Every holiday season brings memories of the past as well as wishes for the future. In these moments of thoughtful reflection we learn acceptance for life’s trials while we give thanks for the beauty that surrounds us.
It can also be a time of stress and frantic activity. This is especially true at time of year for most portrait photographers, as we rush to meet the holiday deadlines of our clients. But even amid the hustle and stress I think it is important to go out of our way to extend random acts of kindness toward strangers whenever possible. It could be something as simple as holding the door for someone, or a smile and a kind word. Even just taking the time to say THANKS to someone for something they have done for you.
So at this time of year I give thanks to all of my clients for the trust they have given me to capture their memories. I hope all of you enjoy this time with friends and family, and take a moment to extend a random act of kindness toward a stranger today. Thanks again to all my wonderful clients, friends and family. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Categorized In:
arizona
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family
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photography
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portraits
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scottsdale
Photographing children can be both a joy and a challenge (especially if they are your OWN kids!). So for the times that you can’t hire someone like me to capture the memories for you, here are just a few hints for better portraits. Once you find the right light for photographing your child (that will be a whole other blog topic!) keep the child occupied doing something fun. Some of my favorite images show the child engaged in activity and not even looking at the camera, but for a few images looking at the camera you can still do something to get them to look up at you with a pleasant expression (silly noises, talking to them about something silly, puppets, songs… ) without making them “pose” for the image. Fill your frame with more of your subject and less background, but be sure to leave enough “breathing room” around them. If you are able to control depth of field on your camera, use a larger aperture to blur the background. Most importantly, have fun!
Playing... not posing.
Window light is my favorite!
The sister of the girl above... can you tell!
More window light... transformed into a watercolor image for the client's wall.
"The soul is healed by being with children." Dostoevsky
Categorized In:
arizona
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child
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childre's portraits
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photography
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scottsdale
Wow, what a great way to start a Saturday. I went to the Cynosport and Agility Dog event at Westworld in Scottsdale to photograph my neighbor's Golden Retriever (a future Splash Dog in training?), and spent a few hours watching all these wonderful, athletic, and happy dogs doing what they do best. Here are a few of the images from the morning... I hope you enjoy them. Dogs are the most amazing creatures!
A Perfect Day...
Jumping Hurdles...
Waiting his turn...
Pure Joy...
Watching the Dock Jumpers...
Splash Dogs... Dock Jumper in training...
Just Chillin...
"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." Roger Caras
Categorized In:
arizona
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dog
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pet
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photographer
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photography
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scottsdale
I’ve been a full time professional photographer for over 12 years now, and when I look back over my body of work in those past years, I can see how far I have come from the days when I left a session hoping I had some good images! Experience DOES matter of course, and I can easily see how I have improved over the years. HOWEVER, it is also easy to get lazy or into a rut. I vow not to let that happen.
One of my friends and mentor is a retired Master Photographer (Donald Jack, for those of you who have been around any length of time) who recently reminded me of some basic rules in photography that he sees so many of the new photographers totally ignoring. My first instinct was to say that the “old rules” don’t matter anymore… clients don’t want a “posed” portrait. But then I looked at Donald’s past work, and I looked at how he so carefully created these timeless images that took my breath away, and I realized that a GREAT photograph CAN still be timeless and well crafted without looking staged or stiff. It was a reminder to me to NOT get careless or complacent with my images.
So just what makes a photograph a great photograph? As a professional photographer I learned all about “the rule of thirds” for composition, using the right aperture to create a focal point, using the right lens for the look I wanted, how to “see” the light hitting the subject, and manipulate the light to make it work… all these tools are important and should be learned.
But in ADDITION to these rules and tools, I personally think that images need to evoke a feeling and tell a story. It needs to draw the viewer in, and make them want to stay for a while and visit. I want my clients to smile, laugh, or feel a tug at the heart when they look at the images we create together. But I also vow to make sure that the basic rules of my craft are not ignored in the process of creating these captured moments.
I will continue to work with my clients from the conception of the portraits (what locations will be best, what colors should be worn, what story is to be told…) to the best display of the final images (wall portraits, coffee table book, canvas gallery wraps…) to create a GREAT portrait that will be cherished over the years. That is my promise to all my clients (and my challenge to all photographers).
Categorized In:
anthem
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arizona
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cave creek
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family photography
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phoenix
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portrait photography
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professional photographer
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scottsdale
