REDEFINE | Project – 100 black dads by Lucy Baber Photography

May 16, 2017by hellodearphotographer5 Comments

Why are you passionate about this project?

There has been a lot of media attention on police violence, especially against black men and boys over the past few years. Black men are typically portrayed as “violent”, “dangerous”, and “criminals” in the media, which continues to perpetuate racial bias and a culture of fear within our society. These are not the black men I know. The black men I know are loving, nurturing, hard working, and like any other parent, they just want to raise their children in peace. As an artist, I felt a responsibility to fight back against those negative media messages by using my art. By taking photos of dads with their kids, I wanted to change the narrative about black men so that people can start to see them for the amazing men that they really are.

Tell me about your intro to photography and what connections can it be traced back to your project?

I bought my first camera in 2010, and I’ve been in business as a family photographer since 2012. I considered several different approaches to this particular project, but in the end I knew the most sustainable option would be to focus on what I know best: lifestyle family photography. Especially when working with dads, I find that I’m able to get the most joyful and authentic expressions when I ask them to interact with their kids for family photos.

How important do you feel projects like these are in the photography world?

Social justice issues are extremely important to me. So important, in fact, that I started a private Facebook group for other photographers to collaborate and support each other as we take on social justice photo projects. I believe our current political climate makes these projects even more urgent right now. In this current culture of “fake news” and “alternative facts”, I believe that photography and art are absolutely crucial to anyone who wants to rediscover the Truth. It can be really overwhelming and confusing when there are so many mixed messages put out by the media, but a simple photo can speak volumes. This project has been really centering for me, in my ongoing pursuit of Truth.

What were the challenges for you in the beginning with the project ?

As a white woman wanting to engage in a photo project about black men, I wanted to be very careful not to do or say the wrong thing. I took two years to really flesh out the goals and specifics of the project before I made a public announcement about it, and during that time I also spoke with several trusted friends and mentors in the black community. I spent a lot of time on educating myself on the Black Lives Matter movement as well. I did a lot of reading about social justice issues and I attended local events to learn from leaders in the black community. I paid special attention to criticisms from the black community about the potential for harm from “white allies”. I really wanted to develop a project that would not only emphasize a positive narrative about these men, but would also be welcomed and embraced by the black community. I didn’t want to overstep my boundaries in any way.

Also, on a much smaller scale, scheduling has been another challenge. As a work from home mom and small business owner, it can be difficult to tackle personal projects in a timely manner. This is not a paid project, and even the process of applying for art grants takes time that, frankly, my three year old doesn’t always let me have. Nevertheless, I keep chugging away! I know that in our fast-paced social media culture, projects can lose public interest if they don’t happen quickly. But at the same time, I want to let this project develop at its own pace. It is changing me as much as it giving back to others, and I don’t want to rush that process.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Lucy Baber is a lifestyle newborn and family photographer in the Philadelphia area. Her work can be followed at the following links:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

LENSBABY PROJECT, PHOTOGRAPHY, PROJECTS

The traveling LENSBABY project | feature by Jessica Mielke Photography

May 15, 2017by hellodearphotographerLeave a Comment

What is one thing about your photos that says the most about you as a person. Dig deep!

Wow this is a tough question. I feel I am an authentic person and I try to be open and vulnerable with my life. I try to document in a way that shows the real, raw, vulnerable parts of life.

Can you tell us a little bit about the process you’ve gone through (or that you are going through) to find your photographic style? How has it evolved over the years?

I picked up my first DSLR in 2008 and I have never looked back. I have bounced around genres and styles a lot actually and it wasn’t until very recently that I have found a style that I love. I struggled with what my heart was telling me to photograph over what made my family some money. For years I photographed everything, I booked whatever I could to make money but I was emotionally and artistically drained. It wasn’t until I decided that I needed to shoot 100% for me that I really began to define my style. I started editing the way I wanted to edit vs what my clients were used to.

What Lensbaby lenses have you shot with before? How have they transformed your work?

I have never shot with a lensbaby before. Eep I was so excited to get this one in the mail for the week. It was definitely tough to nail the focus for me but I still loved it and I have one in my Amazon cart right now.
I have never used a lensbaby, but I have done a lot of freelensing and I feel that helped transform my work a lot. I learned that some images are best out of focus because life isn’t always in focus.

