As most photographers know, working freelance is never easy. Building a brand so that your work speaks for itself takes consistency and dedication. Yet even still, there are those who struggle to reach the level of full-time freelancer. Unfortunately, I’m one of those people; after years and years of trying to make it big, I met my untimely end without achieving the goals I set out to reach. Fortunately, I’m also restless (literally) and was lucky enough to be offered a second chance to make it in the photography business. This is my story.
Working your fingers to the bone only for the power to fail would leave anyone looking a little worse for wear.
Back to the Ol’ Grind
Not too long ago, I got back to the freelance life, handling media for numerous fall-focused folk in the tri-state area. I’ll admit, I was initially worried about transitioning back into the photography sphere. After all, three years in the ground and a dozen more working the graveyard shift at a haunted house would make anyone feel like they’re going nowhere. But around Halloween, photographers like me have the opportunity to flex their creative muscles — figuratively speaking, obviously — so I thought I’d give it one more try.
As you can imagine, opportunities were a bit limited. Work was great when the holiday season rolled around, but making ends meet throughout the remainder of the year was tough. My saving grace as a photographer was SIGMA’s excellent Contemporary line of lenses.
If you love photography but have a tight budget, give SIGMA’s Contemporary lenses a try, and keep the artist in you alive.
Keikotsu, SIGMA America Marketing Temp
I’m a barebones photographer who likes to get the highest-quality images I can directly out of my camera. As such, the DC DN lenses for FUJIFILM X Mount — 16mm, 30mm, and 56mm F1.4 — was the perfect solution; affordability without sacrificing quality. And the bright F1.4 aperture made all my haunted house shooting a breeze!
Halloween season is my jam, but nobody hires skeletons for Mother’s Day photo shoots.SIGMA’s 16mm F1.4 DC DN | C was an easy, affordable option for a rebounding photographer.
But as I got further entrenched in the freelance grind, my life flashed before my eyes… again! I just wasn’t sure I could handle a second lifetime of self-employment. It was time for a change.
To be honest, this business put me through the wringer over the years. But I knew in my gut (or lack thereof) that things would be different with SIGMA, the lens manufacturer that really put the life back into my photography.
One last shot of the crew before moving on to more hallowed pastures.
Keeping the Passion Alive
I always believed my heart was in media. Now, who knows, I haven’t seen that thing in years. But I was prepared to stay in media even if my heart wasn’t in it. All I needed was a fresh angle, a new purpose, for something bigger than myself. When SIGMA brought me on to focus on their marketing content, it was like discovering photography for the first time all over again. And this time, I had a catalog of great lenses to make my shooting easier than ever!
My trusty 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary makes low-light photography a breeze.
SIGMA gave me another chance to not only explore my passion, but revitalize it into something bigger than it ever was before. The SIGMA DC DN lenses were just what I needed to get back on track doing what I love most – capturing the spirit of autumn. And who knows… maybe they’ll keep me around for other holiday campaigns. I think Valentine’s Day could use a skeleton’s touch!
If you love photography but have a tight budget, give SIGMA’s Contemporary lenses a try, and keep the artist in you alive.
Pumpkin picking and photography are a perfect match.
Halloween is a great opportunity to create fun, unique photos of your kids, but most of us take a few snapshots of trick-or-treating and move on. Here are a few tips to make the most of your Halloween festivities and create frame-worthy photos. From setup and planning, to a breakdown of gear and the reasons why I use certain SIGMA Art prime lenses, you will learn new ways to create fun and magical Halloween images with your children.
SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtWho ya gonna call? Three brothers and their Stay-Puft sister.
Setup / Prep for Halloween Photos
If I could offer just one single, important tip in regards to capturing your children in their Halloween costumes it would be to plan ahead and get photos in advance. Every year, my children dress up in their costumes in early October and we walk around town so I’m able to capture photos of them pretending to trick-or-treat. One of the main reasons is because come Halloween, we normally have snow and my children have to wear winter gear over their costumes. In addition, I’m able to avoid capturing crowds of people and draw focus right to my little ones. This leads to a stress-free environment for me since I have to have a watchful eye on them during trick-or-treating. Not to mention, my children love any excuse to dress-up! They look forward to this all year, so the more times they can parade about in their costumes the better.
