RSS Feed - Look Studios and Garry Cotter (photographer)

contortion artist

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2012-05-16T21:15:48-07:00

A photo shoot on location with Circus West contortion artists/performers in a Vancouver Park.

It is always fun to have opportunities to photograph something a bit different. This recent photo shoot was with contortion artists who train at the Circus West training facility in Vancouver. Working with 2 contortion artists in a lovely park on a stunning spring day produced some great images.

Retro glamour portrait

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2012-04-22T20:41:51-07:00

A recent client wanted to have a retro glamour black & white portrait done in the style of classic 1950’s Hollywood.

Retro portrait is much like classic pinup, it requires attention to detail including period style makeup, hair style, fashion, and props. Classic studio lighting and working in traditional Black & White is also essential for that classic look. Over a couple of hours we worked together to create a series of classic portraits.

Contact us to fine out more about our portrait photography, or read our photo Blog

a Harlequin romance

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-11-17T19:34:00-08:00

This was a fascinating shoot trying to create an image that has the essence of what we might see on the cover of a romance novel (a la Harlequin). The shoot was set up with two models looking to add diversity to their portfolios. They had never met prior to entering in the studio. The female model is an experienced figure model, but this was her first experience with a male model. The male model had done fashion shoot before, but this was his first nude shoot.

The ability to create unique in interesting images requires a strong model-photographer relationship. Great images don’t happen by accident, they require all parties to be respectful, have the ability to communicate ideas/concepts, and have a willingness to experiment.

shoot, cricique, reshoot - how to improve your work

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2012-04-10T18:48:19-07:00

The two images above are an example of ‘shoot, review and critique your work, then reshoot’. At one of our recent photo workshops, we were working with a model inside a tube of fabric exploring the concept of ‘one’s inner self trapped and trying to express itself’.

On Saturday (image on left) we experimented with the basic concept and were pleased with the results. After reviewing and critiquing our work, we re-approached the concept on Sunday (right) with small lighting changes and new direction for the model. Same concept, same studio, same photographers, and two different effects. The end result was two sets of images that have a distinctly different look and feel. Shoot, review your work with a critical eye and don’t be afraid to go back and reshoot to improve/change it.

inspiration

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2012-04-08T10:30:38-07:00

Having an opportunity to shoot with other photographers is a great way to get inspired and to improve your own photography. At our photo workshops for photographers, our clients leave feeling excited with having created great new images in our studio and motivated to take what they have learned and apply it in their photography. As a leader / teacher at these workshops, I also find myself inspired and motivated by sharing these experiences with my clients/students.

Contact us to fine out more about our studio photography workshops for photographers.

the truth about being a pro-hotographer

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2010-03-05T23:29:00-08:00

Here is a rather amusing thing I found that shows what professional photographers really do with their time. Most of a photographers time is not spent with a camera in their hands. This image I found on the Swiss Miss website.

revisting an old concept

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2012-03-25T13:34:16-07:00

In this fine-art couples shoot we revisited an old concept that Look Studios first did back in the film and darkroom days and brought it into the digital age. I had originally done this concept for a model’s portfolio. This time, we reworked the concept “Ride” and was part of a fine-art nude photography workshop.

Working with a professional figure model and her boyfriend, we finished off a Look Studios weekend fine-art nude photography workshop for photographers with recreating this fine-art nude concept. This concept was originally inspired by work I had seen of a European fine-art photographer whose name I no longer can recall.

Contact us for info on our ”fine-art nude photo workshops for photographers”, or to book your personal fine-art nude, and glamour photo sessions.

fine-art nude photo workshop Mentor/Muse series

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2012-03-19T08:33:21-07:00

For the March fine-art nude photo workshop we experimented with an expanded format from our introduction to fine-art nude photography series. In the new mentor and muse format, the concept was to bring in more models and provide a wider variety of photographic opportunities while still maintaining the small class size of 3-4 photographers participants. This Look Studios mentor and muse series included a couple extra models, a body paint subject.

Based on our experience and feedback from the photo workshop participants, Look Studios will be provided two formats for our workshops.

Contact us for info on our ”fine-art nude photo workshops for photographers”, or to book your personal fine-art nude, and glamour photo sessions.

zombie body paint project

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2012-03-17T01:23:00-07:00

Zombie pinup themed body paint project was the fifth collaboration between Look Studios and Viktoriya Kameneava, a wonderful young body paint artist from Russia now living in Vancouver.

