WILD CHILD: meet Lucid Linds Luminary, Julie Lavery
Today, we're diving into the creative world of music and personal expression with the talented Julie Lavery. Join me as we explore her journey through music, her photo shoot experience with me, Lucid Linds Photography, and her vibrant personality heard through every note and seen in each photograph.
Discovering Lucid Linds Photography
Question: “How did you discover Lucid Linds photography? What factor influenced your decision to book a session with me?”
Julie Lavery: “The YEP FB page [Young Entertainment Professionals]! I went with Lindsey because her portfolio was gorgeous, and because she commented on a picture of me and my cat - and cat people are the best people!”
Unveiling the Motivation Behind the Photoshoot
Question: “Why did you book a photoshoot? Just for fun? Confidence booster? Aspiring model? Graduate? Engagement/couple? Personal Milestone? Celebratory? Personal branding for your business?”
Julie: “I needed pictures for upcoming single releases and to update my website.” [Personal Branding]
Julie’s Joys and Passions
Question: “What brings you joy in this life? What do you do for fun? Hobbies? Passion projects?”
Julie: “Singing has always been my greatest love. And when I started writing songs, I opened a door that would never close again. I love telling stories through music. As far as hobbies go, I’m a plant mom and I do hot yoga a few times a week. It helps me reset and be present for at least one hour out of my day. Passion - my cat, Midge. She is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Julie’s Photo Shoot Experience with Lucid Linds Photography
Question: “How was your experience during your photoshoot with Lucid Linds? What was your favorite part? What was your least favorite part?”
Julie: “I can’t say enough good things about my experience! My favorite part was shooting in the woods! My least favorite part was almost stepping on an unidentified animal carcass LOL”
This is a spot in the woods behind my home and studio, near the lake, that was perfect for the images we were after. Julie is releasing her song, “Burn the Witch” this fall. “Burn the Witch” represents how women can face persecution based on being a strong female force, but nonetheless, women remain a force to be reckoned with. 🔥
“We know better than to fear the flames beneath our feet, the fire within burns twice as deep, so you can burn the witch…at your own risk” - Julie Lavery, “Burn the Witch”
Julie’s Joy & Inspirations
Question: “Is there a favorite quote that defines you?”
Julie: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Question: “Is there a person or organization who inspires you?”
Julie: “My husband, Spencer Broschard. Going for walks with him, or getting an iced coffee, no matter what we’re doing, we're always having the best time and he can make me feel calm like no one else. He’s also my producer and I’m STILL blown away every time he brings one of my songs to life. His creativity is inspiring to me. And he is the most humble person I know. He has no idea how talented he is. So I’d love for anyone looking for a producer to check him out.”
Question: “How did you feel when you viewed your final images after your photoshoot?”
Julie: “SO HAPPY!!!”
That’s a Wrap
Big thanks to Julie for sharing some of her story and her images with us. I had a lot of fun with this session. I love working with an idea, like a song title, and collaborating with a fellow, female-creative to bring it to life. From a custom set in the studio, to playing with the natural light both indoors and outside, sessions like these truly light me up. I’m excited to watch Julie’s career grow. As soon as her full album is available you will find me adding it to my reels and my Instagram stories. I am not only a new fan of her music, but one of my ultimate goals is to support the women in my community out there pursing their passions just like me. ✌️
*To listen to Julie's music and stay updated on her latest releases, visit her website at www.julielavery.com . Her next single, "Wild Child", out now!
Your Spotlight Awaits
As we journeyed through the lens with Julie Lavery, we discovered the power of music, passion, and personal expression. Are you next? Are you ready to step into the spotlight and capture your own story? Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, or a trailblazing artist like Julie, your story deserves to be told and your images will help to tell that story.
Don't let your narrative go unnoticed. I can help you celebrate your unique journey to share with the world. Contact me today to schedule your personalized photoshoot experience.
Your images matter. Let's capture them together.
✌️❤️ 📸,
Lindsey | Lucid Linds
A Tale of Two Engagement Sessions in Nashville, Tennessee
Hi friends. I'm excited to share the sweet stories and captivating visuals from two gorgeous engagement sessions. As a photographer specializing in female-focused photography, I've recently expanded my offerings to include engagement sessions thanks to some soon-to-say “I do” people in my inner circle. I claimed first dibs on photographing these sessions as a wedding gift to these pairs of friends. The photoshoots ended up being really fun and helped me realize I can do these types of sessions too. Join me as we peek into the love-filled journeys of Devon and Tyler, and Kristi and Greg, two couples who I feel lucky to call my friends.
Devon & Tyler: In the Studio
We started in my cozy studio located in the outskirts of Nashville, in Smyrna, Tennessee. There’s something so timeless about the black and white edits.
Devon & Tyler: Elegance Outdoors
Venturing outdoors into the picturesque landscapes of one of my favorite secluded spots, just 5 minutes down the road from my studio in Middle Tennessee, Devon and Tyler's images took on a new dimension of epic beauty. Devon's choice of attire was a flowing yellow silk dress exuding sophistication. Together, they epitomized timeless elegance, and it was easy to capture how much they adore each other. Although the sun was shining, it was chilly and windy on this mid-February day, so we spent less time outside than we had originally planned, but we still captured some really beautiful shots.
