Welcome to my In Focus series! Each one of these articles will be a case study of sorts regarding the different types of services I offer in Photography. In this section, I want to introduce you to luxury editorial photo sessions.
Are you thinking about having portraits done, but the studio doesn't feel comfortable, or are you looking for something different? Why not take a walk outside the studio instead? I spent an afternoon at Town Square Las Vegas with Journey Kay for a luxury shopping editorial. Here is what a session like that looks like.
The Session
The idea was simple. I had spoken with Lauren, Journey's Mom, about what they were looking for. We had both thought that a luxury shopping-style shoot would be fun. Then, we came to a game plan and laid it out. A polished day out shopping, shot editorial-style. We worked the storefronts, open walkways, and afternoon window light, making the shopping bags part of the story instead of just props. The colors she chose worked so well in the contrast of the afternoon sunlight!
It was a great day! They were a lot of fun to work with. They came with great ideas, and that makes it easier when the concepts are flowing. Journey had just gotten back from New York and LA Fashion Week, so it was something I wanted to keep pretty chill and low pressure.
What Is an Editorial Shoot?
If you have only ever had studio portraits done, an editorial shoot is a different animal. A studio session is about you, a backdrop, and controlled light — clean, consistent, and it looks like a portrait. An editorial session is about a story. We shoot on location; we move, the wardrobe matters, and the light is whatever the day gives us. A studio portrait says what you look like. Editorial sessions say something about who you are, or who you want to be in the pictures. Neither one is better — they do different jobs. If you want a clean headshot, book the studio. If you want pictures that look like they belong in a magazine, that is what this is.
What to Expect From a Session Like This
If you book a session like this, here is what it is actually like. We don't stand in one spot and work through a list of poses. We walk, we talk, and we shoot as we go. I am looking for light the whole time — a storefront, a patch of window light, a walkway that frames the shot. Some frames are posed, and some are just you being in the moment, and honestly, the second kind are usually the ones you end up loving. As for what to wear, pick something you feel good in. The pink tweed jacket from this shoot is a good example — clean lines and solid colors photograph well, and busy patterns tend to fight the camera. That is the whole idea. It should feel like a day out, not a photo appointment.
Please note: If you are a photographer reading this, like most places in Las Vegas, you need to check with the administration of their venue and make sure you meet the policy guidelines for photography and video. The folks at Town Square were very helpful in this process. Always remember to plan. Like my mom told me, lack of planning on your part doesn't constitute an emergency on theirs.
What Stood Out
You know what really stood out to me? The quiet frames. Her looking off down the walkway, hair moving, not posed, just in the moment. Candid work is still my favorite. Catching a moment and freezing it in time is what makes a session like this feel real instead of staged, and honestly, those are the shots I am proudest of from the day.
If You Are Thinking About a Session
If you are a model building a portfolio, or just someone who wants portraits that feel like a magazine spread instead of a studio setup, this is the kind of session I love to shoot.
Check out Photo Services from DDM Creative and Dirk D Myers Photography
What do you think? If you are in the Las Vegas area and want a session like this, please feel free to contact me. I would love for the memories of your portrait shoot to be happy ones.
More images from the session with Journey Kay at Town Square Mall
Check out Journey Kay's Instagram - She was fantastic to work with!
Again, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me here or leave a comment below.
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