The Zombie theme has been present in popular culture for sometime. Zombies were featured in Michael Jackson’s thriller and are common in may films, books and video games. It was inevitable with the recent increased popularity of Zombies in pop culture that Look Studios was involved in a Zombie photo shoot. Body paint is such a facinating creative and collaborative process.

creating images with impact

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2012-03-18T00:56:00-07:00

At our March fine-art nude photo workshop we had a particular focus on creating dynamic images with real impact. One of the fun concepts we did was “WHAM”, trying to capture a feeling of motion culminating in a spectacular impact between the two models. Another concept that day was “Ride”. Over the course of two days the workshop covered a wide variety of shooting situations and lighting set ups. The workshop was very lively and fun and with a small group size of three photographers, everyone had lots of opportunities to work with the models as the workshop worked through a variety of dynamic and dramatic set ups.

Contact us for info on our ”fine-art nude photo workshops for photographers”, or to book your personal fine-art nude, and glamour photo sessions.

tribal body paint project

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2012-03-17T22:12:32-07:00

Body paint photo session are special as it is fun to work with creative people on unique projects. Working with makeup artist / body painter Leah Cuff was our third collaboration. This time, the theme was something ‘tribal’. Once the 5 hours of makeup and body paint was complete, came a very lively and dynamic photo session.

The model was very animated and lively posing as if sneaking through the jungle, running away from lions and leaping through the air while getting in touch with her primal side. Sometimes a photographer gets the primal urge and can’t help themselves and just has to get into the shot. The model was Stella Li of Vancouver

building modeling portfolio

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2010-03-06T18:59:00-08:00

“I hate housework” theme was part of a dedicated modeling portfolio photo session with a Russian model now based in Vancouver. Over the course of the photo session we did three looks with makeup and hair, photographed her in three outfits, and did images both in studio as well as at outside locations near the studio.

In this image, Oksana is wearing a denim bustier and jeans by Guest. Her goal was to create some new images featuring causal wear her professional modeling portfolio.

Look Studios regularly assists models and women looking to build a portfolio for modeling with dedicated portfolio photo sessions.

boudoir and lingerie

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2010-03-08T13:21:00-08:00

At Look Studios we focus on simple sets with dramatic and elegant lighting for our boudoir and lingerie photo sessions. We work with a makeup artist to provide glamour makeup look and hair to set the stage for the photo session to follow.

This photo shoot was with a Oksana, a Russian model based in Vancouver. She was looking to add some new images to her modeling portfolio. In a 4 hour dedicated modeling portfolio photo session that included three different looks with makeup and hair to go with a casual fashion outfit, a portrait / headshot, and finally a lingerie session.

lingerie with a twist - body paint

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-06-06T13:09:00-07:00

This was a most unique lingerie photo session. The photo shoot required about five hours of makeup and body paint and one hour to photograph. The model was photograhed both in studio and on location.

This was such a fun project and we did the location work on the rooftop of the waterfall building at Granville Island. The body paint artistry was done by Sarah Burgeest and model was Paige Monroe of Vancouver.

Award winning dance photograph

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2012-03-04T07:39:11-08:00

This image entitled “a dancer’s dream” was tied for third place at the 2012 North Shore Photographic Challenge. The challenge is a photo competition featuring images from 280 photographers from all over British Columbia and the Yukon.

It is an honor having another of my photo entries judged as one of the top images at the North Shore Challenge. On two previous occasions, my images have been the winning image at the North Shore Photographic Challenge and awarded the CAPA gold medal.

The Challenge is hosted by NSPS (North Shore photographic Society) and sponsored by CAPA (Canadian Association for Photographic Art).

Fitness modeling and photo sessions

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-06-01T14:43:00-07:00

A recent trend at Look Studios has been increasing requests from clients wishing to have a personal fitness photo session. Over the past few months, Look Studios has conducted a flurry of fitness photo shoots with women and men into fitness, body building, and fitness competitions.

The latest fitness photo session I did was with a woman in her mid 50’s who has just recently taken up fitness competition. The beauty of studio lighting is the ability to use light to accentuate form of the muscles and firm tone of the body.

why models need professional photographers

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-06-06T22:42:09-07:00

Models need to invest in working with professional photographers to build a quality modeling portfolio. The modeling portfolio is the gateway to agencies and potential clients. However, the taking of the photo is only first half of the battle, the real magic occurs in the post processing. In the post production we smooth out the skin and add punch to the image. Images in a modeling portfolio have to have impact.