SIGMA 85mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtPhotographed on October 27… nobody needs to know!
In addition to capturing my children trick-or-treating in advance, I also love to capture individual photos of them in their costumes. I center the lighting, environment and overall mood around their outfits. Sometimes that means we set up something at home, or find a location at a park or in town. My older children like to collaborate with me on ideas. Having them get involved in the process is especially great for children who may be reluctant to be photographed. Having them partake in the overall photo concept creates an inclusive and exciting environment for all.
SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtSIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtSIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtCreating these scenes together keeps the kids excited about Halloween each year, and always results in fun photographs we’ll remember forever.
Of course Halloween isn’t just centered around costumes and trick-or-treating. One of our favorite traditions is carving pumpkins and I love capturing it every year. This is a perfect opportunity to photograph all my children in one frame too. I’ve always found that giving them something to do, especially something they enjoy doing, makes it easier. I love to line up their pumpkins one by one and capture them carving. There are so many ways you can shoot something like this, but my favorite view is from the front so I can see all their expressions. I try to plan this shot during golden hour so that my children are backlit, with open sky in front of them to help light their faces.
SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtSIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtPumpkin carving provides lots of opportunities to capture funny faces and sibling silliness, plus you can watch the family grow through the years.
‘Tis the season for also visiting your local pumpkin patch and corn maze too. This is a great opportunity to capture candid images of your children. From picking out their pumpkins to running through the corn maze, images at the pumpkin patch and maze are always such memorable ones. I try to plan trips to this location around golden hour as well, if possible, especially on weekday afternoons when there are smaller crowds.
SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtSIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtSIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtNothing says “autumn” like pumpkins and corn, so if you have one nearby, bring the kids (and your camera).
My Preferred Gear
I use a variety of cameras, but when it comes to lenses, I prefer SIGMA Art prime lenses because I shoot in low light often. This is especially true during Halloween since I’m often creating moody imagery. Being able to have a wide aperture to keep my ISO low and avoid high noise is crucial. Not only that, every single one of my Art prime lenses operates beautifully in low light. They focus fast, which is critical when working with little ones, and tack sharp.
Of course another benefit of Art prime lenses is the dreaminess I’m able to achieve with wide apertures like F1.4 .The bokeh is smooth and round, creating an ethereal atmosphere. Additionally, the strong compression with longer focal lengths helps to isolate my children from their environment. When I’m shooting in a busy location, this can be especially handy by softening distractions in the background.
SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtSIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtSIGMA’s Art primes all have fast apertures, including my go-to portrait lens, the 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art.
Because I shoot with prime lenses, I often bring several with me when I’m out and about so I have options. At the same time, I try to keep the amount of gear I have with me at a minimum since my hands are often full with five children in tow. I regularly shoot with a Canon DSLR, a Canon EOS R mirrorless camera, and a Sony mirrorless camera. Being able to use my favorite SIGMA EF mount lenses on all three camera bodies with the Canon EF-EOS R adapter, or the SIGMA MC-11 Mount Converter, is huge. No matter which camera body I carry, I know my SIGMA lenses will work flawlessly with fast, accurate autofocus in any conditions.
Wide shots and environmental portraits (35mm)
Of course, I always try to be purposeful with my lens length depending on the story I’m trying to capture and convey. The SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art is an incredible storytelling lens, and therefore it’s perfect for environmental portraits. I use this lens when the details within the environment are important to my child’s Halloween costume. Not to mention the 35mm works beautifully in tight spaces. It’s definitely the most versatile prime lens I own.
SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtSIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtWhen I’m shooting indoors or trying to include environmental details, I opt for my 35mm lens.
