Seattle Fashion & Senior Portrait Photographer

Senior Portraits, Kelly Class of 2011 Senior Rep!

Saturday, July 3, 2010 Posted in Senior Portraits.

I’m so excited! Summer is underway, and we are working with all of our FABULOUS Class of 2011 Reps – as well as many other Class of 2011 Senior Portrait clients. Kelly marks our third rep session of the year, as well as our FIRST Behind-the-Scenes video of a Senior Portrait session! Be sure to check out all her lovely photos, and watch the video at the end. There are links to subscribe to our YouTube page below, so make sure you sign up!! We had so much fun working at the amazing and beautiful farm where Kelly boards her horse “Queenie”. I hope you enjoy!

Happy 4th of July weekend everyone! Be safe and have FUN!
XOXO

To book YOUR senior portrait session, check out our [Senior Portrait Website] and submit your information through our “Contact” page!

Here’s what Kelly had to say about her session, “I had an absolutely amazing time getting my pictures done with Michelle! Before my session, I didn’t know what to expect and was really nervous about getting my pictures taken. I was clueless about poses, outfits, and just about everything model-related. But, Michelle helped me out the entire time and made me feel so comfortable! She helped me pick the best outfit choices and gave me poses to work with. My session was soo much fun and I couldn’t have had a better time. Michelle is hilarious, so I was laughing throughout pretty much the whole session. Jenny did an awesome job on my makeup and the two of them together made me feel like a total diva. I loved getting my pictures done with Michelle and I am so happy with the way the pictures turned out!”

Senior Portraits of a girl with Horse by Seattle Photographer Michelle Moore

Makeup by, [Jenny Bowker]

Be sure to watch our FIRST Behind-the-Scenes video from a Senior Portrait session!! Subscribe to our [YouTube Channel] for more videos!
Also, Check out the official [Jenny Bowker Makeup] YouTube channel and subscribe for more videos!!

by Michelle Moore

15 comments

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s h e r r y - :D:D LOVE them. I love the slight breeze that seems to pick up her hair all the time. Love hair movement!

tish - thanks so much for the video! it was amazing to see how dark some of the areas were where you shot!!!

Kathy - i really love this :) you should make a lot more! it’s so interesting to see how it is behind the scenes :) and i love how you manage the reflector without an assistant haha

Dennis Bullock - Love the BTS!

kassia - gorgeous as usual michelle!
i love the video! i handle the reflector the same way at shoots. i just hold it and sometimes grip it with my teeth! ha. i always thought you had a assistant to hold your reflector since you’re big time. :)
it’s nice to see that you are so down to earth and still a awesome photographer!

jilliankay - adorable!! love her eyes!

julie - love this session and the video too!

Gemma - LOVE that BTS video – and the shots are tip top as always

kristen - Dang! Home girl’s got some serious lashes. I want. Great lighting just follows you everywhere huh?

Bill - I loved the BTS video! Very cute. I also like how you use a very shallow depth of field, even outdoors on sunny days. Nice senior portraits!

Kaila - So beautiful! The video was fun to watch! too cute! Do you have a reflector that you recommend? I have one but don’t seem to get the results I want from it. Thanks for always sharing!

Jessica Drew - I loved those! The behind the scenes video was awesome!

Erin Scott - Loved the video! Would love it even more with less background music to really get the behind-the-scenes feel.

aLi - LOVE this!!!! LOVE the horsies scratchin’ each others back haha! I love seein’ ya in action! Super cool :)

Adam - Excellent :)

Senior Portraits, Ruthie Class of 2011 Senior Rep!

Monday, June 28, 2010 Posted in Senior Portraits.

Class of 2011!! SUMMER IS HERE and it’s time to book your [Senior Portraits!]. Limited availability left in July and August – contact us ASAP for your session!
PLUS – don’t forget to check out our SUPER SWEET event of the year! Mini Sessions for ONLY $400!! All the details are [HERE] – just a few spots left!

Meet Ruthie!! Our SUPER awesome and energetic Senior Rep!! I LOVED hanging out with Ruthie – we had some really gorgeous light, and rocked out my newest/recently discovered shoot location. Enjoy having a peek at her session, and be sure to ask her about photos with us. Ruthie is off on a million and one fun adventures/travels this summer, and I can’t wait to hear all about them!!

Enjoy! XOXO

Here is what Ruthie had to say about her session, “I cannot even begin to describe in words how much fun i had taking pictures with Michelle. After about ten minutes of being around her i felt like a was just hanging out and having fun with an old friend! She made me feel great about myself and the pictures she was taking of me, and completely comfortable in my own skin. If you know me you may know i am quite energetic, easily distracted, and a little hyperactive, and if you do not know me take my word for it. I feel as though Michelle captured that of me in every shot. My feelings showing through in the pictures are real and caused by the great laughs me and Michelle and even Jenny, who is awesome, shared during this shoot. I had such an amazing time and loved taking my pictures and spending time with Michelle!”

