Comments on: Do Ya Like That Artsy Stuff?

By: Annie

Annie — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:33:42 +0000

I adore the hazy, the underexposed, the loveliness of sunflare and the rule of thirds and faceless personality shots, the hands and feet, and walk-aWays.. To me, one hires a “freerange” photographer (i dont know what you really call it) to capture the true essence of something, not to deliver studio portraits. The subject is obviously the focus of the session, but the photog is hired for their style and artistic vision. It benefits your business to offer both, but always let your artsy come through!!

By: Monica Brushett

Monica Brushett — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:25:36 +0000

Can’t readily define what I do and don’t like. The vast majority of your shots are magical Liana, whether traditional or edgy and that is what I look for and enjoy viewing…magic!

By: Hilary

Hilary — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 03:02:05 +0000

Good points about not springing it on a client. I think as long you provide two options as for the ones where you are deviating from the expected at the start, you’ll be in good shape. I know personally, I am always really excited to see pictures that are unexpected. It makes me all the more impressed.

In our family shoot, the photographer took a feet shot, had all of us in a row with our fee cut off. My husband was like “huh??? we have no heads” but I think the picture is really great artistic picture. That said, I probably won’t hang it on my wall, but it was neat to see. Also, I always buy the digital images, so its nice to have to look back at someday and remember.

By: Liana

Liana — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:39:08 +0000

Hi Kellie,

Thanks for your thoughts. And yes the tricky thing with haze is that it does wash the photo out. During that shoot I was conflicted between finally getting sunflare and haze successfully but then ending up de-hazing because the photos didn’t have my usual pop. As I went along in my editing I began to get a feel for which ones would work softer, but then again, that doesn’t mean the client won’t go, huh?! So I try to include two versions, though it makes more work of my editing. I’ll sort it out eventually.

Thanks also for the compliments on the Zizi pics. Silhouettes are indeed tricky, as I discovered, but I thought they were really fun shots. And the pumpkin? I love it!

By: Liana

Liana — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:33:20 +0000

Hilary,

Thanks for your comments. It does seem like my evolving style is aligned with yours. As you look through my portfolio, you’d probably see images that resonated for you. And I think that makes a great match between photog and client. Yet when I start venturing into something different, I have to be careful not to “spring it on a client” since it will deviate from what they’ve seen in my previous work. I’m really trying to be mindful of this as I expand my technique.

And I’m thrilled you like my work!

By: Liana

Liana — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:29:47 +0000

Tara, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think that at this stage as I’m finding my style, it’s important for me to show both versions of a photo (and in some cases there are 3 versions including the black & white. But eventually when I find my approach, I wonder whether people who like haze or whatever thing I’m into will be the ones who self-select me and others who find my portfolio not a good match for what they like, would not choose me to be their photographer. But this does beg an interesting question. Does one choose a photographer based on the style in his/her portfolio or does one see the photographer as being hired to produce YOUR style, whether or not it is aligned with his/her style? Very interesting questions, indeed.

And thanks for the compliments on my work and the site. I’m coming along pretty well, I think!

By: Kellie

Kellie — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:27:29 +0000

I like both options. In the pictures you showed above, I loved the hazy look with the boy and girl together. It made the picture feel “softer”. The one with just the little girl, it looked more just fuzzy. Love the silhouette looks and where she’s playing on the pumpkin, looks just so natural and adorable. Shows her adventurous side.

By: Hilary

Hilary — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:21:02 +0000

I think showing both is best. I recently had a family photoshoot (once again, I wish you lived closer!) and got a couple of pictures in multiple styles (B&W, color, with artistic license). It allows me to decide which ones I want clear pictures to showcase my family and which ones I want to use as “art”. Also, sometimes the artistic photos – like the one of the little girl in the basket above – soften the photo, so its more “pleasing” to look at. I love pictures of kids not looking, since it often truly captures who the child is. I know my son is rarely sitting with a sweet smile on his face, so while I want a few of those to capture the rare moment, I also want the picture of him running across the lawn which captures a period of his life.

Either way, all of your pictures are incredible.

By: Tara

Tara — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:51:53 +0000

I’m a little torn. If I’m paying for a professional to take pictures for me I think I lean towards wanting a very clear and bright picture where I can see the details of my kids faces to remember for all eternity. But on the other hand….for decorative and artistic purposes I like the hazy type images as well. However, there are many other artistic styles I like over haze. It usually does leave me thinking “what?” And silhouette type photos, I wouldn’t like to get from a photographer I don’t think because I almost feel like I could do that myself. So much to think about Liana….you’re doing a great job! And wow..your website is amazing!!!