testing. Trying things on for size.

I had a gig today.  A shoot.  I'm shooting portraits for an advertising agency's web site (I have connections).  They're not sure what they wanted so today we just tested some ideas.

If you have the chance to do something like this, I recommend clarifying the brief first.  Ask questions like:
- what do you want people to think about your business when they see these images?
- how will they appear (a grid, a map, filmstrip style, against white, with type at the bottom)
- what do you like/dislike about your current images?
- who is coming to this website? Who are you trying to attract?
- what's your timeline, your budget?
- what kind of access will I have to the people I'm shooting?  How long?

I'm laughing, because this list makes me sound much better prepared than I was.  Really, I didn't ask all the right questions. At all.  But, that's ok, because today we were just testing. Trying some ideas to see what worked.  I find I'm pushing myself to be perfect and of course, that won't happen.

Also, don't forget to say things like, "let me think about that and get back to you."

It was fun, exciting, nervewracking.  I feel like such a rube, but I am further ahead than I was last summer, that's for sure.

Um, this background idea is so distracting.  I thought it would look like his work, but it just makes you look at the pictures.  (they are my kids and even me.  this used to be my husband's office).

I am trying to go easier on myself.  

I think I do best when I'm just prowling around documenting things rather than setting them up and posing people.  These last two are my favs, me thinks.

p.s.  I just love that Periodic Table of Typefaces poster on the wall here.  

Whew.  That was scary and thrilling, like all the best roller coasters.  Except I couldn't scream.

Sidewalk Sculptures: Messenger Bikes

I walked the 19 blocks from my husband's office to Grand Central and I couldn't stop shooting all of these colorful, personalized, battle-scarred beauties.  They bomb around Manhattan dodging the worst kinds of traffic to get you your pizza or your package on time.  I'm sure with email, messenger work is down, but they remind me of my working days and the M-F culture that's uniquely NYC.

M (10-12). Portraits.

These kids live in the in-between -- not little kids anymore and not yet teenagers.  They are self-aware but not too self-conscious.  Their skin still glows, they work earnestly on their school work, they still think that you will always get a half-hour recess.   I can vividly remember that glory of being at the top of elementary school.  For the first time, I wanted clothes for my birthday instead of toys, I bought pop music and listened to it with my friends in the cafeteria and I realized that not everybody liked me.  I felt on the brink of something big.