Capture the Glow

a new obsession

2011-03-10T16:22:00.000-08:00

I've had my iPhone 3GS for a little over a year now and I've loved taking photos with it. I've always got it in my pocket; it takes great photos and there are a multitude of photo editing apps to tweak my photos and make them look super pro. While I was traveling abroad, I took tons of photos and videos with my iPhone and I'm so glad because I didn't always carry my Canon 5D with me everywhere (that thing is HEAVY)!

Back in December I heard about this new free app for iPhone users called 'Instagram' (www.instagr.am) and it's absolutely amazing. You can edit your photos within the app using filters and then post the photo to a network of Instagrammers, who can then 'like' and comment on your photos. I've become quite addicted to Instagram. It's almost like a Twitter, but for photos. I've joined a group (@assignm3nt) that gives out daily photo assignments. These assignments have sparked my creativity and passion for photography all over again!

I'm thankful for this app because it is reigniting my passion for photography all over again! And now here is a sampling of some of my Instagram prints. If you have an iPhone and like photography, please join! Follow me @NaomiStrange ;)

^^ Bring Out The Barrel Wine

Tasting Weekend in El Dorado Co.

^^ My Chucks :)

^^ San Francisco Bay Bridge

^^ Roman Baths, Bath UK

^^ I Love Reading

traveling

2010-05-28T07:34:00.001-07:00

I'm traveling abroad!

You should follow my new blog: Naomi's Great Escape

Travel photography and stories posted there!

where'd the passion go?

2010-02-18T15:38:00.000-08:00

Last summer I decided not to do TFP (Trade For Pics) shoots anymore unless it was with an agency signed model or a shoot that would give me some kind of exposure. I have stuck with that and honestly haven’t been doing much shooting since.

Photography was something that made me feel absolutely alive, high on life, and sublimely happy; but last summer something changed and I all but completely lost interest. I’m not sure what happened. I’m still waiting for the fire to reignite.

In the meantime I have been doing a little photography and I’ve worked a few times with Robert Edwards, a professional chef and caterer. I adore shooting food! That is one thing I can not get enough of! So shooting with Robert, who is an amazing cook, has been a real pleasure. He had a cooking show I shot at Bloomingdales, he catered a birthday party and a bank holiday party. All of the events were fun for me – shooting the food as he prepared it, then shooting the prepared plates and dishes, and then shooting the people enjoying the food.

I have also photographed a few actors and musicians for their portfolio and PR materials, which is great exposure. Lately I’ve been getting more requests for shoots – sometimes I wonder where they are finding me because I have stopped advertising, but I’m surely not complaining!

I still pull out my camera to shoot a pretty dish of food I’ve made, or to photograph my two adorable nieces, but my photography has definitely (and regrettably) slowed down. I’m hoping the passion comes back!

** Check out Robert Edwards at http://ethanscatering.com/

Blog Break

2009-06-03T12:28:00.000-07:00

I realize I haven’t written a blog since April and I suspect there’s no one out there holding their breath… but I decided that I should update this blog occasionally regardless of my lack of fans and readers (ha!).

Just because I haven’t been blogging about my photo-shoots does not by any means mean that I have slowed down on shooting, because I haven’t. I’ve been just as busy taking and editing photos as I always have! I suppose I got tired of the formulaic blogging after shoots...

I recently returned from a two and a half week long vacation to New York City and I had a great time out there photographing NYC models, the city streets, my friends and the food I ate. I’ll have to get the photos posted on my gallery soon (right now they’re just on my Facebook page).

I’ve learned something about photography and what it means to me. This isn’t exactly a new realization but it is surprising to me each time it happens. I can be having the worst day imaginable; I will be cranky and in the lowest spirits imaginable… but when I meet with a model or client and put the camera to my eye… everything changes. Taking photos really turns my mood around, it makes me happy, releases dopamine and I feel like I’m walking on clouds. Photography makes me happy, makes me feel alive. I love photography! I need to do more of it (as though I don’t do enough as it is hehe)!

