I’m writing this from Utah, where I’ve been for the past week to help photograph some Sundance Film Festival events with my friend Sam. I’ve been having SO much fun, and I couldn’t help but go ahead and share some of my favorite images of Park City these past few days.
I actually got to experience Sundance for the first time two years ago, when Mike (Sam’s husband) initially got contracted to shoot a weekend of events for Columbia College in Chicago and asked me if I would be interested in helping him shoot. I was expecting the whole thing to be a little glamorous, but I was stunned when we ended up in a tiny room full of famous people. Mike and Sam have been hired every year since, but this year Mike was deployed unexpectedly, so they asked me if I’d want to fly back out to Utah to help Sam. Trust me… they didn’t need to ask twice. :)
Between all the girl time, Cafe Rio burritos, and cracking up at the things Mike and Sam’s kids say on a daily basis, it’s been great getting to remember and experience some of the things I loved most about living in Salt Lake City. So it’s icing on the cake that we’ve gotten to drive up to Park City every day. The first day we were there, there was hardly any snow on the ground, which is very unusual for this time of year, so I was kind of bummed. But on Saturday, there was a crazy snow storm the whole day, and while it was absolutely beautiful, it also meant a two-and-a-half-hour white-knuckles drive back down the mountain that night because the roads were so bad.
This year, there weren’t any celebs at the Columbia events we shot, so when we had some extra time on Sunday, we decided to cruise up and down Main Street and people watch. It was a gorgeous sunny day, and the streets were filled with people waiting in line for films, eating at restaurants, shopping, and showing off their best Sundance fashion. For the film industry types, Sundance is apparently a perfect excuse to buy the most outrageous pair of furry boots you can find and bedazzle the crap out of your resort wear. It is highly entertaining. We were almost too distracted to notice the celebrities among them…. ALMOST. While we were driving through, we spotted Jason Ritter and William H. Macy just hanging out. Naturally I whipped out the 135 mm lens and played paparazzi from the passenger seat of the car, and even managed to catch Mr. Macy doubling back to tip a street band he passed. As I was taking the photos, all I could think in my mind was “Stars! They’re just like US!” Ha. We also saw Ben from The Bachelor in the lobby of the hotel we were shooting at, but I didn’t get a good photo of him. I actually wouldn’t have recognized him if Paige and Emily, the girls who came to help us out, hadn’t pointed him out.
All celebrity fascination aside, it’s been a really good week. But I’m definitely ready to get back to Jamie and Gretchen and Alabama, which once again got hit by some pretty bad tornadoes last night. I’m hoping everyone managed to stay safe and sound. As nice as it is to get away, there truly is no place like home!
On the way home, Sam saw this awesome spot and suggested we take some photos. How cool does the snow look under those lights?
A few months back I got an email from my friend Gail Werner asking if I’d be interested in coming up to Indiana to second shoot a wedding with her. I’ll admit, I squealed a little when I read it, because a) Gail has the most impeccable taste of anyone I know (especially when it comes to books, music, and culture in general– seriously, go read her blog if you don’t believe me) b) up to this point, we had only chatted back and forth via email after we discovered how much we had in common and c) I was kind of in shock, considering how talented she is and how many states separate us, that she wanted ME to come shoot with her. Talk about a huge honor!
I admit I was a little nervous on the plane ride up, because I always worry that people are going to meet me in person and I’m going to be a huge letdown from what they know of me online. (It’s funny how the Internet can do that– make people seem larger than life or just… different.) But when I walked out and saw Gail wearing the exact same yellow Target skinny belt as me, I breathed a sigh of relief and just knew that we would be as good of friends in person as we were online.
That weekend in November was so much fun. I got to stay at Gail and her husband Nick’s mid-century rancher which could not have possibly been more my style. (If there’s one thing we both love– to the point of obsession– it’s mid-century design.) It was only fitting that Nick is a dead ringer for Don Draper (that is, if Don Draper were the outdoorsy type), which makes gorgeous blonde Gail look like Betty by default. Their Halloween costumes from a couple of years ago are proof:
Are you dying right now? ‘Cause I am. But anyway, needless to say, I loved the Werners. They also have a Midwestern spirit about them that I think is so awesome. Gail says “gal” like I say “y’all” and it’s adorable. So between lots of girl talk, bonding over photography stuff, watching Emma Stone on SNL while downloading cards from the wedding, and eating their famous Belgian waffles on Sunday morning before heading to the airport, it was a pretty fantastic time.
