Couture Bridal Photoshoot at Jinza Jin with my Profoto 600R

The most fun in any photoshoot is when you get to collaborate with the best talents the industry has to offer. Here, in this shoot, we have:

1. two absolutely stunning models, Charisse and Milena
2. our gracious host, Jinza Jin who owns the amazing couture bridal line at 2040 Union Street in San Francisco
3. our lovely Janice Daoud whom I can't have enough praise of
4. the most talented hair stylist, Mikel with a fantastic personality!
5. Of course, our Paul Ferradas who is always there to help

What's this shoot for? How about for all our portfolios? Is that a good enough reason? WE ALL THINK SO!.

While I am at it, I got the chance to try out my new toy, the latest little photo gear from Profoto. The tiny little, Profoto Acute-B 600R battery and of course, its equivalent Profoto Acute-B 600 w/s lamp head. I'm not even counting the modifiers and this tiny light bulb made me bleed $3k. Ouch! And I'm actually thinking of buying 3 more sets of these? Hahaha. Michael Soo's lofty goals.

Talk about finances, I'm leaking ... gushing money this month. My credit card bill came yesterday and even though I expected it, I still fainted for a few minutes before I ran and played with the lights again. I think I need help. Know a good therapist, anyone?

This is probably one of the main reason why a photographer charges a few pennies extra for their services.

On the bright side, this little sucker is an amazing pack. Possibly the lightest gear available in the market! 10 measly pounds!!! I could see myself pocketing the long term medical savings when I turn 70! That's where the savings will roll in by the millions!!! Oh yeah!

I really enjoy commercial, high fashion couture shoots for a few damn good reasons. I can't do the statistical type of shoot where I take 1000 shots, hoping for 1 great shot. I'm the type of guy who wants to take 10 shots, expecting 5 phenomenal shots! That made me really suitting for commercial since most companies only want 1 to 10 great shots and use it for anything from advertising, packaging to websites, etc.

I think we got enough out from this shoot to last us a while. Then again, we're doing a beauty shoot the day after tomorrow. I guess I just can't sit around long enough without fidgeting. ;)

- Michael Soo

Sweet Surrender

Her cold stare pierced through the frigid wind. Mild condensed air from her lungs released briefly into the darkness as she stood atop the rooftop, draped in absolutely nothing but a flimsy but fashionable couture black dress, showing her bare back. Soft light carressed every contour of her smooth silky skin. Her black stiletto scratches the ground as she stood, turning her head. She shivered and steadied her pose, warmth from her body slowly drained by the wind. There stood Charisse, conquering nature with her elegance and beauty. This was supposed to be a ballet-on-the-rooftop shoot to begin but with fog rolling into the city, causing flat lighting, the severe cold and lack of time caused the whole shoot to be drastically change. The photographer's (ahem!) brain went into hyperdrive, simulating scenarios and creating last minute (more like last second) improvisations to rectify this extremely difficult shooting condition, somewhat reminded him of his extremely difficult photography challenge he faced over a year ago in New York. The same scenario, given to another, can cause a serious panic-attack and extreme nausea. Adding insult to injury, he had to carry over 100lbs of gear up small doorways, elevators, stairs and locked rooftop doors AND wiring 50 feet of cables for the lights. It was an interesting experience, to say the least. Charisse quickly then swap places quickly with Krystal, scurrying into the deep layers of coats, blankets and jackets that lies on the ground. She's now happy and warm. That's a good thing! ;-) After a few more shots, everyone adjourned to Susanne's apartment. Thanks to Susanne, our fantastic host who helped secured the rooftop for this shoot is an extremely bright and charming woman and also the CEO of Point Arcadia. Both Laura (Susanne's sister who also lives in the same building) and Susanne has got to be two of the sweetest people I've gotten the pleasure to know. She was more than accommodating. Hot tea was served throughout the entire shoot. What a sweetheart! As you can tell here, Charisse is all happy within the warm confines of the apartment. LOL. We were all tired at the time, so we did a few more snaps before we ended the session. It was fun but also a lot of work to put that together. However, the results are freaking outstanding. - MS