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The Fortwhere imagination happens!

Image Showcase & Interview withShannon Sewell

The Wanderersa boy & his dog

Nichole Burnett Photography& Chikadeez Photography

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Nichole and I (Laura) have been friends for over 10 years now, and we’ve been photographers for the past few years. Although our photography style is different, it is somewhat similar. One of the things we have in common is we love photographing our sons in their element.

Awhile back we were reminiscing over some of our older sessions. We noticed that we only had a few sessions featuring boys, yet some of our most treasured images came from those sessions. That got us thinking that sometimes it’s hard to come up with creative ideas for boy sessions. It seems like a lot of the inspiration out there, in the world of photography, tends to be girlie. That realization compelled us to create a photography magazine that focuses solely on boy themed sessions. We want to show you that photographing boys is an amazing experience fil led with imagination and adventure.

We wanted to create an inspirational magazine that documents how we organize a session from conception to completion. Each issue wil l contain notes, sketches, storyboards, vendor information, scene creation, behind the scenes images and final images. We wil l even write about obstacles that arise and tell you what we do to overcome them.

This is a free quarterly publication, so please feel free to pass it along to all of your creative friends. We hope that you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you.

The Fortwhere imagination happens!

How did we come up with “The Fort?” Well . . . it’s a bit of an unexpected treasure!

&

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4-7 Who are we????Get to know Nichole & Laura

8-11 planning PhaseTurning creative

12-65 the Wanderers Session& behind the scenes images

67-69 Vendor Shout OutAmazing people that do amazing work!

72-83 That’s righT,we said Shannon Sewell

Image Showcase & Interview

FEATURES:

GOODIES FOUND WITHIN:

70-71 Rising StarFeaturing Trudy Engel

of Mulberry Lane Photography

Issue # 1March 2012

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© Kr

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Who is nichole burnett???

SHE BE SWEET

Nichole Burnett Photography

Go to Website

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A little bit of work . . .“I have technically been in business for around four years now, but didn’t really push myself for the first two years because I was busy having babies.”

“Children’s portraiture. The images I have of my children are priceless. Having the opportunity to provide something priceless to other families is incredibly fulfil l ing.”

“Dreamy. Sweet. Soft.”

“I’m such an oddball . I am team Nikon with a newly purchased Canon 5D MarkII.”

“Oh goodness! It’s definitely Adele’s ‘Roll ing In The Deep.’ It’s my oldest daughter’s (Halle) favorite song, so it’s constantly getting requested.”

“I really enjoy baking. I wouldn’t consider myself a wonderful baker, but it’s fun and yummy! Who wouldn’t love it?!”

“I‘m not sure if she is a superhero or not . . . if she isn’t she should be! I would love to be Cinderella’s Fairy God-mother. She has a wand!”

“Team Edward ALL THE WAY. I mean seriously, he sparkles ! ”

How long have you been a professional photographer?

What type of photography do you specialize in?

Pick three words that best describe your style.

Team Nikon or Team Canon?

A little bit of play . . .What’s the most played song in your itunes library?

What other Hobby (not photography related) do you enjoy?

If you could be any superhero, who would you be?

Team Edward or Team Jacob?

SHE BE SWEETGo to Website

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A little bit of work . . .“I started photography as a hobby about four years ago, but I didn’t start really pursuing it as a business until two years ago.”

“There’s nothing that I love more than photographing kids being kids. Doing silly things & absolutely loving life! That’s pure bliss to me.”

“Hmm . . . playful, vibrant, imaginative.”

“I am team Nikon, but I LOVE my Canon 7D (that I use for video).”

“‘Video Games’ by Lana Del Rey, in fact it’s playing right now. That song is so haunting!”

“I recently started playing clarinet again (in our church orchestra); it feels so good getting back into music.”

“I think I’d actually rather be a vil lain (like Mother Gothel from ‘Tangled’). She had some great songs in the movie. (muwahahahaha)”

“Team Jacob! ! Hello . . . he’s HOT . . . literally ! ! ! ”

How long have you been a professional photographer?