Why is it important that photographers not get too fixed in their ways? What makes experimentation so crucial to an artist’s growth?

Experimenting is SOOOO crucial. I bounced around a lot when I was beginning and I think that really helped me figure out what I loved to photograph! You can’t grow as an artist if you’re not constantly evolving, learning, experimenting. I don’t want to be the same artist in a year. I want to be better, I want my images to speak to someone and if I don’t occasionally experiment with what I am doing that is never going to happen, change and growth will never happen.

ABOUT THE ARTIST :

I am Jessica. I am a seeker of light and love. I live in Aurora Colorado with my husband, two crazy kids, three crazy dogs and 5 even crazier chickens.. I photograph in the Denver Metro Area and select dates in Tucson Arizona. I am a storyteller and lifestyle photographer. I document Maternity, Births and Families. I believe that life should be documented as it is, messy and crazy, sometimes dark and grainy.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

LENSBABY PROJECT, PHOTOGRAPHY, PROJECTS

The traveling Lensbaby project|featuring Christina McLauchlin

May 8, 2017May 8, 2017by hellodearphotographerLeave a Comment

Questions by Lensbaby Inc

The project is set around trying and experimenting with a Lensbaby lens, the Twist 60 is traveling through the U.S.A + Canada currently. Each artist has one week of play time. All of the artist are attending out Out of the box collective in June in Denver CO.

What is one thing about your photos that says the most about you as a person. Dig deep!

I always try to convey the essence of the human spirit within nature. When you look at my photographs, I want you to see something beyond them. I want to strip away all the superficial to take you somewhere deep and dark and to the core of who we really are as human beings. I rarely make it to that level, but that is what I’m consistently striving for in my work. That’s what drives me to improve.

Can you tell us a little bit about the process you’ve gone through (or that you are going through) to find your photographic style? How has it evolved over the years?

I’m trying so hard to get my skills up to the level of my vision. I can see what I want to do in my head, but I can’t always translate it to my work. There is a gap there. However, I’ve noticed that when I get close to closing that gap, my vision for what I want gets more involved. I may never close that gap and maybe I never want to! I wouldn’t like photography if it didn’t challenge me. One of my favorite quotes is “Joy lies in the fight, in the attempt, in the suffering involved, not in the victory itself.” – Gandhi.

What Lensbaby lenses have you shot with before? How have they transformed your work?

The Twist 60 is the only Lensbaby I’ve ever tried. I love how it gives my images an ethereal, dreamy quality. That definitely makes an image more dynamic. I love the depth it gives!

Why is it important that photographers not get too fixed in their ways? What makes experimentation so crucial to an artist’s growth?

There’s no such thing as standing still. You’re either getting better or you’re getting worse. Trying new tools and new ways of doing things keeps you engaged, happy, and satisfied as an artist.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
I’m a photographer located in Northern California. I put my whole heart and soul into capturing the beauty of people as they really are. I feel a strong connection to nature. My main goal with my art is to convey the essence of the human spirit against the backdrop of this beautiful earth. My children are my preferred muses.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | PORTRAIT COLLECTIVE
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IPHONE X DSLR CHALLENGE, PHOTOGRAPHY, PROJECTS

IPHONE VS. DSLR CHALLENGE | Casey McCauley Photography

April 21, 2017April 21, 2017by hellodearphotographer4 Comments

To see which is image is either D S L R or I P H O N E : Hover your mouse over the image, If on phone select image to view.

DSLR

IPHONE

First a bit about you, your years in the industry and why you love photography?

Hey there, I’m Casey! Wife, mother, cheese and coffee lover (although not the two together, eek). I’m married to my best friend and together we have two boys (ages 7 and 20 months) along with two furry ladies who keep us plenty busy. We currently live in Peoria, IL, a small city a few hours outside of Chicago. For years, being a musician was the creative force and drive in my life, but after becoming a parent, it no longer made sense to be out till the wee hours of the morning playing to the bar crowd. I just didn’t have the zest for it in the same way. Not long before my son turned three, I finally decided to take “the camera” out to the park. I mean, I read the manual, so clearly I knew what I was doing. Right? Ugh, no….but, what I did know is that I was officially hooked. Photography was exactly what I needed in my life. If I am completely honest, my love of photography first grew out of learning, teaching myself something new. It really wasn’t until I found my voice in photography that the drive to document began. I think I have always observed people like a documentarian, but until I had a camera in my hand, my love for it hadn’t yet come alive. That day at the park was almost five years ago. I am still learning and documenting. Loving every minute of it!

