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It's this way every time out with the camera...and no different on this night. No holding back, courting the artistry, conjuring up the magic. Reveling in the laughter, just letting it happen. Amped up, primed for action, strung out on image-making, for this is my miracle drug. (tip of the hat to U2's Bono, my hero, for that pop-culture reference)
Enter Ali: hockey wizard, goddess, rock star.
R
So, yeah...you know we're in North Dakota when you get inside the chilled interior of the All Seasons Arena hockey rink and think, wow, it's so nice to get inside into the warmth!
(for those of you reading this out-of-state, it's like twenty below wind chill here and no one, but no one is down with that)
But what a funky spot for more Ali shots: doing the hockey thing, capturing the passion. Climbing narrow catwalks to vantage points, enduring the, shall we say, AROMA of the locker room; hey, it's all in a day's work (or an evening's worth of play, however you look at it).
Enuf from me already. Check out these ragin' shots of Ali.
R
This was a record session! Normally, we're talking sixty to ninety minutes for a children's documentary session. Well, enter a North Dakota wind and temperatures barely above the freezing mark. Even with the shelter of the pines, it was horrific weather! So, I am proud to say we wrapped it in less than five minutes! Amazing what you can come up with when you have to...
By the way, Mick is not only a great model in front of the camera but a budding photographic assistant! He really got into holding the big light reflector for his sister's pictures...well, that is, at least for a minute or two, until the thot of watching PBS Television's "Fetch with Ruff Ruffman" seemed like a more entertaining idea.
But, hey, I understand these things; I'm a fan of Ruff's too, you know...
R
It's all in the expression.
Try and pose a child and you get what you invoke: something artificial and uninspired. Instead, what resonates with people the most is seeing an image that is natural and not contrived. That's a pretty simple secret for success.
It didn't hurt either when I stood up and bashed my head into the hanging plant, unleashing an unceasing tide of giggles from Josh.
Hey...whatever it takes. There's always aspirin, you know...
R
Daisy is not only photogenic...but a natural 'mouser'! (well...hey, out here in the countryside, ya gotta be!)
Who would have thought I would be photographing cats? Pets are a challenge in the first place...but kitties? People will shake their heads and wonder. But, do you want to hear the secret to a successful feline session? I take the same approach with them as I do with children: follow them around and let them be themselves.
That's where you come up with magic like this:
R
I sooo have Carson to thank for the idea that led to these shots. I mean, as with yesterday's post, you can obviously get killer images in the expansive spaces of an empty dance studio, working with the texture and the minimilist vibe and the light. But, what happens when you TURN OFF the lights??!
You're about to find out.
R
So, these are my surroudings: hardwood floors, wall-length mirrors, monochromatic wall textures, the ambience created by the shadows of the half-light. Give me an empty dance studio anyday. For a location photographer, this is paradise, a total playground.
But...it would be void and lifeless without the perfect person to work with in these surroundings. Enter Carson. We haven't worked together for nearly a year...so the magic of the artistry was long overdue. And total magic it was, captured in every image here. The personification of every mood I wanted to express, the transparent beauty of the eyes, the cascading hair. I believe you'll be viewing lots of Carson pictures in the near future.
And if you think this is hot, wait until tomorrow's post.
R
You'll see a very unique vibe embodied in these images. Chalk it up to my love of shooting with mirrors...for both the literal and metaphorical possibilities that presents...as well as the challenge of getting the photographer out of the mirror! Blame it as well on my fascination with the creative possibilities of the light...seeing the interplay of the highlights and the shadows, the alluring warmth of lamplight and the out-of-the-box impulses, such as lighting your subject with nothing more than open flame.
Sara was the perfect model to indulge my creative tendencies....all grace and expression and beauty. Makes for the perfect portfolio at the end of the day.
R
Part One of our latest shoot with Sara will showcase my unabashed love of daylight, specifically...window light. In fact, we had a family dinner conversation after this shoot about how lighting is everything in a photograph. The subtleties and nuances of light, even though you may not realize it, will totally shape the mood and dynamics of the image. Discovering how to sculpt with the light is always a rewarding challenge when I'm shooting...something you'll see revealed not only today but in a completely different manner on tomorrow's Part Two post with Sara.
For now, enjoy the beauty, the softness, the magic inherent in these images.
R
Would you not expect a dog named Indy to be speedy...as in the Indy 500??! Or, adventurous...as in Indiana Jones?!! Well, meet Indy!
I mean, what more can you ask for from a canine companion? Good looks, personality, performance (sounds like I'm describing a Porsche!!!)...it's all here, wrapped up in a compact, pearly-white package.
Dig this awesome image of our pet of the day.
R