What type of photography do you specialize in?

Pick three words that best describe your style.

Team Nikon or Team Canon?

A little bit of play . . .What’s the most played song in your itunes library?

What other Hobby (not photography related) do you enjoy?

If you could be any superhero, who would you be?

Team Edward or Team Jacob?

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© Pa

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Who is LAURA McPHAIL???

SHE BE CRAY-CRAY

Chikadeez Photography

Go to Website

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We asked ourselves, what are typical things that boys like to do, when they are free to be themselves?

Then it came to us . . . they love to EXPLORE!! We decided to create a session where a little boy could do just that.

After that we needed to decide how we would capture a little boy out in the world discov-ering new places. After going back and forth with multiple ideas, we agreed that a camping session out in the woods would be perfect. Now that we had our idea, what’s next?

Hmm . . . what to do, what to do??Here are some questions that we asked ourselves during the brainstorming sessions.

Where would be a good location for the shoot? What kind of activities can he do that wil l produce natural (unposed) photographs? How old should he be? Should he be alone or have a companion? How can we style this without it looking too staged? What should he wear?

BRAINSTORMING

#1#2#3#4#5#6

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Lists

We created lists of items that one would need to go hiking and camping in the woods.

We created storyboards with images of clothing and camping gear that we found online. You can use a couple of different sites for storyboards, We happened to use Polyvore for ours.

Storyboardswhere ideas start coming to life!

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We decided to work with a stylist for a couple of reasons. The first reason being, we knew of a really great stylist (Megan LaRussa, you’l l read more about her in a bit) that we were dying to work with. The second reason being, to make our lives easier!

After our brainstorming session, we had a pretty good idea of how we wanted the session to look and feel. That being said, we knew that a stylist would be able to help us carry out our ideas creatively and efficiently. A stylist has connections with local vendors, and those relationships are priceless. If you are in need of clothing and accessories, and you don’t know of anyone that you can borrow them from, things can get expensive and discouraging.

Not only do stylists have connections that we may not have, they have a trained eye for details. Their job/passion is to study the latest fashion trends. Not everyone possesses that kind of knowledge. When you are photographing a session, you may not have time to fix that shirt that came untucked or that prop that fell down. That is when a stylist comes in handy. They are there to help you. In the words of Dane Sanders, “DIT, do it together.”

By working with a stylist, you are in no way giving up creative control. They are there to help you with your vision. Megan, our stylist for The Wanderers session, was absolutely amazing to work with. And we can’t wait to work with her again!

WHAT DOES A STYLIST DO???

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Tips from a stylist:

When looking for a stylist to work with, make sure that you’ve

seen his/her work. We cannot stress this enough. You want to make sure that your ideas and

style match. If not, it could be a disaster.

There is a difference between wardrobe and prop stylists. Not all wardrobe stylists will help with

prop selection.

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In creating this magazine, we knew that our styles of photography and post processing were completely different. We didn’t view that as a challenge, in fact, we welcomed it with open arms. As you view the following spreads, you’l l see how our work differs and is amazing in its own right. We know that when a photographer first starts out, they tend to emulate their favorite photographers. Don’t feel bad, we’ve been there and done that. At some point in our careers, we find ourselves and realize that

you MUST be you!

THE WANDERERSAnd, now presenting...

12 ©Nichole Burnett

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Our goal is to help you

DISCOVER what inspires your

CREATIVITY

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©Chikadeez Photography

No one can

REPLICATE your

PERSPECTIVEof the

WORLDaround

YOU.

Let’s say you have a session idea, then you notice that another photographer did something similar. You know what? That’s fine, don’t let that deter you! ! ! If you are truly being yourself, you have no choice but to be unique. Just stay true to your original idea and your personal style. Use this magazine, start a journal, create a dream list of what you would do if there were no limits of money, gear, models, etc. Once you start doing all of this, you’ll see that

the possibilities are ENDLESS.

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©Nichole Burnett

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2020 ©Chikadeez Photography

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Boys are ADVENTUROUS and love to be SILLY.