DSLR

IPHONE

How do you feel about the threat to photography because of the new efficiency and versatility of phone cameras?

In my personal experience, I have learned so much about my photography style simply by shooting with my iphone, and would never see this tool as a threat to photography. In fact, I see it as the opposite. An asset to those who pursue photography. From the beginning, I only saw it as another, different tool through which to see the world. The challenge of shooting with my phone was completely different than shooting with my DSLR. While not the same technically, or as complicated, I found that shooting with my phone really gave me that calm to really see the moments. Especially in the beginning when I was still learning how to shoot manually with my “big girl camera”. I was able to see the moments and shoot, rather than panic about the exposure triangle. I was able to take the time to see the light and really observe it, and try new things.

DSLR

IPHONE

How often do you shoot with any of the given devices? (meaning do you shoot daily with either)

I shoot with both my iPhone and my DSLR daily. I will often use my iPhone with a little more spontaneity because it’s always so conveniently with me. There are definitely times that are less ideal, especially with a super active toddler, for me to have my DSLR with me when I leave the house. It’s much easier at home to use my big camera. To truly document, I need to have it out and ready so I’m not fiddling around in my bag and I might miss those important moments. So, chasing a toddler around in public, and being 100% present sometimes comes at the sacrifice of not using my big camera sometimes. Depending on what I am working on, or what I would like to accomplish, I will always have one or the other with me. Lately, I’ve been shooting more often with my DSLR as I have started filming with my camera on a regular basis. Motion is my new jam!

DSLR

IPHONE

Do you feel like Phone images can have the impact of DSLR ones.?

I truly do. You can capture all of the same elements with your phone. (dynamic light, mood, moment, movement, etc.) Some of my most favorite images over the years have been shot with my phone. For a few years now, I’ve been printing my iPhone images in books from Artifact Uprising. My kids love to look through them over and over. I have more recently, printed and framed, several iphone images for my walls at home. After all, they are our memories, and would impact us just the same if taken with any other camera.

DSLR

IPHONE

How do you feel about Iphone only photographers?

iPhone only photographers?…“Hell, yeah”. That’s what I say about that! I say…be you, whatever that is. If you don’t need a fancy, expensive, technically savvy camera to document the world you see, then more power to you. It’s not about what tools you use, its what you create that really matters. From my own personal experience, shooting often with both an iphone and dslr has only helped me become a better photographer. I don’t look at a phone camera as a camera that is less than. In fact, a little over a year ago, I was accepted as a ClickPro member at Clickin Moms by submitting a set of 200 iphone images. To me, I had nothing to lose by submitting images that I was proud of. I had found my voice in photography by shooting with whatever tool I felt like using at the time.

DSLR

IPHONE

Tell us about your processing, is cohesiveness important to you?

Usually my process with editing iPhone images is to edit in VSCO on my phone. I typically will edit using A6 or C3 depending on the image. I usually lower the opacity between 4-7 on those images. I will typically bump the contrast +1 or +2. Clarity +.5 or +1, and Sharpen at a 2. iPhone images typically look pretty sharp. Occasionally, I will just hand edit. For this project, I edited all the images raw in LR either hand edits or using the VSCO film packs 00 and 01. I love the fuji presets and the Kodak Gold presets. I will always tweak some good amount, and will most often adjust the split toning to my liking as well.

I wanted to edit both images, in this case, as close to exact as possible. I find the white balance in the iPhone is almost spot on. So much closer than with my Mark iV. I never custom white balance cause…”aint nobody got time for that.”

As far as cohesiveness,

I think so. Only until recently did I really even post much dslr work online, which seems so behind the times, I know. But, looking at what I found with shooting with my phone so frequently, I wanted both my voice and style to show through no matter what I was shooting with. Make sense? In a sense, the iPhone helped me find my shooting and editing style…so in essence it taught me how to achieve the results I wanted when using my dslr. Which really helped me achieve cohesiveness in my work ..and specifically for this challenge, I wanted to push cohesiveness as far as I could.

