Behind the Scenes...

I get a lot of questions as to how I shoot my studio photos. This is where the magic happens. I shoot most of the photos in my office.

This is how it looks:


I have a Giottos backdrop stand that I set up against the wall.

I use Savage seamless paper rolls for my backgrounds, they last forever (most of mine are more than 7 years old). I have a couple 107 inch wide rolls but they're too big to fit in my small office space. Most of mine are 53".

I use two studio lights; an Alien Bee B800 and a B400. The B800 is used with an umbrella or a soft box and the B400 is used without an umbrella bounced off the wall (it just helps with the shadows.)

I set this up for the first day of school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, birthdays and any other special occasion that warrants a photo shoot (which I always take advantage of). Not to mention we always seem to get a couple visitors when the backdrop is set up - photo fun for all!

It all fits nicely in the office closet making it quick and easy to set up whenever the moment strikes - or weekly when I'm doing a photo project of my baby!

Secret Weapon for the Laundry Room...

I was cooking chicken the other night, wearing my favorite down vest (because it's winter and 70 degrees which means it's down vest weather!) The oil started spraying up from the pan and I quickly grabbed an apron. I was smart enough to grab an apron but not smart enough to remove my vest which ended up in front of the apron in perfect range of all the oil spatter. Lame.

I tried immediately to get it out but once it dried the oil was as visible as ever. I went to the laundry room and pulled out my secret weapon: Lighter fluid. Doesn't everyone have that in their laundry room?! There was a time that it wasn't a staple, but years ago, my friend gave me this tip and ever since that we've had a bottle or two right next to the detergent. It's a simple fix and every time I'm shocked when I find no visible stains.

Its just this easy: Pour a little lighter fluid on the stain and let it dry. Wash the garment.

I'll often find after one washing that there's a faint ring around the spot where the fluid had dried. I simply spray some Resolve on it and wash it again and it's as good as new. It's a miracle worker on oil stains.

Do you want to make a practice of pouring lighter fluid on your clothes...probably not. Especially if you're wearing them and decide to attend a bonfire. Both are probably big no-nos. But I'm telling you, I have saved so many pieces of clothing from the trash with this little trick.