Post-production editing used to be a chore but now I look at it like the digital darkroom (what it is essentially) and I really enjoy it now that I’ve got a better grasp on what I’m doing with the various programs I use to edit my photos. I used to adore being in the darkroom back when I was shooting film. Now that I don’t shoot film (too expensive!) the digital darkroom soothes me and puts me into a meditative state. I love editing photos and producing a perfect, crisp, clean image. It makes me happy to see the final result and have my models and clients love it too.

Photography is really what I’ve been living for lately. So stay tuned…

Sun 3/29: Shoot w/ Jennifer

2009-04-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

I went to high school with Jennifer and recently got reconnected with her on Facebook, that lovely reconnection tool! (smile) I looked through her photos and really loved her face – I think she’s really photogenic. I offered to shoot her for my portfolio and after a few attempts we finally got together on Sunday in San Francisco.

We met near Crissy Field by the Marina district and she hopped into my car and we drove up into the Presidio district. I knew of a really cool forest area behind a huge graveyard, so we drove into the graveyard and parked near the back of it, and hiked into the forest area.

It was great hanging out with Jennifer, she has a really calm soothing energy and she’s very intelligent and thoughtful. I love people like that!! She’s moving soon to Minnesota because her husband got a job with the Mayo Clinic (wow!!!) and she’s looking forward to that move – she is ready to move on from the bay area and San Francisco (me too!) and is looking forward to experiencing actual season changes, instead of the constant cold/overcast season of San Francisco.

Jennifer was really comfortable in front of the camera, which is something I appreciate. I got some lovely photos of her out in the Presidio. Thanks so much for reading and checking out my work!

Sat 3/28: Shoot w/ Chirae and Jereen

2009-04-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

Today I had two shoots scheduled, first one at 10am with Chirae and another one at 3pm with Jereen. I scheduled Rebekah (the makeup artist/model I shot with a few weeks ago) to do Chirae’s makeup and both Chirae and Rebekah arrived around the same time to my place in Oakland. Rebekah did a great job, as usual, and Chirae’s makeup looked beautiful; she did a very soft natural look. Chirae and I went outside in my neighborhood and to shoot. It was a very bright and sunny day and the light was pretty harsh, so I tried to stay in the shaded areas along the streets. We got some pretty good shots!

Chirae is only 19 years old and already getting well into a career of screen writing and directing films. She is very mature for her age and I was shocked to learn of her age – I figured she’d be older than that! Two of her scripts were contest winners so I imagine she’s a really good writer, and she’s working on editing and directing other films. I look forward to seeing some of her work in the future. It’s so refreshing to see young talent making it!

The day got hotter as Chirae and I were wrapping up and since it was only around noon, I decided to spend the time between shoots at the beach. So after Chirae left, my partner and I went to the neighborhood café and got some sandwiches and salads and went to the beach. We lay on the sand, enjoyed our lunch, and I ended up taking a short nap and getting a little sun burnt, but it was so nice to spend some time at the water and in the sun! I did oversleep a bit though and made it back to my house just as Jereen was pulling up.

Jereen is an adorable girl and came all the way from Sacrament to work with me. Since it was so hot outside and the light was so harsh, I decided to shoot her first look in my studio, so we shot indoors first. I got some great shots of her, she’s very photogenic and I enjoyed using my lights (which I haven’t used in a while since I’ve been focusing on outdoor shooting lately). Then she changed and we walked around my neighborhood shooting in shaded areas. I got some great shots of her, she’s so beautiful!

If you’d like to see the photos from my shoots today please check them out in my gallery.

Thurs 3/26: Shoot w/ Natalie A.

2009-03-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

I’ve shot with Natalie a few times before – she is a great pin-up model with such clean, great features and I think she’s just beautiful! The first time I shot her we did a set in my studio. Then she called me randomly one day wanting to know if I could take a few shots of her with no makeup on for a clothing company in Los Angeles that was looking for models. I was working from home that day so I agreed and we got some good shots of her sans makeup (she’s got the clearest most gorgeous skin)! She was accepted as a model and flew down to LA for her shoot – I was so happy for her! yay!

Anyway, so we got together on Thursday evening to do a sunset shoot in Downtown Oakland. First we went to Old Downtown and shot there in a little brick lined walkway below the sidewalk. The area was one I’d noticed before and always wanted to go down and take photos there so I’m glad I got to utilize it this time! I love brick! Then we went down near Jack London Square and shot there around where the fruit warehouses are. Natalie is great – she’s so vibrant and cute, we got some really adorable shots.

