Workshop September 30th and October 14th: Introduction to photographing the nude

You do not need to be an experienced shooter to take this workshop.
To me, photography is not about equipment or technical skill. I love human beings, and as an artist and explorer, my goal is to connect with people and make images that reflect their spirit and energy. I recently gave a seminar on shooting fine art nudes, with a focus on how to create the right atmosphere to make images with an emotional presence. When I asked my audience what they took away with them, here is what they said:

"Don't preset limitations... let it happen."
"A relaxed relationship between photographer and subject is key."
"It can be easy and comfortable."

All of this is true. To create universal, emotionally gripping images, we must have basic, reciprocal human trust and comfort. This will be a major focus in my workshop. I want you to learn not only about lighting and composition, but also about how to create a fun and relaxing shooting environment for both you and your model so that your first experience shooting nudes is a great one!

Introduction to Photographing the Nude

September 30th and October 14th

Sign up before October 1st at our $150 early bird rate

(Regular $200)

In this two evening workshop, you will learn about body positioning, angles and how to work with directional light on the figure. Just as importantly, there will be a focus on how to create a comfortable shooting environment and a relaxed rapport with your models so that you can capture images that genuinely reflect their natural beauty and human presence.

September 30th, 7 – 10pm

Students will learn through lecture and visual presentation of nude images, followed by a lighting and shooting demonstration with a live model.

Homework Assignment:

During the two weeks between classes, students will do their own fine art nude session, and will bring their best 5 to 10 images to the second class for group critique. Fully equipt studio will be available for rent during this time.

October 14th 8 – 10pm

Wine and cheese critique of students’ work.

This fun evening of sharing allows us all to learn from our own and one another’s mistakes and successes. Photographers Melanie Gillis and R. Ward Shipman will lead the discussion and will also present work.

Don’t have equipment or a model?

In between classes the following will be available to you at these student rates:

Equipped studio rental without camera $50 hour

Equipped studio rental with Nikon D200 $75 hour

Male or female model available $50 hour

Make up for your model $30 face

Whether you are a professional shooter, an advanced amateur, or a curious beginner, this workshop is for you. Through months of thought and planning, I have designed this workshop to teach you how to see, be creative, and to make a relaxing and positive experience for yourself and your model.

email me to sign up, or call the studio at 905 297 7050

We accept Visa, Master Card, Cheques, and Cash.

Announcing brand new on line enlargement ordering!

Hello Everyone,

As a fine art portrait photographer, I love image making and I am an artist first and foremost. But as an entrepreneur, I am constantly working to make things more efficient for myself and for you as my clients. So... I am pleased to announce a major new feature that will make things easier!

Now, all it takes is a web link and password for you and your loved ones to view and order photos from our session. Any time, from anywhere in the world. If your session was from 2008 or earlier and you do not have on line hosting, please let me know and I will be happy to post your photos and send you a password.

Even better, you can now order enlargements on line. To encourage you to take advantage of this new feature, I am pleased to offer you:

10% off your entire order, placed before midnight on June 30th.

So if you are already hosted on line, click here (or enter through my home page), find your session in the list, enter your password, and use the promotional code below to receive your gift of 10% off. And please feel free to share this offer with friends and family. Simply send them the link, password and code.

Promo code: 063010

If have questions, have forgotten your password, or would like to request on line hosting, please let me know. And for those of you who are already thinking of booking a portrait session, this new feature will make things better for you too.

All the best!

Melanie
http://www.melaniegillis.com/

Please stay tuned for future workshop dates and visit our blog.

905 297 7050 info@melaniegillis.com

Masked and Unveiled: Photos by Micaela Delsey

Don't miss the James North Art Crawl this Friday June 12th...

As always, The Melanie Gillis Studio and Gallery will be alive for Art Crawl, and this month I am proud to present the work of Micaela Delsey. Micaela is a grade twelve student at Westdale Secondary School, and she has been mentoring with me through the high school co-op program for the winter semester. I myself learned most of what I know through working with other photographers, and because of this I have always valued the mentor-apprentice relationship created through co-operative education. Micaela's beautiful series of images, presented this Friday, were created during her co-op with me. This body of work is an awesome example of how skill is fostered and talent is grown through the right fit between mentor and apprentice. In Micaela's own words...

"I love the casual environment of hands on learning at Melanie's studio. I was really able to relax and just use the equipment... and get used to it so I could focus on being creative. This placement has been so much fun that I basically don't want it to end."

Photograph by Micaela Delsey

If you are interested in learning at the studio, you can join our workshop mailing list. Summer dates are being planned. In the mean time, lets see you out on Friday for this photographic debut...

Friday June 12th 2009 7 - 10pm
Masked and Unveiled: Photographs by Micaela Delsey
at The Melanie Gillis Studio and Gallery
126 James Street North 3rd floor, Hamilton

http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=-1&msgid=0&act=11111&c=315538&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.melaniegillis.com

Please stay tuned for future workshop dates and visit our blog.

