When you think about it, a Mac computer, iPhone, or tablet has many competitors on the market that boast similar products. What draws loyal fans back as soon as the latest product is launched? The answer is, arguably, the marketing. The sleek and simple Apple logo has become much beloved and recognized around the world.

A few years ago, we did a photo shoot for Hyper on their HyperMac line: batteries compatible on Apple devices such as an iPhone or iPad. Hyper definitely knows its stuff when it comes to marketing—they combine eye-catching models and bold colors to turn a product photography session into a fashion shoot.

With the launch of Hyper’s new product line, HyperJuice—a USB-compatible device that sends photos from a professional camera to a portable storage and viewing device such as an iPad—we found ourselves at the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) trade show in Las Vegas. Hyper kicks it off big this year with scantily-clad, hand-painted models, their pronounced muscles and defined curves accentuating all that is beautiful about the human body.

As a nod to the electronics industry, recognizable symbols are painted over the models’ eyes and on their bodies: A Wifi symbol, a battery icon, a music note, the Hyper cross logo.

To add to this already amazing display of art, the models also molded their bodies together, sometimes forming shapes such as the HyperJuice iUSB Port device.

We are used to being behind-the scenes with our cameras and equipment, and our subjects are the stars and focal point. At WPPI, however, we found ourselves at center stage with more than 20,000 photographers and filmmakers passing by to watch us do the professional shoot. Talk about an audience! Many people found it hard to give just a passing glance to such decked-out models.

As they played and posed, entwining their bodies together to become one, it hearkens to the relationship between humans and technology in the current day and age: we admire our devices, we couldn’t keep our hands off them, we count on them to stay connected, we love them.

Thus is art so simply expressed and conveyed, powerfully marketing a product by catching the eyes of thousands of passersby.

One of our favorite kinds of photo shoots to do is pregnancy photos. Couples always tell us they’re so glad they captured this moment, because they’re so busy in the moment with getting ready for the new baby that the whole experience becomes a blur in their memories. The pictures will always be there remind them of the excitement and anticipation of bringing a new baby into the world. And for us, it’s amazing to be there with a couple as they get ready to welcome their new child.

We recently had the honor of doing a pregnancy photo shoot with one of the most beautiful, totally in love couples we’ve ever met: Tess Fike and Tavares Gooden. You might recognize Tavares from his work as a linebacker for the 49ers this past season, but these days he’s in training for a really tough job: dad to his baby Kadence, who is due in April.

It was so much fun to shoot Tess and Tavares because a) they’re both so good-looking and b) they were filled with that glow that only parents-to-be can give off. The camera just loved them!

We decided to shoot in the studio with a basic grey background so the focus would be on Tess and Tavares, with no distractions. We wanted the lighting to be a bit dramatic, so we played with the contrast between light and dark, shine and shadow.

This shot of their hands making a heart on Tess’s belly is so simple but so moving, right? Many couples are a little nervous in front of the camera, but these two were completely comfortable together.

Tess was totally radiant with that special pregnancy glow. She’s already overflowing with love for Kadence, and you can just tell she’s going to be a great mom.

Congratulations, Tess and Tavares! We wish you both the best.

Sometimes a spur of a moment available light can be incredibly inspirational.

I was working on a 4 days commercial work with iWin. One of the models who is also working in the project by the name of Chris was recommended by me. You see, he worked with me a year ago in a photoshoot to showcase a new bluetooth headset. Here’s Chris, in the 2006 photoshoot, on the right.

On the first day of the shoot, Chris approached me and requested that I take a good headshot for him. And since he has a tight budget and hence, he was hoping I would do it for, you guessed it, free.

The project we were both in has an incredibly tight deadline & budget. iWin expected me to shoot 46 perfect shots of their game imagery all across San Francisco (Pier39, beach, Palace of Fine Arts, Arboretum, Daly City Golf Club House, karate dojo in San Mateo), amongst other locations in within 3-4 days. In a perfect world, this type of shoots takes at least a week to accomplish due to several things such as herding 10 models around the city, finding the perfect spots, loading/unloading heavy lighting units/stands, working under harsh and difficult lighting conditions due to the constraints in time.

I was running around the sets, city, driving, loading, you name it, non-stop for 12 straight hours at a time. I like the guy but that’s just not the right time for this type of request. On top of that, I charge top dollars for a good headshot as it really does takes a good eye to bring out the personality of the person into the headshot.

The stars, however, seemed to shine on Chris’ path during Day 2 when I was hurrying along the corridor of the Daly City Golf Club house for the next set. I saw Chris, sitting on a red sofa with window light filling the room. I also had the right lens at the time. Taking one quick aim, and posing him the way I wanted it, I shot ONE frame and ran off to my next set. That single frame proved to be the most amazing time-stopping image I took for his career.

Chris has since started using that headshot for his modeling and acting career. He just sent me an email stating that his acting career took off like a rocket after that headshot went into circulation. He just accepted a 2 months film project in the east coast and is subletting his apartment in Los Angeles.

…and no, I didn’t charge him a dime for it. The satisfaction of a perfect moment captured sufficed.

Did a headshot of a young lady yesterday. Uncanny resemblance? You be the judge!

By now, you probably think I’m a nutty professional photographer, dipping my toes into such a wide variety of subjects, from product photography to food photography to fashion photography to glamour photography to landscape photography and fine art photography to gosh, portrait photography, wedding photography and what else, commercial photography. On top of all that, I’m also well versed with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Website Design!!. Still think I’m sane?! I think not. While 90% of professional photographers out there strive to specialize in one field of photography, I spread my wings and claim strength in all. Is my brain really that slow? Contrary to what you might think, I have good explanations on what I’ve done thus far.

1. Mastering different facets of photography has allowed me to apply my knowledge in one to another. For example, if I were to shoot an engagement session at a seemingly boring golf course, I can utilize my knowledge as a landscape photographer for composition; my discipline in fashion and glamour photography to pose my subject beautifully; my in depth experience with studio lighting to use bounce multiple light sources to the subjects to create a wonderful interplay of light and shadow.
2. It keeps me excited as a photographer and continually challenge my ability to improve. It is much more often to hear of, say a specialized wedding photographer to get bored of his craft due to lack of innovation, creativity and exciting work. He/She will tend to do the same style over and over again with overall little improvements. For me, however, I am never bored since I have been peaking my performance by learning everything I know from one area of photography to the next. What I thought about in one area of photography has constantly been applied to another.

However, in spite of the above, most clients tend to think of a photographer is best when he or she is specialized. Just think, a bride probably will be more apt to choose a photographer who is specialized in weddings versus one who does everything. How do you, as a photographer prove otherwise? Show them your portfolio. The images needs to speak and they will, if you are good.

- MS