This year, I have been putting a lot of focus into creative work with and without a specific intention. As a professional photographer and a business-oriented person, creative fatigue can hit, and my career, which is supposed to be a privilege and joy, can start to feel like a corporate 9-5. When I find that familiar feeling creeping up, I create recklessly. I take portraits with the acceptance that they might never see the light of day or that they might only be appreciated by myself and my muse.
Lexi, the model in the picture, is also an artist. She is a wonderfully talented ethereal painter. I saw her profile pop up on my suggested friends on social media, and I felt inspired by her profile picture and her art. She creates art that bares her soul, and I love that I can look at her work and see her reflection. I want to create art as she does. So, I messaged her and asked if she’d like to meet and sit for some portraits. She agreed, and I arranged for a beautiful gown to come to my studio. On the day of, the gown had not come, and I called her, panicking because I would like to be known for many things, but being unreliable is unacceptable.
She offered just to come over, tour my studio, and if we end up feeling inspired with what I have for wardrobe, we’ll use that. If we don’t find inspiration, we will have spent time as new friends. We turned on some tunes from her favorite playlist, I found a blue gown, and she picked out one of my tiaras. We both danced, and I set up my lights in a way I’d never tried before. The resulting portraits were made of organic inspiration from interpretive dance. It was refreshing and beautiful to share art with her.
Any art medium is a collaborative effort between two. Without connection, a photo is just a photo. A dress is just a dress.
I’m so thankful for my new friend.
What do you think are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!
I think the two most impactful features that make my image a good photograph is authenticity and ambiguous storytelling.
If you could make this photo again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or different?
If I could re-create this photo, I would like to start the session with some positive affirmations. I was a bit frazzled because the dress I ordered did not show up in time. I would remind myself that I am talented, I am capable, and I will have fun.
Evamaria Foltz shared this photograph in the FRAMES Facebook Group.
Photographer
Evamaria Foltz, Augusta, GA, United States
Equipment and settings
I used a Nikon Z 7II with a Z-mount Nikkor 50mm f/1.8. The lighting was from a Stella CLX10 constant light in a 65″ double diffused umbrella and a Solix constant light for the spotlight on her face. I couldn’t find the barn doors for the Solix, so I wrapped a clam shell reflector around the opening of the light and fastened it with a ribbon that goes to a random dress in my studio.
The large umbrella was about 5ft away from the model, camera right, pointed past the model not at her. The bottom of the umbrella sat about belly level to model. The Solix was about 3 feet away from the model and just in front of her, camera right up high and pointed down at her face.
Camera settings: 1/400 sec., f/1.8, ISO 100
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