Making your own Fashion Photography - Before and After Editing - Behind the scenes

I posted this photo to wish my son's girlfriend a Happy Birthday, and a photo magazine messaged me to see if they could publish it. Of course I said yes, and sent them the series from both Cozumel and Chichen Itza.

You can see how it looked on my Instagram. 

Here's a Behind the Scenes of how we got one of the shots below.

The plan was to visit the Pyramids of Chichen Itza with the part of my family who could go, including my two sons and my daughter-in-law and youngest son's girlfriend. We would just be there for the day as it was a stop on a cruise itinerary. It had been on my bucket list and I had made skirts I thought would mimic the shape of the pyamid if I did it correctly.

To book me or see more recent work, I'm available here: Dallas Photographer

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The reality of the situation was not as vacationy, as I've explained above. I had brought my off-camera flash and trigger so I could underexpose for the background, get low, and light up my models with the lighting. For reasons, I'm sure they didn't even know themselves, they didn't allow me to bring in my lighting equipment. I thought later it might have been because they wanted to protect the artifacts inside, but they were still observing covid protocols and we weren't allowed inside. 

Regardless, if you aren't using lighting, this may be more helpful, because I had to edit more extensively as a result.

I was happy with the result and felt like it was close to what I had envisioned.

You can see what I did to process the image in the directions above: 

1. Straight out of Camera - it's too bright, but I didn't want her face too dark.

2. I darkened the background and increased the black point for the entire photo.

3. Of course, the people in the background needed to be edited out. It was super busy.

4. The seams in the dress needed to be eliminated, and filled out on the bottom.

5. Additional color and exposure edits to taste. 

PS. It was so stinkn' hot that August day!

20-something Birthday Photoshoot in Nature

Step into the enchanting world of nature, where the air is fresh, the vibes are earthy, and we're celebrating a 20-something birthday in the most whimsical way possible. Join us on a journey filled with barefoot adventures, laughter echoing through the trees, and a photoshoot that captures the essence of embracing the natural beauty that surrounds us.

1. Communing with Nature: For this birthday extravaganza, we're swapping city lights for dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. Our 20-something birthday hero embarks on a journey into the heart of nature, surrounded by towering trees, babbling brooks, and the gentle rustle of leaves—a perfect setting for embracing the magic of the moment.

2. Barefoot and Beautiful: Who needs heels when you can kick off your shoes and trade them in for sandals? Our birthday star revels in the joy of going casual, connecting with the ground in a dance of liberation and celebration. Grass, mud, or sand—let the earth be your runway!

Golden hour goodness gave us all the beautiful light and a restaurant with little warm white lights in the distance offered a dreamy back drop. Whether in tennis shoes, sandals, heels or barefoot, Jenna fits in. She is relaxed in who she is and what she does. She's celebrating the now and the yet-to-come!

Lakeside Peace: Take the celebration to the water's edge, where the birthday spirit flows as freely as the river. Dip your toes in, feel the cool embrace of the water, and let the natural surroundings become the stage for candid moments and carefree laughter.

Sunset Silhouettes: As the golden hour approaches, our 20-something birthday hero poses against the backdrop of a breathtaking sunset. Silhouettes against hues of orange and pink capture the magic of the moment, celebrating the beauty of another year lived and the promise of many more sunsets to come.

And so, our 20-something birthday photoshoot in nature comes to an end—a celebration of barefoot bliss, wildflower whimsy, and the simple joys that the earth generously offers. As we bid farewell to the day, remember that the best celebrations are the ones that connect us to the world around us. Happy birthday, nature enthusiast—you've just embarked on a journey that captures the magic of being young, free, and surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Mother Earth.