Kristi & Greg: In the Studio
Kristi and Greg's engagement session began in the studio as well. We started later than planned so we snapped just a few in the studio before heading to the field for sunset images. Here are a few of my in-studio favorites.
Kristi & Greg: Dancing at Sunset
Taking full advantage of Nashville's bustling music scene, Kristi and Greg are avid line dancing enthusiasts. Because dancing is a shared passion between these two, we ended their session with a lot of twirling and dance dips as I worked to capture the sun strategically placed behind them. The way the sunset highlights Kristi’s red hair is like magic.
Kristi's choice of attire, a floral dress paired with cowboy boots, speaks volumes about her vibrant personality. Greg, equally charming in his casual attire, mirrored her infectious spirit as they cuddled each other while I clicked away with my camera facing the sun at golden hour.
This was Kristi’s “Beth Dutton” moment. If you have watched Yellowstone, then you get the reference. 😉
Thanks for joining me on this journey. And a big thank you to my gorgeous friends who allowed me to share their lovey-dovey moments. I hope the images you've seen here inspire you to document joy in all its forms and celebrate the simple, beautiful moments life has to offer.
Peace, Love & Photography,
Lindsey
Lucid Linds
The Emotional Part of Portrait Photography That Most People Forget to Consider
Hey there, friends. It's me, Lindsey, AKA Lucid Linds. I want to chat about my experience as a portrait photographer. Over the 10+ years of doing this, believe it or not, emotion is a big part of the process. For many people it’s not just as simple as, “Oh I need some pictures taken. Book it. Shoot it. Done.” Maybe you are one of those people who cringe at the idea of having your picture taken? I will tell you this truth; if I had a dollar for every person who has said to my face, called, emailed me or even DM’d me on Instagram saying, “I HATE having my picture taken”, I would quite frankly be able to take a luxury vacation with all that money. Another truth, men (who I have photographed the least) have insecurities too, but ladies, whewww holy moly, are we hard on ourselves, I mean really hard on ourselves.
This picture was taken many years ago of a friend in my old loft, but reflects the idea of how we see ourselves and how others see us.
Story Time: Seeing What I See
Just yesterday I had a session at the boudoir studio that I still shoot for part time, not my studio, but The Adore Girls (my sister’s business that we started way back in 2012). Anywho, just yesterday myself and my client were on set and literally after just the first couple of poses she says to me, “Do I look fat?”. My response after dropping my head and taking a split second to gather my thoughts on how to respond was, “What kind of photographer would I be if that was a thought going through my head?”. This was definitely not the first time, nor probably the 100th time a woman has said this to me as her photographer. Being a woman myself, I understand, I mean I truly understand. There was laughter between us after I responded the way I did, and she said, “You’re right, it’s not like you are going to tell me that.” I said, “No, you are wrong again, I wouldn’t be the right photographer for you if I actually thought that. Here’s the thing, I see you as a part of my art. I love art, I love creating art, and that is what we are doing, creating art together.” I continued, “It is as important to me that I love your images just as much as I want you to love them.” Hopefully that makes sense and doesn’t sound like your photo shoot is about me, but rather drives home my point that my goal is to literally love what we create together, and we are both proud of the images. As we kept going with her photo shoot, I understood how she was feeling. I took a moment a little later to show her some images on the back of my camera. Like magic (it really is a like magic ✨ every time this happens), she viewed the images on the back of my camera, she saw what I was seeing and in an instant she relaxed, started having fun and with her new confidence boost the rest of the session was not only more fun, but her body language changed, her shoulders were pulled back without me needing to say “pull your shoulders back” for our next pose.
The Right Photography Can Change Your Mind:
Whether you are having a portrait photography session just for the experience or you need images for a new linked in profile, your website “About Me” page, your beginner modeling portfolio, your next EP, senior pictures, or perhaps you need fresh, updated headshots for any of your perpetual endeavors, if you think your images don’t play a role in your confidence in how you approach and move forward in those endeavors you would be wrong.
So now you are thinking, “Duh, Lindsey. That’s obvious.” However, I dare you to read this twice; your images can be the confidence boost you didn't know you needed, a reminder that you're worthy of love, success, and every other amazing thing life has to offer. A reminder that YOU’VE GOT THIS. There’s a big difference between “these images will do” and “these images make me feel like the version of myself that I am most proud of”.
So, can images be transformative? Can they change you feel? I not only believe that they can, I know it. I have watched it happen time and time again. I have experienced it myself (with both images I have loved and images I didn’t like of myself). The undeniable proof comes from the unprompted comments, stories, and emails from past clients who tell me how their session and images made them feel. You will forget the mundane experiences in your life like going to the grocery store, pumping gas, doing laundry, even meeting some people who don’t leave a lasting impression, but you won’t forget your photo shoot/s. You don’t forget how a photographer made you feel and you definitely won’t forget how seeing your final images made you feel. Why? It is because there is so much emotion attached to having your picture taken. A still image, that has no words says more to your brain, your heart and imprints in your memory more than you may even realize. You will remember your favorite pictures, professional or not that you shared on social media that everyone you know comments on and tells you how amazing, confident or happy you look. Why? Because those comments made you feel good. Heck, that is one reason “selfies” exist these days.
