Today I revisited this old body of work, which is something that I would recommend to any artist/photographer, here’s why: perspective shifts.

In two years time, someones’s idea of “good art” can completely change. At the same time, it’s refreshing to recognize consistency in your work for long periods of time.

When I look at these images, naturally, I think of things I would do differently, so why not share these thoughts?

Play with light!
Keep an eye out for pools of harsh light, and dive right in!
In the images below, you’ll see a variation of backlighting with the harsh sun, and front lighting with shade. There’s nothing wrong with these two ways of photographing, but it’s great to explore different options.
Switch angles.
I am a stickler for straight lines so I typically like to photograph level to my subject, but I also like to push myself. Perspective changes perception, and the story you are trying to tell could benefit from something a little different, even if it looks a little wonky!
Help the subject feel more comfortable expressing themselves in front of the camera.
I consider this to be one of the most important parts of my job as a photographer. Don’t be afraid to let yourself be goofy to loosen things up, and above all, communicate.
Share context.
Snap some images that tell the story of where you are. By doing so, the photographs can tell a clearer story, and the collection will be more balanced with images that don’t solely consist of a human staring at the camera. This is especially important if the subject is being photographed in a place that is meaningful to them.
Don’t be afraid of the great tool you are using: your camera!
Create a broad spectrum of image-types by manipulating camera settings, ie. shoot with a slow shutter speed to display motion in a different way, focus on the background instead of the main subject, expose for the highlights instead of shadows - vice versa, shoot at f/8! Though just about everything looks good at 1.4, break yourself out of the mold and find other ways to isolate your subject!

Special thanks to Rudy Marshall for being a great model and an even greater friend!