Please cooperate, Sun
I still get butterflies.
As I mentioned in my previous blog, the replica Dior Bar Suit arrived with just enough time to do a test shoot with Maggie. I thought it would be a great chance for us to both warm up to our new roles of photographer and subject. Frankly speaking, I still get butterflies before every single shoot. I keep waiting for it to go away and it never does. I'm always worried that I will arrive to a portrait session and suddenly lose my ability to take a photograph. But luckily for my clients, my nerves have never stopped me from creating something incredible for them.
Although my Denver portrait sessions always include professional hair and makeup, I asked Maggie to do her own since it was just a test shoot. As she started getting ready, I started preparing my studio for her portrait to be taken. And by studio, I do mean house. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that over 90% of my work is created outdoors with the sun. But on rare occasions, I stay indoors and use a combination of the sun, studio lighting and a backdrop. On the day of Maggie's test shoot, it was overcast. Usually this would be a gift from the photography gods because the light outside would be soft and diffused. But I wanted to do the test shoot inside since we will be outside for much of Maggie's dream experience in Paris.
The time drew close to Maggie's arrival and the sunlight from the window was still a bit too dim. Martin was acting as my assistant that day and together we decided it might be best to move the backdrop outdoors. We pulled all of the equipment outdoors to our backyard and just as we had settled on a perfect spot and height for the backdrop, the clouds moved...and out came the sun in its full glory.
Most people think that the best time to take photographs is when the sun is brightest. Uh-uh. It's the worst. Don't believe me? The next time it's about 12 noon and it's a sunny day, step outside with a friend and look at their face. Unless you're in open shade, you'll notice that your friend's face is covered in harsh and unflattering shadows. Often midday sun produces what photographers refer to as "raccoon eyes", where the eyes cannot be seen as anything but gigantic dark circles.
Gorgeous midday light.
So yeah. We moved everything inside.
Testing things out
We relocated just in time for Maggie's arrival. The sun from the window I was relying on still wasn't quite strong enough alone, so as Maggie got changed I pulled out a studio light. In a portrait, it's very important that the face is well lit and that a catchlight in the eye can be seen. Of course rules are often broken in photography, but that is what I aim for.
Testing the light on the backdrop once it was moved inside.
Maggie emerged from my office and I truly felt like my Dior Barbie had come to life. Yes, I have a Dior Barbie and yes she wears a Bar Suit. Good news, kids! When you grow up, you can buy whatever the hell you want!!!
I'm a Barbie girl at heart. Always have been, always will be.
Seriously, though...looking at Maggie...I was just completely transported back to a different time.
Jardin du Luxembourg?
The test shoot went great! Maggie photographs so beautifully and it made me even more excited for Paris! After she left, I tried to create some organization in my usually tidy office, which was COVERED in wardrobe for Paris. I started making lists for each portrait session that will take place once we are in France, mostly to keep track of which accessory goes with which outfit. And to start visualizing what each shoot might look like.
That's when it occurred to me: I hadn't heard back from the Jardin du Luxembourg.
Back in April I started doing research on the Jardin. As you may recall, I fell in love with the location when we visited Paris in January. I also saw Vera Wang do a photoshoot there and became even more inspired. But I wondered if a permit was needed to photograph there. Since it's a public park, my first thought was no. And my first thought was wrong.
A friend of mine from high school now lives in France. He is completely fluent in French, so I asked a favor of him. He contacted the right people on my behalf and came back with some news: as a government building is in view when you photograph at the Jardin du Luxembourg, you absolutely have to have a permit to do a professional photo shoot. She gave him a list of things I had to reply with to obtain the permit, including why I had to photograph at the Jardin and not somewhere else. No pressure.
Using Google Translate, I composed a clumsy letter and sent it. That was back in April. They never wrote back.
Worth the risk?
I started contacting other photographers from around the world who had done photoshoots at the Jardin. None had a permit. But most were eventually asked to leave. This made me uncomfortable. I didn't want to put a whole plan in place, including the perfect outfit, only to be kicked out by the Jardin staff moments after arriving. I photographed Martin back in January because I didn't know I couldn't do so, and we didn't get kicked out. But were we just lucky?
Martin loves his trees.
So I'm still wondering: is it worth the risk? Should I just take a chance and try photographing Maggie at the spot that I promised myself I would come back to this year? Or should I write again and ask for permission? What if they refuse? Or what if a permit is insanely expensive???
Moments before boarding my flight to Paris! Proceeded by one very crazy morning. I'll tell you the story tomorrow ;)
I just don't know what to do and I suppose you'll find out with me after I arrive to Paris. Which, by the way, is in a few hours!!! That's right!!! I am writing this from my laptop on the airplane (merci airplane wi-fi) and I will land in Paris before most of Denver wakes up!!! Ahhhh!!!!! It's finally here!!!
Sneak peek
So how does the replica Dior Bar Suit photograph? Well, I'll let you be the judge of that. Here is Maggie on the day of her test shoot, looking more gorgeous than I could have ever imagined!!!!
Paris is always a good idea.
Please keep following along as we arrive to Paris and begin the experience of a lifetime!!!
Gravity Backdrops
If you're just starting out with studio photography and looking for an amazing backdrop like the one in this blog, please click here!
p.S. None of these blogs are sponsored. I'm just sharing the links because I'm nice. However, if you are the CEO of Panera Bread and willing to sponsor my blog, I am more than willing to negotiate if free food is involved. Thanks. Best.