So How Do You Find the Right Photographer?
These tips will help:
I sincerely hope this blog helps you to:
Understand that you are worthy of everything you want out of life.
Find the right photographer.
Understand how a portrait session is so much more than just having your picture taken.
Face your fears and put yourself out there.
And most of all find the courage to Book the Shoot! Whether with me or someone as awesome as me,😉. I think you should go for it even if it’s just see how you feel afterwards. I believe even the most scared-to-be-in-front-of-a-camera of you will be pleasantly surprised.
Peace, Love, and Photography,
Linds ✌️❤️📸
Research Photographers: Browse portfolios, websites, and social media profiles of photographers in your area to see if their style aligns with your preferences.
Check Reviews and Testimonials: Look for reviews and testimonials on the photographer’s website, google and on social media read the comments on their posts. Gauge their client’s satisfaction and overall experience with the photographer from those places.
Consider Experience and Expertise: Evaluate the photographer's experience and expertise in your specific type of photography, whether it's portraits, weddings, events, or commercial photography.
Review Their Portfolio: Pay close attention to the photographer's portfolio to see the quality of their work, consistency in style, and ability to capture emotions and personalities.
Ask for Recommendations: Seek recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have worked with photographers and had positive experiences.
Discuss Your Vision and Expectations: For portrait shoots schedule a phone consultation or meeting with the photographer to discuss your vision, expectations, and any specific requirements you may have for your photoshoot. This is really important to gauge vibes. You don’t want to show up and be uncomfortable.
Inquire About Pricing and Packages: Understand the photographer's pricing structure, including session fees, packages, and any additional costs for prints, albums, or digital files. Not all sessions include images.
Assess Communication and Personality: Pay attention to the photographer's communication style and personality during your initial interactions to ensure a comfortable and collaborative working relationship.
Review Contract and Terms: Carefully review the photographer's contract, including terms and conditions, cancellation policy, copyright ownership, and delivery timeline for your photos. Don’t get duped by a scammy online photography business or a beginner that simply doesn’t know better.
Define Your Style: Determine the style of photography you prefer, whether it's candid, traditional, artistic, or a mix of styles.
Trust Your Gut: Ultimately, trust your instincts and choose a photographer who not only meets your technical requirements but also makes you feel comfortable, confident, and excited about your photo shoot.
Behind the Lens: A Snowed in Portrait Session with My Musical Husband in Our Home Studio
It was “the great snow storm” (and hopefully the last) of 2024 when my husband and I decided that we would really be missing the opportunity to update his images for his website and social media. After all we were completely snowed in (still are as I type this), it’s been over 5 years since we snapped any shots together, and we just completed the studio that we both poured so much sweat equity into, so why not take advantage?
At-home studio backstory: Garage flip.
The short version of this story goes like this. We once had a 2 car garage that sat behind our house. Since we moved in this house in February of 2021, I had my eye on the garage becoming a space for me to create in. Fast forward to late July 2023, I sent Kelby a text message while he was on the road that said something along the lines of, “We need to talk about flipping the garage into a studio for me for real” 🫣. His response, “ We can do that pretty easy, but I’m gonna need a new shed for a wood working shop.” And so it began. From August-December we worked on the space whenever we could. We also had some help from a few friends. It took some work, but we love projects, and now we both have what we refer to as our own playhouses, because we are adulting…kind of.
Who is this Guy?
I asked Chat GPT to tell me who Kelby Ray is 😆. Here’s what it said: ”As of my last knowledge update in January 2023, Kelby Ray is a musician known for his association with the country band The Cadillac Three. He is the lap steel guitarist and Dobro player for the band. The Cadillac Three, often abbreviated as TC3, is a Southern rock group with a sound that incorporates elements of country, rock, and blues.”
Here’s my biography of Kelby. He’s my favorite person, my personal foot-warmer, my chef (because he makes sure I eat food other than peanut butter and jelly sandwiches), he brings all of my crazy ideas to fruition (including our home renovations and my new at-home studio where we snapped all the images in this blog), he is a music teacher, a musician, a woodworker, and to many, many people, a damn good friend. He’s my perfect match. But enough with the gushy stuff. Let’s look at some images from our impromptu photo shoot…
My Favorite Black and Whites: Image overload?
I’m a little bias of course, so I have a lot of favorites and if you are looking for a cliché, here ya go; Yes, I am his biggest fan.
Social media’s favorites: The cat photobombs
Our cats stay out of the studio when people are here, but since it was just us in here Bernie needed some of the spotlight too. And did Kelby update his “about me” page on his website with the picture below? Duh, of course he did. 😼
The Best Part: This photo shoot only took about an hour.
