Jeff Glasser of Nightwing Photo came to Destin last week and we had a blast. Or, at least, I did. Jeff actually worked really hard!
Yes, I sat around and watched, filing my nails and whatnot in true Diva style, as he lugged all this HEAVY photo equipment up two flights of stairs. And then he had to do more work (again as I watched) to turn my little condo into a slick photo studio. The equipment he has is very very cool and I soon found out, so is he.

I have done a little work in front of the camera but it's been mainly for commercials where you just smile and wear a look that says "I LOVE this product. Now go out and buy it!!" It's pretty easy stuff, really.
The biggest thing I did was wind up on the side of about 3 millions boxes of fitness equipment that was sold at WalMart, Walgreens, Target, Amazon and so on. I was so excited! It came out just before Christmas in 03 or 04 (I don't remember which) and as my son pointed out, "Just think, Mom, your face is going to wind up in garbage cans all across the country!"
Whatever, I'll take it.

It was easy "work" and lots of fun and I wound up snagging a local agent right after that. Not because I look like a model, mind you,  but  because I look so freaking ordinary and average-- the girl next door who looks like a million other people-- which made her think I'd be good for commercial work in this area, as people would be able to relate to my down home ordinariness.

Unfortunately, I was teaching middle school at the time and could never make the casting calls (It is a huge no no to call in sick when you're a teacher unless you have a verifiable emergency or a death certificate or both b/c of the whole trying to find a sub thing etc etc). I did wind up as a Realtor in a photo ad here not too long ago-- just another commercial thing where all I had to do was wear a smile and an "I love real estate! Now come buy some!" look. Easy easy easy.
But Jeff's project is totally different from anything I've done so far, which as I mentioned, isn't a whole lot. His project called for real modeling--kinda glam and totally FUN. Well, at least for me. I did I think around 5 or 6 costume changes and he directed lots of poses and emotions, and none were the smile & "buy this" look I was used to because we aren't selling anything. This was brand new for me and more fun than anything I've done so far, as far as getting in front of a camera.

One of the reasons Jeff is so good at what he does is because he pays attention to detail. This had him stopping often and adjusting the lighting until he got it JUST RIGHT (I am so glad for that. One thing I know about getting your picture taken is lighting and angles are EVERYTHING)  So, while he was adjusting I'd step out onto the front balcony for my Neighbors, the no habla Englais yard workers, God and basically the whole world to see.  What's so weird about that? Welll.....I came out in evening wear with a diamond choker.
I didn't even think too much about it.... until I realized the lawn workers had started whooping and gibbering a mile a minute n Spanish. Then it dawned on me: they probably think I'm a HOOKER. Hee hee. Well, just so long as they don't come knocking on my door anytime soon, i'm Ok with that. It's good to tarnish the nicey nice All-American girl image every now and then.

The shoot started around 11 a.m. and I think it was around 9 p.m. or so before Jeff finally got to pack up his heavy equipment, lug it DOWN two flights of stairs, then head on over to his next shoot.

Waiting to see the pix was a little like waiting for Christmas kinda exciting b/c I've never done anything like this before.  I have to admit I usually cringe when I see photos of myself-- Stephanie Seymour, I'm definitiely not. So I was also kinda worried that I'd not like the way I looked in them and then what?
But a couple of days ago, I got to see some of the  photos he took and I realized that Jeff really is SUPER TALENTED. The lighting is awesome, which is so imp't,  and the angles are good-- he really knows how to direct a pose!

Ladies, I highly recommend this man to shoot you in a bikini! Sometimes males don't understand how to pose a woman in barely nothing but he is really good about not shooting from a lower elevation (that makes you look fatter).
He was also SUPER PATIENT even when I kept getting my left side and right side mixed up and would then have to pause and make an "L" with my left forefinger and thumb to keep myself straight. (I am not joking, ask him-- I am naturally blond brained).

We also did some really fun things. Like talked a Sheriff's Deputy who was driving in a 4WD truck down the beach to be in a couple shots. (Walton Cty is one of the few places in FL where you can drive on the beach [with a permit])
After dark at the beach we also met up with about 4 families vacaying together who were having a bonfire and we joined them for hot dogs and convo. It was awesome. BTW, So Wal is also one of the few places you can have a fire on the beach but the permit is $50. No wonder they were eating chicken hot dogs!!
Anyway, it was a great day.

I have worked in media or marketing all of my adult life and so, have worked closely with photogs a lot. I can tell you he is a FABULOUS and very tech savvy photogrpapher! I hope if you need photos of any kind you will keep Jeff in mind. I know I will!

Thank you Jeff!
http://www.myspace.com/nightwingphoto
www.jeffglasser.com
www.nightwingphoto.com