Photoshoot of Candidate for City of Bordentown Commissioner-NJ Branding Photographer

I met John Brodowski a couple of times before and we hit it off. He’s born and raised in this town, we’ve both lived in other areas, and have come back.

Like many people, this past presidential election has made them feeling very doubtful. But this has turned out to be a good thing, causing many to not just do something about it, but actually go into politics to make changes for the better. John is one of the candidates of fresh faces in our town, who is up for being elected for City Commissioner.

I got a call from him one evening asking to do a photoshoot so that he could complete his site within the next day or two. So the very next day in the afternoon, after an on location session with a client, I returned back to Bordentown for his.

A lot of images for politicians tend to be very stiff or formal. I wanted to get John away from that, to see people as they would in person.

The weather looked a little threatening, and it was windy. John was waiting in front of Old City Hall, and yes it has a clock tower.(Back to the Future reference). After a few shots in, he got more comfortable. Then a car stopped and two of his friends from grade school came out to say hello. Gave us the idea to do some shots in front of the Thomas Paine statue. But before that, I wanted to get John on the sidewalk in front of some businesses. His friends came back to offer some help, and they were a HUGE help at the statute and later down by Black’s Creek. One of them held a large diffuser to block out the direct sun on John’s face(because of course that’s when the sun decided to come out). The wind kept picking it up like kite, but he did a great job and I was able to get the shots that we wanted.

Using only natural light with my Canon Mark 5D III, and two lenses, my Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 L non-IS and Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L and the diffuser(when the sun popped out later). Having it overcast like that makes for even light, yet even more important, getting the correct exposures in the camera. So that when it came time for editing, it came together quickly.

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LOL!
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Thanks John for coming to me for these important images. Good luck with the election!

Hey everyone, I need to put this on my blog posts. I’ve been burned horribly, but understand it’s a legal thing I have to do to protect myself. Thanks for your support, here it is: All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Deirdre Ryan Photography. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Deirdre Ryan Photography. Copyright ©2017 Deirdre Ryan All Rights Reserved.

Tango Dreaming at Princeton University-NJ Music Photographer

I had the opportunity to photograph my friend Wendy Zoffer and Federico Puebla before they performed at one of the Princeton University Eating Clubs. The day before I get a phone call from Wendy. Someone was supposed to take their pictures but wasn’t able to make it. So I said sure, I had an opening and would be happy to. This person was also supposed to record them on video as well. So I did that too, but I had to use my cell phone, only because I’m not a video person. Cell phone is the best that I know. If you want really great video and editing, you hire someone like my husband. I tried to make it interesting, and not just stand in one spot.

Songs they performed: “La cumparsita”, “Palomita Blanca” and “Nocturna”

As you can see, Wendy is an amazing flutist, and Federico is an amazing pianist! Truly it was a real treat for me as I used to play classical piano, and I love to sing and dance. I highly recommend Tango Dream, to contact them for events and private parties, please go to the website Princeton Music Connection or call 609-936-9811.

Colonial Eating Club,Feobrico Pueblz,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Princeton,Princeton Music Connection,Princeton University,Wendy Zoffter,commercial photography,flutist,marketing and promo images,musicians,on location portraits,pianist,tango, Colonial Eating Club,Feobrico Pueblz,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Princeton,Princeton Music Connection,Princeton University,Wendy Zoffter,commercial photography,flutist,marketing and promo images,musicians,on location portraits,pianist,tango, Colonial Eating Club,Feobrico Pueblz,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Princeton,Princeton Music Connection,Princeton University,Wendy Zoffter,commercial photography,flutist,marketing and promo images,musicians,on location portraits,pianist,tango,

Mother, Painter, Tattoo Artist Environmental Portraits

My friend and neighbor Julianna is an amazing woman, mother, artist and now a tattoo apprentice at Ceremony Tattoo Society in Philadelphia, PA. She already has a name for herself in the art world for her amazing paintings and drawings. She was also a featured artist with Grumbacher, a famous maker of art supplies such as paint brushes, oil and acrylic paints and more. And now she is about to take on the tattooing world as well.

Follow her on Instagram to see her sketches and finished tattoo work. Her flash sketches are simply amazing, and she’s taking on clients to practice her work on.

Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,
Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,
Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice, Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice, Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice, Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,As Julianna was preparing her needles, ink and machine, we caught up on what’s been going on. Our children go to the same school, I’m friends with one of her daughters and her husband Joe, also a well known artist.
Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,iPhoneSE,Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,img_5695These two were taken with the iPhone SE as she works on a client 😉 iPhoneSE,Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,img_5711

Photo By Julianna Menna Ceremony Tattoo Society, Philadelphia, PA, www.juliannamenna.com, black and white bird tattoo

Photo by Julianna Menna

The above image is the freshly completed black and white tattoo with a hint of white ink in places. I believe that this was her fourth tattoo that she’s ever done(?). This is why I know that she is going to become very well known very soon, and she is in the right place for it.

Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,After Julianna completed the gorgeous tattoo, she proceeded to clean up the work area. Everyone in the shop left for the day, so it was just us, chatting while I was taking pictures.
Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice, Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,And then she let her beautiful red hair down….However this wasn’t working for me.
Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,I wanted to see more of her neck tattoo that she had done by Raph Cemo, so I had her put her hair back up again.
Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,She moves like a dancer….
Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,
Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,We moved to the work station, and I preferred this better.
Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice, Ceremony Tattoo Society,Environmental Portrait,PA Julianna Menna,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Woman Artist,philadelphia,tattoo apprentice,

I shot these using my Canon 6D , the Canon 24-70 f2.8mm L lens, Canon Speedlight 600 EX RT Flash, and the Canon Wireless Speedlight Transmitter ST-ES-RT . Normally I would have my Photek Softlighter with me, but I didn’t. So I bounced the flash that had a Stofen Diffuser on it. I have more ideas for her and her co-workers if they’ll let me, in the this amazing space.

A HUGE thank you to my good friend! You are going to go so far in this natural transition of your art and medium as you continue to grow in your creativity.  I can’t wait to get together soon.

All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Deirdre Ryan Photography. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Deirdre Ryan Photography. Copyright ©2017 Deirdre Ryan All Rights Reserved.

My Personal Favorite Images of 2016

As we begin 2017, I want to acknowledge all of my clients who helped make 2016 a success.  First, thank you for your business and for the opportunity to help in creating and presenting your business brand. Here’s to your continued success. For my future clients I look forward to working with you and doing the same.

Happy 2017!

These are in no particular order, just my favorites from 2016.
jkorl_by deirdre-ryan-photography

This was for a husband and wife team, they needed images for their website and branding for their new business. One is a personal trainer and the other is a therapist and life coach. Working with them beforehand, they knew what they wanted, and it ended up being an amazing environmental photoshoot! jkorl_by deirdre-ryan-photography

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Christine who is a sleep consultant, photographed in her home office and in her yard. In her home office, her true personality shone with her witty sense of humor. Click here to see the full session.

Happy Woman by Deirdre Ryan Photography

My dear friend, Roseanne, let me photograph her one day, trying out some new techniques that I wanted to try. They show off the two sides of her, both are strong women, but in different ways. Strong Woman in Black and White by Deirdre Ryan Photography

Real Estate Salesman Headshot by Deirdre Ryan Photography

A real estate salesman needed his headshot like “yesterday”. This is his second career after many years doing something else. I didn’t have time to get set up in my studio, so I did this in my living room/foyer. He loved it, and so did I, it shows his true awesome personality.

GOTR by deirdre-ryan-photography08

Our daughter ran her first 5K with Girls on the Run(GOTR), when she was in the 4th grade. They work with the girls each week to empower, embrace, and create a positive place for the girls to achieve something that they may have never done before. Here you see my husband spraying her hair purple, and then later they had facial paint and accessories to have fun with before the race. She finished, even beat her practice run time, we were so proud of her! Dr. Sarah Meanor by Deirdre Ryan Photography

My friend Dr. Sarah Meanor is a Chiropractor and hired me to photographer her and the office for her website. I love this image as she is working on a patient’s back and shoulders.

Protesters With Child At Hillary Clinton Rally Philly, PA-Deirdre Ryan Photography

The day before the 2016 Presidential Election, I was fortunate to drive down to Philadelphia, PA with some friends to see and hear President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Madame Secretary Hillary Clinton speak in front of Independance Hall with roughly over 30K people. We couldn’t get very close, but I did capture this image of a child singing how we were all going to Hell as sinners, etc., with an extreme “Christian” group. You see plain clothed PPD officers guarding them. I can only assume the man with her is her father. And I say it like that because as a liberal Catholic, I don’t believe God would like this at all.

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We spent a week in Ocean City, NJ over the summer, got horrible news about a dear friend passing unexpectedly the day we were traveling down. The next day we had a wonderful photoshoot with my friend. The image above is this young lady’s first time ever flying a kite.

