Five Fusion Restaurant | Oregon Food Photographer
Why I love my job….
Trends Magazine Part 2 | Published Work | Architectural Photographer Bend Oregon
Trends Magazine recently profiled a home I photographed here in Bend, Oregon in Shevlin Commons. With amazing talent such as Kirsti Wolfe Designs, Scott Gilbride Architecture, Greg Vendrame Construction, Dansky Handcrafted, Milo’s Metal Works and Classic Wood Accents, this home shines with modern elegance! (Yes, that was one big shout out to the wonderful crews who made this room possible). I was lucky to be hired as the photographer to capture this room’s overall architecture and appeal with elements such as multiple pocket doors, a captain’s bed, built in custom library, and volcanic metal fireplace. Here is the tearsheet from the magazine.
(To see more images from this home, click on this link: http://tinyurl.com/5sjj3oe for my previous blog entry!) Enjoy!
Professional Headshots, Your First Impression | Professional Photographer Bend Oregon
I was recently hired by the lovely and talented Dana Ward of Lime Design to photograph her new professional headshots. In business, professional headshots are very important. They are sometimes the “first impression” when someone is looking for your service or a professional in your field. They can speak volumes about your personality, and even, the quality of your business. Of course, I am a photographer, so I may be biased as to the importance of one’s photography, but personally, I steer clear of any businessman or woman with a pixelated photo, cropped out of last year’s Hawaiian vacation. (facebook excluded)
For Dana’s headshots, we wanted to photograph her in an environmental portrait style, instead of in the studio, to add some depth and connection to her business. We chose The Loft in downtown Bend as a great location for her. She is one of Central Oregon’s premier home stagers, so having an intimate and warm atmosphere went well in defining her as a professional in her field.
What’s your field or area of expertise? Do your headshots help portray your branding and convey the image you want for your business?
“Understanding a Photographic Assignment Estimate” | Bend OR Architectural Photographer
This helpful and insightful article below has been researched and developed by the AIA (Association of Architects) and the ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) to help guide you through a Photographic Estimate. The examples shown in the article below are specifically regarding an architectural photo assignment, but can easily relate to other photographic areas as well. The article helps explain and break down helpful terms and phrases such as Licensing + Rights Granted as well as help describe the Pricing structures of typical estimates. It also gives other practical time and money saving tips for your photography needs.
Related Articles: How to Prepare for a Professional Photoshoot and How to Find the Right Architectural Photographer
If you have any questions or are interested in discussing these concepts with a professional architectural photographer, please don’t hesitate to email or call. Paula Watts Photography at info@paulawattsphoto.com or #541-255-5834.
Architectural Lighting | Architectural Photographer, Bend OR
Have you ever wondered what makes an image really stand out from the rest? Or, perhaps, how to get your home or space to photograph well for an advertising campaign? Well, I won’t give away all my trade secrets as an architectural photographer here, but I will show you a quick comparison that will help train your eye to see light differently, as well as how to become a discerning client when needing to hire a professional photographer that will make your building/residence/commercial space really shine.
The two images below are the exact same residence, the exact same angle, the exact same day. Sure, you can probably see that. Will it surprise you then to learn that the two images were photographed only 22 minutes apart? A bit more intrigued now?
I photographed these two images to showcase the dramatic difference that lighting can make in a photograph. The first image was taken at the end of the day with no additional lighting equipment used. The sun was still the main lighting source. Because of the nature of the home’s architecture, beautifully designed by Scott Gilbride Architecture, the sun didn’t do a very good job reaching to the inside corners of the patio. In order to compensate for that, the exposure either gets longer, or the depth of field gets shorter (not ideal for architecture) and the sky, then, gets whiter. Indeed, you can see for yourself the overall dull appearance the home had.
In comparison, for the second image, I waited only 20 more minutes for the sun to go below the horizon, (becoming the ambient (or fill) light for the photo shoot). The main light source became my photography lights that I added with strategic placement to add light where needed as well as add a more dramatic feel overall to the photo. The home then became lit from the inside and outside, giving it a warm glow in appearance and a well deserved contrast from the rich blue sky from the dusk evening.
When searching to hire a professional architectural photographer, or even a professional photographer for other subject matters, please remember that lighting ALWAYS matters. It is important to find a photographer that is going to make your product, home, or business really shine, and that lighting is one of the very best ways we are going to do that for you!
