Kids

I love photographing kids. Well, sometimes I do. Usually those under 3 can be really difficult and some shoots result in zero good pictures. The trick is to find the right thing to entertain them. I always try to get kids doing something or otherwise, they walk right off set looking for something to do. I lucked out today with this giant box. I had it wrapped as a gift which was OK, but as soon as I opened it up and let her play in it, she was as happy as could be. Apparently boxes are her favorite thing, that and Dora the Explorer.

Ponies on the Lonely Road

Mel wanted to do something really unique for the Lonely Road series. I think she got what she wanted, it's pretty unique. I love the romantic feel of the photo. The clouds were perfect that day and we were shooting around sunset so the low sun added to the romance. I love it when mother nature cooperates.

The pony was quite a ham, after a while he walked right up the suitcase and posed for several shots. I guess they are used to posing for all the tourists that stop to take their pictures. When he got bored, he went right back to that spot (I think he was protected from the wind behind those bushes and trees.)

What you can't see in that photo is the 30 degree weather and the whipping wind. If you turned the camera around on me, you'd see a well wrapped photographer — winter coat, hat, gloves. Mel knew what she wanted and she worked hard to get it. I'm always impressed by that. This is a fantastic addition to the series.

Jenn is Amazing

Jenn walked into my studio four months ago and I did a double take. Is this the girl I've been talking to for eight months about shooting? She looked so different in person. She's beautiful either way, but it's like two different people. I honestly went back to her portfolio and looked for the person who walked into my studio. I saw a resemblance I guess. She was an awesome model and such a neat girl. So when she came back four months later, I just had to shoot with her. Plus she pulled together wardrobe, makeup and hair. People don't want to say no to Jenn and there's a reason for that — she's amazing. 

And there she is. It's 40 degrees outside. The team is all dressed in coats and gloves and she's modeling in a tiny knit dress. You wouldn't know it was so cold. Michelle did makeup and Kymmy did hair, both are such great ladies who are magical with their talent. Rockin Bones (rockinbones.net) provided the wardrobe. We lucked out with the location, the hotel she was staying at was getting rid of their old mattresses. It was a perfect match for the outfit.

On the third set, I couldn't get the lighting right and she stood there in the cold without a single complaint, same for Michelle. I felt rotten! The location was new to me and I just couldn't feel the lighting. Sometimes my zen for lighting fails me - sucks when that happens and it's cold outside and everybody is just waiting for you to get something right.

Jenn really is amazing (as was the whole team) and I think it shows in the photograph.

I Think I've Gone Soft

Don't tell anyone, but I think I've turned into an old softy. Usually my portraits are full of color and contrast and strong lighting. But lately I'm loving the pale and soft. I think it's because I've been so hard on the outside that my soft side has been trying to come through. Sometimes I express a lot more in my style of photography then I think I do. 

Nori did a great job on this shot. Her expression and her hands are pleasingly soft. Her eyes shine in this shot (actually in all the shots, those eyes were made to be photographed). And as luck would have it, that old hat was lying around the studio begging to be used. With Nori's modeling and Melissa's great makeup, this portrait just came together right there in the studio.

I Love Fall

I was so excited to shoot some fall leaves shots outside. And I found the perfect model for it, Brittany. She has such a beautiful smile, she exudes happiness. While she was getting her makeup done, it got gray and rainy. I was so bummed out. We went out to my neighborhood anyway. I was hoping for some sunshine, but it never came out. I had to use my strobes. My shots look like I took them in a studio, like I took all those leaves and put them on some seamless.

I still love the shots, but I wish they looked a little more like nature!