Seán O’Grady
About Sean
Seán O’Grady aka Seánnie Cameras is a multifaceted, professional photographer and filmmaker. He has been practicing his craft for nearly 3 decades, learning first on 35mm black and white film and really took his passion into the workforce when digital media became the norm. Because of the technological availabilities of digital media, him being a “hybrid photographer/videographer/filmmaker” gives a lot of advantages to his varied skill set and enables him to afford more opportunities professionally than most peers.
Cutting his teeth in Washington, D.C. he quickly immersed himself in the music scene documenting concerts, spearheading documentary and journalistic projects, and producing/directing large advertising campaigns but always branching out to photograph/film events, portraits, lifestyle, editorials, sports, etc. After several years of this he finally decided to test his mettle and pursue his craft at the highest echelon the creative industry has to offer and relocated to Los Angeles. In 8 years, his work and client portfolio excelled at a progressive rate being able to photograph/film massive campaigns for the likes of LA Fitness, META, Walmart, Walgreens, Bosch, Niagara, Pioneer, Coca-Cola, and Donna Karen and work with countless celebrities.
Never forgetting his Irish roots or his insatiable yearn to travel Seán has been to 20 countries and is able to bring his unique, journalistic, doc-style approach to street photography to 5 separate continents. His approach to photography is done either on 35mm or 120mm film, his Leica Q2, array of Sony A7S3’s, or his iPhone 13 Pro Max. He enjoys exploring these various cultures through their food, their music, and their everyday street life. With an Anthony Bourdain type approach to travel, never settling and shying away from more traditional or touristy journeys Seánnie embraces the side quests, being able to pivot your plan, and find the extraordinary in the mundane. Come with him as he teaches you to see your travels differently, to see your everyday life differently, and how you will see yourself differently!
You can view Sean’s work at:
https://www.seanniecameras.com
https://www.instagram.com/seanniecameras
Class Details
You Don't Take Photos, You Make Photos
You are probably asking, "why is there a photographer giving their perspective for photography to a bunch of painters, and other visual artists?" Well, the art of photography and painting, drawing, collage work, cyanotype, etc. are all correlated because they are all visual styles that can learn, speak, and influence one another!
In my first Mini session I want to show you that by learning how to take photos, you can set yourself and your eye(s) to create better paintings of the photos you take. Through basic photo techniques I learned as a nascent photographer in the mid-90's, I STILL use all of these principles every time I pick up the camera whether it be for a paid assignment or for fun. You probably already use a lot of these whether you are conscious of them or not:
Rule of 1/3's.
Color or monochromatic.
Foreground, middleground, background.
Texture.
Subject - Point of interest
Lighting
Framing - Composition
Location
Crop
Whether you are trying to recreate a scene from a recent trip you went on or have a photo to reference of that excursion these proper techniques will spill over into your artistic medium. By learning these and applying these not only will it make you a better photographer, but should help you make better paintings because you are a better photographer. Come and shoot with me!