Not to mention the wedding itself! The bride and groom, Laurie and Joe, were stunningly beautiful on the inside and out, and their classic wedding was a blast to be apart of. As much as I adore Southern weddings, I also love getting to see how people do them differently north of the Mason-Dixon line. For one, I’ve found that northerners know how to par-tay. They have gorgeous, traditional ceremonies in big old churches and then have insanely fun receptions that last looong into the night, with people of all ages packing the dance floor the whole time. You can’t help but be happy!
But enough of my rambles… on to the pretty!
A big huge thanks to Gail (and Nick!) for being such amazing hosts and great new friends, and to Laurie and Joe for treating me like an old friend despite the fact that I was just a girl from Alabama they met right before they got married. It was an incredible experience!
Something I’ve wanted to address in an FAQ for photographers post for a long time now is the subject of artistic vision. What is it? How do you improve it? How does it define you? It’s kind of an elusive subject, as most photographers would rather discuss the technical and business-related stuff. I completely get that, because it’s only natural for us to want a bulleted list of ways we can succeed. Hard and fast rules for becoming awesome at what we do. And sometimes, that’s necessary. In fact, there are hundreds of books and blog posts floating around there that address topics like aperture and taxes and Photoshop. I know this because during my first couple of years of being in business, I devoured every single one I could get my hands on. And I learned a lot. I don’t regret spending that much time trolling Barnes and Noble and the internet, because a lot of this information laid a solid foundation for my growth as a photographer and as an entrepreneur.
BUT.
(Yes, it’s a big but.)
Sometimes I think we lose sight of what photography is all about and what separates each of us from the rest, and that is vision. It’s how we see the world and how we document it accordingly. It’s of paramount importance to our success, because each of us has a completely unique way of seeing and perceiving the beauty around us, and clients are hiring us (hopefully) because our art resonates with them in some way.
I really struggle sometimes with thinking about photography as an art form. It kind of seems absurd to call myself an “artist” when I haven’t picked up a paintbrush in years. And isn’t making money off of your art considered “selling out”? How can I be creative AND business-savvy? It just doesn’t seem possible.
For a long time, I’ve tried to overcompensate for not thinking I’m artistic enough in a traditional sense by slapping some cool vintage actions on my photos and calling them creative. Or by dreaming up fancy logos to distract from my actual work on my website. Or by coming up with a clever catchphrase to spell out exactly what my photos say (or what I want them to say) instead of letting them speak for themselves.
The truth is, I look back on some of those early edits and logos and absolutely cringe. Ugh. What was I thinking? Turning a subject’s skin a sickly shade of yellow-green in hopes of making it look exactly like a 1960′s Polaroid snapshot is, at it turns out, not a great idea. It doesn’t look “artsy”…. it just looks bad. When I see some of those shots, I don’t see a point of view… I see a Photoshop action. And that, my friends, is not vision. It’s an attempt to disguise a lack of vision, direction, and purpose.
Don’t get me wrong– this is a struggle I face even now. Whenever a new set of actions or presets is released, I want to be the first to buy them and start experimenting. I look at photographers who have a clean, classic editing style and tell myself that it’s too plain to be “artistic,” so I have to spice up my images with something or another. And usually that “spice” ends up being the equivalent of dumping an entire bottle of hot sauce on a perfectly delicious bowl of pasta. (Although if you’re my husband, you probably like it better that way.)
So basically, it leaves me wondering where I fit in as an artist. What is my “style”? What makes me stand out? What makes clients want to hire me?
After giving it a lot of thought, I think I’ve come up with a few answers. Am I saying they’re the right answers for everyone? Nope. And I’m hesitant to reduce the whole idea of vision into a bulleted list. But I do feel like sometimes it’s helpful to narrow our focus and pinpoint what’s working and what isn’t, and this is a good way (for me, at least) to do so. So hopefully you find it a teensy bit helpful too!
I feel like four of the major elements that define my style, and that could also be shaping yours, are capturing moments, perspective, equipment, and post-processing.
CAPTURING MOMENTS
- It can sometimes be hard to really see all the small, often overlooked details that tell a greater story if we’re too distracted by the big picture and the expectations and unnecessary pressure we put on ourselves. I still get super nervous before every shoot and every wedding, but I’ve found that just by forcing myself to slow down and shoot with intention and focus, my mind is clear and my eyes are open.
