Technology is an inhibitor if used correctly..

I am writing this as a reminder to people that a simple phrase such as "your camera takes great pictures!" or, "I wish I had lighting like you so I could make the same pictures..." are just excuses to convince yourself out of trying to learn something. I can't even tell you how many times a day I hear people comparing cameras on set and talking about how certain cameras are "useless" now because of a slightly newer camera that came out. I am not here to talk about specs because I don't really care that much anyway haha. How many captivating images do we see around us that aren't taken by someone in a 100k studio? With instagram and other visual networks, people are creating breathtaking images with their iphone and some pre-fabricated "photoshop" effects. I guarantee those people aren't saying, "my pictures would be so much better with the iphone8G when it comes out... just wait until that day, then I will be blowing you away". I have recently taken a few pictures without the use of studio lighting and substituted for more random approaches or natural light to see what I could come up with.

Natural lighting, no bounce, no silk diffusion, nowhere to go with that giant t.v. (Model: Rachele Lehner)

The only lighting in this shot, headlights from Jessica's car. So technically I used a $20k set of lights for this, but lets be real. (Model: Elizabeth Twaits)

Dancing in the dark, the only light used in this was my set flashlight, purchased a few years ago at home depot for $20. (Model: Molly Morris)

I'm not boasting about any of these pictures or saying that I did anything groundbreaking, but I found cheap creative ways to solve my darkness problem! I just want people to realize that they can be out in the world exploring ways to make something work vs. giving you 100 reasons why it won't work. Plus, the reaction from people walking up on a photoshoot with studio flashes is much less interesting than a girl smearing her lipstick up against a wall while a running car is pointed in her direction (we had to make sure the battery didn't die... the model, not as much death concern). It makes for interesting life experiences and thats what photography is about in the end, capturing a moment no matter what the emotion may be. Or landscape mood... or whatever else people take pictures of. Stop procrastinating while reading this and get out there!