Capture the Look

Our Photos on Engadget & Gizmodo!

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:55:00 +0000

Remember the slashdot days, where a website gets completely overwhelmed when it was linked from slashdot.org. That's where the term Slashdot Effect comes from.

This happened to our website today. Fortunately, there was no direct links to speak of. However, people still have a way of finding us via the photographs we took. Is it our style? They were, taken from the colorful shoot we did, just last week! Well, all the images from that shoot has been used in both highly publicized site, i.e. Gizmodo AND Engadget, on the same day!!!

Check out the articles itself by clicking the articles below in the Gizmodo site,

and the Engadget site,

San Francisco product photographer burnt by acidic colorful batteries!

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:54:00 +0000

How exciting can it be to be a product photographer, shooting say, 100 pair of shoes on a light table all day. Ok, if you have an assistant, you get to say, "Next!". Otherwise, you're fumbling opening boxes, taking a new pair of shoes out, propping it, stick them in a pose, take some shots, change the angles, adjust the lights, photograph some more, wrap the shoes back, stack the boxes properly, then repeat....times one hundred. Ugh! The thought of that makes me cringe!

What about photographing batteries?!? *groan* What could be worse?!

Well, what has batteries and fashion, colors, beauty have in common? Leave it to the owner of HyperMac to seed that idea, a mere 2 weeks ago. Did I go, "that sounds silly!"? No, we flew a rocket with it!!

(click on images to enlarge)

Too bad we only had one day. The idea _will_ continue with the next shoot, I guarantee it!! These were done using the Profoto D4 power pack, 5-6 light heads and the Canon 1Ds Mark III camera.

About photography lighting... my next class, Lighting for Photographers is on March 21st, 2010 and will be held in Maggiano's in Santana Row. Both our classes, in the last 2 weeks, "Photography Made Simple" and "Model Photography Workshop" were filled to the brim. We expect this one will be as well. So, do sign up before it is filled up. Early bird (before Feb 15th) pays $20 less.

20 photos featured in MAXIM Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:05:00 +0000

I've been really privileged to photograph NFL and NBA Cheerleaders for their swimsuit calendars for the past few years and have always look forward to the assignment. These sessions have produced gorgeous individual portraits and calendar shots. And I’ve had a fabulous time. The cheerleaders are just as nice as they are great-looking, and the energy, from start to finish, is totally positive and fun.

Maybe it was that energy that attracted the attention of MAXIM, the international men’s magazine. I was delighted to learn that 20 of my portraits of the Buccaneers cheerleaders recently appeared on its website. This is huge for a couple of reasons. First of all, Maxim usually features only 1-2 images from a photographer. And second, the Maxim website has content that never appears in the magazine. Because of that, it’s become very popular with masculine viewers around the globe.

In this positive spirit, I want to offer a few tips from my experience in photographing women. These tips work, whether you aspire to appear in a magazine or just want to have a great picture of yourself taken. Here goes:

Tip #1 - Unless you haunt the gym and have amazing abs, never face the camera head on. Always angle your body slightly away. You'll appear slimmer and more buffed.

Tip #2 - Turn your face toward the main source of light, which could be the sun, a lamp, or a bright wall. That will throw some of your face into shadow, which is not a bad thing. This brings me to tip #3.

Tip #3 - Show off your strengths and minimize your weaker points. For example, if you think your face is too large, use the shadow created by the light source to make it seem smaller. You can also use your hair to hide parts of your face. Or, if you have beautiful hands, use them to cover areas you don't want to emphasize. The possibilities are endless.

Tip #4 - Chin up! Yep, your mom was right. Lifting your chin just a bit will give you an automatic face lift and help you look self-confident and happy! Very appealing.

Tip #5 – Forget the camera. It’s not there. Yeah, right, that’s really good advice… The camera and the photographer ARE there, which is why you’re there. So here’s a trick to help you feel and look more natural and relaxed: Use your thoughts to create an environment that you love, like the beach or the mountains, and “go” there. You did that time and time again when you were a kid, and your imagination can serve you just as well now.

- Michael Soo

Behind the scenes in the NBA Warrior Girls Calendar shoot

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:34:00 +0000

Behind the scenes footage of the NBA Warrior Girls' swimsuit calendar shoot. Photographed in Napa Valley's own The Meritage Resort. If you have not seen the Trinitas Wine Tasting Cellar of Napa, you have to check it out, it's a cave, a wine tasting bar, a cellar, a spa and a huge traditional banquet hall, all in one.

(View in HD)

Some shots from the calendar:

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Thu, 21 May 2009 06:10:00 +0000

Roseanne, a Buccaneers' cheerleader takes us behind the scene of Soo Photography's photoshoot with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' cheerleader's team shoot.

