These are some shots from my last photography assignment in college, a 12-image series. I’ve always wanted to do a shoot in the beautiful Hocking Hills areas here in Southern Ohio. I also knew I wanted to beef up the fashion and fashion still life areas of my portfolio before graduation.

I teamed up with my friend Katie O’Connor, a talented stylist who I have often collaborated with for Thread Magazine, and Levi Finley, my friend and fellow photographer student. Katie hooked me up with all the clothes and our lovely model Anga, who we paid in appreciation, facebook profile pics, and pretzels. Although I kept the equipment to a minimum (one head and Profoto Acute-B 600R, D800), I wouldn’t have been able to manage it without Levi assisting and often holding the light stand on precariously uneven ground.

All images © Mary Hautman.

This beauty series was shot to accompany the only other beauty shot I’ve ever done (and liked) in my portfolio. I’m not a make-up artist in the slightest, so I invited my friends Jazmine and Sophia to lend me a hand. Then, I found three lovely ladies (yep, those are three different people), Gabbi, Juliette, and Danielle, to model. The real challenge of this assignment was retouching. So many hours put into this that I’m honestly pretty tired of these images, but I’m very thankful to all those who helped me create them.

© All images Mary Hautman.

This is Liz. She’s a dance major at Ohio University, and I work with her at the auditorium. I’ve been working on my on-location portraiture, and she graciously volunteered. Unfortunately, it was just one of those shoots where everything went wrong. 1.) The dance room we were originally supposed to use was being used as a classroom by a class who’s actual room had a frightened bird stuck in it. *sigh*  2.) My camera’s battery was dying. 3.) I couldn’t get a different camera for a half hour. 4.) I had access to Profoto lights, but I had no sync cord or pocket wizard with me. 5.) When I finally got a camera and light…I forgot to grab a light stand. BUT, everything worked out. And Liz laughed along with me as I sorted it out.

As a result, she shot in three locations instead of the one dance room, set the Alien Bee strobe on the ground (without a light stand), borrowed a different camera, used the Profoto modeling light (because I didn’t have a sync), and used windowlight. 

Things go wrong sometimes. I certainly didn’t put the bird in that classroom. However, I’ve learned my lesson: be prepared! Check the battery. Don’t forget a light stand. Have a plan B. Know techniques for getting birds out of buildings!

All images © Mary Hautman.

A while ago, I was in a short play about old women in a knitting circle who end up killing a messenger boy…yeah. Anyways, one of my fellow grannies, Lincoln, messaged me a few months ago about doing the promo for the new play her theater company is putting on. No grannies this time, but I really loved this experience. 

First, I met with her to get my mind around the plot, mood, and characters of the play, titled “Almost Blue”. Then, we scheduled a shoot during rehearsal time. It was a fun exercise for all of us. I worked with them to figure out how their character would hold themselves. I used dramatic lighting both inspired by stage lighting and the dark tone of the play. Of course, I had to tone the “Almost Blue” posters blue!

I also designed all the posters and the play’s logo. 

All images © Mary Hautman.

Here’s a little project I did for the Ohio University Student Senate and Women’s Center, an annual poster campaign titled “This is What an OU Feminist Looks Like” that aims to break down the negative stereotyping of feminists and reveal the diversity of people who identify as feminists. I both shot and designed this poster, but I certainly didn’t organize the incredible turnout we had for the photo-booth-style we had. Huge thanks to Emily Burns who organized the whole thing. 
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Here’s a little project I did for the Ohio University Student Senate and Women’s Center, an annual poster campaign titled “This is What an OU Feminist Looks Like” that aims to break down the negative stereotyping of feminists and reveal the diversity of people who identify as feminists. I both shot and designed this poster, but I certainly didn’t organize the incredible turnout we had for the photo-booth-style we had. Huge thanks to Emily Burns who organized the whole thing. 

The March issue of Thread Magazine just released, and I actually shot for this issue as well as managing the photo production as Photo Chief. We shot in Sol, a Cuban restaurant in Athens, Ohio, and I have to say that the owner, Todd, and the employees were so unbelievably kind and helpful. I’m trying to figure out a reason to shoot there again! My favorite photos from the shoot weren’t published, but it was a very fun, productive, and delicious shoot.

All images © Mary Hautman.

My family unexpectedly welcomed a new member this week, baby Charlie. Today I visited my new cousin and took some photos. It was a snowy/cloudy day, so I did my best to shoot when the window light and his mood aligned. You couldn’t ask for a cuter or sweeter baby! 

Images © Mary Hautman.

Another portrait that resulted from the flyers I hung around town. Danielle, a runner/dancer/skater/student, was a fantastic subject. She was a trooper despite the cold. The funniest thing is, we’re actually neighbors, next-door neighbors. We discovered it when walking home from the shoot. And I met her because she responded to my flyer. It’s a small world after all. 

All images © Mary Hautman.

The other night I had the opportunity to photograph Cotrell, a journalist and poet. In our e-mail correspondence, we decided to shoot in Donkey Coffee, the coffee shop that she has performed poetry readings at during their evening open mic sessions. I talked to various Donkey baristas both in person and over the phone to figure out the best time to shoot. They all said “no problem” and advised Wednesday evenings. But, of course, the Wednesday night that we choose to shoot, the place is full of students quietly studying, and we were unable to shoot on the stage without disturbing them. Unwilling to completely give up, I shot Cotrell on the steps, in the hallway, and in an area without any coffeeshop patrons around. It wasn’t the shoot I imagined, but I did really enjoy hanging out with Cotrell. She was a very easygoing and giggly subject. I’m blessed she asked me to photograph her. © Mary Hautman
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The other night I had the opportunity to photograph Cotrell, a journalist and poet. In our e-mail correspondence, we decided to shoot in Donkey Coffee, the coffee shop that she has performed poetry readings at during their evening open mic sessions. I talked to various Donkey baristas both in person and over the phone to figure out the best time to shoot. They all said “no problem” and advised Wednesday evenings.

But, of course, the Wednesday night that we choose to shoot, the place is full of students quietly studying, and we were unable to shoot on the stage without disturbing them. Unwilling to completely give up, I shot Cotrell on the steps, in the hallway, and in an area without any coffeeshop patrons around. It wasn’t the shoot I imagined, but I did really enjoy hanging out with Cotrell. She was a very easygoing and giggly subject. I’m blessed she asked me to photograph her.

© Mary Hautman

The flyers I hung seeking portrait subjects have really paid off. I’ve been kept busy. JT was one of my first responders. He is a video production student, writer, and movie lover. We decided to shoot in his bedroom, which I now look back on as maybe not the safest idea. After all, I had never met him before. BUT I was axe murdered or anything. Phew! Instead, I got to meet a very creative and private person. (Thanks JT, if you are reading this, for letting me into your world.)

All images © Mary Hautman.

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