Creating quality images is an elaborate process beginning with professional hair and makeup, time in the studio or on location, and retouching in post production. In these examples we show base unedited photo followed by the retouched image.

fine-art nude and dance

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2012-02-23T23:35:57-08:00

Working with models who have a solid background in dance is always a treat. At a recent fine-art nude photo shoot we had an opportunity to incorporate elements of modern dance into the photo session. I love working with dancers. Dancers make great models and are wonderful to work with. Dancers are so very aware of their bodies and are accustomed to taking direction.

photographing male fitness / body builders

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2012-02-13T21:07:29-08:00

Photographing men presents its own unique challenges requiring a different approach then photographing women in the studio.

When photographing women the goal of lighting, posing, editing and retouching is to capture femininity in a manner that is tasteful and elegant. Photographing men, especially those who want to focus on fitness, muscles and tone, requires grittier lighting technique and photo editing to bring out the masculinity the client is wanting to portray.

when the model picks up a camera

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-03-25T20:23:00-07:00

At our recent workshop there was a spontaneous moment when one of the models picked up a camera and turned it on the male model. Workshop participants quickly picked up their cameras and got a few fun playful images.

Contact us for info on our ”fine-art nude photo workshops for photographers”, or to book your personal fine-art nude, and glamour photo sessions.

male and female models in workshop

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-11-29T08:30:00-08:00

Past workshop participants have requested an opportunity to include male nudes or couples into our workshops. At our last fine-art nude photo workshop we had an opportunity to bring in male and female model and finish the two day workshop with art nude images of a couple. This addition proved to be very well received by the photographers attending the workshop. Incorporating male model or couples is something we can now offer at some of our fine-art nude photo workshops.

Contact us to book your personal fine-art nude, and glamour photo sessions, for info on attending one of our ”fine-art nude photo workshops for photographers”.

Medusa body paint project

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-08-05T23:33:00-07:00

This was a collaboration with make up artist to test some effects for a future large body paint project based on the character Medusa from Greek Mythology.

This was a test to replicate scales, test colors etc. The plan is to create Medusa, with rubber snakes woven into her hair and a real 4 foot long snake as a prop. This will be a huge collaboration that will require 8-10 hours for makeup and hair.

modeling portfolio photo session

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-06-05T23:08:00-07:00

This recent photo shoot was a great reminder how fun it is to help women interested in pursuing their interest in modeling with a dedicated modeling portfolio photo session. We provide a fully professional photo studio experience to create high quality professional images. A dedicated portfolio photo session involves working with professional makeup artist and hair stylist

photograhing fitness model & body builder

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-05-28T22:51:00-07:00

Photographing female fitness models is all about accentuating definition of muscles. Recently I photographing a fitness model in her 40’s just prior to the provincial championships. She is returning to fitness competition after a two years off.

Fitness models photo sessions provide a challenge, rather than photographing a woman with a soft and feminine look. Fitness models and body builders requires strong dynamic lighting techniques and photo editing to accentuate muscles.

Graffiti body paint project

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-04-25T22:34:00-07:00

The current hot trend in the world of makeup artistry is body paint art projects. Look Studios most recent body paint collaboration was with Leah Cuff makeup artist. The theme was “Graffiti” with model was Cera Sabotage from Toronto.

It was another long day of makeup, body paint, and photography. The day of the project, the model flew in on the ‘red-eye’ from Toronto arriving at Vancouver airport at 9:00 a.m. and rushing down to Look Studios. Then Cera spent the next 5 hours standing while Leah did the airbrush and graffiti artwork, followed by an hour in the studio for the photography. All in all, a very long day for everyone involved, especially the model whose day began very early in Toronto.

art-nude photo workshop reflections

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-04-23T22:17:00-07:00

Look Studios has conducted 6 “fine-art nude photography workshops for photographers” over the past 7 months. Looking back, here are some reflections.

The workshops have been well received with participants saying they appreciate the small class size and the hands-on practical part of their studio experience. Workshop participants have ranged in age from mid-20s to mid-80s with female photographers in the majority by a slim margin. Workshop participants come with a wide range of experience and backgrounds: from relative beginners, to serious hobbyists and professional photographers. While most photographers attending the workshops have been from around Vancouver, participants have included a photographer attending from Toronto, and a German student who had recently graduated from a 2 year college program in photography.