When it comes to classic portraits of my children in their costumes, I gravitate towards the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art. There’s no distortion at this length which is crucial especially when I’m shooting close in proximity to them. In addition, the 50mm F1.4 is an incredibly versatile lens. I’m able to use it just about anywhere comfortably. The focal length is also equivalent to the human eye, so images captured with this lens look natural and lifelike.
SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtSIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtFor a closer perspective that always feels natural, the 50mm focal length is ideal.
Hands down the SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art lens is my favorite for dreamy imagery. When shooting outside (because of the long length it’s not something I can utilize indoors as much), I tend to gravitate towards this lens the most because of the large, smooth bokeh (it’s called the bokeh master for a reason). The long focal length leads to beautiful compression in the background, helping to isolate my children from their environment. This sort of lens really brings out the spooky, yet cute, vibes for Halloween.
SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtSIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtThe 105mm F1.4 is the perfect lens for making those busy outdoor backgrounds melt away, for a beautiful watercolor effect.
Whether you’re photographing your children at a pumpkin patch or in their Halloween costumes trick-or-treating, I hope you find these tips and tricks helpful. There’s nothing better than location scouting and brainstorming with my kids to capture their Halloween photos. Planning out your sessions and involving your children in the creative process is key to frame-worthy photos.
SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | ArtIt took a while to plan and shoot (especially since I was in front of the camera), but this family photo is one that we will always treasure!
Photography itself has a very special superpower… it can bring to life an idea, a story, and even a character. Character is a deeply rooted concept in a very unique interest known as cosplay. What is cosplay, exactly? Well, as a combination of the words “costume” and “play”, the art of cosplay is creating real-life counterparts of characters from literature, comics, film, games, and more.
Joker (Daniel R. Lyon III) and Harley (Mariah Marsalla) explore the Olympic Garden bar
Originating in Japan, cosplay swept the world as a way to truly embody one’s favorite character and explore the different sides to their own personalities and interests. Today, massive conventions and online communities exist for those engaged in cosplay, bringing a huge spotlight to the hundreds of hours spent on making the costumes and perfecting the portrayal. And naturally, cosplay — which involves other arts like costume design and makeup — thrived in front of the lens, turning exciting anime, manga, graphic novels, video games, and more into live-action displays.
In my pursuit of creating a series of cosplay sessions that truly capture the essence of character, I stocked my camera bag with my trusty I series lenses and Art primes, ready to bring these fascinating characters to fruition.
Cosplay Photos on the Go with SIGMA I series Lenses
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the SIGMA I series flying in to save the day!
Yeah, that doesn’t have the same ring to it as the original quote — but, nevertheless, SIGMA I series lenses make for fantastic companions to any photographer (hobbyist, professional, and everyone in between) out there. With mirrorless systems quickly taking over the industry, smaller lenses are also making their sprint to accommodate the new desire to go smaller, smaller, smaller.
Spider Gwen (Bri Jansen) and Power (Miso Tokki)
The I series accomplishes that feat with perfect grace, combining SIGMA’s formula for sharp, crisp, and reliable lenses with that of a smaller frame. Which means that I already knew I could rely on these little guys to perform spectacularly for myself and my clients, keeping editing to a minimum.
As an added bonus, the nifty magnetic lenscap made things even easier as I could quickly pop the cap off when it was time to nab a spontaneous moment and flick it back on to protect the glass inside. Add in the all-metal construction, and I wasn’t even too fussed about a minor ding in my bag as I was crawling around abandoned houses for the perfect location and rubbing on rough asphalt to get those low vantage points.
My favored lenses of choice from the I Series for this cosplay shooting extravaganza were the 35mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary and the 65mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary, both able to capture the exact focal length I needed for all of the sessions (seven in total!). Both did great work of the locations and my subject’s proportions, as well as capturing color and clarity with brilliance. Genuinely, my editing was minimal and I prefer it that way!
How Portable Lenses Led to Amazing Cosplay Photos
A big part of photography really is the experience of it. It’s so much more than the final result, it’s every beautiful step in between! This rings true for both sides of the camera, from the character to the image taker.