DSLR

IPHONE

Finally, What gear was used to achieve both iphone and dslr images?

-Canon 5d Mark IV

-Sigma 35mm 1.4 Art

-Iphone 7plus

VSCO 01 – Fuji 160 – (tweaked) VSCO 00 – Kodak Gold 100 – – (tweaked) I may have hand edited a few, just can’t recall which ones.

DSLR

IPHONE

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Casey McCauley is a silly, loud-talking, music making, coffee addict. She resides in central Illinois where she spends the majority of her time juggling and documenting a magical life at home with her two boys, two giant furry ladies, and her comic-book making husband. In her spare time you may find her dancing in the kitchen, planning her next road trip, or riding the occasional roller coaster. (arms up, of course!)

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

PHOTOGRAPHY, PROJECTS, REDEFINE

REDEFINE | THE BARE ALL Project featuring 10 bare toes Photography

April 11, 2017April 11, 2017by hellodearphotographer4 Comments

bareallprojectdearphotographer blog

“There is only one sun. We can’t all claim to only have one way to use the light, but we can REDEFINE how we choose to express it. “

Why are you passionate about photographing women?

10BTP: Well, that’s a big question for me… and it goes way back. ..
I read this quote recently and it brought me to tears.

‘I love the person
I’ve become,
because I fought
to become her.’
– kaci diane

… I fought to become HER.

I am PASSIONATE about encouraging women to create space to see themselves as ART through portraiture. Being able to draw out and reflect a beauty that is so much deeper and timeless than makeup and style that we love playing in…. drawing out the SOUL that makes HER irreplaceable.

Becoming a woman, and a strong one, comes with incredible challenge. Or at least it did for me. I struggled as a teen and young adult holding myself against the weight of perfection in academics, volleyball, social life and somewhere along the way, I lost myself. I developed a warped relationship with exercise and food that consumed me.. And as circumstances lead me I was deeply betrayed by someone I called a friend which perpetuated the eating disorder to a state I needed intense medical and psychological help to overcome it…. it took years on the road of recovery that I could write another ; ) book about….I finally made it.. I was finally free from the patterns and self loathing… I was free from even ALL fear around FOOD.. and my BODY and I fought damn hard to get to that place… but I didn’t’ LOVE myself.. I was still quick to fall into comparison, see my flaws magnified and feel ashamed of my past.
Fast forward: I receive my engagement photos from Jennifer Skog, an amazing photographer who I am still ever inspired by, they were the first professional photos of myself that I ever felt beautiful!! The feeling was incredible.. I didn’t know anything like it.. Those images changed the way I saw myself.
Fast forward: Pregnant with my third child, doing a 365 project and taking my first self portraits for the monthly ‘You Today’ prompt. It sparked something, a higher love.. I could love myself because this creation inside of me, Seeing myself and loving it because it was more me in the frame gave me the space to grow in self love.. And then sharing it! And So my photography journey was born .. and ever since I’ve been PASSIONATE about women young and old seeing themselves in a new way and loving it!

How did this project come about? Why did you chose this specific name?

10BTP: It started with self portraiture. Like I mentioned, I’ve been taking self portraits for years, but it wasn’t until I took The Wildheart Course with Candice Zurich, that they became a life force for me. Before, they were strictly maternity documentation, or to be in the frame with the kids.. And I always had this fear of putting myself out there.. I almost hid behind my belly or my kids.. like, who cares about me? During those four weeks i gave myself permission to BE the subject.. And more than growing the skills in light lines, and emotion in self portraiture.. I grew in shamelessly loving myself.. Because why the hell not? When my first set came through editing I hit me.. no one has to care, because I could care less if they do.. I’m doing this for me! I was hooked!! It wasn’t that I loved all of them or they were all amazing.. But i was fascinated with learning more.

