STREET STYLE + CAPTURING MOVEMENT
It's always fun to work with friends, especially ones as beautiful and amazing as Maegan. I usually experiment more and push myself out of my comfort zone when I'm with friends. The situation is relaxed and not stressful, so it's a great opportunity to try new things.
I've never shot a fitness shoot, so of course I told Maegan to bring her workout clothes and get ready to jump (she's a gymnast).
I also was working in a natural light studio for the first time, so this session was full of firsts. The studio was so much fun to work with, but it did take me awhile to figure out my exposure levels. The studio had a beautiful window, and I love the look of windows being slightly overexposed, but it's hard to find a balance. I ended up doing a little bit of both, which was great because when I was post-processing I found out what I liked better—slightly overexposed, because if it was too extreme the subject started to become fuzzy.
Another thing I experimented with was showing movement. Capturing a jump crisply creates great photos, but sometimes the lack of motion makes the photo seem stale and lacking. By lowering my shutter speed I was able to capture crisp looking shots that also showed how the subject was moving.
After I made Maegan jump, stretch and do handstands we went outside for some street style shots. It was an overcast day, which created a beautiful, moody look. Because there was no direct sunlight outside, I tried to position Maegan in a way that still highlighted her face. For example, there was a covered area, so I had Maegan stand just barely in front of where the edge of the roof was. This caused the background to be darker and made it more apparent that Maegan's face was highlighted.
The beautiful thing about overcast days is that you can take pictures anywhere. You don't have to strategically place your subjects as much, which I actually enjoy, but for street style photography it allows the subject to be more natural. I could have Maegan casually walk across the street and get some really great motion shots from any angle.
The best thing about photography is that it's dynamic. There is no best or worst, you merely make the best out of every situation. Sure, overcast has been labeled as "ideal," and I love shooting on over cast days, but being able to adjust to any situation is the key to being successful. Something will always not go as planned. That is why I try to challenge myself by shooting at various times of the day, even the dreaded high noon, and at locations that will make me have to be creative.
If you can let go of expectations of how you want a shoot to go or how your pictures should look, then you can look at issues as challenges. You will be able to create beautiful shots no matter what, and photography will be much more enjoyable.
"WHEREVER THERE IS LIGHT, ONE CAN PHOTOGRAPH."
-ALFRED STIEGLITZ
