I got back from a photography conference in Louisville, KY a week or so ago. While I was there, I took a few classes to brush up on current skills and to learn some new ones. After spending a few days with 1,000’s of other photographers, sitting in and being inspired by speakers in our industry, I challenged myself to come home and do AT LEAST 6 shoots of something I normally wouldn’t shoot.
I’ve been in this industry for going on 23 years now and there is still SO MUCH to learn. This is the type of craft that you will never be a master at all. Technology is constantly changing, new products are always being developed and right when you think you have it all figured out, there’s always something else- technical skills, social media, marketing, etc., etc. You may see a few shoots over the course of the next year that are a little different than you might be used to seeing around here. That’s just me “getting my learn on” and honing in some new skills. Some of them I may LOVE and continue to incorporate often and others may just be put into my bag of tricks to pull out under certain circumstances-or maybe never again. Either way, I just love the process of creating! If you have an idea of something you’d like to see me shoot, I’d love to hear your ideas-even if it’s out of my comfort zone-after all that’s when I learn best!
First up is Mark with Huntsman Forge, out of Indiana, Pennsylvania. His business is in creating custom blades, blacksmithing, metal signs, welding, small machining and metal fabricating. I brought him into the studio to play around with some gels and dramatic lighting. I’m pretty excited with how these came out and I’m picturing other “craftsman” or those who work with their hands in this same light. I’m often photographing women and showing the softer feminine side of them, this was the complete opposite. I got to show the gritty, masculine side of a tradesman. It was a nice change of pace.
In the process, I learned a little more about what goes into his craft and have a great respect for the time and talent it takes to create one of his pieces. I even walked away with a new knife! I got to keep one of the ones featured in the images below. I think it’s so cool that someone can create a useful product out of raw materials. You can check out more of his work over on Facebook.
Do you have a hobby that you turned into a business/job? I’d love to hear all about it!
Bladesmith Branding Photos | Studio Photography
