Entrepreneur Photo Shoot
Back in April we found out we were going to be in the September issue of Entrepreneur Magazine, which is exciting for us. We got interviewed right away and then nothing happened for a while, so last week we got the email that they were coming to do a photo shoot for the issue, which sounded harmless enough, and even a bit exotic. In fact, I’d never been the subject of a legitimate (or illegitimate, for that matter) photo shoot before, though Jera has it mastered. She knows the stuff to wear, how much makeup to apply to herself, what can and can’t be airbrushed out, etc. Apparently, she missed the class on “where to put your hands during a photo shoot”, as she was corrected a number of times, but she had the rest of it pretty well mapped out.
Karyl, the photographer, called and we set it up for yesterday. I could tell from my phone conversation that I liked Karyl. She is cool! So, we got to the riverfront where she and her friend and fellow photographer Lisle were already setting up shots. Karyl has been doing photography for Entrepreneur for a few years, and she said two things we want to avoid are bright sunlight and wind. I assume rain also, but she never mentioned that. So, when we arrived to a sunny, windy riverfront, we knew we’d ultimately have to move.
Karyl was also determined to photograph us in a “letter” of some sort, which was a neat idea in principle, but proved tough to bring to fruition (is that grammatically correct?).
We first tried St. Mary’s Cathedral, site of a couple of our favorite letters, and while the grounds crew was wondering just what the heck was going on, Karyl was snapping away. Lisle was keeping busy telling Jera to move her hands and moving her hair around. I was sweating through my white, long-sleeved shirt. Every once in a while, she’d say “close your eyes and open them on 3”, because I tend to squint more than most people when I smile.
The ladies suggested we get the girls involved in the shoot, which wasn’t originally planned. So, we went home, got them ready, and headed to Detweiller Park, another site where we originally took a couple of pictures that are now letters on the website.
After a couple hours of shooting, I realized being a photographer of people is a tough job. Way tougher than taking still images. First of all, they take a few hundred shots to find a handful of good ones where all the subject people look as good as they can possibly look. The more people you add to the mix, the harder that is. The younger they are, the harder it is to get them to pay attention. All of this is going on and they are trying to get a good shot without it seeming too “posed”.
Also, the first time you are asked to be candid, you feel about as plastic as you can feel. At one point, Jera and I are walking toward the camera slowly, holding hands. I look at her with my painted-on smile only to legitimately break out in laughter at her painted-on smile and crazy eyes, which caused her to laugh. Hopefully, Karyl got the real laughter. Also, at one point she said “talk to each other,” at which time you realize you have nothing to say when you are put on the spot, so you start saying things like “bumblebee tuna, watermelon, cheesy poofs,” just to make it look like you are saying something.
Every time I hear a supermodel say “modeling is such hard work”, I laugh. Relatively speaking, it is a cakewalk compared to a person that actually has to work hard, like a ditch-digger, or a stay-at-home mom. However, I would not want to do this kind of thing every day. First of all, it is unnatural (as I stated above). Also, I don’t really like to see pictures of myself anyway. Although I like the idea of having our picture in a top-notch magazine like Entrepreneur or being on a TV show to talk about our product and business, I absolutely hate actually watching the show, and I dread seeing the magazine. I’ve personally made an appearance on The Big Idea four times, and I’ve only watched the first time. I’d had about enough of myself at that point. I can watch Jera all day long, and I’ve told her she is welcome to do these shows any time. I’d prefer to stay back and run the company, like I did during her Martha Stewart appearance.
About the only things I hate more than seeing pictures of myself is hearing myself on tape and seeing myself in action on video/TV. I know I am visibly uncomfortable in these situations, and I think just because it is so shocking to see yourself as others see you. The first thing my wife asks when she sees herself on video tapes is “Am I THAT annoying in real life?” at which point I pat her tiny head and say “No, you are not that annoying in real life at all.”
Anyway, Karyl and Lisle were delightful ladies who really enjoy themselves. They certainly had fun with us yesterday. At the end of the shoot, we all went to a “dunch” (I only use quotes because, unlike brunch, “dunch” has yet to attain mass appeal in the American lexicon) at Hooters on the riverfront. I was slightly uncomfortable amidst the hosiery, butt-cheek-short orangies, and midriff t-shirts, but the ladies seemed right at home munching on wings and quesadillas amidst this gaggle of scantily clad serving gals.