This deep seeded part of myself that desperately needed to be seen and cultivated started to grow…. I rose up… I found my photographic voice for parts of myself that I could never articulate.. It became a force to be reckoned with and I had to share it.
I knew I had to try.. I created a separate instagram handle, I put out a ‘model’ call, drafted a questionnaire to find out why these women desired a session like this to create an authentic space for them to get vulnerable and feel empowered…. And I just went for it.
It’s called THE BARE ALL Project. The handle @10_BARE_ALL a spin off of my @10baretoes Photography company. Because we can only truly love ourselves when we can honestly BARE ALL.. peel away the layers .. really see HER. as she is in the deeper places and say yes, this is ME on this phase of my journey and I choose to love her , because I fought hard to become her! No regrets.

Tell us a bit about your photography journey

10BTP: I started out tinkering with my camera for Project 365 with Design Aglow back in 2013.. then, being the oldest of four sisters, two of them being in high school at the time, I was asked to take their senior portraits and it grew.. Their friends, and friends of friends wanted ME to shoot their senior portraits! WHAT?? These sessions were/are more than a portrait session,.. They’re an adventure, and experience. Traveling to cool places, extensive planning and guidance, showering her with encouraging words and attention and putting myself before her being shameless and silly, laughing at myself as I ‘model’. Receiving love notes from parents saying that I captured their daughter.. Not just a portrait, but really captured HER, that girl they raised.. The one they know so well.. It’s an incredible feeling being able to give a family that gift.

Since 2013, I’ve done a lot of senior portraits, lifestyle family work and lately, I’m doing more engagements and weddings alongside these intimate women’s empowerment session that I call the BARE ALL sessions.

What makes these sessions different than your standard Boudoir sessions?

10BTP: Let me begin by saying that I am really into boudoir sessions, I love sexy, and lace, boobs and booty and all the rest of it.. But these are a just a little different.. Or they come from a different place initially anyway.. Wherever the muse takes them is up in the air. They’re less objectifying.. They’re not for HIM, while if there is a him, he will likely love them… but that’s irrelevant because they’re for YOU. They’re about discovering a deeper layer of the girl inside. BAREing ALL to find her.. and deciding to love HER. They’re dynamic.. intimate, emotional, vulnerably sensual…empowering.. Shameless and fun! They’re intense and then lighthearted.. They’re a journey.. Saying YES! I love who I am! My body, my soul, my journey and not taking it all too seriously.

What are the tips you would share with anyone trying to photograph more women? or attempting a personal project like this?

-I’d start with yourself, while we all have a different journey.. . Deep down we are pretty similar in the needs we have as women.. Reflect, ask yourself why you want to photograph women.. What do you hope they see or draw from their images? Journal.. Try it on. Go for it.
-I’d encourage you, if you haven’t, to take self portraits and also try have another photographer take your portraits. Being able to relate to being the ‘model’ and client, you can predict the need for prompting, you can play with different posing and be able to mirror it for them during their session.
-dont’ think too much about it… don’t be crushed if it doesn’t all happen at once.. Just keep going.
– put it out there, ask friends or put out a model call have them sign a release on images so you can share them.. And keep sharing until you can shoot more!

What were the challenges for you in the beginning?

10BTP: Owning It.

Being able to communicate the project specifically to make an agreement with models and then creating opportunities for her to open up .. people know boudoir, but being able to identify the theme before the shoot then going into it with the pep talk .. it helps.

Being brave. As passionately as I feel about this project and photographing women, I still struggle with riding a line… BARE-ing ALL is sometimes really scary, especially when you’re putting yourself out there.. I tend to second guess and deliberate over what to share .. and wonder if I am going too strong or censoring and I think it’s a healthy line to ride.. But a challenging one.

Finding a location. When it’s intimate finding a location can be challenging, and when there’s not a real obvious place that comes to mind I go minimal.. Try a blank space .. or a small nook with great light.. And make it personal for her.

