Into the Light with Hope Hoffman

1. Hope Hoffman was a dancer model out in Maine who I discovered VERY early on on one of those professional networking websites that isn't around anymore.

I was mesmerized by the depth of her portfolio but also how, the people she's worked with were able to incorporate movement into a still (photography) medium.

Lucky for me, a college friend lived out in Maine & made an excuse for a roadtrip. Oh, how I miss those quasi-carefree days where I could arrange such a trip at the drop of a hat! LOL

Prior to leaving, I visited the local library & Xeroxed a slew of inspiration content (this was before "Google Pics" was a thing), drawing heavily from classical sculpture & paintings with a particular focus on Greco-Roman art & it's later Neoclassical periods. Not sure if it visually translates with this specific one but whatever.

This is a scan of a physical print since I was shooting film at the time.

I vividly remember laying on my back shooting up, struggling to get her in focus & adjust my camera settings. I look back on it now & wonder how the heck was my body withstood that kind of physical punishment.

The things we do to create.

Maybe its because of the where, when, how, & my mindset at the time of when I got the shot but it remains one OF my favorite pieces ever taken.

I miss shooting film but do NOT miss the lag in developing, nor the pretty penny that was needed to get it all done. 

Unfortunately, its been so long I have no idea what Hope is doing these days. Last I heard she was teaching children how to fiddle out in the Midwest somewheres.

2. I'm currently selling my work. If anything particular shot, any model, or any set interests you, please email me at farenell.photography@gmail.com.

Just tell me what interests you & I'll see what I can do. I try to work within people's budgets but I'm also not going to like give them away for pennies on the US dollar.

Subtle Smile with Samantha

1. This shot with Samantha was another that almost didn't happen.

We were supposed to have a formal photoshoot but I got a call (back when people did that sorta thing) that she was going to be late. She was finishing a paper or trying to, for the last 4 hours.

As annoying as it was, I've been there. 

By the time she was able to turn it in AND arrive, I felt like the good photo'ing light had been lost.

Bought her a lunch to try & brighten her spirits, til I saw something right then & there at the Barnes & Nobles cafe. Pulled out my camera & started clicking away. 

Not remotely the photoshoot I was planning on but when the moment strikes, you just have to go with it.

Its not ever the tools the photographer uses but HOW they use what's available.

2. I'm currently selling my work. If any particular shot, any model, or any set interests you, please email me at farenell.photography@gmail.com.

Just tell me what interests you & I'll see what I can do. I try to work within people's budgets but I'm also not going to like give them away for pennies on the US dollar.

Laundromat Diaries with Brittany

 1. The "Laundromat Diaries" was a VERY early series entailing sticking models inside a giant laundromat dryer & seeing what happens & what kooky things I could be got.

Brittany climbed into the dryer & played around for a bit. I like recession & repeating shapes so I made sure to include the neighbor dryers into the frame. 

This also was an early submission piece back when I attended SUNY Potsdam.

I stopped doing this series a few years later after a heated exchange with another customer who wanted to get his laundry done on a hot Summer's day. Because God forbid he use any of the other 10 empty dryers but that's neither here, nor there. Nothing physical happened but was enough for me to move on to other "stupid" ideas.

2. I'm currently selling my work. If anything particular shot, any model, or any set interests you, please email me at farenell.photography@gmail.com.

Just tell me what interests you & I'll see what I can do. I try to work within people's budgets but I'm also not going to like give them away for pennies on the US dollar.

Skeptically Passive Kira

 1. The model is Kira & was taken back during my college days. 

She worked in the Student Union manning a table looking for volunteers for something. I chatted her up, gave her my schpeel, & said I'd very much like to work with her.

In a voice that was one-parts skepticism & another part flattery, "You doooooooo?"

I said yes & gave her my contact info & where she could see my work. Also threw in that she's welcome to bring a friend if it'd make her more comfortable.

