Yoga on the Beach

     photos - Zorian    

Robin, a yoga instructor from Sarasota, Florida needed photos 

for her new upcoming yoga web page.

She was wonderful to work with and a joy to shoot.

Photos are natural light about 2 hours after sunrise.  

Only the sun.

 

Test 1 Manu

photo - Zorian     model - Manu     make up - Aria

Once in a while one comes in contact with a special model.  

This is Manu.  She sparkles like moving water in the bright sunlight.

This is our first test.  

The photo was made with natural light. 

Very simply.

Kai The Cat

photo - Zorian     cat - Kai     Make up - Julie Moore

Fabulous fantasy feline, Kai the cat.  Julie designed and created this 

fabulous cat costume for Kai the cat.

The  photos were made with feathered fill flash to enhance the texture of the costume.

Waiting

   model - Aria     photos - Zorian     styling - Aria     

Crochet trimmed peasant dress, whimsical Daisy flower crown and a filigree necklace, 

ready and waiting for Spring.

Natural light photos.  Sun light reflected from a building into the shade.  A beautiful location.

   Peasant Dress - vintage,  rings - vintage, ebay,  Daisy Flower crown - La romantica,  

Filigree necklace - La romantica    

Say Hello to Spring Say Goodbye to Bugs

    When Spring arrives, so to do all the flying, crawling, stinging, biting beasts.

Burt’s Bees to the rescue. 

100% Natural Herbal Insect Repellent.  
Castor oil
Rosemary oil
Lemongrass oil
Cedar oil
Peppermint oil
Citronella oil
Clove oil
Geranium oil
Soy bean oil
vitamin  E

I have used this stuff for 10+ years and it works.   It works in the jungle.  

It works in the woods.  It works at the beach.  It works!

When, I do a photo shoot, there is nothing more frustrating than a model 

swatting at flying beasts and frantically slapping mosquitoes while jumping around 

like she’s walking on hot coals.

Burt’s Bees to the Rescue.  This is an oil, not an aerosol spray, so you rub it in like a lotion.  

It smells like lemon oil.  It is all natural.  It is the best.   

Secret - -  Some insects are attracted to the Co2 from exhaling.  

The cure is Lilac Fragrance oil.
Lilac fragrance oil masks the smell of Co2 to insects.  I put a dab of Lilac Fragrance oil 

on my neck and it does the trick.  No more bugs flying up my nose or in my eyes. 

Lilac essential oil is unbelievably expensive.  It is only made in France, 

to the best of my knowledge.

I found this Lilac Fragrance oil on Etsy.  It smells just the way it should, to mask the Co2.  

It is the purest I could find.  I am sure there are others that work as well. 

   photos - Zorian   

   Question:  What is a Natural insect repellant that works?

Answer:  Burt’s Bees Natural Insect Repellent, combined with the Lilac Fragrance oil.  

Natural light photos.  

Burt's Bees Natural Insect Repellent

Tip for getting rid of Dirt

     model - Aria     photos - Zorian     

   When I shoot outside I get covered with dirt, sand, leaves. sticky burs and junk.  

So does  my camera.

I read, Edward Weston's book, The Day Books, and he recommended 

using a paint brush to get rid of dust, dirt and sand from the camera while shooting.  

This is one of the best tips that I have put into use.  The paint brush gets rid of 

the dirt that clings to the camera and ultimately gets on the memory card and 

inside the camera,  if it is not attended to immediately. 

It is a very simple and cheap cure for this problem.  

I have tried a few brushes and this is what I find works best for me.

The paint brush is:
8.5 inches/215.9mm   Long
1.5 inches/38.1mm  wide
Nylon or synthetic bristles  2.25 inches/57.15mm  long

Bristles should be very springy.  That is what gets rid of the clingy sand and dirt very easily.

If you want the handle to be shorter, to put in a small bag, cut it to fit.  

Personally I like a longer handle so that I can find it easily

 in my camera bag, while shooting.

Warning:  do not use this brush, on the lens glass or on the sensor it will definitely scratch glass. 

This brush is designed to clean the outside of the camera, 

limiting the dirt that tries to get inside the camera.  I always clean the outside of the camera

 before I put the camera back into the camera bag.    

Nail polish - OPI,  Hawaiian Orchid

Beauty Test Carlotta

     model - Carlotta     photo - Zorian     make up, styling - Aria     

Natural light in the dappled shade.   

This is one of my favorite ways to shoot beauty.  I love the highlights and the shadows. 

This kind of light, always makes the models skin look wonderful. 

Dreams of the Sea

     model - Aria   photos - Zorian   styling - Aria     

Longing for the warm breezes  of the sun kissed summer days.

Natural light photos.

   Silk top - vintage, Crepe de chine skirt - vintage,  Necklace - vintage.   

