Local teen in the town square, Las Vegas, NM

I am including something unexpected, but related into the mix of Authentic Portraits, street portrait photography. The origins of street photography began over century ago, so this is nothing breakthough, just up to date and current.  Photographers like Atget, Steichen, Struss, Kertesz, Evans and so many others ( see more ) captured on film what or better how, we visually record and remember the past. Whether it was the fashion, architecture, decor or people just being people in their enviroment, these street photographers were the recorders of our past, our history of the day.

Walking around photographing unfamiliar places, stretches one abilities to “see” interesting places, people and situations, it forces you out of your comfort zone.  When walking around the familiar, so much can be taken for granted and not “seen” or noticed as easily.

Fella's hangin on the front porch, Las Vegas, NM

These are just a couple of examples catching authentic people walking around an unfamiliar neighborhood, seeking and looking. By exercising those innate senses we all have , and as a photographer, sharpening that skill of recognizing ” the shot” that makes a photograph have that extra spark of life and value.  It will just hit you and you’ll just know you have a great shot.  The more you exercise that skill, the faster you’ll recognize it in the view finder the next time.  Personal work is a photographers continuing education.  Stuff you can’t learn reading a book, looking at what others have done or listening to a lecture.  Ya gotta’ feel it, to know it.

Las Vegas, New Mexico is a quaint americana style town with the central square block of the downtown, a park where folks stroll, gather or just hang out.  It is just east of Santa Fe, NM off the I-85.

People totally unrehearsed, no casting, no propping, no clients, just people in their element, being absolutely authentic. Capturing authentic is a skill learned by doing, convincing the viewer, real, adding to the value .

Real, relaxed and Authentic.

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.  Starting out in the newspaper business, covering general news, events, sports of all types, often on tight deadlines and honed the skill set of pushing to end up with the nearly intangible authentic final image.  Over the years as a photographer, working in advertising, corporate, multimedia and editorial fields, 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 added 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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The firm understood the images are an investment, part of their brand identity that will pay back over the long term versus the quickie head shot, that is seen as it is, an expense.  Smart group of folks.

We shot in a great conference room, with hair and make-up just across the hall making for a very efficient and productive day.  While the background is white versus a more traditional drop, it makes the images much more versatile for use on the web site, but for press and/or speech announcements uses.

While I did not “know” these folks well, enough time was allotted for each person photographed, so I was able to get their individual personality to show.  Funny part was, I did an initial edit and then the MarCom Coordinator edited them down to just one each.  For a couple of individuals, she asked to see the whole take and did pick one from my outakes that better matched the personality.  After all that, one person decided to “tone down” the final selection more.  Understand, those shown below are not the “most” enthusiastic of each individual, but for corporate, insurance folks, I think they are a fresh break from the “standard” corporate head shot.

Check out the pix and see what you think.  Great group of people and a pleasure to work with.

Martin
MartinTrailer.com

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