Almost seven years ago exactly, I launched a new series on AdoramaTV called The reDefine Show. I wanted to host a show where I interviewed creatives who not only loved what they did but were also performing at the top of their game — whether it be photographers, cinematographers, comedians, actors, sports anchors, or really anyone who figured out how to make a living doing work they loved. I was lucky enough to speak with extraordinarily talented individuals who shared a great deal about what had made them successful, what they had done right early on, as well as what they’d learned from their failures.
Over time, I’d also filmed a number of tutorials and behind-the-scenes walkthroughs for the show. I asked other photographers to share theirs, too. If you haven’t checked out the show, there’s a ton of valuable content there to explore.
Although I have loved shooting that iteration of reDefine Show, I am quite excited to be taking things in a new direction.
At the beginning of 2018, I put together what would seem like a dream series for me — stepping into a variety of situations to photograph animals, insects and all kinds of furry and winged creatures. I wanted to see if I could get access to shooting scenarios that would allow me to learn more about the subjects I’d be photographing, while I shared what shooting decisions I was making and why. I also wanted to get take some fantastic shots. And we were fortunate enough to create a series where we did just that.
We’ve spent nearly this whole year to date filming a new season of episodes for The reDefine Show: Animal Edition! And we just released our first episode.
The photography show includes quite a variety of subjects — from photographing leaping lemurs to showering dart frogs to rescued pigs to a smiling underwater axolotls and more. Each episode is focused on how to photograph these unique animals, given the situations we are in at the time.
Some experiences were just dream scenarios for animal lovers, like tracking wild horses on the beach, or being fully surrounded by affectionate bobblehead alpacas. Other times, I was able to live vicariously, like the day-in-the-life shoot of pet pigs in their home with their family, which includes an entire floor custom made for them — something my husband is still not interested in doing in our home.
I also discovered some pretty fascinating things, like how boa constrictors glisten as they flex and that crested geckos wash their eyes with their tongues. I found out that butterfly wings look like intricate paintings with dozens of colors when a small section of wing fills the entire frame. And I was shocked to see lemurs go into a trance-like state while soaking up sun, arms outstretched, chests out and eyes rolled back in their heads.
I also learned that spending time with that which you fear can change everything.
That is why our very first episode is all about photographing bees. I started with this one because it was the one show I was the most nervous (okay, terrified) to shoot. Some people are all “one with the bees.” I have always been, well, the exact opposite of that. I feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise up anytime I see a bee buzz nearby. So to put on a beekeeper’s suit and walk into the same space as 70,000 bees? Well, it was a full-on personal challenge.
And this is where photography comes into play. Every time I photograph something or someone, I am struck by how beautiful they are, in so many ways. It’s actually my job to look for that beauty, which is one of the coolest parts of the work I love to do.
But I was still surprised that I felt the same way during this shoot. These fuzzy little creatures are intricately beautiful and hard-working and expressive, looking directly at you with head tilts, butts out, wings splayed out, and more! My job was to photograph them as well as possible, speaking to what I was doing and using a variety of means to do so.
And I got lost in it almost immediately. This was not just a wonderful shoot but it was also personally transformative for me.
Now, I’d love to invite you to check out our first episode, now live on AdoramaTV:
And keep coming back to check out the show! It airs every two weeks, right here on AdoramaTV.