Ruthie Senior Portrait Rep Session in Eastlake by Seattle Photographer Michelle Moore

Makeup, [Jenny Bowker]

by Michelle Moore

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Photography FAQ, 50mm f1.0L

Friday, June 25, 2010 Posted in Photographers.

Because I get asked a lot about my [Canon 50mm f1.0L], I thought I would put together a short post about it, and open the discussion in the comment section to answer any additional thoughts/queries about shooting with this lens.

Up until about the end of last year, my 35mm f1.4L was my favorite go-to lens, but now I’ve found myself using my 50mm about 90% of all my Senior Portrait shoots. I think my style goes in waves, and right now I’m digging the magazine editorial quality/look and I’ve found the 50 to give me the best for what I need.

The [Canon 50mm f1.0L] is a VERY rare, and limited edition lens that was discontinued in 2000. Canon eventually released the [Canon 50mm 1.2L] which is a very popular lens among wedding and portrait photographers. Canon talks about their reasons for discontinuing production of the f1 due to sharpness issues, but I have always been in love with my lens. It is a tricky thing to master at f1.0 – but I rarely shoot at that aperture unless I’m doing a close-up beauty shot where I can focus and re-compose and make multiple exposures so I know one will be tack sharp. I mainly stick between f1.8 and f2.2 with this lens to ensure the best quality.

I would definitely recommend the [Canon 50mm 1.2L] over the Canon 50mm 1.8, but if you are just starting out and want a GREAT go-to lens, get the [Canon 50mm 1.4]. It is a great lens for starting out, but (for me personally) after about a couple of years the autofocus wore out. It’s perfect for getting started, but if you have the budget and want to invest in a lifetime piece of glass, go for the 1.2L.

Maybe one day I’ll invest in the 1.2L so I can retire the 1.0L, but if you are a collector of lenses, and want your hands on this amazing one of a kind lens, there’s one for sale at [B&H]. This lens is so rare now I NEVER see it on ebay, and this is the only one I’ve run across in quite some time. However, you can always RENT it on [Borrow Lenses] for a fun treat!

For more GEAR FAQ, please check out my [What Gear Do You Use?] post, or our [Gear Page] for ALL your gear questions!

This image below was shot with my 50mm f1.0L at f1.0 – I shoot with the [Canon 1Ds Series] which has 48 focus points, versus the 5 or so you get with a [Canon 5D]. Of course I was able to focus right on her eye, and re-compose just slightly, and took a number of frames to be sure to get one perfectly in focus.

If you have any additional questions about this post, please leave a comment below, and I’ll be sure to try and reply right in the comment section!
Thank you and have a fabulous weekend!

Kendall Senior Portrait at Jupiter Hotel in Portland Oregon by Seattle Photographer Michelle Moore taken with the Canon 50mm f1.0

Makeup for Kendall by, [Jessica Belknap]

by Michelle Moore

14 comments

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Meredith Perdue - Magical! I just bought the 1.2 myself! Love it!

Ryan Gladstone - HI Michelle

What’s the advantage of shooting at f/2 with 50mm f/1, when the f/1.2, 1.4 and 1.8 all have this aperture as well?

I realize there is a difference in the bokeh the better glass produces, but would like to hear your full explanation.

-Ryan, proud owner of a 50mm f/1.4 and soon-to-be proud owner of the f/1.2 model.

Michelle Moore - Ryan, good point, but why spend $1500 on another 50mm when I already have one? For now I don’t need to, and that is why I stick with the lens I have. Plus shooting fun beauty shots at f1.0 is the icing on the cake.

Robyn Russell - Michelle, this is amazing! I love shooting wide open as well and can appreciate how difficult it is to get an image like this. I wanted to know — do you stand at a certain distance to get the best results and crop afterwards or is this SOOC in terms of composition?

Michelle Moore - Thank you Robyn! This is SOOC in terms of composition – I always compose in camera.

Renee - Great post!! I was always very curious about your little gem of a lens! Thanks for sharing with us (as always!) :)

Nicole Pfeiffer - So is it common for auto-focus to wear out over time? I have the 50mm 1.8 and just wondered. I manually focus with that sometimes just due to the 5D focus points not hitting what I need.

s h e r r y - Ummm. Yuuum. Haha. So gorgeous at f/1.0…

David Couillard - I really like your work and style Michelle… But I think I even like it better when you share your secrets! :)
I didn’t even know a 50mm 1.0 ever existed!
And you are right. I own a 85 1.2 and I have a really hard time working at such a large aperture. Then again I work with dogs so it’s not like they will keep the pose long enough for the heavy glass form the 1.8 to focus. So I keep it real with your other other go-to lens… 35mm 1.4L is a beauty!

bizior - I’ve 85 1.2 and I love it, it’s my favorite lens… you know, they say that with 1.2 lenses there is a learning curve, and I agree with that. I’ve been watching fredmiranda for 50 1.0, just for fun, and I found it only once, one veteran had it and it was sold quickly :) I always admire that 1.0 lens :D
ooh and 5d mk II has 9 AF points, not 4 or 5 :) but you’re right – 45 AF points in 1D rules :) what I do when I shoot wide open @ 1.2 in bad lighting conditions, I usually use my tripod, go to liveview and focus manually.