(Video by Ed Bottger)

San Francisco Bridal Couture Dresses

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:44:00 +0000

A beautiful day, 72 degrees Farenheit in San Francisco and we spent the whole day in Sintak photography studio. All is not lost! We have a team of fun and talented individuals to party with indoors! We're shooting bridal gowns today!

Dresses are designed and tailored by none other than Jinza Bridal Couture. There are many bridal shops out there but if you are looking for custom-tailored dresses, using exceptional materials, look no further. Jinza uses only top quality fabrics, pure French silk, organza, crepe, chiffon for a smooth flowing look. Jinza is both down-to-earth and pleasant. Story has it that Kelly (the model and bride-to-be below, YES! She's a real bride to be married in a few months!) tried over 65+ wedding gowns at Jinza's with no pressure from Jinza. Now THAT is what I call "excellent customer service"!

Why let me tell you about it rather than checking out the shots...

As with all weddings, I will only recommend the best makeup artists and hair stylists. Take a closer look (click on the image on the right) at the flawless makeup by Beauty Expert Tiffany and extraordinary hair styling by Mikel Sessions. You'll now have a few phenomenal vendors at your disposal.

Many thanks to Margarita and Kelly for being such amazing models.

- Michael Soo

(Click on images below to see them LARGE)

Cover Girl for Popular Photography Magazine!

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:51:00 +0000

Never-ending deadlines, continual search for new content to publish, reviewing new equipment for readers, replying to emails and mail from million of readers. These are but few of the challenges that face the editors in a publishing house. This becomes an upward battle, especially when it's a large publisher, like Popular Photography & Imaging, the largest photography magazine in the world. They have to constantly feel the pulse of the readers, facing the impossible task of pleasing everyone.

PopPhoto has always been kind to me. This is the organization that gave my photography business a good boost a mere 3 years or so ago. Receiving one of the most prestigious and coveted international recognitions, the Photographer of the Year award from PopPhoto did a lot to extend my credibility and promote my business.

Recently, after months of hiatus from not hearing from PopPhoto, I'm just so glad that I will be doing a short 8 pages of photo work for them. On top of that, one of my images of Tiffany is the February Cover!!!

I personally know a number of photographers who get jaded along the way after being on numerous magazine covers, spreads and what not. I have been published dozens of times in various magazines, newspapers like The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, etc. However, being in a magazine will always be refreshing to me. I feel very blessed to be able to work as an artist.

John O, Jason B, Pete K, Debbie G, Julia S, Linzee K, and everyone in PopPhoto, I want you to know that each and every one of you made an impact on my life, and I want to thank you for it.

Below is the 4 spreads (8 pages) of the story.

A Model Portfolio from & for the City of Angels

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:20:00 +0000

It's always humbling when I'm chosen as the photographer for people whose professional careers depend on my pictures. So Cal model Elizabeth is a special case.

For years she has used photographs from her modeling gigs as her portfolio. But recently she decided to create a collection of pictures specifically for her. After canvassing websites of many, many photographers, Elizabeth found me; and she chose to drive eight hours all the way from Los Angeles to come here to Cupertino...TWICE!

We worked both days and had some fun setting up different categories of shots to create a complete portfolio: headshot, commercial, athletic, and business-style photos.

The collaboration brought us from the studio, to San Francisco downtown, to the garden in my backyard, to a local park. We really covered her comp card in more ways than one. Tiffany Chiang did the makeup wonderfully.

Being a model is about versatility and acting. By creating photographic situation for the model to act out her role will dramatically increase her chances of being cast into a role.

My best wishes follow Elizabeth back to Los Angeles, and I hope my photos will bring her great luck with her modeling career.

- Michael Soo

Trend Zoom 2008 Elumen Colorist North American Winner

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 10:01:00 +0000

If you remember back in April, a local Vietnamese hairstylist, Allan Ngo of Allan's Salon, approached me to photograph his work for a huge competition, namely, Goldwell's Trend Zoom 2008 Color Challenge. This is very much akin to the Grammy award for hairstyling. (The blog can be found here)

Allan has previously entered in the annually held competition, to no success. For him, it's really about the exposure and not much else. A month ago Allan called me, "I made it into the semi finals!!!" he exclaimed. He was elated.

Then a week ago he called again, "I WON !!!"

He went on to explain that the image I created for him showed the proper shape, texture, color, depth and lighting of the hair that is crucial to become a winning image. On top of that, makeup artist Aimée Lam really brought home the matching colors of the eyes and accentuated the look with her tedious 1-hour makeup work on Danijella, the model.

