I was invited to a model shoot a few weeks back by FMers Maurice Ramerez and Ray Somersano (Apertura). Ray partner in crime Erwin was there as well. I won't lie, I was humbled, scared and giddy for the invite. All three of these guys are excellent photographers. Felt like the fat girl at the prom, "just glad to be here". Thanks for the invite guys.

We started at a San Francisco studio and then made our way to an outdoor urban location found by Maurice. Amazing place. WHAT a find. I'm not versed well in studio work so it was a big learning experience for me. I picked up a load of good tips.

Of the 3 model there, I had experience with 1 of them. We had a shoot some months ago at a castle in Ione California. Have a look if you'd like. Castle Models. The other 2 girls were first timers for me. I'm normally a wedding photographer and let me say when you have an experienced model to work with it's a whole new ball game. Of the 3, Erin (image 1, redhead) had the most experience. She flowed well. Our make-up artist was Raquelle Siders. Dresses were provided by Diamond bridal in Sacramento California.

Mostly shot in natural light and the gear used is listed below. More on the blog for those interested: Blog Thanks for the look FM. Comments and critiques are always welcome and appreciated. Cheers.

5Dmk2
70-200
85L
24L
16-35L
50L



1

13 rocks. Really rocks.

Wow! Great work Sam!

Nothing boring here! A long series but full of ideas and a wide variety of shots. Thanks for adding the story that goes with it.

I hate you all <very green with envy... call me Kermit>
great as usual guys.

They all rock. You really have to give yourself more credit.

I saw a ringflash, battery powered strobe, and sunswatter in those images. Those don't count as pure natural light

Can I ask for a few unprocessed shots? Curious how much PP there is in these...

12, 15, 17, and 18... incredible. I love the sneaking up factor in 12... and 17 almost has a good vs evil theme going on. Awesomeness all around.

10, 12, 13, 17, and 18 are oozing all kinds of awesomeness.

the rest are only amazing.

way to be hassas. rockin the weddings, then families, now models... what the heck?! is there anything you can't do?!

Resources are the Key.

You suck.

The only ones worth a crap are #'s 1-20... the behind the scenes shots are kinda cool though.

WOW! You are awesome.. incredible pics

Sam, thats not orange... that is salmon.

Great lighting and poses! Inspiring work!

another level for you, sam-seriously-diggin' 1, 3 (both of them), 5, and 7-lots of good stuff but those really grabbed my attention as special

daniel

Sam.. not trying to pee in your cornflakes but I'm mot feeling all of these.. they seem.. purposeless... neither pretty photos (with a couple exceptions) nor sticking out as particularly artistic (in that they aren't conveying any particular message to me). Then again, I just don't "get" fashion photography.. just seems masturbatory to me (the 'togs, models and MUAs seem to work together solely to work together.. there is no end product or goal, like a commercial shoot or a wedding). good practice for lighting, posing and comps though. Sorry for the harshness.

Love the lighting in 5, 18, 19 and the comps in 9, 10 though. And WTH is Maurice shooting with? Did he stick a mag lite on the end of his camera or something?

4 is smokin.

Really like #8!

maybe could use light in the eyes on the first couple. but as usual your non studio stuff is da bomb. You guys in cali suck big time cause you actually do stuff to have fun and get better. try that in ohio and you would get laughed at for being to out there....until they saw the results and pooped in the pants because the photos are so sweet.
This set makes me want to see the movie Bruno for some reason!
Doug

7 and 9 are the hotness.

i don't know a single a thing about this sort of photography, but I do know I can say a very fine set indeed.
too many to comment on individually.

it seem to me like you were much more than just lucky to be there.......

wow

Very cool set Sam. I love 1, 4, 7, and 14. Thanks for posting this set. Hope you don't mind that I add to your thread.

To answer Andrew's question: Why? Well, for practice and fun. We're wedding photographers, but I need a break from altar shots and Uncle Bobs. Just us, light, and beautiful subjects.

Haley, large softbox + window light. I love her tones and the shape of her face.

Getting a decent studio, urban location, three reliable models, two stylists, eight couture outfits, and four busy photographers together during peak wedding season, could have been a freaking nightmare. But it wasn't.
Angel. Large softbox + window light. She's russian and I love her exotic look.

Its not a maglite on my camera in Sam's shots; I was aiming a snooted head + spot grid. While one person shoots, the others hang back or do lighting; we tried not to shoot each others' poses. At one point we had to get out of the studio, so we shot two sets simultaneously.
Sam on the floor, Erwin above.

Apertura was the impetus since they were in town also to do a wedding and a bunch of e-seshes. That morning they picked up Sam and I from the east bay in their big van! They ended the day pushing back their flight, just to get more photos in the better light. Their passion is really, really impressive.

Erin in the abandoned warehouse. Lit w/medium softbox up high. This girl can move! ...I think I'm still in love with her.

Sam's crazy personality also makes him the best fixer possible. Without him we would have had no subjects, no stylists, and everyone's energy would have peetered out. Dude has no limits.

Haley in the smoky garage. My clothes still wreak of sulfur, but seeing her in the shafts of light was worth it...



Appreciate everyone's comments!

^^^^Freaking Awesome^^^^

The first one of Haley is oh my....

I love your last group shot as well Maurice. Well play my friend.

kenyee wrote:
They all rock. You really have to give yourself more credit.

I saw a ringflash, battery powered strobe, and sunswatter in those images. Those don't count as pure natural light

Can I ask for a few unprocessed shots? Curious how much PP there is in these...


I'll do this on Monday. I think it WOULD be interesting to see. You might be disappointed though. Most of my stuff is close to SOOC.

Some of the best work I have seen in the industry

very good series