- I’ll be the first to admit that I’m an over shooter. By, like, a LOT. Ask any photographer I’ve shot with. But I’ve found that by always having my camera at the ready and by shooting even the most mundane of activities or the most seemingly insignificant details, when I get home and start sorting through the photos, I see the story emerge in a way that it never would if I had stuck to portraits and the basic shot list. Besides, it’s always good to have multiples of the same shot in case you accidentally miss focus or exposure the first time.
- Sometimes capturing moments means anticipating them and waiting for them to unfold. This means that you really have to watch your subject, think about what he or she will do, and wait for the perfect time to press the shutter button. Sometimes I kind of feel like a hunter stalking his prey. I even find myself muttering under my breath “come on, closer, closer, turn this way…. YES!” And then the shot makes the hunt so worth it. If you ever feel like there’s nothing interesting to shoot, chances are you’re just not looking hard enough.
- It can sometimes be hard to figure out when to direct your subjects by posing them or asking them to do something specific to get a certain shot. I try to be as unobtrusive as possible and make everyone feel 100% comfortable in front of me and my intimidating camera, but sometimes that means offering prompts or encouragement or some other kind of verbal feedback to get a great shot. The truth is that many of my best candid shots are a result of me asking my subject to do something that seems silly or kind of awkward in the moment, but it gets a real reaction… even if they’re just laughing at how dumb I am. :)
I captured this little boy peeking through the rails from a second story porch overlooking an outdoor ceremony. I saw him up there running around and just had a feeling he’d stick his head through at some point and look down. It took him a few seconds, but by training my camera on him and waiting for him to do this, I was ready to capture it in the millisecond that it actually happened. So is it luck or preparedness? I say it’s a little of both. :)
PERSPECTIVE
- One thing I’ve found to be true with my own shooting style is that more often than not, simpler is better. A successful shoot doesn’t have to rely on crazy new locations or complicated poses. Don’t get me wrong, I love scouring Pinterest for posing ideas and I’m always up for new locations, especially ones that are deeply personal to my clients. But I’ve found that when I try too hard to be super edgy and creative or to copy something I’ve seen online frame-for-frame, it ends up never going as planned and I miss the moments I love so much. It usually feels forced, and that’s the last thing I want.
- Instead of moving around my clients too much and overwhelming them with directions, I try to move myself around. It’s amazing how different a shot can be if you just change your perspective. Bring a ladder to climb on if you need to get higher. Lay down on the ground. Circle around your subject. Hide around a corner or in some bushes. Include unexpected elements in the frame. All of these things can lead to a more interesting composition and tell a more compelling story, and it can be incredibly entertaining for the clients (especially if you’re like me and frequently trip and fall).
- Although the smiling-and-looking-at-the-camera shots are timeless and loved by grandmothers everywhere, I like for an image to make the viewer feel like an outsider looking in. By having subjects interact with each other or do something specific while I move around them and figure out ways to incorporate the surroundings, it feels like we’re getting a sneak peek into a private, special moment. Of course this is just a given when you’re documenting an event, because people are always doing something and are often completely unaware of your presence. This is why wedding candids are one of my very favorite types of photos to capture.
Some of my favorite ways to change up my perspective are to shoot into reflections or through objects like leaves, windows, rails, etc., to give a sense of place and make the composition a little more interesting. Here, I went outside and shot this couple through the window, which makes it feel like we’re glimpsing into a private moment. I also love the effect of the colorful leaves reflected in the glass.
EQUIPMENT
- Good equipment does not a good photographer make. But knowing how to use the equipment you have in any given situation helps quite a bit. I used to think that the solution to creative blocks was to buy a new lens (or a new set of actions, but more on that in a minute). “If I just get a 50 mm f/1.2, my life will be SO much better! My work will be SO much prettier! I’ll be the next Jasmine Star, by golly!” WRONG. Good equipment DOES help, but only if you know how to use it and how to make it work within your vision. I’ve heard it said before that you shouldn’t blow a ton of money or a new lens or camera body until you find yourself being limited by the gear you do have. It’s a good rule of thumb to follow.