The sunset was lovely and cast a gorgeous soft glow on Natalie and I feel like I got some pretty good photos of her! If you’d like to check out the photos please look at my gallery, and you can also see photos from the shoots in the past that I’ve done with her as well.

Sun 3/22: Shoot w/ Crystal Moy

2009-03-22T20:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes my colleague, Crystal Moy, wears adorable Gothic Lolita style dresses to work on "dress down Friday's". I was so interested in her wardrobe and style that I asked her if she'd let me take her photo wearing her amazing costumes! She agreed (a little reclutantly) and we got together and shot today.

Let me just say... I LOVE her wardrobe! LOVE IT! I wish I was tiny and cute so I could wear Gothic Lolita style dresses, but alas, I am six feet tall, I don't think I'd look very cute in the Gothic Loli clothing!! I'd booked a makeup artist (MUA) but she flaked at the last minute so I got the amazing Rebecca Hinh to fill in for me. I've worked with Rebecca a few times before and she's always been punctual, communicative and professional. Trust me, that's rare here (in the Bay Area) and especially for someone her age - she's only 18 I believe! Anyway, Rebecca did a GREAT job with the makeup and hair, and then Crystal and I hit the streets in my neighborhood to shoot!

Someone recently dumped some large overstuffed armchairs at the end of my street (this seems to happen a lot here, people coming by and dropping off their junk) so I thought I'd utulize one of the chairs for our shoot. I set the chair up in the middle of the street, along with a little side table and some gorgeous china tea ware, and Crystal pretended to have "tea" in the middle of the street. It was fabulous!

Then Crystal changed outfits and we walked around my industrial neighborhood taking photos in front of various overgrowth. The shoot was great, I had such a good time, and I adore the photos! I love the Gothic Lolita style, it's so cute to me, and I really think the photos came out great.

If you're intersted in seeing the whole set please check out my gallery! Thanks for reading!

Sat 3/21: Shoot w/ Maxine Myles

2009-03-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

I'd been looking forward to my shoot with Maxine Myles for a few weeks now because she's got so many different looks in her portfolio (on Model Mayhem) and I think she's just gorgeous. When she came by today I was really impressed with her personality as well as her diverse look. We had a great time talking about everything and I loved working with her.

First we walked around my neighborhood and took photos - I live in a pretty industrial neighborhood and there are lots of rusted old pieces of machinery and natural overgrowth. There is also usually a semi-truck bed near the warehouses and having a model pose inside the truck bed makes for gorgeous soft light, I've found.

After we shot around my neighborhood we came back to my house and Maxine changed, then we drove up to a park in the Oakland hills - San Joaquin Miller park. We walked around there and shot for a while and enjoyed the view of the gorgeous bay and San Francisco across the water. Maxine has a vibrant personality and I felt like we got along really well! She had some very interesting stories to tell, that's for sure! She's got a strong fire-like personality and I really enjoyed photographing her and hanging out as well!

If you're interested in seeing more photos from the shoot with Maxine, please check out my gallery and feel free to leave comments!

Sun 3/15: Shoot w/ Jennifer Jane

2009-03-15T17:21:00.001-07:00

Jennifer and I have been friends for a while now - I met her a few years ago when I moved back to San Francisco from New York City. She's really into photography too but she is one of the few that also like to pose for photos - so we shot each other today!

Jennifer dressed up in a wonderful Victorian-era costume with lots of flowers in her hair and bracelets on her arms. She looked amazing!! I especially loved the little skeleton head she put in with the flowers and feathers in her hair. She's got such a great sense of fashion.

I picked up Jen at her house near Lake Merritt, Oakland, and then we drove over to West Oakland to the abandoned train station there. I've shot there a few times - the location is really amazing, and I just love abandoned anything!!

The abandoned train station went really well with Jen's costume - in some of the photos she looks like she's waiting for a train that has not come thru for years - it's great! I really loved shooting there with her costuming, we got some great shots!

If you're interested in seeing more shots from our shoot check them out in my gallery!

