I wanted to work with Yoga Journal from the time I started my own yoga practice. As soon as I was introduced to Yoga I became creatively inspired by the strength, beauty and grace of the practice. I began seeking out yogis to photograph. Like dancers yogis have an awareness of their bodies that makes them a pleasure to photograph. Last December, after pestering Creative Director, Charli Ornett and Art Director, Ron Escobar for some time I was given my first assignment for the magazine.
Since December we have worked together regularly – except a brief hiatus after my knee surgery. It should be no surprise that the team from a magazine like Yoga Journal is an absolute pleasure to work with and have in the studio. The shoots are busy and we have a lot to produce each day but it feels more like having friends visit then a busy production day. Since December we’ve worked on projects for the section Home Practice, two feature stories and a video.
This video, an interview with yoga instructor, Kia Miller was a last minute request from the magazine. I had worked on several video projects but hadn’t shot lip-synch sound before. Since I didn’t trust the 5d for audio I ran around and pulled together a mixer and wireless mic in time for the shoot. Any photographer who considers film-making of interest should begin paying close attention to sound in film and take sound as seriously as pictures in their motion projects. Audio mixing is one of the next things on my self-education to-do list.
Most of the time I am looking for the moment. Dancing with a subject finding the best way to express an idea. Because YJ wants to show perfect yoga poses the methodology of their shoots is unique. We have to show the perfect expression of each pose. Conceptually, It’s as if our whole team is doing the pose together breathing into it, finding the right depth and angle. The picture is that moment when we were all in tune on that same breath.