170127-10 BARE ALL 10baretoes Photography -001 170204-10 BARE ALL 10baretoes Photography -003 170211-10 BARE ALL 10baretoes Photography -007 170217-10 BARE ALL 10baretoes Photography -011 170315-10 BARE ALL 10baretoes Photography -001

ABOUT THE ARTIST

HEY HEY!!
I’m Brittny Debonis from @10baretoes Photography I am a portrait and wedding photographer in the SF BAY AREA. I’ve been married for 8 years and eventually respond to ‘MOOOOM!’ from my four spunky little kiddos.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM 1 & 2 | PINTEREST

PHOTOGRAPHY, PROJECT 52, PROJECTS

Monthly Epic Share #p52radness Month 3

March 31, 2017March 31, 2017by hellodearphotographer3 Comments

“blessed be
she
who is
both
furious
and
magnificent”

-Taylor Rhodes

Month 3. I think it was a tough month, inspiration came slowly for most of us. Some weeks we had many “place holders” in case the big idea didn’t pan out .

ALL of the women really surprise me with the insane vulnerability they are able to put forth. I am not there yet, It has always been so tough to let my inner feelings show. When women in this group share their photographs and then it’s followed by “but i hate this or that about it” it’s crazy. All I see is beauty and bravery. Stepping out of comfort zones and pushing past fears. So much beauty and passion.

If you are still unsure about photographing yourself, I dare you to find an old photograph of your mother and hate an inch of it.

If you’d love to check out our group here’s the link : FB RAD GROUP

Also be sure to check last month’s post : Month 2

in no specific order……

KARISSA EATON

LAUREN WEBSTER

ZAIDA LUCIA

JENNY GRIMM

ERIN BROOKS

FRANCESCA MARCHESE

ANDREA SMETHURST

CHRISTINE WRIGHT

CHELSEA CRONKRITE

BRITT FISK

JAMIE DAVIS

JANEL PEYTON

NORLEENA HORTON

SOPHIE JANE

CHELSEY HILL

LINDSEY STIGLEMAN

BRIDGET PARMENTER

DEVIN MOORE

CARO

AMBER LEANN

MINDY TINGSON

ELISE MEADER

BEC STEWART

JENN BARTELL

CHELSEA WHITMAN

KYLA EWERT

BRITTANY DEJESUS

JOHANNA URSHEL

AMY MELISSA

ERIN AASLAND

APRIL KRAUS

CAMILLE ARNER

POST BY ADRI DE LA CRUZ

PHOTOGRAPHY, PROJECTS

Monthly EPIC SHARE-| Project 52 favorites #p52radness

February 28, 2017February 28, 2017by hellodearphotographerLeave a Comment

Another month has come and gone.

& the amount of insanely talented photographers joining our project keeps growing. I have no words to describe what it means to see their images and their encouraging words reflected back on to the project. So many of us struggle to find time, and lately inspiration. We are hopeful for spring and the renewed set of eyes that comes with a new season. You’ll be surprised how changing a teensy detail can lead to inspiration. If you are lacking inspiration for self portraits try these :

Capture your hands doing anything. Hold your partners hands, hold a favorite artifact, write yourself a letter.
Capture movement, place camera on ground and simply move.
Capture your favorite seat in your house, plop down and embrace the stillness.

“OUT OF YOUR VULNERABILITIES WILL COME YOUR STRENGTH ”

-SIGMUND FREUD

Cannot wait to see what next month brings. If you missed last month >>> Check it out Monthly Epic Share Month One , and join our group here .

Why are you passionate about this project?

Tell me about your intro to photography and what connections can it be traced back to your project?

How important do you feel projects like these are in the photography world?

What were the challenges for you in the beginning with the project ?

What is one thing about your photos that says the most about you as a person. Dig deep!

Can you tell us a little bit about the process you’ve gone through (or that you are going through) to find your photographic style? How has it evolved over the years?

What Lensbaby lenses have you shot with before? How have they transformed your work?

Why is it important that photographers not get too fixed in their ways? What makes experimentation so crucial to an artist’s growth?

What is one thing about your photos that says the most about you as a person. Dig deep!

Can you tell us a little bit about the process you’ve gone through (or that you are going through) to find your photographic style? How has it evolved over the years?

What Lensbaby lenses have you shot with before? How have they transformed your work?

Why is it important that photographers not get too fixed in their ways? What makes experimentation so crucial to an artist’s growth?

To see which is image is either D S L R or I P H O N E : Hover your mouse over the image, If on phone select image to view.

“blessed be she who is both furious and magnificent”

Another month has come and gone.

in no specific order , a few favorites….

MEREDITH MINOR

“blessed be
she
who is
both
furious
and
magnificent”