I haven’t been terribly busy with the photography business as of late, so I ‘ve had some time to meet new people and revive old skills.  You see, this is the first time in many years that I have been serious about film. There is something about film that’s very human… imperfect… delicate… old fashioned but in a way that’s almost a lost art. Some might argue that it’s “trendy” nowadays to shoot film, but it’s that very trendiness that’s keeping film alive and kicking.

Film was my first love and it’s so exciting to get to hold hands with my first love again, bat my eyelashes at it, feel my heart speed up a notch. I once swore that I would *never* switch to digital SLRs (never say never) because I loved film so much. Well, we’re back together and this is not a love that I’m willing to let go of again.

I got my start in film (does that make me sound old?) and I still have two rolls of TMax 400 that I cut from a bulk roll and rolled into their canisters myself in a darkroom once upon a time.  Of course, it’s nearly 20 year expired now.  Is that old enough to call vintage?  Someday I will load those rolls up and shoot something experimental with them and hopefully have a subject worthy of twenty+ year-old film.

When I saw a post on facebook from a Washington photographer (hi Dana!) with a layover in Austin who had lined up a quickie session with her EOS3, I jumped at the chance to meet her.  I was ready; I had had my EOS3 for four months and finally comfortable with the missing LCD and where the buttons and dials were and had taken the time to read the manual from cover to cover and set up my custom functions and I’m so glad she posted that little call out for her impromptu session.

Desiree was our lovely model and it was her birthday that day (happy birthday again, Desiree!) and we had a very relaxing session.

Shooting with film is A LOT different than shooting digital.  For one, every click costs.  We calculated that each frame is roughly a dollar to process, and that’s after the cost of the film in the first place.  And while it was funny thinking *click* a dollar, *click* a dollar, *click* … you just can’t beat the sound of that shutter and the little whirr of the film advancing to the next frame.  Everything was slower, more relaxed.  We talked a LOT.  We smiled a lot.  We switched it up a lot.  I only shot 30-36 frames in the two hours we were out there.  With digital, it’s *click*click*click*click* then you adjust the pose a little, *click*click*click*click*, okay try this… *click*click*click*click*click*click* “good, I think we got it!”  Film is maybe 2 takes of any given pose before you completely change something up.  Everything seemed more “for a reason” and there was much more critical time spent looking at every little thing (background, foreground, light, expression, pose, etc.) before the shutter was pressed.  It was refreshing and I am completely addicted.

Perhaps the most exciting part to me (probably the most scary part to most people, especially those that got their start on a digital camera) is the excitement of *not* seeing what you captured. It’s like a great mystery novel that’s full of suspense but when you finally get to the end you are excited and full of energy! An advantage that immediately come to mind is the lack of post processing; the lab does it for you! Also, while there might be dust in scanning, you have no dusty sensor worries. But the biggest attraction to me is the hard copy. There are physical negatives. Yes, you get digital scans of those negatives but should anything ever happen to those digital copies, I’ll still have the film and can scan it again. In this day and age of hard drives failing, cards getting written over, corrupted files and the like, it’s almost like insurance to have a physical, chemical copy of your images. With proper storage, they’ll last longer than we will.

I am totally interested in shooting more film, so if you’re interested in modeling for me, drop me a line – jen@ jenbarnesphoto .com – I’ll get together with you for a complementary session and shoot 1-2 rolls of film and you’ll get the digital scans once everything is developed. (Individuals and couples only, no families at this time).

EOS3 :: 85mm f/1.2L :: 50mm f/1.4 :: Fuji 400H :: Kodak Portra 400

Back in January, I had the honor of photographing this young family before a deployment.  I had wanted, oh so wanted, to be there to document his reunion with his family.  Sadly, it was not meant to be.  My family was in the midst of car problems, surgery recoveries, the hottest summer in Austin’s history, fires, you name it.  Everything was against me being there and I was so frustrated.  I didn’t want them to go without updated portraits, though, so we met at a park one morning.

Thank you for what you did for our Nation.  Thank you for serving.  Welcome home.

I was honored to photograph this loving family earlier this spring (when things were still green!) and capture some very special smiles. Brenda, I remember this session often and am so honored you allowed me to become a part of your family’s history! Thank you so much for the honor.

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I had the honor of being contacted by a dear friend to photograph a party she was putting together with her family for a combined birthday and engagement party at The Oasis. I have never been to The Oasis. My husband, David, and I were working so hard from the time we moved to Austin to the time that kids came that we just didn’t get out much. This is also how I found Gumbo’s! I even mentioned to my friend that when I photograph a party for her, I end up taking my husband out to eat there later. This is one place I will make sure we visit together again soon.

I am in awe at the set-up they’ve got going at The Oasis. Go for the sunset. Quick, before you leave Austin and especially if you live here and haven’t gone before… and when the sun sizzles over the horizon, your heart stops for a second. Ssssssssss…

The Oasis (Lakeside Terrace Room) | Cakes by Angel’s Bakery

Head on over to the new Facebook page and give it a big thumbs up to stay in the loop. Pass it on to some high schoolers if you’d like, too. I’d sure appreciate it!

Also, I’ve got some new pricing up over here on Jen Barnes Photo so feel free to take a look. I simplified and went a little more traditional route in pricing. I hope it helps communication between me and my clients!

Thanks for your time and I’ll be back with some images this weekend!

I’m so anxious to share the image in this frame below but will be a good girl and wait until AFTER the wedding.  Connie!  I am so stinking excited for you!!!  I can’t help but give a sneak peek at the frame… it’s gorgeous.  Connie picked the most beautiful one, I think.

And just to cover myself: The photographs and other content of this publication do not constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.

The hardest part was coming up with a soundtrack.  My wildly talented brother is a very musical dude (even though he is also a very technical dude as well) and gave me permission to use his recording of Gabriel Fauré – Romance sans Paroles Op 17, No 3 which he recently recorded on his amazing piano. I’m blessed to be his sister, I tell you… So with out further ado, happy fourth birthday little man!

Here are two of my favorites.

The photographs and other content of this publication do not constitute or
imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Department of Defense.