Yet another beach set, same secret location. This was also taken with a portable AlienBee strobe, B400 with umbrella. With so much space on a beach, I always try to shoot with 70-200mm. If I had a 300-400 I might even use that. The more telephoto, the better for models, the more proportionate. The weather was also perfect for the first set. Dark storm clouds adds a lot more dramatic than a clear, solid background color. The bright orange lighting is when the sun peaked through, a completely different mood.

I have a secret location I like to bring my models. Everyone likes having a run down, abandoned setting to have a photo shoot. Amy adds a new flavor to my collection, her features are ideal, and she loves the camera. The first set was against the sunset’s orange glow, which casts the perfect color on the skin. The second set was well after sunset, with one AB400 (bare bulb), though it was very tough to focus when you have no modeling lamp available! I used a mini-flashlight to light up the model for focusing, very ghetto if you ask me. Perhaps a generator would be more effective than a portable battery.

For those of you who have followed me on Xanga, I use to run a site called Bodyshots. I’ve taken it down for a few years but now it’s back up and waiting for your submissions again!

body.knsaber.com

I’ve worked with Tanya Dakin many times over the past few years and I still think about how grateful I was when she allowed me to photograph her during my early stages of modeling photography. A woman with her experience, maturity, confidence, and unaging looks would be any photographer’s dream. She is also 37 years of age, and a mix of Chinese, Greek, and Italian. There is an aura of self-confidence you feel around older women in their late 20’s to 30’s unlike that of young 18-22 year old “aspiring models.” I much rather work with the older crowd.

Even though we planned the last photoshoot date well in advance, we had no idea what we were going to shoot until I show up at her apartment.  That’s how I usually work. We browse through her underwear drawer, and scout for spots around the apartment. The lighting is 100% natural. We even made sure we included some personal photos together. I think between Tanya and I, we are always obligated to create one triptych from each photo session.

The first set is very “stock” looking with the vivid colors of blue and red, and what better way to show off her lean and slender torso with a side view. The reason why I don’t like underwear is because it cuts a line across the continuous form from torso to legs. It should be uninterrupted whenever possible.

The second macabre scene was inspired by one of my favorite games, American McGee’s Alice, with a little hint of Psycho. This angry little girl has no problem slashing your throat while you sleep.

The last triptych shows how I react to girls.

You can visit Tanya’s blog here.

I helped Yen Hoang start her first fashion portfolio to send to New York agencies. The photos are unstylized which is not the norm for me, but that’s the point of a portfolio, to showcase the model, not the photographer. The shots are straight forward with minimal editing.  The photo shoot wouldn’t have been possible without the last minute efforts of makeup artist Jennifer Kang and Aya Fukuda.