Mike Johnson Photo + Video: January 2016

Braden and Sam are perfect for each other. They both love the outdoors, pushing each other in the snow and spending time together. They met last fall when Braden brought his dog, Charlie, to a YSA activity, and how can you not pet the dog in the room? Turns out that Braden was Sam's TA for her Wilderness Trek class (now this is a college class I'd take!) and since then they've fallen in love and are set to have their wedding in the Provo City Center Temple on April 30th. Check out their dancing-snowball throwing-winter wonderland-engagements below!

Until next time,

Mike Johnson

435-764-4241

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Julian is a commercial and fitness model for Stars Talent Agency in Salt Lake City. I had a great time getting an couple hours to shoot with him on snowy Saturday afternoon. Julian is a fantastic model and an all around great guy to be with, we had loads of good laughs and made some great images. Check out some of my favorites below:

Until next time,
Mike Johnson
435-764-4241

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Freezing temperatures, rain and wind didn't stop Derek and Karina from having a blast on their engagement shoot tonight. Derek is from Idaho, Karina from Washington and they met last year at Utah State. Since their first day (which lasted all night and ended with a sunrise dance) they've grown to love each other and are on their way to getting married May 28th. I'm honored and excited to be shooting their wedding and bridals this spring. Their engagement shoot was full of windy kisses, snow dances and even a snowball fight. Check out peak of their snowy engagement shoot below!

Until next time,

Mike Johnson

435-764-4241

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I teach a lot of classes and during those classes one of the most common questions I get asked is "What is your favorite piece of gear in your studio?". My answer almost always is V Flats. Whether you're shooting in a natural light studio or with artificial light, V Flats are fantastic and pretty much the best tool in my studio, I use them on almost every image in the studio.

First, what is a V Flat?
V Flats are two 4 foot by 8 foot white/black foam boards that you can use to bounce or absorb light in the studio. They form the shape of a "V" and are generally white on one side and black on the other. Buying a V Flat through a photo studio generally costs $300+ per V Flat (plus shipping!). Today I'll show you how to build two V Flats for under $300 and only about half an hour of time.

Why have a V Flat?
Controlling light in the studio in basically the whole point of the the studio. Whether you want to absorb the light or bounce back more light, the V Flat is a fantastic option.

How to Make your own!
Supplies:
2 (or 4) sheets of foam core. ($10-$75)
White Duct Tape ($5)
Black Duct Tape ($5)

What type of foam should I get? For years I've used 4x8 sheets of Insulation foam from the hardware store. I personally used the 1in think foam. It comes white on one side and silver on the other, you can peal the silver off and pain that side black. Done. In the images below I'm building my new V Flats and I'm using what's called 1/2 inch Gilman Infinity Foam Board. The reason I'm replacing my old V Flats is after years, the foam is finally falling apart and full of dings and dents. The advantage of the Infinity Foam Board is that it's dense foam in the center with white plastic on one side and black plastic on the other (image below). Locally I paid $75 per sheet for the foam board, you may be able to find it cheaper elsewhere but it was exactly what I was looking for and free 2 hour delivery, so I jumped on it.

The advantage of the Infinity Board is that the plastic edges are stronger, and you can clean them and they're hold up longer than the foam board.

To turn the 4x8 sheets into a V Flat simply takes taping them together with Duct Tape. Using white tape on the white side and and black tape on the black side.

To make it so I can reverse the white and black easily, I left a 1/2 gap so that there is room for the 'hinge' of tape to swing both directions.

Once you have them taped together you're ready to go! Stand them up and start shooting.

For those local photographer, I was able to get my sheets of Infinity Board through Square One Printing and they delivered it for free within 3 hours.

**Side note: I apologize for the cheap phone images, I was on a mission to finish the V Flats, not take pretty pictures**

If you have any questions, let me know!

Until next time,
Mike Johnson
435-764-4241

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Tara is a fantastic promotional and free lance model in Salt Lake City. She's been published multiple times including billboards and national magazines. I had a great time shooting with her today to get some new headshots for her portfolio. We even ventured outside to shoot in the nice 17 degree weather of a Logan winter day. Check out a couple of my favorite images from the shoot:

Until next time,
Mike Johnson
435-764-4241

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Ya know the best part about being a photographer? When your mom calls up and begs for new pictures, it's just my favorite *sarcasm* (mom, if you're reading this, I love you, I owe you, so call anytime). Anyway, my little sister is leaving on her mission to Tempe Arizona in about a week, so we had to get some new family photos before she left. I'll tell ya this, my family is troopers. It was snowy, about 20 degree's and really windy during their shoot and they didn't complain once - ok, maybe once or twice, but hey. Anyway, here is my crazy, yet wonderful family.

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Young kids and babies are definitely not my specialty or what I focus most of my time on, but when my past clients call me up and tell me they need new 6 month photos, how can you say no? Especially to this little face?

Until next time,
Mike Johnson
435-764-4241
mike@endless.photography

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Sierra is a stunner! I had such a great time shooting with her today! We had the ever amazing Jessica Nelson doing hair and makeup - which totally rocked. Even in the freezing weather of January we got some solid shots, and we even had some soft snowfall towards then end of the shoot. Check some of my favorites below!

Until next time,

Mike Johnson

435-764-4241

mike@endless.photography

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