The Human Connection
© Karen Kuehn
Making a portrait is a collaborative effort between the photographer and the subject. Like a fine chef, the photographer must get all the ingredients together to make a cohesive statement in their image making. In this high-energy workshop, Karen Kuehn will share her knowledge of producing portraits that go above and beyond the ordinary, evoking images that truly tell a story - arguably the main ingredient in making a memorable image. We will talk about seeing light - making statements with light - not getting bogged down with too much equipment. We will learn to use the intuitive side of our minds, to “feel” a situation on the spot and react to a person and place in a timely manor. We will also talk about conceptualizing an idea versus journalism and why both are assets to prepare and be ready for in all situations. We will also learn how to evoke emotions in our subjects and how to best extract a simple gesture and/or feeling. In doing so, we will walk away with a better sense of our own feelings about working with people and revealing a subject with a caring and thoughtful eye.
Students should be prepared to take pictures with natural and strobe light situations. Models will be provided.
Karen Kuehn (www.karenkuehn.com) is called upon most for her inventive eye and imagination to do portraits, essays and advertising assignments. A native to California, she graduated from Art Center College of Design and studied first zone system photography. Kuehn has lived in NYC producing shoots for major magazines like the New York Times, Time, Newsweek, Interview, Travel & Leisure, Life, Garage and National Geographic. With over 25 years of photography experience, she hubs into all major cities to do product ads and editorial assignments. Whether shooting difficult humanitarian projects or high-end opulence, Kuehn knows how to blend and maximize her image making from beginning to end. “It’s not 'degrees' that separates me from others,” says Kuehn, “but rather ‘living experiences’ that gifts me some other sensibility to walk into situations that render sensitive and walk away with usually a very positive encounter that reveals a soulful connection for image making. My life is my art and it is fully embraced. It’s not awards or how many magazines or shows I've been part of but rather an awakening felt. Poetic justice is the reward of the esthetic being.” She currently resides in New Mexico.
