Liz Banfield Photography

scouting

2011-09-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-07T08:35:00.001-07:00

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

2011-06-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-15T14:15:00.001-07:00

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

2011-04-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

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

2011-02-14T10:03:00.001-08:00

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

2011-02-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

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."

sleep, sleep

2011-02-04T09:27:00.000-08:00

As my mother in law is always saying, "they're best when they're sleepin'." Here is an outtake from a shoot I did for Real Simple Family.

tiaras

2011-01-31T10:49:00.000-08:00

Since the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton is less than three months away I can't help but wonder what trends will emerge for weddings here in the states. Since we are already seeing a return to "tradition," I think we can count on tiaras being one of them. Here is my beautiful bride, actor Margaret Anne Florence, on her wedding day, wearing a subtle modern tiara.

an early glimpse at photojournalism for weddings

2011-01-28T07:14:00.000-08:00

Way before photojournalist-style wedding coverage became mainstream, I set my eyes on this photo from Lady Diana's wedding and yearned for my own wedding (I was a child myself at the time) and lovely candid photos like this one by Lichfield studios in London. The photographer is down low, at the child's perspective and the composition is pleasantly informal. It's so evocative of what it must have felt like to be there in the room. It must have planted a seed because I clearly remember telling my best friend that when I got married some day I would hire a photographer from the local paper instead of a traditional studio. I had no idea at the time I would actually become that photographer some day.

Behind the scenes is what I love to photograph more than anything. I recently spoke with another photographer who was surprised to learn that moments before a ceremony I usually choose to shoot in the back of the sanctuary instead of the traditional aisle shots, delegating those to an assistant.

This photo is represented by stock agency Getty. Taken at Buckingham Palace on July 29th, 1981 Diana comforts a young bridesmaid, Miss Clementine Hambro. The photo also includes designer and style icon India Hicks on the left.

new york, ny

2011-01-19T09:53:00.000-08:00

Ever since my friend and frequent collaborator Tara Guérard opened a New York office I've wanted to take a quintessential picture of her in the City. I finally got that chance on Monday... and here she is on the chilly streets.

sapphires

2011-01-13T11:06:00.000-08:00

The ring Prince William gave to his fiance Catherine Middleton reminds me how much I love sapphires!

When I was researching my own engagement ring over 10 years ago I was tempted to choose a sapphire over a diamond. After all, not only are they beautiful but a gem quality sapphire is actually quite a bit more rare than a diamond. No doubt the popularity of sapphires will be on the rise, along with its price.

This beautiful, classic white bouquet was designed by Tara Guerard. The wedding was published in our first book together Southern Weddings.

toasting

2010-09-27T11:46:00.001-07:00

I'm subjected to a lot of them so I love a good toast. Here is my lovely bride, Charlotte Jenks Lewis, with her fiancée at her rehearsal dinner last summer.

summer days ending

2010-08-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

This shot, taken at Atlantic Beach on Long Island, reminds me the summer season ending... kids are headed back to school and those lazy beach days are over.

Breakers Palm Beach

2010-08-22T20:07:00.001-07:00

I'm honored to have been asked to speak at the engage!10 conference with Tara Guerard. If you are in the wedding industry it's worth a look... mingle with the best and brightest all amid the gorgeous surroundings of The Breakers in Palm Beach, FL. Hope to see you there!

cars

2010-08-04T10:43:00.001-07:00

My favorite place to shoot is inside a car. Tons of natural light but still sheltered. This was taken recently after a ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Paul. The car is a vintage Bently.

ellen susan

2010-07-15T09:24:00.001-07:00

Back in May I blogged about Ellen Susan, a portrait artist in Savannah Georgia. I was so impressed by her Soldier Portraits at the Telfair museum that I looked her up. She agreed to take my portrait and show me her Collodion Wet Plate method firsthand. I remain so grateful for the experience and now I will have these images forever. Thank you Ellen!

because...

2010-06-28T14:16:00.001-07:00

... because you can! Because you are seven! Because, because, because a cartwheel feels great. And being seven is great.
(taken at the Lincoln Park Zoo a couple weeks ago)

skating

2010-05-26T09:58:00.001-07:00

I have been following two young skaters who train at the Bloomington Ice Garden. This shot was taken a few weeks ago at their annual ice show. I prefer to be on the ice with the skaters when I can but for a show I must shoot from the boards and take my opportunities as they come. I always appreciate sports photographers even more after a shoot like this.

Savannah surprise

2010-05-20T19:05:00.000-07:00

I'm in Savannah for a few days on business and this morning I went to Telfair Museum of Art. I was promptly knocked off my feet by the most amazing photography exhibit by artist Ellen Susan. Ellen has created an arresting body of work entitled Soldier Portraits. She employs a antique large format cameras and 19th century photography process called "wet plate collodian." The results are lush, enveloping, immediate. I was so moved (and prompted by the book store clerk who told me she lived in town) that I actually called her up! A few hours later she graciously shared her process with me and we spent three hours trying to take an interesting portrait of me.

Ellen buffing a plate of black glass with calcium carbonate.

Each step of her process takes patience and experience. I was impressed with her ease around all the potions (lots of bottles of liquids) and motions of her craft. She eyed the daylight and approximated the exposure time, like a chef knowing how much salt was needed without tasting the dish. Her movements in the darkroom were swift and practiced. Three hours sounds like a long time but it went by in a flash.

As for getting my portrait done. Well it's not easy to be the subject, even knowing what I know about the other side of the lens (or perhaps because of it?). Ellen certainly put me at ease but it was challenging to strike an expression and HOLD it for 15+ seconds. No wonder all those early-era photography portrait subjects look miserable -- they were miserable!

In the darkroom.

The prints drying on paper towels. Each plate is a full 6x6 positive print directly on the plate that was prepped and loaded (WET, mind you) in the large format camera. Most of these are on metal except the one in the upper right corner was exposed on black stained glass that has a luminosity beyond words.

My gratitude to Ellen for such a memorable afternoon. Please check out her Soldier Portraits. If humanly possible, see these mesmerizing images in person.

4x5 test

2010-04-13T11:11:00.001-07:00

My stylish neighbor, Anne Cramer. Shot on a 4x5 camera. Slow process but sublime results.

This blog has moved

2010-04-08T12:26:00.001-07:00

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Polaroid camera

2010-04-08T12:17:00.000-07:00

I'm absolutely in love with a blog called, "My Polaroid Blog". Jen Gotch's images are soft and stylish and so very cool. Ever since I discovered it I've been wanting to try my hand at Polaroid as well. This is a shot of daffodils in my studio, using a set from a book project I'm working on for Artisan right now. The camera was $3 at Goodwill but the film is super expensive because it isn't available at retail anymore (although my intern tells me someone might be making it again).

Pre Ceremony

2010-04-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

I often feel conflicted about where to position myself prior to the wedding ceremony because I must commit and can't be in two places at once. Over the years, I've grown to feel more confident choosing to stay "behind the scenes" at the back of the church and delegate the more traditional aisle shots to my assistant. This is shot captures the bride and her father, moments before walking into the sanctuary at the French Huguenot Church in Charleston, SC. I've shot many events there for the talented Tara Guérard. It was Tara's website redesign that made me look at the photo again with new appreciation. The dress (I'm in love with this gown -- too bad I'm already married!) is by Carolina Herrera.

up and running

2010-03-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

I'm overjoyed with how my new studio turned out! I wanted to create a really simple grey and white palette so that it could always be a neutral background for photos. To see more pictures, I have an album on my facebook fan page.