It just pleases me tremendously that I am able to help Allan "uplevel" his business and reputation a big notch. What used to be an underdog local hairstylist is now a big name. A true "American Dream" success story.

Allan is now sponsored to compete internationally in October. This time, in Spain. Congratulations, Allan!!! I'm rooting for you! We all are! ;-) (The winning image is on the right.)

- Michael Soo

NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders 2008 / 2009 Swimsuit Calendar Photoshoot

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:04:00 +0000

How I Spent My Summer Vacation…

It might be difficult for some of you dyed-in-the-wool football fans to believe there is more to summer than training camp…but there is. It's cheerleaders-calendar-photo-shoot time! Boy are we excited or what!!!

This July, I wrapped up the photographs for the upcoming 2008-2009 NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders Swimsuit Calendar. I am the photographer for a few other cheerleading calendars, but this was my first season with the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers' calendar, and, as with all of my photo sessions—from brides to bananas to business environments to cheerleaders' bodies—this shoot was exciting.

The locations were the first plus to this project. We worked exclusively in Southern Florida, the Buccaneers' neighborhood. The hours were brutally long hours each day of the week-long shoot. And as the physique wears down, the creative mind slips away along with it; hence, we began our location scouting hours, if not days, ahead.

With 32 girls in tow for the calendar, avoiding similar-looking locations was challenging. This was especially so with the restrictions we had to adhere to: e.g. not too many waterfall shots, because they used so many waterfall shots last year; constraints of only outdoors; non-cheesy spots; etc, etc. We had to squeeze every last drop of creativity we could muster.

We began the photography work weeks before the calendar shoot with the team and individual shots. That allowed us to get to know the girls a bit better before the calendar shoot began.

Another plus was having the rookie cheerleaders assigned to me as gophers and assistants. Yes, I remind you…I was paid for this gig… ;)

The models began their days at 4 am and we wrapped up about 11 pm. Keep this in mind as you admire the twinkles in the eyes of these ladies. As I mentioned, the cheerleaders themselves helped out at the locations. But there was also an enormous team working on this project, over 20 people in all.

This shoot had its drama. On the way to an island location, we serendipitously passed a sunken, abandoned sailboat and decided to use it as a backdrop.* The models risked life and limb to reach the boat and board it—there was a reason it was a shipwreck!

You probably are wondering, does getting up close and personal with 32 beautiful women, all in bathing suits, over the course of a week change a guy? Be sure to check back to see my continual evolution. ;)

And of course, the final bonus is the collection of wonderful, eye-catching, colorful, memorable pictures of a fantastic team of talented, patient, and hardworking young women. Enjoy!

There are so many people to acknowledge, and they were all terrific; however, I will specifically mention a few:

Sandy Charboneau, the Buccaneers' cheerleading manager, juggled twenty tasks on her fingertips (with Michael Jackson music playing in the background), and was tireless, efficient, organized, and a dream to work with;
Cathy Crooke, coordinator assistant, with a keen, intuitive knowledge, made things happen with a single phone call;
the Makeup and Hair Stylists, did not seem to need any sleep (unlike the photographer);
Ed Bottger and Shawn, the videographers, were exceptional team players;
Paul Ferradas, photo assistant, helped with bouncing off idea after idea (all during his birthday, too, no less!);
Marriott's Omelet Lady fed us ultra-delicious breakfasts nearly every day while singing her omelet song ;-);
and, of course, the troop of highly disciplined Cheerleaders.

My sincerest thanks to the ENTIRE Buccaneers' staff!

And now I'm back in Silicon Valley, returned to the REAL world.

- Michael Soo

* The adventure with the sunken boat deserves some elaboration. As I mentioned, the cheerleaders and staff had a terribly difficult time actually boarding the wreck. Things photographically were going well, when a Coast Guard vessel pulled up to force us to leave. We identified ourselves as representatives of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the Coast Guard crew were radioing their base to learn what to do with us, I began quickly taking shots to try to squeeze every opportunity left to me before getting kicked out. In the end, we were allowed to finish our work, the Coast Guard ship stuck around, and one of their crew pulled out HIS camera to snap off some shots, too! Real high seas adventure.

North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) Photoshoot

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:10:00 +0000

North American Hairstylist Awards (NAHA), presented by the Professional Beauty Association, is the most prestigious hairstyling competition in North America. I was delighted to help Allan of Allan's Salon in Santa Clara to photograph Allan's entry in the Colorist Category in NAHA. Trend Zoom Color Challenge, an international color competition invites colorists to interpret the Trend Zoom 2008 trend worlds—Rockmantic and Newstalgia—in a highly creative way and then have their interpretation professionally photographed. Goldwell Colorists can choose to enter one of three categories:

The Creative Colorist Category: For colorists who love working with Goldwell’s Topchic permanent color and/or Goldwell’s Colorance demi-permanent product.

