Last week Jocelyne and myself found ourselves photographing the beautiful couple Roger & Laurette. They have been married for over 48 years and it has been a long time since either of them have been in front of a professional camera. Our goal was to capture them in a relaxed atmosphere where they could just be “themselves”, laughing, talking, kissing, kissing, kissing, and more kissing. It was actually the their Grandchildren Steve & Jessica that planned this session with us as they wanted an image that really “captured” who their grandparents are. We were to also include Rogers 1971 mint condition GMC truck in the session as well so we needed to find a location that could accomodate the type of image I had already drummed up in me O’l noggin. Well it turns out that Jessica’s parents had the PERFECT property located just behind Chelmsford with loads of trees, open spaces, and out cottages we could use to place our couple.
I have to chuckle now that the session was over as Laurette was SOOOO nervous about having her photos done that Steve and I stopped by their house after a bike ride to calm her nerves and reassure her that she and Roger would have a great time. Even as you watch the slide show you can see how quickly Laurette relaxes and she starts to get that sparkle in her eye. I will admit to all of you now, these two were as much fun as a young couple in love. Walking, holding hands, hugging, kissing, laughing, they did it all, and most of the time without prompting, I even had to break up a kissing session by yelling “I asked you two to kiss, not make out” LOL. FABULOUS!!!! Just posting one image of these two would not do this session justice so I put together a quick slideshow for you all to watch. Looking back, I wish I had something like this of my Grandparents so I could remember exactly how they were.
Tuesday night we headed out to Trout lake to photograph the Chaters Family and the engagement session of Andrea & Nik. After driving 400 miles on a dirt road, through Sasquatch invested forests, up and down death defying mountains and across shark infested marshes, we arrived at the beautiful property. We worked hard, we worked fast as the clouds were rolling in and shutting down our daylight right before our eyes. After creating some beautiful family portraits of the Chaters (blog post to follow) we then started the engagement portion of the session with a dragon. That’s right, Woody the bearded dragon. Note: To all fellow photographers looking to photograph a bearded dragon. Do not, I repeat do not convince the owner to take pictures outside with no leash. Why? Because they run away that is why. Little does Nik know but as I watched Woody mad dash towards the woods my heart sunk to the bottom of my stomach where it then tried very hard exit my body. What would be the chances of finding Woody after it rushed into woods? ummmmm. I would say zero. Good thing Nik is quick and on his game as Woody never had a chance leave the grass. PHEW!.
As the sun was fading fast in the horizon and the clouds rolled in, we headed down to the lake to take advantage of the lovely waterfront creating some stunning images of Nik & Andrea.
As Joce and I were leaving to head back home, I remembered Nik’s bike under the tarp and quickly asked “would you like a cool photo of your bike?”
Of course he said YES PLEASE.
EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A PICTURE OF THEIR BIKE.
So for you Nik, even though you have crossed over to the darkside and bought a PS3
We had a blast guys, and your family is wonderful. Looking forward to seeing you this Saturday.
Having discussions on Natural light photography on our NoBs Blog and Forum I am always reminded just how beautiful natural light can be. Off Camera Flash is fine and dandy for “some” photographs if the type of portrait created can benefit from OCF (this is something I see too many photographers using just for the sake of using it, and the photographs are not what they could be).
I headed back out to my cottage yesterday to photograph my other cousins little one Sadie. We photographed Sadie last August in our Studio using lights and softboxes but yesterday I did not have that equipment with me, all I had was my camera and lens and therefore opted to use natural light. Now with natural light you can’t just expect to place your subject anywhere and have flattering light. You need to “find” the light, know the quality, the direction and where to put your subject so that the subject can benefit from that light.
The below image was created using some open shade that was created with a bank of trees behind Sadie. Lighting was coming across the tops of the trees but giving a soft even light in the spot where I wanted to photograph. She was sitting on the side of a small fountain which had a very light bottom, reflecting light back up into my subject acting as a natural reflector. Sometimes Natural light is the easiest light to use, but it does require some technical thought to get the most out of it.
We just got back from Bell Park where we photographed the Newman Family. Chris & Kristi now have beautiful blue eyed Aila to show off to all their family and friends. She was a pure joy to photograph, with her big smiles, her little laughs and let’s not forget…………those baby blue eyes. Even the clothing that Kirsti & Chris picked out for themselves and their daughter added to completeness of their family portrait session. The Newman Family is another example of how we get to see our clients lives unfold over the years. A long time ago I photographed Chris for the “Chris Newman Band” in Rob Provenchers studio when I was working there and shortly after that it was Chris & Kirsti’s engagement session and then their wedding. Now here are again photographing their baby girl and family portraits. Congratulations again to the both of you it was great to have in front of my camera again.
