studio

Something soft & sexy, something mean and something in-between

Most every time I work with a new model I get asked the same question: What should I bring to wear?

There is no doubt that clothing, makeup and the ability to ‘strike a pose’ are important to a successful portrait/modeling session. However, the most essential asset a model can bring to the studio or location is the ability to interact with the camera.

My job at a shoot is to make them look as best I am able given my limited skills with lighting and equipment. I cannot, however, do it alone. You have seen that cell phone snapshot that drew you in; you have also seen a professional portrait that, although technically sound, just leaves you feeling that something misfired. A model must have an understanding they are not trying to tease/seduce/influence me as the photographer: They must make the connection with the viewer of the photograph.

They must make the connection with the viewer of the photograph.

My answer to the outfit question: Bring something soft & sexy, something mean and something in-between.

8 Models in 8 Hours: A good time was had by all.

I had used the very capable Ashley Rihel: Hair and Makeup Artist on several corporate, meetup and model portfolio assignments. She is always on time and ready to work. During a recent studio session Ashley asked if I would do some trade work with her to develop her MUA portfolio. Always willing to help I said “Sure, let me know”. Soon it went to off into direction I hadn’t expected.Thank you ladies

The original conversation with Ashley was for ‘a’ model and we’d split the studio cost. As time passed it went to 2 models. No worries – headshots only – in and out in under 2-3 hours with makeup.

A few days after setting up for the headshot portfolio session for Ashley I got a message from Gaylee. A friend and fellow photographer; owner of Urban Chic Designs Photography Gaylee had found a studio for rent closer to her home than Dallas and asked if I would go look at it with her. Always willing to help I said “Sure, let me know”.

The studio was on the smallish side but well equipped with background sets. Unfamiliar with the provided lighting equipment my monoblocks and modifiers would work well enough. Gaylee’s a wiz with props and clothing and Ashley wants images for her port – right? The hourly and day rates were very reasonable so we decided – after a beer stop at the local Fuzzy’s – to rent it at the day rate – 8 full hours. Now – all we needed were models.[pullquote align="left"]Now – all we needed were models.[/pullquote]

Coordination between Ashley and Gaylee worked well and we booked 10 models fully understanding grandmothers tend to pass away on TF shoot days and we’d end up with 4-5 models.

We had 8 show up over the course of the day.

The models, at left, ranged in age from 17-~35ish. White, black, Asian and Hispanic. Experience levels were just as diverse – from brand-new to very experienced. Quite the mix, I was very pleased with the subjects for the all day shoot.

This started as simple session to help a friend’s business. Photographing 8 models in 8 hours for portrait portfolio development taught me a few things also.

Models: (Left to right – top to bottom)

Cynthia Ann
Ms Click
Jonna
Alisha Lee
Natalie
Krystle
Pocky Pants
Amanda Rose

Thank you ladies for the experience – you were all great to work with.

Professional Headshot Special – Only $99

In today’s business and social environments; YOUR IMAGE IS EVERYTHING!

Whether you work on nuclear projects, you’re a partner at “Big Law”, commercial real estate, consulting, sales and marketing, publishing, headed to Law or Medical School or relishing your daily work at the local burger joint…we can help you project the best image possible. Your image should send a subtle yet effective message about you and your business. At Creative Concept Studios we’re focused on one goal…producing exceptional headshots and portraits in a studio or at your Colleyville location. Selecting us to produce your headshot is a positive investment in your business image. Whether you’re looking for a business image and/or casual social media portrait, Creative Concept Studios is your answer to professional results you can be proud to display.

When you select Creative Concept Studios you have made a great decision. We do the rest; we make suggestions on what to wear and what style of image is most appropriate for your line of business, we help you feel comfortable in front of the camera, we help you look a bit better that you were hoping for.

Have you been put in charge of finding a photographer for the ENTIRE OFFICE? We offer a discount for groups of 5 or more – our already low $99 head shot special price reduces to $75 per person.

Remember, we don’t have ANY hidden fees. This price includes our preparation, creative, shooting and editing time. It also includes basic retouching (stray hair, brighten eyes and teeth, reduce smile lines, etc.) and an UNLIMITED LICENSE to use the images as you see fit.

Sound good? Then call to schedule your appointment at 817-479-9366 to confirm your shoot date and time.

How’s that for EASY?

You can use this form to schedule your appointment.

If you’re ready to schedule an appointment it’s best to CALL to schedule your session at 817-479-9366 and we’ll work with you to get you scheduled at your earliest convenience.

Deposit may be required to confirm head shot session.

Creative Concept Studios reserves the right to change prices/offers/schedules and policies at their sole discretion.Payment Policy & Terms and Conditions

Behind the Scenes on the Annie Shoot

Creative Concept Studios from jason gilmore on Vimeo.

Creative Concept Studios owned and operated by Ray Dauphinais. It is a very effective and open studio useful for video and photo shoots. Location is also available for rent to photographers and videographers looking for an amazing spot to shoot.

Glamorous Over 50 Photography

Glamorous over 50 is a really fun package that we put together for women who want to show themselves, their families and friends that a woman can still be very glamorous and sexy after the age of 50.