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Every morning in Ocean City, NJ I woke up early, got my coffee at OC Coffee Roasters on the boardwalk and read my book on the beach. This one morning, the sun and the clouds made it look “almost” like the afternoon golden hour sunset.

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The above image was for at first a dating profile, but then became a lovely collaboration for yoga and a gorgeous glam shot outside!

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Another collaboration for marketing and branding. I love this because she is sitting in a bronze statue on Princeton University campus, the colours, her expression, she is such a free spirit! Click here to see the full session.

Canoeing on Crosswicks Creek-Photo by Deirdre Ryan Photography

We went canoeing on the Delaware River and Crosswicks Creek with our daughter’s 2nd grade teacher. I love how the light hits them both, so peaceful as we were rowing back. Male Natural Light Headshot-img_8632deirdre-ryan-photography4

I shot these headshots during a workshop and I just love how they turned out. All natural lighting, indoors, and working with these gentleman turned into great images, and I can work anywhere. Male Natural Light Headshot-deirdre-ryan-photography6

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New Jersey Governor Chris Christie came to my hometown and did his town hall meeting. He was there to discuss his Fairness Formula to NJEA teachers, staff, residents of Bordentown, and those from other towns. I love this because it shows how he sometimes talks to people, there was another person who asked hard questions that he didn’t seem to like either. But when he talks, he asks for no interruptions.

Delaware Canal,Olympus OM-D E-M5 MARK II,PA,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,autumn,fall,foliage,mirrorless camera,path,trees,The day after the Presidential Election, I was really feeling down and depressed. I’m still not okay, but that day I went for a walk shot some images…. The woman just happened to be jogging right past me and I found it perfect. Reminding me that we need to move, and make a difference in our own ways to get things done.
Bordentown Township,Great Dane,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Editoral and Commercial Photography,autumn,dog portrait,fall,golden hour,puppy,sunset,I was bored one day, and needed to get out of the house. I did a model call on Facebook, and my clients gave me a call to photograph their new puppy. I had done their portraits before with all three of their Great Danes when they had their oldest, but unfortunately he passed away. They knew that his day was coming, but that doesn’t make it any easier…I used two kinds of lighting with each image. The first, I adore the look George was giving his owner in the golden sunset light. In the second, I used 2 lights and in post I Photoshopped the leash out of the image, it gives him a regal look.
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Bordentown,Ghostbuster's ECTO - 1 Car,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Randy Now's Man Cave,summertime,My dear friend Randy brought one of the Ghostbuster’s ECTO – 1 that was used in the new movie that came out over the summer.
cinematic headshot,outdoor headshot,on location headshot,business portrait,Tucker Distinctive Kitchens,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography,I love the look of the these headshots that I did in the park for my fellow networking business colleagues.  They are bright, pleasing and make my clients look amazing. Click here to see the full post!
IMG_4695.jpgOur daughter is a Junior Girl Scout and every year, she and many other troops as well as Boy Scouts from all over, come together to place flags on the graves of veterans at the Brigadier General  William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ. The image below is with my father, her grandfather, a Ret. Lt. Col. Army.
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Deirdre Ryan Commercia and Editorial Photography,MLK,Martin Luther King Celebration,NJ,NJPAC,New jersey Perfoming Arts Center,Newark,www.deirdreryanphotography.com,

My clients, NJPAC, invited me to photograph their Martin Luther King event. I had been there before for their Kwanzaa event, and each time I’m there, I have such a good time! The energy of the choir director for the children’s choir is amazing.Killer Triple Bill Concert-randynowmanthedoughboys2016deirdre-ryan-photography158Randy Now brings a lot of great acts and musicians to our area. This was the Killer Triple Bill Concert at the Performing Arts Center in Bordentown, NJ. Here you see The Doughboys, Jet Weston and His Atomic Ranch Hands and The Sharkskins. I get my rock photo influences from the 60’s and 70’s and I like to work this into my work.
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1950's,Bordentown City,Deirdre Ryan Editoral and Commercial Photography,NJ,Phoenix Rising Clothing Store,pin up. teaser,props,retro,studio lighting,www.deirdreryanphotography.com,

