Jenna and Sophia

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December was definitely a busy shooting month, filled with charity and goodwill projects.  It started with Holiday Events and ended with Christmas Eve at the Bakersfield Rescue Mission.  Here's a quick breakdown of my shoots. Remember that I have a full-time job and photography is supposed to be a hobby.  However, as I joke with my girlfriend, sometimes I need to use my photography for good instead of evil; occasionally.

  • December 7: Company Party in Bakersfield
  • December 10: Help-Portrait
  • December 15: Company Party in Pismo Beach
  • December 16: Winter Wonderland Gala Fundraiser for the LGBTQ
  • December: 18: Fellow photographer and her brother
  • December 24: Bakersfield Rescue Mission on Christmas Eve
  • December 27: Jenna S.
  • December 31: Taylor B


I received a message from my favorite pin-up model, Jenna, asking when we were going to shoot.  She was on Winter break from Nursing School and wanted to to see if we could come up with something different.  We'd been tossing ideas around since November, but nothing really gelled until I realized that we could do a vintage shoot with Sophia (Yes, I named my Vespa, Sophia).

After several back-and-forth TXTs and image links, we picked out her wardrobe.  Now where to shoot, since I only have a Motorcycle Permit and very minimal riding gear, we decided to do a studio shoot.

I used two lights for this shoot, my 64" PLM as a shoot-thru and a strip box.  I also used the remainder of my White seamless backdrop, which was a mistake.  I knew that I would have to reposition Sophia several times during the shoot and rolling her around the paper would leave marks and even tear the paper.

We shot for about 4 hours, which is about right for four wardrobe changes.  My buddy Brian asked if I would shoot any lingerie images as a joke, I responded that it wasn't my intentions.   During our shoot, Jenna said that she brought some red lingerie and wanted a couple images of her wearing it, twist my arm.

What Did I Learn:

  • More Ceiling Space - Yes, I have said it before that a 7' ceiling really limits my ability to get the light up and out of the way.  As you can see in the images, the diagonal light/shadow was created by the strip box boomed up against the ceiling
  • Get White Wallboard - Zack Arias showed how you can create really cool high-key images by placing white wallboard on the ground which provides a real nice reflective surface.  Most likely I would still have tire marks, but at least the ground wouldn't have ripples, or tears.


This last image was Jenna's idea, which I absolutely love.  Although I'm not pleased with my execution, at least the idea comes across. Also, I try to stay away from "filters",but decided I wanted a vintage feel for the images.  I applied a Portra 400NC filter and a Cross Processing filter.

It's hard to believe that 2011 has come to a close and I have had the good fortune to work with Jenna three times.
3) Sophia

Although Jenna and I haven't scheduled our next shoot, I'm sure we'll do something cool, or "retro" for 2012.  I <3 Jenna!!!

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