I Offer Quality In My Photography

"TULIP" © Adam Telford

I don't take on many photography jobs anymore. I have set my priority as quality over quantity. For me its all about the quality of the content rather than having a  higher volume of photo sessions under my belt. I like to spend time thinking through and planning a photo shoot, rather than just put up a light and snap a few portraits. I will scout a location days or weeks in advance, check the weather report if we will be shooting outside, and even consult a sun-calculator to see the direction the sun will be shining during a certain time of day. I put a lot of effort into every photo shoot before I even take my camera out of it's case.

When is the best time to take maternity photos?

::: If you're looking for the quick answer its 30-32 weeks :::

In my professional experience photographing pregnancies, the best time to plan your maternity photo session is when you are 30-32 weeks, which is  approximately 7 ½ months into your pregnancy. At this time, the baby's gender is typically known and can be utilized in choosing colors and props for your session. The size of your tummy increases the most in the third trimester, and for most women at 32 weeks, it is symmetrical and round. If you wait until your belly is larger, the baby tends to sit very low or rests on one side creating an asymmetrical appearance. You also don't want to wait too long to schedule your session in case of early delivery. By taking your photos earlier in you pregnancy your energy will last you through a longer photo shoot. My maternity sessions typically last between one and two hours with multiple wardrobe changes and lighting adjustments. 

My New Open-Air Studio

When I was arranging a portrait session with Dylan and Melissa, it became clear that we would be unable to find an indoor location to hold a photo shoot. I knew I wanted more that just natural light portraits, so I simplified my kit even further than usual to include two cameras, two lights, and a shoulder bag for my backdrop. My usual kit includes a hard case for holding my light modifiers and stands, a separate bag for backdrops, my backdrop stand bag, and my camera bag. An extra case for props can be brought along if the need arises. I still prefer the control an indoor space provides, but it is no longer a necessity. I can create a studio within minutes of arriving at a location.

We agreed to shoot in a local park along the river, and shot some portraits at a pond using the natural landscape as our background. For those shots, I alternated using one light, two lights, and all natural light. We then walked the nature trails until we found an area just off the main path with enough space to set up a backdrop without being interrupted by passers-by. A light-weight backdrop support  with a fabric backdrop and two lights created my brand new open-air studio. The part I like best about the images shot using this technique is that, until you see the wide-angle view, you wouldn't know the images were shot outdoors. Can you tell the difference?

I had a very simple setup for my lighting. I placed one light on my left hand side with a plastic diffuser that softens the light like an umbrella (without the bulk and kite-like behavior in the wind). My second light was set to my far right without a plastic diffuser, but using a blue gel coating that gives a coolness to the rim light you see on their hair and shoulders. With the shaded location, I was able to achieve very dramatic shadows by using the main light at a higher angle and from the side. The rim light helps to separate them from the black background and offer some definition on that side of the image. To amplify the dramatic look in some of their individual portraits, I turned off the rim light so that the shadow side of their faces merges with the background.

I have included several set-up shots taken during this session so you can see how I was able to achieve these looks. On the behind-the-scenes shots I also include a break down of my equipment and settings for anyone who is curious about my techniques.

Below are samples and behind-the-scenes shots from our first two shooting locations. We continued along the nature trail taking more shots along the way, but I will save those for another post.
Enjoy!

Learn Photography One on One

Have you ever wondered what settings you should use on your camera but don't know who to ask? And when should you use a tripod or a flash? I am now offering one-on-one time to teach you techniques, composition, exposure, and whatever else you've been missing in your photography. Discounts are available for multiple lessons or group workshops.

Book a time with me using the links below and I will help you improve your photography after your very first lesson.

Cherry Brandi in Color

My previous post included an all black & white set of classic Hollywood inspired photos of Cherry Brandi and I couldn't be happier with how well they turned out. That session was photographed in color and later converted to black & white to achieve the vintage look. There are some subjects that look better in color, and some that are fantastic in black & white. I think you'll agree that Cherry Brandi is able to do both very well.

