brentdanley

Yesterday was the last day of my second week with Olan Mills. The week started Wednesday in Dover, Mass. After a one-day shoot I did a day in Chester, Connecticut and two days in Johnston, Rhode Island. I’m gaining confidence and beginning to enjoy it (just a bit).

I hate being away from Kirsten and the girls, and photographing old people who don’t want their picture taken and who are unable to pose in all but the most boring positions. It’s REALLY nice to be earning a paycheck, though.

This week I’ll be four different churches in the Boston area. Two days (and locations) will be at a conference of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. I’m looking forward to working in Boston and taking pictures of the city.

new england · olan mills · work

brentdanley

Day two. Yesterday I was at a church in Ipswich, Massachusetts. It was a long day. I drove down, helped set up the studio in the church, watched my trainer take pictures for six hours, packed up and drove to a hotel near the town we’d be shooting at today.

I feel overwhelmed by all the many things to do and learn. It’s a bit like learning how to do an instrument scan or to land an airplane. I’m sure in a few weeks it will all be second nature and I’ll be able to set up the studio and pose people in my sleep.

All the equipment is placed in precise locations on the floor, measured from the center of the backdrop (see the masking tape on the floor?). For the church directories we shoot four standard poses on a blue background. After the directory photos are taken we can change backgrounds, gel the backlight and get creative with the poses.

Today we shot about fifty Catholic priests at their conference in Weston, Mass…one at a time. It was my first opportunity to get behind the camera and take pictures myself. I enjoyed working with the priests and trying to master the art of portrait photography. I have a lot of work ahead of me!

Tomorrow I’m at Laconia, New Hampshire, where we’ll shoot at a church for three days. It should be fun.

employment · job · olan mills · portrait · studio · work