JUSTINELEMENT PRODUCTIONS BLOG

When I first picked up my camera and had no idea how to shoot, I started looking at lot of people’s work, I enrolled in school, and I interned for a Hollywood movie photographer, Pete Tangen.  This guy was the real life Spiderman; he would take regular scenes and make them into dramatic movie posters.  You’ve seen some of his work like, Batman Begins, Superman and Spiderman, amongst other movies.  When I first started, I really wanted to do big name photography.  I wanted my work to be showcased in magazines and billboards across the United States but as I got more involved in learning and experiencing that industry, I realized that’s not what I wanted to do.

It was then that I found myself.  I knew I wanted to work with people that I can relate to, people on the same level as me, and people I can be myself with.  I started narrowing down my options and for the past year I have been looking at fewer and fewer types of photorgaphy.  I’ve come to the realization that most photographers start off liking everything and then eventually round into just one or two things.   I thought about this when my good friend, Matt Kruger, was telling me how he finally found what he wanted to do in his life: food photography.  One of the greatest things you can have in your life is the ability to know what you want to do.  Knowing I wanted to be a photographer was my first step.  Doing lifestyle and wedding photography was the second.

Today I look at fewer and fewer blogs as I know what my niche is.  I have a dedicated style, a solid passion for my niche, and an eagerness to keep getting better.  I constantly look at my favorite blogs and dissect the pictures.  It’s very important for you to not just look at a picture but to analyze how it was made and how it was created.

So for you photographers out there, whether you know your niche or not, please share with me some of your favorite blogs or photographer’s websites so we can all see the passion that you have for photography and the inspirations that drive you.

My favorite is Mr. Todd Laffler from New Jersey, who creates images with a high intellect for observational light and manipulated light along with high energy and interesting composition.  I think the guy is brilliant and I still can’t figure out how he does some of his pictures today.

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On another note, last Sunday, Gaby and I visited my old friend, Nikki who set up a Father’s Day shoot for her boyfriend, Ryan, and his two daughters,  Kaylyn and Kassie.  The girls were really sweet and nice and they did everything I asked them to do, even when Kassie was scared to get on her dad’s shoulders, she did anyways.  Ryan was a very fun loving father from the getgo and did not need to be cued when to be so.  We finished up with some great clouds at Laguna Niguel, the beautiful beach city. Please enjoy!