I left thinking I'd never hear from her again. Sometimes women will agree to do things to get out of an uncomfortable situation and was pleasantly surprised she reached out & set up a shoot date. I knew a spot in the next town on thebanks for a wooded creek & milked that as best I could. 

It took a little bit for her to get comfortable but once that happened, she did just fine.

2. I'm currently selling my work. If anything particular shot, any model, or any set interests you, please email me at farenell.photography@gmail.com.

Just tell me what interests you & I'll see what I can do. I try to work within people's budgets but I'm also not going to like give them away for pennies on the US dollar.

Black Prom Dress Deborah

1. There's an interesting story behind this shoot. 

When Deborah arrived, she laid out her wardrobe where I instantly took a liking to her big poofy prom dress. Explaining that it as so new, she hadn't had time to get the darn thing tailored. 

I'm like, "I do have safety wire & we can synch you up that way." Yes, it would be a one outfit type shoot but whatever."

To my surprise, she's as nutty as I was & agreed. So I synched her up. Did some stuff on the Boston fire escape, did some stuff riding-but-not-riding a moped, playing hop-scotch (all not seen here btw), & typical-me windowlit stuff.

Below is the remastered version of her playing in the apartment windowsill, having a grand ol' time.

"Remastered" because I edited it many years later. My know-how had grown considerably since we originally shot.

& yes to get her out, I had to use my handy wire cutters.

2. I'm currently selling my work. If anything particular shot, any model, or any set interests you, please email me at farenell.photography@gmail.com.

Just tell me what interests you & I'll see what I can do. I try to work within people's budgets but I'm also not going to like give them away for pennies on the US dollar.

Wooded Melissa

 1. Melissa is a college friend & we shared many an Art History class together.

This was taken years after our respective graduations along a trail in my hometown during one of her periodic forays back to NY state.

The dress she's wearing was originally intended for use at a mutual friend's wedding but I got fired when the bride freaked out thinking I was blowing her off when instead I had no reception due to living near mountains. Bummer but at least that firing saves me from the drudgery of editing.

*shrugs shoulders*

That might have been one of the last times I ever shot a wedding. Not for the bridezillas but more because all the pressure I put on myself. I'd quote the editing turn-around 3-6 months but I'd damn near kill myself getting it out within 45 days WHILE ALSO having a full-time dayjob. 

I just don't like having stuff hanging over my head.

2. I'm currently selling my work. If anything particular shot, any model, or any set interests you, please email me at farenell.photography@gmail.com. 

Just tell me what interests you & I'll see what I can do. I try to work within people's budgets but I'm also not going to like give them away for pennies on the US dollar.

Sooty Handed Brooke

 1. The shot below was produced by sheer dumb luck.

The model is Brooke, an interpid teenager, who popped my radar back during the MySpace days (mid 2000's?). 

I approached her about simply taking portraits, pitched my idea, & was relieved to have her talk to her mom about it. I had no idea she was a teenager but encouraged her to give my info to her mom & invited her to come along.

I'm always a little nervous when working with minors because though they may be kosher with my age-appropriate pics, it can be a complete crapshoot whether the parent will see it that way.

Regardless talked to her mom  directly & everything seemed to be on the level.

The overall premise was to shoot inside a burned out hotel, to contrast the prettiness of the model against the dirt & grime of the old fire damage. Before anyone asks, it was in a semi-rural area & there is no shortage of abandoned building where the residents were there one day & literally up & left the next.

As we're shooting, Brooke's hands get all sooty from touching the burnt wood & just randomly starts wiping them on her arms & face.

I chuckle & am like, "I'm going with it" & snapped away.

Stuff like that you just can't plan no matter how hard you try. Those manufactured moments never have the same effect as when they're spontaneous.

2. I'm currently selling my work. If anything particular shot, any model, or any set interests you, please email me at farenell.photography@gmail.com.

Just tell me what interests you & I'll see what I can do. I try to work within people's budgets but I'm also not going to like give them away for pennies on the US dollar.