Documentary Filming Update

As some of you may know, I'm working on a documentary short including actors and producers Allan Wasserman and Merrick McCartha along with an award winning editor Michael Bruggemeyer. It's about my story of photographing individuals with disabilities and telling their stories and solidifying their legacies for future generations. Themes include diversity, equal opportunity, and inclusion.

The community has been reaching out…

Since the filming began and posting of images, parents and community members have reached out to me sharing their stories and struggles and expressed a wish for more understanding of those with disabilities and inclusion. Also, professionals from the entertainment industry have reached out to participate in the film!

Day 1 Filming

So much fun shooting and filming with this super cool family! The son, David, has autism and is a cast member on Netflix Love on the Spectrum. He has a job, girlfriend, and reminds others about important parts of life including sharing and patience. He enjoys sharing the facts. Including David's interests, hearing what he has to say about things he loves including lions and the musical The Lion King, taking breaks, and mixing it up with fun and meaningful looks with his family led to a fun session for him and his whole family! Hearing from the family about the importance of family photography and reliving memories of family members from the past through photos was enlightening and powerful. More than a pretty picture, photography keeps the stories and legacies of family members going on for generations! What story will future family members read in these images?

Short behind scenes of the filming and photoshoot...

Well, that's it for now. Please feel free to share with whomever you think may be interested in learning more. Please reach out and say hi at 626-590-4315 or scott@scottgutentag.com.

Don't "Say Cheese!" For Great Photos

"Say Cheese!!" typically results in canned, awkward, and exaggerated smiles or facial expressions. Instead, I like to get reactions that look more natural and fun during my portrait photography sessions for everyone including those who are neurotypical, neurodivergent, and have some form of disability. Getting a clean and classy look requires one to get into the person's world of fun and make-believe no matter their profile and age. Have fun that's consistent with their interests! Joke, have them make silly faces, play peek-a-boo, play music, dance, show their favorite things on the ipad, and have them tell you what they love can lead to great looks! The goal is authenticity. Check out various authentic looks at my site for ideas.

Specific to child portrait photography, understanding their level of thinking and reasoning is important. For example, kids under 6 years don't think logically or abstractly and respond better to movement, rules and concrete and short directions rather than lengthy and in-depth explanations. Follow the lead of kids as they take you on a journey into the impossible and fun! Get into their worlds by being silly, playing with them, make up running games, have them be your helper, and take movement breaks to get some natural and awesome looking shots. BTW, bringing out the kid in adults is equally important as the goal is comfort, fun, and feeling relaxed. Even getting serious/dramatic shots definitely requires a sense of relaxation and calm. BTW, some of the best and most interesting shots involve looking away or eyes closed with their own unique expression or some other cool emotional look...priceless images to be remembered and enjoyed forever! Feel free to reach out to chat, ask, and discuss!

Photographing a Dol Celebration

Photographing a traditional Korean Doljanchi Celebration and capturing all the emotional moments of family, friends, and kids was awesome! A Doljanchi is a Korean tradition that celebrates the first birthday of a baby. Dol means birthday and janchi means feast. This event happened in Koreatown, Los Angeles, which was planned and carried out beautifully by this little guy's parents!

The picture below shows this baby in traditional Korean clothes for his doljanchi-Korean first birthday.

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The picture below shows the doljabi, where the parents put down several items that represent different things such as a judge, wisdom, wealth and good health. Whichever item the baby picks, predicts what type of person the baby will be when they grow up! Below are items for the doljabi from which the baby can choose. In this case he chose money, or wealth,...making his family very excited!

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The Dol is a very special and beautiful time for everyone to celebrate the child's first birthday...and capturing these moments at this particular Dol was so awesome, which included a bunch of happiness, positive energy and good will in the room.

What a wonderful Dol event to photograph. Capturing authentic moments and special traditions of the Doljanchi right there in the heart of Koreatown in Los Angeles!

Find more information about event photography at Scott Gutentag Photography

As always, feel free to contact me with questions and requests at anytime at scott@scottgutentag.com!

All the best!

Scott