I have pulled together some of my favorite color images of Cherry Brandi from our latest photo shoot:

Kimi's Maternity Progression at 30 Weeks

17 weeks through 30 weeks

I have been following Kimi's pregnancy since she was 17 weeks along, and still barely showing. We have had four progressive sessions, each of them matching wardrobe, poses, and lighting, so that I can edit a seamless sequence like the one shown above. Our first session took the longest of them all because it was when we were deciding which outfits would work with which backgrounds, and just how many variations of each we wanted to have. All of our following sessions have gone much smoother and flow from one setup into the next without much fumbling and wondering if we're doing the right thing

The consistency is good for matching session to session, but can become tedious when that's all you are photographing. The funnest part of our progression is when our repetitive poses are complete and we have a chance to try new ideas and experiment with poses, wardrobe and props. I like to collaborate with my subjects to come up with ideas that we both agree would work for their personalities, and of course are flattering to them.

Kimi has been great all around to have as a model for her pregnancy. She brought many of her own outfits to use, but also utilizes the props and wardrobe I have on hand. I like to have a variety of fabric, cute tops and props to cater to any of my maternity subjects. Many of these props are also the same I use for beauty and boudoir photography sessions as well.

You can find more composites and recent poses from our sessions below...

Baby Riley's First PhotoShoot

Riley was born in November, and was brought in for her first photo session at five weeks old.

I photographed her mother at 28 weeks as part of a maternity before and after progression series.

You can find photos of her pregnancy in earlier posts on this blog, here and here.

We tried several different outfits, hats, and poses while changing the backdrop and props during Riley's photo session. In addition to her solo photos, we also photographed Riley with her siblings, and with the whole family.

You can find more beautiful photos of Riley below:

Maternity: Before & After for Nancy

Capturing a moment in someone's life is one of the best gifts you could ever give them.

Capturing two moments that span such a dramatic change as pregnancy is even better.

Nancy was 28 weeks into her pregnancy when we had our first of two sessions to document her pregnancy. She had two children previous to this pregnancy and knew exactly which week she wanted to be photographed. This proved to be the biggest benefit of our photo session, we were able to achieve dozens of poses with different wardrobe and background combinations. I could not have asked for a better model. She was full of energy and ideas, and willing to try poses I had never attempted before.

Although we spent most of our second session photographing the baby by herself, I wanted to get at least this one before & after pose of Nancy wrapped in purple, cradling her tummy, and then holding the baby. I was able to use the same background for each and with a little editing magic, combined the two images into a side by side composite.

I have included a few other images from the second set below: 

Armenta Family Album

This wonderful family came to me for portraits and wanted to include all three generations in the photo. Here we have grandma and grandpa, their three children, two spouses, and four grand-children. Eleven people in total in my tiny little studio. It was a juggling act to get all the different combinations of family members photographed. We met on December 23, to allow for those who lived further away to be able to travel here for Christmas. We were able to schedule this session on short notice, and create many beautiful images.

Below are my personal favorites from our photo session.

Melissa - Pinup

Melissa in her red corset showing off her tattoo

I met Melissa a few months ago, and asked her if she would model for me. She has an alternative look that lends itself to pinup photography and she was a natural model. We spent almost two hours shooting with different outfits and backgrounds, creating some amazing images. I have so many fantastic shots of her, I have had a difficult time narrowing down the best of the best to share with you here. She brought an assortment of her own wardrobe, but also raided my props and used them to create an even better array of photos. 

I have included an assortment of my favorite poses and composites from our session:

Family Portraits

This Christmas, all this mom wanted was a new family photo with everyone smiling.

I was happy to help her get her Christmas card photos done in time to print and send to friends and family. We also took the time to photograph everyone individually, and with a few different group combinations.

I have included a small sampling of the session below. These are my top picks from over 400 images shot during their photo session.

Bringing an Idea to Life

 If you could see through someone's clothes, would you be surprised to see a tattoo like this?

For this session, I had a very specific idea in mind:
To use a picture frame as if it were an x-ray, looking through her dress.

The trick to it all, is to photograph her in exactly the same pose, both with and without her dress. I explained to her, that to make it work, she couldn't move her feet between each photo. She had to change out of her dress without moving her feet from her original pose. We managed to match the angle of her body, the picture frame, and her arms for each reference photo. Creating the final image required blending three separate photographs. One image of her holding the picture frame and wearing the dress, the next of her in the same pose holding the picture frame nude, and the final of her without the frame focusing on the tattoo.

Find a few more edited shots from this session below...

Showing Off Your New Tattoo

Samantha and I met last spring while she was taking a digital photography course at San Juan College, where I assist with all the photography classes. She started this tattoo midway through the spring semester, and only just recently was able to complete all the coloring and shading on her arm. After several attempts to get together for a photo session, we were finally able to arrange to meet.

