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Andrew Hughes

Mar 03
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Shooting 225 Badge Photo Portraits in 3 Locations

By badge photos, corporate photography, Graphic Works, head shots, headshot portraits, Masqueman Photography
There are different quality levels of portrait photography from a typical DMV mug shot to a multiple-light professional headshot. The difference is all in the lighting and maybe the willingness to make the subject look decent. I was asked to do something in-between, and was hired to make 225 badge photos for a national healthcare company in multiple locations in the Atlanta area.
Many of the subjects shared horror stories of past badge photos during a bad hair day, when a pimple sprouted on the tip of their nose or they got just one attempt. Though a necessity, many employees do not like getting these and they are in a rush to get back to the day’s deadlines or lunch. 
On the flip side, many people are not willing to give up the 10 year old badge photo of their younger self. I made it my personal mission to make them look good and maybe even have some fun. There is nothing fancy with the 2 light setup, but it works for this sort of thing. 
Many of the photos were taken in just 2 shots. I had them write their names on paper and hold them up like they do in a police mugshot. Here’s one guy who is familiar with that concept…just kidding Nick.
Regardless of the quick nature of these utilitarian photos, quite a few of the employees were photogenic… not bad for a badge photo.
Feb 28
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Creating an Impromptu Architectural Image for an Atlanta-based Healthcare Company

By Andrew Hughes, architecture, corporate photography, Graphic Works, Masqueman Photography
A photographer must be ready for any hot potato a client throws his direction. It is not always possible to accommodate impromptu requests, but the more versatile I can be, the better.
Perspective corrected image…
While on location setting up a mobile headshot studio for executive portraits, I was asked to make an architectural image of the client’s new building. They had just completed parts of the build-out so this location still had that “new car smell”… and they needed an image the next day.
Outside was dull, dreary and threatening snow. I only had a few moments to snap some images before I was needed inside. I did the best that I could with the 24-70mm portrait lens I had with me. I normally do not bring my wide-angle 16mm lens to portraits so it was this or nothing.

A tilt shift lens would have been handy to dial out the perspective, but that is a rental for me. As such, I had to remove the extreme perspective in Photoshop. There are limited to what looks realistic. The very first image is what a tilt-shift lens might have produced. I’m not sure which I prefer since the second slightly distorted one looks more epic.

Building with some of the perspective left in…
The light played to my advantage with the foggy overcast sky acting like a giant softbox to evenly illuminate the structure’s facades. The sun was cooperative and placed itself directly behind the building allowing parts of the giant glass tower to be both reflective and transparent. 
Out of camera capture…

Of course, the sky had to be replaced with something better than boring white. Above is the original out-of camera shot… I think I added enough drama to make it work.

Feb 22
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Happy Birthday to My Second Dad

By male portrait, Masqueman Photography, portrait photography, portraits
We may get to pick our spouses in life, but we don’t always get to pick the family attached to them. I hit the in-law jackpot by marrying into a very nice family. In particular, I not only gained a father-in-law, I gained a friend in Ronald Heady.
To me, he exemplifies the best that a man can aspire to be. I have never met a more intelligent or analytical mind in my life. I am sure that if scientists performed intelligence tests on him, their machines would have to be recalibrated. My relationship with him allows me to share my interests from photography, guns, gadgets, watches, robotics and science… not your typical “how’s the weather” banter.
A few years ago, he allowed me to take some portraits of him. He had just given me two special gifts for my camera collection that reaches back as far as the 1930s. One was a Minolta camera that he personally used. 
The other was a Yashica twin-lens reflex camera that his father, Ray Heady, used as a newspaper reporter for the Kansas City Star newspaper beginning in 1943. I was over the moon to get these treasures and they are displayed in a place of prominence in my collection.

Here he is with his favorite gal, Sue. Happy Birthday, Ron! We love ya!

Nov 02
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Two for One Headshot Sessions

By Andrew Hughes, corporate photography, head shots, headshot portraits, Masqueman Photography
When two of my buddies told me within the same week that they wanted new head shots, my response was to proverbially kill two birds with one Canon. There is nothing more business-like than high efficiency, but that does not mean we had to be boring. They wisecracked jokes the whole time. I am afraid that they might hurt me for posting the photo below… ha ha.

We knocked out the standard business head shots first. Unless I am trying to specifically match the style of a company’s headshot, I tend to shoot a variety of backgrounds for the client. I can do this quickly by moving a few prearranged backdrops.

The requirements for Jason were slightly different since the headshot was going to include his company logo on his shirt. He owns Performance Audio & Video Atlanta…one of the best audio, video and home automation companies in Atlanta. Give him a call if you need any of that.

While Justinas was dressed to the nines, I took some full body portraits in case he becomes a CEO or lawyer in the coming years. I remember the first time I met him with long hair riding a motorcycle. Now he is a respectable business man, and he cleaned up nicely.

We then moved on to more stylized photos. For Jason, I used a warmer tone to match his shirt. For Justinas, I chose to use a slightly blue cast to match his shirt. I think doing this emphasizes the face more and the clothing less.

I know for sure that I have the best friends in the world.
Oct 31
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Halloween Character Portraits

By Andrew Hughes, Halloween, Masqueman Photography, party
What is the best holiday of them all? I say Halloween for many people including adults. This might be the only yearly event where people get to step outside of their mundane lives and become somebody more interesting for a night.

In years passed, I have been hired to run photo booths at masquerade parties. These are as much fun for me as the participants. I love to see what will walk through the door. Maybe stars from the past will reappear…

In the case of Ricky and Lucy here… they were just enhancing reality with a sense of humor.

I think you can tell a lot about a person from the disguise he or she chooses. It could be a hero or villain unlike themselves. So, our next guy could be the dashing Clark Gabel…

…or a scoundrel tycoon named Dick Dasterly. You decide.