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Boys wil l be boys, so you don’t really need to give that much direction. When planning this session, we decided to come up with a few scenarios, and let him just be himself in those moments. When we wanted a certain reaction or expression, we would ask him questions like “so . . . do you have a girlfriend?” That immediately got him to smile and blush. Other times we played games like red light, green light. Then there are the moments that are totally unexpected. That’s when you’l l

find that most of the amazing photographs come from moments that weren’t planned or pushed. at all .

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©Chikadeez PhotographyBoys wil l be boys, so you don’t really need to give that much direction. When planning this session, we decided to come up with a few scenarios, and let him just be himself in those moments. When we wanted a certain reaction or expression, we would ask him questions like “so . . . do you have a girlfriend?” That immediately got him to smile and blush. Other times we played games like red light, green light. Then there are the moments that are totally unexpected. That’s when you’l l

find that most of the amazing photographs come from moments that weren’t planned or pushed. at all .

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©Nichole Burnett

One thing that we had to plan for was inclement weather. Nichole came up to Birmingham for this session, so there was no back up day to shoot. With time against us, we had to have a back up plan. We decided that even if it rained, we would continue with the session. We brainstormed ideas of shots that we could get (puddle jumping, mud pie making,

etc.). We had a rain coat and boots for our model, and even purchased a coat for the pup. We felt confident that no matter what happened, we could make it work.

The day before the session was the CRAZIEST weather ever. That was the day that 45 tornadoes ripped through the southeast. Thankfully, all of that passed before our session. The weather was cloudy, but we felt that was the perfect look with the bare trees, it added to the ambiance. Plus, no dappled light through the trees was another bonus.

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One thing that we had to plan for was inclement weather. Nichole came up to Birmingham for this session, so there was no back up day to shoot. With time against us, we had to have a back up plan. We decided that even if it rained, we would continue with the session. We brainstormed ideas of shots that we could get (puddle jumping, mud pie making,

etc.). We had a rain coat and boots for our model, and even purchased a coat for the pup. We felt confident that no matter what happened, we could make it work.

The day before the session was the CRAZIEST weather ever. That was the day that 45 tornadoes ripped through the southeast. Thankfully, all of that passed before our session. The weather was cloudy, but we felt that was the perfect look with the bare trees, it added to the ambiance. Plus, no dappled light through the trees was another bonus.

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Take a peek at what happened behind the scenes . . .

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Erin Vaughan was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in a small suburban town outside the city. She stil l resides in the town she grew up in. Erin is currently in the process of working towards a BFA in Studio Arts (concentrating on il lustration) from BIOLA University. She wil l complete her undergrad this Spring..

Erin is fascinated by the Great Outdoors, and find’s a lot of inspiration by spending time outdoors. Her influences come from listening to folk music, childhood memories, going on road-trips, OR when she’s actually physically camping, and building things.

