NOTE: Any MODELS from the Lolita Fashion Show – Please SEND US your email address at Email(at)LeahAndMark.com – Or LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS in the comments section below so that I can deliver your photos to you. THANK YOU.
CLICK for Gallery ONE
CLICK for Gallery TWO
(Note: These are not all of the photos – but they give you an idea of how the shoot went.)
CLICK for the RUNWAY Photos – Part One
CLICK for the RUNWAY Photos – Part Two
I had a really great time yesterday at Anime Weekend Atlanta 2009/ The Lolita Fashion Show. For those who don’t know, this is derived from Japanese Lolita fashion and not anything generally associated with the term ‘Lolita’ – a more generic and acceptable term would be Modern Victorian – and even then that’s not completely accurate.
One of the designers, Megan Maude had invited me to come shoot the fashion show – and then I asked if I could also set up and do a photo session with some of the models – since I can control the lighting a lot more that way. Out of the photographers that she had lined up for the show – I was the only one to show up. I’m really fortunate that the other photogs didn’t show – because then I was able to have a photo session with ALL of the models.
Since I’m apparently generally over Anime Conventions and found the hall Cosplay a little boring – I didn’t take photos of anyone else there. And there were some pretty great costumes – along with people cosplaying things that were cosplayed 10 years ago… not just from old shows – but characters that were overdone 6 years ago.
Something I’ve been working into my photo shoots lately is putting the models on a different level – usually up – and then of course sometimes I’ll get up on a ladder or chair. Once I entered the long hallway conference room where the models were getting hair, makeup, and wardrobe together – I saw the lit ceiling, and it’s two big chandeliers. Okay Look – when I arrived at the convention there were photographers everywhere – and a gabillion point and shoots. Some even had their backdrops and softboxes out. I also saw several Canon 5Ds and Pocket Wizards and some near $200 beauty dishes. There was a lot of serious gear there and the only thing I can do right now is look at my $80 ebay light kit, $30 flash triggers, my Nikon D40, and think to myself I would light that shot differently (the shots that I saw other people taking – not mine).
So at that point my main goal was to get some shots that were VERY DIFFERENT from anything anyone else was getting.
Once I saw the long lit ceiling with the chandeliers – I knew I had something. But I needed to get the models up higher so that I could have everything in the shot and at a good angle. Fortunately – the back of the room led right into the service hallway where they also housed all of their tables and chairs. I grabbed two tables and set them side by side as you can see in the photo above. Instant runway platform. Awesome. Now all I had to do was get the right settings to darken out the backgrounds and the rest of the room. If you look at the photos you can see the people in the back getting their hair and makeup done, and just standing around waiting. It wasn’t a perfect photo shoot setup – but it more than worked – and I could always fix it in post if I really wanted. The most important thing was that I was getting shots that no one else would have from the convention. Anyone can throw up an ugly muslin backdrop and start taking decent photos – but in my head I’m aiming for the shot that they’re not getting – just always trying to be different. Always.
I’m not going for anything revolutionary – just something that the other photogs at the same event, won’t have.
Now that I was getting really nice full body shots that captured the whole outfit – I went all out and decided to do headshot type stuff so I could capture the hair and makeup. Without a backdrop or a clean white wall – I had to use the convention room walls – which are foldable and usually an odd fabric texture. Whatever – it’s what I had to work with so we don’t run, we FLY with it.
See?
Awesome.
This photo here was one of the first that I shot – after I got this one my pre-shoot nerves were immediately calmed down. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to get any detail out of their HIGHLY detailed outfits. The black kind of blends too much in the middle of the dress here – but the bonnet and face and hair and white are all there – I have others where the dress is exposed more correctly. But you know – after I get those first few shots that ‘work’ – all of a sudden something in my head clicks and aw, It’s On Like Donkey Kong. Because anyone can shoot with enough flat light so you can see the detail in the dress – but can they light it in away that actually makes it look good or even interesting?
Something else I did was move the lighting for EVERY model. Sure they’re all in the same ball park – but the light moves from side to side and changes height. I’m not Olan Mills and this isn’t your year book photo.
The back of this dress is… well just look at it!
Right now until my order for more radio triggers arrives – I’m just working with two off camera flashes. Although I think I would light this shot slightly differently now – what I have set up is my 285hv with a shoot-through umbrella – and then I have my even older Quantaray flash on a light stand aimed right at her face. I told her to close her eyes. But it’s kind of cool? Ha. Well – at least I got the back of the dress really well.
