Stars Talent Studio

For those of you who have heard mention of the Talent Agency I work with, Stars Talent Studio, here is a clip run by the news recently, which aired on Mormon times and KSL. I can't begin to say how honored I am to work with these wonderful people, and try to bring about a change in the standards of media and future celebrities. It's high time we take a stand to say beauty is only skin deep, and what is on the inside; TRULY. DOES. MATTER. We don't need to be scantily clad to be beautiful. We don't need to follow fads that aren't healthy for our bodies or souls because "well gee, everyone else is doing it". Even if I can only help one of these girls (or boys) understand how special and strong, and talented they are without compromising what they believe in, then I consider it a job well done! I am so proud of all those I have met who have decided to stand up for what they believe in, regardless of religion, race, or gender. Stay true to yourselves my friends, and you will go far!

New Toys!

Life has been pretty crazy! I've still been working with Stars Talent Studio and PRISteen Magazine, as well as plugging away at my own photography business (Derico Photography), and I have REALLY been enjoying learning so much more about photography tips and tricks, lighting, Fashion Photography, Graphic Design with the Magazine, and the ins and outs of the fashion/entertainment industry.

I've had my eye on the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens for a while now. In fact, one day I even had a new window open in my browser with one sitting in my shopping cart for an amazing $800 off! The problem... it just didn't feel right. I know, kind of weird when you find yourself with a need and the means, but really, even though I've dreamed about and salivated over this lens for well over a year now, I just couldn't push the checkout button. Kind of glad I listened to that still small voice in my mind...

About a month or month and a half ago, I was perusing KSL and found a complete studio light set of strobe lights (5 total) with 4 soft boxes, two umbrellas, and a reflector with extra stand. The poor guy who was trying to sell it was an older gentleman, and accidentally refreshed or double clicked his purchase when he bought his set online. As he had bought his lights from a third party site, there was no refund on the "accidental" set of lights. So, with two new sets of studio lights, he hung onto them just in case he needed a back up. Two years later, he still hadn't even  cracked open the second set... so up they went for about half price on KSL.

Yay for me! Major score! I was able to get brand new studio lights for just under half the cost of what the new lens would have cost me, as well as a brand new 50mm lens. HOLY COW! I thought I would HATE a fixed lens. I know they have better quality making than the zoom lenses, but still, I like to be able to move. My dear friend Alyse, let me borrow her 50mm lens to use for some headshots and I fell in LOVE! So, I got new studio lights, and my new 50mm lens and In the two months I've had the lens, it has not once come off my camera. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

Getting those has opened a whole new world for my studio photography. I've only just begun with the new equipment but already see a marked difference in quality, and I look forward to working with lots more models and actors in capturing images.

I am working with a new fashion designer here in SLC and collaborating with her on some custom couture steel doll dresses, and am SUPER excited to get to photograph those! I also am looking forward to photographing a fashion event with PRISteen Magazine in mid August. Selected images from there will be published in the third installment of the magazine. Installment #2 is literally days (maybe a week) away from final approval before going on to the printers... and yours truly scored four pages! while it was fun to do, I sure wish I had had my new studio lights back when I did the shoot! But it gives me something to look forward to in subsequent editions later on.

So, in closing I wanted to leave you with a couple new headshots (all low resolution) that I've done with the new lens and/or lights, as well as a fun couple I had the opportunity to work with on their wedding day. As always, thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave me comments... comments make me happy :)