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Stuff in the ‘modeling portfolio photography’ Category

Gift Cards for Sessions or Artwork

— 03/27/2020 by Monika Wertman —

Gift cards for sessions or artwork are a great way to support our business during these times of social distancing! We are restricted in how we can work with you, but you can still secure that you will be able to use us when this is all over! Whether you are a new client or a returning client, we can send you a gift card virtually to keep you safe. You may use the gift card now to purchase wall art from a recent session to send to a loved one, such as a parent or grandparent. Our labs are on top of safety during this virus and your order will arrive directly from there, ready to hang on any wall you want to decorate. We will gladly create a mock-up of the space you want to fill to show you what it will look like in your space. Just send us a picture of your blank wall and we will create the look you want. We will to also be happy to consult with you via Skype to figure out sizes and finishing styles.

Here is a sample of what two canvases or metals can look like hanging side by side:

For those of you who want to work with us at a later date but want to take advantage of your tax return or other pay-outs, purchase your certificate now and use it later. We can set up a Skype consultation to discuss your plans and get you on our calendar in July, August or September after this virus runs its course.

Whatever your pleasure and comfort level, we are here for you to bring a bit of sunshine and joy into this odd time we are muddling through together.

Thesis Work with Dancers

— 04/16/2018 by Monika Wertman —

Thesis Work with Dancers

As I am continuing to pursue my Masters degree in photography, I have entered the thesis zone.

I have been working with 4 young and talented young dancers for the last few months and as I gather more and more images that will eventually become a book about the life of dancers, exploring what it takes to be committed to this wonderful and challenging art form, I get to play with one of my favorite things of all time. Dance.

These were captured while I worked with the help of my wonderful parents to get the lights situated correctly behind the scrim.

In this latest shoot with 3 of my 4 dancers at the Maryland Theatre, we played with silhouettes (my 4th dancer had just had a change in schedule and could not join us that day, but luckily she is back to having that week day open again).

We all had fun. i always give these athletes and artists a chance to be creative with me and try new things, and give me their ideas.

It makes for a more interactive and fun shoot and the images always show that.

Then there are a few shots of jumps, and poses.

We also played with shadows which required me to climb into the rafters along the side of the stage.

And lastly and shot from above for the shadow, but creating a dilemma for me as I am not sure if I like the black and white version better or the soft color.

Networking with Venues and other Businesses

— 03/19/2018 by Monika Wertman —

Networking with Venues and other Businesses

Once or twice a year I get in contact with JB Bridals in Chambersburg, PA, Bella Salon and Spa here in Hagerstown and a venue to create images that benefit us all. I reach out to models I have worked with before and love and add a few fresh faces into the mix. Sometimes these shoots are designed around something I really want to play with and have not had a chance to do, and other times they are designed around one of our business partner’s needs as was the case this year.

We have been allowed into the Miller house for a few bridal sessions, family photos and engagement sessions and have developed a great relationship with this local non-profit historical home that houses the historical society of Washington County. The governing board decided to begin promoting the house as a wedding venue and we helped out, not only by providing images from past “real” sessions but also from this styled shoot, specifically designed to highlight some areas of the house we had not worked in before.

I really enjoy the days during which I just get to play, everything connected to a styled shoot is fun. I love working with JB Bridals and picking out gowns and tuxes for the event. Jackie always pulls the most gorgeous gowns according to what my plans are and the models have a blast trying them on.

Bella Salon always sends me the best stylists and make up artists and they perform their magic turning my models into brides and brides maids as was the case this time. We work together for trade, and everyone benefits from the session. I love the pace I get to set on those days, there is no rush to get to the next stage of the day and I get to meticulously plan each shot.

As a photographer it is important to continuously push myself, and to take time to explore ideas and different ways to utilize a setting, light, and mood. During a wedding I am stuck with whatever the chosen venue has to offer and I am tied to the wedding day timeline. I know how to work within the confines of all that, but it is nice to be able to control each moment, which is one of the reasons I arrange for at least one styled shoot a year.

This year I am planning a second one and it will be fabulous 🙂

Within this post I am showing you a few of my favorites of the day and since we were working at a historical venue, several of them are in either muted tones or black and white. The gowns had gorgeous trains which I showed off in several of the shots. Enjoy 🙂

Will You Marry Me?

— 12/06/2017 by Monika Wertman —

Will you Marry Me?

