~Vanessa Millecam Photography

I think anything can inspire us…if we but just look. If it is a child twirling, watching them as they so freely just turn in joy. The new Vogue Magazine that’s cover just lures you in as you gently turn each page with excitement. Maybe the tender touch of the older couple standing in the checkout line in front of you. Just watching them and their loving ways wondering what their story is. The movie that was told in such depth and beauty with its passionate words and color. The song that every time you hear it just pierces your heart. Or is it just the simple pleasure of walking out your front door. The smells and sounds around you, the sky, the trees, and birds. Whatever it might be…stop this week to let things inspire you. Inspire you to live, inspire you to think, inspire you to create, and inspire you to love. This is what has inspired me this week. I can’t wait to post the rest of this couples session…they truly inspired me to believe in love.

And now…for a little Q&A…Please remember I am not an expert and this is only what works best for me. By sharing I hope to only help others.

Jeanette Soffe asked: What kind of Backdrop do you use for Studio, what lens do you use in the studio, and how far from the background do you place your subject?

*All good questions. I get so many emails about my studio work. Thank you. As far as Backgrounds, I am just using paper. I really just like the simple style of it. Plus, I love getting that High Fashion look as well. Paper Nothing special. The lens I use the most is my 85mm 1.8. It is my favorite lens and I use it all the time. I also use my 17-55mm 2.8 when shooting dancers, I need the wide angle. The distance of your subject to the background is the same as shooting outside. If you want a good blur, then you need to pull them off the background. I really don’t shoot with Patterns that much, but if I wanted all the detail in the pattern, then my subject would need to be close to the backdrop. If I wanted the pattern to blur…then I would need to pull them of the backdrop to get that great blur around my subject.

Brittney Hale asked: “What is your typical lighting set up in the studio and do you use off camera flash outside?”

*In the Studio, I use one light. I love the way just one light wraps the face, but can also look so dramatic. I like keeping things simple. As far as outside, yes I do use off camera flash. Not all the time…and this is something that I will be doing more of this year. I use off camera flash at Weddings as well. Here is a quick and easy set up to start working on off camera flash. Attach your flash to a monopod with a Gary Fong Diffuser on your flash…cheap, simple, and also diffuses the light great. Make sure you bring a buddy to hold the monopod

Ashlyn asked: “Is it better to upgrade your camera or your lens”

*This is a great question…and one I believe in. When I first started shooting I was using the D70 with the kit lens. I quickly realized that to get the images I wanted I needed to be able to shoot below a 3.5 f/stop and needed better glass. I didn’t have the money to upgrade both my camera and lens, so I invested in the 17-55mm 2.8 and I am so glad that I did. I started getting crisper images and could get the great blur I had been looking for. Nice lens are so important to the overall look, quality, and sharpness to your images. Of course, a professional camera body is also important…but if you only have the money to invest in one…LENS all the way. Now if we all could just find that Money Tree right hahah.

Brandi asked: “What actions are you using on your images to get that great color pop and what actions do you have?”

*I think this might be the question I get the most. I don’t use any action to get the “color pop” in my images. I am personally not a fan of color pop actions. I just have not found one that doesn’t make my skin tones look like a bad rub on tan. If you do use a color pop action, use the layer mask to brush off the color around the face and hands. For me, this is just to much work that I can get in burning and dodging. But to each their own In saying that…of course I have and use actions. My favorite are Totally Rad Actions. I have both sets, but the set I use the most is the TRA 2 set. I also have Brenda Acuncius actions, and the Florabella Actions. All of these have great vintage actions that I use as well as Black and Whites. I think the thing to remember with Actions is that they are not a “fix all.” Actions really do work better with a picture that was taken in great light and exposed well. I mean I wish they were a magic button…but they just aren’t. Also, when using actions, I find that people don’t know that you can open them up and customize them. Very rarely do I run an action and leave it how it is. Once you find an action you love and you have tweaked it to you, then create an action of it…that way you will have it for next time. And if you are like me, you won’t remember…or the paper you wrote it down on, your 2 year old decided it was his coloring page for the day.

Here is a fun recipe I like to use…

Hope you have a great start to your week…stayed turned this week for a Wedding Post, and a fun Mentoring Session, plus…some AMAZING dancers.

Thanks again for all your wonderful questions and comments…~V