Contact us for info on our ”fine-art nude photo workshops for photographers”, or to book your personal fine-art nude, and glamour photo sessions.

the Dirve Dance center photo shoot

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-04-02T21:00:00-07:00

April began with a fun dance shoot in Vancouver at the Drive Dance Center photographing 4 of the Drive Dance Center’s instructors. Each of the dance instructors presented a different style of dance ranging from contemporary dance, Jazz, and hip-hop, to more traditional salsa and ballet.

It was a great evening working with the wonderful dancers from the Drive Dance Center, makeup by Leah Wilburn makeup and design, hair styles by Sarah Huggins.

the model-photographer relationship

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-11-25T20:52:00-08:00

Earning the model’s trust and creating a comfortable atmosphere is essential to making quality artistic images. The best images are ones that are either dynamic in form, capture a mood, or evoke emotions in the viewer.

A photographer can’t achieve this if there is no connection with the model. Creating intimate images of people is a collaborative process built on trust established through a positive model-photographer rapport.

Look Studios fine-art nude photography workshops feature a different model each day. In our workshops, we teach how to provide a model with direction in a respectful, professional, and constructive manner. The photos above are of Gabrielle and Jena, 2 models from the March fine-art nude photo workshops.

Contact us to book your personal fine-art or glamour photo session, or for info on attending one of our ”fine-art nude photo workshops for photographers”.

dancers from SFU dance program

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-03-20T20:43:00-07:00

Simon Fraser University (SFU) dance program has moved into its spacious new location in the downtown campus that is part of the Woodwards redevelopment.

This dance shoot was in the large new and spacious Simon Fraser University dance studio featuring Natalie Johannesen and 5 other dancers who are studying contemporary dance at SFU. Dancers are dynamic, creative and fun to work with.

CAPA gold medal: winning Dance image

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-03-05T20:28:00-08:00

This image, “Take Off” is the winning image at the 2011 North Shore Photographic Challenge. The North Shore Challenge is a photo competition featuring work from 270 photographers from throughout British Columbia and the Yukon. This is the second time that one of my images has won the North Shore Challenge and a CAPA gold medal.

It is an honor having my entry judged as “Best of Show” at the North Shore Challenge. The Challenge is hosted by NSPS (North Shore photographic Society) and sponsored by CAPA (Canadian Association for Photographic Art).

February fine-art nude photo workshop

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-02-27T20:10:00-08:00

Both of our February Fine-art Nude Photo Workshops were in our new 2 day format. Based on lessons learned from earlier workshops, as well as feedback from participants, the maximum number of participants is now reduced from 5 to 4. By keeping the class size down to 3 or 4 participants, everyone gets plenty of opportunity to work with the models and I can meet the needs of the range of experience workshop participants bring to the sessions.

The experience levels of participants range from relative novices to professional photographers, with an even mix of male and female photographers. For many participants, these sessions have been their first experience shooting in a studio.

Contact us for info on our ”fine-art nude photo workshops for photographers”, or to book your personal fine-art nude, and glamour photo sessions.

Octopus's Garden body paint project

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-02-13T19:59:00-08:00

It is fun to work on creative and unique concepts. This was my second body paint collaboration with Viktoriya Kammaeva (a wonderful makeup / airbrush artist), and Carmen Durrer (fine-art nude and figure model). The last project’s theme was the “Planets or Universe”, this it was the “Ocean” . The inspiration came from the small “Blue Ringed Octopus” that becomes bright yellow when agitated. The airbrush and detail work required 4 hours to complete and about 45 minutes to do the photography. I’m looking forward to working with Viktoriya and Carmen on more body paint projects.

Visit our body paint page for information on body paint photography, or contact us

new 2 day format for photo workshop

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-02-12T19:40:00-08:00

Fine-art nude photography workshops have now been expanded to 2 days, Every person who had previously attended one of my 1-day introduction to fine-art nude photography workshop in my Vancouver studio have requested I offer a Day 2 session. In response to their interest, I developed a Day 2 program and to date eighty-eight percent have returned for Day 2. As a result, the fine-art nude photography workshops for photographers are now offered as a two-day program.

