photo – Blessed Shadows

Red Lingerie | Red Hair

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This stunning set is almost don’t dropping as we head into October.

♥️🍁♥️

Are you excited for what’s next?

September 30, 2021 by romanleaf

Golden Goddess | Self-Portraiture and Self-Acceptance

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Harness: Charlie’s Revamps
Handmade headdresses: the Blessed Shadows shop

So much has changed here in the studio. Not only in workflow and equipment changes, but how I’ve learned to see myself and my work.

I have found self-portraiture as a way to learn self-love. Not only has it helped me with my dysphoria, it’s allowed me to learn to see myself as a piece of art. It’s helped me better comes to terms with the skin I’ve been given.

Along with the grander scheme of not feeling at home in my body, I’m no longer so embarrassed by my hands. My hands are often a very bright red, presumably because of a thyroid issue and my very low blood pressure. It’s been a pain to edit out or otherwise try to prevent, but I’ve learned to accept that that’s just how they are.

Instead of seeing an embarrassing bright red, I see it as a blush that fits well with my style of portraiture, especially in this photoset.

Self-portrature can help us to not only learn about who we are, but how we are all pieces of artwork.

Perfectly imperfect.

April 12, 2020February 21, 2022 by romanleaf

Gold Goddess | Boudoir Photoshoot

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Beautiful harness by Charlie’s Revamps.

This sultry red and gold shoot was such a glamorous blast!

With the floral headdress from the Blessed Shadows Shop and this chain harness from Charlie’s Revamps coming together so perfectly with the backdrop and faux floral, this was a joy to photograph.

This backdrop is one of my favorites, a thrifted blanket that’s quite literally a bed of flowers.

~~~

These 1/2-1/2 shoots, where half the photoshoot is taken with an iPod and the other half is photographed with a DSLR have been wonderful. These photo sessions have given an opportunity to better utilize the studio space (with the bed serving as a second backdrop) as well as practice with different equipment.

Gorgeous portraits come from each setup, and it’s been a joy to continue practicing without entirely taking over the studio.

April 6, 2020February 21, 2022 by romanleaf

Portrait Photography Must-Haves| Best Additions to the Photography Studio

golden goddess fantasy portrait photography

alternative gothic fashion portrait photography

In this list you’re going to find my favorite additions to the photography studio over the last ten years, big and small.

Everyone’s favorite tools and equipment and accessories for their work are personal, here’s mine:

Photography Equipment

DSLR body: Start out with a basic body. I still love my kit camera from 10 years ago, it’s a Nikon D3100 with my upgrade being a D3300.
Glass: I’ve become a sucker for fast prime lenses in this small studio. My favorites are 85mm f/1.8 and my 50mm lens.
Ring light: Perfect for smaller studio spaces.
Continuous Lighting: I love lightweight floor lamps with daylight LED bulbs.
Flashguns and umbrellas: These have given me my most luscious lighting, but not my favorite option in a cramped studio.
Remote Trigger Release: This has been indispensable. I almost always use this one but I also have a few other versions depending on the shooting situation. It prevents a LOT of running back and forth.
Polarizing Filters: Remember to choose quality so you’re not degrading the quality of your images. Not only will these handy filters boost colors and reduce glare, they’ll help keep your lenses safe from scratches.
Rechargeable Batteries: Extra points if you use a solar panel to charge these.
PS and Lightroom: I bought PS CS5 for my computer back when Adobe wasn’t subscription based. I use the free Lightroom app on my IPod to edit my mobile shots.
Computer: Editing photography on a laptop isn’t ideal (depending who you ask) but it frees up a lot of space in the studio. If buying a computer, research ahead to see if it’s a good option for photography.
Monitor Color Calibrator: Calibrate your monitor and, in your editing program, use the best color space when editing and saving. Plenty of great tutorials for this online.
Backdrops: aka: Blankets, curtains, etc outfitted with safety pins to hang from nails on the wall. Check out your local thrift shop to see what colors, textures, patterns and prints you can find.
Mobile Camera: Gorgeous shots are absolutely possible on a smartphone and other devices. A growing number of my portraits are taken with my IPod. It’s a great way to experiment and get different shots before shooting the same look with a DSLR, or to do an entire shoot.
Mobile Camera Accessories: Tripods, selfie sticks, and clip on polarizing filters and other accessories are available for mobile devices.
Flash Drives: You’ve worked hard to create your work, be sure to save copies somewhere off your computer.

There you have it!

My favorite tools and equipment that I’ve adored the most over the past decade in the photography studio.

What are your own favorite tools and pieces of equipment?

Share with your friends and trade your own list of must-haves!

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March 8, 2020February 21, 2022 by romanleaf

These Butterflies | Witch Portrait

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What soft gothic beauties have you been dying to embody?
What glow have you been bringing into your life?
What delicate details have you been weaving into your day to day?

Sometimes the best things we can bring into our lives are the things we make habit, bit by bit, and with small changes we make every day.

Positive change has momentum.

So let’s keep creating art and build beauty into our daily lives.

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November 9, 2019February 21, 2022 by romanleaf