Tuesday 31 January 2012

prep | simple

Hey folks,
here we are again. I have thought for so many times what it takes to have a great engagement session. Is it the location, is it the garment? Is it the decoration? I have seen so many of my fellow photogs doing such a great job. But now I have to think about what strength I want to build. Looking at others will help to tell yourself what you want and what you do not want to squeeze out of your cam. But creativity comes from within. When you are standing somewhere and you think nothing but: That is what I am talking about.
This is why I wanted to reduce a shooting to nothing but the couple. To see how far I can get with my creativity, when nothing I have is the couple in their initial clothing. And it worked: :)



You will always think about so complicated stuff, striking poses and awesome locations from other photogs. My advice for you: Trust yourself, and keep it simple. Even if you are not a photographer: whether you are a little school kid or a mum or a father or a business (wo)man: Keep it simple, and it will work.


Love is precious, don't jeopardize,

B







Thursday 19 January 2012

prep | pt. 01

Hey folks,
wintertime is testing time. I would have loved to have plenty of snow and brides that jump through the air or rest on trees :) But fhere is no snow in Germany, I mean seriously? Well, maybe not yet where I live, but in the Southern parts :) 

I used to grow up with snow men and snow balls, and this time we had just no snow. okok, I am a Black man and should not complain about snow. Even my sister says that I am probably the only person complaining. But I want it:
When you wake up and take a look at the countryside, and everything that you see is white over white. Only the dark night shapes this big powder keg, and every ray of light coming from the moon so gently reflects on the surface.

Enough romanticism, back to work. As I did not get what I asked for, I made the most of it  and started my testing series without snow. And it turned out very well.
This couple is very charming, and I know them really well, so I chose them among others to try some very new techniques and to go beyond my borders. I want to thank the guys from  apertura and  getstak: Looking at your guy's portfolio makes me want to make more of my business. And to squeeze out more terrific shots from my camera :)
So enjoy a first insight into my training and testing sessions: And expect more to come. More couples, crazier tests, new equipment, and hopefully great lessons for all of us!


Love is precious. Don't jeopardize,

Mr. B



Monday 16 January 2012

Svenja & Marcus

Hey folks,

you always think about last year's highlights at the beginning of a new year, don't you?
Just another moment was this wedding I will now publish on my blog. Sorry that it took me so long to publish, but my couples have kept me busy since last Summer. Furthermore, as some of you may know, I was busy preparing for my final exams in Physics :)
What did I love about this wedding? Visiting Bamberg for the first time! I love this town, you HAVE to visit it and its dome, up on the hill, with a scenic view over the region.
And working with Katrin, head of sagt-ja, turned to be  AWESOME. Not only did I find the courage to knock at the door of Germany's most wanted wedding planner, I also found a friend who is a constant source of inspiration.

I told you a few months ago the story about that other wedding planner nearby my  home town. Her choice of words when critcizing my work was so devastating that I thought about closing my business immediately. After that my family and friend's encouraged me to go on, I did it. Encouraged, I wanted to go big. That's when Katrin came into play. I sent her an email, called her, and submitted a few pictures. Her response was immediate and clear: A week later, I was sitting in her office with her assistent director. Sharing a good cup of tea, we were elaborating the roots of modern German wedding photography. After a great time spent together, it did not take weeks until she called me to book me for a wedding. And now you will happen to see the pictures.

What's the point? Working with Katrin was some kind of big time, compared to the wedding planner that earlier cricized my work. But that will happen: People will try to have some negative influence on you, because they don't have the time, or will, or whatever, to see the great potential that lies in you. You only have to hold on. Reach for the stars, and never dare to rest on what you have achieved so far. You may miss, not only business partners, but also great friends that are waiting all along the way. It will take time and disappointments to discover them, but once found, they may be with you for a lifetime. And maybe beyond :)

So this couple was a big step of both faith and business development. Down in a moment of self neglect and with almost no self esteem, it took me some courage to tell myself never to give up. I thank God that I have a family that supported me at this time, and that friends told me one simple thing: Never give up.

Enjoy my "step of faith" shots,


Mr. B

By the way: This couple has just booked me to an after wedding shooting - Mallorca, here I come :)