When one gets a new camera and wants to kick off version 3.0 of your photographic career the right way, there was only one logical choice for a subject and location. Jessica Magary on the beach. It’s almost impossible to match up schedules, but when we do, it’s glorious.
As one famous movie character once said “We goes along like peas and carrots.” You can see images from several previous sessions on this page by using the search feature.
There seems to be a misconception that I only work with models. Nothing can be further than the truth. I work with anyone who voices an interest in a session. Sometimes it would be with a model, yes, but the vast majority of the time I work with everyday people. People that just wanted some nice pictures done of themselves for various reasons.
It is my job, however, to bring out their best features and make them shine – to make everyone look like they could be models. I think that’s where the confusion occurs. I like to call this The Model Experience. In this kind of session the person gets to experience what it’s like to be a model. They get doted on, pampered, and generally get treated like they are the center of the universe during their session. After it’s over they also have awesome images to show to family and friends.
Carrie Ellis is a Virginia Beach-based newcomer to the world of modeling. She contacted me recently to do a portfolio-building session. As I love working with those in the modeling scene I couldn’t say yes fast enough.
As meeting up prior to the session would be impossible we communicated through texting and social media. I can’t tell you how glad I am that we live in this day and age where this is a viable option. While I much prefer a face-to-face for several reasons, I’m glad to have this option as an alternative. The more we communicate before a session, the clearer the vision of the session becomes, and the more successful the final results will be.
The first thing I always establish with someone looking to do a session is that, while I shoot most everything, I always work within the client’s comfort zone. What we shoot is really up to them. They are in control of everything. They decide what we shoot, where we shoot, when we shoot, who sees the final images, et cetera. They are always in control and have the final say in everything.
Carrie Ellis sporting a white bikini in the dune grass of First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach.
Hands down. No second thought. No further consideration needed. Jessica is, by far, one of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. I’ve told her numerous times that she should be living and working in New York City.
Beauty is a given. Books could be written about her splendor. What makes her stand out, in my opinion is her work ethic and her attitude. She is always on time and is always prepared. She knows how to move and how to work the set. She is always open to suggestions on poses or can work her thing and let the photographer do theirs.
