Archive for the 'Portraits' Category
I hate the bandwagon effect, the idea that just because everyone else is doing it you should be, too. Isn’t that what leads all those lemmings off the cliff? But I’ve been hearing from other photographers across the country how much fun they’re having photographing pets. And there’s a certain profit motive involved here as well. I read a few days ago that people in the USA spend some $35 billion annually on their pets.
Dogs (and cats) are much-loved members of the family for many households. They give unconditional love and affection, something that is often otherwise missing in our daily lives.
I’m starting to explore those bonds and relationships between pets and humans in my photography. My latest venture, Purebred Pet Portraits, is an outgrowth of my human portrait photography. I’m getting some marketing guidance from Taimi Gorman, owner of Gorman Publicity and the unfortunately now-defunct Doggie Diner in Fairhaven. That’s Taimi with Oscar in the photo at the right. Madeline the pug, sitting on the wooden chair, is also her dog.
continue reading »
August 24 2010 | Pet Portraits and Photography and Portraits | 1 Comment »
Earlier this month we photographed about 185 kids and groups of kids sharing their Christmas wishes with Santa at Bellingham’s Holiday Port Festival. We were there with Santa for four hours each of three days and had a good time with all the kids. Most were real excited to see Santa, but there were a few two-year olds that freaked out when they approached the kindly old man in the red suit.
We’ll be back at the Holiday Port Festival again in 2010. In the meantime I hope you enjoy this 3-minute video of some of our favorite photos from this year.
You might also enjoy the interview with Santa from earlier this month.
December 21 2009 | Bellingham and Photography and Portraits | No Comments »
Santa Claus took a little time out of his busy schedule to come into the studio for a fresh portrait a little while back. While he and Mrs. Claus were in, we talked a bit about some of the questions that children frequently ask him. He was gracious to share his answers.
Q: What does Santa do when a house does not have a chimney or there is a fire burning in the fire place?
SC: I use a little magic and make one!
Q: Does Rudolph always lead the sleigh?
SC: Yes! His nose is bright and can light up any sky!
Q: How do the reindeer fly?
SC: Magic reindeer feed!
Q: Why can’t I ever see Santa or his elves?
SC: The elves are very magical and fast! If you’re very good, you might catch a glimpse of an elf!
Q: How do I become an elf?
SC: Stay in school, get good grades and then – who knows!
Q: How does Santa’s sleigh make it around the world in one day?
SC: A little hard work and planning, a touch of magic and the reindeer of course!
Q: How does Santa know whether I have been naughty or nice?
SC: I get a fax every morning!
Q: What kind of snack does Santa like left out for him?
SC: Cookies! Chocolate chip are a favorite, but I will try anything left out! The reindeer like carrots and sugar beets the best!
Q: How many reindeer are in the North Pole?
SC: Lots & lots! Santa has way too many to count!
Q: What are the names of Santa’s reindeer?
SC: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and of course Rudolph. There are many more Chet, Bailey, Dibbz, Baxter, but not enough time to list them all.
Q: What do Santa and Mrs. Claus do during the spring and summer?
SC: I like to take Mrs. Claus out and see the world and spend a week in the sun! Just one week though, lots of toys to make!
Q: Why doesn’t Santa always bring me what I asked for?
SC: Thanks to the elves, I know what you ask for, but I also know your parents and use their judgment, what you have room for and take all that into consideration. You may not have room for the pony you asked for!
Q: Why does Santa Claus climb down the chimney?
SC: It would be better than falling!
Q: Why don’t you come every day of the year?
SC: It takes a whole year to get ready for the next Christmas!
Q: Do you have a red-nosed reindeer?
SC: Yes, Rudolph!
Q: Is there a real Rudolph?
SC: Yes!
Q: How many cookies do you eat?
SC: Lots & lots! Way to many to count!
Q: How many kids do you deliver to?
SC: Billions! Big kids, little kids, all kids!
Q: Has Santa ever missed a year?
SC: No! Never missed a Christmas yet! There a lots of practice and planning that go into Christmas eve to make sure nothing goes wrong!
Q: Do you get the flu?
SC: I did once, June of 1956 I think. Mrs. Claus keeps me very healthy and makes me and all the elves get flu shots!
Q: Do you really live at the North Pole? I thought it was all ice up there and dark all winter long.
SC: Yes, but I do take vacations. The place is always decorated with plenty of festive lights, and Mrs. Claus’s cheerful face always keeps me in high spirits, and her cookies!
Q: Why does Santa Claus give toys to children?
SC:I give toys to all good boys & girls! I enjoy putting smiles on their faces!
Q: Why does Santa Claus wear red?
SC: Mrs. Claus made the suit the very first day I started delivering toys and red is a very cheerful color and I stand out from the other grownups!
Q: Why doesn’t Santa grow old and die like other people?
SC: I was once a mortal man, but because of all my kindness to all the good boys & girls, I was given the gift of immortality or Christmas spirit to continue my work every Christmas eve!
Q: How do you remember who wants what?
SC: An in-dash computer system with speech to let me know what house to get to next and the list of goodies to be left under the tree!