Our package includes Hair, Makeup and a photographer for 2 hours (minimum time, additional time available upon request).

You’re the boss; you decide the type of images you want to capture.

Soft and elegant

If you want something very elegant, very “resort” style that you can show everyone including your grandchildren, we will help you create those images.

If you’re looking to capture more intimate/provocative images, we will design the concept of a shoot with this in mind.

Glamorous Over 50 images can be shot on location, or in our fully equipped studio whichever is more convenient for you.

The Glamorous Over 50 package is available in the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth area. Call us today at: (817) 479-9366 or email ray (at) creativeconceptdfw.com for more information or for a Free Estimate

Using the Nikon Creative Lighting System

This photograph was taken using a Nikon D-300, the Nikkor 28-70 f2.8 and 2 SB800s. One SB800 was placed high picture right behind Emily the other was hand held slightly high picture left above her head. Although I have the equipment to mount the flashes to either an umbrella or softbox, this session was done with only the Nikon defusser on one of the strobes.

I am becoming a real fan of the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) and the ability to control the SB-800s using the Commander mode on the D300. I’ve now used them in studio sessions as fill or hair lights, outdoors from as far as 30 feet away or the sole source of light as in this photograph.

The two cautions when using the system is to remember to have the sensor facing toward the camera and don’t step to far in front of the flashes. I spent nearly 10 minutes on one outdoor shoot trying to figure out why the flash wouldn’t fire, gave up and realized, the next day, that I had the IR receiver facing away from the camera.

CLS is a great tool, take the time to learn it.

Read about us being hassled by the Park Rangers in Washington, DC during this shoot.

Also see Damien Franco’s expansion of my photo tip about Seeing the Shadows over at www.yourphototips.com.

The model’s husband

This entry is not about the model shown.

In the last three or four months I have allowed several models to bring their husband to the shoot. I set clear guidelines with the model, I spoke with the husband when they arrived at the studio about not getting in the way; please don’t distract me or the wife. If it became a problem I would ask them to step out of the studio and/or stop the session. Of course they agreed.

Most went very well. In two cases the husband, during a set change or a break, started talking about nudes, implied and full. Neither model appeared to really want to do full nudity and both agreed to do some implied. Although the session wasn’t booked that way, we would start doing mild implied shots.

Both times the husband continued to suggest/ask his wife to take more clothing off; undercover more. I never witnessed a real argument but could sense the tension between them. The model would exchange a look with me that I read as seeking a little intervention.

The first time I simply reminded the fellow of our agreement not to interfere. He said ‘Oh, okay, sorry’ and we finished the shoot.

The other guy just floored me. Pretty much the same scenario as above. Except during my second reminder that I would stop the session if he continued to disrupt me, he politely asked me to step out of the room to talk to him. I gave his wife a puzzled look and followed him out the door. In the hall he basically asked me to help him get his wife naked so I could get the photographs for him. When I expressed my puzzlement about his request he said, and I quote; “But she won’t let me take these kind of pictures of her at home.“

I really don’t remember my exact reply except for something about I’d see what I could do. The session came to ‘routine’ conclusion about 10 minutes later.

Lesson learned: No more husbands or significant others allowed.

Nikon D300 & SB-800 Speedlight Flash Diffusion Test

Originally uploaded by rkdauph

On camera flash photography has always challenged me. I learned photography, in West Germany during the early ‘70s, using natural light only, black and white film and developed my own prints. My first experience, in the early ‘80s, with a flash gun was a reunion of flight school classmates and our families. We paraded the kids through the living room, onesies, twosies, you know the drill, and I took whole family photos too. The garish, over exposed pictures with that damn hard edged shadow (like the top center picture) was embarrassing when the color prints arrived. Who needs a flash? Not a REAL photographer anyway; so, back to natural light for more than 2 decades.

Physical fitness shoot

Physical fitness shoot DFW MidCities Strobist Meetup Group

We will do a shoot with weights and bodybuilding equipment. The goal is to accentuate the human form with light. We will, in a studio (way too hot to be outside) environment, use our speed lights, continuous lighting and modifiers to produce dramatic portraiture. Some effects may require the addition of studio strobes. We will discuss and demonstrate the best way to mix speedlights and studio strobes.

Physical fitness shoot

We will have at least one male and one female model for our subjects, both are P90X instructors and the camera loves them.

Our group models are encouraged to sign up for this shoot.

This is a great way to enhance both model and photographer portfolios.

Richland Hills, TX 76118 – USA

Sunday, August 14 at 3:00 PM

Attending: 1

Fee: Price: USD 49.00 per person

Details: http://www.meetup.com/DFW-Strobist-Meetup-Group/events/16220418/

The 86″ PLM umbrella – whoa!

Rick Brown of Covergirl Studio in Garland stopped by the studio today and I got to play with the new 86″ PLM umbrella from Alien Bee. You can see the umbrella reflected in Rick’s glasses.

This thing is a monster but puts out some great and different light.

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The Artistry of Images. The Imagery of Art.

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