beautiful - inside and out

How many times have you heard a photographer say, "Once in a great while I come across a subject that makes me smile" I know I've said it a few times now and I will say it again for the ever so lovely Gina. 

Gina approached me for some maternity shots, and at first I must admit I was a bit puzzled. Not only is she a fellow photographer, but surely she knew maternity was not my "forte". We got to chatting and she emailed me a few sample images of what she was tring to accomplish with our session. Flash, flash, flash! The lights went off in my head. She approached me for EXACTLY what my forte is: beauty shots. Gina wanted me to capture the true beauty of a woman bearing a child, and I set out to do exactly that.

Working with a client like Gina is an absolute pleasure - indeed one of those "once in a great while" sessions. Her comfort and confidence in front of the camera was incredible (for all those who say they hate being in front of a camera, read that sentence again knowing she said she was not usually this comfortable in front of the camera).

What you see below are the results of our efforts. I think Gina did an amazing job and she looks absolutely gorgeous. I will close these words with the last sentence from her email to me after seeing the selects:

"Thank you so much again, you have no idea what these photos mean to me and how much you exceeded what I thought was possible from this session." 

Nikon D300s w/ Nikor 24-70mm f2.8 - Studio strobes

my humble thank you to Brittany Oldehoff

I had met Brit on a shoot for Ravish Sands a while back and she just rocked it. Her on camera presence and personality is exactly who she is in real life, wonderful. Over the months, we worked on a few shoots together and I must say - she is a true talent and an amazing person. In the short time I have known her she has proven that hard work, perseverance, and dedication does in fact pay off. When we first met she was in-between agencies hoping to be signed with NEXT, then on a visit to NY she signed with RED NYC, and most recently with LENI'S of London. Brittany, you are officially international. 

Why am I saying thank you to this lovely rising star? It's simple; she gave an unknown photographer the opportunity to work with a true talent. This opportunity forced me to step up my game and she continues to challenge me with new ideas and concepts. Thanks to her, I have built a strong relationship with NEXT Miami, several other agency models, and have helped my images be known internationally as well.

Brittany: thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for seeing my talents before I did, for believing in me, and for giving me a chance to show my work to the world. I am grateful and I am humbled - I can't wait for our next shoot!

Below are a few shots from along the way and very first attempt at video production (I told you she challenges me). If you want to see more of Birttany, give her website a gander. 

Brittany in B&W from michael falco on Vimeo.

 

All that glitters is Nicole

Nicole is one of those models that you just know will bring it. I had seen her in a few peers portfolios and had to contact her. We spoke via text and emails for some time before we could set a date to shoot. Each time I spoke to her I'd look at her photos and get this feeling, her on-camera presence just draws you in. Let me tell you she did not disappoint- her personality is exactly what you'd expect.

Throughout the shoot Nicole was able to bounce from the witty and sharp conversations that had us both laughing to the super vixen you see below. She was able to nail her expression and pose each and every time- a true professional. I am looking forward to seeing where Nicole takes her modeling and hope I continue to be a part of her portfolio. 

Of course I must also mention the amazing hair and make-up of Olivia Smalley of OMgArtistry. Every time I work with Olivia, magic happens. If you have not yet booked her, trust me when I say you will not be disappointed in her skills and professionalism. 

Nikon D300s w/ Nikkor 24-70 f2.8 - available light

Cora in Charlotte

I often travel for business, and when I do I always try to work with a local model. Looking at models on model mayhem, I came upon this lovely lady - Cora. We exchanged a few emails in which I sent a few concept images to use as inspiration, and we set a time. After picking her up, we headed to a place she had shot at before.

One of the advantages/disadvantages of shooting while traveling is limited knowledge of the area for locations. As we were driving, I spotted a few abandoned old warehouses and pulled a quick turn into the parking lot. We looked at each other, and knew we found our location. Those of you who know me know that two places get my photo mojo going – the beach and old buildings. 

Cora was an absolute pleasure to work with - killer personality, professional attitude and as you can see, she was just switched on. It is always a pleasure working with a talent such as her. Here is just a little teaser from that day.

D300s w/ Sigma 50mm f 1.4; 1/320th @f 2 - available light

Melissa Sky - the definition of glamour

I was introduced to Melissa at a Ravish Sands Swimwear shoot and was immediately drawn to her personality, and the way she presented herself. We had a great shoot, and got some killer images.

Fast forward to present - and what you see here is a sample of her latest shoot. After reaching out to me for some commissioned work, we went back and forth on what style of shoot she wanted to do. After a few emails and texts, she decided on shooting lingerie. I am always drawn to the classic glamour look. In my head I had a vision of how to show Melissa's true beauty.

I guess the best way to describe it is to just quote her after receiving her images; "You really know the perfect angles! You definitely know how to make anyone look classy." Well Melissa - you are classy, all I did was capture it. ;)

Nikon D300s w/ Sigma 50mm F1.4; 1/160th @ f5.6 AB800 backlit with AB800 in Beauty dish on axis

Elaina

Elaina and I found each other on model mayhem, we exchanged a few emails about concepts and set a date. We discussed some outfit ideas, but kept it rather loose when it came to the concept. When she came by the studio, the first thing I noticed was her smile. Elaina just has one of those smiles - I just knew we'd get something spectacular together. She laid out her outfit selections, we spoke about which to shoot when and where, and then we began getting ready to shoot. This teaser set was our second to last outfit and I've got to say: the more I worked with Elaina, the more I knew we'd be working together again. Stay tuned for more images from our shoot - trust me you will want to see the last set for sure! 

