What a fun photo shoot! We were kicked out of the Gallivan Center because we didn’t asked. We didn’t know to ask. I figured it was like a park—open to the public. I certainly hope it wasn’t because I was photographing a gay couple. That would be really rude. However, we did get a number of photos at the Gallivan Center before the rude lady said something. Next time I will check ahead on their photography policy. As I say, half of photography is moving furniture out of the way the other half of photography is trespassing.
Portrait with the Walker Center in the background
Autumn leaves are starting to show up! We found some at the Gallivan Center and we also timed the photo shoot so we would get some golden light and some twilight. It can be the most magical time of day for photography and people can look awesome. I did bring my portable lighting kit—there is a photo later in this blog post. I love to bring my lights because they can really help people look their best. I learned today that Ariana Grande’s rule for photographers is NO NATURAL LIGHT! I have talked to a number of other people who think they look best with flash. Celebrities, drag queens, and others all seem to agree.
Golden light during the sunset is perfect for portraits
We found some autumn leaves at the Gallivan Center
Portraits of couples should be more than just heads and faces. I like to get people holding hands or photograph their feet… especially if they have unique socks and/or shoes. Details can be a lot of fun.
Holding hands
There are lots of locations in downtown Salt Lake City for a portrait photographer and the couple. We have benches, trees, buildings, graffiti, wall art, and more. When the sun starts to set the lights of the city come to life and we get added dimension, color, and flare for the photography.
Sitting together on a bench
I would like to say that I am photographing a couple. However, to show up in Google I would like to say that I photograph gay couples, straight couples, and families that are gay, straight or whatever. More and more people don’t want to be labeled. However, the world still like to classify people. And I would definitely like to attract clients who are gay or straight. Often couples who identify and gay or lesbian feel they cannot find a photographer in Utah would wants to photograph them. There are plenty of photographer who do and I would love to be one of them!
Photographing some details of the couple such as their shoes can help tell the story
Mitch and Jared in front of some wall art
I know a few treasure troves for graffiti. After hours are usually best for photographing because evenings look better in evening light anyway but less people are around. And fewer people means less chances security will ask us to leave a spot. It seems like we are getting away with something and when it comes to guerrilla photography we sort of are. For this shoot I had my backpack of gear and my two light stands. This way we move quickly and are less obtrusive.
Urban locations have some fun graffiti for backgrounds
Knowing where some parking garages have some cool textures for portraits
Lots of fun graffiti for portraits and it makes the photos look vivid with color and contrast
Fun with graffiti
Watch out there is a bear behind you!
Dramatic portraits during sunset
We found some black and white graffiti
Urban locations can offer a lot of variety
Behind the scenes photos with my portable lighting kit
The sun is set and the city lights are a perfect background for portraits
We spent a few minutes trying to capture the blur of passing cars
