Outer Focus Photos: Photo of the Day November 10, 2009

Sometimes it pays NOT to do your yard work; the colorful leaves on the ground make for a fantastic autumnal portrait setting. Next time you want to get out of raking big piles of leaves, just call me and we'll do a family holiday photo shoot instead!

if I'm photographing your cute critters, I've discovered it helps to let the dogs wear themselves out for about twenty minutes and have a pocket full of dog treats on hand. I think these two guys were scoping out squirrels...

Happy autumn,
Brigette

Outer Focus Photos
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Outer Focus Photos: Photo of the Day October 30, 2009

'Tis the season, so what better choice for Halloween photos than the one and only George Romero, father of the modern horror film?! This pair of images were taken in my earlier days of photojournalism. While they may not reflect the look or quality of work I do now, they're still cool because... Well, it's George Romero!

It was an awesome treat to watch "Night of the Living Dead" then have the great honor of listening to Mr. Romero himself discuss the movie with a fanatic, awe-struck audience afterwards. He was so thoughtful, charming, and generous in talk and Q & A session, even thought I'm sure he'd probably answered the same questions over and over and over throughout his career.

The one question I was dying to ask but never did: What would happen if he were ever to lose or break his fabulous, dated, one-of-a-kind glasses????????????? The world may never know.

Oh, and a super treat for all of you Chicago area horror film and Clive Barker fans out there. There is a great exhibit opening tomorrow night at Gallery Provocateur: http://www.galleryprovocateur.org/currentexhibition.html

Happy Halloween,
Brigette

Outer Focus Photos
www.outerfocusphotos.com
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773.853.2283

Outer Focus Photos: Photo of the Day October 29, 2009

Simple, pure, unbridled joy. I always tell the parents of my tiny clients to bring a few props or toys to keep them busy, items that will reflect their personalities in the portraits. But sometimes it is the simplest of "props" found on the ground that can keep kids entertained and make for great candid photo opportunities.

This little pipsqueak and I found these flower seed fuzzies in an emptied pond in the Peggy Notebart Nature Museum's yard. We must have spent at least fifteen minutes just blowing these things around and chasing them. I had so much fun playing with her and inspiring fun moments, I almost forgot I was working.

I always look forward to photo shoots with kids because I get to play too!

Best,
Brigette

Outer Focus Photos
www.outerfocusphotos.com
info@outerfocusphotos.com
773.853.2283

Outer Focus Photos: Photo of the Day October 5, 2009

Moments like this are priceless and so much fun to photograph! Kids just being themselves make for the best portraits and holiday cards.

These adorable guys were photographed last autumn on the grounds of the Adler Planetarium. Next time I'll check the Chicago Bears home game schedule before booking another shoot here. But somehow, I managed to talk my way in to the parking lot (at no charge!) and we had a blast with these guys. They brought some toys and snacks to keep them busy and reflect their personalities. But in the end, it was their simple joy and silly brotherhood that shined through.

I'm currently booking family, pet, and children's photo sessions for the '09 holiday card and gift giving season. Shoots scheduled before November 1st will receive a free 8" x 10" print and a box of custom 4" x 8" greeting cards!

To see pricing and more photo samples, visit: http://www.outerfocusphotos.com/Families-Children-Pets

I look forward to collaborating with you on your 2009 family photos!

Regards,
Brigette

www.outerfocusphotos.com
info@outerfocusphotos.com
773.853.2283

Outer Focus Photos: Photo of the Day September 24, 2009

This yummy delight is from the Baghdad Cafe in the Castro District of San Francisco. Since I was on vacation, I figured I should try something extravagent I wouldn't ordinarily order. Eggs benedict is one of those fru fru dishes I see people order for brunch when they're trying to be fancy. But this one also had crab cakes and avocado! How could I go wrong?