We decided the night before to do this, we were completely snowed in. The next morning I played “wardrobe stylist” which is not hard for a man, especially a man that has “stage clothes” which consist of t-shirts, jeans and basically the color black. Also, let me add for the record, we live our lives in the unfashionable, comfort of sweats and yoga pants most days. So we hauled a few guitars out to the studio, played with light, poses inspired by Dave Grohl and Bruce Springsteen (for absolutely no other reason other than those are what popped up on Pinterest when I searched for inspiration images, ha!) had some good laughs, one moment of, “You’re losing the artist here.” and “I don’t care, do what I say.” a little more laughing and then we called it a wrap! If there was a chance we didn’t nail it, again, we were snowed in…for four more days.
I Know Nothing About Music: But maybe you like guitar?
I like music, but that’s about where it stops for me personally, I’ve never learned how to play a single chord. If you are reading this and are interested in music theory, guitar lessons or whatever else this guy does. Here are some places to find him:
That concludes this blog featuring my husband and my cat. 😆
The end.
Ok, Bye ✌️,
Lindsey
Lucid Linds Photography
The Art of Headshot Photography: Making a Lasting Impression
The world is now a visually-driven place, your headshot is often the first introduction to your personal brand. Whether it's for professional networking, social media profiles, or job applications, the art of headshot photography plays a crucial role in making a lasting impression. In this blog, I'll delve into the key elements that contribute to a standout headshot and how you can ensure your image leaves a lasting mark. You will also see examples of my work and determine if I am the right headshots photographer for you.
1. Understanding the Purpose
Headshots serve a specific purpose, and understanding that purpose is the first step in creating a compelling image. If you want to convey a more approachable and creative persona check out a photographer’s portfolio before you book? Tailoring your headshot to align with your style and vibe translates into authenticity and will resonate with your intended audience.
2. Communication through Expression
The eyes, they say, are the windows to the soul. In headshot photography, the expression is paramount. A genuine smile, a confident gaze, or a subtle smirk can convey different aspects of your personality. The key is to capture an expression that reflects your authentic self while aligning with your intended message.
3. Posing with Purpose
Posture and body language contribute significantly to the overall impression of a headshot. Whether it's a relaxed and casual pose or a more formal stance, the way you carry yourself speaks volumes. A skilled photographer can guide you through poses that enhance your features and convey the desired mood.
4. Lighting Matters
Lighting is the secret sauce of headshot photography. Proper lighting can highlight your best features, create a flattering ambiance, and add depth to the image. Natural light works wonders for a warm and approachable feel, while studio lighting can provide a polished and professional look. I shoot with both studio lights and natural light, with that being said I lean into natural light the most because I love it.
5. Wardrobe Choices
Selecting the right wardrobe is another crucial aspect. Solid colors often work well, avoiding busy patterns that may distract from your face or completely clash with a backdrop. Neon colors are a big no-no in my book too. Choose attire that aligns with the image you want to project – whether it's a corporate executive, a creative professional, or something in between. Consider your personal brand when choosing color. You will never go wrong with neutral colors, unless you are known for bright colors.
6. Background Matters
The background sets the tone for your headshot. A clean and unobtrusive backdrop ensures that the focus remains on you. Discussing background options with your photographer allows you to choose an environment that complements your intended message. All of the images in this blog were photographed on my mobile wall in my studio, white side facing. I change the color of the other side often.
7. Professional Editing for Polished Results
Even the most flawless photos can benefit from professional editing. Minor retouching can enhance skin tone, correct imperfections, and ensure that the final image is polished while still maintaining looking like yourself. I will always retouch my images if they need it.
Conclusion
In the realm of headshot photography, the goal is not just to capture a moment but to create a powerful and lasting impression. A well-crafted headshot goes beyond a mere representation; it becomes a visual story that communicates your character and competence. By working with a photographer who understands the nuances of expression, posing, lighting, wardrobe, hair, makeup and editing, you can ensure that your headshot makes a memorable impact, leaving a lasting impression on those who view it. After all, in the world of professional and personal connections, a picture truly is worth a thousand words.
Lindsey
Lucid Linds Photography & Studio
A Halloween Cocktail to Impress Your Friends With...
I was asked by Wine Society to create and provide some images for a Halloween themed cocktail featuring their delicious red wine blend, Tempt for a collaboration with Thirsty Mag.
Anyone who knows me knows this was so up my alley I was giddy about it. Halloween is my favorite and I had a reason to play with dry ice? Insert * heart eyes *
I made a quick trip to Goodwill and Kroger to find what I needed for props and ingredients. Once I returned I jumped right into my fun project and for the next few hours of my Saturday afternoon I hammered out chunks of dry ice, strategically arranged my props, snapped a ton of pictures, and I may have just had a sip or two while I was at it. You can read the whole article on Thirstymag.com
Make Your Own
OVER THE MANHATTAN MOON
2 oz WineSociety TEMPT Red Wine
.5 oz bourbon
.5 oz simple syrup
1 large ice cube
2 Cherries for garnish
Dry ice for special effect
Shake ingredients together, pour. Rub orange peel on glass rim. Garnish with cherries. Add dry ice for spooky effect
**Always handle Dry Ice with care and wear protective cloth or leather gloves whenever touching it. An oven mitt or towel will work. Read here for more information.