D300s w/ Sigma 50mm f1.4: f/9 @ 1/250th using a gridded ABR800 ring flash

 

A flare for Alex

Alex is one of those shining gems we as photographers come across from time to time. Quiet and reserved for the most part but when she's in front of the camera she just explodes. I highly recommend booking a shoot with her.

When doing portfolio shoots I often try to match the image to the personality, and Alex's personality just screamed 'flare', lens flare that is. In my minds eye, capturing personality conveys just as much to an agency or client who the model is as equally as what they look like. 

Of course I have to give the proper credits to the amazing skills of make-up artist Jessica Rivera and hair stylist Leslibeth Mora, they both make my job easy and fun. Professionals like these 2 are rare and I suggest you book them for your upcoming projects! 

LML reason #...

OK, so I don't really keep track of the reasons I do in fact love my life nor do I really care to keep track of the reasons. The simple fact is, I love my life. There is something surreal in having the opportunity to shoot with a close friend like Jessie. She was an absolute pleasure to work with in every sense of the word. We shared a few laughs, shot a few pictures and had a killer time. The best part of it, showing her the pictures so she could pick out the teaser below. Nothing makes my job more rewarding than seeing the smile on a models face knowing I was able to give them a moment captured that she will enjoy for a lifetime. The best part of it all, getting a text from her a little later that simply said "I've never felt as beautiful as I did today" Jessie, you are a true beauty, inside and out... 

Nikon D300s & Nikkor 35mm f1.8; 1/125th @f2; natural light

 

it's all about teamwork!!

there is no I in team but there sure as hell is TALENT in this team! I have had the privilege to work with Jessica of Jessica Rivera and Leslibeth of Starlit Designs on a few projects now and all I can say is WOW! They continue to impress me with their talent and professionalism, not to mention some kick ass recipes here and there.

Thank you both for making my job all that much easier. Below are a couple of shots I had the pleasure of collaborating with them on. 

Leslie: D300s & Sigma 50mm f1.4; 1/250th @f9

 

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Mahila: D300s & Nikkor 70-200mm 2.8; 1/250th @f13

can you believe it's almost bikini season?

OK, so maybe in South Florida it's always bikini season. Ravish Sands Swimwear and I had the pleasure of working with models Brittany, Jess and Natalia along with the amazingly talented make-up artists Michelle of 360 Makeup and Monica of RougeArtistry. Throw in a few unique stylings available at LaLa Couture As you can see, the combined efforts came out spectacular. 

Make sure you stop by and check out all the hot swimwear Ravish Sands has to offer, it IS bikini season somewhere! 


Emily and Ravish Sands... what a combination

It started with a facebook message, and it ended with this. Emily is a good friend and model from the Seattle area. She contacted me and asked about shooting when she was visiting her grandma in Miami, the answer was um YES!! We set the date, her and her wonderful mom drove to Castillo de Falco and we proceeded to spend the weekend shooting. Of course I immediately called Jessie of Ravish Sands, what's a shoot on the beach without her über amazing swimsuits?! Look for more shots of Emily soon but here is just a little teaser...

D300s w/ 70-200 f2.8 at 130mm; f4@1/640th, ISO100, natural light

Philip and the sunrise

I had the chance to work with Philip from Elite Miami the day after Thanksgiving. It was a 7am shoot and we had to coax our way into the park since it didn't open until 8. The sunrise was perfect, Philip was a pleasure to work with and we knocked out a few shots before we got kicked out for being in the park too early ;)

D300s w/ 70-200 f2.8; f4@1/500th, natural light

lighting test with my kimberlina

I had a lighting concept and a post production technique I wanted to explore. Sometimes I just see the lighting in my head, then I must explore it in reality.

A 2 light set-up-both AB800's, beauty dish on axis directly above her with a 20º gridded 7" reflector on axis directly behind shooting thru the fabric background. 3/4 power in beauty dish, I think 1/4 power for the background. D300s, 70-200 – 1/250th f11 @200mm

Kimberly, my ultimate muse, is an amazing sport when we do these little concept tests. I couldn't do any of this without her. 

Holly rocks Ravish Sands

This past weekend I had the lovely and amazing model Holly Nikole come into town. We hooked up with Jessie of Ravish Sands, an amazing designer and an even more amazing person. Jessie brought a few suits, Holly brought her top game and we got a few pictures while the sun set. 

I cannot say enough about the 2 young women, Holly is a natural in front of the camera and Jessie can design a bikini like no other. Together they just made for an amazing photoshoot. Can I say amazing one more time? Amazing!!  Look for more photos to come, including a killer set shot on Sanibel Island!! 

 

no one is safe..

So my good friend and co-worker Christian is in town for business. He asks me to take a "quick shot" of him for his linked-in page... Now, anyone who knows me knows there is no such thing as a "quick shot"

muahahahahhahahha