Sister's First

Thursday I had a wonderful opportunity to capture a portrait of a close friend and her two sisters. Every year they gather on their deceased mother’s birthday to celebrate LIFE. I thought this was a striking ritual so I offered them a portrait session. They accepted joyfully. Later a sister told me that this was their first professional portrait taken of the three of them. After posting their images online, they made a selection and their images were in their hands in less than twelve hours. WOW! Digital technology at its best.

Three years ago I contracted to photography four out-of-town sisters…well, this session wasn’t as fluid. We scheduled an outdoor session but due to inclement weather I had to set up lights, string cables, setup backdrops at the last minute. The session ran into another session, my family was complaining because we had made previous plans. The whole day snowballed into a big knot in the neck. The following day I revised my workflow and wisely invested in a ceiling lighting and background system. Now I can accommodate small groups in a professional looking environment, offer immediate tethered proofing and printing on location. Was it worth the investment in time and money? Absolutely! My clients seem to appreciate it and sales have doubled. Now there is no reason to walk away with sad faces or to request a reshoot. My clients and I are a team. We shoot, we teach, we listen, we put into practice what we’ve discovered ...we make immediate progress.

Lorijean & Lee...forever

Lee & Lorijean renewed their vows at Hummingbird Farm. The Bohemian theme had everyone swooning in dance.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

My telephone hadn’t rung for so long that I occasionally I’d pick up the receiver to check for a dial tone. Then it happened. I anxiously juggled the phone and baby. A voice on the other end was crackly and unsure. A gentleman’s father had recently moved into an assisted living community and he missed the view from his deck.



“How much will it cost to have a wide angle picture made of Mt Baker and Goat Island?” he asked. “My dad’s birthday is coming up...what will it cost me?”



I really didn’t know how to bid on such a job but during the dry season impoverishment will cause a man to quickly say yes to even the smallest opportunity. I glanced out the window and did a quick weather.com search. The sun was shining with streaks of clouds—perfect day for landscape shooting.



“We’d better move quickly,” I suggested, “today is sunny and rain clouds are in the forecast for the next two weeks. We’d better move while nature is on our side.”



We met on his father’s deck about 45 minutes later. We small-talked a bit while I mounted my camera to a tripod and shot a series of 50 mm images—panning slightly to make sure the edges overlapped. The client said during the younger years the family gathered on the deck drinking beer, socializing, watching eagles and hawks drift across the horizon. Seconds later a red-tailed hawk streaked across the sky. The 10 a.m. sun gently warmed the white of its underbelly. I yanked the camera from the tripod and squeezed off a few shots before the red-tailed disappeared behind the tree line. We both smiled.



Back in the studio I ran Photoshop Merge, cleaned up any misalignments, added two hawks and created a digital 12x48 panoramic. I emailed the client a proof. He was especially glad that all the bothersome telephone poles and wires were removed. We’re talking better than real life.
The finally image was mounted as stretched canvas wrap complete with wire hangers. No frame, no glass, no mess, no fuss! Done deal! All the client had to do was to hang it and sing the birthday song. Happy Birthday, Dad!

Let Love Guide

If it ever comes to a point when a simple peck doesn't suffice--in rushes creative portraiture to rekindle the flame. Be encouraged to try somethings different. Think love...because it's COOL!

Opportunity in Your Local Park

For a January, yesterday’s weather was gorgeous! The family and I walked to the local park. Normally, I don’t take my camera but yesterday I felt compelled. I ran smack into a nest of old friends and clients. Perhaps, I should visit the park more often. Two years ago I did a toddler session in the same park. Later a mom apologetically interrupted me asking if I had a business card. She became a client.

Okay, I’m learnable!

Yesterday, I took a series of candids. Some were converted into B&W. I particularly like the strong patterns in the background on some of these. Background patterns add depth to the overall image. With the daughter and mother image, I adjusted for contrast, converted to a B&W and sharpened a bit.

Some kids can be shy while working with strangers but I’ve discovered that in the park they quickly become animated. View this initial reluctance as an opportunity to capture some

intimate imagery because soon you’ll discover why a fast lens is an absolute essential!

Michael in B&W

This image was shot at 2400 ASA , no flash. (Kitchen ceiling light only.) Converted into B&W w/ Kubota B&W Black Satin. Normally, I throw in an S curve and sharpen for contrast but with this image no tweaking was needed. I did add a vignette to bring the focus more on him and the ABC's.

Back in the day, I enjoyed printing B&W prints on fiber. Often I long for those days but the chemicals drove me away long before the digital revolution.

Presentation or What Now?

I’m learning that as a professional it’s not sufficient to just shoot the picture but the images need to be presented in story telling form. Presentation is important; otherwise, when the other bills start flooding in the clients might scratch their heads thinking, “why did I waste money on stupid pictures.”