- Furthermore, I’ve found in my experience that keeping my setup simple makes it easier for me to focus on capturing moments rather than fumbling around in my bag and changing my lens every 5 seconds. I keep my 35mm 1.4 on my camera about 65% of the time because it’s an incredibly versatile focal length for storytelling. It allows be to be up close and personal to my subject and works really well in tight spaces or for more environmental shots. My second most used lens would be my 135 mm 2.o, because it allows me to get the kinds of shots that my 35mm can’t. Longer focal lengths aren’t just for times when you have to stand further away and need reach (i.e., a wedding ceremony). I’ve also found that they work beautifully for portraits because you can get gorgeous tight shots where the background is compressed (brought closer to the subject) and blurred (making the subject pop). (See example below.) I also have a handful of other lenses that I use less frequently, depending on what the circumstances require. I have a 16-35mm 2.8 for wide shots of venues (I used to use it a lot more for other things but haven’t as much since I got the 35mm– the sharpness and color just doesn’t compare!). I also have a 50 mm 1.4 for when I need something in between a 35mm and 135mm, and a 45mm tilt shift lens for fun portraits (but only when used lightly). One of these days I’d love to own a 50mm 1.2, an 85mm 1.4, and a 70-200mm 2.8, but for now, I know exactly how to get what I need out of the equipment I have and I don’t really want to weigh down my bag with lots of stuff that I won’t use frequently, so I can be patient. :)
For both of these photos, I was standing in the exact same place. For the one on the left, I used my 35 mm for a wider shot, to include the environment as part of the shot. Because of the focal length of the lens and the distance between me and the subject, the background is mostly in focus despite my low aperture. For the one on the right, I wanted a more intimate portrait, so I put on my 135. Notice how the background is brought forward quite a bit, but is also significantly more blurred, which now throws all the focus on the couple. This can be a great way to manage busy and distracting backgrounds, but mostly it’s just a great way to get a completely different photograph without moving myself OR the couple.
POST-PROCESSING
- I feel like I’m turning into a broken record, but this is yet another component of my overall vision where I’ve found it’s best to keep it simple. Like I said before, I look back at some of my early editing, and the only photographs that I still really like are the ones that were edited with a light hand, maintaining true, bright colors, a decent amount of contrast, and natural skin tones. This has really helped me realize that no matter how appealing a shiny new set of Photoshop actions can be, that it’s pretty much guaranteed to feel trendy and outdated in just a matter of months. One way I’ve helped myself rein it in when I’m tempted to go nuts is to nail down three words that describe my ideal photograph– one that truly represents my point of view. For me, those words are color, fun, and authenticity. So when I’m editing and I’m not sure if I’m going overboard, I revisit these keywords and ask myself if the image reflects them. If it doesn’t, I start over. :)
- However, keeping it simple doesn’t mean that learning and experimenting are useless. The artist within me is always wanting to improve my technique and play with color. I found that I’m drawn to images with warm, rich, vibrant tones and contrast, but I also love the way a film-like Photoshop action or Lightroom preset brings up mid tones and or ever-so-slightly shifts colors. I don’t use a TON of actions and I try to limit my use to just a handful so that I maintain consistency, but the ones I love are Red Leaf Boutique film shift actions and Florabella actions. I’ve also heard great things about the new VSCO film presets for Lightroom but have yet to try them out.
- I also believe that blogging is an important part of the finishing process. These days, many couples opt not to order a professional album (or they DIY it), so it’s a GREAT way to create a storyboard of sorts and tell the story from start to finish. Because my vision focuses largely on moments and interesting compositions and perspectives, I mainly blog those kinds of images. I don’t usually blog things like family formals, not because I don’t like them or don’t do them, but because I don’t feel like they communicate what sets me apart as an artist and storyteller. I also think that going through blog posts is a fantastic way of identifying your strengths and the common threads that tie your body of work together. Oh, and I also decided to stop watermarking images about a year ago because I feel like watermarks are mostly a distraction from the art itself, and don’t really do all that much to stop image theft. And if you notice, the images that are mostly shared on wedding blogs and Pinterest are not watermarked. If a person really likes your work, they will follow the link through to your site and check you out. But this is just my personal preference– might not be for everyone. :)
Pretty big difference, huh? Granted, a lot of post-processing is a matter of personal taste. Some people might actually prefer the photo on the left, and that’s okay too. But for ME, I’ve discovered that I’m much happier with natural skin tones, vivid colors, and less blown-out highlights. I believe that the photo on the right is more timeless without being any less “creative” or “me.”
