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I 've always known the power of a photograph. Even as a child I embraced the grip photos had on my emotions. I suppose I got it from my mother, a woman who catalogues photos the way one might do with stamps. She's an avid collector. Of memories.
For Christmas I decided to combine recent family photos on a canvas for her gift. I had a little difficulty finding the perfect place to get the custom 18x24 canvas made, but when I discovered Simply Canvas, I knew I was in great hands. Many thanks to Adam for helping me out in a pinch!
Here's a few reactions to her gift...although she might kill me for posting pictures of her without her makeup on. Oh, and I should also mention I inherited a love for Christmas cards from her, as seen here.... |
| Shortly after opening the gift, my mom asked my dad for a hammer because she wanted to put it on the wall. That instant. |
| I love my mother. And I think this photo proves I'm definitely her favorite! ;) |
    
I plopped on the bed this morning and sighed. And then I sighed louder so JD could ask what was wrong. It just doesn't feeeeel like Christmas Eve. I don't know what I was expecting. Snow? Chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Santa's footsteps on the roof? Nah. But something was missing.
I'll be the first to admit I suffer from the Greener Grass Syndrome (someone is having more fun and eating tastier food wearing cuter shoes with perfect hair right now), so perhaps this played into how I felt. JD suggested grabbing our books and heading to the beach with Polo. And like Baby Bear's porridge, it was just right.
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I ran along the shore with Polo and soaked in the sun with JD. I breathed in salty air and my freckles turned a darker shade of brown. And--in that moment--I felt whole.
Merry Christmas Eve, indeed. |
S he pointed out the obvious. But I suppose it was so obvious I never noticed. While in my kitchen, Bri rummaged through cabinets and then said, You have a nice crockpot. I wanted to rush over from the living room and interject in the conversation she was having with JD and be all, Yeah, I know...my crockpot is awesome...look at that fancy digital timer...and the illuminated screen! But I didn't. Because I'd then have to admit I've used it once this past year. Once.
Last night--while Christmas music played and rich aromas filled the air--Bri served dinner. FROM MY CROCKPOT. If I wasn't feeling so pa-rum-pa-pa-pum at that moment and filled with holiday cheer, I might have been jealous. Nat King Cole serenaded us as we sopped up the flavors with warm french bread and I felt like I was in a Norman Rockwell painting. The long, lost ethnic one.
It felt like Christmas. And I want to make sure I'm enjoying every minute. In light of this, I want to thank YOU. You, who comes to this blog and shares your life, time, space with me. With all my heart, I'm enriched because of your stories and your friendship. You make me feel like I'm perpetually walking in a Norman Rockwell painting. The long, lost cyber one.
Merry Christmas. |
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Reflections : Photographing Around Fixtures
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A few days ago, I cleaned off my computer desktop (I was determined to start 2011 anew...hard drives included!) and I came across a photo. I can't remember, specifically, why I saved it, but I did. I think I had an idea for it, but that idea might have disappeared...along with my willpower, but that's a whole different blog post. It's, just, WHY ARE CHRISTMAS COOKIES SO DELICIOUS?!
When I discovered the photo, I thought it'd be good fit for a Reflections post and explain how I shoot a bride and groom when there are unmovable fixtures in the room.
As I've stated before, I'm a natural light photographer, so I strategically place my clients in the best light, when possible. I photographed Bree and Zack's vineyard wedding in July and I mentioned in the blog post how hot it was. Now, lemme just say it was like the Fifth Ring of Dante's Inferno hot. My sweat was sweating. Ewww, did I just gross you out? How do you think I felt WEARING THE SWEAT?!? In desperate attempts to avoid the heat (the bride wanted to do the First Look, but if the experience isn't right, or her makeup is compromised, or if anything will compete with my time [like the heat], I immediately find a solution to stay the course), I found the Barrel Room. And it was air-conditioned.
I was instructed we could use the room, but because of an event later, the tables and chairs couldn't be moved. I opened the Barrel Room doors and this is what we had...
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Please note a few things about the above photo:
1. I manipulated the raw file to show the scene with both the subjects and the background exposed somewhat properly. In actuality, the subjects were overexposed to showcase the background. The photo above is a composite of two images, both with manipulated exposures. The following photos reveal actual lighting situations.
2. Did you see the green tablecloth?!?
3. The client did not get this photo...I simply took it to gauge my settings and start forming the picture in my head.
4. There are open doors on both sides of the subjects that aren't shown.
5. It's not a very good picture. I know this.
Carrying on....
What I decided to immediately do was manage my light in relation to the subjects' skin. That's the most important thing. Of course this underexposes the background since my subjects were placed strategically for best light, but since the background isn't all that great, I think this was my best option. I also angled the camera upward to avoid getting the background fixtures. |
| JD was standing to my left and he also exposed for the skin. The main difference in our photos was that I was able to photograph Bree and Zack with the hanging light fixtures in the background to break up the blackness of the photo, which is something I prefer. But I think JD's photo and angle is quite lovely. |
| JD also photographed Zack in the same light setup and it's one of my favorite groom portraits of the year. |
| Still using the light from the open doors, I shifted the subjects to the left so I could expose both for the subjects and the background (versus the all black). I strategically placed them just in front of the tables, chairs, and green tablecloth, and cropped in camera to reveal only what I wanted....a stunning bride and groom. |
Of course I used a couple chairs. If you've followed the blog for a while, you know I love me some chairs!
Again, I'm using just the light from the door way and my exposure hasn't changed since the environment hasn't. |
| Bree and Zack are still in the same position (facing the great light), but I changed my position to get a different feel for each photo. For me, it's about maximizing a small space with good light and trying to rethink every situation in a short amount of time. If you notice in this picture of Bree, I turned on the uplights in the room (the small orange light in the background) to add depth to an otherwise verrrry dark room. Making small decisions like this really help in the long run and helps achieve the type of photos you like...even if you're not given the most optimal of situations. |
| Hope this helps and Happy Tuesday! |
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Engagement Highlights : 2010
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A s 2010 comes to a close and the holiday cheer abounds, I wanted to take a chance to highlight a few engagement photos from the year. I absolutely love what I do and engagement sessions are the cherry on top of the cake...getting to know my clients before their wedding is my favorite and an added perk to my life!
Here are 25 Engagement Highlights from 2010...
Shannon + Jody's San Juan Capistrano Engagement Session... |
2013
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2012
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2011
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2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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