It was so good, I devoured the first one (sans the English muffin) before I remembered to photograph this delicious delight. I think the river of egg yolk adds a nice touch to the photo. Everytime I see this picture, I want that very meal all over again. I had no idea what I've been missing all these years. From now on, when I'm invited to brunch, I plan to be one of the fru fru people that orders eggs benedict (hold the bread).

With this, I must broadcast my newfound love for food photography. I'm not in to staged, studio, fake-looking food photography. I love images of real food in real settings, with real ingredients, and real messes and bites taken. I like creating images of foods that about to be loved. I am looking for someone who's writing a cookbook with whom to collaborate. If you know any people in the Chicago area, hook a sister up!

To see more of my food and drink photos, visit: Outer Focus Photos Food & Drink Pics

Cheers,
Brigette

Outer Focus Photos
www.outerfocusphotos.com
info@outerfocusphotos.com
773.853.2283

Outer Focus Photos: Photo of the Day September 21, 2009

I love shooting unique portraits. It is a great way to get to know somebody and help them express their colorful personality in pictures. Often times, I get requests for people wanting to do a portrait session, then they begin to fret about the details. Some people think a portraits has to be highly conceptual, multiple wardrobe changes, professional makeup and hair, fancy lighting, etc. I cannot explain enough that the best portraits come from simply BEING YOU.

Do you have a favorite pair of jeans? What hobbies do you have? Where do you like to spend your free time? When do you feel the most "yourself"? If you love to bake, great! Let's do a photo session in your kitchen. Maybe we can add some cute pumps and vintage apron to spice things up. If you're a musician, let me photograph a quiet hour of you writing music, drinking whiskey, and just being "at one" with your instrument. If you have kids, lets bring along some of their favorite toys to keep their young brains busy and mark the moment.

The way I shoot portraits does not require an enormous production. I try to create intimate images that reflect real people at their best. Often, I can shoot using just available light or my on-camera strobe. I'm patient and don't mind working with you until you're comfortable or forget you're in front of a camera.

As you can see from the two photos above, I can get fun, self-expressive results from a simple photo shoot that took less than an hour. If you want sweet and cute, we can do that! If you want strong and edgy, it just takes the right adjustments to set that moods as well. And if you've got a wrinkle, a scar, or tattoo with an ex-lover's name on it you'd like to disappear from your portraits, I can wave my magic Photoshop wand. The more offbeat and unique location you choose for your portraits, the more "like you" they will look!

I look forward to many, many more portrait collaborations!
To see portfolio of portraits and pricing, visit: Outer Focus Photos - Unique Portraits

Best,
Brigette
Outer Focus Photos
www.outerfocusphotos.com
info@outerfocusphotos.com
773.853.2283

Outer Focus Photos: Photo of the Day September 18, 2009

Pet portraits are one of my favorite things to photograph. There is no other task like it. In one way, they are the most difficult portraits, yet they are also the easiest. You cannot tell a cat, dog, or horse to hold his chin a little higher or hold still. You cannot tell a pot belly pig to smile more. Yet, because there are no verbal directions I can give an animal, it makes my job easier. I can just hang out with the critters in their environments and wait for them to get comfortable and be their adorable selves. Since I love animals so much, it gives me a chance to hang with furry cuties on their level and be as goofy as I want.

The camera has to always be focused and ready to fire around animals. Their licks, yawns, grins, naughty behaviors, and other funny movements and gestures do not allow me any retakes. It's important to have the animals in the right light and proper camera focus and shutter speed for optimal conditions and the best chance of catching a great shot (like these two). A bit of post-production touching up helps enhance things too.

Especially for people who do not have kids, pets are as important to their lives and human relationships. This is why I offer pet portraits as unique as you. Everyone pet owner should consider immortalizing the cuteness at least once. You'll thank yourself every time you look at his adorable picture on your wall. To see more pet portraits, visit: Pet Portraits portfolio.