Neptune in Pisces

   photos - Zorian  

  On February 4, 2012, the planet Neptune moved into the zodiac sign of Pisces.  

This configuration will last until 2025.  This is a very rare occurrence.   

It only happens every 150-160  years. 

I believe that this period will be one of the most creative, artistic, and inspirational periods 

in the next 150 years.   This period will be a rediscovery of the classical arts, 

combined with contemporary thinking.

I choose to call it the,  New Renaissance.  

The  Renaissance, 1400-1650, was triggered by the invention of the printing press. 

Printed books made the transfer of knowledge easy.

In this,  New Renaissance, with the advent of the net and the right astrological  configuration, 

Neptune in Pisces, I believe that there will be an explosion of creativity.  

For the fist time in history, all peoples from all over the planet, 

will be able to share thoughts and ideas, creating an artistic collective consciousness,  

the world has never known. 

In commemoration of this moment, Aria, found this beautiful, 

fine solid silver Neptune Pisces, cuff, bracelet, as a present to me. 

I photographed the bracelet in a salt water aquarium that belonged to a friend.  
Lighting from the fish tank and natural window light combined 

to create this beautiful effect.   

The most important element in the photos, was patience. 

Fine Silver Neptune Pisces cuff - by,  Funky Bracelets on Etsy

My Little Pony

   model - Aria     photos - Zorian     styling - Aria   

   Beautiful flower crown, antique carousel horse, gothic cross, vintage victorian dress, 

what else is there.   

Evander Preston Jewelry, graciously loaned us this antique horse for the shoot. 

Because of the weight of the horse,   we had to put it on a dolly and 

wheel it down the middle of the street to the location, 2 blocks away.   

Then 4 people lifted it on top of an old wooden picnic table and we bolted it down 

to keep the horse and Aria, safe.

Aria, loved this shoot.  She felt like a princess.

Natural light photos, photographed in the golden hour.    

Carousel horse - Evander Preston Jewelry,  Victorian dress - vintage,  

Flower crown and gothic cross - courtesy of La Romantica  

Walking by the Sea

   model - Carlotta     photos - Zorian   

   Beautiful natural light by the sea.   Pure magic.   

Feather suit - Le tarte, Crochet skirt - Anna Kasturova, Crochet shawl - Anna Kosturova,  

Turquoise suit - Ondade Mar,  Turquoise skirt - Le tarte,  

All suimwear courtesy of  Dody’s Beach Boutique.    

Bag - Vintage  Jacqueline Ferrar,  Jewelry - Courtesy of La Romantica.   

Filigree Bracelet and Ring Set

   model - Aria     photos - Zorian   

   Light is the key element in Photography.  I love natural light.  

I have used small flash, strobes, and HMI’s.    But, I keep coming back to natural light. 

I try and find the correct location, at the right time of day, at the perfect moment. 

Voila, Magic! 

I love to  KISS *  my photographs.     * Keep It  Simple Stupid. *

I find that the less equipment that I am using the more I can concentrate on the task at hand,   

Making Magic.  

Extraordinary Jewelry by - La Romantica 

Winter wonderland

     model - Aria     photo - Zorian         

Natural light photo, shot in color, then converted to B+W

in Lightroom and Photoshop.

  Scarf - Ralph Lauren,  sunnies - vintage 

Winter at the Beach

   model - Aria     photos - Zorian   

 Wondering the beach, searching for sea treasures, late on a warm sunny winters afternoon,

is a time of peace and solitude.   Always, finding amazing treasures while enjoying the 

warmth of the golden sun, that is my Nirvana.

Photographed, natural light, just before sunset.  

Gap sweater - vintage,   Versace jeans - vintage,  Jewelry - vintage and Ebay,   Tan leather backpack - vintage,   Coyote tail - Ebay.

Yellow Rose Flower Crown

   model - Lilly     photos - Zorian    styling, hair, makeup - Aria  

   Once upon a time lived a fair Princess most beautiful and charming. . .   Lilly.

When I shoot natural light the most important thing is to find a magical location.    I look for a 

place where the light is beautiful and then adjust my lens choice to fit the subject and the 

background.

Location scouting is one of the most important and least understood things that a photographer 

must learn.  Finding a magical location that will fit my needs, for at particular shoot,  requires preparation.  

The  LOCATION BOOK

Your camera phone or small digital camera is all you need and you can easily make up a 

location book of fabulous spots.

Shoot lots of photos of places you like, print them out and put them in a book.  

Remember,to take notes on  time of day and season of the year.

Now, when you are ready to shoot and you need the right location,  you already have the

Perfect Magical Place.

   Rose Flower Crown  by -  La Romantica,  Necklace - vintage,  Lace top by - Aria