The Elumen Colorist Category: For colorists who love to “illuminate hair” with Goldwell’s Elumen.

Partner Colorist Category: Colorists who work with Goldwell as a freelancer are invited to interpret the trends with a Goldwell color of their choice.

Allan picked the Rockmantic concept; Androgynous, harmonious color schemes created with contrasting light and dark cool tones, reborn from the Baroque romantic era, merged with a Rock and Roll style. Mysterious shades of graphic grays, rich purple, rose violets and pastel silver pearl blondes reflect the mood and textures of this romantic yet rebellious world.

Rockmantic is all about contrasts which are created by placing light and dark cool shades right next to each other. Expressive, extravagant shades - from violet to pink, light ivory and silvery gray up to a deep black - in this way, Rockmantic shows its charms between the extremes. (click on any image to expand).

Allan is quite the perfectionist. His work is immaculate but he is never happy with it, always striving for the next notch towards perfection.

- Michael Soo

Being a model is SOO glamorous

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:15:00 +0000

(click to see large image)

When we mention the word, "models", the first thought that creeps into our heads are pictures of high fashion models that get paid in the millions, flying private jets, drinking champagne, scooping caviar with quaint mother of pearl spoons.

While putting together the 2008 Model Portfolio Photography package for Traci Halvorson Model Management in San Jose, I had an epiphany. Models have gotten the short end of the stick in this tough and competitive business. It's a job that requires a lot of concentration, hard work, patience, the ability to laugh on-demand and hold poses for long period of time. On top of ALL that, a strong self-esteem to take rejection well and often!

Most casting calls are packed with models, at times, 10-20 of them, vying for the same job. This is especially true when there's a big commercial gig in town. You'll notice all the modeling agencies jumping into the fray! Nobody will get lucky everytime either. It's definitely not the most glamorous work that is being portrayed in the movies.

In fact, in 2006, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the modeling profession in general is ranked #8 in the list of Top 10 Worst Jobs in America! Models made a median hourly wage of $11.22, a bit less than twice the minimum wage of $5.85! Most models needed a second source of income.

Being a model isn't all about money though. It's a business that can provide opportunities to meet a large variety of people, directors, photographers, have fun, earn a living and gain glory while you're at it! Yes, if you are good at it, join a great agency, create an excellent portfolio and you can definitely make a really good living.

It's really about running a business. Like every business, it requires the model to keep a constant care about the core assets of the business. In this case, themselves! Models need to take care of every aspect of their lives, their skin, look, attire, etc. to maintain a marketable image. Photo shoots can be fun but they can get tiring, long and difficult at times.

To start your work as a model, you need a professional modeling portfolio and a comp card. Contrary to popular beliefs, joining a modeling agency is FREE! Creating a viable modeling portfolio isn't. :-(

Modeling portfolio is the most important expenditure you will make in the business of becoming a model. It is your marketing agent and your potential meter. It gives the idea to the agency and potential clients that you have the ability to portray the characters necessary for their advertising campaign.

The comp card or zed card that you have printed as your portfolio will always be seen by an agency or client before you get seen.

Those images are your MAIN and ONLY marketing tool that you employ. You will want to impress agencies and potential clients with images that demonstrates your looks and personality. Technology companies in the neighborhood seems to have a love affair with images that has an exact match of what they are looking for. That nurse in a lab coat, for example. When they find a match, they want that model who has that ability to portray their advertising campaign.

Bear in mind that LESS is MORE. You do not win hearts or get picked just because you have more images. However, your images need to be professional, visually inspiring and most importantly, produce an eye popping WOW Factor that enhance your strength, downplay your weaknesses and showcase your personalities.

Interested? Fly us an email.

- Michael Soo

Soo Photography T-shirts

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:14:00 +0000

We've always given out really cool embroidered long sleeve polo shirts to our clients. Yes, baseball caps too. They are very well made and they look cool. However, we have never had any women cut t-shirts.

This trip back to Malaysia changed everything. We ordered about 80 ladies cut t-shirts in white and in black. We also got beautifully embroidered V-neck t-shirts for folks with thicker neck, like myself. Here's Lysandra wearing one and it fitted her perfectly!! ;-)

- Michael Soo

Fields of Gold

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 05:14:00 +0000

A good landscape photographer needs to excel in a variety set of skills. He/She needs to be a pre-visualizer and a person who truly understands lighting, composition and skilled in Photoshop. On top of that, knowledge on meteorology, topography and copious amount of patience play a big deal. It is the former set of skills that scored me great shots in landscape but my type-A personality prevented my photographs from rising into the stratosphere work of geniuses (the likes of Ansel Adams).

