If you missed day one, click this link here to read it!
Day 2 of the Discovery Workshop was in Stinton Beach. Ok, the only way to get to Stinton Beach is on a 10 mile winding road. It was rainy, very foggy and this road went up then down, up then down, all while on the edge of cliffs and sharp curves. It was scary! This little road trip made me face my fear of heights and driving in the fog head on and I conquered.. whoo hoo!
We gathered at the Stinton Beach community center and Rick Chapman talked about portraiture and how to get to know your subject. Rick showed us photos he had taken of Muhammed Ali, Shaquille O’Neal, Tony Hawk. He told us the stories behind each session, sharing his process of how he got the image. Meeting Rick, you would never know that he has photographed some of the most famous people in the world, Rick is just so humble and real.
Rick then had a friend of his, Leslie, join us so he could show us how he interviews and shoots a portrait client. It was great to actually participate in his process. Here is Rick and Leslie.
After Leslie’s portrait session, Rick had a surprise for us! He had arranged for Stinton Beach locals to be our portrait subjects! We were split into groups of two and sent to photograph. I was paired with Kate James, a photographer from San Diego, to photograph Tess. We had no idea what to expect, we were only told that Tess was an artist. When we walked in Tess told us that she hadn’t showered, she had a crazy week helping with the high school play, and was just stressed. She told us that we were going to have tea, we would follow her around for awhile photographing her as she was and then she would shower, get ready and we could photograph her transformation. We sat for awhile and just talked. Tess is an artist, hairdresser and makeup artist. She has traveled the world, and led an amazing life. Kate and I decided that I would do the “before” and she would do the “after”. I approached this session like a wedding.. documenting, observing and directing when needed.
Tess showing us some of the props from the High School Play she had just finished working on.
Tess talking with Kate and I. We talked alot about her travels in India, so I chose to capture the figures on her coffee table.
Tess is telling me about a photograph of her when she was young. She said she used to hate her thighs and looking back she sees how silly that was. Don't us girls all do that?
Completely natural, and stunning!
Tess's dog Isabella and cat Rupert wanted to be a part of the action!
Tess made the large wings, she incorporates wings in alot of her artwork.
It was a great experience and I loved meeting Tess. Thank you Tess! Tess’s website is: www.tessfelix.com
We all gathered afterwards to share our experiences and had a wonderful meal cooked by Leslie.. yes, the same Leslie from earlier in the day. It was a wonderful day.
~ Annie
ps. watch for tomorrow’s post of the final workshop day!!
3 comments
Beautiful sweetie, you have such an EYE!
LOVE IT!!! I need to get organized and post some of mine.
You do great work.
I met Tess briefly as we were traveling to our subject’s house. She stopped to talk to him on her way home to meet you. You did an amazing job of capturing who she is. I can’t wait for day 3!