GREAT NEWS!
I have been selected as one of Photoshelter’s featured photographers this month (20 featured photographers out of 60,000). It is a portrait of a little Czech girl (pictured above). The picture links to my online portfolio if you wish to explore more…
http://renatakosina.photoshelter.com/gallery-list
The month of MAY is my favorite time of the year. It’s getting warmer, and greener… I took a walk today and brought the dog and the iPhone along to play with. Here are the results: my first outdoor pics this spring…
A couple of months ago I got an opportunity to meet and work with the Oregon Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director Christopher Stowell and newly appointed executive director Dianne Syrcle. Another interesting project through Skies America who assign me to take a corporate portrait of the OBT’s current power duo for a feature in their program book. Before Christopher and Dianne sat down for their interview to discuss new artistic and financial plans for the next season they spent time in the spotlights and in front of my camera. The doorway to Christopher’s office – a former bank vault – provided the perfect set up with lots of interest and textures. The shots came out great and I couldn’t wait to see them in the published story! Here is the tear sheet…
For those who live in the Pacific Northwest, the month of May is an exciting time of the year. That’s when the smiley-face sun graphics usually take over the local weather maps again and replace the dominating rain drops. But this year, the rain drops are putting up a big fight. Last weekend the sunny smileys won and we got a taste of how May is supposed to feel like. But, a couple days later it turned out to be just a big old tease. Last night, I came home and found large patches of icy slush on the deck. No worries, I won’t post those pictures as they might be disturbing to some local viewers.
This morning I said to myself “ENOUGH”! I am tired of looking out of my window into the greyness and canceling yet another camping trip. Plus, I am now totally running out of tropical destinations to daydream about. So, I bought myself a box of local fresh strawberries (have no idea how they got their amazing red) and Voila! Strawberry lemonade… Sunbathing… Swimming… Childhood… Running barefoot in the grass… – not even a fancy Star Trek transponder could do a better job. Instant summer! – At least for this morning.
And, a good excuse to take more food shots…
FLOWERING INFERNO – that’s how somebody named the upper meadow on Dog Mountain in the Columbia River Gorge, Wash. and it is not an exaggeration. The hike is not an easy one and at times it feels more like an endless stairway to Heaven. But the views are worth the burning muscles. Later that day, we ended up lounging by a fire at the Skamania Lodge’s outdoor bar. As we sipped our drinks and watched some kids melt their marshmallows, the mountain in the background quietly went from fiery orange to indigo blue, and almost disappeared into the evening darkness… Life’s good!
The Oregon Symphony is running again photos of STORM LARGE I shot for them through Skies America last fall. They are a part of their upcoming season promotions published in the next issue of InSymphony magazine. The shoot and the interview took place in hotel Modera (downtown Portland) and it was a blast.
PREP: I do a lot of research on Storm – her pictures, videos as much as I can find. I come up with the idea of doing a classic Hollywood look that would fit with the OR Symphony audience and show off Storm’s stunning looks. Symphony rep likes it. Next, I study setups for old Hollywood lighting and shoot a couple of samples – can’t wait to run it by Storm’s rep. When a thumbs-up email arrives in my inbox I can’t be more excited. A date is scheduled…
SHOOT DAY: Final equipment check before departure. Arrival at the reserved hotel room an hour early to prep everything. The room decor – perfect! Modern, classy, especially the off-white plush bed cover begs to be in the picture. I set up the lights and run a few tests. Storm arrives on time and immediately her presence changes the vibe in the room. She is tall with a smile, piercing blue eyes, and a firm hand shake. We run over the poses planned – all looks good. After her makeup she emerges in a long silky sleek gown and settles on the edge of the bed. The light is almost on her face and it catches a sparkle in her eye. I know this will look amazing. To get different angles I sit on the floor, walk all over the bed, lay low, stand directly above and fix the occasional wardrobe malfunctions. She is fun and a total pro in taking directions. She is so synchronized with the clicks of my camera that I get a refreshed look every single time. This is too easy… I feel a rush of adrenaline as I know we are getting lots of great shots. How fun!
Shoot is done – next up, the interview. Storm asks Matt (Matt Williams – the writer) to join her on the bed where she’s already made herself comfortable. They sit next to each other, their backs pressed against the headboard and a pile of pillows – no shoes and Storm still in her dress. No matter how casual and fun the conversation is this is not one of Matt’s regular interviews. Later that day I see him bragging on his Facebook page: “just been in bed with Storm Large”… At the end, we say our good byes and Storm leaves the room with good wishes of tasty dinner and getting laid. After all that’s what Fridays are about, right?
Before the shoot, I was trying to figure out how to blend OS generally classical music image with Storm’s usually punk-rock edgy persona without taking away the essence from either. Just a few minutes into the shoot I knew Storm’s talent was not only in her voice but also her ability to transform and still keep her uniqueness. She is a genuine, hilariously funny, creative and strong professional woman who I’d totally enjoy hanging out with. A couple of weeks later, I received an approval from her rep to run the final selection of shots. Those are the ones that were published in InSymphony last January. A couple of friends who happen to see the OS Storm Large show have sent me nice notes. Thanks so much!
I love my job, and getting to know people – one at a time…
I am a photographer and graphic designer based in Portland, Oregon. Oh, and a traveler whenever possible. I love what I do for living so I started this blog to share with the world what is going on in both, the right and the left sides of my brain. There is a lot: business, creative ideas… besides, some of my photoshoot and travel stories are too much fun to keep them for myself.
Hope you enjoy reading!
You can also check out my work at:
http://www.renkostudio.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RENKOstudio
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