Beauty in Being Yourself

BreakFree Photography — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:09:38 +0000

Photographing women makes me nervous. As a woman, I know we are most critical of ourselves and at times seeing images of ourselves can bring about insecurities. When I shoot, I try to maintain a casual comfortable vibe. I want my subjects to look real.

I have been known to talk a lot during shoots. I know, those of you that know me are thinking, “she talks a lot anyway”! Well friends, this time there is a method to my madness. I get the best images full of expression and emotion when my subject isn’t thinking about posing or being photographed. So, yes, distraction is a tactic I use. People shine when they talk about the things they love in their lives.

Too many times in my life I have had a portrait taken in too much structure: backgrounds, lights, 1,2,3, say cheese…. I know my mind is thinking, “I wonder how my stomach looks?….Is this my good side?…..Should I tilt my head?….How long do I have to hold this smile?….” Needless to say, too many times in my life I have had portraits taken that an awkward shoot produced an unnatural photograph. When the ice is broken and a woman is cool and calm, her beauty shows and her mystery glows. When a woman is comfortable, she is confident. She is radiant and strong.

I hope to have the pleasure to photograph you. Chasity

Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear

BreakFree Photography — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:33:01 +0000

As I hit I-40 leaving Flagstaff, I continued to stare into my rear view mirror at the cathartic sunset I was leaving behind me. The miles ticking by on my dash, the majestic San Francisco Peaks still stood strong in my hindsight. After a week in the beauty that is Arizona, I had the semi-sweet pleasure to embark on the long drive home. I drove until I couldn’t stand it anymore and took the next exit to capture one last breathtaking look at my new love.

Arizona isn’t a beloved place to me for only visual pleasures. My family and I enjoyed many days of laughs, bonding, and simple moments to enjoy each other simply being ourselves. Arizona opened my eyes to why I love photography. It isn’t about snapping a pretty picture or a packaged pose. Photography for me is about capturing the emotion of the moment in a manner that you feel the spirit of the occasion. This ability whether it be luck or skill is what defines me as a photographer. I am what I call an artistic photographer. I capture the beauty in things you see everyday, the things you do not routinely see beauty in.

BreakFree Photography Blog

Beauty in Being Yourself

Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear