Workshop

I had the opportunity to go to a workshop last Saturday by Tonya Joy of Tonya Joy Photography with about 14 other photographers. I was originally drawn to her blog (years ago) because I loved her color – in her photographs and her blog. I have always liked lots of color and bright light. Tonya helped design my blog. My daughter has a yellow damask wallpaper in her room and I was hoping to have that on the background of my blog - tonya found one just like it! She designed my logo for me too. When she started offering workshops I knew I would have to attend one.

Anyway….I learned a ton about shooting in manual and even some Photoshop tricks that I did not know. She is really awesome at what she does and I have always admired her work. Tonya has amazing light in her photos ALWAYS and does fun things with her shoots. It was a privilege to watch her work.

This was a different type of shoot for me as it was very stylized as you will see from the photos. I was able to really think about what I was doing in manual and tried to nail my exposure. Usually I am shooting pretty quickly as children are involved and I usually shoot in AV and often times I shoot very safe. She encouraged us to shoot wide open so I did….with my new 85mm 1.2. The models were awesome – their makeup was perfect….

It was a circus theme – the first girls were mime’s. A happy one and a sad one.

Design, hair and makeup by: Katrina Kirk

F 1.2, SS 1/2000 ISO 400

F 1.2, SS 1/640 ISO 125

Cora (blonde) F 1.2, SS 1/1250, ISO 125

My daughter put a vintage edit on this next one…

We went back to her house and talked about her workflow and post processing while we ate an amazing lunch. It was really helpful. Encouraging as well. I am totally self taught – remember I am an accountant…photography came second. I found that I do a lot of the same things she does as far as finding light, photoshop, organizing images and tagging them etc. She was able to help me learn things that I haven’t been doing as well – business ideas, etc. She was really open and showed us many things.

Couple shoot:

Design, hair and makeup by: Vivian Tran

This shoot was later in the afternoon….First pic was in shade – the next was in backlight…

F 1.6, SS 1/800 ISO 250

This couple is really engaged so that was fun. They are getting married in July in San Diego – she will make a beautiful bride. I thought her hair and make up looked amazing. I barely touched her face – the beauty of shooting so wide is that skin really smooths…although this woman didn’t need any smoothing – her skin was flawless.

Professional makeup artists also know how to do the make up so it photographs well. It does make a difference.

F 1.2, SS 1/1600 ISO 400

Krystal’s hat was designed by Two Back Flats

Thanks Tonya for EVERYTHING – opening your home, showing us your prints, canvases, life..work – everything.