Q: Does Santa’s sleigh have air-bags, navigation or in-sleigh stereo?
SC: No need for air bags, the reindeer are very skilled in landings! Navigation has been computerized in the last few years to help plot a faster route to all the houses! And yes, a stereo is a must! Christmas carols are the preferred choice!
Q: Can children from the Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, or other faiths be visited by Santa?
SC: I’m known in many cultures by many different names, so yes children all over the world will be visited by me!
So there you have it, straight from Santa himself. He’ll be at Bellingham’s Holiday Port Festival next weekend to listen to children’s wishes and pose for photos with them. Hours are 4-8 pm Friday, December 4; 1-5 pm Saturday, December 5; and 1-4:30 pm Sunday, December 6. Look for Santa just inside the Bellingham Cruise Terminal.
I’ll be there too, photographing the kids with Santa. Photo packages begin at just $20. While you’re there, enjoy the holiday music and check out all the gingerbread houses entered in this year’s contest.
November 29 2009 | Human Nature and Photography and Portraits | 2 Comments »
More than a month ago my gardening friend Dawn called and asked me to photograph her son’s senior portrait. We talked about locations and decided that their extensive property in southern Skagit County would be a good place. Chris is an outdoors guy, an athlete, and a pianist. As is often the case with active high school seniors, finding a time that fit his schedule was a challenge. We ended up with an October Sunday morning session under cloudy skies.
It was actually raining when I arrived, so we started with a few interior shots with Chris at the piano. He wasn’t too keen on those, but we wanted to make mom happy. When the rain stopped we moved outside and began working our way around the garden.
We shot under the grape arbor, among the structural ornamental grasses, and around a contemporary sculpture. We did standing and seated poses and tried kneeling but Chris had a football injury from Saturday’s game and it hurt to kneel. Painful grimaces don’t make good portraits.
This portrait is in the apple orchard. At first I had Chris leaning on the tree, and looking through the crotch of the V-shaped trunk. Then I asked Chris if he had any other ideas and he immediately climbed up in the tree. He’s pretty tall, so fitting him into the tree was almost a challenge. I guessed that he’d been climbing the tree since he was little.
Chris had an easy smile and we had a good time working together to create a wide range of poses in locations throughout the property. I knew the family would probably only purchase one portrait at the end, but I like to provide many concepts to choose from.
This portrait of Chris at the edge of the woods is the one everyone ultimately liked the best and ordered as a small wall portrait. He looks relaxed and comfortable, and the golden yellow autumn foliage contrasts nicely with the blue sweater and jeans.
The overcast sky served as a giant softbox. I added a single off-camera flash as fill and to give a little dimension to the light in this portrait and in many of the others I made that morning. I shot with the Canon 1Ds Mk II, a 24-105 and a 70-200 lens. The fall color in the garden and the adjacent woods made a nice setting.
All in all, we worked for a couple of hours. When Chris and his folks came in for their viewing and purchase session earlier this week (they were out of the country in between) there were many portraits that they liked a lot. I showed more choices than I often do, but they were pretty quick to make decisions as I projected the portraits. Finished portraits will be back from the lab after Thanksgiving and will look great in their home.
Here’s a video with more of the session:
If you like what you see and would like to explore having me create your senior portraits when the days get a little longer and the weather more dependable please send an e-mail or pick up the phone and call. You can use the Contact page on the menu at the left, too.
November 24 2009 | Photography and Portraits | No Comments »
Last Saturday evening I had the pleasure of working with Micaiah to create a series of portraits in Zuanich Point Park on Bellingham’s waterfront. Micaiah and I met through Model Mayhem. We met over coffee and decided the waterfront would be a good location.
We worked several locations and clothing changes, ending with this outfit. I used a long lens for all of her portraits to soften the background. The late afternoon light started out a little harsh, but by the time we got to shooting with boats in the background the sun had sunk behind a thin cloud bank and gave this gorgeous soft glow.
Micaiah had a natural grace which made her very easy to pose. I’d suggest a spot and show roughly what I had in mind and she’d be right there and looking great with very little adjustment needed. She’s interested in a career as a model. Being easy-going, good looking, and able to take direction will all serve her well.
The photo at the top of the post was made soon after the one by the lamppost here. Micaiah saw the sunset developing and pointed it out to me. While the harbor portrait was made entirely with natural light, I used a single small strobe in an umbrella for the one with the anchor and statue in the background.
By the time we got to the rocks overlooking the water the sun had set and we were working with the soft afterglow and blue tones on Bellingham Bay and Lummi Island in the background. Again, a single strobe in an umbrella provided the key light on Micaiah.
One of the things that sets a professional photographer apart from the masses with cameras is the ability to see how natural light is affecting the subject and to work quickly and effectively with added light sources like strobes. Especially as sunset light is fading there isn’t time to futz around with equipment and indecision. Micaiah’s mom was present for the shoot and I pressed her into service as a reflector holder and then holding the light stand with the umbrella in the light breeze as it was getting dark.
September 17 2009 | Photography and Portraits | 1 Comment »