Distilleries in Portland | Oregon Editorial Photographer
I recently had the pleasure of working with the Oregon Business Magazine with my good friend and amazing art director, Jon Taylor Carter on a story about distilleries around Portland Oregon. Together, we toured three different distilleries, each with their own unique style and expertise. The three amazing distilleries were New Deal, Stone Barn Brandy Works, and House Spirits. Below are just a sampling of the imagery from the distilleries and the cover magazine shot! I hope you enjoy!
Preparing for a Professional Photographer
Following my last post about Finding the Right Architectural Photographer, this is another great article by the good ole people at AIA (American Institute of Architects) and ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) discussing expectations with the professional architectural photographer you choose, covering topics like avoiding un-necessary costs and surprises, as well as giving a helpful checklist in making sure all areas of the photo shoot are covered before the photographer even steps foot on the property.
If you are looking to hire a professional architectural photographer, and just don’t know where to start or what to expect, this article is perfect for you!
As always, if you have any questions you would like to further discuss with a professional architectural photographer, please don’t hesitate to email at info@paulawattsphoto.com or call at #541-255-5834.
How to Find the Right Architectural Photographer for You!
Are you looking for a professional architectural photographer, but just don’t know where to start? Or, perhaps, you are using a photographer that specializes in portraits, and you don’t know the difference? If this is you, this article is for YOU!
No matter what profession you are in, educating your clients in your field is so important. Not only will they understand where you are coming from in regards to expertise, costs associated, etc, but, they will be able to better realize why they even need your services in the first place. Same goes with photographers. I dare say, even more so with photographers, but then again, I am biased.
With the help of the AIA (American Institute of Architects) and the ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers), this article helps iron out key points to finding an architectural photographer that not only meets your needs, but with the proper quality and expertise.
If you have any further questions regarding architectural photography or finding a photographer that fits you, please feel free to email at info@paulawattsphoto.com or call at #541-255-5834
Artisan Landscaping | Architectural Photographer, Oregon
Wheww… it’s been a while since I’ve blogged. I’m sure everyone has their excuses, but mine is just out of sheer, head spinning, business. The saying “When it rains, it pours” could not explain my business more in this season. I’m not complaining, but instead, feel very blessed for my clients, new and old, who have put their trust in me for their photography needs.
A new client, Artisan: Outdoor Living & Landscape, hired me to photograph a home’s landscaping project in the Highlands. Before I met Kevin, owner of Artisan, at the home (residence to remain un-named), I had no idea what to expect – accept that I knew Artisan did beautiful work. I was blown away! Streams of water flowing around the home, rock formations (made by Artisan), waterfalls spilling into the pool, outdoor kitchen and bar, fire pits, an outdoor pizza oven, the WORKS! It was a photographer’s dream!
In order to accomplish the images seen below, the right time of day was crucial. In addition, highlighting certain key elements in the frame with the technical ability of proper lighting went hand in hand with what the sun was doing. Getting the right feel and mood to showcase this project was also a factor in deciding lighting placement and intensity. All in all, the client was thrilled, which means, I’m thrilled!
The recent issue of 1859 Magazine shows the final advertisement, designed beautifully by Dawn Boone Creative, here in Bend Oregon. Keep an eye out for more landscaping design by Artisan and images by yours truly.
Makayla Zurn | Headshots | Professional Photographer Bend Oregon
As promised from my “Sneak Peak” post back in May, I have posted more images from my time photographing Makayla Zurn from News Channel 21, Bend Oregon for her new headshots. Makayla is not only beautiful and very photogenic, she is kind and very easy going (the absolutely perfect combination for a photographer). Keep an eye on this girl; she’s a big deal!
For her head shots, we wanted to have multiple “looks” to have variety in her portfolio. We LOVED shooting at The Oxford Hotel’s 10 Below Restaurant and Bar for the first part of her shoot. It’s sleek and classy, and gave a beautiful backdrop for Makayla’s images. Later, we went to an alley that will look quite familiar to the locals here Bend, Oregon. It’s graffiti-ed with some chalk artwork, spreading love and beauty to the brick backdrop and was a great spot for a more casual look for Makayla. The soft, natural light worked great in this spot too, showing her classic, flawless beauty quite nicely.
For more examples of my work, please check out my website at www.paulawattsphoto.com or stay where you’re at and click through the previous posts! It’s fun, I promise!