We are about to enter the season for proposals. All over the globe one half of a couple will decide to get down on one knee this holiday season and pop the question:

“Will you marry me?”

Here at Wertman Photography we love this season. Since the answer “yes” leads to new brides-to-be who we will get to meet with over the next few months, during bridal shows and consultations at our studio, I thought I would point out a few things a newly engaged couple should look for when interviewing a photographer.

Do not focus on price alone. Some studios will have a low entry cost, but itemize every product, leading to a higher price tag in the end. Ask what is included.
Look over several websites. Are the images consistent, do you notice a style? If you love the style, call to set up an appointment to talk to the photographer.

3. Set up an in person consultation with the photographer whose style you like. If they are not willing to meet in person, do not hire them over the phone. You should develop a relationship with the team you hire to capture one of the most important days of your lives. This relationship starts during the in person consultation.

4. Do not get scared of by a higher entry cost. If a starting price is listed and seems outside of your budget, call the photographer anyway to talk to them. You may find that many things are included in this cost and that they are willing to work with you in terms of payment plans and that the starting cost is lower as the overall cost at a studio that is not all inclusive.

5. Find out if your chosen studio works as a team or flies solo. A wedding is a big job and if you hire a photographer who works alone, he/she will likely miss something.

6. During the in person consultation you will get a sense of who you will be working with. It is important that you click with your photography team. They will record memories for you that are unretrievable. It is important that you feel that you can trust them.

We worked with some great couples this past year, both during weddings and engagement sessions. I have included some of our favorites from these sessions and we are looking forward to capturing the weddings of these engagement session over the next year and beyond.

Here is to a great Holiday Season, filled with Love and many who will answer “yes”.

Indian Wedding Shoot

— 02/17/2017 by Monika Wertman —

In October it was suggested to us to participate in a styled wedding shoot, Indian style. Several venues were bounced around and after a while it was settled that the Kamran Center close to Frederick would be the place to do this.

We worked with three models, one male and two females, one of which we worked with before. It was fun to experience the differences in wedding attire and to see first hand how long it takes to get wrapped into a Sari.

While the guys are much more comfortable and it seems carefree in their wedding attire in the Indian tradition, the girls have it much harder, as the Sari tends to slip off the shoulder when they move and restrict they way they can walk etc.

I can not even imagine dancing in one.

After this experience I will forever appreciate the ease in which a western bride gets into her gown and can move pretty freely depending on the style she chose.

All in all this was an interesting experience and we did get some great shots from our great models. Both ladies are gorgeous and witnessing them being transformed into fairy tale creatures was fun.

We are currently organizing a western wedding shoot for March, again working with JB Bridals and if you are interested in participating in that, please read last week’s model call posted here.

Model Call

— 02/03/2017 by Monika Wertman —

Model Call for Bridal Shoot

We need two female and two male models for a stylized bridal shoot. The shoot will take place at the Chambersburg Country Club on Tuesday, March 21 2017.

2 clothing changes (Gowns and tuxes provided by JB Bridal), hair and make-up services (Bella Salon and Spa) provided. All work is for trade and each vendor is participating to receive images and new promotional material. Trade for models will be fully edited portfolio images from the day of shooting.

Female models need to be 5’8″ to 5’9″ and need to bring heels with them, either white, cream or silver evening shoes to match the gowns. size 8-10 wedding gowns need to fit, which translates to regular dress sizes of 6-10. I am looking for hour glass models. We want these images to look real, yet fantastic.

Male models should be a size 40 regular with an inseam of 34.

Please contact us no later than February 28 to be considered for the opportunity.

We will schedule a fitting at JB Bridals in Chambersburg during the week about 1 week prior to the shoot. Hair and makeup will likely start at 9 am and shooting will start at 10:30am. Please plan on a 4-6 hour day. Only serious, committed models need apply and we will meet in person before the fitting day.

This will be fun day creating amazing images while we showcase the newly renovated country club and play with new ideas.

Please contact the studio directly through email if you are interested: info@wertmanphotography.net

Thank you for a great year

— 12/23/2016 by Monika Wertman —

We had a great year working with so many of you! It was fun and exciting and sometimes a bit more challenging than expected, and we got awesome images.

Here is a quick look back over the last 12 months, highlighting some of our favorite shots from this year.

This year we got to play with newborns, expecting moms, brides, fun seniors and awesome families. Several of you were repeat clients and we love you for it! Some of you were new to Wertman Photography. We want to thank you for putting your trust in us!