We just photographed a quick impromptu engagement session for my good friend Justin and his fiance Vickie. They will be married this May in Hawaii at the Turtle Bay Resort and unfortunately Joce and I cannot attend because of previous commitments. Fortunately though we were honored to photograph the two of them for their wedding invitations. Vickie was a natural in front of the camera with stunning eyes and striking features……….Justin?……………….not so much. Just kidding Justin. The both of them photographed like they were made for each, each complimenting the other (Vicki more than Justin), just kidding again, I just can’t help myself ever since Justin pulled a very funny joke on me way back when. I might as well tell you all now as it is very humorous.
Justin used to live in the apartment below me many years ago so we would hang out at each others places alot. One time while I was at his place, he asks if I would like some “Beef Jerky”. “SURE” I say, I love beef jerky. After chewing on it for several minutes I had to admit to him “Jeeez Just, this jerky tastes like #@%$”. He then grabs the package back out of the cupboard and looks at it saying “Really? The dogs really seem to enjoy it” Thanks for the dog treats buddy.
Anyways, we a great time last night, hanging out, laughing, photographing, hitting up Dairy Queen and checking out Justin & Vickie’s new home. Thanks again you two, we had a great time, and hopefully soon we can get together again.
Other photographers are always asking me how I create my images, how I light them and what equipment I used thinking that it must be some complicated technique when really it comes down to the small elements of a good photograph. Digital has opened the doors to many new photographers with looking to create stunning images. It’s really not that hard. Most cameras you can just set it to P and point and shoot. You look at the back of the camera to see if the image looks good, and if it doesn’t then you just take 400 more until you get one or photoshop the crap out of it to make it look like art. Anyone can be a photographer, anyone. It really is not that hard to get a good photograph.
When we create a portrait for our clients we don’t just take them outside, plop them down anywhere and start firing away. Nope, the portrait process starts way before we even pick up a camera. We discuss locations, we discuss the look that the clients want, we discuss clothing (THIS IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST DISCUSSIONS), even the time of day that we will photograph our clients is small factor with big results.
All the above factors came into play with the above image. The location was great for the time of day and where the sun was placed in the sky, my lens choice for shallow depth of field so that my subjects will pop out of the frame, the choice of clothing (darker tones, no stripes or patterns) that is not distracting but matches in tones with each subject, and the pose for a father and son to show the closeness between the two. This image would not look the same (or as good) if any of the above factors were missing or in-correct. Take the time to educate your client, there is a reason why some portraits take a bit longer to create than others, and a reason why they cost more as well.
Don’t forget. A new store is opening in Downtown Sudbury this weekend called Sixty-Six (check them out here) located at 66 Cedar St. Their official site will be located at www.liv66.ca. Sixty-Six will be carrying designer brands with the likes of Big Buddha, Sondra Roberts, BGMAXAZR, Miz Mooz, Cole Haan Dolce Vita, Toms, e.vil and much much more. Shoes, clothing, accessories this store will have it all. Make sure you drop on by and check it out and tell them I said hello. Fortunately but unfortunately I have an amazing wedding to photograph tomorrow so I can’t be there to welcome the grand opening in person.
It was amazing how her eyes opened wide when she was in dads arms. When we photograph babies we like to photograph mom with baby, dad with baby, baby alone, and hopefully the whole family together. This opens up the possibility of Wall Clusters or Wall Panels for the clients home. Lighting on this image was very very simple using a 2 light system. 1 light about 135 degrees to my left (behind the subjects) and another softbox about 45 degrees to my left as well. I then used a large reflector to open up the shadows on dad & baby.
This Sudbury Wedding couple will be tying the knot next summer right here in Sudbury and even though it’s still a year away things are moving fast. We photographed their engagement session last week and opted for an grunge feel with a more conservative look. Finding this graffiti area in New Sudbury many years ago we figured it would be a great place to get a good variety of images with the setting sun, the clouds, and some of the concrete jungle architecture. Throw into the mix that Natasha has these “stunning” eyes that would jump out of the image and the way that the two of them melted into each other when they were close I knew we could come up with some amazing images. Thanks again to the both of you for choosing us to document your wedding next year.
Serving the Sudbury Ontario area. We are proud
members of Professional Photographers of Canada and Professional Photographers
of Ontario Sudbury Photography Branch. Also members of WPPI. We are proud to be a Sudbury Photography Studio. We are a preferred photographer in the Sudbury wedding photographers Ontario
It was actually the their Grandchildren Steve & Jessica that planned this session with us as they wanted an image that really “captured” who their grandparents are. We were to also include Rogers 1971 mint condition GMC truck in the session as well so we needed to find a location that could accomodate the type of image I had already drummed up in me O’l noggin. Well it turns out that Jessica’s parents had the PERFECT property located just behind Chelmsford with loads of trees, open spaces, and out cottages we could use to place our couple.