However, I do understand the basic requirements. I have shot my share of great landscape throughout the world, from the luscious rain forest and great ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia; to the Antelope Canyon in Arizona; to the 3000 year old ancient Bristlecone forest in the White Mountains.

My experience with landscape photography allowed me to utilize some of my skills in that arena to be applied to the arena of modeling photography. Case in point is my recent modeling portfolio shoot with Katie Sue and Madeline of Look Modeling Agency. The shoot was fraught with disasters back in December with two cancellations due to family emergencies with the crew. "Third time is a charm," I said. And it was. Christal Saville helped with both hair and makeup. She's quite the multi-talented whiz, helped tremendously with picking the wardrobe as well.

After finishing up with the indoor studio shots, we adjourned to a field of yellow wild flowers, a location I selected specifically for this shoot. It is truly about timing and planning. These fields of golden flowers do not last very long, about a week or two at most each year. So, to catch them on full bloom is quite an amazing sight to behold.

Capturing such a large field of flowers without diverting the attention of the images from the model is a key compositional skill that is needed. The point to remember is that this is a model shoot. The subjects are the model and the beautiful field is only secondary that compliments the subjects.

Using elements such as those that shows the size of the fields (using the horizon line and blue sky), color matching (dress colors to match the flowers), knowing when the sun will set (timing for the best lighting), how to use the shadow of objects in the vicinity, will all help to craft the final art form. Rapport with the models to contribute towards great expressions will pay big dividends as well.

So, as you can see, photography isn't just a single point of mastering one or two skills but rather about gaining proficiency in a multitude of skills. These skills range from soft (people) to technical, and together create a work of art that elevates a photographer from someone who merely records an event to an artist that can create masterpieces.

- Michael Soo

The Perfect Gift

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 05:13:00 +0000

The snow of change floats over me like a scrim of dressed white breeze. Dancing in the air, nuance in grace wrapping my soul in a tight embrace. Strolling and crunching on fresh snow powder upon an old shop of magick, its candles flicker.

I pin my nose onto the cold window in hopes to find the perfect gift bestow. Naught just of plain games nor of large monies but of a simple writing utensil, my son fancies. Stepping inside the myth, an old man bellows none other but the red suited, bearded fellow.

"A thousand miles and more, hast thou travelled searching a majestic wonder that thou wish acquire." "'Tis naught of magical pencil that thou require but of a wielder of artistic marvel that thou already acquired."

Author: Michael Soo Date: December 24th, 2007

(Image photographed a week ago at The Vault)

Lifestyle photography and how it markets

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 05:12:00 +0000

San Francisco Bay Area is one of the city that is saturated with demands for lifestyle work (as oppose to Los Angeles or New York that draws demands on fashion)

So, what exactly is lifestyle?

It really is one of those variable word that means something entirely different to everyone you inquire. Some will affirm that it's about the softness of the images. Some claim a peek of the environment where the shot took place. Others note that it's the matter of less makeup, real-world scenario played out, a soft blend of photojournalism and commercial. Yet more will point that it's displaying people doing their thing.

It really is all of the above!

Lifestyle images helps the advertiser with a few aspect of their marketing:

It provides the setting, ambience and styling of the product & services.
Gives a snippet of the demographic of the users (oh, that teenage cute girl looks just my age and she is using the sexy looking iPod, I bet it'll look cool on me too)
Creates an attitude and continuity in marketing. Nike, for example would always showcase top athletes in peak action. (they associate their products to provide the last 1% of excellence, in this fragile world of diminishing returns)
Demonstrates the usage, how it fits, its scale or size.
Showcases the benefits and features of the product in the real world.
Differentiate the product in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Lifestyle photos excel when the images are placed on catalogs that are used as a support vehicle to upscale retails (i.e. Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom).

There are potential pitfalls, however.

The product in a lifestyle photograph can disappear from view as the image gets busier. Some of the interesting props in the image can steal the attention away from the product.
If the product is new and has yet to penetrate the market, you may be better off photographing a large image of the product instead of lifestyle.
Lifestyle shoots can cost more and require a bit of planning compared to a straight product shoot.

Many catalogs use a balanced mix of product and lifestyle shots to retain a fashionable look to their catalogs. Whichever type of photography that is used should support the brand and is consistent with the marketing message.

- Michael Soo

2008 Warrior Girls Swimsuit Calendar Unveiled

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 05:12:00 +0000

The 2008 Warrior Girls Swimsuit Calendar was unveiled last night at the Oakland Coliseum with thousands of fans watching the huge 20+ feet TV atop the court and plasma TV all over the entire coliseum. What was it playing?

