Craving some awesome portrait photography work? I was recently and some television program decided to show me a quick piece on the photographer that shoots the Photo Bumpers for Saturday Night Live.  I was instantly reminded of how much I love the images on SNL, but I didn’t know the photographer.

Mary Ellen Matthews is the photographer for Saturday Night Live.  She’s been doing the job for years upon years and hearing about her really inspired me.  She is really creative and creates the photographs starting on the thursday before the show airs on Saturday night.  She has a great way of inspiring the guest host and snagging wicked shots. Her style is an inspiration and I can tell she is very creative.  The bit on her mentioned she usually shoots against white backgrounds so I assume she ads the funky, pop art colors during post processing work.

An amazing episode recently featured the sexy Betty White! The photo bumpers below of Betty White’s hosing of Saturday Night Live are awesome! Imagine she’s your Grandmother for a moment and then think how amazing it would be to have your Grandmother in these edgy shots.

You’ll also notice the small fascination I have with Tina Fey (She is hosting tomorrow May 22, 2010 as well).  I loved her shots and I had to include them.  The 2nd one with Tina Fey ironing is really cool because I’ve always thought to do shots like this for engagement photographs.  The engagement photos would include the guy though too – he might be holding next thing to iron.    I know it sounds bad, but it would be fun situations that old married couples sort of settle into.  Another shot would be one with the husband mowing the lawn or working on the car and wife brings out a beer.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy these photo bumpers from Saturday Night Live and that you’re left with some inspiration to go out and try some edgy work.