Website • Blog • Etsy

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

ILLUSTRATION

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Vendor Spotlight: Stylist

 Megan  created  Southern  Femme  as  a  way  to  share  her  fashion  adventures,  inspirations,  and  her  most  coveted  style  tips  with  Southern  women.    At  an  early  age,  Megan  had  a  keen  eye  for  fashion  and  an  undying  passion  for  wardrobe  styling.    Her  mother  often  laughs  that  Megan  would  come  home  from  elementary  school  with  her  tunic  tucked  into  her  leggings,  wanting  to  give  herself  a  truly  unique  look  on  the  playground.    Throughout  Megan’s  formative  years,  there  were  shopping  trips  with  her  fabulously  supportive  family  to  stylish  hubs  such  as  Paris,  London,  and  Florence.    The  moment  Megan  stepped  foot  on  the  Rue  de  St  Honore  in  Paris,  amidst  her  friends-­‐Yves  Saint  Laurent,  Fendi,  and  of  course  Colette-­‐  she  knew  she  would  live  and  breathe  STYLE  forever.    After  studying  a  combination  of  French  and  Art  History  in  college,  Megan  moved  to  the  land  of  all  things  fashion:  New  York  City.  In  the  fashion  capital  of  the  world,  her  eye  for  style  was  honed  further  working  for  a  famed  Trend  Forecaster.  There  she  learned  to  analyze  the  runway  collections  and  even  predict  ‘the  next  big  thing’  in  fashion.  To  take  her  fashion  knowledge  to  the  next  level,  Megan  pursued  a  Masters  from  Parsons  School  of  Design,  where  many  of  her  favorite  designers  (i.e.  Marc  Jacobs,  Alexander  Wang,  and  Proenza  Schouler)  also  studied.      But  the  South  was  wooing  her  back  with  its’  slower  pace,  picturesque  landscape,  and  yes  m’ams  and  no  sirs.  Megan’s  biggest  aspiration  upon  moving  back  to  the  heart  of  Dixie  was  spreading  her  insurmountable  love  for  fashion  with  her  fellow  Southern  women.  Southern  Femme  spurred  from  this  desire  to  educate  her  favorite  women  in  the  world  on  both  the  dream  world  of  haute  couture,  high-­‐end  fashion,  as  well  as  your  oh  so  important  day-­‐to-­‐day  wardrobe.    Megan  savors  the  ‘ah  ha’  moments  of  her  Style  Coaching  clients  when  they  discover  new  outfit  combinations  in  what  they  thought  was  their  ‘boring’  wardrobe,  or  lighting  up  when  that  perfect  outfit  for  their  daughter’s  wedding  comes  to  life.      

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

STYLISTMegan created Southern Femme as a way to share her fashion adventures, inspirations, and her most coveted style tips with Southern women. At an early age, Megan had a keen eye for fashion and an undying passion for wardrobe styling. Her mother often laughed that Megan would come home from elementary school with her tunic tucked into her leggings, wanting to give herself a truly unique look on the playground.

Throughout Megan’s formative years, there were shopping trips with her fabulously supportive family to stylish hubs such as Paris, London, and Florence. The moment Megan stepped foot on the Rue de St Honore in Paris, amidst her friends-Yves Saint Laurent, Fendi, and of course Colette-she knew she would live and breathe STYLE forever.

Go to Website

©Ste

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STYLIST

Go to Website

After studying a combination of French and Art History in college, Megan moved to the land of all things fashion: New York City. In the fashion capital of the world, her eye for style was honed further working for famed Trend Forecaster. There she learned to analyze the runway collections and even predict ‘the next big thing’ in fashion. To take her fashion knowledge to the next level, Megan pursued a Masters from Parsons School of Design, where many of her favorite designers (i.e. Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, and Proenza Schouler also studied.

But the South was wooing her back with its slower pace, picturesque landscape and yes ma’am and no sir. Megan’s biggest aspiration upon moving back to the heart of Dixie was spreading her insurmountable love for fashion with her fellow Southern women. Southern Femme spurred from this desire to educate her favorite women in the world on both the dream world of haute couture, high-end fashion, as well as your oh so importan, day-to-day wardrobe. Megan savors the ‘ah ha’ moments of her Style Coaching clients when they discover new outfit combinations in what they thought was their ‘boring’ wardrobe, or lighting up when that perfect outfit for their daughter’s wedding comes to life.

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Rising star

If you’d like to be featured in our next issue, please submit your low res images to info@thefortmag.com. We can’t wait to see your work!

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©Tru

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ngel

We’ve been following lifestyle photographer Trudy Engel for almost a year now, and we’re always delighted to see what she posts next. Trudy is located in central Georgia, and she specializes in unique kids and senior girl sessions. She has a passion for catching the little fleeting details in a child’s life that parents want to remember. With the ability to connect with her subjects, and her beautiful images, she’s definitely someone you’ll want to add to your bookmarks.

Check out more of her work at: www.mulberrylanephotography.com

Are you the next rising Star??If you’d like to be featured in our next issue, please submit your low res images to

info@thefortmag.com. We can’t wait to see your work!