These in yellow I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph these beautiful women in pin up genre, it was full of playing dress up with the clothes, makeup and hair. This was in a local store in my town and I hope to do this again as it was a lot of fun and the women all enjoyed themselves.  1950's,Bordentown City,Deirdre Ryan Editoral and Commercial Photography,NJ,Phoenix Rising Clothing Store,pin up. teaser,props,retro,studio lighting,www.deirdreryanphotography.com, 1950's,Bordentown City,Deirdre Ryan Editoral and Commercial Photography,NJ,Phoenix Rising Clothing Store,pin up. teaser,props,retro,studio lighting,www.deirdreryanphotography.com, 1950's,Bordentown City,Deirdre Ryan Editoral and Commercial Photography,NJ,Phoenix Rising Clothing Store,pin up. teaser,props,retro,studio lighting,www.deirdreryanphotography.com, 1950's,Bordentown City,Deirdre Ryan Editoral and Commercial Photography,NJ,Phoenix Rising Clothing Store,pin up. teaser,props,retro,studio lighting,www.deirdreryanphotography.com,

My daughter photographed by me, Deirdre Ryan Photography in Asbury Park, NJ.

We went to Asbury Park, NJ with friends and I was able to get this shot of our daughter <3  She is my world!

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Ask anyone who knows me, I love cars! And lucky for me, we have an annual car show right here in Bordentown, NJ and I get to volunteer for it!

Lisa Traugott-She's Losing It-Egg Whites International By Deirdre Ryan Editorial & Commercial Photography - NJ, PA, NY

This is my dear and one of my best friends, Lisa. We have known each other since HS, she was a Freshman, I was a Sophomore and now lives in Austin, TX. She was in town for barely 2 days, but made time to see friends. We took a few moments for a fun shoot, this was right before a bikini body competition, and I had to spray her with a lot of bug spray LOL!

St. Patrick's Day 5K Race Bordentown, NJ Deirdre Ryan Portrait & Editorial Photography - NJ, PA, NY

The Bordentown Board Of Education asked me to photograph their Annual St. Patrick’s 5K Run. I love this because it shows my friend helping his daughter with her shoelaces right before the race is about to begin.

Stephanie Breedlove giving a lecture in 2016 for NAWBO-NYC Chapter by Deirdre Ryan Headshot & Portrait Photography - NJ, PA, NY

I was invited to photograph the NAWBO-NYC Chapter’s 3 Hour Boot-Camp-Full Morning To Grow Your Business at the Microsoft Building in NYC and they had a fabulous guest speaker, Stephanie Breedlove. She had just sold her company care.com and hearing her speak as a woman entrepenuer was inspiring. Grand Opening of Princeton's Pinot's Palette Photo by Deirdre Ryan Photography

This last image was for my first clients of last year, Pinot’s Palette of Princeton. They had their Grand Opening, and I was invited to photograph the event.

Husband and Wife Grassroots Business For Wellness

Jen and Joe came to me needed photos to go with their new business that would not only go well with their marketing, but show everyone what they’re about.

The business is called JKOR INTEGRATIVE FITNESS & WELLNESS and are located in Bordentown City, NJ. What they are and I quote from their website,” a grassroots husband and wife team seeking to make a difference in people’s lives through our commitment to integrative fitness and wellness.” They are a husband and wife local business that compliment each other. Jen is a licensed therapist MS, LPC, BCC (Eligible) has been in the field of Behavioral Health for 19 years. What she does is focus on the well being of the mind. Joe is a licensed NASM CPT, TRX Qualified Personal Trainer  (STC, FTC ,GTC, RTC), and he focuses on the physical side of things in terms of your body.

They have a tremendous space for everything that you could think of. A calm, relaxing area where Jen meets her clients to get them mentally fit. And for Joe, he has an awesome space for working out with his clients using all sorts of what I call workout “toys” to help them get in the best physically shape of their life.

I think that they have found the perfect niche market for a huge need, a place where you can find everything in one place for this type of training and coaching.

Bordentown,JKORLLC,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Wellness,business portraits,commercial photography,environmental portraits,fitness,headshots,health,lifecoaching,on location portraits,personal training,small business, Bordentown,JKORLLC,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Wellness,business portraits,commercial photography,environmental portraits,fitness,headshots,health,lifecoaching,on location portraits,personal training,small business, Bordentown,JKORLLC,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Wellness,business portraits,commercial photography,environmental portraits,fitness,headshots,health,lifecoaching,on location portraits,personal training,small business, Bordentown,JKORLLC,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Wellness,business portraits,commercial photography,environmental portraits,fitness,headshots,health,lifecoaching,on location portraits,personal training,small business, Bordentown,JKORLLC,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Wellness,business portraits,commercial photography,environmental portraits,fitness,headshots,health,lifecoaching,on location portraits,personal training,small business, Bordentown,JKORLLC,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Wellness,business portraits,commercial photography,environmental portraits,fitness,headshots,health,lifecoaching,on location portraits,personal training,small business, Bordentown,JKORLLC,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Wellness,business portraits,commercial photography,environmental portraits,fitness,headshots,health,lifecoaching,on location portraits,personal training,small business, Bordentown,JKORLLC,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Wellness,business portraits,commercial photography,environmental portraits,fitness,headshots,health,lifecoaching,on location portraits,personal training,small business, Bordentown,JKORLLC,NJ,Photo By Deirdre Ryan Photography www.deirdreryanphotography.com,Wellness,business portraits,commercial photography,environmental portraits,fitness,headshots,health,lifecoaching,on location portraits,personal training,small business,