* * * * *
WHEW. I feel like this post is SO long, but only covers the very tip of the iceberg. It seems like there are SO many components to discovering and refining your vision, and there’s no way I know it all (Lord knows!) or could write it all down here. So hopefully this has been a somewhat coherent and helpful post for you, and if you have any questions, let me know!
Mostly I just want to encourage you to find your vision and stick to it, no matter what everyone else is doing. It’s so hard not to be discouraged and question everything you’re doing when you look at the work of a photographer you admire, but no matter what stage of the journey you’re in, your point of view is unique and it is VALID. So embrace it!
I’ve been super excited to share the results of almost an entire month of working on our third-bedroom-turned-office. As you know, we bought this house back in November and I’ve been teaching myself how to be handy ever since then. The whole house needed work in some way or another, but I decided to start with my office so that I could start hosting client meetings again as soon as possible. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s really satisfying to see all the blood, sweat, and tears (literally, there were all three) pay off.
But first, let’s start with a before photo. This is how it was set up when the previous owners lived here:
Not bad, but definitely not my style. Also, the walls and trim needed a TON of work– sanding, patching, caulking, painting– and let’s not even talk about the ceiling fan that used to be in there. It was so bad I couldn’t even bring myself to take a photo of it.
When I thought about my vision for the room, all I knew was that I wanted it to be bright and airy. I chose this room in the house because even though it’s the smallest, it has the most window light. So to keep that lightness going, I replaced the yellowed mini blinds with white faux wood ones and chose a silvery gray color for the walls (Lowe’s Valspar called “Footbridge” for anyone who’s interested). At first I planned to hang bright floral curtains on the windows, but decided it would weigh everything down too much, so I opted for extra-long IKEA panels in an off-white color. SO glad I did! (It’s very difficult for me to restrain myself when it comes to color and pattern, so this was definitely a small victory. :) )
I also decided to frame prints instead of ordering more canvases, because I kind of love the polished look of them and the fact that they’re a LOT less expensive to change out as time goes on. I already had the green Urban Outfitters couch from our last place, but I added in the knockoff Eames chairs I found online for $60 a piece (versus $500 for the real thing) to create a sitting area. I found the coffee table at a thrift store and gave it a few coats of high-gloss turquoise paint for a little drama. I found the ceiling pendant light at World Market for super cheap, and it’s definitely quite a step up from the fan. The desk, chair, shelves, and all the frames came from IKEA, and the two lamps are from Target. I found the side console at an antique mall on sale, and it was exactly what I was looking for to hide all the cords and cable and internet boxes that had to be plugged in on that wall. I just gave it a coat of fresh white paint and added a metallic finish to the wicker panels. Some of my favorite accessories in the room (the vintage glasses, colorful metallic tray, and pillows on the chairs) were given to me by my mom. Clearly she has awesome taste. :)
All in all, I love the finished result, and even though I’m sure it’ll never really be “done,” it’s nice to have a clean, happy place to take my morning coffee, turn on some Florence and the Machine, light a candle, and work every day.
But wait a second…. surely you noticed that my office isn’t the only thing that got a makeover! Welcome to the new home of Morgan Trinker, which is now morgantrinker.com and morgantrinkerblog.com all rolled into one! I’ve been itching to update my site for awhile, and when I sat down the other night to open up my Showit account and start redesigning my main site, Jamie, the WordPress guru, was all “Are you SURE you want to spend all that time making another Flash site? Flash is almost dead.” Ugh. So reluctantly I began thinking about alternatives, and after seeing all of the incredible features that ProPhoto has added in its 4th version, I decided to take the plunge and upgrade. The beauty of it is that now I can have galleries and all sorts of other good stuff right here with my blog. And I LOVE it! Better for SEO, better for compatibility with the most devices, and all around I think it looks cleaner and easier on the eyes. So take some time, look around, and let me know what you think!
Perhaps my favorite part of the whole thing is the addition of the “pin it” button that my husband so lovingly added to the bottom of my posts to make it even easier for you to pin anything you want! (The true story is that I asked him to do it at 11:30 last night and he was so tired when he did it that he doesn’t even remember doing it now. So we’ll just assume he loved every minute of it!)
WHEW! Okay, I promise to wrap it up now. Thank you guys for stopping by!
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