scouting

For this wedding, featured today on Style Me Pretty, I was asked to suggest a waterside location so that pictures of the couple could be taken on the way to the reception site. I spent hours driving around pondering our best options. When I found this path leading to Cedar Lake, I knew it would be sensational at sunset and just the right location for post-ceremony pictures. I even had to fight for it, as my clients were worried about mud on her beautiful Monique Lhuillier dress. They had other ideas, they had friends with lakeviews nearby, etc. etc. But I knew it would be great and stood my ground. It's an important lesson in leading your clients and gently demanding that they trust you.

packing

Happy summer! I hope you have something fun planned for August. I travel all year around and I have become very opinionated about packing. I thought I would share some tips I've gathered over the years. Sure, we all know about planning outfits and packing light... bla-bla, but here are a few pieces of fresh advice that might not be on your radar:

1. Whatever you do, avoid packing the night before. I promise this will make a huge difference! I start making piles at least two days and ideally three days before departure. You will arrive at your destination more prepared since getting started early allows you to remember things over time and you will reach your destination less weighed down by impulsive items thrown in at the last minute. Plus, I don't know about you, but whenever I am forced to pack the night before I find it impossible to fall asleep, adversely affecting the next day and making traveling all that more exhausting.

2. Never unpack. I'm not suggesting you live out of a suitcase but there are certain things that I just leave packed and ready for the next trip. Most importantly a dop kit and make-up bag that I replenish each time I return home from a trip. I just leave them packed and ready, despite the double up in cosmetics / sundries. I never arrive at my destination without some essential like contact solution or deodorant. If you have kids, avoid the midnight run to the pharmacy in a strange town by keeping a kit of travel-size emergency items like baby ibuprofen, aloe, and thermometer all packed and ready too. I also keep travel size games, etc. in a special place in my closet so they are out of daily circulation and they can be fresh / interesting to the kids on trips.

3. Clear bags in all shapes and sizes! I am a huge fan of these zippered cubes from the Container Container store. Sturdy, cheap, and fabulous. I use them for dop kits, computer accessories, etc. Plus if you are only taking a carry-on, you can put your 3 oz. liquids in it and easily take it out for security. For extra credit, get a label maker and define the contents which helps when you are repacking. I also travel with a few empty large ziploc baggies which come in handy for not-totally-dry swimsuits, dirty laundry, and the like. And small ziplocs are put to work as a protective layer between my clothes and liquids like shampoos and sunscreens. My favorite kind is Hefty one-zip freezer bags.

4. Zip ties are a super-light, portable lock for your luggage. I always chuckle when I read a warning not to "leave valuables in your hotel room." I travel with nothing BUT valuables and I couldn't possibly bring all my photography equipment with me every time I venture out, nor would it all fit in the hotel safe. So you know what I do? I take a handful of these zip ties with me and if I'm leaving the room, I just "lock" up my bags. A thief would have to take my entire bag, which seems unlikely, to steal one of my cameras or my favorite necklace. I also tie them shut when I have to be separated from my camera bag because it won't fit in the overhead. I would know immediately if the bag had been tampered with. Don't forget to pack a nail clipper in an outer zipper so you can get back in to the bag when you need to.

5. If I say this out loud I'm afraid I will jinx it but here goes -- I've never permanently lost a bag with an airline. Seriously never. I think one of the reasons is that I always very clearly label my luggage. And I'm not talking about a luggage tag. I just get a giant black or metallic sharpie and emblazon my last name in large letters on the outside. Do it.

6. Technically not a packing tip but a key piece of travel advice: arrive early at the airport. Once I started doing this I never looked back. You can easily cut down on travel-induced anxiety by taking an extra 30 minutes (over what you would allow normally) to make sure you have adequate time to get through security with your good humor intact. Plus then you have time to grab a latte and a magazine before boarding the aircraft.

