Posted September 1, 2013 – ©2013 Martin Trailer

On the mend being sick since last week, but not out of the woods just yet and it is my day. to post an image.

Seems we are trending greenish energy and thought of this in my library.  With my last name, it is fun to run across such metaphors and then to be able to play it again is terrific.

So, green energy, wind power, moving clouds, sky, all above an Airstream, Trailer no less!

To see the preceding imaged, go to http://DailyPhotoGame.com

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Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs is founding chairman and CEO Emeritus for Qualcomm Incorporated.

Creating a comfortable, safe space when shooting a CEO can be a challenge especially when in their space and/or when there is a gallery of employees watching.  It is not any different if you were the subject out in the public square. The secret to get them comfortable and authentic is to get them to focus on something other than “they are on camera”.  Here is a well liked CEO, Dr. Irwin Jacobs co-founder of Qualcomm using and focused on the new, at the time, “Q phone” and myself.

After several other spec’ed shots by the public relations people, I explained to him my idea and he was intrigued. I described to him I would be shooting a very slow shutter, so the people would be a blur and he would be sharp in focus and would be independently lit. He would have to stand very still and comfortably. I suggested a stance with one bent knee (subjects can pass out with locked knees) and looking up two floors above in the HQ lobby, disregarding all the people around.  This was the last shot of the day and based on the number of times it has been published, the most successful.  Takes time to get the subject to relax, get comfortable and reveal their personality, authenticity.

When the you need to photograph a business executive, getting some background about the person can help immeasurably making the photograph exceptional.

Comfortable, assured and authentic.

Comments welcome.

Martin Trailer, is a commercial/advertising photographer based in Southern California, working for clients worldwide.  A working photographer for over 30 years, Martin has regularly provided thoughtfully produced photographs adding value for clients worldwide.  Starting out in the newspaper business, covering general news, events, sports, professional and college often on tight deadlines honing the skill of finding “the” authentic shot.  Over the years as a commercial/self-employed photographer, projects include advertising, collateral, corporate annual reports, multimedia and editorial types of media and consisting of autos, food, tabletop, fashion, architecture and destinations, all culminating on a focus of people and the authenticity of the person(s). Personal projects include most anything vintage themed and especially vintage trailers and there owners.  Authenticity creates value for the client, person, product or service.  All images are registered with the US Copyright office.  See more of Martin’s work at http://MartinTrailer.com

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Ed Lum at the Monterey Trailer Park, former Auto Camp in front of a Gold Tone Airfloat. ©Martin Trailer

This Authentic Portrait of Ed Lum is part of my personal work seeking vintage trailers.  Personal work like continuing education keeps sharpening your skill set and adds to the “10,000 hours” I mentioned in the first of this Authentic Portraits series.

Ed lives in a trailer park in Monterey Park, right next to Pasadena, California. I just showed up because of an article I read the day before in the Los Angeles Times about the trailer park.  Ed does not live in this gold tone Airfloat trailer, but it was the rarest in the park and a vintage travel trailer.  Most all the trailers in the park were vintage park types, versus the typical travel or pull types I seek. It was highlighted in the paper since the place has a history going back as an Auto Camp on Route 66 and further to the days as a Pony Express stop.

My experience and with Ed, when I explain what I am looking for and why, most folks are very cooperative and are very helpful with suggestions and willing subjects.

Ed is in his element, relaxed and authentic.

Comments encouraged.

Martin
MartinTrailer.com

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Red Baron, the man with the most "helmet tickets" in the country with his new bike, wearing pink SDPD and yellow CHP no helmet tickets. ©Martin Trailer

This authentic portrait is of “The Red Baron”.  I was to make a portrait of a “biker” and private investigator working for a national law firm that defended motorcyclists who refuse to wear a helmet, for Blvd Magazine as a feature story.  Red has the record for the most “no helmet” tickets in the country and rode a custom Harley Davidson chopper, with his red hair in the wind.  Unfortunately, it had been recently stolen and replaced with a new stock bike.  The only customization was the skull face on the headlight, so far.

Prep included creating a suit of tickets he collected, pink on the top issued by San Diego Police Department and the yellow on the bottom issued by the California Highway Patrol.

When preparing for any portrait, the interview of the subject or review of the story line is important, so all the elements come together and to insure their “buy-in” to the visual solution.  This will begin the process of creating a safe space for them which is one of the keys to getting an authentic portrait.

Your pre-visualization needs to happen well in advance of the shoot time, not when your subject is there in front of the camera. Shoot time is when the photographer makes them comfortable to insure an authentic look and feel.

Authentic, cool and confident.

Comments welcome.

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Linda Stirling, SVP RBC Wealth Management

This authentic portrait of Linda Stirling was featured in a group of financial advisors recognized for service to the community.  Linda was hosting a grief support group for mothers who are dealing with the death of a child.

Working around her scheduled meeting of mothers, a tight deadline and exploring a few shot variations, the last one with the group waiting for her was the best.

She is in her element allowing others in and at ease.  Authentic.

To read the article, Click here.

Comments welcome.

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I wrote this for the Advertising Photographers of America, APA newsletter, insideAPA.  Check out some of the other stories there too.  insideShoot

Read here.  Escaped!

Martin

MartinTrailer.com

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