Over the last couple of weeks I have taken a step back to focus on basic lighting practices. Working with no more than two lights and a reflector on this shoot, I wanted to remove all other elements from the equation to create a sleek look using a simplified set up in my studio. This was the result.
Thank you
After taking some time to step away from the camera, clear my head and get back to a mental state that wasn’t reflective of post grad depression, I’ve finally started shooting and creating again, and god it feels SO GOOD!
It killed me to not pick up my camera every time I had an idea, but I knew I would be gaining more by giving myself a break (and a couple breakdowns) than what I would have lost had I continued to force myself to shoot. Going from being surrounded by a community of artists every day to bounce ideas off of and receive critiques, to no longer having that circling me on a daily basis, hurtled me into a confusing mental spiral faster than anything I’ve ever experienced before.
I once had a professor that would take long term sabbaticals every five or so years for up to two years at a time. I used to think that was crazy because how could an artist allow themselves to not create? But once explained, I learned It’s not that they weren’t creating work during those sabbaticals, but rather they were creating things without any expectation to be producing “good work” whatsoever. A few years later and I finally understand what they were saying. It’s ok to give ourselves a break. It’s ok to pause and be still for as long as we need to be. It’s ok to say no to projects that are presented to us if we choose because only we know how we’re feeling on the inside.
4 years of constant stress and project deadlines can really wear a person down. I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by an amazing group of friends and family who did not question my decision to take a step back. Thank you to those people who listened to me rant and vent for hours, who held me up and continued to support me during this break and who have continued to believe in me when I started to doubt myself and my skills. Y’all are the real MVPs and I love and appreciate each and every one of you! Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! I hope you all find and feel those connections with the ones in your lives the way Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” reminds me of the love and support I’ve felt from all of you! I’m so excited to start this new chapter and I’m more than ready to be back!
-Erika
Shaping Light
I have a fascination with shaping light and controlling it to do different things. This is a practice I apply in many of my shoots. The photos you see here are a result of different ways I have manipulated off camera TTL flashes to be a separate entity in my photographs.
Model: Kendall Gassen
Check out her website!
Mrs. Ladylike and Hotel LeVeque: Part 2
We traveled up stairs in the new Hotel LeVeque to have a sneak peak at one of their new suites. Just as the rest of the hotel the rooms in this suite were decorated in the same modernized art deco constellation theme as the rest of the hotel. The hints of gold light fixtures, chairs and drawer handles incorporated throughout the suite gave the rooms a luxurious and sophisticated feel. Liz's choice of a jewel tone color palette ended up complimenting the guest suite so nicely. Her green twist shift dress, midnight blue fur stole and Manolo Blahnik heels played homage to the 1920s art deco era with a contemporary touch.
Similarly to the photos in the lobby of the hotel, I knew I would have to mix natural light and my TTL flashes for the shots in the guest suite. Throwing in a reflector here and there (held by the ever so wonderful Quinn and Danny) to bounce some light into the frame gives us the final shots you see above!
Make sure to check out Liz's post here!
Mrs. Ladylike and Hotel LeVeque: Part 1
I had the pleasure of getting a sneak peak of the newly renovated Hotel LeVeque to photograph the lovely style blogger, Mrs. Ladylike. The iconic LeVeque Tower has been around since 1924 and has been a landmark in the Columbus skyline ever since. The hotels art deco style is reminiscent of the roaring twenties, featuring the original characteristics of the building with a modern twist. This unique and historic hotel houses hints of gold and a celestial theme, coupled with Mrs. Ladylike's vintage chic styling showcases the stunning beauty in both the building and fashion.
Going into this shoot I knew I wanted to incorporate the details of the hotel with Liz's styling. The hotel provided beautiful natural light so I didn't need much equipment on this shoot. I packed my camera, a couple of different lenses, a 5-in-1 reflector, my cactus transceivers and TTL flashes, and a few of my new magmod light modifiers. I found that these tools with the natural light pouring into the spaces was plenty to work with to create different lighting in the different spaces.
Stay tuned for more images from inside one of the guest suites!
Click here to read Liz's post!
Grey Goose rebranding
UPDATE: The first image has won a Student Silver ADDY award for Still Photography
Sierra Clark Design & Strategy contacted me and asked if I would shoot some studio shots for her Grey Goose rebranding project. I was more than happy to help contribute to this amazing project! Below are a few images from the shoot!
Be sure to check out the final rebranding on her website!
http://sierraclark.co/#/grey-goose/
Under my umbrella...
Editing Process- BEFORE & AFTER
Before and After of my editing process
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