Amy Dunn, Houston Photographer Blog » Photo Shoots

Another Photo Added to Fashion Gallery

amydunn — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:44:12 +0000

Modeling Tip of the Day: Don’t be afraid to get dirty.

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Houston, TX 2010

Photographer: Amy Dunn
Hair/Makeup Artist: Sara Eudy
Model: Allyson

Gear: Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS

A Thank You Blog

amydunn — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:00:24 +0000

Jon recently surprised me with a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS. Where has this lens been all my life?! I thought I loved the non-IS version, but let’s face it, I move around a lot when I shoot, and the IS grants me that versatility I so desperately need. I thank Jon for noticing ways to improve my photography, and I absolutely love this gift. Thanks, J!

Now let’s move on to the photoshoot. I’m loving my collaborations with Sara Eudy, by far one of the most talented makeup artists in the great state of Texas. I love it when a makeup artist also kicks ass with hair. Sara’s incredibly talented, and her enthusiasm inspires me. Thank you, Sara.

I had incredible luck finding this model, Allyson Cook, thanks to fellow photographer Jaysen Turner. I love it when models take chances and embrace the photographer’s vision. Despite the scorching hot Texas heat (95°, Good Lawd!), Allyson never complained, even when she jumped around around in six-inch Christian Louboutins. We had a lot of unsavory characters around us, and Allyson did not let her audience affect her performance. I wish more models could take a few lessons from pros like Ally.

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Houston, TX 2010

Photographer: Amy Dunn
Hair/Makeup Artist: Sara Eudy
Model: Allyson Cook

Gear: Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS

Macro Makeup Shot with Kenko Extension Tubes

amydunn — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 03:48:38 +0000

Before testing the Canon 100 mm Macro lens, Stephen Eastwood suggested trying extension tubes for my macro work. Macro makeup has obviously become my “thing” over the years, so a good Macro lens or tool helps significantly. I gave back the 100 mm Macro lens, so I revisited my Kenko extension tubes on this photoshoot with Sara Eudy and Krystyn Lea.

For someone who does not need macro capabilities often, extension tubes are great. The comparison between the tubes and an actual macro lens vary, however. I felt like I swished forward and back, struggling to find focus on the subject. I missed the quick lock on Auto-focus with a proper Macro lens, and it had some weird, unintentional vignetting. I had to try harder to get what I wanted with the extension tubes. Needless to say, I’m selling my Kenko extension tubes. Any takers? LOL

Here’s the approximate price difference:

Canon 100 mm Macro $500
Kenko Extension Tubes $150

Maybe I haven’t given the extension tubes a chance. I’ve had them since 2007 and only used them five times. If you have extension tubes macro photos, please share them! Add a link in the comment section, don’t be shy.

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Cara Dulce Studios
Houston, TX 2010

Photographer: Amy Dunn
Makeup Artist: Sara Eudy
Model: Krystyn Lea

Gear: Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 85 mm – F/1.8
Kenko Extension Tubes

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Fashion Shoot with Zara

amydunn — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 04:27:59 +0000

New photos (finally) posted in the fashion section. You won’t want to miss these! Let me know what you think of my photoshoot with Asian model sensation–and possibly my new muse–Zara.

Cara Dulce Studios
Houston, TX 2010

Photographer: Amy Dunn
Hair/Makeup Artist: Sara Eudy
Assistant: Krystyn Lea
Model: Zara

Gear: Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-70 mm

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Fashion Shoot at Historic Home in Galveston, TX

amydunn — Mon, 24 May 2010 05:10:20 +0000

I had access to one of the most beautiful homes in Texas this past weekend, an historic home in Galveston, Texas. This home withstood Hurricane Ike–impressive considering the damage done to that island. While the massive trees in front of this house completely disappeared after the natural disaster, a beautiful stained glass window and the overall structure maintained its natural state. Inside the cherry-wood interior, the house had all these elegant plush chairs, a one-of-a-kind fireplace, and rich, textured wallpaper. Who still uses wallpaper?! LOL

My mind raced at 100 miles an hour setting up shots. Everywhere I turned, I found new accent pieces and potential props. We had limited options in clothing, however, because the original stylist for the shoot could not make it last-minute. Instead of panicking, I pulled some pieces from my personal closet, and the model’s mother, Miss Sandra, contacted an up-and-coming designer named Clare Renee. This lady saved our shoot!

Let me take a moment and talk about the difference between a professional and a wanna-be: a professional always has a back-up plan. While we all could have easily cancelled the shoot when the original stylist could not make it, the team and I put on our thinking caps and decided to go forward with the shoot. I had some dresses in my own closet that matched the shooting concept: clean, simple, pretty. And just when I thought we would have to do a little shopping to supplement the shoot, the model and her mother secured clothing from Clare Renee. Even though Clare Renee could not be there at the actual shoot, she still allowed us to use her clothing. I have never met Clare Renee; I love that good karma and would do anything for her.

I have always wanted to shoot in a Victorian home and almost lost this opportunity. Huge thanks to everyone for helping to create a back-up plan and for pulling through last-minute. Because of the location, excellent assistance, and laid-back crew, I can say this was one of my favorite shoots in Texas. I look forward to finding more beautiful locations and working with pros.

