February 2012
8 posts
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Presely: Vintage
Model: Presley
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Spring Fashion Week 2012: Emilio Sosa Show →
My second ever New York Fashion week event for Heed Magazine.
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Ryan is Inked
A model turned one of my good friends, Ryan is now finishing up her tattooing apprenticeship. I can’t wait to be inked by her. Here’s one that Ryan edited: She also gave me one of her artworks in exchange for mine:
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Monica Congratulates the Giants
Monica congratulates Superbowl XLVI Champions, the New York Giants.
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Roxie Three
The black and white conversion was done by tinkering with the RGB channels.
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Layla One
Lighting Notes: On the first and last image, just a beauty dish high and straight on the model. On the second image, same beauty dish, diffused this time, model right. Third image was done with a basic clamshell set up, strobe on top with reflector at the bottom.
January 2012
9 posts
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Wioletta's Portfolio
I’m friendly. I promise. So if you want to inquire about an el Jong-shot portfolio, send me a message here or any of my ten million social networking sites.
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Belly Dancer Carolina Model
Model: Carolina Ethnicity: Russian
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Chef Ymi Model
Model: Ymi Ethnicity: Venezuelan
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Lexi for Miss New York USA
Lexi has one of the most beautiful faces I’ve ever shot. So much so that I also invited her to be in my first editorial magazine shoot here in New York (see Ash People Shoot). She is now vying to be Miss New York USA. Go ahead and support her by liking her page and checking her updates. Model: Lexi Ethnicity: American
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December 2011
2 posts
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Home for the Holidays
I will finally be home for the holidays! I cannot wait to spend a bunch of time with my family and friends. So many delightful things are happening. My sister is having her second child. One of our cousins is getting married so a lot of our relatives from the United States will be flying in. My best friend and brother is also getting married (and I am stressing about my best man’s speech)!...
November 2011
5 posts
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vincechang asked: Hi sir jong, just wanted to ask, how do you pose your models? :) do they pose by themselves or you direct them? any tips i could use?
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Fabiola 1.3
This is Fabiola’s (@fabiolabfz) final shoot with me. Again, definitely one of the best looks and talent I’ve been around with. Lighting Note: A fashion gray background is a staple for magazine-esque, high-fashion-looking shots, and this was the first time I experimented in mixing my exposure to approximate that look (without using a seamless gray background). All I did was...
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Krista Ayne Finishes
As promised, here are the rest of Krista’s (@KristaAyne) shots. She is still definitely one of the one of the best specimens I’ve had a pleasure of meeting. Oh, and guess what. I have another set of her… Model: Krista Ayne Ethnicity: Irish-German
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Fabiola 1.2
These are some of the shots from my second session with one of the most talented models I’ve shot, Fabiola (@fabiolabfz). This time, she needed a session to do both a CD cover layout (post to follow) and a few shots that will show different emotions for her actor’s card. Model: Fabiola Ethnicity: Chinese-Venezuelan
October 2011
19 posts
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The Real Mica (Head Shots)
Fellow-Filipino, Mica (@DaRealMICA), is definitely one of the prettiest Filipina faces I’ve ever shot and we met and shot, not in our homeland of the Philippines, but here, in New York. Mica was shot by my good friend and photography partner, the maestro Aaron Ebio, on one of her frequent trips home and when I moved here, she was referred to me. We did my usual portfolio package: a head shot...
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Emily's Second Visit
Again, here are some of New Jerseyan model Emily’s (@emilyxsilver) shots by me. This time, I have a setup shot showing how I light my couch layouts. I’ve been reviewing the blogs of some of people I like and I’ve noticed they all do not have a lot of words. So, in that vain, I shall give it a try. More photos, more to the point, less words. And here’s the setup shot....
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Fabiola 1.0
My first shoot with a very talented model. I did a total of three shoots with her and a few of her friends. Model: Fabiola Ethnicity: Chinese-Venezuelan
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Krista's Shave
Krista (@KristaAyne) is definitely one of the most attractive models I’ve ever shot. She is that rare combination of great genes as well as the attitude to work it. Definitely one of the very, very few models I would love to shoot again and again. She has been featured in countless publications and music videos. If she looks familiar, she’s the female lead in Jesse McCartney’s...
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Marriage Preparation: Featured Engagement of... →
It was very, very cool of Bridal Book to feature my engagement shoot for one of my good friends, Isabel, her husband-to-be, Justin. I actually had to find out through the grapevine that my shots were there, but I am very honored that they deemed the shots pretty enough for an article on helping people choose their engagement photographer. Isabel is a friend and former officemate who took a program...