In this case, the portable size of the I series lenses made a big difference. As these cosplays required a bit of exploration to find the perfect locations (particularly since I’m a new resident to this glorious city of Las Vegas), the compact size and lighter weight made throwing a lens or two into my bag easy and convenient. Equally so, I wasn’t quite sure what I’d find at our destination points, so the fact that I could throw more than one lens into my bag and still not feel weighed down cannot be emphasized enough.
Admittedly, the small optic stature was not expected by my lovely subjects, but they were just as interested and curious about the nifty little lenses. What made the I series lenses (and the other two that tagged along for a couple of sessions, but we’ll get to that a bit later) even more spectacular for this particular genre is that they really were powerful enough to capture images without much need for extra gear. I wanted a more organic feel to the shots, so I left my external lights at home and dove right in with just my camera.
Once it became clear that we could run around, play with our locations, and not be bogged down by heavy equipment or gear that required setup, the spontaneous nature of these sessions really began. This is where another thought came to mind immediately — the ease of use. These lenses are perfectly designed to be easy, so there isn’t a daunting learning curve for the enthusiast or newer user.
Choosing Locations and Gear for Engaging Cosplay Images
I admit, I’ve shot all sorts of fantasy and fashion sessions, but cosplay as we know it hasn’t quite come across my lens as frequently as you may expect. Like every session, we start with the beginning — capturing a twinkle of an idea and converting it into a tangible opportunity. Cosplay actually made things a bit easier in this regard, as these characters already had proper stories for themselves. It was really just a matter of finding locations that match. The locations influenced the lenses used, so it was all a bit of a domino effect from there.
Harley and Joker (Mariah Marsalla & Daniel R. Lyon III) loudly discuss their evil plans, as usual.
When setting up these shoots, I allowed my lovely subjects to decide what character they wanted to portray rather than the other way around. Once a character was set in stone, the location was brainstormed. I feel that cosplay photography, paired with my lens arsenal of choice, really thrived on a bit of spontaneity so the locations were really just meeting points and the rest was exploration and discovery!
My sessions ranged from seasoned professionals in the cosplay world to those who do it on a very passionate hobby-level, but one thing was clear… the love everyone felt for this incredible craft was immense. But, this range of personality and viewpoint on cosplay itself made for some really fun photo shoots, each one unique in their own way.
A nameless but beautifully accessorized witch (Shawna Witt) roams Las Vegas.
The first shoot got a bit witchy. Unlike the creepy witches hiding in the burrows of the woods, this witch traversed local towns, bringing some Halloween vibes with her wherever she went! Shot with the SIGMA 65mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary, this original character witch had such gorgeous makeup and details that we didn’t want anything to go unnoticed (especially with some of the witchy garb and accessories being handmade!).
Strong characters can make any environment seem like more than it really is.
The tighter crop of the 65mm focal length also helped keep the location less of a factor in these images, as the location itself really didn’t need to lend that much to this witch’s story. The sharpness from the 65mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary was also instantly evident, making editing time dwindle to barely anything.
The next adventure took us out of the urban environment and back into nature. The stunning Vegas park lay the perfect woodsy location for an elf to reside, practice her bow and arrow to defend her territory or ride into battle with her fellow brothers and sisters. Unlike the first session above, the location did serve a sincere purpose in grounding this character and really bringing her to life so the SIGMA 35mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary was the lens of choice. We had a rainy day (as that evening featured a really wild thunderstorm, believe it or not), so the F2 aperture was a big lifesaver in letting in a great amount of light.
A woodland elf (Jamila Webb) demonstrates her impressive archery skills.
Residing in the same spot was also a pirate, looking off into the distance having been newly ashore. The storm was really looming here, making for a very moody and dark image. The depth of field aided tremendously, offering great subject separation from the scenery itself.
This pirate (Jamila Webb) is among the more well-dressed swashbucklers to sail the seven seas!
