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.