Jen Rozenbaum, an interview

You all remember the first interview I did with John of Hittwerk Photography?  In the interview he mentioned Jen Rozenbaum a boudoir photographer in New York City. He spoke very highly of her so I went and checked out her work. Turns out she’s not such a bad photographer and I think I wrote her shortly after and asked for this interview.

 Jen has been featured and interviewed by some very high level people like Good Morning America, Entrepreneur Magazine, Creative Live, and the list continues. Just google her name and you can see she has been featured multiple times by many different people.

 Why though? Jen was a wonderful boudoir photographer, but then again so are Sue Bryce, Stacie Frazier, Christa Meola and a whole host of others. Why or how was Jen different? After researching this photographer to the point of creepiness I think I found my answer. In one of the interviews she had done she had referred to herself as a photogratherapist. (I hope that’s what I heard) The point being is this, there are many wonderful photographers out there, but Jen connected with her clients, she listened to them, and maybe more importantly, she knew when to not listen to them. What I mean is that when one of her clients would come in with a ridiculous pose or outfit thinking it was going to work for them, Jen knew when to steer the client in a better direction. She told the client to trust her, that she did this for a living, and that she would be happy with the final images. As a photographer myself I’ve had this happen over and over and it was great to read that Jen had found a great way to deal with this issue.

I hope you enjoy the interview I did with Jen, she was kind enough to answer my silly questions and to supply some of her wonderful images. If you are a photographer and would like to be interviewed and featured on my blog please send me a message.

Why do you focus on shooting in tight quarters?

 Mostly because it’s what I do! My studio is in NYC and there isn’t much space here. 

Do you read the reviews on Amazon for your book? If the review is negative do you feel the urge to respond personally to the person? 

Who would leave a negative review for my book? (kidding… kinda)  😉

You’re a pretty good lookin gal, have you ever posed for your own boudoir session? Can we see?!

 Lol, thank you. yes I have had a few!

With being an author, photographer, wife and mother, it seems as though all of your time is booked. How do you find time to work out, and what is your approach to fitness?

 I work out 4-5 days a week. It’s not an option, it’s part of my life. Yes, during some VERY busy times I cut it out. Only when I really don’t have any other time to spare (like a week before Creative Live for example!) It’s important for me to stay healthy but also to blow off steam. 

What’s your philosophy with respect to diet?

 I eat really healthy during the week. On the weekends I splurge. There has to be a balance. 

What was your reaction when you found out you were going to be featured on Huffington Post?

I’m always excited and amazed any time someone wants to feature me. 

What’s your opinion on Jewish Mysticism like the Kabbalah? 

 I don’t really know much about Kabbalah to tell you the truth! 

We see you went to University of Albany, what was your lowest moment while attending school? How did you bounce back?

The only low moments I remember were the times where I felt pressured and stressed over exams. I work best under pressure though; still do…. so I guess I never really bounced back haha. 

What type of education should beginner photographers seek out?

 I love love love the book Understanding Exposure. It’s the best book money can buy for someone starting out. 

Have your kids taken you to career day at school yet? How do you think that will go?

My kids understand what I do. I explain to them that I am helping women feel beautiful, worthy and powerful. My daughter is almost 10 and she is the one I have the most heart to heart conversations with about it. 

Do you think it’s advisable to be a multi-genre photographer? For example, trying to be a nature photographer, child photographer, and boudoir photographer?

Personally, no. I am not saying it’s not for some people. For me though, being a specialist is the most important. I wanted to focus only on what I love. 

How did you get the idea to write a book on boudoir photography?

 So I had an idea for a cookbook, I told a friend who told a publisher friend… and the rest is history. I got the idea for the cookbook when posting on social media one day. I always post all the “ingredients” that go into getting the shot. I started thinking – how is this any different than cooking? Bam. Lightbulb moment. 

We listened to your interview on the fireside network, the most interesting thing we heard? You wear combat boots. What’s up with that?

Haha! My point was that being a woman goes way deeper than what we see on the surface! 

What’s your most memorable concert?