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WatchFirst of all, please support Heed Magazine’s push to be placed in Barnes and Noble stores worldwide. All you have to do is is pledge any amount and you can help this great publication spread positive messages throughout the country! In this video, you will see Soul Vanderpool, Founder and Publisher of Heed explain their effort with Kickstarter as well as the inspiration and some...
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Amanda's Dark Arts
When I started really getting serious with my photography, it was easy to think about a signature style. Every photographer should have a certain look and feel to their shots. I always wanted to be versed in the dark arts. So, after some initial experimentation on light streaks, strobing and the like, I finally pegged the tone I wanted to use as my signature. Combining a little bit of bronze with...
timloi asked: Hey Jong. I've been a fan of your work for a long time (I have your POTN profile bookmarked somewhere!) and I recently discovered your tumblr. I appreciate that a down-to-earth guy like you is sharing what he loves to do and pointing scrubs like me in the right direction. Thanks again.
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Ash People Shoot
I am immensely proud to share my recent work not for not only a great publication, but also for a great article. Heed Magazine is not your run o’ the mill glossy. Heed is not just edgy editorial and stunning creatives, but it does them with a positive spin — sharing what is good in the world instead of just selling you sex or toys you really don’t have use for. The feature I shot...
Anonymous asked: hi! I came across an engagement photoshoot that was posted on bridalbook. You're based here in NY which is really great. What are your rates for an engagement photoshoot? Thanks. Monica
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Hina Styling
Here is another example of sourcing models from behind the camera. Hina was a sylist from another shoot and I invited her to come back again for me to shoot her. She even cut her hair for the shoot! You’ll see below, she also brought a friend. Since I’ve been trying to post double-time in my blog, I’ve been running out on tips! Maybe for this one, the tip, like mentioned...
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Fit Noelle
More shoots from the archives! This is fitness model Noelle with my usual portfolio package. I’ve pretty much talked about the lighting and the shooting setup of these shots before, so this time, I’ll talk about the new/old gear I used in this particular shoot. Other people are addicted to alcohol, sex, shoes or bags, I’m addicted to camera gear. I scour Craig’s List for...
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Psychoanalyzing with Martha
Just a reminder, my blog is still not up-to-date. Apart from the last post with Frieda, this portal is still a few months backlogged with shoots. So you will see that some of my lighting style here is a little bit rougher than the ones I post in my social media accounts and forums. From time to time, I will intersperse my newer projects so you will see my most recent experiments (like the moving...
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Frieda's Look Book
These are our photo output from the featured trailer from a few posts back. Frieda works a bit in styling so she needs more images for her look book. I particularly liked the hat with ears. She says it was a wolf, but I think they are more bear-like. The other look was something of an all-American kind of thing. Who doesn’t like an American flag pair of pants? Anyway, enjoy. Model:...
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September 2011
14 posts
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Lisa is an International Superstar DJ
Continuing with our theme of knowing your subject, here is another one of my shoots where I was surprised to find out how successful my subject was. DJ Lisa Kensington is an international DJ based in New York and Miami. As a DJ or any performer, she constantly needs shots for her promotional materials and that’s how our paths crossed. Knowing where your client will use your shots will...
livlyfe asked: Thanks for all your tips!!! Its nice to see someone who is not selfish and what people to learn
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Kerry: The Rockstar's Wife
Here’s a really important tip: Do as much background check as you can with anyone you will be working with. With all the social networking sites and with the all-powerful Google at your disposal, there’s no reason not to know your subject even a little bit. Sometimes though, you will not know enough. Like the featured model Kerry, I knew she was a pro and was an actress as well, but I...
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Handling Attitude
I find it funny that more up-and-comers have more attitude than experienced and more successful models. It’s also applicable in everything else in life. If someone gets featured in a magazine or gets photographed once or twice, that doesn’t mean he/she is a model. If you have yourself a DSLR, have a copy of Adobe Photoshop, and put “(insert name here) Photography” after...
thecontributorm asked: You're able to get the models skin looking really smooth without it looking face/plastic/barbie doll'ish. There is also always a nice glow to them that enhances the skin as well. Any pointers on how to achieve something similar?
dustinlevine asked: Hi, I made a comment/question 2 days ago on your ''Karina’s First'' post, I checked back to day to see if you responded, and my question was gone, I was just curious why it was removed? Anyway if you are able to to explain how you make your models comfortable when shooting with you, and how I can achieve that to, I would greatly appreciate it. It is big hurdle for me,...
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Karina's First
While I had a down day while recuperating from my first New York Century ride (post about that coming soon), let’s post more about photography stuff! Usually, photographers would prefer to shoot with experienced models, but I take special joy in shooting first-timers (provided they are nice people and have a certain look and attitude I like). Featured here is Karina, a very sweet Siberian...