Nancy Brown: People & Pets Gear Guide

Snapshot
A model turned photographer, dedicated to the idealized image.

Point of Focus
"I prefer beauty; that's my approach to life. It's what I appreciate and what I like to see."

Cameras
D700, D200, D90

Favorite Lenses
AF-S Zoom-NIKKOR 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED
AF Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

Why
"My cameras are on the lighter, smaller side. That's because I carry three cameras around my neck when I'm working so I don't have to change lenses. There's no down time, no 'hand me this lens, hand me that lens.' It's a little much, three cameras, but I'm ready, no matter what happens.

"I use the 70-200 VR the most, and mostly it goes on the D700.

"When I'm shooting families, groups of people, groups of kids, the 70-200 is great for picking out what I'm looking for—or for what I have to look for.

"I was just shooting parents and two kids, and the lady told me she wanted a picture of all four, then twos. Well, sometimes when I'm working all four I see the child on the left fade away, so I choose the father and the child on the other side and use the zoom to pick them out and get that shot. With that lens I can zoom around, and if something is not working on one side, I forget about it for a minute and come in on something else. Working like that also means no down time, no waiting around for something to happen or directing people too much.

"That idea can also work with one person. I was shooting a new model for a portfolio, and at first she was kind of awkward in her movements. Her face was nice but everything else seemed awkward, so until she warmed up I zoomed in and shot her face. Later on I shot her shoulders, arms, did other things.

"The 18-105 often goes on the D200. The 70-300 VR on the D90 is my favorite travel combination—lightweight, smaller camera with a lens with a long reach."

Habit
"I always leave the camera bag in the car when I get out to shoot. I've got the three cameras and lenses around my neck; I've got my card carrier pouch. I don't want to be one of those guys who's always rooting through the camera bag looking for things. I'm ready to work."

Non-Photo Essential
"Bottled water, always. An energy bar. And suntan lotion."

Advice Received
"Way back when I started modeling in Florida, I was trying to get composites of myself and my husband at the time, who was also a model, and I was complaining to a photographer who I was working for that I couldn't get photographers down there to do composites. He said, 'Nancy, buy a camera and do it yourself. Get a little camera, get one lens—a 50 or an 85—and use that camera and that lens until you become very proficient, until you know you have to get more.' "I did that, got a camera and a 50, and we took our own photos, and I used that camera for a year or so. It was a very good tip. You learn, then you add on. Once you've got your skills down on the base equipment, you go from there."

Advice Given
See above.

Nancy's New Book
People Photography: Capturing Lifestyle for Art & Stock will be published in April. In it Nancy talks about how she works with and gets the most from her subjects and the advantage digital photography gives you when people are your subjects.

"The 'art' part was natural, but I added 'stock' to the subject because I believe that when you shoot stock you become a better photographer. You're thinking of the end user and the sale. So even if you're not shooting commercially, think commercially when you're shooting: plan ahead, think of props and pleasing backgrounds and flattering clothing. Think of your shot as a still from a movie."

More About Nancy Brown
www.nancybrownphotography.com