When I started photography, I was just a shy person with a DSLR trying to take good photos. I had so many ideas but didn't know where to start and I thought that most of my ideas were hard to implement if not impossible. But as time passed and my passion grew, I would get so excited about being out there shooting, creating crazy set ups, that I would DARE to do more and push my limit further.  So I took a good dose of determination and decided that whatever idea I have, I will do my best to implement it!! I would like to share a list of advice (with a lot of behind the scene videos) that I hope will motivate you to push yourself to the limit.






1- When you have a concept, start working on it now!! do not keep it in the back of your head or on your notebook forever. A concept is meant to be implemented and not just noted down. Don't know where to start? Break down the work and make a plan to get all you want done.

2- Do not count on anyone to help you take the picture. If you don't help yourself, noone will. You are the owner of that picture, you have to make it from A to Z. If noone is there for you, you can do it on your own! But you can always try to seek some help from your friends and acquaintances, if you need a special prop or model.



3- You feel you don't really have time for photography? If there's a will, there is a way. You make your own time and you can find time for it. Trust me, Ive done photoshoots during my lunch breaks at work and they were successful because I planned them well.

4- Nothing is impossible. A bed in the sea, a bed in the snow? All been  done before!  I repeat, when there's a will, there's way. Don't be  afraid to invest yourself and your money in a photo - when you feel the  love and excitement for it (or else, there's no point in it).

BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO! PLEASE WATCH PLEASE WATCH PLEASE WATCH
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5- Some pictures require a big deal of physical effort!  Don't be lazzy, it is totally worth it! I prepared this video to show you some real action!

BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO! PLEASE WATCH PLEASE WATCH PLEASE WATCH
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6 - PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. It is important to plan you shots ahead of time, get the props with you, don't forget to charge your cam the night before. It is very important to be prepared and relaxed at the same time, you will enjoy it more. There's nothing worse than going on the shoot and realizing you forgot something. However, always leave room for some improvisation on the set.

For example, for the following photo, I had to do a lot of planning with the municipality so they let us open the sewer. As you can see in the behind the scenes video, the actual photo shoot took around 10 minutes, not more.

BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO! PLEASE WATCH PLEASE WATCH PLEASE WATCH
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7- Be creative and find tricks to twist reality. This photo is not a manipulation. I felt really proud that I found a way to do such a levitation without any manipulative Photoshop work.






8- When you start a concept, go to the end of it. Do not under estimate  details. For example, take the effort to pick the cloths of your model.  The hairdo, the perfect location. Predict the light that will best suit  your concept. Think of every detail. The extra effort you make for those  small details will make your picture perfect. Don't feel ready until  you've planned it all.


Hope this motivates you to push your limits and to go wild!

Lara