Priddy Girls

I had the pleasure of capturing passion at its finest. I introduce you to the world of Priddy girl dolls. A Powerful Respected Intelligent Diligent Driven Young ladies (Priddy) girl as explained by owner/founder Regina," is someone who cares to create a roadmap to accomplish their goal; she can be a mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, niece, cousin, wife or friend." 

Regina provides an experience through her workshops and teaches you how to build a doll that may look and have the same interests as you. I was able to capture the excitement from both young and old of creating a doll from scratch in their own image. They were able to choose from such a variety of everything from the hair to the shoes and more. I've never seen a doll built from scratch, but it was definitely an awesome experience and one I truly enjoyed capturing.

My lens. Your moment.

www.bpaulmobley.com

Atlanta Photographer, Atlanta Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Atlanta Corporate Photographer, Atlanta Baby Photographer, Atlanta Headshot Photographer, Atlanta Event Photographer, Atl

Following Shade

In a recent discover as always (lol), I've learned a broad daylight shooting technique. Yep, shooting in midday sun has always been a problem. Photographers (myself included) tend to look for shade for "good lighting." Now I know it's probably nothing new under the sun, but for those that don't know follow along. It's as simple as placing your subject in the sun, so they're backlit and shooting the shot from the direction in which their shadow falls. Sounds pretty basic right, it is. This will provide a back light for your client, model, senior or whoever you're shooting that will separate them from the background. They are two key points to pay attention to: the first is to use a reflector or a small pop of flash to add throw more light on the the front of the face, the second is make sure you don't blow out the highlights that the sun provides. It's basically a two light set up!

  This technique has allowed me to roam free, without being confined to shade. In most cases shade can be a useful and great friend for photographers. If you don't always want to find shade or can't find shade, this is a simple technique that will help you out. It has helped me and maybe it can help you avoid following shade.....lata on!

Kick and adjust

I've been working with a one light set up for quite some time now, but a little extra light and movement can go a long way when shooting. Once the main light was set I used a kicker light (camera left) with a green gel on it to add a little flare. I started shooting in front of the model, although the shots were good, simply moving 4 steps to the left made for a better shot. I've learned that once you get the model in the pose you want, you should do the moving. Different angles create different looks, so just kick and adjust.

Essence

All photos should have a resounding feeling to them; in so many words an essence. They usually spark a memory or evoke an emotion of some sort; the saying is "a picture is worth a thousand words." I'm venturing in the realm of creating emotional art. The viewer will feel whatever the model was feeling or at least know that a feeling was being displayed. It goes back to the  connection with people and being on one accord. When you're dealing with a model,family, bride or groom get to know them as much as possible. People tend to loosen up and become who they are (at time forget the camera is there) if they are comfortable. Next time you shoot remember to attempt to capture the essence that particular moment holds.

New beginnings

We all have to start something new at some point in our lives. Its seems as though there is so much to learn in photography that I'm constantly learning. Everything seems like the first page to a new book that will improve you in some kind of way. With photography as is everything in life you should continue to constantly learn. Make it a process to learn anything. Start looking back at old pictures to see the mistakes you made then, so you won't make them now. Go back to a place you shot before and see if you can see something different this time. It will work wonders for you. I give it what my good friend Toddzen calls it a 360 degree view! You will be surprised at what you see. You might just see a new beginning.

Give it a shot

So many times we often take the "safe shot" just to ensure we have satisfied clients. I agree the safe shot is necessary (client satisfaction is number 1), but don't forget to look around and see if you can find the "unexpected shot." You know that shot that doesn't look like you shot it in that area, that city or that venue.  Let your imagination go wild for a moment. Your clients will be satisfied with the safe shot, but wowed by the unexpected shot. The next time you're shooting a wedding, nail the safe shot and start looking around for the best quality of light you can find (or create it), allow the mind to wonder a bit (reel it in), line up your shot (pose, lighting, composition) and provide that wow moment; after all it is art, so give it a shot!

Thats Light!

The craziest thing that has happened to me on this journey into photography is the discovery of light. It really is all around us. It can sometimes be the most subtle shine, streak or glare that will make an entire image. Light can be manipulated in so many ways, I often think I'm taking advantage of it..j/k. Set the scene with the light you have first before you add any additional light. Look around the room and see where nature's light is coming from and compliment it. The key is to learn to use what you have before you go off and seek any additional help. B superb! B you and that thing all around us that we can use everyday....Thats light!

You can do it!

I was in the gym today (you have to stay healthy you know) working out and a thought crossed my mind. I was working on a set of squats. I was fatigued from the set before, but I looked at the bar and said you can do it. I thought to myself for a moment.....how many times have I heard that? That you can do it. It dawned on me that the only time I really heard it was when I said it to myself. I'm saying that to say this, you are always and should always be the one to believe you can do it. You won't hear it very often from other people because they will say it then place a "but" right after it; and you know the saying "anything before but becomes irrelevant" lol. All jokes and quotes aside, no but, you can do it Period! If you have an idea or you want to try something crazy with whatever you are pursuing in life DO IT! If you want to create your own lane or go against the norm DO IT! Photography is art. It gives people a small glimpse of how you actually see the world. Everyone sees it differently, but no one is truly wrong. Some might disagree and say I'm wrong; just remember these words "I can do it! You can do it!"

Satisfaction

To be satisfied is a bittersweet moment in life. Satisfaction can be the direct cousin to contentment. It sounds crazy I know, but when you become satisfied you feel a sense of achievement which causes you to relax. Because you found that success you've been looking for  in a particular area you tend to get stuck in that moment of satisfaction. We all know what being stuck entails and that is not moving, standing still or the act of no motion. We all know what stems from not moving and that is no growth. We can add that without growth there can be no change; and without change whatever/whoever it is will soon die out. When you accomplish a goal and reach the desired success, clap, celebrate internally and move on. Don't let the satisfaction of success stop you from reaching your ultimate goal! L.A.A.M.

Fade

When you are pursuing something understand passion, desire and a genuine love has to be involved. You have to have a burning desire and focus to accomplish something, if you want it to come to fruition. It should be YOUR desire fueled by YOUR passion to make things happen. The love of it all should keep YOU going. Being the best photographer, painter, pianist or whatever YOU want to do in life should be based on how YOU view YOURSELF. It started as YOUR journey to YOUR destination that only YOU know! Mistakes are made (learn from them). Times are constantly changing(learn to adapt). The drive slows down and we know eventually everything fades; the reason you started it all will and should not! Never let it Fade!!

Shots down

 I'm starting to learn when dealing with photography exactly what you want is exactly what you should shoot. It dawned on me (while culling through hundreds of pictures) that most of the shots I actually want are towards the end of the catalogs. It's after I've set the background(snap), set the lights(snap snap), adjust the hair(snap snap snap), the pose(snap snap snap snap), the composition( you get the picture) that my images toward the end are the ones I actually keep. I understand why I was doing it; I'm always trying to keep the models busy and in the moment, but by doing so I end up with tons of pictures.....sidebar-they are still some pretty good shots.....Again, it's a stepping stone and a learning experience. With each shoot make sure you jot down notes and things you would keep and change. The goal is to be as efficient as possible in the least amount of time as possible (at least for me it is). Know the shot. Shoot the shot! and don't forget to keep the shots down!