Cheyne’s Photo Blog

The Manley Ohana

   

Shot the Manley Ohana a couple months ago, but I've been so busy I haven't been able to share the photos until now.

They wanted family photos while everyone was present, so it was scheduled to be shot before their eldest son was to return to the mainland for college. It was a very gusty day, which made it challenging for my lighting. I opted to go sans-umbrella (seeing as how they're already on their last leg from so much use) and used diffusers and creative lighting angles. Dealing with multiple lighting conditions (direct sunlight, brightly backlit sand, shaded seating areas, etc.) made for an interesting shoot, but in the end the shots turned out fantastic. Thank goodness it was a clear day so we could get Diamond Head in the background!

If you're looking for vibrant, fun family portraits, check out my photo packages! They start at $250.00 and hour and are well worth the memories!

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Hilo photoshoot

I apologize for my lack of posts lately, I've been swamped with photography work. When I'm not shooting, I'm planning/designing the next shoot.

         

One of the big events was a photoshoot in Hilo with some visiting models. The models were imported by another photographer, who kindly let me borrow them for the day (thanks Theodore!). Mike Lane flew in from Kentucky, Mattchu from Vegas and Rachel from Honolulu.
 
My photo adventure began with an early morning flight at 5:00 am. Half-asleep, I checked into my hostel and spent a half hour walking through Hilo town scouting for locations. After a quick breakfast with everyone, we set out for our first session at a nearby beach.
 
Unfortunately the weather was not the best. Rain and chilly winds greeted us at the beach, but that's Hilo for ya. Big kudos to Mike & Rachel for standing in the rain in relatively skimpy bathing suits for the 50's retro shoot. It was also my first time doing hair on a female myself because my makeup artist Mish could not join me for the trip. Rachel and I collaborated to get the victory rolls in her hair. In spite of our weather woes, the shoot went great. I had an umbrella casualty, forcing me to bid adieu to yet another piece of equipment. At least it was put to good use before it was tossed.
 
The next shoot was of Mattchu in a pair of overalls I'd been dying to use since finding them. Unfortunately, the perfect location was alongside the Hilo Farmer's market, so we had a couple gawkers during the shoot. Being a model means being unabashed and Matt pulled it off effortlessly. After a quick wardrobe change, we tackled a schoolboy shoot on the sidewalk, which is where we took that behind the scenes photo.
 
The final set was a 1970's inspired look. Mike wore a unique orange shirt and mustard pants combo I had set aside specifically for him. Ironically, Mike's outfit was purchased entirely from the women's section ha! Rachel wore a very retro muumuu I had in my collection for a while. The historic Palace Theatre served as the backdrop for our final session of the day.
 
Afterwards, we took the time to play tourist. We enjoyed some shaved ice and drove to Rainbow Falls. We even stopped at an international Pow Wow they were having. Mattchu and Rachel are part Native American so they joined in the dancing festivities while I shot candid photos of them. It was an interesting way to end our day.
 
We rewarded ourselves with some great food and drinks at a local bar and then it was time for my return flight home. Yes, I stayed in Hilo for approximately 14 hours. It was quite a whirlwind adventure, but well worth it. I not only got some stellar images, but I also made great friends that I look forward to spending time with again!

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Fresh Ink

     

It's finally out! The LOOK Hawaii Magazine issue featuring the photos I shot back in January 2009 is finally out!
 
I didn't shoot the cover photo (2nd pic) but I two beautiful glossy double-truck spreads inside! I styled the spread entirely from a new
vintage boutique named CLOTH (located at 909 Kapiolani Blvd.) that carries the most amazing collection of vintage wear I've seen so far.
 
It's such a trip to see my work reproduced large in a magazine! It's such a surreal honor. Speaking of surreal, the weirdest compliment (?) I received about the photos has to be "Oh my god, are those real people?". I guess if you're not used to seeing my vintage processing, you have to do a double-take to decide what is "different" about the photos. Looking at them now, I can see how someone might thing I painted them.
 
The third photo is of my original sketch and the final outfit. I sketched the outfits after researching the outfits in CLOTH. Once I knew what I wanted, I drew it and made sure we stayed as close to the sketch as possible. Planning ahead is such an important skill to develop. Admittedly, it isn't easy, but it pays off in the end!
 
