Job shadow: Guys and Dolls Photography, Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
Time of shadow: Thursday, December 2, 10:30 a.m.
I arrived at Guys and Dolls Photography and met Dan Pulver, who I would be shadowing for the day. I wandered around the place the first ten minutes while he finished up with a family he had been shooting portraits of.
Guys and Dolls is actually located in what was once a home in downtown Mt. Pleasant. The front door serves as the business's entrance and welcomes you with a waiting room filled with couches. On the right, there is a proof preview and ordering room; to the left are offices, and packaging and editing rooms. Further down the hall are two dressing rooms which allow customers to choice for more than one outfit per session.
The actual studio with all the cool equipment, props and backdrops is at the very end of the hall. Attached to the center of the studio ceiling is a rotatable mono-light and reflector umbrella. A soft box, actually, the largest soft box I have EVER seen, is always set up on a portable stand.
The first shoot we did was with two adorable blonde sisters, Maggie, 9, and Mason, 4. Dan knows the girls and their parents on a more personal level, so it was a longer shoot than normal. They had shots done individually and together with three different outfits. With brown and white striped sweaters, fur vests, jean skirts and ugg boots, Dan started shooting the girls individually in front of a bright blue back drop. He posed them to look natural and talked and joked around a lot with the girls to get them to smile real smiles. I liked that he was actually getting them to laugh and was concerned with capturing a moment.
Next, they dressed in light pink and sheer cream dresses and posed next to/on a gaudy-looking antique red couch. The couch looked perfect with their dresses, not to mention he changed the mood of these photos from the first set he took. He seemed to be going for more of an "I'm sassy, and I like it" look (cocked head and smiling with eyes, not teeth).
Individual shots of the girls were next. He shot Maggie in front of a high school locker row prop wearing a pink and black sweater, pink boots, pink hat, glasses and school books. I felt like he could have picked a better background for this one. I also didn't like the way the hat she was wearing blocked any light from hitting her face.
Mason, the younger sister, was set up in front of a grey and white two-door dresser to make it look like she was playing dress up. This was interesting. They had brought ten or so dresses that Mason plays dress-up at home in, and scattered them on the floor, some on racks. She wore necklaces and a bright yellow "Belle" dress from Beauty and the Beast. It was a cute idea, and it was the mother's idea. I liked it's originality and the expressions he was able to get out of her.
The majority of shots Dan took were done with only the monolight and reflector on the ceiling angled down towards the girls and a big soft box 3-4 feet away from their body or face. For shots on plain back drops, he set up a strobe behind the subject, but he faced it towards the wall. This gives an orb-like effect around the subject. This was weird to me because I am used to shooting with rim light in the studio, which creates definition between the subject and background; this was cool too though, and worked.
I was unable to shoot with my own camera for experience or documentation because he said he just wanted me to watch or help out if he needed it. I was a little bummed out, but I was able to focus more on the things I need improvement on, like posing and interaction with my subjects. I was able to pick up on more enjoyable facial expressions that I've never thought of trying for in the past.
After Maggie and Mason left, six middle-aged adults showed up in business professional attire. They were scheduled for headshots for their website and advertising purposes. This is when I realized not everyone likes getting their picture taken. Some of these guys were acting like they were at the dentist. Dan tried really hard to crack jokes and make small talk to get a shot he was satisfied with, but he wasn't getting very far with some of them.
On the other hand, I found it easier to talk with the adults we took head shots of rather than the little girls we had shot earlier. It was a much quicker process, and we didn't have to worry about anyone getting antsy or tired. I also noticed that Dan was better at posing men than women.
Dan Pulver has a photojournalism degree. He believes that all photographs should tell a story, including everything he captures in the studio at Guys and Dolls to weddings, etc. He is comfortable to talk to and very outgoing in situations. In a nut shell, this is why he is good at what he does. He is able to quickly establish relationships with his subjects, capturing irreplaceable moments and expressions.
Before I left, Dan asked me to come back next week with my portfolio. He is looking to hire someone full time and shortly. He complimented my personality and hospitality. I will be going back with my completed portfolio and would love to work for the Pulver family whether it be in the Mt. Pleasant area, or in Clare. I'm keeping my fingers crossed :)
Photo by Dan Pulver, Guys and Dolls Photography