Here is a picture just after dunch, of Karyl (L) and Lisle (R) with Karyl’s newest possession, her very own Sticks and Stones!
Karyl, the photographer, called and we set it up for yesterday. I could tell from my phone conversation that I liked Karyl. She is cool! So, we got to the riverfront where she and her friend and fellow photographer Lisle were already setting up shots. Karyl has been doing photography for Entrepreneur for a few years, and she said two things we want to avoid are bright sunlight and wind. I assume rain also, but she never mentioned that. So, when we arrived to a sunny, windy riverfront, we knew we’d ultimately have to move.
Karyl was also determined to photograph us in a “letter” of some sort, which was a neat idea in principle, but proved tough to bring to fruition (is that grammatically correct?).
We first tried St. Mary’s Cathedral, site of a couple of our favorite letters, and while the grounds crew was wondering just what the heck was going on, Karyl was snapping away. Lisle was keeping busy telling Jera to move her hands and moving her hair around. I was sweating through my white, long-sleeved shirt. Every once in a while, she’d say “close your eyes and open them on 3”, because I tend to squint more than most people when I smile.
The ladies suggested we get the girls involved in the shoot, which wasn’t originally planned. So, we went home, got them ready, and headed to Detweiller Park, another site where we originally took a couple of pictures that are now letters on the website.
After a couple hours of shooting, I realized being a photographer of people is a tough job. Way tougher than taking still images. First of all, they take a few hundred shots to find a handful of good ones where all the subject people look as good as they can possibly look. The more people you add to the mix, the harder that is. The younger they are, the harder it is to get them to pay attention. All of this is going on and they are trying to get a good shot without it seeming too “posed”.
Also, the first time you are asked to be candid, you feel about as plastic as you can feel. At one point, Jera and I are walking toward the camera slowly, holding hands. I look at her with my painted-on smile only to legitimately break out in laughter at her painted-on smile and crazy eyes, which caused her to laugh. Hopefully, Karyl got the real laughter. Also, at one point she said “talk to each other,” at which time you realize you have nothing to say when you are put on the spot, so you start saying things like “bumblebee tuna, watermelon, cheesy poofs,” just to make it look like you are saying something.
Every time I hear a supermodel say “modeling is such hard work”, I laugh. Relatively speaking, it is a cakewalk compared to a person that actually has to work hard, like a ditch-digger, or a stay-at-home mom. However, I would not want to do this kind of thing every day. First of all, it is unnatural (as I stated above). Also, I don’t really like to see pictures of myself anyway. Although I like the idea of having our picture in a top-notch magazine like Entrepreneur or being on a TV show to talk about our product and business, I absolutely hate actually watching the show, and I dread seeing the magazine. I’ve personally made an appearance on The Big Idea four times, and I’ve only watched the first time. I’d had about enough of myself at that point. I can watch Jera all day long, and I’ve told her she is welcome to do these shows any time. I’d prefer to stay back and run the company, like I did during her Martha Stewart appearance.
About the only things I hate more than seeing pictures of myself is hearing myself on tape and seeing myself in action on video/TV. I know I am visibly uncomfortable in these situations, and I think just because it is so shocking to see yourself as others see you. The first thing my wife asks when she sees herself on video tapes is “Am I THAT annoying in real life?” at which point I pat her tiny head and say “No, you are not that annoying in real life at all.”
Anyway, Karyl and Lisle were delightful ladies who really enjoy themselves. They certainly had fun with us yesterday. At the end of the shoot, we all went to a “dunch” (I only use quotes because, unlike brunch, “dunch” has yet to attain mass appeal in the American lexicon) at Hooters on the riverfront. I was slightly uncomfortable amidst the hosiery, butt-cheek-short orangies, and midriff t-shirts, but the ladies seemed right at home munching on wings and quesadillas amidst this gaggle of scantily clad serving gals.
Here is a picture just after dunch, of Karyl (L) and Lisle (R) with Karyl’s newest possession, her very own Sticks and Stones!
posted by Sticks and Stones @ 12:03 PM
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