-Casey Brenan
Let the dry ice dissolve before drinking this! You can get dry ice at Kroger FYI ;)
Do you have a favorite Halloween cocktail that you serve at your Halloween parties?
Happy Halloween!
-Linds
Lucid Linds Photography
On-Brand All Year with Wine Society & Lucid Linds Photography
One Year with Wine Society
My first year of shooting for Wine Society was a total blast, a true learning experience and to boot, one hell of a fun opportunity. I’ve been able to travel, meet some fantastic like-mined business people, and do exactly what I love, which is to create eye catching on-brand, ad-worthy images.
If someone asked me to describe Wine Society I would sum it up with, “they are a new startup company who has managed to package delicious premium wine in a take-anywhere can that is not only convenient, but these cans are also gorgeous.” And lucky for me the cans are so beautiful and convenient since I have snapped images of them in so many places. I have traveled to several major cities in the U.S. to photograph the WS cans, the wine, people enjoying it and their owners and team too. I’ve also shot these cans in locations like above a 256 foot dropping waterfall, the infamous Hollywood sign, Napa Valley, on Lake Tahoe (twice), skirted around to 10 different locations in San Francisco, 8 downtown Cincinnati spots (where the WS team is based) and held numerous WS brand shoots here in Nashville, TN where I’m based, shooting in my studio and all around my fair city too.
Want to learn more about Wine Society and how you can get your hands on some? ————> WineSociety.Com
How this working relationship came to be…
WS reached out pretty early in 2018 to talk about branding images and how I could help. At the time I was headed in a direction towards something that has always been near and dear to me, women in business. Better known as a GirlBoss, “a confident, capable woman who pursues her own ambitions instead of working for others or otherwise settling in life.”, I’ve always found myself passionate about watching a new business grow, reach new goals and become profitable, especially a business or brand headed by women. Over the past few years a new “Women’s Movement” has been on the rise again and I love the female empowerment that goes along with it. I want to watch everyone around me succeed, but I get an extra boost knowing that I am helping women chase and achieve their goals, dreams and as the saying goes…live their best life. After all that’s what I’m trying to do too, work for myself, chase my passions and live my best life through this creative field of photography. I jumped when the opportunity to work with a company ran by CEO and creator of Wine Society, Angela Allison presented itself. Angela’s ideas, entrepreneurial spirit, kindness and what she stands for is exactly the kind of person and brand I love working with.
Tap images below for some fun shots we’ve snapped this year of Angela for publicity articles, blogs and social media
Follow Ang @thesmilingstiletto
Let the shooting commence
I received my first set of the 3 flagship, staple flavors of WS wine. Tempt, the red blend (my fav, I’m a red wine girl 100% all year long), Fate, the white blend and Chance, the dry rosé.
Product Image. I live and work out of my studio, so the product photography I shoot while in my yoga pants, sipping coffee and listening to my music has quickly become one of my favorite things to do.
In the up coming months Sunshine, my main contact at WS, relayed suggestions from their marketing and branding consultants along with the companie’s visions for creative and Instagram-able images for appealing to their target demographic, wine-loving millennials, along with on-brand shots that are current to the seasons, holidays, and any special events. These projects were so fun for me. I was able schedule shoots with many social media influencers and utilize my LLBM’s too. (LLBM = Lucid Linds Brand Models)
Oh Instagram *insert sigh*. IG is quite literally the place where many…many, many eyes are focused these days. Most of us spend hours daily staring at our phones (sometimes its an unintentional hour or more of our day, but we get sucked in. Am I right?). I’ve said it until I’m blue in the face, the way brands market their products and services is changing…and has changed significantly already. If we are watching television and a commercial comes on or even during a Netflix binge that starts to bore us, what do we do? We pick up our phone, click that little IG icon and away we go…scrolling, knowing we are being sold to. Maybe there’s a bit of denial in there, but nonetheless we are being sold to and we are totally cool with it. With the right strategy in place IG’s a highly addictive “place” to be, and it’s brilliant tool for marketing for business, seriously brilliant!! Instagram has changed the name of the advertising game. Entertainment for the consumer. And for your consumer if you’re doing it right.
Here are just some of the images that I have designed, shot and edited for Wine Society over the past year. We touched on all seasons, big holidays and focused on esthetically pleasing colors, scenes, props, and models (a.k.a our friends and social media influencers).
You can follow at Wine Society on IG here: @winesocietylife
What a rad and incredible ride this has been
I’ve had a blast working with Wine Society and their team. I’ve learned so much about my creative abilities and the planning process of incorporating Instagram into my commercial photography. I love the challenge of getting that image that you know will get engagement on a brand’s IG page and I love the challenge of brainstorming, designing and capturing these images.
My mission
My mission now is to help more brands with the images they need to market with. I specialize in working with brands, businesses, and advertising agencies looking for a photographer that knows and understands how social media works, especially an photo-based platform like Instagram, and the importance of what that content looks like. And of course the images can be used on websites, in email newsletters and other ads too. I’m currently digging my heels into Pinterest as well.