Below are some behind the scenes look that my husband/assistant/business partner took for me.  I decided to use wireless flash for this shoot. Combining them with a Photek, a Westcott reflector and a homemade beauty dish(made out of an Ikea metal light fixture and a mixing bowl) for some additional “punch”. Normally that dish is on my Dynalite 4040 flash head(now replaced by the SH2000). However I was already using the one with the umbrella and love the freedom of no wires for once.

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Thank you both so very much for letting me photograph you. You guys were a lot of fun and I can’t wait to see you again!

Do You Want To Be A Model? Read This!

About once or twice a month I get a phone call from a young lady needing new photos for their modeling portfolio. After asking a few questions it always comes back to what happened:

They fell for John Casablancas. If you have heard this name, they have been around since about 1987 and yes, they are still in business. This is a modeling school that you are asked to pay thousands of dollars for classes on makeup, hair, modeling, clothes, and other aspects of this industry. And you also have to use their photographer, and each time I hear how terrible the pictures came out.  Either they don’t like how they look, or the photographer was mean, the lighting was bad, and “the camera looked professional, but the photos don’t look like they are”.

A little history first, John Casablanca founded Elite Modeling Agency back in 1971, however by going to this school, doesn’t get you into Elite.

Sometimes they set up in the malls, on college campuses, or do cold calls for interviews. They show you photos, videos, testimonials and how successful some of their past students have been. Then they ask you to sign up with a credit card for classes. And if you don’t do it at the very moment, you’ll lose your chances of getting into the industry.

However, before you do anything, do your research, here these are just a few articles:

Consumer Affairs

Pissed Consumer

Yelp

Work From Home Watchdog- John Casablancas, Scam Or Misinterpretation?

Time and time again I hear how these women paid for the classes, and then they were send to auditions or agencies. Only to be told that their portfolios were not what they were told it should be or that the auditions were never a sure thing. Too much makeup, the photographs were over done, or terrible, the list goes on and on.

I always tell these ladies this:

1. A real agency never asks you for money. Instead they invest in you because YOU will make money for them. If and when you get represented, come back to me with what your agency wants for your portfolio.

2. Acting and modeling is hard work. If an agency tells you about their success by testimonials, pictures and doing a hard sell, walk away…fast!

3. If anyone wants an answer right away, once again…walk away….FAST! Don’t sign anything!

If you think that I’m turning clients away, then perhaps you’re right. But I don’t see it that way at all either. Instead, I’m trying to help them out because, they have already been “taken in”. I don’t want to photograph their modeling portfolio for agencies unless they are signed and I know what they are looking for. They want to see how you look clean, natural, as you are, think of yourself as a canvas, ready to be painted on. Because that’s what will be happening if you’re signed on 🙂

Here is another thing these modeling schools may not tell you. Height requirements for certain types of work.

High Fashion: This is for the runways and fashion houses. Height starts at 5”8 to 5”11 with a dress size of 4-6, bust starting around 34. For guys, 5”11 to 6”2, in really good shape, chest size 37” to 42”.

Editorial Print: These are the magazines, think of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, etc. The size requirements are the same.

Commercial Print: A big market that can fit almost anyone, but the height starts around 5″8 usually, but I believe depending on what the client is looking for they will take on any range in height.

Cataloge: Same as above.

Plus Size: Height requirements start at 5”8 and between the sizes of 12-16.

Glamour/Lingerie: Some women who are very curvy and don’t fit the high fashion/editorial requirements. Think Victoria’s Secrets and swimwear.

Body Parts: To use your hair, eyes, lips, hands, legs and feet for print, tv, or film. This is to help advertise products like lipstick, shampoo, or shoes as examples.

TV Commercials: This area is dependant on what the producers and directors are looking for, so it’s wide open.

Real Life People Models for TV/Film Extras: This area is dependant on what the producers and directors are looking for, so it’s wide open.

Petite Models: There are some agencies that do take on women that are under 5″5(that’s what petite starts at).

