will king lighting workshop

light.

it can be so beautiful, but it can also be downright hateful when it chooses.

light.

it makes or breaks a photograph - probably THE single most important element when it comes to making an image (i mean, without light it doesn't matter how long the shutter is open... the sensor won't capture anything unless there is light to record).

 a few saturdays ago i had the ABSOLUTE PLEASURE of attending one of will king photography's workshops on lighting.  i learned a TON and added a few things to my business' christmas list (speedlight/umbrella/pocket wizard... santa?! are you listening?!!)

the day was full of 'firsts' - off-camera lighting, working with models, being surrounded by professional photographers... such an awesome learning experience :)  i can't thank will enough for putting this on, and if you ever have the chance to attend one of these i HIGHLY recommend it. 

**SONY USERS: you MUST bring an adapter for your flash or the pocket wizards won't connect with the off-camera flash units** thank goodness amanda from loving memories photography is a fellow sony user - she saved my butt!! thanks girl ;)

this first one is a 'behind the scenes' shot - in the far right is sandra modeling at the single, constant light source setup.  the bigger flash in the foreground was for a separate, three light setup.

ladies and gentlemen... charles hamilton and sandra goode :) she's just so gorgeous!!

 this is at the single, constant light source setup 

ok, ok, i know... i go to a lighting workshop and i photograph in natural light... but LAWD she's pretty!! check out kelly gaita - actress/model

this was with a single beauty disk - i still love natural light too, but i thought this was pretty cool!

her hair was done by elizabeth ansel alfier

and makeup was by kristine marie makeup artistry

i may or may not have completely freaked kelly out when i walked up to introduce myself to her... i think my introduction went something like this:

"hi!! i'm caitlin and i just wanted to let you know that i think you are absolutely precious!!!"

*note to self... precious = gollum from the hobbit - do not use precious*

this is sydney and she is SO FIERCE. i love the shadows in this - crazy awesome. hair by elizabeth ansel alfier

this is charles again - he's super cute, but also a big goofball (sorry charles, i outted you...) 

kelly. you are gorgeous. kristen marie makeup artistry - you are amazing.  props to amanda for this angle, we were actually off to the side and she started shooting kelly from the side and i followed suit 

 here's sandra again!! at the outside setup - by this time the sun was setting (you can see a little flare in the upper left and more on her right arm) so the off-camera lighting gave this photo a whole new dynamic. i kindof love it.  

WORK IT. sandra is also a TON of fun - as in: had me laughing so hard i was almost crying by the end of the workshop.

makeup is by: makeup by vega

kandice!!!! love this girl. i really don't know how to handle models - but they were all so understanding, especially kandice - her hair was a little messed up before i took this shot and i was really hesitant to touch her.  and being my awkward self i was afraid to invade her space, but she was so sweet and helped me out!! thank you kandice!! #majorlearningcurve :) 

AAHH!!! ok, so we're all at this workshop and hanging out while the models are getting ready and miss khalilah denise walks in the room and i'm thinking to myself... i feel like i've seen her before - i don't know where i would've seen her, but she looks so familiar...

then it hits me.

HER FACE IS ON A BILLBOARD. ON 64. crazy.

ps - her skin is FLAWLESS. 

this was a natural light one - sorry will... (he was upset that i was at a lighting workshop and photographing outside with natural light... but old habits are hard to break!!)

again, sydney, you are so fierce! love this one.

khalilah again - she was such a sweetie pie - she came up to me after the workshop was over and said 'i just want to give you a hug' and it MADE MY DAY.  the following image was at the single, constant light setup:

if you have the chance to attend one of will's workshops, i would highly recommend it.  not only did i learn way more than i thought possible in one day, i met awesome models and some amazing local photographers.  a HUGE thank you to everyone who made it possible - it truly was a phenomenal experience :)

caits