Oh boy, this footage below played, over... and over... and over... again. Even a burly security guard walked to me to shook my hand like he knew me since I was a little boy. LOL. T'was quite an interesting... rather, exciting time.

The management team did an amazing job showcasing the calendar. The line to purchase a calendar, to be signed by the cheerleaders were.... extremely long. The poor celebrity girls must have signed hundreds of calendars in the first 30 mins alone. Hey, anything for the fans!

View the high resolution video (38 MB) of the shoot.

Embarrassed to say, this is the first NBA game that I've been to. It's quite an eye opener to breathe in the energy of the fans and learning the etiquette. The Warriors did amazing that night, defeating the Rockets 113-94, with Baron Davis taming Yao Ming utilizing skills over physique. GO WARRIORS!!!

Check out the imagery in my gallery. Hey, you may even find some hidden jewels, i.e. images that are not in the calendar, a la Photographer's Cut! ;-)

The 2008 Warrior Girl Swimsuit Calendar is now available!! Get yours today online at warriorsteamstore.com.

- Michael Soo

Lifestyle & Jewelry Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 05:11:00 +0000

So, I got a bit bored of shooting straight product shots this week. Although they are pretty, nothing conveys the feeling of "if I buy that diamond ring, I'll look as gorgeous as the model in the poster" better than a lifestyle photography of model(s) wearing or using the product in an ad campaign.

This genre of commercial photography takes a lot of work and can cost a bit more. Think about it. Instead of only hiring just a product photographer and his/her assistant; you'll be paying a crew of talents that range from great model(s), a makeup artist, a hair stylist, photography assistants, coordinators, security guards, location rentals, equipment rentals, etc, a la Annie Leibovitz le grandeur style. And of course, don't forget about the knowledgeable photographer who needs to project manage this team of artistic and talented players in the studio or on location.

It's no wonder that only the large jewelry companies are the only ones that can afford the types of ad campaigns that slap enticing images into several pages of popular magazines. These larger scale expenses can chew into the profit margins of large corporations with a tight budget. For the smaller guys, these types of campaigns are near unreachable.

I don't think it needs to stay that way. Amazing lifestyle imagery with products can be achieved without breaking the bank.

So, how can we increase efficiency in a photoshoot? Here are some suggestions.

Substitute some of the less important roles with freelance models. Your photographer has probably worked with plenty that they think have high potential. Ask him/her for suggestions! Do note that, a risk involved is the ability of how the model to performs. Professional models are a bit more in-tuned with their poses, look and style that will match your creative needs.
How about getting a good photographer who has the know-how in lighting and can work his/her own lights without hiring 5-10 assistants that he/she can bark out orders to. Yes, of course, project size varies and there are times where a large crew is necessary. What I'm merely recommending is to increase productivity without creating waste or cutting corners.
A photographer who owns his/her lighting equipment means that he/she won't have to rent them and that can be a great cost savings too! Equipment rentals can run from hundreds to thousands of dollars!
Also, getting a good coordinator to manage the time is absolutely critical and can save you money overall. Bottlenecks in production can halt the entire process and increase cost!

On another note, last week was an amazing week. I am proud to say that my photographs (both comp cards and beauty shots) help propel two more fantastic models to get recognized and interviewed by huge international status agencies; i.e. Ford Models and Marla Dell. These are the agencies that supply models to ads and campaigns such as Elizabeth Arden, Cosmopolitan, Glamour magazines and Abercrombie catalogs.

Suffice to say, there are phenomenal opportunities that can open up to them and I'm truly happy to be a big part of this turning point of their lives and careers!

- Michael Soo

NBC 11 - Golden State Warrior Cheerleaders 2008 Swimsuit Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:33:00 +0000

We're featured in NBC 11 sports news last night; in the Golden State Warrior Girls 2008 Swimsuit Calendar photoshoot.

They spelt my name as Michael Su instead of Michael Soo. I fixed the video using Photoshop Extended. Amazingly, Photoshop now deals with video as well as stills! ;-)

View the video in NBC 11 site or View the high resolution video (17 MB).

The thing is, this's quite a bit more than just lighting. There are lots of behind-the-scenes that require great teamwork. We have a phenomenal team that made this photoshoot as smooth as silk. I want to take the opportunity to thank the 2nd photographer Paul Ferradas, photography assistants James Wilson, Ron Crain & Nancy Crain, the amazing makeup artists Janice Daoud and Karolin Sharin, hair stylists from Christopher Michaels, videographers, coordinator Alicia, the coach Susan, executives in WG, Kyle & Travis for making this all happen. Of course, the gorgeous cheerleaders themselves. ;) The final key famly to thank are Jamal, Ranna & family for letting us use their phenomenal residence in Los Gatos. I apologize if I missed out anyone. THANK YOU!!!