Latitude Talent

MSA Models Petite Section (put the curser over each image to see the model’s measurements)

Deirdre Ryan Editorial & Commercial Photography - NJ, PA, NY

African American Woman4DeirdreRyanPhotography

Now, if you need a headshot for acting, this includes children, teens, and adults. That I can do, because you need those for when you go out on auditions along with a resume, and for your online site.

Please don’t fall for this same old song and dance, and this goes out to the parents of children as well.  If anyone is interested in modeling for me, contact me here, in between my clients I’m always looking for ways to further test my creativity.

I hope that these tips help you or someone you know. And don’t let any of this discourage you from your dreams! If you truly want something, work hard, make yourself unique, special and THE person that agencies and reps MUST have!

Photographing An Image For A Book

Sometimes my clients are friends or my clients most often become dear friends and this is the case here. Dolores and I met while networking during a W.I.N.(Women Interested in Networking) meetings. These were monthly meetings held at Villa Mannino’s in Bordentown, NJ on Route 130. A huge group of women would gather to meet, network, and eat lunch. It was started by Teri Petry and it was my first real introduction to getting up and explaining who I was, and what I was about in front of sometimes 80-100 people. I was very nervous, and scared. No judgement, we helped each other out, I had to have a 20 second elevator pitch and Teri had a question that was fun like, what is your favorite dessert or if you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go and you had to answer it with one thing or place.

This is where Dolores and I met and we hit it off from there, she was one of my first headshot, business clients and we fast became friends 😀

As time moved on, she met Francine Parham, introduced me, and we hit it off as well. I photographed them both and for their projects and events. They have both written and completed their book titled: The Ultimate Career Pocket Guide.

The UltimateCareerPocketGuidePhotoByDeirdreRyanPhotography

What this book is about is to help those who need to get through networking, your goals, and not just for the workplace. I see this for many in their personal and career goals, their own businesses, their current job and within the job market. I highly recommend this book!

Francine is from the corporate world and has vast experience and knowledge and Dolores is a consultant and development coach. The two have put their heads together and come up with this amazing book to help many people.

I photographed the image for their book at Jester’s Cafe, right here in Bordentown, NJ. Natural light, no assistants, no bounces or fill. I’m literally just standing in one of their large windows, using my Canon Mark 5D III and the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 lens and the Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L lens. I know the owners, the food is great and it was the perfect time of the day to do this.

BTSeditorialbookcoverphotoshootDeirdreRyanPhotography

BTSeditorialbookcoverphotoshootDeirdreRyanPhotography

I call these, “The World’s Worst Spy.”Dolores DeGiacomo Founder/President of Power Up!™ Consulting; Speaker, Co-author Ultimate Career Pocket Guide and FrancineParham-Professional Speaker I Creator of Career Pocket Guides™I Co-Author, The Ultimate Career Pocket Guide PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotography Dolores DeGiacomo Founder/President of Power Up!™ Consulting; Speaker, Co-author Ultimate Career Pocket Guide and FrancineParham-Professional Speaker I Creator of Career Pocket Guides™I Co-Author, The Ultimate Career Pocket Guide PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyDolores DeGiacomo Founder/President of Power Up!™ Consulting; Speaker, Co-author Ultimate Career Pocket Guide and FrancineParham-Professional Speaker I Creator of Career Pocket Guides™I Co-Author, The Ultimate Career Pocket Guide PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyDolores DeGiacomo Founder/President of Power Up!™ Consulting; Speaker, Co-author Ultimate Career Pocket Guide and FrancineParham-Professional Speaker I Creator of Career Pocket Guides™I Co-Author, The Ultimate Career Pocket Guide PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyDolores DeGiacomo Founder/President of Power Up!™ Consulting; Speaker, Co-author Ultimate Career Pocket Guide and FrancineParham-Professional Speaker I Creator of Career Pocket Guides™I Co-Author, The Ultimate Career Pocket Guide PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotographyDolores DeGiacomo Founder/President of Power Up!™ Consulting; Speaker, Co-author Ultimate Career Pocket Guide and FrancineParham-Professional Speaker I Creator of Career Pocket Guides™I Co-Author, The Ultimate Career Pocket Guide PhotobyDeirdreRyanPhotography

Afterwards, we ordered lunch, did some formal headshots at my house.

francineparham5-1 dolores0005

 

We laughed and had a great time, but most importantly, I understood and wanted to make sure that the focus was about what they wanted with a twist. I helped to come up with a location and suggested some ideas, and went from there. I have ideas to go further with them with hair, makeup, and more.