My success is a shared one. The wonderful team that helped it all come together consisted of two fabulous makeup artists, Toni P. Farley and Sarah la Glam, two gorgeous models, Blake and Eirik, and of course the help of one awesome photo editor Ryan Kerns. Thanks also to Karlel, the Editor in Chief of LOOK Hawaii Magazine, for hiring me to work on the issue.
 
Find a copy or subscribe to the magazine by going to the LOOK Hawaii Magazine website. Tell 'em Cheyne sent ya!

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70's Chic

     

Let it be known that as much as I love the 50's, I am also in love with the 70's. Whereas the 50's were about clean-cut colors and perfection, the 70's were about crazy polyester patterns and just looking cool. At least that's what I think ;)
 
When I first saw my model Azhjeli, I wasn't sure if I had the skills to work with him. He had long hair, something I had never worked with before on male models. After I found out he had cut his hair, I began to see potential, especially since he had a rockin' great physique.
 
My original idea was to continue my "Pleasantville" series (first started with my Milkman session) with a vintage postman. I had difficulty styling the outfit to look authentic and a location was baffling me, so I opted to do another decade. I had a polyester shirt I'd been dying to use since I purchased it. The location was originally supposed to be in front of an old, run-down apartment complex, which I thought resembled an old 70's motel. When we arrived at the location, we found it had been fenced up, no doubt soon to be demolished. Disappointed, but determined, I thought the next best location was a turqoise-colored building on King St. I always pass this building during my lunch breaks, so I knew from the start I wanted to shoot there.
 
In his polyester shirt ($7.00 @ Goodwill!), baby blue slacks and white leather shoes, Azhjeli looked every bit authentic and people couldn't help but slow down and stare. I think it'd be neat to be recognized on the street one day simply because I'm the only photographer in Hawaii who shoots vintage-themed photos.
 
I love the 70's and can't wait to shoot another 70's-inspired set. Will you be my next model?

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Walkin' the walk, talkin' the talk

     

I recently had the opportunity to shoot the Kane Magazine Men's Fall Fashion Show held at the Honolulu Design Center. There was a lot of interesting activity going on. The only other photographer I recognized was my friend Kaveh Kardan. Together, we assessed the dimly-lit runway and what would be the best way to get good photos of the clothes. He setup a photobooth at the end of the runway (out of view of the public) where the models could have their photo taken in controlled light.

I wanted to use my lights on the runway and had to use my noggin to figure out the best spot. Unlike other fashion shows where people sit along the runway, this show encouraged people to crowd around the runway. Most of the photographers were situated at the end of the runway in the "pit". I didn't want my lights to be knocked over by some drunken dude and I didn't want my lightstand to interfere with the shot of another photographer (out of mutual respect), so I opted to place my light at the beginning of the runway, facing me. The idea was to backlight the model, creating a halo effect. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. I needed to get my angle just right, or I risked getting a giant, burning lensflare.

Speaking of lensflare, I used other photographers' lights to cast an intentional lensflare on certain shots. I think the effect is stunning and it's what many amateur photographers try to mimic using software like Photoshop. Getting a lensflare that looks good in-camera is not something everyone can do, but it's well worth the practice, don't you think?

I must let it be known that there was an older photographer present who found great joy in complaining to everyone that he was robbed of being on the cover of the current issue. His vulgar language and inappropriate behaviour only underlined why he, as professional as he may make himself out to be, will always be viewed as amateurish. Every photographer present was proud of their work and while making the cover would have been a great honor, no one felt slighted for not having done so. It's nice to have goals, it's in bad taste to let those goals consume you. So, Mr. Photographer, I would highly recommend you change your attitude, a bad attitude is so last season.

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Toys for Tots

     

I was originally asked to donate my time and cover this charity event, strictly documentary shots, but I talked them into having a live photobooth (similar to the one I had setup at the LOFT). Seemed like a good idea at the time since I had a big crew planned: 2 models, 1 photography intern, 1 photo assistant; I made laminated crew badges and everything. But in the end, schedules conflicted and it was down to 1 model and myself.
 
The event itself was interesting. According to tradition, Toys for Tots is a US Marine-sponsored event so there were a couple Marines present to lend a hand. However, since it was hosted by the Infinite Model Agency, the Marines were outnumbered by the beautiful models and talented individuals, which made for an interesting atmosphere.
 
It was a tiring 4-hour event made fun by the assistance of my beautiful model Aja (she not only modeled, but she also helped setup and breakdown my lights) and the fact that it was for a great cause -- and I got great PR out of it ;-)

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