Video by Tracie Cotta
In part 1 of Shoot One we shot in Tracie’s front yard, her bedroom, downtown Fullerton, Disneyland and at a local park. That left 2 days… which took us to San Diego and back up to the OC Fair for part 2.
San Diego “secret” location
Years ago I saw some photos on flickr that were really cool… they had very dynamic lighting… and the location was outstanding. I’m not usually a big fan of girls in bikinis just for the sake of showing skin… but these were really good shots otherwise. I was about to do our first photo shoot of Paul Dateh and I wanted a really cool place to shoot… so I contacted the photographer and asked about the location.
“It’s a secret.”
Oh. Well that sucked. I sorta understood because if you have a cool location that you use often you may not want it to be swarming with every kid with a DSLR and a cute girl at his disposal… sooner or later that will cause problems with the owners/tenants/neighbors… someone. But I couldn’t just give up… so I plead my case a little harder… and he finally relented… but only after I promised not to share the locale with any other photographers. And I haven’t. So… don’t ask where these were done. I made a promise and I like to keep those. When I can.
We got to the location about an hour before sunset… we planned on getting through two outfits… I hadn’t even seen the first one, but LOVED it. Tracie knows how to put together an interesting ensemble, that’s for sure.
And she knows how to look fierce.
For the final shot, just after the sun dropped below the horizon, Tracie quickly changed and we took this final photograph… and then, like teeny tiny vampires… a flock (or is it swarm?) of blood-thirsty mosquitoes chased us back to the car.
The OC Fair
In the 16 or so years I’ve lived in Orange County… I think I’ve only actually been to the fair like 3 times. Once to shoot a Noodle Scar episode and twice just for fun.
This year Tracie and I decided to go on the last day it was open… and we ended up having a lot of fun and not shooting very many photos… but two stood out as ones I loved. The fair really is a good place to capture color and lights… kinda like Vegas. But with barn animals and carnies.
LOVE the location , light, and fierce style in the first shoot. Second one is just super fun! Love um!
Thanks, Blair!
We had a lot of fun doing it… so it’s good that the photos are appreciated at the end. :)
Well they’re all great images, but the last one ironically is the one that prompted me to comment. Your subject is very convincing in her joy, and I love how the background is all blown out. Sets her off nicely with contrast. And she’s lit???but doesn’t look lit. The untrained eye just takes it all in as natural. I like that very much! Nice work.
Hey Matt, so glad you liked that last image… it took a little time to grow on me, actually.
Thanks for the kind words!
that first shot is soo soooo beautiful. she looks gorgeous. love that lighting. please teach me.
Yeah that is my favorite… except that she looks like she’s going to punch me. And she has. Tiny fists hurt, you know!
These images are amazing I love the colours and the movement that you have captured.
I am a stylist from London and currently putting together a series of test promotion/catalogue images for a company called PJ Salavage (based in Irvine OC). They have just started a new line and I am wanting to create great images to give the brand an identity.
Im not sure if you would be interested in this project or know anyone that would be as it will be a test so only images for ones portfolio, if you are please check out my work at. There could be future work from this depending on how successful this shoot is.
http://www.modelmayhem.com/jesslatimer
My e-mail is jesslatimer@googlemail.com
Hope to you hear from you.
Hi Jess, thanks for your kind words!
I don’t currently have time to do much TF work these days, but thank you for asking! If you end up with a budget for your shoots please check out our main site (http://thebuibrothers.com) and feel free to let us know, I’ll send over our rates sheet.
Thanks and good luck!