What I did for Dolores and Francine is help them with their branding, how they wanted to be seen on the cover for their target clients. Professional woman, talking over lunch, being casual, but serious about what it is that they’re doing. This is how they talk to other professionals. It could be anything that they are chatting about. As you can see on their websites, the images of themselves, I have photographed, is what they have envisioned and I have more ideas for them.

Here are questions to ask for yourself:

Where are you headed? Who needs to see you? What is it that you are doing? What’s next on the horizon for your business or company? Do you have a team of experts to help you visually? Can they insure that your images and presence are of the caliber that agencies and publications can expect of you? Can your images be printed for high end marketing and packaging?

If you’re ready for this step for your business, company or corporation, contact me. This is what I do, listen, make suggestions, help present my clients to their clients in the best light possible. Make sure that you and your brand look cohesive and flawless.

Click on the red Chat Now Button that pops up and let’s get started!

Click here to see an event I photographed at Jimmy Choos in SoHo, NYC with Francine and Dolores.

 

My Not So Tiny Tuesday Little Girl #TT

This past weekend we met up with friends of my husband’s from his high school, Cedar Ridge High that was in Old Bridge, NJ. They were all in the band, and he was a trumpet player, and I guess you could say he still is. He played the cornet, which is like a squashed up trumpet, and he has a concert French trumpet that he found at a huge flea market at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

Anyhoo, so we went on Sunday to have lunch at Pop’s Garage, which is right on the boardwalk. On a Sunday. Summertime. In July. Down Da Jersey Shore. In Asbury Park. Around 1PM= NO PARKING. We managed to find parking, but I got out with The Kid, put our names down for a table and sat at the bar inside so that we could eat something, because she was hungry and frankly, so was I. I had 2 steak tacos and she had a Quesadilla. We waited for the others, and they all eventually got a place to park, except for one other person because:

It’s a Sunday. Summertime. In July. Down Da Jersey Shore. In Asbury Park. Around 1PM= NO PARKING. Oh and she had TWO small kids in the car who were hungry and she found NO PARKING.I was sorry that she couldn’t join us, but as a parent, I didn’t blame her one bit!

All in all, we had a great time! There was one other child, he was 8, while our kid is 9. The food was really good, and then afterwards, we went to The Silverball Museum which was right next door. I’ve been wanting to go here for ages and it did not disappoint.

Playing an antique pinball game at the Silverball Museum on the Asbury Park Park, NJ boardwalk.

Playing an antique pinball game at the Silverball Museum with dad on the Asbury Park Park, NJ boardwalk.

We then went for some ice cream, walked around and of course I had my camera and flash. So I snagged a few shots of our beautiful child <3

My daughter photographed by me, Deirdre Ryan Photography in Asbury Park, NJ. My daughter photographed by me, Deirdre Ryan Photography in Asbury Park, NJ. My daughter photographed by me, Deirdre Ryan Photography in Asbury Park, NJ.

As a parent we do anything within reason for our children, and this is my reason for succeeding in my business. It’s why I rely on local and large businesses to come back to me no matter how small the job is.

Photoshoot Fun With American Grit’s Rocky For Moms

This is one of my best friends, Lisa, my blond “sister”. I’ve known her since she was a freshman and I was a sophomore at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, NJ.  Our friendship continued throughout college and into adulthood.  We’ve giggled, laughed and cried together.  When my husband and I lived in Los Angeles, she decided to follow her dream of becoming an actress from NYC to L.A., and for a time lived with us(it was so much fun!), until she got a place of her own and it was right around the corner from our apartment.  In Los Angeles is where she met her future husband, Henri.  She was one of my bridesmaids, I was one of hers. She helped to plan my baby shower, she helped to plan mine.

Now she’s been living in Texas with her husband, Henri, their daughter and son. I’m back in NJ with our daughter and my husband, working  as a commercial photographer, he as an editor for tv in NYC.

With a lot of ups and downs in her life, the worst being that Lisa has lost both of her parents to cancer. First her dad while living in Los Angeles. She would go back to NJ whenever she could and then when it was near his time, and to bury him. And then her mom. Click here to get the start/catch up of what happened in the Summer of 2014. And then a year ago, May 4th, 2015 she passed away.

Lisa has since fought her way back for her herself and her family in between and after. Wrote a book, her blog and website, getting sponsors, she’s just amazing! And recently been on the Fox tv show American Grit with John Cena.

