Photoshoot RECAP: Katelin @ Paulo’s in the Reeds

Jun 6, 2009 by Bo    12 Comments    Posted under: Lighting Setups, Photoshoot Recap

Where to begin?  There is so much to talk about this particular photoshoot!

I often say ‘I love this photo’ or ‘this is my favourite photo of the set’ or things along those lines, and each and everytime I mean what I say.  I love all those photos.  However once in a while a set of photos come around when I’m a bit lost for words.  (I swear I’m not on an ego rant here…just pure honesty).   This set of 4 shots with Katelin in the reeds are in my top ten since I’ve been back to DC, that’s if they are not my absolute favourite.  

I think everything just worked out in this set…the hair..the light..the makeup…the outfit…the expressions…the poses…the reeds…the processing.   In some photos, I can often pick out bits of pieces which I really like…with this set…it seems it’s the harmony of it all that makes it all work.   (I am aware that ever so slowly I’m starting to sound like a bullshitting art critique with a beret and scarf.)  Well let me just shut up show you the pics.  And then I’ll add in bits and tibits explaining the shoot in between.

The make up was by Chontae and bikini outfit by Booshie Designs, and the model is of course the amazing Katelin, you can check out her blog and also our other shoots.

Hit the link for bigger photos and story behind the shoot.

This shoot was done at Paulo’s house during the DCphotocoop open house event on the Chesapeak.  When I first set my eyes on the reeds on my first boat ride out with Chris, I knew I had to shoot there.  I had no idea what the look would be, but what are the chances you’ll come across tall grass again?

By 6 o’clock in the fading sun, Katelin and I decided on venturing out into the reeds.  We had choosen a loose bikini with a gold belt by Booshie Designs.   Racing against time (when the sun decides to fall, it drops FAST), Katelin, Chris, Britney, Paulo and I hopped on the boat and ventured out into the reeds.   I had to take off my shirt to wrap around the camera and lens.   After circling around the reeds patch, we found a gorgeous little place to shoot.  

As it happens, there is no place to dock the boat and get out, but luckily it was only the shallows, a couple feet of water.  So I rolled up the trousers and hopped off the boat and ventured ashore.   The water was a bit deeper than expected as soon enough I found myself walking around with a completely soaked pair of trousers weighing a ton.   Katelin, on the other hand, was swepted off her feet by Chris, her knight in shining armour, and carried ashore :p.   To be fair…models are always the most important part of a shoot…nothing can happen to them ever or the shoot is over and done with.   (And if you have followed through the shoots, you know that Katelin is one tough GI Jane of a model. )  We soon reached the shore as we trudged through the murky shallow with hidden drift wood and random pieces of sea/bay/water life.

As we got ashore, the sun was nearly settling down and we quicked snapped away.  Katelin, barefoot, unafraid of the sharp reeds, hopped into a little clearing admist the reeds and we started snapping away.  Katelin moved from post to post and we simply shot away.  I’ve shot with Katelin so often, that we’ve gotten to the point that there’s also minimal verbal communication needed for the shoots.  Everything is just so effortless.

There are always moments when I felt just really happy or satisfied.  I still remember finishing reading Crime and Punishment in the NY public library…I sat looking into the distance with a stupid grin on my face and I was happy.   With this set of photos, it’s similar, I finished processing them and just had all 4 of them up next to each other on my computer screen and I stared with a grin on my face.  I would happily print these big, framed and hung up.   In time it will be done.

Technical aside:

The top three photos were taken with natural sunlight while the last one was with the SB900 acting as fill just sitting on top of the camera.  Shooting in between the reeds proved a challenge to the AF system as the camera tried its best to distinguish between katelin and the reeds.   I was shooting simply with a D2x and 17-55.   As for the B&W conversion, I had initially wanted a colour photos…slightly desaturated as seen here, here and here.  I thought the colour look would give the photos a bit more nature feel with the green.  I finally settled on the B&W as I liked the ‘rawer’ feel of the B&W and the fact that katelin looks as if she is more blended in with nature even.  Hope that works.  

happy.

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