Happy trails to you!

p.s. this image was taken in Positano on the Amalfi Coast.

summertime

On a recent trip to the lake house I lugged my Contax 645 medium format gear along. Not only is it heavy but I worry about it getting damaged with all the free flying sand, sunscreen, and water. Lately I have been watching the awesome PBS documentary series, Art 21 and was reminded that my favorite photographer, Sally Mann, shoots with an 8x10 camera. Talk about not letting the inconvenience of your method get in the way of creating beautiful photographs. And indeed these rolls felt more special to me and in the end, worth the effort. So, I'm newly resolved to make my medium format everywhere, even on vacation. We'll see where it takes me.

hurrah for dads

A dad is never more regal then when he is standing next to his daughter wearing her wedding gown and about to walk her down the aisle. It's a photo opportunity I cherish with every wedding. This image was taken at the venerable Cathedral of St. Paul on Summit Hill in St. Paul, MN. Happy Father's Day!

the early wedding

It's unusual to have a midday wedding in the U.S. although I wouldn't be surprised to see it happening more often. After all, it gives you all day to celebrate with your guests, many who have traveled so far to be there. Catherine Middleton's wedding to Prince William will be at 11:00 a.m. at Westminster Abby. They will have a reception immediately following and another party in the evening.

This photo was taken just prior to Charlotte Lewis's noon wedding at Millbrook school in upstate NY. She also had a reception after the wedding and a fun, casual cookout in the evening. Double the fun.

child modeling, part 2

Cover image for Manhattan Toy catalog shot by Liz Banfield.

Assuming you want to pursue modeling for your child, here are a few simple ways to get started.

Read the websites of the talent agencies in your town. For the most part, agencies put their requirements out there in very clear terms. In the Twin Cities, read the submission guidelines on the Wehmann or Caryn website. Or call the information line 612-827-3200 for Moore Creative Talent.

The most common mistake is parents who don't follow the submission guidelines, e.g. sending a wallet size picture or forgetting to put requested information the backside of the photo. One agent told me that every so often they receive a picture of a child with great potential but with no contact info listed and thus no way to get in touch with the parent.

In terms of picking a photo, everyone agrees that (for children) it does not need to be a professional photo. That said, it must show the child's face, body, and hair. Sounds simple enough but you'd be surprised! Avoid big bows, hats, costumes, food on the face, etc. And don't send original prints that you need to have returned. Instead, go to Kinkos and make a quality color photocopy of the image(s) you are sending. If you are using a professional shot, be sure to ask the photographer if it's okay to do so.

Warning: a big no-no is dropping by a talent agency without an appointment! This will not endear you to them and might even work against you.

As you are waiting for a response try to remember that agents are experts on which "looks" are marketable and which kids have an honest shot at getting modeling work. In my home market, for example, a blond-haired, blue-eyed child is extremely common, thanks to our prevailing Nordic heritage. Consequently a child fitting this profile might have a harder time finding an agency fit.

If you child is accepted by an agency - hurrah! But again, tune into their guidelines for best results. Children change quickly so it's important to update your agent with new pictures, every six months at minimum. Some agents will accept an email - even a cell phone picture - so it doesn't have to be hard, just consistent and professional.

Stay tuned for more posts, including one of my favorite topics - kids hair.

child modeling, part 1

Cover shot by Liz Banfield for Real Simple Family

I have shot children for advertising and editorial for 12 years and I often get asked about "getting into" modeling. For the next couple of posts, I'm going address a few FAQs on this topic. Starting with, "I'm thinking about getting my child into modeling. What do I need to know?"

A couple of key things here. First, good looks alone aren't enough. The child really must have the right personality, too. That means that they will easily go to strangers, adjust quickly to a strange situation, and are generally outgoing. Honestly, when a child comes to one of my auditions and doesn't warm up right away - they don't get the job, no matter how cute. An audition is easy compared to a shoot so I have to have confidence that the "talent" will deliver on the big day.

Another consideration is how much time you can devote to taking your child to auditions. It's a major time commitment and probably not compatible with caregivers who work full time. Because children change so quickly, most photographers/directors will NOT book a model without a "go see" audition. That means, you have to show up, possibly wait in line, and do the audition -- all unpaid and usually in the middle of the day. You may need to consider, too, how your child's school will deal with resulting absences.

Lastly, as children get older, I think it's important to consider how your child will handle rejection. For babies and young kids, this is not an issue. But as they become more conscious of what is happening, how will your child be impacted by not getting "the job."