After the official unveiling of the 2008 Swimsuit Calendar (which is slated to happen in a few weeks), the images will appear in my portfolio, blog and eMagazine.

Michael Soo
The Official Photographer for the NBA Golden State Warriors Cheerleaders

The whole is more than the sum of its parts

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 04:11:00 +0000

Many a times, we use a single image to sell a product or to show beauty. For whatever purpose that image portrays, it needs to convey its story. That one image will also need to stand on its own unadulterated territory, emitting glory and charm to seduce its audience. However, like a fragile twig, that single image is an uninsurable agent that can't please the world.

In comes the collective. You have most definitely seen them. They are a collection of artifacts in a museum like the King Tut's tomb or an art gallery displaying the sum of the work from a single artist.

You certainly may or may not get Wow-ed by one of the pieces. However, the collection of coherently simple work can conglomerate to become a powerful set of art that ascend your mind to new heights.

The trick to successfully use a collection of images is actually to avoid the ultimate pitfall of treating each image as a single piece.

Am I confusing you? Think the classic example of a football team where the coach would kick a great player off the team due to his/her inability to work as part of the team. It's all about teamwork.

Suppose you have a series of 10 beautiful photographs you took in Yosemite. All eight of them looks fabulous in black & white while two, look resplendent in color. By submitting to the temptation of processing 8 into B&W and 2 into color, you have essentially destroyed the series or collection. Now, each piece will have to stand on their own.

Do note that the application of this knowledge isn't solely on art but on marketing, branding and even engineering (consistency and change management)!

- Michael Soo

Trash the Dress - Trainyard

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 04:10:00 +0000

Your flowers have died. The cake has been consumed. All the alcohol bottles, emptied. You are left with hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars worth of fabric and lace.

What to do with your used wedding dress?

That has been the ultimate question for brides for decades! Some decide to donate it to a charity. Some go the eBay route. Others pack it away in hopes that their daughter will one day wear it, although you know your daughter will politely decline as she secretly cringes. Why not take that dress out before it begins its asphyxiation process in its bag. And then, have some fun with it?

So, there you have it, the fine art of trashing the wedding dress. I have shot high fashion, glamour and have taught a large variety of photography and photoshop workshops but this one, is by far the funnest photoshoot.

Download and view the HD version. (30 MB)

All the images can be found in the Trash the Dress Gallery.

- MS

一山還有一山高 - There'll always be someone better

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:09:00 +0000

一山還有一山高，强中自有强中手。is a Chinese proverb that my dad would preach to me over and over again throughout my childhood. The direct translation speaks of mountains that will always be dwarved by taller mountains. No matter how strong, smart or how successful you are, there will always be someone stronger, smarter or more successful.

The lesson here, really, is about humility. It's about how we should never let material success overwhelm our ability to think and to improve. The idea of success is not the ability to climb to the top. Rather, it is about getting there and staying there.

While I'm not trying to teach philosophy here, it sprouted from being around really tall folks in the NBA team, cheerleaders, tall models and basketball players (not so much the latter) that I've been shooting this past weekend. Here, Alicia is the coordinator of the Golden State Warriors. She is a whooping 6' 6" in height and boy, I've never felt shorter in my life standing next to her.

However, when it comes to creating an amazing portfolio for her, I always have a chin-high, stand tall attitude, for I know what was needed to be done. Here's Alicia on the left, during the golden hour where the sun and my bare bulb strobes shines upon her eyes, bringing out much beauty and colors in her eyes that entices the hearts.

This brings me to my new company slogan, Touch the heart, via the eyes. In this case, it works both ways, the eyes of the model and/or the eyes of the viewers.

- MS

Kid's Comp Card, cropping one's age, Atherton, California

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 04:08:00 +0000

Most people I talked to would not believe me that a single photograph, cropped just slightly differently can make a person look younger or older.

Case in point, Mittie of Atherton, a beautiful 10 year old girl with hair that glows gold in sun and a with a charm that will turn the saddest frown to laughter.

Mittie's modeling energy level easily surpass most hardened 20 year old models that I have worked with. At 10 years old, I never imagined her to work in front of my camera for 6 straight hours with few mini 10 minutes breaks in between, while I tweak the lights or change the set. And even then, she would be slipping from one set of clothings to the next. Most kids would have lost interest after an hour or two.

In the 6 hours, we shot in over 10 sets. That's quite unheard of in this industry. Most modeling portfolio shoot of this proportion usually takes longer. One set per hour is the norm. We managed to shoot at light speed (pun intended) due to a phenomenal collaborative effort between Rex (dad), Charlene (mom) and myself.

