Susan Solo – Photographer | Traveler | Adventurer

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  • I Wanna Be a Rockstar (And a Geocacher)

    I know I just got back from Flourish, but I’ve registered for the Rockstar Roadtrip photography workshop for their March 31st DC stop. I see it as a great opportunity to gain some different perspectives on the business and also to network with other photographers in my area. I’m really looking forward to it! It’s only one day and no travel is involved, so I figured I couldn’t pass it up.

    And completely unrelated: Chris and I are going to go geocaching for the first time ever this weekend! From Wikipedia: “Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called geocaches or caches) anywhere in the world.” Check it out if you are a treasure-hunter at heart or if you need an excuse to go outside and get some fresh air. It sounds like it’s a great family-friendly activity! We’re just going to start in Ashburn, and will eventually branch out once we get the hang of it.

    Lastly, here’s Project 10/List 1 – Image 2:

    It’s my ribbon organizer. Is it so nerdy that I’ve organized my ribbon?

  • Project 10

    A few of my photog friends are doing something called Project 365 where they take a photo a day for an entire year. I think most of them started on January 1 of this year. I totally wanted to participate, but I missed the start date. Starting a business on top of my day job has been keeping me pretty busy since the first of the year (excuses excuses!), but I want to do something similar. So I’m going to participate in my own mini exercise: each month I’m going to pick a new list of 10 things to photograph, and I’ll (uncreatively) call it Project 10.

    This month’s list is “10 Objects Found at Home.” And that’s strictly objects found in my own home already, and in their natural location. So here’s Project 10/List 1 – Image 1:

    I guess that’s not really one object, but it’s my collection of photography books and they’re on one shelf, so I think that counts. I sort of thought 10 Objects Found at Home would be an easy topic to start with, but I just realized that I shoot around the house so much that I’m pretty worn out on subjects in my own house. I’ll have to really look hard to find some interesting things to photograph!

    Feel free to play along – I have a few ideas for upcoming lists, but also let me know if you’d like to suggest a list.

  • Flourish: Lights Out Session

    The last session on the second day of Flourish was led by Kitty, who let us in on some of her secrets for shooting a “lights out” session. I was in awe of the whole thing. To be perfectly honest, when I found out we’d be doing this type of photography I thought that it would be awkward with so many photographers in the room. But Kitty has this great, natural ease with people, and it was totally comfortable. It was fascinating to watch Kitty work with the models. And she has such a fantastic eye for costumes.

    I’ll mention this now before you start scrolling down, nothing is beyond PG here, but maybe it’s not totally appropriate for work if you happen to be perusing my blog at the office. And lights out/boudoir-type photography might not be for everyone, but I totally dig it. It’s all the rage right now for brides and for anyone, really. I’ll definitely be adding this to my packages in the future!

    Again, I have to mention what good sports these girls were! They were all super patient, great with direction, and really sweet.

    Even willing to lay on the floor for a great shot.






    I think this is my favorite:

  • Flourish: Bridal Portraits

    The second session of the second day at Flourish we had the opportunity to observe Angela in her studio working with models in amazing wedding gowns. She was totally in her element, and it was such a treat to watch her work. Angela’s cinematic lighting genius husband, Gary, set up some really fabulous lighting and taught us about various techniques and equipment.

    This was my first time ever doing bridal portraits! I really love these dramatic images of Leah in her Romona Keveza dress with this crisp lighting:




    Sarah is wearing Amsale’s “Emma” dress:


    When Gary switched on this fabulously stunning lighting for us, everyone instantly ooo’ed and ahh’ed over it:

    I really need to get my hands on some hot lights to play around with that kind of set up! Okay and while I’m wishing, I wish I had a studio space like this. I’d probably never leave!

    Last but not least, Erica is wearing a beautiful Paloma Blanca (style 3806):



    I seriously could’ve taken pictures of them all day. Everything about each of the girls was breathtaking. Ana Crane-Simpson did THE most spectacular job on the girls’ make-up; she deserves a huge shout-out. And all of the dresses from Bluegrass Bride were amazing.

    Next up: (get ready for this) the “lights out” session!

  • Flourish: The Engagement Shoot

    So, let’s get back to my stories about the Flourish Workshop. The second day of the workshop was all about lighting and how Angela, Kim and Kitty conduct their photo shoots. In the morning we had the pleasure of working with two couples: Sam and Lizzie, who are engaged, and also Angela and Luke who are already married. Both couples were absolutely wonderful and such good sports! Can you even imagine having 23 cameras aimed at you for several hours?

    We started in an empty space upstairs from Angela’s studio where Kim gave instruction and advice. It was so helpful to me to watch her work. I recognized her doing some of the things that I do, which reassured me that I must be doing at least a few things right! After Kim spent time working with the couples, we attendees got to shoot and direct with the couples. I have to admit, this was slightly intimidating for me – I am totally comfortable working with my own subjects, but I’ve never had to do it in front of so many other photographers, and mega-talented photographers at that! On top of that, I am NOT a morning person. (My fabulously fun roomie, Jaci, and I had stayed up really late the night before, so that didn’t help!) Despite the intimidation factor and my morning fogginess, I learned a lot from observing everyone and listening to what worked for each of them.

    Both couples were so gorgeous and fun to shoot.

    It was actually really chilly outside, but you’d never know it from the photos and the expressions on their faces. Such troopers!




    How great is Lizzie for standing out there in the cold with tons of patience and smiles wearing a dress?!



    Thanks so much Sam, Lizzie, Angela and Luke – you all made this session so much fun! Coming up next: the bridal portrait session.