 I recently saw Billy Joel on my 40th bday at the last show at Nassau Coliseum before they renovated it. 

The perfect pizza gets delivered to your door, what’s on it?!

 I’m either a purest – lots of cheese!! Or I also like olives and onions. Yumm…

Your website and blog design are great. For photographers starting out how would you recommend setting up sites and blogs? Should they even do it? 

 Yes of course they should have a place to showcase their work (website) and speak their mind (blog). My advice is to keep it really simple and easy to use for you and the viewer.

Sigma or Nikon lenses, and why?

I use all Sigma lenses. They are affordable, quality and have you tried an Art lens?? Like Butta!! 

In high school what table would you have sat at? E.g. geek table, metal table, jock table, ect.

 I was the girl who really got along with many groups but I was a little more on the academic side. 

Do you read for fun? Who are your favorite fiction authors?

 I mostly read business books. Motivational reading. Anything I can really learn from and grow from. Right now I am reading “You are a badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life“.

How bad did Nightmare on Elm Street scare you when it premiered in 1984?

 Enough not to watch it!!! (I was 9)

What type of computer do you recommend for the type of work you do?

  I use a macbook pro

What’s your opinion of the certified professional Photographer CPP certification from the PPA? Do you recommend it?

Although I don’t have it – I highly recommend it!!! Why would you say no to anything that makes you better?

What was the first camera you owned?

Nikon D80

What kind of camera do you shoot with now?

 Nikon D3s and Nikon D750

If you could shoot with anyone in the world, from any time period, who would you choose. By the way, you can’t choose Marilyn Monroe or Harry Potter!

Good question! I would actually want to shoot the women of my family that I never got to meet and the ones that passed away since I have been born. The images I have of them are so few and far between. 

What type of lighting equipment do you use?

Natural light. Profoto B1 strobes and the TD6, Icelight, skylux and flex all from Westcott. 

Bang for the buck wise, what lighting equipment would you recommend for the beginning photographer?

 The Westcott D5 kits

Have you ever been in the military?

 No

Have you worked much in your boudoir business with military spouses?

Here and there but there aren’t too many in NYC.

Who are some other photographers that inspire you?

I gain most of my inspiration from other industries. Music, film, etc….

What type of editing software do you recommend?

I use lightroom and photoshop CC

If you answered Photoshop, what type of plug-ins do you recommend?

I have developed my own set of actions to help me edit quickly.

Was there ever a time in your time as a photographer when you were like, “I don’t think this is going to work, I think I may have made a big mistake”? How did you overcome it?

Um – often. I think we all have the urge to quit now and again. I usually just let myself be in the moment and know it will pass!

Do you ever feel the urge to punch Scott Kelby?

 I don’t know Scott, but I’d only punch him if he gave me reason to!

 

Portrait of Jen Rozenbaum Taken by Mike from Allebach Photography.

That’s all for this week! Become a fan on the Oni Studio boudoir Instagram and Facebook page. Follow Oni Studio on 500PX, Pinterest, and Model Mayhem!

Crossfit cutey

This weeks entry stars a brand new model. Her name is Amber, and if you are a photographer in the San Diego area you need to shoot with her.

Yes, you heard me right, Amber has never done a professional photoshoot before. Shooting with a new model has its advantages and disadvantages. I love shooting with new models because many times they havent yet reached that diva stage where the ego takes over and the art aspect of the shoot is still foremost in their minds. On the other hand, many new models are still unsure of themselves in front of the camera and haven’t yet learned to free flow pose. You take the good with the bad and work with what you got.

Amber had her poses pretty much down and five minutes after arriving on set, she was ready to go.

Besides getting to practice lighting techniques, my favorite aspect of shoot is getting to talk with new people. Amber brought up a very cool subject. Obviously she’s into fitness, but not just any old fitness, she’s into crossfit!

Now I have never done crossfit, but I have plenty of friends that do. Without exception they all look like they just walked off the set of 300. This style of fitness also has its critics, but I dont know why anyone would get angry over people trying to improve their bodies, regardless of the manner of doing it. Well except for steroid users!