I wanted to get as many views of the tattoo as we could manage. Changing lighting, posing, and backgrounds several times through the session. The resulting images are fantastic, and show off her ink beautifully. I wish I could share more of them here, the entire session was a complete success.

Outdoor Studio Photography

Would you like to have the option to take your portraits outdoors?

I have the equipment to make it happen. During this particular photo session, I had my camera around my neck and a light stand in each hand, walking through the park. I was able to set up a studio within moments of finding a suitable location.  In the image above, I had one flash aimed at the kids in the background, and another for their mother who was sitting much nearer to me. The light on their hair was the setting sun and added a beautiful glow to each of them.

From Maternity to Mommy with Chenisse

Beginning our sessions when she was nine weeks along, this lovely young woman had a photo session at different stages during her pregnancy. We arranged to use the same wardrobe, backgrounds, and lighting to document her complete pregnancy. Since the birth of her daughter at the end of August, she now has a priceless set of images documenting a time in her life that has changed her from a young woman into a mother.

Capturing a Moment in Time with Maternity Photography for Nancy

How would you like to document your pregnancy with magazine quality images?

With careful attention to lighting and posing, you can have exactly that

I schedule two hours for a maternity session, allowing for different backgrounds, lighting, and wardrobe changes to achieve many different looks. In the image above, this lovely mom-to-be made use of a swing I have installed inside my studio. I set up the lights and changed the background, and all she had to do is swing. The shot is not posed, it is a moment of joy as she swung back and forth, truly enjoying herself

Cherry Brandi - Glamorous on Location

I had the great fortune to work with Cherry Brandi for a second time. We wanted to create a different feel and a new look for her with this photo session. After deciding to shoot outdoors, I scouted several locations and decided on three where we could shoot. The first is literally in my backyard. Or rather the backyard space at my studio.

Behind the Scenes of a Simple Headshot

 
I would like to offer a behind the scenes look in my studio, with a how-to guide for this lovely portrait. My intention was to create an evenly lit head shot, with a dark (but not black) background.

Now, for the shot and a description of the setup,

Local shutterbug mixes skill with passion in his photography

This past January, I was featured in the Daily Times in Farmington, NM.
The following is the article as it appeared in the paper:

Local shutterbug mixes skill with passion in his photography

Photography is for some, a profession, and for others, a hobby. For Farmington photographer Adam Telford, it's both. Telford became interested in photography in 1997, during his senior year in high school. He served on the yearbook staff where he was responsible for taking most of the photos that were to be included.

"It was the first time I went out of my way to take photos," Telford said in an interview Tuesday, "rather than just snapshots."

Telford's affinity for the medium came naturally, though he continued to improve his abilities by taking classes. During his first semester of college at San Juan College, he took a black and white photography class taught by Jim Burgess. "I became so intrigued by the process, that I continued to take advanced courses taught by him and learn new techniques in the darkroom," he said. "Over the last two years, I have continued to learn more about the use of flash in photography through online tutorials and photo sharing websites."

Telford said he has a number of small, portable flash units that can be used for photo sessions, both in the studio or out on location, that he has become comfortable using through these online learning sessions.

Local Paper Recommends Natural Images by Adam

The Talon, a local paper in Aztec, NM, has featured my business in the Area's Best Business Review in the July edition:

Preserving memories in your life with distinctive portraiture is the specialty of NATURAL IMAGES BY ADAM, located at 302 East Main Street, Downtown Farmington, inside Artifacts Gallery. You can contact them by phone: (505) 716-0719, email: thecameraguy@hotmail.com or browse their portfolios at NATURAL IMAGES BY ADAM on Facebook.
 
"What I do is I bring light-stands and small flash units to set up an outdoor studio. And the best part is its all portable, so I'm not limited to one location. I can create beautiful images in my studio, a local park, or even in your living room. This style of lighting is beautiful and it adds depth with a 3D quality to the images. This is not something you can get from the big-box stores, they have one lighting setup for everyone. I believe every subject requires their own lighting and I offer unique, personalized attention for every session."
 
The editors of this 2012 Area’s Best Business Review suggest that if you have a special event coming up, make an appointment to visit NATURAL IMAGES BY ADAM. Their excellence in this field makes them your best choice when it comes to photography.

If you haven't picked up a copy of the Talon, you can find it online. http://www.aztecnews.com/

Thank you for taking the time to view and appreciate my photography.

For more about me and my photography click here