn and my assistant Jennifer Chamberlin seemed to think he was a center of attention. Our Makeup and Hair Stylist Christine Copeland did keep a watchful and professional eye on Shawn but also seemed to catch an occasional cell phone pic of Chaun Williams as well. Well like I said, it is not about me.
On The Floor
What a wonderful and beautiful model! No not me! Shawn Towne behind the scenes in our photo shoot at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas the other day. Thank You to my assistant for the day, a superb photographer herself, Jennifer Chamberlin.
Behind The Scenes At City Athletic Club
Behind the scenes the other day on a photo shoot at City Athletic Club in Las Vegas. An incredibly gorgeous Shawn Towne complemented with Chaun Williams providing the right atmosphere in the gym. And a huge Thank You to Jennifer Chamberlin who was a wonderful photo assistant, modeling coach and wardrobe advisor. A really cool gym and a huge Thanks to everyone!
In Las Vegas With Film
Yes I still shoot some film. Here I am in Las Vegas earlier this week. Along with all my digital gear I brought along a film camera and some Kodak Professional film. I like the look!
“Legs Forever” – This Is Her!
You have heard the description “Legs Forever”. Well this is her, Natalie Lyle. More than just legs, she is also abs, arms, sexy and beautiful. Would you believe that when she first started working for me as my photo shoot Makeup Artist she had never even been in a gym in her entire life! I think all of the bodybuilding and fitness photography I do has rubbed off on her in a very good way. You can see Natalie on stage this Saturday at the NPC Grand Prix Bodybuilding, Figure, Physique and Bikini Championships in Los Angeles. Or you can just keep staring at this photograph from our photo shoot the other day. I won’t stop you, I am staring at her too!
As Perfect As It Gets
My day with Sasha Brown, photographing her around the Salton Sea, was as perfect as it gets. Beautiful weather and great scenery, even our Starbucks stops were fun. And as I looked at her through the camera and see the photographs today, I can say that Sasha is indeed as beautiful and scenic and perfect a woman as it gets as well.
Another Favorite…
Another one of my favorites, happened across this photograph when searching through my archives to fill a photo request. Ayla Webb from our photo shoot.
My New Photo Lighting Gear…
I added some new portable lighting equipment for my photo shoots. Who wants to model for me? I suggest bring sunglasses!
A Camera, A Few Rolls Of Film And Thou…
This is how I like to do it. Just a camera with a few rolls of film, yes film! And then a beautiful model with a unique look. The model is Xtine, very tall, slender and just stunning. I had a specific series of photographs I wanted to shoot for some magazines and Xtine was beyond my expectations. Then we photographed some more to take advantage of the time and the day. It was all perfect!
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