JAMES HODGINS PHOTOGRAPHY

Often we get requests for reprints from weddings and sessions that I have photographed years ago, and most of the time it ends up me sitting in front of my computer  hrs later after I have gone through and browsed hundreds of images from previous sessions.  I start flipping through our archives reminiscing about the sessions and the people we photographed and I just can’t stop.  If you are a photographer, then you probably know what I mean, and if you have not done so already, go take a look at some of the images you created from years ago, it’s road down memory lane.   Here are two bridal images from 2004, image on the left was here in Sudbury and the image on the right was in Scottsdale Arizona.

Jasmine & Kyle are getting married in 2012 in the beautiful destination of Aruba, but at the moment they are here in Sudbury with the snow, the wind and the cold.     Kyle though is heading out to Columbia for work for about 30 to 60 days and will be away from his beautiful fiance, and everyone knows how hard that can be.  So besides using Skype or wracking up a large phone bill we did a quick couples shoot so that Kyle and Jasmine can have something to look at and remember each other while Kyle is away.

It was great to reconnect with Jasmine (we photographed her mothers wedding in 2009) and get her back in front of the camera, and we look forward to capturing images of these two on the beautiful beaches of Aruba in 2012.  Thanks again to the both of you for braving the wind and cold today, we had  great time with you both.

The clouds were out yesterday and it looked like rain, but yesterday evening turned out to be full of sunshine.  It was a perfect night for Leslie and Sav’s engagement session.  We love finding new spots in the New Sudbury area for photographing our engagements and you would be very surprised at some of these spots and just how small the area we are shooting in really is.  We always tell our clients “trust us”,  as we sometimes are looking for a background that is no larger than 5 ft wide.

I love using the edge of sunlight to rim our subjects hair and outlining their bodies.  Bringing in a reflector to lighten up the eyes is a must  in  my opinion and if you can’t see the catchlights then you need to move the subject or the reflector.    This was the second engagement session in a row where I got to talk about fishing (Leslie is another fish whisperer as well).  Nothing like throwing my 2 loves together.  If only I could have my own photography fishing show.  Ahhhh to dream.   Thanks again you two, we had a blast, looking forward to documenting your wedding which will be extra special as it will be my birthday.

Part of my presentation in Chicago was on the Elements Of A Competition Print where I discussed different aspects of planning, capturing and creating a Competition Print.  It went over very well with many many emails asking me to provide MORE information.  I thought every once in awhile I would post some of my images and describe what I was looking for when creating it.  As most of you know I do enter a lot of competitions as this is not only a personal goal but it is also for my photographic growth.  The more I look at my images a competition worthy the better product I can give to our clients so I strive to make every one of my images a “competition image”.

“Sarah By The Sea” was just awarded “Merit” at this past Professional Photographers Of  Canada Image Competition.  I captured this last April in Jamaica off resort on location.  The sun was high in the sky and strong with a reading of F22.  I knew I needed to get some addition lighting as the sun was behind Sarah throwing her in shadow.   Using 2 off camera flash’s and setting my output on stop stronger than the sun would give me the dramatic lighting I desired.  Of course, I had to expose for the flashes and not the sun.

I wanted to use the leading lines of the clouds and the horizon to bring your attention to Sarah.  Using the dress to shield the flash I had behind her also added to those leading lines bringing your attention into the bride.  Obtaining a correct exposure and white balance is crucial in ANY image (put some thought into this and just don’t go ahead snapping image and “fixing” them in Photoshop later)

Image out of camera

I then darkened down the sky in various places as I did not want the sun to compete with my brides attention.  Using more of a “panoramic” format with a dark matting to accentuate the leading lines finished off the image.

Here is my crude lighting diagram

Sitting in the Calgary airport waiting to catch our flight to Saskatoon for our workshop.  It was an eventfull day (usually is when Abbas is driving…………FOCUS!).  Learned that Starbucks employees don’t  speak English, only the Starbucks language and that to order a coffee flavoured coffee is…………………….rude.  Oh well.  Here are some group shots for you and another video of the window escapade.

We recently documented Nadia & Roozbeh’s wedding here in Sudbury.  Starting with the guys at the Radisson Hotel and covering the “Cigar Ceremony” we quickly learned that the day was going to be fun, colorful and exciting as everyone kept talking about the Persian Ceremony which was going to take place right before the reception.  After hanging with the guys, Joce, myself & Bruce Nicol (Ohio Wedding Photographer) heading to Nadia’s parents to capture a few images of the bride and her girls.  Immediately walking in to the home you felt the  energy of a wedding day all around you.  Family were hustling and bustling to get the little things done, and Nadia and the girls were excited to start their part of the photography.  There ceremony took place at St. Jean De Brebeuf (The Orange Windowed Church) and after the ceremony it was all around the Sudz for photography.  This couple had no problem snuggling, hugging, holding or kissing in front of everyone.  When they looked into each others eyes you knew that there was a “connection” each and every time.  Just before the reception it was ceremony #2 l(The Persian Ceremony).  This was our first time documenting one but let me tell you we would LOVE to do more.  It is very colorful, emotional, cultural and different.  It’s ALL about family.  This is one thing that stood out the most about this day.  Family was everything, none were left out, and all were part of this wonderful celebration.  Thanks again Nadia & Roozbeh, it was an experience we will all remember.

Here are just a “few” of the wedding images we created around Sudbury