As winter is fast approaching and the gifting season will be upon us before we know it (ummm…do I hear Christmas music already? It’s November 7th), I’ll be cozied up in my studio, snapping away at whatever comes my way and planning for all the spring and summer shoots with new brands and my old favs too.
Thanks for joining me on my wordy and picture-full (I like to make up words) journey through working with Wine Society in 2018.
Give me a shout if you are interested in discussing a shoot or a set of themed shoots for your brand. I’ve found a new and exciting way to make sessions budget friendly too. Ask me how!
Talk to you soon!
Peace, Love and Photography,
Linds
www.lucidlinds.com
615-336-8206
linds@lucidlinds.com
You Can Use Your Smartphone to Take Beautiful Product Images
Y’all its 2019 our smartphones have amazing cameras on them. We’ve all seen the “Shot on iPhone” billboards. I’ll admit that when the cameras on our phones started to significantly advance and especially when portrait mode came out, I was excited and scared at the same time. Excited because the quality is incredible, the photos I can take with just my phone present an opportunity for a great shot even when I don’t have my heavy camera in hand. Though I got scared like many other professional photographers have with the fear of becoming obsolete. However, that fear is a rather irrational one. A great shot isn’t just created with an expensive camera, a little creativity is necessary, but you can do it! Even non-pros can create gorgeous images and save a ton of money taking great shots by themselves, we see it everyday on Instagram, but you just need to know a few things first. Let’s look at some completely unedited images I snapped on my iPhone. I’ve decided on a few interesting items for subjects, ha. Let’s dig in…and yes, I did eat the pineapple, but I did not drink the whiskey, I shot these very early in the morning…
Find Your Light.
The holy grail of a good shot no matter what equipment you are using is lighting. Whether you are taking a shot of food for your recipe blog or an outfit flat lay for your boutique’s Instagram or of a person modeling what you sell you need good light! Natural light is and will probably forever be my favorite light source and its readily available to all of us for free…the sun hasn’t started charging us for usage yet. ;) So even if that shot makes the most since in your kitchen because you prepared that delicious plate in your kitchen if you don’t have a great window letting in plenty of natural light you need to get creative a build a mini-set near a window to get your shot. The same applies to any image, find your light my friend. Here are two shots of the same thing, one in a poor lighting situation and one in the right natural light situation.
Bad light in my kitchen with a light on and very minimal natural light.
Better light under a window.
Far prettier to look at!
Ugly light in my kitchen.
Natural light near my window.
Make It Interesting.
This one can come easy if you have a little creativity flowing through your blood and if you know what you are after in creating an attention-grabbing image. I love adding props. Adding interesting items will actually make your product shot more attractive. And while creating an interesting shot is the goal, it will also needs to make sense to our senses, so pay attention to how straight your image is. If there is a windowsill or any sort of horizon or background line in your shot make sure it’s straight in comparison to your subject. I shoot laying on the ground sometimes, and often I’m in some sort of ab crunch that can make getting a shot difficult to get my horizon line perfect if my core is screaming. If I was shooting far enough away I can usually crop the image to correct it. However, bear in mind your goal should always be to try to get it right in camera because it will save you time or worse happens, and you aren’t able to crop your image. Below are examples of creating an interesting image with props in comparison to lack thereof and a straight shot versus a crooked shot.
This is dramatically crooked to drive home my point ;)
Still a great iPhone shot, but maybe you want something a little more interesting.
Just straighten it up.
Props are awesome if you ask me. But does it help that I do this for a living and tend to have lots of fun things around the studio to add in to product shots.
Shooting In Portrait Mode.
Now maybe you don’t have portrait mode yet on your phone, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a great shot, but I want to show you the difference between portrait mode and just a regular camera shot. Even if your fancy phone boasts portrait mode not every shot you take would be better in portrait mode. Again, this depends on what you are shooting and the end goal of your image. Portrait mode applies depth of field to your image and light plays a massive role in a great portrait mode shot too. Depth of field is applied when the aperture is adjusted in your camera. Depth of field in super basic terms can be explained by how in or out of focus the foreground and background is around the subject of your shot. Pros shooting with pro cameras are adjusting this setting among all the other settings because we are shooting on manual, but that’s not why you are here so I will keep this on subject. The portrait mode on my iPhone 8 plus adjusts by itself when I move, but there are now smartphones with cameras that you can adjust your aperture. I was so excited about my new iphone when my husband surprised me with it as a gift strictly because of portrait mode, but he also recently informed me that iPhones/Apple are actually behind their competitors in this technology. Apparently Android smartphones are even more advanced, whomp whomp. Check out the Best Camera Phones according to AndroidAuthority.com. To break down aperture in the way it was first explained to me that I actually understood you want think of aperture as a window. Just like the size of a window determines how much light comes in, your aperture also determines how much light it lets in your image along with the depth of field. If you really want to dig into understanding aperture better I suggest this article: “How to Understand Aperture in 5 Simple Steps”. I’m a show me, don’t tell me type of learner so if you are like me these images may help you understand this portrait mode setting better.
