BJ Reed’s Portrait Shoot at Fulton Farm

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020, I had the opportunity to shoot portraitures of the farmers and the interns who work at Fulton Center for Sustainability Studies (FCSS) at Wilson College in Chambersburg PA. Locally we call the farm, Fulton Farm. The farm is 50-acres including a seven-acre, USDA Certified Organic portion. Fulton Farm is a community treasure, Tom and I personally participate in their beautiful weekly market shares CSA (Community Shared Agriculture) which we conveniently order online then pick up later in the week at the farm.

Fulton Farms Wilson College Chambersburg PA — Fulton Farm at Wilson College in Chambersburg PA

I was hunkered down at home practicing my portrait photography for months during the pandemic, then PA opened up a bit and I was chomping at the bit to set up some shoots. So I contacted Chris Mayer, FCSS Director to ask if I could come onto the Fulton Farm’s property to capture portraits, with distancing. Chris gave me, BJ’s PHOTOGRAPHY, the opportunity to take 8 portraits during the shoot, they would be used in their next newsletter and for other social media materials.

I happily gathered my camera and equipment then headed over to scout out the location with my assistant/friend Barb Pogue. I studied the landscape, looked for good spaces to shoot, took some test shots with Barb – she’s such a good sport.

The next beautiful bright sunny day, I set up the shoot. We literally pulled the farmers and the interns from the field. It was such a joy to be outside and my subjects were such a delight! They were engaging and respectful. It was such fun!!

Here are the hard working members of the team who manage and bring in the bountiful organic harvest from Mother Nature at Fulton Farm:

**Jessica Larkin** is a farmer and Wilson graduate who has worked at Fulton Farm for a number of years

**Dani Stafford** is a student in Environmental Sustainability and Health Science at Wilson College

**Austin Cubbage** is studying Computer Science at Penn State and wanted to try the important work that’s happening at Fulton Farm

**Emily** is working as an apprentice, she has also been accepted into Wilson College and hopes to start soon

**Ethan Kron** is a recent graduate of Wilson College with a BA in History and Political Science and he is a second summer intern at Fulton Farm

**Grace Ruback** is a May Wilson graduate with a Bachelor of Science in animals studies, environmental science and a minor in conservation studies, she is currently working as an intern

For more information on Fulton Farm https://www.wilson.edu/fulton-center-sustainability-studies.

Thanks for the shoot and allowing me, BJ’s PHOTOGRAPHY, to enjoy the beautiful setting, take a deep breath and connect with Mother Nature! The clouds are amazing these days!

I’ve began a journey in my studio during the Covid-19 years. Starting in January 2020, my project was to learn more about portrait photography. My artistic winter project – practice, practice, practice, lighting, lighting, lighting- the king pin of photography. I pulled old strobe lights out of the closet, one literally fell apart, trashed it. Purchased another strobe and a speed light plus lots of accessories.

Experimenting: Let the fun begin. I started with the one old strobe for Rembrandt and Loop style dramatic portraits but I wasn’t thrilled with those, not for me, dark shadows on my face was less than flattering. Tried Butterfly portrait style too. My favorite style turned out to be flooding the face with ambient light as well as flash or back-lighting as in the window shots. I learned to use various reflectors to shape the light.

Modeling: While in my studio, at that time, I had three choices for models; Zipper, Tom and myself. So, I tried Tom but he could only stand modeling for 3 minutes, Zipper was even worse, that left me. So self-portraits it was. With make-up and hair flying all which way, I became my own model, I really like my boss!

Shooting: I set up a process whereby I could set my own focusing point and shoot remotely…off to the races. After I nailed a few head shots, standing positions and in-front-of-window poses I was ready for prime-time. A few of my friends joined the fun in my studio, lots of laughing going on! So when the COVID-19 lock-down arrived, I was once again alone in the studio…back to self-portraits.

Technology: I feel like I’m technology savvy but this was challenging! Going from using natural light to incorporating various supplemental lighting processes turned out to have a steep learning curve. Finding the most effective new camera settings was tedious, setting up the strobes (I used many years ago) took a lot of trial and error, learning the speed light was a slow process. In the meantime, I took at least 4 online photography classes. AND then we bought a new computer and monitor! But I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and pushed forward.

Lessons Learned: The more you learn, the more you know you have lots more to learn!

CLICK on the thumbnails below to see larger images, enjoy the slideshow.

I love to shape natural light with a reflector. And I love Spring gardening, with the hope of new beginnings.

On this sun-filled day, speed lights and cardboard shaped the nature light to fill the space.

Nature lightening in the snow with a lens filter. A silver reflector finishes the job. So much fun!

A lovely Fall day for playing Tennis. Glorious sun filled days on the courts are appreciated.

Nature light and reflectors shaped the lighting.

Zipper always made the images look great, look at those eyes! This one was a capture taken later in his life. We miss him every day.

I love using windows for interesting backgrounds for a three dimensional feeling.

On a winter's day in the studio. Back lit sunshine and front lighting, shot through a window. Love this look of the window's reflection throw back onto the portrait...artistic image.

Late Summer days for outdoor Tennis playing with my mixed-doubles team. A healthy dose of Vitamin D!

Captured the sun coming into the studio. Speed lights and reflectors completed the lighting.

Looking into the light. This composition used three strobes with rim lighting on my hair. This was one of my first attempts at portrait photography in my studio, during Covid-19.

My use of two strobes against a black background highlighted the silver hair of my friend Barb. Isn't she so lovely. I miss her so much.

Another marvelous model, my friend Jane Jacobs. Can you believe she showed up right after pickleball, she's always on the go and still looking lovely!

Sunshine was totally blasting into the window making is feel like a summer's day. Some ambient light coming around my face with a blast of flash and a reflector turning it onto my face.

Tom and Zipper were both smiling! Don't they look content. Glad we have so many PIX of Zipper.

I turned this close up portrait into a black and white portrait.

Hope you enjoyed sharing BJ Reed’s PORTRAIT journey!

Tag: portraits

BJ Reed’s Portrait Shoot at Fulton Farm

BJ’s Studio Portraits Project