Two "Pretty Wild" Lessons Learned (Part 1)

So a few months ago I got to work on the pilot episode of E! Network's newest show "Pretty Wild." It was a whole bunch of lessons learned in one night of shooting. Being pretty green in the fashion photo world I was a bit nervous. But luckily I had some amazing help on the shoot with me. Two of my highly talented friends that are quite successful in the biz, Maria Carmel and Robert Dahey. I definitely utilized them as much as I could, and given that it was reality television and we waited for about 3 hours till they were ready for us. So during that time my team and I were looking at every nook and cranny to see what furniture or areas we wanted to shoot in. That worked out well for everyone because when it came time for me to shoot we knew exactly where we needed to be. So once all that was said and done my first lesson was learned, communication with the talent unbelievably important. In my head before the shoot I was thinking I didn't wanna screw up, I wanted the pictures to be stellar and this shoot could have a lot of potential for my career. But none of those things are really possible if I couldn't make the models comfortable. After working and watching some great photographers do there thing, I think it is safe to say that you have to find your own way to this promise land. No one can tell you how you are going to best work with your talent. It is something personal you have to figure out. the more you shoot, the easier it will be to find that. Also it was great to work with two of the stars of the show, Tess Taylor and Alexis Neiers. These girls did a great job!! Again shooting in these conditions was kinda hard. Everyone had their own schedule to meet and I wanted to get the best photos I could, but I didn't get very much time with the girls per look. So that is why you really need to find your way to connect with the talent because you never know how much time you may have with them. Even if it is a quick little comment that puts a smile on their face. That will most likely make them feel comfortable, cause who doesn't like to laugh??!? And then both of you can move past the awkward phase and get to making some cool photos. So as far as the pictures go, I think we definitely got what the show was looking for. Here are some of the pics from the shoot. Oh and I have to give some more ups to my girl Maria Carmel for helping me out with the post work. So part 1 of the "Pretty Wild" shoot is to really hone your skills at connecting with the talent. In a few days we will continue with part 2.

www.twitter.com/adam_murray1023

www.mariacarmelphotography.com

www.robertdaheyphotography.com

Damn it...

I still need to get better at blogging. The picture posted in the previous post has nothing to do with the idea I am currently working on. Its just a good pic with a relevant message for today. As the project comes together I will be posting some out takes, nothing that will end up in the book. For the first number of posts, depending on how often I actually post, there won't be many pictures. But stay tuned because just the adventure of me blogging is reason enough (as soon as I learn how to do it effectively).

New project...

So I have been in LA for a little over a year now and have had a number of experiences. For the purpose of this blog I will keep it confined to my photography experiences. I have meet some great people and helped some great photographers. I even got to do my first paid gig for an up and coming clothing line which could lead to more things. But all in all it has been going very slow. I am not in a hurry but I feel as if I am already behind and I am catching up. I have had a tough year in a number of ways, but I think I have seen a bright light somewhere in the tunnel. It may not be the end of it, but at least its a light. I have tons of ideas for projects. 30 years of never having an artistic outlet, coupled with some acquired maturity has led me to create a number of concepts. But after living in LA for this time I have found out that there a number of formalities that I need to be concerned with. With my ideas the biggest road block I have found is the inability to get equipment. But through perseverance and meeting good people I am working my way to taking care of that problem.

But over the past few days I have really struck gold. I feel such a calling to my new project to the point where it is all I can think of and I even feel the call of it inside myself. It is going to be a portrait book that will bring together some of the greatest individuals in the world today. Right now my goals are very ambitious, but I have learned to really see my ideas as concepts. Concepts that need to achieved through lots of planning, thinking and hard work. But I don't think if I will know how to quit this idea. So make sure yo stay tuned to the blog to check on the progression of my idea. Tell your family and friends to tune in as well.

More shots...

More shots from the day...

Fluxus Shoot Team

Thanks to the whole team for doing a great job.

Makeup\Hair... Julie Murray

Model... Farrah Sabado

Clothing... Fluxus, LLC (www.fluxusbrand.com)

Stay tuned for the Fluxus website update with all the shots form the day.

Long day good results...

So back in the beginning of December I got to redo a website, as far as the photos go. It was in a great studio and the clothes were cool too. So after 11 hours of shooting we finally got to let go and have some fun. This is one of my favorite shots. More to come...

next time...

next time i need to remember to post bigger pics. click it!