For years I have been wanting to do this photo shoot as apart of my fine art portfolio. I always imagined the model for this session to be a blonde pale pretty girl because that captures snow queen in my mind. I even wanted to maybe find an albino model but couldn’t find anyone. I would’ve used my step daughter Gilly for this shoot because she is pretty blond and pale but I’ve used her for sooo many shoots at this point I thought it was time to switch it up. I started to go through my client photos in search of this criteria. I went through graduation sessions, boudoir, family sessions, and eventually bumped into Jessica, who I’ve always thought was such a beautiful young woman. I reached out to see if she would want to join us and model and I was so grateful and felt so blessed when she said yes. I invited some of my photographer friends and unfortunately Noah, my second shooter, was in San Francisco at the time because he had to postpone a trip so he couldn’t make it to this shoot even though he really wanted to be here. I was also freaking out that the snow would be lacking when we picked the date but luckily California is currently freezing over so there was an abundance of snow on the ground when we drove up.
I made the crown you can see in some of the photos and I ordered the dress months in advanced because I was so excited for it. Jessica showed up to my home with her full face of makeup done and we helped her get into the huge poofy pink dress and into the car. We all piled in the car and drove up to an area near big bear lake and past the village for the more forestry photos.
First and foremost, it’s important to protect your camera from the elements. Snow and moisture can damage your camera, so be sure to use a protective cover or sleeve and keep your camera and lenses dry. It’s also a good idea to bring along spare batteries and memory cards, as the cold weather can drain your batteries and memory cards can fill up quickly.
When it comes to capturing snowy landscapes, there are a few things to keep in mind. One of the most important is exposure. Snow can trick your camera’s light meter into underexposing the image, resulting in gray or dull snow. To avoid this, you can either use your camera’s exposure compensation feature to add a little extra light to the scene or manually adjust the exposure settings. Another important factor in snow photography is contrast. The stark contrast between the bright white snow and the darker objects in the scene can create a striking image. Look for subjects that offer interesting contrast, such as a dark tree against a snowy landscape or a colorful object against a white background.
If you’re photographing people in the snow, it’s important to keep them warm and comfortable. Dress them in warm clothing and make sure they have plenty of breaks to warm up. In terms of photography, try to capture the joy and excitement of winter activities such as sledding or building a snowman. Look for candid moments and try to capture the expressions and emotions of your subjects. One of the most magical things about snow photography is the way it can transform even the most mundane scenes into something extraordinary. A simple park bench or tree can become a work of art when covered in a blanket of snow. So, don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things when photographing in the snow.
Fine art photography is a form of photography that goes beyond simple documentation of a subject or scene. It is an artistic medium that combines technical skill and creative vision to produce images that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also thought-provoking and emotionally impactful. Fine art photography can range from abstract and surreal images to highly detailed and realistic portraits or landscapes.
To create fine art photography, the photographer must have both technical skill and artistic vision. Technical skill is necessary to master the camera and lighting equipment and produce high-quality images. Artistic vision is essential to create a unique and compelling image that stands out from the crowd. Fine art photographers often spend a significant amount of time experimenting with different techniques and styles to find their own artistic voice.
Fine art photography can be created in a variety of styles and genres, from black and white portraiture to abstract landscape photography. Some fine art photographers focus on exploring a specific theme or subject, such as nature or architecture, while others use photography to express personal feelings and emotions. Regardless of the subject matter, fine art photography is characterized by its creativity, originality, and emotional impact.
One of the benefits of fine art photography is that it allows the photographer to explore and express their own creativity and vision. Unlike commercial photography, where the photographer is often working to fulfill a specific client brief, fine art photography offers the opportunity for complete artistic freedom. Fine art photographers can experiment with new techniques, push the boundaries of traditional photography, and create images that are truly unique and personal.
I added the moose you can see because I wanted to play with composites and I love how it came out. Jessica did such a great job especially in the chilly snow and the pictures came out so lovely. I also didn’t know before she came to my home that she’s only 5’3! I think she definitely carried herself so well and rocked the dress that you wouldn’t even be able to tell she’s on the shorter side. We shot until sunset and I’m so happy with how everything turned out. We left at about 11 am and didn’t get back until 9 pm! It was such a fun day with a bunch of my photography friends and mentees and I can’t wait for my next fine art session.
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South Whittier, CA.
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Pico Rivera, CA.
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Santa Fe Springs, CA.
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Hacienda Heights, CA.
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La Mirada, CA.
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East La Mirada, CA.
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Avocado Heights, CA.
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Montebello, CA.
- Buena Park, CA.