A Family History in Portraits

Meet the Mitchell family. Over the past eleven years I’ve photographed them ten times (missed one year in 2015) watching them grow from 8 people, to 14 of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. I’ll be honest, it’s work to coordinate this every year and shoots with six kids under 12 years old is ALWAYS a challenge. That said, how freaking cool is this to have a history of your family, growing year after year. We’ve shot these family portraits at a myriad of different locations, from their backyard to their front yard to the Hotel Del Coronado to little parks right off the side of the road, to the beautiful beach in Del Mar, but really, the location is secondary to the people in the shot. Showing up is 95% of the battle. So my advice to any young family is (and I need to listen to my own advice), MAKE THE EFFORT! Do a family portrait once every year and you will be so happy you did when you can look back at a gallery like this.

A Carlsbad Senior Surf Session

Photographing a high school graduate is always a special occasion, and when you have the opportunity to capture their personality in a place they love, the results can be truly magical. Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing Gabi, a soon-to-be graduate of San Dieguito Academy High School, at one of her favorite surf spots, Turn-arounds in Carlsbad, CA. Gabi brought her surfboard and cap and gown to the shoot, and we had a fantastic time capturing some amazing shots.

When planning a photo shoot for a high school graduate, it is essential to understand their personality, interests, and hobbies. Gabi is an avid surfer, and Turn-arounds is her go-to spot, so it was the perfect location for our shoot. When we arrived at the location, we scouted the area to find the best spots for taking pictures. We found a few different locations that offered a stunning backdrop, including the beach, the bluffs and even the spring wildflowers across PCH, which added some colorful variety to the photos.

Once we had scoped out the area, it was time to start taking some pictures. Gabi was excited to get started and brought her surfboard to the shoot. We began by taking some pictures on the bluffs above beach, where we used the surfboard as a prop to add some interest to the photos. Gabi was a natural in front of the camera, and her genuine smile and infectious energy made for some great shots.

After the bluffs photos, we moved on to the beach, where we found some incredible angles that showcased the natural beauty of the area. We had Gabi pose on the hardpack sand, looking out over the ocean, and the results were breathtaking. I used a mixture of both natural light and strobe to create different moods, and the end result was a set of photos that captured Gabi's personality and love for the ocean.

Finally, we went into the water, where Gabi put on her cap and gown and posed with her surfboard. The surf was a bit too rough to do any real surfing that day, but we managed to capture some stunning shots of Gabi in the water with her surfboard, cap, and gown. The final images were of Gabi with her surfboard, cap and gown silhouetted against the warm setting sun. Magical images to end an epic shoot.

Photographing a high school graduate at their favorite location can be a fantastic experience. Gabi's love for surfing and the ocean made the shoot at Turn-arounds incredibly special. The variety of locations we used, along with different lighting techniques, made for some incredible photos that captured Gabi's personality and interests. If you're planning a photo shoot for a high school graduate, take the time to understand their hobbies and interests, and choose a location that reflects their personality. You won't be disappointed with the results.

The Lecours Family's Unconventional Holiday Portrait

Valentine's Day is upon us and love is in the air! And what better way to show your love for your family than with an unconventional holiday portrait?!?!

That's exactly what the Lecours family did when they came to my portrait studio. They wanted a family portrait for their Valentine's Day card, instead of the usual Christmas or Hannukah card.

The shoot was full of surprises, especially with their 22-month-old son who was both wildly entertained and completely distracted by our 15-year-old German Shepard studio dog/photo assistant, Reno. I couldn't help but laugh as I saw the little boy's face light up with glee every time Reno came close to him. Reno, of course, can’t stand not being the center of attention, though he had to settle for being just out of frame as we shot.

To be honest, I was a bit worried that the strobe lights would be too much for the little guy, but he seemed to be quite amused by them. Maybe he thought they were a special effect for his entertainment? Who knows! In the end, the winning shot was one where he was staring straight at the huge 7’ strobe lit umbrella.

But of course, we all know that 22-month-olds have a pretty short attention span, so luckily for us, his grandmother was also on set to coax his attention away from the dog through a game of peekaboo. It worked like a charm, and we were able to get some great shots of the whole family.

It was refreshing to see a family not take themselves too seriously and try something different for their holiday card. And the result was a beautiful and fun portrait that perfectly captured their love for each other.

So if you're looking to do something different for your next holiday card, why not try an unconventional portrait? You never know, you might just end up with a photo that brings a smile to everyone's face.

