Light Showers: The first photoshoot of MoS

Happy Thanksgiving 

I may of posted some of these before but without the context.

This was a very special shoot for me. By no means is it technically good, but rather a benchmark in my photography journey.

Back in early 2018 I had just got a new and upgraded studio lighting set. I was fairly new to strobe use in general. I was pretty excited to try out the new lights.

I wanted to plan my first attempt at a professional photoshoot.

I got on model mayhem and found a model who agreed to work with me. At this point I had only done a few trade shoots with local models. I paid her a deposit, and got it scheduled. This was my first shoot where I paid a model, and thought it necessary because I wanted to use the photos for my portfolio.

The concept was black and white fashion. And I planned on using the portfolio for local designers and boutiques who would want to market their looks.

The day of the shoot, Steph was at work, I told her I had a model shoot later that evening, she was sad she could not assist, as was I. I got the seamless paper back drop set up,( you can see the high heel holes in the backdrop from previous trade shoots) I got the lights up and running, a fresh formatted SD card, and started going through some poses on Google and Pinterest I wanted to try. 

Well as every photographer will experience at some point, the model decided to cancel last minute. She was kind enough to let me know, about an hour after we were supposed to photoshoot. She did not give the $50 deposit back either. 

I was frustrated but what could I do. 

Steph got home later that evening and was surprised I was already done with the shoot. I told her it never happened. She could tell I was disappointed. 

Now this was back when did not consider using Steph as a model. I only photographed her for fun, and the only project I had done with her was the 39 weekly photoshoots we did each week of her pregnancy.

I did not want to mix her up with my endeavors of being a fashion and portrait photographer. I also did not think she had the model look, she was pretty, but just an every day girl sort of pretty, and was always smiling. In my mind I needed a professional model.

I was sitting on the couch with a beer, sulking that my shoot did not happen when Steph casually says, I'll model for you. I kinda smiled and shrugged it off. She said come on it'll be fun. So I agreed knowing I would not get anything for my portfolio from this shoot. 

She brought down a few of her clothes as I got the home studio (garage) set back up.

We turned on some music and just had fun with it. As we photographed different looks, she would change in front of me. As she did, I was subconsciously very attracted to her but still had the mindset of someone trying to be a professional photographer and getting the particular look I wanted while maintaining professionalism. 

But then I thought... what am I doing?? We are having fun and my wife is beautifully nude in front of me. 

I asked her to "Hold that look." (6th photo)

She looked so good. I asked if we could just photograph nude looks for the remainder of the shoot. She agreed. I decided to go monochrome in camera and got the nude looks pictured above. 

Again, these are not the best photos, but are definitely archive worthy and one of the first shoots we did that would later kick off Memoirs of Steph.

After this shoot, I felt encouraged again. Motivated. As I was going through the images, I told myself I'd never try to pay another model again for any personal project of mine unless it's a sponsored or funded shoot, (then of course I pay for their talent and time) and that I want to photograph Steph much more going forward.

One day 20 years from now I am going to print that first photo on matte glass and put it in my office or our bedroom and remember that was the photo that started our photography journey. 

Tomorrow I will post the second photoshoot we did named "Purple"

PS: That was the first and last time I used model mayhem. 

I hope my US based friends have a great thanksgiving.