Ok, so it was only late March, but we definitely took advantage of the warm afternoon. This was a session done purely with the intent to play with off-camera lighting outdoors. As a photographer, I think it’s always good to keep learning and keep challenging “the way we always shoot it.” I have a studio and use off-camera lighting indoors often, and, although I shoot outdoors a lot, too, anything other than natural light outdoors has always been a little bit of a mystery to me. I’ll be the first to admit I do not have a love affair with my 580EX external flash, but I do love my giant octadome and strobe.
We attended this year’s Imaging USA conference in San Antonio and watched Hanson Fong’s presentation about lighting and light modifiers indoors and outdoors. One after another, he showed what we deemed to be beautiful shots taken in natural light outdoors – taken in open shade or backlit the same way many of us do today. Then he showed those exact same images with just a pop of off-camera light and/or reflector and “wow” is really all I can say. The images went from great to fabulous. In the first issue of PhotoVision 2011 (I highly recommend this series!), Angie Monson shows how she rocks the off-camera flash (with her 7 foot softbox out in a field) to overpower the sun during a family session and maintain that beautiful, crisp, deep blue sky and clouds.
So armed with a desire to play, Carmen and I loaded up the 4Runner with the giant softbox, strobe, our 580EXs, a 5-in-1 reflector and three willing participants (thank you, Kim!) We quickly discovered that our master plan to power the strobe remotely was a failure. Nix the softbox. We’re flexible, right?
So onto the 580EXs and reflector. While I’m typically used to backlighting in strong, high sun conditions, we purposefully placed the boys with the sun falling on their faces and then adjusted our camera and flash settings to expose correctly and overpower the sun. Many of the shots of our beautiful girl were taken solely with the gold reflector to get a warm glow and sparkle back up into her eyes with the sun behind her. All in all, I’m glad we played and can’t wait to get the right generator for the strobe to try more new things. Enjoy some of my favorites!
P.S. the beautiful fabric flower bouquets are from Little Rue.
Kansas High School Senior Photography , Sneak Peeks
Mackenzie – Paola High Class of 2011 (Kansas high school senior photographer)
Seeing her images again makes me think of warmer weather (a nice break from our current cold streak) and the great memories I have of the months right before high school graduation. Remember the anticipation of graduation and the excitement of summer downtime with friends before college? I think the word that keeps coming back to me is carefree. Not to dismiss the blur of activities happening right now as seniors everywhere (and their parents) prep for exams, plan graduation parties, play their last Varsity games and finalize “what’s next” come fall.
But for the moment, before college, marriage, the house, the kids, the bills, there’s that last stretch of high school. And summer.
Meet Mackenzie, Class of 2011. Golden girl with the megawatt smile. Tomboy at heart. Simply beautiful.
…. and just like that, the VCU cinderella team took the sails right out from beneath every KU fan watching yesterday’s NCAA tournament game.
Oh wait. That’s a different story. One that I would love to turn back the clock on and create a different outcome. Not even bootcamp class in the falling snow late yesterday (yes, we’re that hardcore around here … LOL) could take my mind off the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach over that game.
This little story, however, has a much happier ending – thankfully, that toothy grin also brought joy to my broken Jayhawk heart. Something I believe his mom and I share today.
This story is the second installment of “Sam I Am” … you might remember him from his newborn session. And now he’s a happy, on-the-go, six-month-old with the sweetest little disposition. These are some of my favorites shot natural light in and around their home:
Just a few more days to take advantage of my Spring special on Facebook – check it out in the profile picture on my fanpage.
Kansas City Child Photography , Kansas City Family Photographer , Sneak Peeks
Love for the big kids l Kansas City child photographer
It’s so easy to oooh and aaaah over the newborn and first year photos as a parent and a photographer. But, as our kids get older, life gets busier … more chaotic … and, before we know it, our tiny ones have become big ones seemingly right before our eyes. And the 6-year birthday pics have now become the “I’ll get it scheduled in a few months” pics which then become the “7-year birthday pics” before we know it. I’ve heard this one enough to know it’s pretty commonplace.
There are a whole host of reasons I love shooting “older” children and these two sets of siblings are great examples of just how much personality, interaction and variety we can capture in a single session. Plus, I can put them into a composition or spot and not worry about them taking off like a toddler. I think it’s a great opportunity for every “big kid” to take their place in the spotlight, laughing, clowning around and even giving me their “serious” looks (which typically result in laughter anyway.)
Some favorites from two late fall sessions that I’ve been meaning to share. I guess it’s true that “3 is the new 2.”
And this one was a surprise session orchestrated by a very clever Dad for his wife. After the big Christmas morning unveiling, I received the following email:
“Suffice it to say that the pictures were the biggest hit in twenty years of trying to surprise my wife with gifts. She was and is mesmerized by the quality pictures, floored by the outfits and effort in pulling this off without her noticing it and truly stunned at how you pulled the beauty out of each of our kids through your work … My wife never cries, never, not even at funerals. Never until the moment she unwrapped the first gift … It was nothing short of the perfect Christmas morning and the pictures already adorn the walls in our living room, the grandparents homes and soon our respective offices. I want to thank you again for everything you did to effect this gift on such short notice and in such an amazing fashion.”
Kansas City Family Photographer , Kansas City Newborn and Baby Photography , Sneak Peeks
Eddie is one l Shawnee, KS child portrait photographer
It’s hard to believe it’s been more than two years since we captured his older brother at the same age, but it has. And wow, if ever there was a career that reminds you how quickly time passes and little ones become big ones, this is it. Now it’s younger brother Eddie’s turn to celebrate the end of the first year milestone and the beginning of full-on todder-hood. Just as we did with that session two years ago, we shot this one at their home. They have the most beautiful natural light streaming into their family room, and with all of the snow on the ground at the time, we knew this would be an indoor session. I shot most of these with my 35/1.4L lens, swapping out for my 24-70 here and there.
These are some of my favorites from their in-home session, especially the last one …
Spring Special:
If you’re thinking about your own child or family session, be sure to take advantage of my Spring/Summer promotion – a great savings and just in time for warmer weather outdoor photos!
Kansas High School Senior Photography
A light shines from within l Kansas senior portrait photographer
… and it’s bright and beautiful, just like she is.
This was just one of those sessions that flowed effortlessly – the hair, the clothing, the expressions … those looks …
And the light. All around us and shining from within. Meet Monique – Class of 2011.
If you’re the parent of a 2012 senior or a soon-to-be high school senior in the Kansas City area, definitely head on over to my Facebook page for a special offer if you book your session (to take place this Summer) by March 31, 2011. Mention you saw this blog post and I’ll add 75 complementary wallets from your session, too! While you’re there, “like” the page and you’ll be the first to know about specials and promotions.
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