Sat 3/14: Shoot w/ Rebekah

2009-03-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

In addition to being a photographer, I also model occasionally. I used to model a lot a few years ago, but that has died down and I'm far more into photography now. I do, however, enjoy posing for the camera and if someone wants to photograph me I am always happy to accommodate. (smile)

I've got a few other girl friends who do this photographer/model combo and I've gotten together with them to trade shoots - she shoots me, I shoot her - and it's always a real good time. It's great to shoot each other because you learn so much about both photography and modeling! I love it.

Rebekah and I got together at her large, beautiful home in the East Bay on Saturday. Her home gets a lot of gorgeous, soft natural light so we didn't even need to use the ring flash that I'd brought! We photographed each other and got caught up on news from our lives - it was a really good time.

Rebekah is totally gorgeous and a great model. She is an artist first, however, and I believe that really helps with her posing and knowing what looks good for the camera. She's also a great makeup and makeover artist so please check out her Real Venus cosmetics and makeover website!

Rebekah has done my makeup before and I was amazed, really, at how great it looked! I wish I could do my makeup that nicely myself! She's really a talented artist and I'm sure that has a lot to do with her being a great makeup artist too!

Sun 3/8: Shoot w/ Devane Family

2009-03-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

My colleague Michelle Devane wanted some photos of her two daughters, Morgan (age 7) and Melania (age 4) so I came over to their home in Dublin to photograph her girls.

First Michelle gave me a tour of her gorgeous, large, airy home. I was very impressed with the large tile floors and the spacious rooms. We decided to photograph Morgan first, in her bedroom, and then move to Melania's room to photograph her.

Working with children has always been something I've both enjoyed and been very good at. I absolutely love kids, and they can tell it, and they (mostly, usually) love me too. Anyway, it was great interacting with Morgan and photographing her. She is a great little model, very photogenic and was so patient.

Melania was very excited to have her photo taken! She posed, smiled and had a great time in front of the camera. She is very full of energy and really cracked me up, so much so, that my cheeks were hurting from laughing so much!

After we did some photos in the house we walked down to the park that's a few blocks from the Devane home. I took photos of the girls playing on the playground and some family photos as well.

All in all, it was a great shoot and I got some excellent photos of the girls and the family! I love photographing kids!! So fun! :)

Sat 3/7: Shoot w/ Gupri

2009-03-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

I started shooting models in November 2008 because I wanted to get better at photography, hone in on my personal style and work with people that were beautiful and knew how to pose. It's been four months later and I’ve seen my photography grow by leaps and bounds but I’m still nowhere close to where I hope to be with my work. It’s been a great challenge for me and the payoff has been enormous. I’m so glad I’ve been able to work with models as it’s really helped to up my game, so to speak.

I meet the models I work with through a modeling networking site I’ve been on for years – as a model – and only recently as a photographer. The site is called Model Mayhem and it’s a great networking tool.

This past Saturday morning I met with Gupri in downtown San Francisco. I had a model cancel our shoot that we’d scheduled a month before so I rushed to look for a fill in for the slot. Gupri had some free time available so we shot together. We met up and shot first in this amazing little bamboo park on Mission near 1st Street. Then we walked around and shot in a few different locations within a three or four block radius.

Working with Gupri was amazing! She is not only stunningly beautiful, but she’s also tall (which adds to the stunning factor) and she’s a great model. Totally poised, wonderful poses, very comfortable and needed little to no direction from me, which is great, because I’m not all that wonderful at directing models anyway – hah!

I really clicked with Gupri because she and I both have a love affair with New York City. She lived there for four years, me for three, and she’d just come back to San Francisco (her family’s in the Sac area) about a year ago. We complained about how small San Francisco seems, and talked about how much we loved New York City. Gupri seems to be very focused and driven.

I had a great shoot with Gupri and got some gorgeous photos of her… which wasn’t hard at all, because she is really breathtakingly beautiful!!

If you’d like to see the photos from the shoot with Gupri check out my online gallery!

First Blog

2009-03-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

I've started this blog so that I can write about my photo-shoots with clients and models. I hope to blog about my shoots and share my experiences with photography. Check back in for updates!