Historic House in
Galveston, TX 2010

Photographer: Amy Dunn
Photo assistant: Jon Slevec
Hair/Makeup artist: Tenya Du
Clothing designer: Clare Renee
Location scout: Sandra B.
Model: Jaimie

Gear: Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-70 mm

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Photo Shoot with Russian-American Beauty, Natalya Read

amydunn — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:30:28 +0000

When I first moved back to Texas, a model canceled a test photo shoot with me because she said I lived “too far.” I had given her the address to my location days in advance, so I did not appreciate the last-minute excuse. She told me where she lived, and I calculated a 30-minute to drive to me, and 30 minutes back. The model suggested that I drive out of my way to the makeup artist’s place because it was more convenient for the makeup artist since she would have all her supplies handy.

I could not find an assistant to help me schlep all my photography equipment to the makeup artist’s apartment. And I did not understand how I should be inconvenienced, so I offered to cancel the shoot if she preferred not to drive that far. The model’s thoughtlessness left a bad taste in my mouth, and she when asked to shoot again weeks later, I had no problem declining her request.

For every bad egg, there is a really, really good egg. I met that good model this weekend when I worked with Russian beauty, Natalya Read. She showed up on time with enthusiasm–not bad for an early Saturday morning. She later told me that she had driven nearly eight hours across the state to shoot with me, and it should be noted that she also had a show with Aveda the following day. Now that’s dedication.

Natalya reminded me so much of myself when I modeled. I had that hunger, that drive, and would travel back and forth to Dallas or take random flights to San Francisco or New York just to shoot. Paid or unpaid.

When I look at the unmotivated model’s portfolio, I see that she has only added one or two new photos in the last six months while Natalya’s book has advanced and improved significantly in the same amount of time. This can be said about photography, too: those who put in the effort will certainly reap the rewards. In another six months time, I guarantee Natalya’s book will look even more exquisite. All it takes is drive.

Photographer: Amy Dunn
Photo assistant: Jon Slevec
Makeup artist: Stacey Rosas
Hair stylist: Brandy Stokes
Model: Natalya Read

Houston, TX 2010

Gear: Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EF 70-200 mm
Lighting: Photoflex Starlite

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I Shot Prom Pics – and Liked It

amydunn — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:57:11 +0000

Ahhh…I remember prom. Barely, but I remember it. The dress, the anticipation, the dancing. I barely had any prom pictures–except for the tacky set-up at our actual prom and the one our yearbook snapped of me and my date–and wish I had been as clever as JC to have pre-prom photos. When JC approached me to shoot his prom pictures, I wondered if I could pull it off and relished the opportunity to try something new.

JC originally wanted to shoot by the Williams Tower, but I then remembered our friend’s 1929 red Mercedes as a perfect prop to capture the essence of their prom theme: Harlem Nights. My AB Vagabond died, and I could not find any of my speedlites, so I had to rely on natural light. Instead of “Harlem Nights,” my shoot turned into “Harlem Days.” I thought I could still make it work. When we got to the vintage Mercedes, we noticed it in a tight corner and coated with dust. We lost an hour trying to coax the car out of its spot and then noticed it chained for security.

Jon then suggested shooting in my Bimmer for a James Bond kind of feel, and we did a mini-shoot on a rooftop with the Williams Tower in the background. We felt the setting looked too sterile and needed strobes for drama, so we opted to shoot somewhere with a little more greenery. I liked those photos the most because they look so vibrant and fresh, and it reminded me of my own prom so many years back. Since I have very little photographic evidence of my own prom, at least I can keep shooting these events to re-live and re-create these magic moments.

Photographer: Amy Dunn
Photo assistant: Jon Slevec

Houston, TX 2010

Gear: Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-70 mm

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Always Have a Plan B

amydunn — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:31:30 +0000

This weekend, I really wanted to shoot outside to try more location lighting. Much to my dismay, Texas had some uncharacteristically bone-chilling weather. Instead of complaining, I decided to do a little beauty shoot. Sabrina, a fabulous makeup artist in Austin, had a colorful story in mind and went to town with the hair and makeup.

As Sabrina prepped the model, I looked over some tearsheets to decide what kind of lighting I wanted to try. I opted for a blown out white background and wanted two lights side-by-side to create a fun catch light. But for some reason, the first look did not come together. I wanted strong beauty, but the images looked too commercial and blah. Jaysen suggested tossing up a beauty dish and lighting it like this image here. I liked the dramatic tones and directed the model, Haley, to tilt her head in exaggerated poses to show off her beautiful bone structure.

Even though I had traveled to Austin hoping for a location shoot, and even after my first lighting attempt failed, I held out hope that I could salvage my shoot. I owe a huge thanks to Jaysen for allowing us to use his immaculate studio and for suggesting lighting and retouching fixes. It goes to show that sometimes Plan B can work as magically as Plan A.

Photographer: Amy Dunn
Photo assistants: Jaysen Turner, Jon Slevec
Makeup artist: Sabrina
Model: Haley

Jaysen Turner’s Studio
Austin, TX 2010

Gear: Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM
Lighting: AB 800 Beauty Dish + grid

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New Photo Added to Beauty Section

amydunn — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:20:02 +0000

Photographer: Amy Dunn
Makeup artist: Jenilee Banan
Model: Jocelyn

My Law Firm
Houston, 2010

Gear: Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM
Lighting: AB 1600 Beauty Dish + grid

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Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Chinese New Year! 恭喜發財

amydunn — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:29:55 +0000

Photographer: Amy Dunn
Makeup artist: El Leo
Hair stylist: Naomi Porto
Clothing stylist: Candifiend Studios
Models: Alice An, Angel Pai

Peter Yang’s Studio
New York City, 2009

Gear: Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens
Lighting: Profoto (main), Alien Bees (background/rims)

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