Chen - Does 50mm 1.0 auto focus as fast as the 1.2? Really wish Canon didn’t discontinue that 1.0 …

Nathan Rodger - Hey Chen
Speed of focus on this bad boy is quite slow, slower than the 85mm 1.2L v1 – and quite a lot slower than the 50mm 1.2L which isn’t that fast. However with these lenses you are dealing with such shallow depth of field, that you don’t want it to focus fast. You want it to take its time, so you can attain focus, then snap your shot.

The 50mm 1.0 was discontinued as it was extremely expensive to produce, and gave disappointing performance (to most) However in the right hands it produces beautiful images. You can see examples of these here on Michelle’s blog!!

Size & weight – it is almost identical to the 85mm f1.2L (often being mistaken for it)- it weighs about 1kg so it is a behemoth indeed! At the time of sale – it was sold RRP for the current equivalent of both the current 85mm 1.2L II & the 50mm 1.2L. I think it went for about US$4500.

Hey Michelle – I weighed in about this lens on one of your previous gear chats I think earlier this year or last – however I can’t find my comments? Any idea?

Cheers, Nathan.

Joshua - Once I saw this I quickly looked at nikon’s lenses and got one similar. I love your work and you inspire me! Best of wishes!

Naomi - Hey Michelle, love your work so much. What shutter speed and ISO did you use for this image? Thanks.

Special Event! Senior Portrait MINI Sessions July 14th

Friday, June 18, 2010 Posted in Senior Portraits.

Are you ready for the EVENT of the YEAR?! Michelle Moore is teaming up with [Swink Style Bar] to bring you a fun day – full of MINI sessions for the Class of 2011!
What is Swink? Swink is Seattle’s PREMIERE “blow-out” Salon! It’s a fun place to go to get your hair styled for ANY event! Brides, Senior Portraits, Prom, you name it!!

Swink is offering their services as part of a COMPLETE package from Michelle Moore – in an all day MINI portrait event this summer!! There are only 8 spots available – and they will sell out FAST! Check out the details, then call or email us to book your slot for this SWEET DEAL!

“MINI SIMPLE” Photoshoot with Michelle Moore //
WEDNESDAY July 14th, 2010 in Downtown Seattle
Hair Styling & Makeup provided by [Swink Style Bar]

What’s included,
Hair Styling & Makeup application at Swink Style Bar in Seattle
30 minute photo session with Michelle Moore in the South Lake Union area
Prepare to be pampered and bring your two best ROCKSTAR outfits!

Final products include,
An online gallery with your proofs
$100 print credit
2 hi-res digital files
Complimentary facebook images & yearbook photo!

Available Time slots,
SOLD OUT

To BOOK your appointment please [Email us] with your top TWO preferred time slots. Feel free to email with any questions!

(Appointment start time is when you arrive at Swink. Hair and Makeup will take 60 minutes, and then you will head over to where we will be doing the photos just a few blocks away. Session time will last about 30 minutes and cover two outfits. Swink asks that you please arrive with your hair washed and dry in order to have the best experience possible. Hair & Makeup is included in your session fee. Gratuity is not included for Salon services. More details will be provided upon booking your time slot. Space is limited and first come, first serve)

Hair provided for Tara by [Swink Style Bar]
Makeup, [Jenny Bowker]

by Michelle Moore

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Seattle Lookbook Photography, Model Test Emily

Thursday, June 17, 2010 Posted in Fashion.

My goal for this year is to work on a couple of LOOKBOOKS for designers, whether it’s for an up and coming talent, or a shop// boutique // clothing line, such as my favorite, [Aritzia]. I’m trying to keep my studio work fresh, simple and focused on movement, and the clothes. I’m working on some new personal projects (i.e. portfolio work) through this summer. If you feel you have killer style and/or are SUPER comfortable being in front of the camera, feel free to submit to us via our [EMAIL] with subject (SUBMISSION). Tell us a little about yourself (include a photo or facebook link), and why you are interested in modeling, fashion, etc. It’s fun to hear from you!

Aritzia Urban Outfitters Lookbook Photography by Michelle Moore in Seattle Studio