Monday, January 30, 2012

Melissa / Head Shots

This was the third time I've worked with Melissa. Not long after our second shoot on 12-18-11 Melissa contacted me wanting to do a photo shoot doing nothing but head shots. Melissa had another photo shoot with her sister scheduled with another photographer on Saturday, 01-28-12, so she said she could do something with me beforehand. We got to spend a couple hours together. One of the things Melissa wanted to use was the "brick" background thats in the studio for some of her shots. I've posted some of the images here and there is a link to more images toward the end of this post.

Thank you Melissa...I had a fun time. :)








Chuck Ryan Photography (Model Mayhem)

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Twin Cities Fashion Show & Inspired INC. 2012 Party

I was looking for something to do on Saturday, 01-21-12 that was photography related. A friend told me about a “Fashion Runway Event” being held in Brooklyn Park that’s close to my home. I was familiar with the venue where the event was going to be held and had some questions concerning lighting for the event. I also wanted to know if they had a specific photographer or if any photographer could attend the event. I normally don’t use flash when shooting runway events, but for this one I figured I might have to use some sort of lighting.


I contacted Tia Kras who was putting on the event to get some answers to my questions. Eventually we spoke on the phone. Tia told me the runway event was going to take place at 6 pm, but at 3 pm there was going to be another photographer who was going to photograph some of the models. She told me I could show up and assist with photographing the models.


Based upon what I was told about the lighting I felt the in house lighting wasn’t going to be good enough to shoot the event without using any type of flash. I suspected that there was just going to be florescent lights in the ceiling that would cast shadows in the models eye sockets. Now I would need some lights for shooting the models before the actual event.


Well, I decided I should help Tia out so I went to the studio and grabbed a bunch of my equipment really not knowing what I would need until I got to the venue. Here is a list of equipment I took: One Elinchrom Ranger, two Elinchrom Quadra, one Elinchrom Style 600RX monolight, Elinchrom maxilight, 53” Octa, 39” Deep Octa, striplight, Avenger boom stand, other Manfrotto light stands, 30 lb. sandbag, background stand, gray muslin, clamps and other miscellaneous items. I used everything except the 53” Octa and the 39” Deep Octa...and I didn’t use the monolight.


On the day of the event I arrived at about 2 pm. There were three models seated in the area where the event was going to take place. The venue wasn’t very interesting from the stand point of doing any type of photo shoot. Eventually Tia arrived with some black fabric for the background. She said she decided to have the models photographed on the stage. This was really the only place with in the venue.


There was no sign of the other photographer, so I decided to haul my gear inside to get ready for the shoot. I also realized that I would probably would be using the same lighting set-up for the actual event.


I initially set-up one Quadra with a maxilight for my main light, but I realized the black material in back of the models just soaked up the light. There wasn’t enough separation between the model and the background. I quickly got out the Elinchrom Ranger to use with the maxilight. I brought the Quadra up on the stage. There wasn’t much room between the model and the background. I put on a strip light on one of the Quadra’s and eventually needed to use a reflector on the other Quadra to light the background. I taped my light meter case to the reflector to use as a flag.


Overall, I’m glad I made it out to Tia’s event. Most of the ladies (models) I spoke to had never done any type of modeling so it a nice to see them get a chance.


Here is the website for Tia’s clothing. Inspired INC


Tia Kras (Facebook)


Twin Cities Fashion Show & Inspired INC. 2012 Party















Chuck Ryan Photography (Model Mayhem)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Danielle Holman

Danielle Holman and I had a photo shoot on Monday, 01-16-12. Danielle's timing was perfect. I was waiting for a confirmation on another model when Danielle said she would be available to come to the studio on Monday. All we had to do was schedule it a little earlier in the morning, since she had another appointment in the afternoon...I believed it was another photo shoot.

Anyways, I have many models who express an interest in shooting TF (trade for), but after the initial contact they fail to respond in a timely matter to my messages. I will always confirm with the model a few days to a week before the shoot to confirm and if I don't get a response I will look for a replacement. This is mostly a problem with the models who contact me through Model Mayhem.







Chuck Ryan Photography (Model Mayhem)

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Border Symmetry's "Little Black Dress" Event

On Saturday, 01-14-12, I attended Border Symmetry's, "Little Black Dress" event at the Embassy Suites Hotel in St. Paul. Border Symmetry is a Facebook group for photographers, models and MUA's to network and to get together for different photo shoots.

This event was more of a social event with the opportunity to photograph the different models that signed up for the event.

This was the first time I got to use my Elinchrom Quadra on a shoot. So far I really like them...I'll be able to use more of my Elinchrom light modifiers than with my Nikon SB-900 speedlights. Most of my shots were with the Elinchrom 39" Deep Octa. A few of the them I used a strip light and 8.25 reflector with grid. I look forward to using the Quadra on other location shoots.

Here are a couple of images. There is a link to more images toward the end of this post...called "Little Black Dress" Event Gallery.



Chuck Ryan Photography (Model Mayhem)

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Mykquel Reynolds

I met Mykquel Reynolds while photographing the Ultimate Style & INsalon Runway event held last October at the St. Paul River Centre. I was photographing the event for the Minnesota Salon & Spa Professional Association.

Mykquel had asked me for my business card and a short time later she contacted me to do a photo shoot with her. Thank you Mykquel and to Berlin Rice who did Mykquel's hair and make-up. It was another fun day in the studio.








Chuck Ryan Photography (Model Mayhem)

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Chelsie Coleman

On Friday, 01-06-12, I had a photo shoot with Chelsie Coleman. I had placed a casting call on Model Mayhem and Chelsie contacted me expressing an interest. A date was set and here are a couple of the images from our photo shoot. There is a link to more images toward the bottom of this post. Thank you Chelsie!!!





Chuck Ryan Photography (Model Mayhem)