Favorite Things
Interested in learning about Sam's favorite vendors and resources? This is the place to hear about where Sam finds the products and services that raise her studio to another level. Clients notice and appreciate attention to detail, and the vendors that help give Sam's studio the edge are highlighted in the Favorite Things area.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE:
From the beginning of the digital revolution until now, I have had over five totally different camera systems. I have invested many dollars to keep up with technology to always have the best capture device possible. In the beginning of the digital revolution, our studio was on the bleeding edge of technology. Everything we did was manual and time consuming. Now work flow has become so much easier to manage.
EQUIPMENT: www.canon.com
Let me clarify: it does not take a huge investment to get into photography. Part of the learning process for me was trying new systems, equipment, and products to make the journey easier. Although I could do my job well with a camera, a lens, and a simple reflector; it is the products listed below that I believe have helped me evolve my work to its present style. Although you will see a detailed list of my equipment below, I am not suggesting that you purchase anything without first understanding why you need it and what the benefits really are. The list below is just an outline of the products that I use in my everyday work.
Camera:
I have invested many thousands of dollars in digital capture devices. It was an expensive and yet critical part of my growth process. I believe that it was the quest for the perfect capture that finally brought me to the Canon system. The Canon system provides the freedom to play, and a superior capture ensures my work can be displayed as wall art in my client's homes.
MARK II 1DS and the MARK III 1DS: Each camera has many unique features and benefits. I recommend renting both before making a final decision on which one to purchase.
Lens:
Canon 28-135 4.5
For practical purposes, when working with newborns, I recommend that you start with the 28-135 4.5. This smaller, lighter-weight lens is perfect for getting up close to your subject and keeping eye contact as you work. Keep in mind that to avoid distortion you should try and shoot in a range greater than 70 mm. Once you have mastered the techniques and skills to work with babies, you can then invest in the next lens described.
Canon 70-200 2.8 or the 70-200mm 2.8
If I had to choose only one lens to work with, it would have to be the 70-200 mm 2.8. I use this lens on 90% of the work I do. This lens provides a wonderful fall off and compression that has become a signature part of my style. It also allows a larger aperture, so I can work easily in natural light. You must be aware that when you shoot small apertures, you risk loss of focus. However, once you understand this lens, you will find that the creative applications make it a perfect tool for most work. This lens is a bit heavier to hand hold, and it took time to master. Most of my work is on a tripod or studio stand, but in every session I handhold for more variety. As I mentioned, this is my all-time favorite lens. I do however, strongly recommend that you rent or borrow one first before you invest.
Canon 70-200mm 4.5
The little sister to the lens described above is the 70-200mm 4.5. This lighter, more compact lens is easy to work with due to its smaller size and lighter weight. It is a bit slower at a minimum 4.5 aperture. When working with young children, using a much smaller aperture opens you up to the risk of allowing your image to go out of focus. I call this a chick lens because the girls that work for me love its lighter weight.
Other lens suggestions:
In addition to the lenses above, I have several lenses that provide creative inspiration. These are not necessities, but as your style evolves, you will search out new creative tools to inspire and excite. Again, I highly recommend that you find a place to rent equipment and test them out before you make the investment.
85 mm 1.4
This is one of the most stunning lenses I have ever used. I just love the compressions and clarity that it offers. When working with infants, I prefer the zoom lenses that I listed above. However, every time I pull out the 85mm, I get excited when I see the results. Indoor, ¾-pregnancy images and outdoor work just scream with this lens.
Lens babies:
This fun, little lens can provide really interesting depth-of-field fall off. I have pulled it out during many sessions just to add a bit of drama into my work. I find that it can be difficult to use with newborn sessions; however, some of my favorite pregnancy images were created with this little tool.
Lighting: http://www.photogenicpro.com/
Currently I use all photogenix lights as my studio strobes.
Soft boxes and reflectors: http://www.larson-ent.com/
I am a die-hard user of Larson light modifier products. These tools are critical in the lighting techniques for my studio work. I strongly believe in the product design and the quality of the output.
Soft boxes:
One of the key factors you must understand concerns the color of the fabric on your soft box. If your soft box fabric is yellow or gray, then your final capture will have that color cast. Larson's fabric is pure white. This ensures that your image will have minimal color cast.
14x48 light strips with egg crates:
These lights are my favorite to work with. The precision that they provide is wonderful for controlling light and sculpting the body. It is especially nice when working with a pregnant mom or a mom that has just had a baby. A strip light can eliminate lighting areas that would be a distraction and allows you to focus the light on the subject only.