Notice how the background is also in focus. This is not in portrait mode.
Portrait Mode or adjusting your aperture will give you this effect.
Without portrait mode.
With portrait mode.
Follow these three guidelines and they will help you create better shots of your products for your business, social media pages and your blogs by using just a smartphone. I still recommend using a pro or at least a pro camera for some shots. It can be a real struggle using a smartphone image on your website for things like banner images, and if you plan to send your images off for print advertising that might be a better job for a pro too, you will run into file sizes and other time-consuming tech-y stuff.
As always should you need some assistance, I’m happy to help. I offer just product photography too. And don’t worry I’ll be shooting with my good camera and lenses. I use all the necessary lighting techniques to get the best shots and curate them to fit it your brand, which may mean a little perfect prop shopping and a few good hours creating and editing your images, but I love it! Just click the big yellow button to get in touch!
Talk to ya soon,
Linds
10 Flat Lay Photos Created with Props You Have Around Your House
Flat Lay Photography Tips and Tricks
Being a collector of many random things and a product photographer has its perks when it comes to creating beautiful flat lay photos for my clients. The down fall is storing everything. I recently converted my detached garage into my little workshop/studio specifically for creating a space that I can store and display the many of the props I use in my flat lay photography sessions. I also had a glass garage door installed so I have plenty of natural light to use when I’m not using my studio lights also.
I have had several very specific requests from my photography clients on the props they wanted in the flat lay photography I was hired to design and photograph for them, and in those cases I have to go “prop shopping” from time to time. However, my favorite shoots tend to be the ones where I have a little more creative freedom, these are typically from my clients who have me on a retainer or who have hired me multiple times. My repeat clients know I will give them tons variety and shots they may have not thought of, and I always make sure that the props, lighting, and mood of the image are on brand and also make sense for the product being photographed, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get creative with the props I use.
Today I’m sharing with you the props I have used, why and perhaps the strange places I have acquired some FREE props for my flat lay photography.
From Trash to Treasure Product Photography Props.
The first flat lay photo below was shot for Wine Society and it’s one of my most re-pinned images on Pinterest. I feel like I got lucky on this one considering that I dug these flowers right out of a trash can while out walking my dog. Ha! I use to live next to a venue that in held weddings from time to time, so on my routine morning walk with my pup I walked past a big dumpster with the lid off and these beautiful flower arrangements were tossed on top of a heap of garbage. My client at the time had me on retainer for a number of shots to turn in each month so I took advantage of these free flowers, saving me time on going and buying flowers and my client money on the added expense of prop purchasing. At the time, Wine Society had just launched this flavor of wine and this couldn’t have worked out more perfectly.
1. Trash can flowers and canned wine.
Though this brand has multiple flavors that both men and women enjoy, this flavor and the design on the can is super feminine, therefore the pink and white flowers were perfect for this shot.
Slightly Weird Flay Lay Photography Props.
Like I mentioned, I’m a collector of many random things and because of that I can usually gather a good amount of props to use for my flat lay product shoots without going shopping. When I die I deeply sympathize with whomever will be the lucky one selected for the job of going through my things to get rid of. If ghosts do exist I hope I can watch the perplexed looks on their face as they question, “why the hell would someone have so many random things?” For example; coconut shells, bunches of dried weeds and flowers, old bottles, drift wood, rocks and broken pieces of marble and granite, bartending tools and the list goes on. ;)
2. Keepin’ it creepy.
This Halloween-themed shot was for the same wine company as the above. Their red flavor is delicious in case you are curious I suggest giving it a try and they deliver straight to your door too. #winning. Anywho, this shot was for geared towards Halloween (obviously ha!). Give me a reason to play with dry ice and I’m in.
What’s in the shot? The product of course, and an old dried gourd that I have had on a shelf for years, some dead dried roses, a skeleton hand bottle opener, an antique bottle with a “Muriatic Acid Poison” label I bought on a trip to London, and a skull face recipe book that belongs to my husband. I did have to run out to purchase dry ice for $7 at Kroger.
3. Creepy Collaborations.
A different shoot, same Halloween theme, same wine company. For this image I got to play with dry ice again. Wine Society was collaborating with Thirsty.com for these shots too. Being a bartender for years before picking up a camera helped with not only getting fun shots, but I also followed the recipe correctly (which probably wasn’t totally necessary and this drink was my “after shoot reward”. Bourbon and red wine, who knew that would be a delicious combo?
Props: A skeleton hand from my embarrassing large collection of Halloween decor, a bottle of whiskey from our “brown liquor that we don’t drink, but keep for guests shelf” (label hidden), an orange peel, and a few more bottles from around the house, a stick from outside to hold the cherries garnish… and more dry ice. I had to purchase more dry ice and the cherries for this.