But the green trees didn’t last long as we found ourselves back in the urban and industrial, where Joker and Harley were lurking about. Going to the darker side of the downtown area of Las Vegas, the environment really developed its own character in the story of these two. The 65mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary was my beloved focal length, helping ensure that the makeup stood out significantly.
These two (Mariah Marsalla & Daniel R. Lyon III) should NOT be allowed near a power station.
Eventually, the background needed to make as much of an impression as Joker and Harley themselves, so the 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art came out to play! The close focusing distance and wider focal length allowed me to play well with angles, vantage points, and squeeze into some of the tighter spots (such as the alleyways). These two villains did really well with the creative touches, and once the cloudy sky went from day to night, the 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art shone even brighter.
Harley and Joker (Mariah Marsalla & Daniel R. Lyon III) don’t look like they’re doing anything truly sinister, which is exactly what they want you to think.
Around the corner, Spider Gwen was basking in the setting sun and Saber Alter was dramatically twirling her dress every which way. The 35mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary helped incorporate the background into Spider Gwen’s images, while the 65mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary came out to keep other locations from interfering with the character on display. With both lenses keeping to the same aperture, none of my settings had to be changed when switching between focal lengths.
Cosplayer Bri Jansen goes from mass-market Spider Gwen to ultra-niche Saber Alter without breaking a sweat.
Saber Alter enjoyed the luxury of space in her location, which helped the 65mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary capture great full body portraits with beautiful subject compression. Honestly, lens choice was being determined by the location, so it became easy to keep jumping between focal lengths based on what the space commanded.
Cosplay is often a labor of love, or at least an expensive hobby, as Saber Alter’s (Bri Jansen) custom dress illustrates.
Next came Power from Chainsaw Man, performing her duties as a Public Safety Demon Hunter over in the city. The 65mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary came out exclusively for this session, being the perfect focal length to focus on the various details of Power’s attire and weapon of choice. The F2 aperture also helped work with that morning’s somewhat difficult lighting, making hotspots merge into the bokeh and simply lend themselves to being a texture behind the subject.
On the other hand, a bit of creativity can turn standard clothes and some craft store supplies into a cool, fashionable character, like Power (Miso Tokki).
After a bit of interstate travel, Harley Quinn (in her Suicide Squad look) and Poison Ivy graced the glass in my former hometown of Los Angeles. Since I was more familiar with the location and could pack a bit more gear, I brought along one of my favorite fast-aperture prime lenses, the SIGMA 85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art!
There’s no mistaking the colorful personas of Harley and Ivy (Tyaira McLaren & Keira Lehner).
Exploring the streets took us to locations that fit these characters perfectly, helping Harley and Ivy fit into the environment seamlessly. Because I wanted a shallower depth of field and I had a lot of room to play with, the 85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art was a grand choice. Honestly, it’s one of my absolute favorite focal lengths and a small piece of my heart would have broken if I didn’t bring it along for at least one shoot!
Even on a standard sidewalk, characters like these — enhanced by the passion of the people portraying them — bring something special to the environment.
The ultimate portrait lens, the compression on subject proportion is exquisite. Additionally, the F1.4 aperture let me really alter the existing background and blur it away into a most creamy bokeh. This really helped in locations in which the lighting was fantastic, but the actual location was… not-as-fantastic. Harley and Ivy were free to roam around on their escapades, with the lens ensuring the focus is exclusively on these two characters and their dynamic individuality.
A Variety of Gear for any Cosplay Photo Shoot
I think my main takeaway after this experience is that the I series is really for everyone — the cosplayers themselves can easily pack it away to any convention, the photographers can leisurely bring it along to any outing, and the professional can pick it up as a way to add variety to their existing kit.
Cosplay doesn’t have to happen at a convention! Both cosplayers and photographers can enjoy this fun art form literally anywhere.
And for those looking for more low-light capability or even greater background separation, the 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art and 85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lenses being fully redesigned for mirrorless systems also make splendid comrades, helping bring any character vision to life without too much bulk.
