Wednesday, January 6, 2010

WIP Wednesday-Photographing Interiors

A loft I shot today. With 3 kids, do you seriously think this would be my house?

I've been feeling a bit of an itch these days. Wanting to feel like I can be more than mother, wife, daughter and sister. Though I love and cherish all those roles... I want a title... you know, something glamorous like photographer. I've had the incredible good fortune to photograph toys for some wonderful websites, but realizing that niche can be limiting, I started looking into various other specialties. I ran into a realtor friend recently who suggested I try shooting real estate properties and it seemed like a light went off in my head. OF COURSE! I love interior design! I love watching HGTV! I can do this! So this wonderful friend offered to let me practice on one of her recent listings.

That's what I did this morning and I have to be honest and say it.was.hard. I learned how much I still have to learn about lighting, about composition, about my darn camera. I wanted to name this post "tearing my hair out". Before today, I was quite verbal in how much I hated how those super wide angle lenses made some interiors look distortedly large, but I swear to you, as I was standing in a shower of a bathroom that was barely 5" by 5" trying to get a shot of the entire bathroom, I would have given my eye teeth for one of those. Sometimes when the frustration was running high, I would stop. Take off the 20mm lens and put on the beloved nifty fifty (50mm) for some closeup shots that would soothe me.

Despite the frustration, I still felt so much excitement about the possibilities and it felt as if the universe kept delivering more signs that perhaps this was what I should do as more opportunities seemed to present themselves today. While I was shooting at my friend's listing, the stager who had done the house stopped by and we chatted for awhile. After learning that I was just starting out and working on my portfolio, he very generously offered to take me to a few of his recent jobs to get more practice. So what had started out as a single home photoshoot, turned into three!



There is so much for me to learn, not the least of which is reigning in my impatience and frustration, but I am trying to do as my lovely husband gently chides me "patience".

My crafting will continue, but for this moment I hope you don't mind that I share my photography as a work in progress.

Thank you so much for all of your encouragement!

16 comments:

Nicola said...

marina! i share similar feelings of needing a little more claim of my own. you are definitely on your path to a photo career. you have such a beautiful eye. share away. i love interior photos, regardless of whose they are. wishing you luck!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Marina, you are truly a gifted photographer! I'm always so taken by what you post. You make it look so easy yet I know very well that it's not. I'm so excited for you! I think it sounds like an awesome job!!!

Nicola said...

by the way, marina, thank you for the sweet comment on my blog today and thank you for being one of those amazing people i mentioned meeting along the way who truly supported and encouraged our family's challenge!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

What an exciting new adventure. I look forward to following it! You certainly have a gift.

FrontierDreams said...

OK...Can I just say - I feel like a proud parent right now!! Sounds silly but thats the only way to describe it! I am so happy for you!! This is sooo wonderful!!!!!!!! And yes, the universe is giving you these opportunities for a reason, go with them!! I will be the one saying 'I knew you when' <3 <3 I miss you and am so happy to see how it went today.I can't wait to hear more, you'd better gush in e-mails ;) <3 <3
less than three,
Nicole

sam said...

Your photographs are stunning. I think this is your true calling.
Best of luck to you, Marina!

Joy said...

Well, I think the shots look lovely. :) The interiors too. I know what you mean about a title. I work full-time so technically I do have a title, but database administrator just doesn't seem to fit me despite the fact it's what I do to pay the bills. ;)

BTW, I wish you lived closer then we could figure out this spinning thing together. I'm a little timid to begin. :)

* * said...

Bravo Mama!
What an exciting new step!
Blessings to you in this new endeavor! : )

renee ~ heirloom seasons said...

Really great Marina! I have just about no photography skills at this point, but I do love taking pictures. Wishing you much success!

And thank you so much for your kind words on my blog, it is always so nice to hear your sweet voice!
With love, Renee

Carin said...

Wow, I'm so excited for you! It seem the Universe is really opening up to give you this chance, so go for it! The shots are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Your photographs are beautiful. As a former interior designer, my art school offered an entire course on photographing interiors (one that I wish I had taken!) Your perspective and composition reminds me of some of the ones I used to admire hanging on the walls there.

~Mellie

Andrea said...

OOOooooOOOOOoooOOOoo! I love pictures of grown up spaces without junk everywhere. I lick it all up! Your pictures are beautiful as always, I'd love to see the photos you take of just about anything Marina. I really admire your photography skills most of all.

cari said...

wonderful how the universe provides, non? sounds like a great idea to me...go for it!

Anonymous said...

lovely photos marina! wow~ you've got talent, girl!

Mama Rose said...

You're a natural! The photos look great :)

Anonymous said...

These are lovely, the photos and sentiments both. And the opening caption made me giggle out loud :)