Harvest Photo

Four events in and I think I witnessed the end of an era.

The Photo Meetup at Northern Lights Studios was the one event that got me extremely excited and pumped during my time in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The first one, in January 2024, got me out of the house I’ve been renovating since 2021. It allowed me to focus on creating something that provided instant satisfaction and prolonged gratification with my creative medium. I attended with the goal of practicing my portraiture.

This event series has given me the opportunity to create some beautifully striking images with people of diverse appearances, anesthetics, and ages.

It’s given me confidence in my craft and an unexpected muse. It’s sharpened my eye and direction. It’s made me eager to plan for shoot outcomes. It gave me the hint of a network and community of photographers and models.

Professional Amateur

I’ve been mostly self-taught in the field and on assignments. More than that, I usually had to create the opportunities to teach myself. Attend a meeting. Raise my hand. Ask if a photographer was needed or wanted. Show up somewhere and ask if I could shadow the event photographer. Take my camera to work events. Use the images for the newsletters. I’ve been a working amateur photographer for about fifteen years. Most of this time I’ve called myself a lifestyle photographer.

The Photo Meetups added portraiture to my catalog. I’ve been doing headshots and mini photo sessions since 2018. But working with models who are knowledgeable and committed to their image removes some weight from creating. They bring the material. I bring the tool. Creation became a fully realized joint venture. The first three Photo Meetups set this baseline.

From the beginning, the expectation was TFP – trade for photos – for everyone. Models got their pick of photographers and photographers got their pick of models. Very simple, easy, and eager exchange.

This fourth meet-up was slightly rebranded as a Fashion Photo Meetup. Models and stylists were promised and encouraged per the norm. But it felt and looked different.

When I walked in, one of the first models I saw was in a skin tight, thigh length, lace trimmed slip, slit up to the hip. The lace trimmed bodice dipped below her breasts, exposing more than it covered. In front of her were three male photographers I hadn’t seen at the prior events.

I had stopped at the bar to sign in and order my complimentary drink. It was the first time I used my drink ticket and the first time I started the night with a drink.

Seeking Inspiration

I made my way upstairs. I wanted to see where people were congregating and where I could take my images without competing for space.

The main studio was far less crowded than previous times. I saw a couple of familiar faces, photographers and models. The model holding court in the main area had a fantastic red backdrop. She was wearing a white and black bouclé looking mini skirt suit with high block heeled patent leather shoes. I stood and watched her and the photographers – a larger group of men – for a bit. I moved though the group, looking for inspiration or an angle. Then I surveyed the waiting models for the same.

I was uninspired. By the model and the people in the room.

The model was modeling. But her esthetic was very much disconnected from the camera. Looking off to the side distance with an affected aloofness.

My roots are in candid snapshots. I love capturing people being themselves. Anything less than that is a struggle to work with.

I walked out the main studio to continue my tour of the spaces. I walked down a side hallway leading nowhere. Earlier in the week, when I thought I’d have energy for the event, I considered bringing a light and back drop to set up in the hallway. I confirmed that idea would have worked well had I packed the extra gear. Then I walked back towards the stairs to the loft lounge to observe that space in disappointment.

The upstairs lounge area was a prime photo location that captured overflow from the studio. It had amazing purple and green mood lighting. A slated dark wood wall. Two walls of windows facing the Milwaukee River and downtown skyline. Multicolored curvy furniture. The loft overlooked the downstairs bar and photo stations.

During this event, the bright white florescent lights were turned up. A stylist with her rack of clothes occupied one glass wall. A jewelry vendor occupied the other glass wall – right in front of the door to the wrap around balcony.

I was uninspired.

Giving up such a prime spot to vendors broke my thoughts. I sat down at a cocktail table and contemplated going home. I had seen my unexpected muse when I walked in. He was in brighter colors than I had shot him in previously. I considered finding him, taking a few shots, buying a sushi roll at Screamin’ Tuna next door then heading home.

As I was about to get up from the table, one of the regular photogs sat down across from me. He and his wife always attended together. He was having a blast. Super wide grin, flushed cheeks, eyes darting everywhere. I told him I was probably going to head home after I find Steven, my muse, for some shots. He said he had just left Steven outside with a group. He told me his wife was sitting tonight out and was downstairs if I wanted to keep her company. He planned on shooting all night.

A young woman walked by us in a barely there black bikini top and skin tight black leggings laced up on the sides from ankle to hip. The photog stopped her. Introduced himself, asked her her name. I shared mine. He asked her if she wanted to be photographed. She said yes. He pointed to me, “She’s looking to photograph someone!” She looked at me with a slight “O” expression. I asked, “What type of pictures do you want?”

That male photographer, representing most of the other male photogs at the event in my mind, hyperventilating on unnecessarily over-exposed young women said, “What kind of pictures do you think?! Look at how she’s dressed!”

I looked at him, then looked back at her and said, “The question should still be asked.”

“You’re right! You’re right,” he said.

“How do you want to use these pictures?”

She didn’t have a ready or complete answer. Essentially, she wanted to build a portfolio with nice pictures. I took her around the jeweler and onto the balcony. She tried the looking off to the side distance bit. I kept directing her eyes back to me. I need eye contact with the camera until we connect with a rhythm. We made some beautiful images.

I returned to the loft lounge to see a young woman in even less of a bikini – three small triangles and strings – was on a cross beam over the bar. Standing there looking terrified, not quite modeling. Photogs were below and leaning over the loft railing taking pictures.

In mesmerized horror, I joined at the railing. Which is how and when I realized she was terrified. She quickly made her way back over the railing onto solid ground.

I later learned from the photog I had been speaking to, that he had instigated that beam walk. He shared that he had gotten in trouble with is wife for that stunt.

Steven came up the stairs as the beamwalker dismounted. He was in a different outfit than I had seen him in earlier. After a few words we headed to a hallway for a quick shoot.

I had brought my flash and modifier to practice with. It worked beautifully on India on the dark balcony. It washed Steven out in the lit hallway. Note below, both walls are gray.

I turned off my flash. We moved corners and used a can ceiling light for spotlight illumination. Then, “Wow!” We both delivered yet again.

As we wrapped up, Steven said, “I love shooting with you. You’re really good with light – finding the right light and angle.”

It’s nice to be seen and appreciated. I’ve been chasing light all my life. Now it shows in my work.