4. Blacked Out Beards.
From a recent product shot for Brio Product Group’s new Blackout Beardscape Hair Trimmer. Again, when you are shooting your flat lays you have much to consider, like who is the product for, how does the brand you are shooting for use photography in marketing their products; what platforms and/or their website and so on. This is a masculine product and an even more masculine design, I considered this when deciding on what props I would use as well as my backdrop color and light (which is natural light for this one).
What’s in the shot? Two of my husband’s pipes, an old dog tag that belonged to my mother (from the 70’s when everyone had a dog tag, it was a trend, she was not in the armed services), some coffee beans (we use a french press and grind our beans each morning so I had these on hand), dried weeds that hang on my wall in my workshop, an old rusty rectangle thing that I picked up off the ground somewhere and have no clue what it would have ever been used for or apart of, and some tweezers. Simple enough, cost $0. Again, I’m not only saving myself time, but also my client money.
5. The Matte Black Trend.
Same masculine product as above. I pulled some grooming tools from a travel kit we have, and threw in a jar of hair product that I use to tame my mane (when I actually style my hair, which is a rare occurrence), used only natural light and wah-lah, on brand and in the style of the “Blackout” product.
Eat Your Fruit.
My husband likes to cook, I’m a lucky girl, he also likes to grocery shop (not me!). He keeps plenty of fruit in the house so I always have plenty for any flat lays that might require some colorful fruit for the shots, then we are forced to eat our fruit, ha!
6. Fruity Flat Lay.
Another beverage company, Perfectly Cordial, a cocktail mixer company needed some shots for their website and social media. I pulled out some old bartending tools I picked up at Goodwill, threw in a piece of coconut shell that I brought home from a trip to Jamaica (there’s a memory attached to it), a wooden cutting board also from Goodwill, some mint and rosemary from our herb garden and sliced up some of that delicious color-popping fruit, oh and a cocktail glass with some ice that my client provided when dropping off the product to my home studio.
7. Flowers and Fruit.
Wine Society’s white wine in a can called for a simple shot with a little fruit and few coral-colored flowers. Using only the fruit I had in the house at the time and some flowers off a bush on my morning dog walk, I pulled the scrim back on my soft box for bold light look (which always reminds me of Miami, Florida for some reason), rearranged my props and snapped a few different variations of this.
8. Rocks, Rosé and Yep, More Fruit.
When I come across something I think I might use in my product photography and flat lay shots I bring it home. I guess these rocks are granite and/or marble, honestly I’m not sure. I had a friend who rented a tiny little studio apartment in a relatively rough part of Nashville, and under a tree in her yard were a bunch of broken pieces of granite, marble and other types of broken rock. The trash and super tall weeds surrounding this stuff led us to believe it was up for grabs, so I tossed a couple pieces into the back of my truck. A peach, a plum, raspberries, blueberries, black berries and strawberries were purchased for this one. We usually have quite a bot of fruit, but not all of these at once, so I had to make a trip to the produce section for this. I spritzed everything with water for an added “chilled” effect, since rosé is served chilled.
9. Red Lips Call for White Teeth.
Another product from Brio Product Group, teeth whitening strips. I was hired to photograph plain white backdrop shots and flat lays for this new product. After snapping the plain white background product photos, I turned off my studio lights and brainstormed on what props I could use that would portray the message a company would want for teeth whitening products. I do own red lipstick, but I never wear it, like ever, but you know, there’s always a chance I might feel frisky so I have some on hand and this was perfect for these shots. Anyone who wears red lipstick knows if you don’t have perfectly white teeth that bold red lipstick won’t look so great.
10. Coffee, the Curse of White Teeth.
As touched on early, we keep whole coffee beans in the house, and I like to keep them in a pretty glass jar, I don’t want to look at the bag they came in on my counter! I was also wrapping up this product shoot when I went to refill my coffee that morning, when I realized another curse for keeping your teeth white is coffee so this would be a perfect scene for teeth whitening strip product shots. I also just happened to be drinking out of a white coffee cup, so I flipped the logo around to not be seen in the shot, poured out a few coffee beans, sprinkled a few more around and used natural light again so I could incorporate some dark shadows to bring out the brand’s black text on the packaging and the “black” coffee. Good thing you can’t see how much sugar I put in my coffee. HA!
And there you have it friends, some simple examples for your next product flat lay photography shoot. I don’t like to use the term “hoarder”, rather I like to justify my “collections” by using as much as I can in my product photography. Though I’ve been collecting odd objects or what may seem mundane to many, for years, I finally have a reason to keep collecting by using them in my photography. I also use lots of these collected items in decorating my home and studio as well. The key to collecting found objects is to make sure you keep it organized, everything must have a place. Otherwise you may end up on an episode of hoarders or stumped on a place to store it and find yourself frustrated with clutter. Marie Kondo would most likely have a panic attack if asked to step into my workspace since her whole message is “if it brings you joy”, but for me it does bring me joy to have these items on hand and ready to be in photograph that I’m getting paid to design and shoot. Again, again, again, it saves me time and my clients money, as well as being a hobby while I’m out exploring the world. I hope this helps stir some new creative energy for your next product shoot. Good luck and most of all have fun with it!
Talk to you soon,
Linds
Lucid Linds Photography and Creative