 A costume could be in poor taste and you wish you had not seen it. An example of this was a pudgy white man I saw (in 1998) who dressed himself as a minstrel-styled Aunt Jemima… yes, the nice lady from the syrup bottle. He even had a plate of pancakes and sang what he called “spirituals.” Unfortunately,  you can’t unsee or unhear some things. My advice… don’t do this. And by the way, the guy next to him is no priest… 

The characters can come from literature like the Queen from Alice in Wonderland.

…or from pop culture like the Tom Petty styled Mad Hatter that came with the Queen.

This only makes sense if you saw his 1984 music video for “Don’t Come Around Here No More”

Sexy vampires almost make you want to get bitten. More than once please…

I’m not sure if the motherly Morticia from the Adams Family was a vampire or not…

Some people never grow up and have to take their mummies everywhere. This gentleman English explorer’s costume and expression were spot on. Blimey!

Whoa! I hope it wasn’t the liver paté that made her turn green…

A touch of the old country… all that is missing is some beer mugs and polka music.

Is this what the Tooth Fairy really looks like?

It’s only fair that I should embarrass myself with my favorite Halloween outfit of all time. One year I went as my West Virginia cousin, Bubba Joe Jethro (the third). The ladies loved my dental work.

That guy always gets out of hand though. Here he is talking things over with a security officer.
I hope that everyone reading this has a wonderful Halloween. Be safe.
Oct 25
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Zombie Transformation Caught on Film

By Andrew Hughes, Halloween, humor, Masqueman Photography, time lapse, Walking Dead, zombie
Fans of The Walking Dead have seen plenty of zombies. Usually they are shown in a state of decay just long enough to get their heads smashed in by the heroes of this popular TV series.
But, after watching every episode, I don’t think I have ever seen a zombie transformation. For the first time EVER, this unseen event has been captured with time lapse photography. It’s not a pretty sight either. If you are easily frightened, turn your eyes away now.
Apparently, the pre-zombie being grows a wild beard and his teeth turn into hideous bucktooth fangs. If you don’t believe me, just watch the video evidence. It’s got to be true if it’s on the internet, right? See the link zombie video here.

Aug 26
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CEO Power Portraits

By Andrew Hughes, corporate photography, Masqueman Photography, portrait photography
One of my favorite things to do is make corporate style portraits. Usually that involves head shots, but it can also include body poses too. These can be great for magazine covers, articles or web pages. You never know where the images could end up including company sites, social media, email or print. In the samples below, I composited the client into 2 different backgrounds.

In this case, they will be used for several different types of articles on the company web site. With just a few modifications in the studio, I was able to provide a wide range of photos from formal to more informal. Providing different looks during a shoot gives the client’s graphic designer much more material to work with. Variations on a theme? Check, check and check…

Aug 24
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Burlesque Dancer at Rosé Wine Party

By burlesque, costumes, Event photography, Masqueman Photography, party, photo booth, wine
Sometimes my job can be so fun that I forget I am working. This was the case when I was hired to take photos at a burlesque-themed rosé wine party.

A burlesque dancer named Amy was hired to entertain the surprised guests who were also dressed in various shades of rosé pink or sterotypical “French” attire. That includes berets and feather boas for us Americans. Check out the characters below… Magnifque!

Coincidentally, these two got engaged that day…
Entertainment included singing in French, comedy gags and Moulin Rouge style dancing. Plus, there was an elaborate strip tease with a “memorable” finale… If you want to see that, you are going to have to hire Amy. She is wonderful so you won’t regret it.  Contact her at amyewachtel@gmail.com

 Afterwards, Amy took photos with the guests… never dropping out of character. This lady has tons of charisma which made my job much easier. She is also a master costume maker and seamstress. Look at the details in the outfit she made. Imagine putting that on by yourself.

Below is my favorite photo of the entire evening which I snapped in front of my light box.

Guess who had the better legs below?

Many of the partygoers were very old friends so it was a perfect time for group portraits! 

Here are some of my favorite photos of the night.

The last photo reminded me of Linda Carter… yes, the 1970s era Wonder Woman.

She thought I was crazy to think this, but I know that I am right.

Aug 21
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It Would Have Been 54 Years Ago…

By Andrew Hughes, Carol Hughes, Charles Hughes, Masqueman Photography, parents, wedding anniversary
Wedding anniversaries in my family are not usually celebrated as big events outside of the married couple. Years ago, when my parents had their 50th anniversary, it came and went quietly. They did not want the attention or the hullabaloo.
Today would have been my parent’s 54th wedding anniversary. 
My Dad missed it by less than half a year having passed away in April. My Mom is bravely facing this day “alone” so we are all thinking about her right now.
Over the years my parents rode the peaks and valleys of any marriage, learning to communicate as two totally different types of people and somehow made it work.
A big component of their lives was their children and grandchildren, but this is just about them.

My Mom shared a personal story of how my Dad would hide Snickers bars under her pillow or present her with flowers gathered from everywhere except the florist. The example below looks like it did come from a  florist, but he probably borrowed it from somewhere. Don’t ask…

This is one of the last photos that I took when my Dad still had a sparkle in his eye. He had the same sparkle when he would sing songs or expertly whistle tunes for my Mom.

This was the photo we used for my Dad’s funeral, and now it hangs in their bedroom next to the sparkly butterflies my Dad made for my Mom aeons ago.

Almost 54 years together is quite an accomplishment. I really don’t have the words to describe what their partnership together must have been like so I’ll leave it to the expert. Alan Jackson… take it away. This song is dedicated to Carol and Charlie Hughes on their 54th anniversary. It is their life and I would have sworn he wrote it for them.

See video here: http://youtu.be/TTA2buWlNyM

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