905 297 7050 info@melaniegillis.com

Five Tips For Choosing a Photographer

Whether you are having a business head shot, a family portrait, or a sexy nude taken, there are certain common attributes to look for when seeking out a photographer. These things are all important, not only in acheiving a solid final image, but also in making the session a pleasant and memorable experience:

Personality
Talk to the photographer either in person or on the phone. Even if your main communication is through email, be sure that you have some form of connection with the actual person who will be photographing you. Are you comfortable with this person? Do you get the sense that he or she is a warm, personable individual? This is important if he or she is to bring out the best in you.

Portfolio
You are looking to make a beautiful image of yourself. Obviously it is important to see what your photographer has already done. The easiest way to do this is to check out the web site, and look for a good variety of consistently excellent photos that reflect the quality that you seek for your own final images. Remember - anyone can shoot one or two good images if they take enough frames, so consistency, with a lot of examples are key.

Make-up
In order for you to look your best and feel confident for your session, you should have your makeup done. Do not leave this responsibility to the girl at the department store cosmetic counter! Your photographer should have a professional makeup artist and the makeup work should be consistently reflected in the portfolio and web site galleries.

Testimonials
An experienced photographer has worked with countless subjects, and should have positive feedback for you from these people. Again, refer to the web site for this. There should be a content section with testimonials from former clients. Check out what they have to say.

Creativity
Even among the good ones, not all photographers are created equal. You are not just looking for technical prowess and balanced composition. Ask yourself these questions... Does this photographer have a signature style? Would you know her work if you saw it? Does he capture something that others do not? And above all, is this the particular style and feel you are looking for?

The bottom line is... take control of your decision. If you book any service out of the yellow pages without doing any of this valuable research, then you are taking a big risk. As with any important decision, you should know your options and choose wisely. If you do it right, then you will have a great time and will end up with photos you are proud to show everyone!

View The Melanie Gillis Galleries

Happy Mothers Day

This image was taken during a portrait session I did today with sisters Karen and Kathy Beattie.

Happy Mothers Day and enjoy the sunshine!

http://www.melaniegillis.com/

Friday May 9th Art Crawl at the Melanie Gillis Studio and Gallery

featuring images by Melanie Gillis and information from

The 10 Years Younger Burlington Project

I am proud to be one of many local businesses participating in this project. I take the before and after portraits of the candidates and will be featuring last year's photos as part of my presentation tomorrow evening. In addition, you will have a chance to meet Nicola Andrews of Advanced Rejuvenation Medical Spa, one of the key organizers of 10YY Burlington. For each year, one applicant is chosen to receive services over the course of a 2-week period to rejuvenate her face, smile, hair and style. This 2-week program is designed to transform the lucky recipient in appearance, attitude and fitness so she will truly feel 10 Years Younger. In addition, we have the 10YY Club for everyone who is following along with the transformation. Club members will receive gifts from a wide variety of participating Burlington businesses, and can win prizes to be announced at the Reveal Party on May 29th.

Please click here to read about Margaret, our current recipient, click here to see last year's stunning results, and join us tomorrow night to meet Nicola in person to find out more about what you can gain from joining 10YY.

In addition, I will be featuring brand new fine art nudes, and will make announcements about upcoming workshops... see you there!

Melanie Gillis Studio and Gallery
126 James Street North, third floor, Hamilton
7 - 10 pm Friday May 8th

905 297 7050 info@melaniegillis.com

Relaxing in your skin...

Relaxing in your skin: not just the subjects... the photographers too!

Photograph by R. Ward Shipman

I recently gave a seminar on shooting fine art nudes, with a focus on how to create the right atmosphere to make images with an emotional presence. When I asked you what was most striking about my talk, here is what you said:

"Don't preset limitations.. let it happen."

"A relaxed relationship between photographer and subject is key."

"It can be easy and comfortable."


All of this is true! As this was not a "how to" presentation on technical settings and equipment, I am happy with your feedback and the fact that, regardless of your own experience, you took away with you what I feel are the most important elements in creating universally appealing and emotionally gripping images. Basic, reciprocal, human trust and comfort.

How do you to create this yourself?

You also said that I make it look easy. This is a great compliment, because when you are truly at one with something you love doing, it does look easy to others, and really it has become second nature to you. Strip away the equipment, the materials, the technical settings, and even the superficial elements of design, and what you are left with is what makes your work truly unique and emotionally gripping. What a beautiful thing this is... but it does not come without experience. I have gained mine through workshops and seminars with master photographers, creative sessions with countless subjects, and collaborations with other artists. What does this mean? We learn through doing, and we learn from others who know how.

This is why I am planning a

Photography Workshop Series

at the

Melanie Gillis Studio and Gallery

For All of You.

Please stay tuned, and visit our blog. Dates TBA.

905 297 7050 info@melaniegillis.com