Rex created a list of possible shotlist that would put most photographers' comp card planning to shame. Charlene was the hair stylist and coordinator extraordinaire. She put her possible combination of clothes together before I got there.

The most important shot has to be taken care of first. It's the headshot, shown right above. Mittie looks young, innocent and cute! Perfect headshot for Art Directors looking for young models to sell Barbie dolls, fashion wear for little girls and what not.

Now, look at this new crop from the same shoot. No lights were moved and neither was the model moved from her spot. Removing her child bearing look by cropping off the hair band, her straight styled hair, her cropped look now focuses on her eyes and lips. Her neck lengthened and somehow, her face now ages to a maturity level that matches a junior high school girl. Her ability to hold a serious look and to follow posing instructions is definitely a boon.

She has now opened her look to two different age audience and market! How can she use that to her advantage? ;-) Mittie's comp card can now be customized like how one would customized a résumé for the specific company she applies into. Go Mittie!

- MS

Unplanned Fashion Photography in San Francisco

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:08:00 +0000

I had a spontaneous fashion photography photoshoot in de Young Museum this past Monday (during a work week, yeah baby!). Nope, I did not plan where I was shooting nor what exact time the shoot should begin.

For those of you who knew me well since 10+ years ago, you must be gasping with horror. No planning??? Imagine the horror of Michael Soo doing something without planning for it thoroughly.

"My name is Michael Soo and I was an avid planner. An obsessive compulsive I_got_hit_this_spot_by_2pm and_do_that_at_3pm planner." I used to strive to be impeccable in my timing and mind you, my timing was accurate to the minute and I was the perfect manager in corporate America. But that has changed over the course of the last 10 years. I won't be going through my life story here but as a libra, I have been moving into my subconcious center to find that balance.

Sarah Abramson was my guinea pig...I mean beautiful model. She was amazing in every way. Very responsive in email, phone calls and texting; professional, and of course, tall and gorgeous. I gave her some directions on the type of poses I was looking for and she snapped into them like peas into their pods. I just wished we had time to run through more looks before the sun went down but that's nothing I can or want to control. Erica Carr did the makeup and a bit of hair work. I really like her positive attitude, very easy going and does wonderfully clean makeup work that made my job easier in post.

Timing was unpredictable. We started late, Sarah lost her way. She was probably making a U-turn from the Mexico border. ;-) Erica, on the other hand, didn't even know where we were meeting. The sun droop down the horizon fast. Going back 10 years, I woulda flipped. LOL.

But no! I did not even flinch! No brah. I was relaxed with my grande soy latte in hand, planning my week. It's all good. ;)

That said, the past 5 years have been a wildest ride that few has the stomach to swing through.

The Good

I was promoted twice in Sun Microsystems, Inc.

I was awarded the highest possible title in the photography world, Photographer of the Year 2005 by the largest photography magazine in the world.

I pulled together a local photography forum that has grew from a total of 10-20 members to what now appears to one of the largest photography forum in California.

I started Soo Photography, specializing in wedding photography, commercial photography, food photography and modeling photography.

Today, I found myself standing at a crossroad. I no longer have the full support of full-time engineering jobs in large corporations, i.e. America Online, Sun Microsystems, amongst them. What will the future hold? I wish I knew. Then again, if I did, it would suck the fun out of it and I'd be left a dull man.

Bring it on!!!

- Michael Soo

America's Top Model Photography Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Soo Photography) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 04:07:00 +0000

There are only a handful of Glamour and Model Photography Workshop in the country, especially ones that teaches the whole gamut; from Photography; to Lighting Techniques; to Posing; to Makeup; to Post Processing workflow; to Photoshop retouching. So, this is it. The 2nd installment of our rare Model Photography Workshop. This time, in the Buddha Lounge of Mountain View.

Our models, only the best across the state, ranging from the FHM's 2007 Digital Darling winner, Ashley Colette from Visalia; to our long time favourite models; FHM Top Digital Darling Nominee, Jessica Elise from Los Banos, Sarah Figueroa from San Diego, Molly Powers of Campbell, Celeste Rodrigues of Modesto and of course, Laura Christine from LA.

This 2-days workshop was designed from the ground up catering to photographers of all levels. We had photographers who has zero studio lighting experience to photographers who brought 8+ Elinchrome lights. It was fun all around and a great mix. Every attendees in this workshop got a free 1-year Smugmug Professional Account. Thanks to Markham Bennett from Smugmug for setting this up. Really appreciate it. ;-)

Well, without getting way too deep into it, here are the slides.

Open the Slideshow in a NEW window

Models, you can find some of your images in my Lingerie Gallery and Glamour Gallery. Laura, here's your beauty shot

- Michael Soo