It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart, and head. — Henri Cartier-Bresson
When talking about photography, you will most likely hear the words STYLE and AESTHETIC thrown around. Sometimes it can get confusing understanding what it all means. To think about it simply:
A photographer’s STYLE is the physical way an image is created. It is often referred to as a photographer’s APPROACH. Documentary, editorial, traditional are some styles that describe HOW a photographer works to get the image.
A photographer’s AESTHETIC refers to the way an image looks and how it makes you feel. It relates more to the creative choices such as color, tone, contrast and other editing techniques used to get a consistent, recognizable LOOK…both while shooting the images and editing images afterwards.
Scroll down to learn more about my style and aesthetic…
I am a documentary photographer at heart. I prefer to capture real, uninterrupted emotion. I’m heavily influenced by my roots in film photography and take a watchful waiting approach to see how things unfold. I want you to prioritize the joy of the moment and not worry about what you think you SHOULD be doing or what you feel I WANT you to do. Just be you, enjoy yourself and I’ve got you covered!
But what if I’m just not good in front of the camera?
I feel this way too…so I understand. I TRULY understand the range of fearful emotions that can fly through your head at the thought of being photographed. Most of my clients start out saying something about how awful/awkward they feel they are in front of the camera and then leave saying they had no idea how easy and fun it would be…and how comfortable they felt. So relaxed that they even forgot there was a camera involved.
How do we accomplish this?
During times of action, you’re so wrapped up in what’s going on…and that’s just the way it should be! Most of the time, you forget I’m there. During less spontaneous times, like portraits, we will find a beautiful location and I will offer gentle guidance on positioning to take advantage of soft, directional light and the environment around you…and then I step back and let you be. I encourage you when something sweet is going on, such as the way you may be holding each other or the way you may be holding your body in a flattering way. I never over-pose you or over-direct as I feel that impacts the organic flow of your interactions and movements…then they no longer look natural. The less I am in your face, the more authentic you can be.
All my life I have been drawn to film photography. There’s nothing in the world like the look of Tri-X black & white images or the drama of Cinestill. I intentionally use directional and available light as well as movement to add dimension into my images. I am always experimenting and am often so pleased by the Bob Ross “happy accident” moments, during that experimentation.
I see the artful beauty in photography and your final body of images will have a consistent, timeless quality to them. My goal is to provide you with images that are organic, emotive and real. It is my hope that when you look through your images a week from now or 20 years from now, you will remember just what it felt like, in that very moment of time.
I pair well with you if you are…
creative spirits, adventurous, like to have fun, easygoing, open-minded & open-hearted
Catch up on the latest…
Rachel Bell Photography 207.650.6420 rachelbellphotography@gmail.com