At our studio, we're always happy to help you capture those special moments in a fun and creative way. Whether it's for Valentine's Day or any other holiday, we're here to make your family portraits unforgettable!

Senior Portrait Session: Sharing His Passion

As a portrait photographer, I am asked to capture the essence of my subjects, and this is especially true for senior portrait sessions. I recently had the opportunity to work with a young man named Trey, and his session was truly one-of-a-kind.

Trey's senior portrait session took place at the historic Olivenhain Pioneer House just before sunset, and the location provided a beautiful rustic backdrop for his photos. On a typical senior portrait shoot, I might focus on what university the senior is planning to attend, but Trey hadn't yet decided which school he would be attending. So, instead, we decided to focus on something that was important to Trey - his truck.

Trey's truck is a nearly 30-year-old Ford F150 with a camper shell, and he has put a lot of time and effort into restoring it and making it his own. He has a deep appreciation for the work that goes into maintaining and restoring vintage vehicles, and he was eager to incorporate this into his senior portrait session.

I was struck by the pride that Trey had for his truck. He was eager to show off all the hard work he had put into it, and he was excited to see the finished product. Some of our favorites shots took place as the sun dropped behind the hills to the west and we turned on his truck’s lights, including the LED lightbar he incorporated into the front grille. Trey was a natural in front of the camera, and he brought a sense of calm and confidence to the session that shines through in the images.

The final portraits turned out beautifully. The rustic setting of the Olivenhain Pioneer House provided the perfect backdrop for Trey's truck, and the focus on this special part of his life made the photos unique and personal. The portraits captured Trey's love for his truck, as well as his adventurous spirit and his love of life.

I think Trey's senior portrait session was a true reflection of who he is, and I am grateful to have been a part of it. While many senior portrait sessions focus on the university the senior is planning to attend, Trey's session was a refreshing change of pace, as we focused on something that was important to him and that captured his personality in a unique and meaningful way. I hope that these portraits will be cherished memories for Trey for years to come. Enjoy a few of his favorite images from the shoot…

Outside the comfort zone: Putting myself in FRONT of the camera!

As a photographer, it's easy to get caught up in always being behind the camera, capturing moments and memories for others. But it's important to remember that being a model in front of the camera is just as crucial for growth and self-discovery. Here's why you should occasionally switch places and become the subject of your own lens.

1. Empathy for Your Models: When you are the model, you get a better understanding of how it feels to be in front of the camera. This can lead to greater empathy and understanding of your subjects, making it easier to guide and direct them to get the best results.

2. Improved Understanding of Light and Angles: By experiencing first-hand what it's like to be lit, positioned and angled in different ways, you can get a better sense of what works and what doesn't. This can result in more creative and effective compositions when shooting other subjects.

3. Personal Growth: Shooting self-portraits can help you explore and challenge your own insecurities and self-perceptions. This can be a liberating and empowering experience, leading to personal growth and increased self-confidence.

4. Break from Routine: Taking a break from your normal routine of always being behind the camera can be refreshing and help reignite your creativity. Experimenting with new poses, lighting, and settings can inspire you to approach your photography in new and exciting ways.

5. Building Your Portfolio: Finally, capturing images of yourself can add variety to your portfolio, showcase your creativity and skills, and provide a personal touch that clients and viewers can connect with. While I didn’t venture too far outside of my creative box for this shoot, I did find that one of my favorite portrait backdrops worked quite nicely for a business headshot. So there’s that. ;-)

In conclusion, taking the time to get in front of the camera every once in a while can have numerous benefits for photographers. It can provide new perspectives, improve technical skills, and lead to personal growth. So, don't be afraid to switch places and become the subject of your own lens.

Family Portrait Session with their Furry New Addition

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with the Hoskins family, who had recently welcomed a new addition to their family – an 11-week-old golden retriever puppy named Teddy. The shoot took place at the family's beautiful home in Carlsbad, CA, and it was a blast working with the three young boys and their energetic new pup.

One of my favorite images from the shoot is a black and white shot of Teddy sitting slightly in front of the three boys. In this image, Teddy is in perfect focus, while the boys are slightly out of focus, creating a sense of depth and movement. The image has a boy band vibe and it captures the playful energy of the family through the faux seriousness of this image.

Working with animals can be a challenge, but Teddy was a natural in front of the camera. The boys were also great, and it was a joy to capture the bond they shared with their new puppy. The Hoskins family's home was the perfect backdrop for the shoot, and it was a pleasure to work with such a lovely family.

I'm happy to have been able to capture such a special moment in the Hoskins family's life and I look forward to working with them again in the future.