I started taking my own photos three years ago, when I was 21. I had graduated college with my Associate of Arts degree and didn’t have a job, but I really wanted to be a model. I couldn’t afford a photographer to help me build up my portfolio, but, undeterred, I began shooting self-portraits.
I mainly shoot in my parent’s spare bedroom, adding different backgrounds and fabrics to get fresh and exciting looks, but I do shoot in other rooms and outside occasionally too, to give my portraits variety.
Over the years I’ve made my DIY sets more elaborate and intricate but my budgets are always very tight, so that’s where I have to be a bit creative to make $50 look like a million! This can be done with clever lighting, creative camera angles, props, smoke, water and clothing.
I find my inspiration first, whether it’s through Pinterest, a movie, editorials, or God sending me an idea while I’m taking my morning drive.
When an idea does come to mind I’ll sit on it for a few days and really think it through before I even start to build the set, which can take another two or three days to build.
I take great pride in being able to create these portraits with next to zero budget and with basic camera equipment – this allows me to focus more on the modelling and posing.
Instagram has been a fantastic way to get my pictures seen and I love that I’m able to inspire others to create great portraits at home without expensive kit too.
This story is from the August 2020 edition of PhotoPlus : The Canon Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2020 edition of PhotoPlus : The Canon Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CANON Speedlite EL-5
With a touch of gold, it's the first Speedlite to feature Canon's new 'multi-function foot' £499/$399
Newo Ikkin
Professional portrait photographer Newo reveals the Canon gear and lighting equipment she can't live without when creating her fantastical photos
EXPOSURES MADE EASY
Learn all you need to know to take better exposures
INSPIRATIONS
STUNNING IMAGERY FROM THE WORLD OF CANON PHOTOGRAPHY
Manhattan makeover
James Paterson shows you how to transform cityscapes into eye-catching artwork with a combination of blending and selection skills in Affinity
Generate AI backdrops in Photoshop Beta
James Paterson demonstrates the new filter that creates backgrounds based on a few words
Enhance portraits with panel sliders
Sean McCormack shows how to combine these controls to great effect in Lightroom Classic
Macro on a budget
Dan Mold shows you how to capture detail without breaking the bank
Clear the streets
Dan Mold shows you how to remove people from tourist hotspots
Flash fungi in forests
Elevate your macro skills with off-camera flash as James Paterson teaches you to capture stunning mushroom photos on the forest floor