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Melvin Mark | Portland, Oregon Photographer
Recently, I was hired to photograph a team of executives from Melvin Mark Companies for a new ad campaign they are creating called “Get Melvinized” which speaks of their expertise and experience in the Portland commercial real estate industry. Here is one of the ads with my studio portrait photography in Portland, Oregon.
Exotic Gemstones Shoot
I recently had the awesome opportunity to photograph Heather and Adel Tennant for my client, Exotic Gemstones LLC aka Oregon Sunstone. The jewelry is mined right here in Oregon and designed by our loved Karla Proud, the owner of Oregon Sunstone! Here are a couple of our favorites!
Africa Oh Africa
After spending 6 months on a trip
around the world, the last three in Africa, my eyes have been open to the opportunities to help others less fortunate. My husband and I spent those 3 months working in a township called Red Hill, living amongst the Xhosa people. Yes, we lived in a “squatter camp” in a shack, and loved every moment of it… well, almost. We were able to help the people living there rebuild their homes after a huge fire that destroyed all of what meager possessions they had. Our team built 79 homes in 2 short months and witnessed changes in people that last a lifetime. Here are a couple images of the faces I saw on a daily basis. Unforgettable!
Seth Aaron Fashion Designer | Paula Watts Photography
“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Coco Chanel
I was recently given the great opportunity to photograph fashion designer, Seth Aaron (winner of Project Runway) and the beautiful, Katya Timokhina for a fashion spread regarding the Portland fashion scene. Seth’s designs are a living example of Coco Chanel’s quote. His fashions are IDEAS, a way of LIVING, and most definitely, what is HAPPENING now!
Check out the latest issue of Oregon Business Magazine for the story! I can’t thank Anne Bocci for her beautiful boutique and for hosting our entire crew. www.annebocciboutique.com
Models: Seth Aaron Henderson, Katya Timokhina
Clothing: Seth Aaron Designs
Necklace: Anne Bocci Design
Styling: Jon Taylor Carter
Makeup: Sunny Fire
PR: Chris Cone
Five Tips for the Traveling Photographer
Yesterday, I read a great little article by Real Simple called 10 Things Every Traveler Should Do. After thinking about the ins-and-outs of being a travel photographer, I decided to write a blog post for the traveling photographer in you. These tips are relevant whether you’re an expert photographer or novice, or whether you’re traveling to a tropical island, main city, or remote village.
{All the images seen below are from my recent excursion to Delhi, India and taken during a 2 hour window of time. I hope you enjoy.}
5 tips for the traveling photographer
1. Let jet lag become your friend.
Say what!? I mean it. Instead of lying awake at 4am, staring at your ceiling fan, get moving! Explore the streets with your camera while rarely-seen, early-morning life happens. Not only is the light buttery and soft, but you are bound to see something that few other travelers will see.
2. Walk the city with your camera or take the local transport.
Where I’d never recommend walking down a dark alley where you might not feel comfortable, there are some incredible things to see and photograph when you get off the main strip. Sometimes (okay, most often) that means walking down that little side street or taking the unbeaten path. This first image was captured off the main road in the old city, where life was a little calmer, and there was a chance to really take my time photographing people.
Plus, I found the BEST chapatti (flat Indian bread) from an outdoor vendor that sticks the bread to the walls of a clay oven beneath him. I would have never otherwise experienced this little piece of heaven if I didn’t let myself roam.
3. Get low.
As you are on foot, noticing and observing life around you, don’t just snap scenes from the same angle. Physically getting lower to the ground can help create a more intimate image, even on a busy street.
4. Shoot from the hip (or higher) to get something unique.
If you really want to capture something different, try shooting from your waist or above your head. Photographing from your waist will ensure you don’t disrupt real life moments. Nothing says “stop what you’re doing and smile for the camera” like a big lens pointed right at you. Shooting from your waist can help avoid loosing the realness of your scene as people carry on in a normal fashion. It may take a few tries to get it right, but usually worth the effort. Shooting from above your head might seem silly, but I have come to love the results. This technique really gives a unique perspective, and allows you, as the photographer to get an image that you might not have otherwise thought to capture. Take this scene for instance. From the perspective of my rickshaw, I had very limited visibility, but from over-head, I was able to capture a typical Delhi street scene from a unique vantage point.
5. Tell a story or find a theme.
Drinking chai is a quintessential part of life for most Indians. It happens often, and it happens pretty much anywhere. Capturing a few images during my walk that relates to the making and enjoyment of chai lends for a nice story to fully capture this part of Indian culture. If possible, shoot a diversity of imagery, ranging from wide angles to close details. It helps your audience feel more connected and have a better understanding of these real life moments. Don’t be afraid to interact and ask for portraits too.
BONUS TIP:
Don’t be rude. Respect the culture. Although I would like to think this little bonus tip would go without saying, you’d be surprised. On a recent trip to Nepal, I was walking around the famous Boudhanath (Boudha) stupa, when I noticed a very interesting thing happen right in front of me. An elderly Tibetan nun was doing her circumambulations around the stupa (holy, prayerful walk in a clockwise direction) when a young tourist came up to her face with his camera and snapped a photo. There was no interaction, no asking of permission, and no thank you afterwards. As I was thinking how rude this was, the scenario that followed was priceless. As the young guy happily walked off, obviously pleased with his new photo, the old woman shot her walking cane up in his direction as if trying to whack him with it. She was so displeased that she kept trying to catch up with him, despite her slow limp, and continued to wave her cane in protest. The young man was clueless.
//Keep this discussion going. I’d love to hear if this information was helpful or if you have any travel photography questions or suggestions you would like to share. Feel free to comment below.//
World in Color Photography Gallery | Portland, Oregon
Well, if you missed the big opening of the World In Color Photographic Gallery, you still have a chance to check out the art work. Not only is it hanging the WHOLE month of October at the Dyna Art Lounge in the Pearl District of Portland, I am also featuring the work right here on my blog. (although you truly can’t understand the beauty of an acrylic print until you see it in person). The gallery is open Mon-Fri, normal business hours and is located at 300 NW 14th Avenue, Portland, OR. The gallery is inside the Dynagraphics building, so go take a peak inside!
For special orders or purchasing details, please contact me directly at info@paulawattsphoto.com.
This gallery is something that has been such a journey for me and my husband. Not only did we spend 6 months last year traveling the world, photographing our hearts out, we have really been trying to find out what the best way to share the imagery is and hopefully impact people along the way. When I was given this gallery opportunity, I knew it would be the right step in the right direction. I long for people to see these images not only as beautiful pieces of art but also as a way of appreciating other cultures and hopefully spuring on a desire to travel to all corners of the world. I feel that only then can people truly understand the need that is so evident in places like Africa and India and finally realize our place in helping. This gallery is meant to be a call to action. Whether the first step is learning more about a place, a foreign land that might put us out of our comfort zone, or a place that our heart longs to visit. The world is small. We can help one another.
WORLD IN COLOR.