BTW John, if you’re reading this, you might remember being on an internet radio show network called ComedyWorld and you were interviewed by Big Schwag and the guys on Wrestling 101. My husband was in the booth, and our friend called in and you took off your shirt. He has the full version, but here’s a link  to an old compilation with the clip in it. 

To read up more on how she went from being borderline obese to being a bikini bodybuilder check out her site:

She’s Losing It(main site) ( her journey-start from the very beginning to the first post on the bottom)

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube Channel

Buy her book! 

Just last week, she came back home to NJ for one day to visit with Jenny, Megan and I. She stayed with her brother so that she could go to NYC to be interviewed by www.bikini.com and then fly back in time to compete in the Texas Shredder.

We all got to chat, have some girl time and I took some awesome photos of her wearing one of her sponsors t-shirts, Egg Whites International. I have been wanting to take photos of her for a long time, it’s something we always did. We have a lot of fun, she’s one of my favorite people to photograph, and I love her so much. I wanted her to have great images instead of cell phone pictures with sponsor swag.

With all that  she’s done and all that she’s doing now, I created a hashtag for her to remember even though, yes, she’s making these positive changes to her body, mind and spirit for her family, however deep down she’s truly doing all of this for her herself…#doitforlisa Follow her and use this hashtag to give her love and strength <3 #doitforlisa I love you and I’m proud of what you’re doing!

All images copyright Deirdre Ryan Photography.

Lisa Traugott of ShesLosingIt.com and American Grit, models the t-shirt from her sponsor Egg Whites International. Lisa Traugott of ShesLosingIt.com and American Grit, models the t-shirt from her sponsor Egg Whites International. Lisa Traugott of ShesLosingIt.com and American Grit, models the t-shirt from her sponsor Egg Whites International. Lisa Traugott of ShesLosingIt.com and American Grit, models the t-shirt from her sponsor Egg Whites International. Lisa Traugott of ShesLosingIt.com and American Grit, models the t-shirt from her sponsor Egg Whites International. Lisa Traugott of ShesLosingIt.com and American Grit, models the t-shirt from her sponsor Egg Whites International. Lisa Traugott of ShesLosingIt.com and American Grit, models the t-shirt from her sponsor Egg Whites International. Lisa Traugott of ShesLosingIt.com and American Grit, models the t-shirt from her sponsor Egg Whites International. Lisa Traugott of ShesLosingIt.com and American Grit, models the t-shirt from her sponsor Egg Whites International.Lisa Traugott of ShesLosingIt.com and American Grit, models the t-shirt from her sponsor Egg Whites International.Lisa Traugott of ShesLosingIt.com and American Grit, models the t-shirt from her sponsor Egg Whites International.Lisa Traugott of ShesLosingIt.com and American Grit, models the t-shirt from her sponsor Egg Whites International.

Equipment used:

Canon 6D

Canon 70-200 f2.8 L non IS lens

Canon 600EX‑RT Flash

Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT

Westcott 32″ Rapid Box on a light stand.

 

Studio Portraits of a Beautiful Family

People do ask if I can photograph their family and I can of course! Normally, I prefer to shoot in natural light outside, but with the bad weather we had here in NJ, an indoor session was what this family wanted.

Such a beautiful family! The boys were great! The youngest was acting his age of course. You need to be patient and try all the tricks in the book and work quickly, never stop shooting, or look away. Eons ago, while in art college, I worked for Expressly Portraits in the mall. There I learned how to photograph all kinds of people and work with them. I quickly learned how to be patient, and hone in on customer service skills. Unlike those days, I don’t need to rush my clients, I take my time, relax everyone, and work with everyone.

I got the shots my clients wanted, plus some great ones of the parents. Thank you for choosing me to be your photographer!

family portrait session, NJ, Photo By Deirdre Ryan Editoral and Commercial Photography, studio portraits, www.deirdreryanphotography.comMom wanted a photo of her and her “baby boy”.
family portrait session, NJ, Photo By Deirdre Ryan Editoral and Commercial Photography, studio portraits, www.deirdreryanphotography.comHis little brother didn’t want to get too close while standing up, so after this, I had them sit down.
family portrait session, NJ, Photo By Deirdre Ryan Editoral and Commercial Photography, studio portraits, www.deirdreryanphotography.comTheir mom and dad suggested they do something they like to do in the car, and it worked!
family portrait session, NJ, Photo By Deirdre Ryan Editoral and Commercial Photography, studio portraits, www.deirdreryanphotography.com family portrait session, NJ, Photo By Deirdre Ryan Editoral and Commercial Photography, studio portraits, www.deirdreryanphotography.com