Out of the Bag

OUT

of the BAG

by KATHRYN O’MALLEY

There are no beaches in Stephen Hamilton’s studio. No snow-capped mountains or azure skies or grassy fields, either. So when a photo calls for the perfect setting, Stephen relies on the talents of Tamara Morrison to create a place with her paintbrush. Tamara’s custom painted backdrops are truly works of art, featuring everything from billowy clouds to glittering sands. Most importantly, they have the ability to transport food to anywhere in the world, all without ever stepping out of the studio. Take a peek into Tamara’s toolbox on wheels, overflowing with the tools of her craft.

1. buckets and rulers

It may look like a painter robbed an elementary school, but these rulers are the perfect paint stirrers, and these paint buckets are the perfect mixing bowls.

2. tints

A variety of tints lets Tamara fine-tune a paint color and create her own; she may adjust a paint color as many as five times during a shoot until she gets it just right.

3. canvas & muslin backdrops

Every scene begins with a blank canvas. Tamara usually arrives at a shoot with only a base color painted, and then paints the rest of the scene while on set in the studio. Working on set allows Stephen and Tamara to collaborate and make adjustments as necessary.

4. paint brushes

Wide skies call for big brush strokes. The veins of a leaf call for lots of little ones. With her arsenal of brushes, Tamara is ready for anything–no matter what shape or size.

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tamara morrison