Job Swap with Rena: Portrait Photographer

Christine Kirchen has an eye for beauty. As a photographer at The Artist Cove, She's got to make her portraits pop.

"What you're going to do is put this around your neck so the camera doesn't fall," she explains to me. "You're afraid I'm going to drop it aren't you?" I ask. "Yep."

This job isn't just about pointing and clicking off the shot.

"Everything has to be set up for the lights, for the setting, for the background, for everything that you're doing so you're getting the right image at the right time," says Christine.

Luckily, they've already done that for me. And, Christine found me the most adorable model named Kennedy.

"Are you going to let me take your picture?" I ask. Kennedy smiles shyly. "Thank you I appreciate it."

Christine explains the importance of the reflectors to light Kennedy's fact from both sides and to make sure her eyes are lit as well.

"Do I get down lower so I'm more at her angle?" I ask as I start to shoot. "Absolutely whatever, you're the artist so you decide," says Christine and I'm pretty sure she's being facetious.

"Say Peanut Butter!"

Focus appears to be a problem for me.

"Say hippopotamus."

Christine suggests we get a higher angle. Heels, a ladder and me...not a good mix.

"You sure you trust me with the ladder? Oh Geez Louise!" I say as I nearly fall. "Just be careful," Christine warns.

Kenney, by the way, looks like a little pro. Me...not so much.

"It's dark on one side. I got half the couch, not half the couch, that wasn't my best work I'm telling you right now."

But, we finally get into a rhythm.

"Say Cantaloupe."

"Say Strawberry shortcake."

"Say pickles and cheese."

"Applesauce."

>"Say potato chips."

Good job. I think they look really good," says Christine. "Yea for me!"

Thank goodness for the digital age. It's time to fix my mistakes on the computer. Here you can adjust the color and exposure and custom crop the photos.

"Maybe do a little off center get her fancy shoes in there, maybe a little bit of the chandelier. That's cute," says Christine.

We leave the photos to process while we help a customer choose pictures of her baby that are ready.

"What I'll have you do is show Sherry the images from her session and give her an idea of what she'd like for her nursery," Christine tells me. "How do I know what she'd like?" I ask. "You just say this is what you'd love and they usually love all of them."

Then it's back to check out our day's work.

"You did an awesome job. You did a really fantastic job. Maybe we can hire you," says Christine. "OOOH, and I didn't hurt myself. It's a great day!" Find out more about The Artist Cove Want to swap jobs with me? Apply here!

By Rena Sarigianopoulos, KARE 11 News   Read Rena's Blog

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