Technique | Let the Kids Dress Themselves

Street Style

May 16, 2013 By Abbie 6 Comments

As summertime approaches, many of us are planning adventures that take us new places or open our eyes to new things. Last week, we featured street photos shot by John Fong – this week we are showing a small selection of street photos, and issuing a challenge to go forth this summer and take more photos like these…of life as it happens. I’m issuing myself that same challenge….it’s a little unnerving to ask a stranger to take their photograph, and street photos at times may require that…..people always make the most interesting subjects though.

Jessica Flynn – Cinque Terre, Italy

Karen Jacot – NYC

Meg Hamilton (from her collection of her grandfather’s family photos) – Waikini Beach Oct 1969

Heather Moore – Austin, TX

Zalmy B – NYC

Carolyn Voelker – London UK

Alana Rasbach – Nashville TN

On the Street | John Fong

May 8, 2013 By Abbie 2 Comments

We are taking a slightly different approach to technique this week, this time looking at the genre of street photography through the eyes of John Fong. John is a friend to Let the Kids, and known to be a gear junkie (like a few of us around here). He has recently started a site for featuring interviews about gear that you will want to check out.

I’m always fascinated by street photographs, particularly when they show me something about the lives of people from another culture. I asked John a few questions about these photographs and his approach to photography. Street photography is, in John’s words, “documenting the human condition in its natural environment, undisturbed or contrived by the photographer.” Keep reading below to find out more about John and the images he shared with us!

1) Where was this set of images taken?

The photos were taken in Peru as I travel there for work once or twice a year. I’m usually based in Lima when I’m there, but will usually take some side trips to other towns and cities within Peru.

2) How did you become interested in photography? Was street photography your original interest?

My interest in photography stemmed from my dad and oldest brother, who would always be taking photos. When I finally got my own camera, I’d mainly take pictures of things around the house, on vacation… the usual snapshots. It wasn’t until I bought a Leica M8 back in 2007 that I took a big interest in street photography.

3) Tell us a bit about your gear collection.

I was like a revolving door of gear the past couple of years but I think I’ve settled in to things. I have a couple of digital cameras in the Fuji X100, Olympus OM-D and a Ricoh GRD3. Film cameras I have a bit more, a Leica MP, Nikon FM3A, Mamiya 6, Pentax 67ii, a Ricoh GR1v and an Olympus Stylus Epic. Each one has its own unique signature for me but the ones I use the most are my Leica MP and Fuji X100.

4) I’d love to know more about the interviews you have started publishing about gear.

I love gear, but I’m not a fan of gear review sites. They’re either too technical or promote themselves as “real world”, which means its a glorified forum post. One day I thought that since I have gone through so many cameras, why not write about my experiences with them. So instead of deliberately going out and “testing” cameras by taking mundane photos of trees, a brick wall or abandoned buildings, I thought I’d write about a trip, or an event I shot with my cameras and give more of a story behind using these cameras.

In addition to that, I thought it would be interesting to see what other photographers thought about gear because alot of photographers kind of have an obsession about gear. So my intention was just a gear chat with some friends who are also amazing photographers. But as my first interview went along, I changed the direction a little and tried to highlight the photographer’s journey because everyone has a personal reason on why they became a photographer and it’s been amazing to hear people’s stories.

5) How has street photography influenced your photography?

Doing street photography has influenced me as a photographer in that it helps me to be more aware of my surroundings, to better anticipate special moments before they occur.

Thanks so much for sharing your work with us!

In addition to the linked sites above, you can find John on Twitter HERE.

Technique Thursday – Creating Moments of Magic

May 1, 2013 By Abbie 5 Comments

Beyond learning the basics of creating great portraits, lies the world of creating magic with images. Sometimes those come along as happy accidents, and others are prompted by us. We truly start to find our voice as photographers when we are able to create those moments consistently with clients.

Maybe I’m a bit partial because I hired her to photograph my own family, but Yan Palmer is a master at creating magic, both through connection and movement. Part of what causes her to be so good at this is intuitiveness. In other words, she reads people well and sees what makes them special. So, tip #1 – Connect with your clients.

I wanted Texas to show in my images. We have land west of Fort Worth that’s very special to us, and so it was important to show that. Thanks to a cooperative horse, Yan was able to see this image and make it happen. I love the connection with my youngest daughter, and just that she “saw” this image so fast, based on what she knew about us as a family. It is without a doubt magical, and I’m very emotionally connected to this image.

Wendy Laurel (founder here at Let the Kids) also knows how to work her own brand of Hawaii magic. Her images always just look like so much FUN! Her focus here is connection over perfection.

In this image, she told all the kiddos to dogpile mom. I love the expressions of pure joy on everyone’s faces.

Another great way to give energy and life to your images is through MOTION. This image from Tavis Johnson is such a great example of that. Shot on film at f5.6 and 1/30th of a second, this photo is so much more than it would have been without the motion blur.

Sometimes, especially working with small children, we have to know when to become a quiet observer to allow a little one to not be so conscious of the camera, as was the case with this image from Meg Hamilton.

Meg said: “This little flower-girl was somewhat elusive all day- it was a hot summer wedding, but I was determined to get a happy shot of her…the guests were enjoying their salads being served…and she was just in her own world dancing outside the tent. I just kept my distance and waited for the right moment…she had no idea I was watching :0) Shot with my Canon Mark 3- 85 1.4 shot wide open.”

Another way to lay the groundwork for magical images is to literally let the kids dress themselves (or otherwise create a kid-friendly, comfortable environment), like this image from Kate T. Parker.

From Kate: This shot was taken in my studio on the four year old’s playdate…they decided to dress up and jump on the couch, as four year olds like to do, and got the dog involved as well. I just happened to be there and catch it.

Having some fun and age appropriate activities up your sleeve is a great way to break the ice and get your clients comfortable. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just be willing to PLAY, like this adorable photo from Jenn Fletcher.

From Jenn: Babies love that feeling of flying through the air and dropping out of nowhere. In this moment, a father and daughter share their time playing the “throw baby into the air” game. For both Dad and baby, it’s a time of pure fun, shared laughs, and magical moments.

And finally, in this image from Posy Quarterman, we see that magical moments can be caught on camera by knowing when to be still.

From Posy: Capturing magic moments between loved ones is my goal for every photo session; it’s what I want most for my clients – their magic moments captured – and it’s what I thrive on. The quiet moments between a mother and child are possibly the most magical of them all. Unfortunately in the chaos that is life with children sometimes it can be hard to capture those times of quiet magic. This photo is of my friend (and photographer) Shelby Brakken, and her daughter Indy. I knew these two had these peaceful moments together regularly, so I went with the goal of capturing their magic. But when I arrived the excitement level skyrocketed and before I knew it I found myself in the midst of kids bouncing off the bed, and booty-dancin’ to Macklemore. I needed to find the stillness between these two, so I asked Shelby’s husband to take their son out into the hallway. I then quietly shut the door, suggested where they lay, and just waited. Indy put her hand up on her mama’s face, Shelby closed her eyes, and just like that: magic moment, captured.

I am so inspired by these little slices of real life and beauty. I hope you are too.

Street Style

On the Street | John Fong

Technique Thursday – Creating Moments of Magic

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