Valerie by the Pool - Photo Gallery

See more of Valerie on her Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/valerieann_w/

Once in a while, a model comes along who, for whatever reason, radiates some sort of unique energy and aura that it's hard for me not to notice. Valerie is not only beautiful but she's traveled a long, difficult road, and I knew this not via conversation but by her eyes. There's something very alluring about a tragic beauty, because she is not perfect, that makes her even more... perfect.

The warm summer weather starts early in the day here in sun valley, AKA El Paso, Texas, the morning light is tinted with orange and gold hues and is beautiful to shoot in. Valerie is a hard-working and motivated model, so she had no problem agreeing to a 7am call time so that we can start shooting in the early morning light, which is bright, but not too bright.

I opted to shoot her in color and black and white, in both digital (with my Sony A7RII) and in medium format film, (with my Mamiya 7). The one piece bathing suit I gifted Valerie lended itself perfectly for high contrast black and white images.

Hair and make up was expertly provided by Cynthia https://www.instagram.com/cynthiafu2/ 

who always does a great job for me.

My dog Oliver even got in front of the camera with Valerie for a few shots as well.

Enjoy the photos!

From the Street to the River - Photo Gallery

Turner and I are always looking forward to our next photographic adventure. Korea offers endless opportunities, it's as simple as packing a camera bag and setting off in most any direction. On this particular day, we started out shooting street photography in Nowon, but it wasn't too long before the thick humidity and glaring heat had us scrambling for the comfort of an air conditioned coffee shop and Korean BBQ joint. We opted to change gears (and cameras) and head North, to a river that skirts the Southern side of the DMZ. Turner had previously spotted a large rock cliff on the river so we decided that we'd try to go and shoot it in the late afternoon.

Our gear for the first half of the day included Turner's newly acquired Nikon FM2 35mm film camera, while I carried my Rolleiflex 35mm film camera and Sony A7II mounted with a Hasselblad Carl Zeiss 80mm lens using a Kipon adapter. However, for our afternoon adventure on the river, Turner switched to his Nikon D800 and brought along his Lee Big Filter kit. Meanwhile, I brought the Mamiya 7 and kept the Sony A7II in my bag.

Watch the video and enjoy our fun day of shooting with us! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xj0B1QAZNQ

Below - Turner with Nikon D800 with Lee Big Stopper

Below - Turner with Nikon FM2 35mm film camera

 

 Below - Felix with Sony A7II with Hasselblad Carl Zeiss 80mm lens (with Kipon adapter)

Below - Felix with Rolleiflex SL35M 35mm film camera

 Below -  Felix with Mamiya 7 with 80mm Mamiya lens, medium format film camera