I recently held the first two-day workshop and by all accounts it was a success. The workshop continues to keep the small intimate format with 3 - 5 participants working with a different model each day. This give plenty of opportunity to shoot and everyone coming away with great images. It’s been interesting to see how much more comfortable workshop participants are on Day 2 as they feel more confident giving the models direction and more familiar with shooting fine-art nudes in the studio environment. Visit the comments page to hear what workshop participants have said about their Look Studios fine-art photo workshop experience.

Contact us for info on our ”fine-art nude photo workshops for photographers”, or to book your personal fine-art nude, and glamour photo sessions.

EROS - Vancouver art nude and erotic photo exhibition

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-02-11T22:52:00-08:00

The EROS Fine-art Nude, Figure and Erotic Photography Exhibition is one of the largest annual photo gallery exhibits in Vancouver. This year, the EROS exhibit featured features two of my images.
The two images chosen by the Photohaus Gallery’s selection committee for the exhibit are:

“Power & Grace”, a dynamic image of a couple (appears above).
“ISIS - Goddess of the Universe”, a body paint project”

Contact us to book your personal fine-art nude, and glamour photo sessions, for info on attending one of our ”fine-art nude photo workshops for photographers”.

universe body paint project

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2011-01-03T22:36:00-08:00

This project began with a simple sketch for an artistic body paint project consisting of planets of our solar system. Working with Viktoriya Kammaeva (a very talented makeup artist) and Carmen Durrer (an outstanding figure model), the whole project came together at Look Studios. Makeup and body paint took 5 hours to complete and about 45 minutes to shoot approximately 350 images.

Overall it was a great collaboration between model, makeup artist and photographer. It is always such a pleasure to work with creative people on unique and interesting projects. Being engaged in a creative process is so rewarding when it all comes together and produces something exceptional.

visit our body paint ; fine-art nude or art nude photo workshops pages

dancers and dance photography

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2010-10-28T22:21:00-07:00

Dance is an area of interest in my creative journey through photography. Capturing the beauty and grace of dance is extremely challenging. Recently I had the opportunity to do a dance photo session was with three dance instructors from the Freestyle Dance Center in Abbotsford, BC.

Working with dancers is pleasure. Dancers are very aware of lines of their bodies and take direction well. Dance photography is a wonderfully rewarding creative process when it all comes together in that precise instant. Visit my dance photo gallery to see more dance examples of dance photography.

fine-art nude photo workshop for photographers

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2010-11-15T21:52:46-08:00

I have been asked numerous times by photographers who have seen my fine art nude photography exhibited if I would consider putting together and teaching a fine art nude photography workshop. In November I developed an outline for a one-day introduction to fine art nude photography workshop. The underlying philosophy is small intimate class size (3 - 5) providing lots of opportunity to work with the model and learn about creating visual sculpture through the creative use of light in a studio setting.

In November I put on two workshops with all eight of the participants coming away inspired and asking for a Day Two session. The fine art nude photography workshop for photographers has now evolved into a two day session working through a progression from portrait, to implied nude and full fine-art nude, ending on Day 2 with an exploration of the nude abstract. Check out the comment page to hear what workshop participants are saying about their Look Studios fine-art nude photo workshop experience.

Contact us for info on our ”fine-art nude photo workshops for photographers”, or to book your personal fine-art nude, and glamour photo sessions.

dance photography: capturing movement

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2010-10-24T12:35:00-07:00

Recently I had the the opportunity to do 2 days of dance photography with David Cooper working with 8 professional dancers from Ballet BC and the 605 Collective Dance Troupe of Vancouver.

This unique experience provided an amazing opportunity to work with top level professional dancers and one of North America’s top dance photographers. This turned out to be a tremendous learning experience.

Life gets better with age: women over 35

Garry Cotter - photographer — 2010-09-25T20:10:03-07:00

While most glamour magazines and photographer portfolios are filled with images of younger women, the majority of clients for romantic boudoir and lingerie photography are women between the ages of 35 to 55. Women over 35 are confident, accomplished, and often looking to create images either as a special gift for their partner, or as a fun experience for themselves.

We work with makeup artist/hair stylist to provide a full make-over experience to creating tasteful and artistic boudoir/lingerie portraits. A professional boudoir / lingerie photo session is designed for real people to create glamourous images to celebrate every body shape and age.