Amber and I have a very similar diet as well. Except she probably cheats a lot less than I do. But basically eat lean, eat several small meals a day, plenty of water, and stay away from bread Simple!

For the studio lighting I went with an alienbee beauty dish, lit the background with an Einstein E640 with a red gel, and filled in the shadow with a photoflex strip.

That’s all for this week! Become a fan on the Oni Studio boudoir facebook page. Follow Oni Studio on 500PX, Pinterest, and Model Mayhem!

Spirit Molecule

Abigail had been running. She had taken the spirit molecule from the vagrant. At first she didn’t even know what she had. She could feel it in her bag. It was whispering to her. She could feel it moving. It touched the edge of her consciousness.  Was this real? At the very heart of it, she could feel a presence. She could hear his voice, faint. She could see his image in her dreams, dark, his face full of needles. It couldn’t be real.

For as long as she could remember she had been searching. Mystic experiences, LSD, DMT, and the spirit. It was never enough.

She never stopped moving. Never stopped searching. A brothel in New Orleans, BDSM in Berlin. Sometimes when she woke up she didn’t know what city she was in.

Is this all there was? Had she reached the limits of experience? Their had to be more.

She tried Wicca. The goddess rejected her. She tried Buddhism, but nirvana eluded her. What else was there? Their had to be something. Another guy bought her a drink. Where was she again? She thought hard. Her last clear memory was an alley in Paris. This didn’t smell like Paris. Was this Morocco? She had hit bottom.

She had heard of the vagrant. They said when nothing was left he would come. You couldn’t find him, he had to find you. She could feel him now. She finished her drink and stepped outside. She saw him outside the Pyramid Gallery. Their eyes locked. She approached. He took out a box, designs seems to melt and form. She couldn’t take her eyes off it.

She walked away, forgetting about the vagrant. He stared after her with empty eyes. His job was finished. Back in her room she sat down. Fingers tracing patterns. She could feel something traveling. Getting closer. Movement from the mirror. He had came. The light reflected from the pins in his face. She smiled. No more running, no more moving. She had come home.

That’s all for this week! Thanks for being with us for another year! Become a fan on the Oni Studio boudoir facebook page. Follow Oni Studio on 500PX, Pinterest, and Model Mayhem!

Vampire Goddess

For as long as I can remember I’ve had a thing with vampires. I think my first vampire film was “Lost Boys” and to this day it’s still one of my favorites.

I think the vampire genre took a huge hit with Interview with a Vampire. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse Twilight turned one of my childhood heroes into a sparkling atrocity more geared for female fifth graders than a serious lurking horror for all of humanity.

Why am I talking about vampires?

Because the star of this entry, Chary, was the embodiment of the perfect vampire. She was old world, poised and strangely, had one of the most alluring mysterious scents about her. She was like an other worldly ethereal creature. At the risk of making myself seem creepy, I could smell her two hours after she left. I have no other way to describe the experience other than wonderful!

Speaking of wonderful, if you’re a lady looking for some great Pinup inspired outfits, check out Pinup Culture in Escondido, CA!

I woke up one early Sunday morning and saw a post on my Facebook newsfeed from fellow photographer Neil Van Niekerk who had written his own entry on a Boudoir photographer by the name of Petra Herrmann.

Petra recently was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Neil was showcasing her photography not only to promote her, but to let people know about the gofundme campaign. Which would help her with her medical bills.

The entry itself highlighted five of the top selling images Petra takes and how to take your own.

I decided to take Petra up on this challenge and put an ad out on Facebook.

If you click on the link to Petra’s work you’ll be able to compare and contrast the images Chary and I shot.

Did you all know Chary likes Cannibal Corpse?

Now I usually work exclusively with Alienbee strobes and Photoflex modifiers. This was one of the few shoots I’ve done in a long time that relied on natural light.

That’s all for this week! Become a fan on the Oni Studio boudoir facebook page. Follow Oni Studio on 500PX, and Model Mayhem!