A full kit of these brilliant pieces of glass is an even more immeasurable image-taking superpower, forever immortalizing beloved characters, and bringing smiles to their faces… even the bad guys!
Fall is my favorite season for so many reasons. As a mother, I thoroughly enjoy the excitement around picking out costumes for trick-or-treating. Every year my children get their use out of their costumes by wearing them all month long. As a photographer, I love all the gorgeous colors the season brings along with the shorter days and early golden hour. There’s of course challenges too like working with low light more frequently because of the shorter days. I’ve provided some tips and tricks on how to get the most out of documenting the fall season.
Shorter Days and An Early Golden Hour
There’s a reason golden hour is a favorite among photographers. The light tends to be beautifully soft, warm and directional. Typically golden hour happens the last hour of daylight. However, it can happen even earlier depending on your environment and surroundings. For example, the sun sets much quicker behind mountains and treelines. You can track the best time for golden hour by you with widely available smartphone apps.
In the summer, it’s challenging to photograph little ones during golden hour because it’s so late in the day. The wonderful thing about fall is that golden hour happens much earlier. To capture backlight, shoot into the light and consider placing the sun at the edge of your frame. This technique is one way of capturing flare and haze.
One of my favorite things to document every fall is trick-or-treating. It’s a great way to mark children’s growth through the years. The environment changes often and I frequently find myself in tight spaces, trying to dodge strangers and crowds while photographing my children in the moment. For these situations I choose a SIGMA 18-300mm DC Macro OS HSM | Contemporary lens paired with a Canon 70D. This lens is specifically designed for the most widely-used crop-sensor cameras including the Canon Rebel series, and Nikon’s DX format cameras. A zoom lens with this much flexibility in focal length gives me tons of versatility. I can zoom in tight and eliminate a lot of distractions within my frame. Or I can zoom out wide to capture more of the environment for better storytelling.
The days are shorter in the fall and I often find myself having to work in low light situations. For these scenarios, I pair my DSLR with a SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC HSM | Art lens, which is great for working in this type of light because of its wide aperture for speedy shutter speeds. Autofocus is fast and can quickly grab focus in tough situations. Not only that, it’s sharp even in low light when I have to bump up my ISO. Consider placing your subject as close as you can to your light source when working in this type of light. The more contrast the easier it will be for your camera to grab focus.
The Benefits of Using a 30mm (or similar) Focal Length Lens:
One of the things I love about the SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC HSM | Art is that it’s a wonderful lens to use for detail shots, especially indoors when you are working with low light. I’m able to get in close and quickly capture those details that are so fleeting and important to document. It’s important to know that the 30mm on a crop sensor camera like the Canon EOS 70D operates more like a 50mm. The lens is small and easily portable… bonus as a mother on the go! I love to shoot wide open or close to it, but when capturing detail images I often close down my aperture more so that all those little details are in focus. Remember the closer you are to your subject the more narrow your focal plane will be.
One of the beautiful things about bokeh (the out of focus area within an image) is that it’s not only visually appealing but it can help separate your subject from the background. With a wide aperture lens like the SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC HSM | Art I’m able to shoot with a large aperture along for pretty bokeh and compression.
Halloween can be an amazing time to make all sorts of cool photos. Between the Jack O’Lanterns, people of all ages in silly or scary costumes, and haunted houses, there’s something great to shoot pretty much everywhere you turn.
Jack O’ Lanterns are one of the most popular Halloween photo subjects, and these present several challenges and several different methods for creating a cool image. Here’s a shot exposed for a relatively short (1/4 second) amount of time to showcase the illumination by the candle light, with the rest of the frame going to deep, deep shadow and dark tones. For this type of shot, a tripod is pretty much a must. Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS Macro, Canon Rebel T3i, 1/4 second, F5.0, ISO 800.
It’s also a great time of year to throw so many of the hard and fast guidelines of photography aside and have some fun by breaking some rules, and employing some cool photo tricks to make Halloween photos that’ll turn some heads. In this blog posting, we’re going to have some fun and give you some ideas on how to capture the spirit of the season.
