The Difference Between Capturing And Creating An Image by Montrealer Girl Boss Hera Bell

Now of days we all have a digital camera. At least everyone owns a cellphone camera. The amount of photography happening between our daily selfies and snap shots of our moments is immense.

Camera gear is very affordable now of days. Even if you have no idea what lighting means, Photoshop and some cell phone apps easily can rectify your lighting problems. Thus for we have that many more people launching their photography businesses. I am quite thankful that when

I started my photography carrier in 1997 it was during the film era. I learnt everything  I know of today all by myself. By reading  and experimenting. Taking workshops back then were much less in vogue and much less affordable. Especially when it came to the art of studio portraiture. Today almost every photographer tries to supplement their income by trying to teach the trade.

I embraced digital imagery way before digital cameras were out there to capture anything in great quality to offer poster size prints. So I scanned my negatives with a high end Nikon scanner and started playing with collages. Back then, I was bashed as a fake photographer by photographers refusing to enter the digital manipulations era. I have never hidden the fact that I used the collage techniques to create realistic imagery. I am not a photo journalist. I am a glamour portrait specialist.

Today, I owe the success of my portrait business to being different then the rest of the flock. I offer  more then a simple capture. Seeking perfection in every single detail. Recently I had a "mini me" mother and daughter/ smash the cake session.

 My photography starts always by styling every shots myself. From the clothing choices to the mood of the shots, the make-up etc. This is a collaboration between me and  my clients. I take great pride working solo, without the aid of any assistants.

I will show you what I mean. When you photograph a one year old baby girl, you learn fast that you can' direct them. You can get their attention if you are lucky and skillful enough. Often parents are preoccupied to contain the kid in the shot. You first direct the parents. Then click that shutter when the kid is in perfect position. In these two samples you can see what's going on. To me none of these two images are perfect.

And what I have done to make it a perfect shot. Voila.

Ansel Adams said: "You don't take a photograph, you create it." He was a master from the negative and darkroom era. But he knew what he was talking. A negative was just a start for him as for me a digital capture. Nothing has changed when it comes to the art of photography.