Warm and fuzzy regards,
Brigette

Outer Focus Photos
www.outerfocusphotos.com
info@outerfocusphotos.com
773.853.2283

Outer Focus Photos: Photo of the Day September 15, 2009

I have put off writing a blog about this particular photo job because I couldn't decide which ONE photo to feature. It is not that I think my work is so awesome. It's just that so many details of this wedding were amazing--from the couple that got hitched, the custom handmade dress, his kilt, the cupcakes, the super fabulous wedding party, even the place.

Perhaps I am biased on this wedding photogaphy job, given the couple are friends of mine. I've known the groom for about eighteen years. I was honored and delighted he thought to introduce me to his fiancé while passing through Chicago last year. Upon meeting her, I knew they were a perfect match, and he is lucky to have this stunning, kind woman in his life (and vice-versa). This couple has a special place in my heart I don't normally have for wedding clients, which only added even extra pressure for me to produce good work.

They chose a serene, homey place in the Redwood Forest of northern California for their ceremony. I tried to capture the grandeur of the giant trees in some of the photos. They served mac 'n' cheese for dinner (for which I gladly broke my no-carbs diet), had a signature beer made just for the event, and made personalized trivia cards for people to play at the dinner table. As a human and as a photographer, it really is the small details that matter most to me. I try to capture that in my photography as well.

And the people... Every friend, family member, and wedding party guest was unique and kind, making my job super easy. When people allow me to wander and capture the candid moments as they happen, my photography is able to do a better job of storytelling. I am of course happy to photograph the posed moments too, which are often crazy fun in their own way.

So, anyway. I was unable to write a "photo of the day" for this one, because there were just too many moments and details from which to choose. Here are a few highlights of Jeff and Jenn's gettin' hitched in July in the woods of Los Gatos, CA.

THANK YOU GUYS AGAIN for choosing me to capture your memories and for calling me your friend.

Cheers,
Brigette

Outer Focus Photos
www.outerfocusphotos.com
info@outerfocusphotos.com
773.853.2283

Outer Focus Photos: Photo of the Day September 9, 2009

Anyone with a granny that wears a mohawk and throws up the "devil horns" is someone who's wedding I'd love to photograph! Receptions held at local watering holes or funky establishments are right up my alley. Couples who serve cupcakes instead of cakes are way cool in my book. People who prefer be green or veggie in their big day also rock, as do same sex unions, DIY and Indie brides. And one of these days, I hope to photograph someone's pet dog as ring bearer!

I love working with unique, fun, free-spirited brides and grooms, and always deliver professionalism and high quality images you'll love for years to come.

Saluté!
Brigette

Outer Focus Photos
www.outerfocusphotos.com
info@outerfocusphotos.com
773.853.2283

Outer Focus Photos: Photo of the Day August 20, 2009

Shooting concert photography can be a bit tricky. It is completely unpredictable and one must be ready to shoot within a nanosecond of seeing something great, have the right settings on the camera set up, and pray for decent venue lighting. Performers do not pose for the camera (usually), so it's my job to move around their show and find a way to make them look good.

In this case, I think all the stars and planets aligned and I got my favorite live shot to date. I love how the bass player's legs serve as a secondary frame within the photo, drawing your eye to the drummer in the background. This camera angle is one of my favorites as it makes people look larger than life, a prerequisite for any rockstar in my humble opinion.

This is the blues/hard rock/acoustic-infused band High Gloss Black playing at Double Door in Chicago, IL on August 15, 2009. The band consists of former members of the hard rocking American Motherload (Ray Rokicki--guitar, Robert Harrison--drums, Geoff Jania--bass) and fronted by former Rockstar INXS finalist Jessica Robinson. They now have an EP out and you can check out their music on their MySpace page where you can also see when and where their new shows are (including two in IN and MI this weekend!).

To view the rest of the photos from this show and order prints, visit: Outer Focus Photos - High Gloss Black.

Rock on,
Brigette

Outer Focus Photos
www.outerfocusphotos.com
info@outerfocusphotos.com
773.853.2283