Trudy EngelWMulberry Lane Photography

72 Featured in Babiekins Magazine72

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-Shannon Sewell www.shannonsewell.com

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“I am a children’s

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we can do is LOVE & BE KIND. I found my perfect muse for this (& all I do) in

my children. I have made a career of taking pictures of them (and playing dress up). When they let

me, I dress up other people’s kids & take pictures of them too. I’ve got a hippy soul with

a touch of OCD. I believe that animals are friends, not food & I probably won’t

remember your name but I’ll always remember your smile.”

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“I think boys are an absolute

BLAST to photograph. They seem to be more comfortable taking risk (so we can get a little

CRAZIER on set) and they take teasing really well which equates to a more playful,

SILLYvibe in the shots.”  

74 Featured in Babiekins Magazine

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“I love that my ‘job’ is a GLORIFIED PLAYDATE. There is just an ease about going to work when you know the hardest thing you wil l have to do is be able to balance a camera & hula hoop at the same time!”

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80“I like [photographing] the 4-8 range. They are pretty good listeners at that age but still have NO INHIBITIONS or preconceived ideas about what they should be doing. I love that.”80

81“I like [photographing] the 4-8 range. They are pretty good listeners at that age but still have NO INHIBITIONS or preconceived ideas about what they should be doing. I love that.” ©S

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LET’s GET PERSONAL: If you could go back in time (knowing what you know now), what piece of business advice would you give yourself? “Follow your gut. There wil l always be trends and people tell ing you that you are supposed to do things a certain way. You are the only one that knows what is right for you & your business though-do what feels right.”

What was your first commercial shoot?  Would you tell us a little bit about what that experience was like for you? “I think it was for Knuckleheads Clothing. It was for their lookbook. I have been so lucky to work with clothing lines & clients that just totally jive on a personal level. I think that is so important in the final outcome of the shoot (& of your working relationship). It really makes for a shoot that is relaxed & fun. It was a blast!”

You do a lot of commercial photography.  If you could give one piece of advice on how to reak into that industry, what would it be? “Like I referenced above, I think the personal relationship you have with your client is so important. That is why putting so much of yourself into your brand is key. I have worked really hard to make my work & my brand be an extension of who I am so when a client hires me because they like my work, there is already a very good chance they wil l like me as well . Shoot like you already have the jobs you want, make sure your work is seen & you wil l attract the work you were made to do. Most of the time clients contact me (rather than me having to seek them out), I truly believe this is why.”

What is your (non photography related) guilty pleasure? “Traveling. I love being in the middle of new scenery & places to discover.”

What’s the most played song in your iTunes library? “Changes daily (I can’t even pick my favorite genre-way too many). Today it is Lissie.”

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LET’s GET PERSONAL: If you could go back in time (knowing what you know now), what piece of business advice would you give yourself? “Follow your gut. There wil l always be trends and people tell ing you that you are supposed to do things a certain way. You are the only one that knows what is right for you & your business though-do what feels right.”

What was your first commercial shoot?  Would you tell us a little bit about what that experience was like for you? “I think it was for Knuckleheads Clothing. It was for their lookbook. I have been so lucky to work with clothing lines & clients that just totally jive on a personal level. I think that is so important in the final outcome of the shoot (& of your working relationship). It really makes for a shoot that is relaxed & fun. It was a blast!”

You do a lot of commercial photography.  If you could give one piece of advice on how to reak into that industry, what would it be? “Like I referenced above, I think the personal relationship you have with your client is so important. That is why putting so much of yourself into your brand is key. I have worked really hard to make my work & my brand be an extension of who I am so when a client hires me because they like my work, there is already a very good chance they wil l like me as well . Shoot like you already have the jobs you want, make sure your work is seen & you wil l attract the work you were made to do. Most of the time clients contact me (rather than me having to seek them out), I truly believe this is why.”

What is your (non photography related) guilty pleasure? “Traveling. I love being in the middle of new scenery & places to discover.”

What’s the most played song in your iTunes library? “Changes daily (I can’t even pick my favorite genre-way too many). Today it is Lissie.”

©Sha

nnon

Sew

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Join us on our journey...

If you are interested in advertising with The Fort magazine, please contact us for a full pricing list at info@thefortmag.com.