Our very own Krista was lucky enough to have Rosanna mentor her, eventually working side by side on some of her most exciting shoots! But before you go thinking we're a little biased, the people who call on Rosanna to connect children's fashion to the heart of moms everywhere know that she's deeply and emotionally connected to her work - and it shines through on every image! If you aren't yet familiar with her work (Petunia Picklebottom anyone?) treat yourself to a few minutes of pure creative bliss while perusing her portfolio.
MT: Rosanna - we are so excited to have you for this month's edition of "Help A Momtographer Out!" Since most of our readers don't have the benefit of knowing you as well as Krista does, how about giving them a little background. When was your first encounter with a camera and how did you get from there to here?
My dad was sweet on photography. He had a mysterious collection of b&w images from the war that looked more like a vacation in Germany. Growing up we always had cameras around the house. Two that I remember? An old clunky and very basic Nikon 35mm SLR that he used in WW2 and the 1st compact cameras that came out in the 70's.
I didn't even think about a career in the visual arts other than wanting to be in front of the camera. I remember working so hard to try and become an actress/model in the early 90's in NYC. On every set I found myself hanging with the crew, asking the producers a million questions or sneaking a look at the cameras. Luckily I realized this was what I wanted to do and I enrolled in an NYU Film program full time. We were taught exposure on 16mm film cameras and practiced on SLRs. I worked as a producer for ad agencies and different production companies for almost 13 years. I don't think I picked up a still camera during that time much at all. It wasn't till I got engaged and moved out of the city that I started thinking about the still camera again. I wanted some way to take everything I knew about production, composition, and filming my subjects and do it all on my own. Not with a big commercial production, no fancy director or stuffy client from Cheesebourgh (why would anyone name their company that?). Just a lens and me. Simple.
MT: It's clear in in all of your images that you work very hard at eliciting real emotion from your subjects with true spontaneity. Has that always been your style? How do you approach photography so that this comes through so consistently? Is there anything our momtographers can do to achieve this in their own family photos?
First of all thank you for saying this! Would it be strange if I said it was all about dating? Ok let me explain. In the last few years we have had the honor of working with a bunch of models and actresses. I love the process and feel blessed that we live in a city with so many great agency choices. But sometimes, especially child models, can come to the set all prepared with cheesy smiles and forced energy. So, I kinda "date" them. I let go of the camera and spend time with them. I know that if I intrigue my subject, they will intrigue me.
It works with all kids. They may be shy, so I'll sit alone with them and thumb wrestle, tell them about my puppy or do wardrobe & makeup together. Use your own real personality, the parts of you that would shine through when you 1st met your husband or your own child. Court your subject. Never under estimate the power of a twinkle in your eye and a soft gesture. But be careful because it has to come from a real place. Kids are so good and detecting baloney! They are looking for that somethin' somethin' from you that tells them they are special and that you are only there for them. Having said that I am also a HUGE fan of giving clear short direction once you've established that relationship (see I told you it's a lot like dating!). A lot of kids and adults respond well to that. If I'm not getting what I need then we all take a break. Breaks do wonders. Just look at Ross & Rachel! See, more dating references!
MT: Well, now that we are fully equipped to go out into the dating world :) , tell us why you are such a big fan of natural light, shooting with it almost exclusively. What are some tips you can offer to moms on how to find light that works well for photographing their kids?
Light is free and it's stunning, but in order to use it you have to see it. Learning to treat it as a visible tangible element will help you to see it. Here's the thing about light and me; I like being in control of something others can't see, like with wind when you sail. I know I can't "really" see it but I like to think I can. I imagine it as milk or fog - something visible. I have four floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe my home studio in all kinds of light. But you may not see it in a way that works for you. Try and see it as something visible. Equate it to the pixels hanging in the air in Willy Wonka, or the fog surrounding a lighthouse. If you can see it like this then you can visualize it streaming into your lens, illuminating the chip and imprinting the image of what was opposite your lens.
But YOU get to say how much and how fast. You get to say "Slow down light, you're too bright. Let me speed up my shutter."
Or "Here, let me open my lens more to let more in." If you start to treat it as an element to be manipulated then you will see it. Start by walking around your house. Go to every nook and cranny, look down at the palm of your hand. Notice how the light sometimes makes the skin look really bright and you can see all the lines and veins. Then in another area how dull and grey it looks. Then step back and look around you at the light - look on the floor, on the wall, see the differences as you move around the room, keeping your palm out as a benchmark then stepping back to see the wider area. I like to shoot in the area where my palm looks almost translucent but not in direct sunlight. Then I adjust my aperture to support that light. If I can't find that translucent light that I love, out comes my silver reflector!
MT: What a fascinating approach! Thank you for sharing that. Now, switching gears a little bit. When wearing your mommy hat and shooting your own family, is there anything you do differently than when shooting for clients? Were there things that you learned when shooting others that helped you be a better momtographer?
Not too much different other than I don't have a crew with me. I can hold the reflector and camera all on my own (it can be done!) and I just create a play time around the camera and myself. My son hates the camera now so I have to work even harder to get some good stuff from him. It tests my skills to the max. Momtographer have to step it up even more with our "so over it" kids. It's great practice. Start with a story or a game to even get them close to you and not run from the lens. Then spend as much "face 2 face" time with them as you do with the lens in their face, or you will lose them. Try and treat them as if they were a client, cater to them just as if the mom is watching. They will love the special treatment!
MT: Ok Rosie, we've got reliable intel that you have a pretty impressive camera bag, but tell, us if you could only have your camera and one lens, what would it be and why?
Definitely the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM. It's my favorite. It's glass, lets in so much light, is clear as a bell and I love that I can get real close but can also shoot full head to toe if I need to. Did I mention it's glass?!! Plastic lenses are fine but using glass feels like the difference between wearing diamonds and cubic zirconia!
MT: Being that you are a fashion photographer (ooh la la)... tell us your take on clothing choices, what are some good dos and don'ts when it comes to children's portraits.
DON'T USE the ubiquitous children's store clothing lines that are a dime a dozen. DO shop for designer labels from places like TJ & Marshals. I'm partial to having the mom pick out some great new outfits for a shoot from places like Zara, H&M and other European lines. DO Mix patterns and colors, try layering shirts, add scarves, leg warmers etc. DON'T use wrinkled clothing. DO Have fun and ask yourself if you could imagine the outfits in a magazine. Also I love Ralph Lauren for kids. As Krista's husband (artist/producer and Ralph Lauren devotee) knows you can't go wrong with a good Polo outfit and you can find some great Polo pieces at TJ Max. Think upscale but on a budget, it's your one and only time to capture them at this age so go for broke.
MT: Having been at this awhile, are there any things that you did early in your career, that make you cringe? Any "if only I knew then what I know now" moments?
Yes, I charged too little!
MT: Ha! :) Finally - if you could only share one transformational tip with our momtographers, what would it be?
HOOK UP with another momtographer and go out and shoot together. Whether it's for a job you take on together or a personal project - COLLABORATE. Work off of one another and learn from each other. Two are always better than one. And if you decide to go pro, never let the fear of competition stop you from that experience. I believe there are always enough kids, jobs, or models for all of us! If youlre lucky you get to meet and work with awesome momtogs like Krista! That's exactly how we met and her input and friendship has been invaluable since day one!
(ahhh shucks!)
To see more of Rosanna's breathtaking work, visit her site at http://rosannawolff.com