The last shot here is Megan Maude herself. She’s a designer based here in Atlanta and you can find her and her beautiful clothes at MeganMaude.com – she’s super nice and really easy to work with – I am very fortunate to have been given the chance to work with her and all of the other people that worked on this fashion show. Below are the links for the other designers.
CLICK for Gallery ONE
CLICK for Gallery TWO
CLICK for the RUNWAY Photos – Part One
CLICK for the RUNWAY Photos – Part Two
Wow, Mark, these photos came out even better than I could believe. This is SaSha Deal the hair designer I would love to get some prints of the show and the models whenever you can. You were a delight to have there and so professional. Also, I am amazed at how quickly you posted your pictures. Thanks again, SaSha Deal
Hey Sasha – yeah, I'm setting up the links for people to download the photos this week. Glad you liked them. Keep me in mind for other projects.
M.
I will for sure keep you in mind. I was thinking I would like to hold a small photoshoot for some new portfolio pieces. Just let me know if you need my email or anything for the links. I will also credit you for all of your photos on my website and whenever I use them.
Thanks Again,
SaSha Deal
they look SO fantastic!
i want to see the ones from my set, is there anyway you could e-mail them to me?
everyone looks so gorgeous!
Hello! Wow these look so beautiful. I was the model wearing the red and tan striped jacket. Thank you sooooo much. I really love your use of lighting. The used of that table was so creative!!!!!
Hey Nicole – thanks – I'm glad you like them. I'll be sending out an email tomorrow or tuesday about how you can download your photos. 🙂 Thanks for being awesome.
Lindsey:
(Email Address Hidden)
:]
Thanks Lindsey!
these are all really beautifull~ *o*
Laffi-
[Email Address Hidden]
Hey, this is Mary! [the one in the striped dress with the lace back]
Thanks so much for taking these shots for us–you were really thorough!
My email is [Email Address Hidden]
Hey Mary! Thanks for being fun to shoot… I'll send you an email tomorrow or Tuesday on how to get the rest of the photos.
WOW!
These came out beautifully! Thank you so much for taking these amazing photos of all of us. My e-mail address is [Email Address Hidden]
Hey Brittany, really happy that you like them. I'll be sending you instructions on how to download the photos really soon. Thanks.
Wow wow wow! These all came out so fantastic!!! I was the last model to be shot, in the white dress and red shoes 🙂
[Email Address Hidden]
Hey Jessica – I'm Really glad you like them! Thanks for being so easy to work with.
Whaaa! They look so cute! Everyone looks fantastic. 😀 I was the girl with the black bonnet. 🙂
These look AMAZING! Thank you for coming and getting these up so quickly! Could I possibly get one or two pictures for a local paper to use? They are running a story on Wednesday and need some cute pics 🙂 Also, my website is spelled incorrectly XD Thank you!
Hey Sam!
Yeah. I will email you all of the details on the photos and usage for all of the designers. 🙂 Sorry I didn't get to do a portrait session with you – and I was wondering why the link to your website wasn't working!… guess I should've looked closer. Thank you.
Thank you for such a nice shoot! These look great, and you made me feel really comfortable in front of the camera! (The girl in the long blue dress)
Hi Caroline. I'm glad you like them. I'm sending you an email with instructions on how to get the rest of the photos. Thanks.
AWW they're so pretty! Send some to me!
[Email Address Hidden]
I was the model in the all black dress and the crown.
Hey Claire! I will send you an email with instructions on how to download all of the photos. 🙂 Glad you like them. Thanks for being awesome.
your pics are like 100x's better then what you would normally see for con pics. You should go to more cons like saboten ya!
Hello~ These came out amazing.
Kristina here, the one in the pink coat. My e-mail is [Email Address Hidden]
WOW! The images came out AMAZING!!!!! Could I get some copies of these for my port?
Also it was great meeting and working with you last weekend Mark. And thanks so much for going out of your way to help me find a table I really appreciated it!
Thanks!
-Valeriya Shindrova
lera@misshelium.com
Hey! It's Brittany again, I've managed to misplace my e-mail with the links to the photos, you think you could send it again? My e-mail is Clearlyperilous@yahoo.com