3x4 soft boxes
These boxes are wonderful and almost duplicate the natural look of window light. The soft light is perfect for an active child and also larger families. Often, I will use two 3x4 lights from the back, using them as rim lights. This creates both dynamic shadows and dramatic lighting.
Reflectors:
I use several sizes and fabrics for my reflectors. The 3x4 soft silver from Larson is one of my favorites. This reflector is sturdy enough to be on a stand outside and also provide the soft-quality reflection that I expect from a reflector.
Other tools:
Transmitter, receiver and light meter: www.tallyphotographic.com
A few other items that I must mention are the pocket wizards and the Sekonic light meter. These tools were made to work together to simplify the lighting process. The wireless transmitter and receivers ensure that there are no cords between your subject and you. For real studio flow, you can install a chip within your seconic meter and be able to meter without any wires or cords. This is especially nice when working with infants. Time is critical, and these tools are great time savers.
Camera stand or tripod:
When working with children, it is critical that you control the situation. This can easily be done if your camera is mounted on a tripod or stand. By learning to use this tool, you will be able to work faster and maintain eye contact while working.
Props:
When I started my business, my props were simple items, sometimes found in garage sales and thrift stores. During an early period, what I call my "white phase," most of my props were painted white. These simple backgrounds and props created beautiful images for my clients.
Since then, I have accumulated more sets to offer my clients; from fantasy fairytale sets to simple chairs and toys. Now most of my work involves natural lighting and very simple props. The average session involves a child, a chair, and/or a simple wall or background.
As far as accessories go, anything that evokes a personal relationship with the image is ideal for a child's portraits. Some of the props I use are a client's favorite stuffed animal, flowers, dolls, fishing poles, grandpa's hat, or whatever will best create an emotional connection to the portrait.
Backgrounds:
When I was new to photography, my backgrounds were simple gray muslins, a white roll of paper, and a big piece of black fabric. In the years that followed, I purchased a variety of background canvases as well as architectural pieces like old barn boards, tin ceiling panels, or anything else that fired my creativity.
http://www.wickerbydesign.com/
http://www.dennymfg.com/store/
Tool kit
The emergency tool kit is a must to avoid disaster when those unforeseen circumstances arise. To keep life simple, use a toolbox or a plastic bin to hold your items in one place. For my company, I have a toolbox in each work truck and one in the studio. Another great tip is to laminate your list of items you stock in your toolbox and adhere it to the inside of the box.
Here's my list of must-have items:
- Bobby Pins
- Hair spray
- Hair elastics
- Combs
- Brush
- Safety pins
- Mirror
- Tiny screw drivers
- Pocket knife
- Eyeglass repair kit
- Two large clamps
- Two small clamps
- Duct tape
- Band Aids
- Insect repellent
- Pens and pencils
- Water spray bottle
- Sewing kit
- Fishing line
- Velcro
- Lip balm
- Scissors
- First aid kit
- AA batteries
- Super glue
- Lint brush
- Aspirin/pain reliever
- Black sharpies
- Baby wipes
- Black/white shoe polish
- Rubber bands
- String or twine
- Lens cleaning solution
- Cable release
- Skin lotion
- Gray card
- Sunscreen
- Calamine lotion
- Bungie cord
- Water bottle
- Flashlight
- Small package of tissues
- Allen wrenches
- Plastic zipper bags
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Gloves
- Hand sanitizer
- Bubbles
- Squeaky toy
- Pliers
- Lens cleaning cloth
- Canned air
- Glue gun
- Cotton swabs
- Nail polish remover
- Shower cap
- Dog treats
PRINTING SERVICES
Clients judge you on the appearance of your products and marketing materials. That's why it's imperative to select the best available printers to represent your work.
Marathon Press: www.marathonpress.com
Marathon Press provides superior customer service, amazing printing services, and they are pros at creating attractive and functional websites.
Finao: www.finaoonline.com
Top quality and innovative albums and products sets finao apart from the competition, and their culture of excellence will ensure you have nothing but the best to give to your clients.
SAM'S FRIENDS:
Sam understands that the vendors who supply her business needs also influence her client's opinions of her studio. With that in mind, she's very careful in selecting companies with whom to work. Choose top-quality vendors, and your clients will notice. Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest impact. Sam's vendors are the best in the business, and she hopes you'll discover that first hand.
Chiaroscuro: www.chiarogifts.com
I created Chiaroscuro Gifts for people who value family and understand the importance of capturing memories. Chiaroscuro fills that niche to provide clients with unique items that they will be proud to display and give as gifts. We understand how the gifts people give are an extension of their creativity, warm regard, and is a signature of their love. We've carefully selected the best products to meet our client's needs.
