Senior Photo

Did some senior shots with lauren today. I'm very pleased with the results. We worked great as a team, shooting some, downloading, evaluating the shots. I used all natural lighting with reflectors. My goal when shooting portraits is to capture true emotion. It doesn't have to be a strong emotion, just genuine. I always tell parents if they want the "cheese" smile, they should go to the mall or department store photographer. They're a lot cheaper than me too...

SANTA!!!

Wow, have I been bad about updating this blog. I've been busy shooting lots of Mitzvahs and corporate gigs.

For the past two weekends I've had the pleasure of shooting a brunch with Santa event at a country club. This is my second year doing this gig and it's a BLAST. I had the assistance of an elf this year but the powers that be in the North Pole sent me "Slacker the Elf".

With a little discipline from Santa, he shaped up and did his job.

Santa was wonderful with the kids, but as many of you know from personal experience, children can easily become freaked out at the site of him. I encouraged many parents to just go ahead and let Santa hold the child for a moment while I took the photograph. "You can show it at her wedding in 25 years". Most took me up on it and the results were wonderful classic Santa photos.

The majority of the children were enchanted with Santa. Turns out I know this Santa from my acting days. We had a ball.

If you celebrate Christmas, Merry Chirstmas to you! If not, have a great New Years!

William Tell Day!

Today marks the 700Th anniversary of William Tell shooting the apple off his son's head with a cross bow. Being that I come from a long lineage of "William Tell's", I celebrated by taking a portrait of William Tell the III, IV (me) and V.


Happy William Tell Day!

Oct. 1st

This is a Lensbaby shot of my bride.

Fall

We've had such a beautiful Fall! I finally took some time to capture nature. These first few are of a Red Sumac. I shot them at sunset with my macro lens. A macro can really create some magical images.
I sometimes like to name my images after people. This one is called "Jacob's Sunset Sumac". Jacob is my friend Kelly's new little boy. Now I've got to find the time to print it, frame it and send it off to her...


This sunflower was shot with a Lensbaby. It's a funky lens that you squeeze and move around to achieve selective focus.

9-15-07 Bar Mitzvah

Had a blast shooting this Mitzvah for Classic Image. Susan Lazar did an amazing job as consultant. Jason and his dancers kept the place rockin' as usual, and the staff at Twin Orchards was great.

These girls at first did a nice smile pose for me. I said "Is that all you've got?! STRIKE A POSE!" They delivered. Love this shot!

I showed their mothers the image on my DSLR and asked if they wanted to strike a similar pose. At first they played shy, but then went for it. I hope they get both images and frame them together.

Alec's Brother and Sister did an amazing rap that brought down the house.

"Classic" What a beautiful family.

Susan and Barbara arranged an incredible spread of candy which was destroyed moments later by packs of wild 13 year olds. I did a slow shutter zoom on this shot.

This woman was so tickled with this picture that she begged me to come over to the table and show her friend, who then smacked her husband on the shoulder and said "We're going to do that. Come on!"
And the result.....
..............................

Look at the face on the waitress

and this poor guy is recovering from four broken ribs

Hora time!

The chefs at Twin Orchard do an AMAZING job!

Some wide angle fun. I use a portable ladder at all my weddings and mitzvahs. Getting above the crowd can really make for some cool images.

Jason of Energy not only gets everbody dancing, he ties shoes on stage.

This little girl danced her heart out all night. The midnight hour struck and she's ready to go home with her candy and newly aquired sweatshirt.

Jason and his dancers really are a blast!

These last two shots are second curtain sync flashes. I set the shutter speed for about a second and zoom through the shot. It's kind of hit and miss technique, but when you hit it's pretty cool.

Sk8

Skate Chicago!
Early Grab
Off the half pipe

uh oh...

Bat Mitzvah

It's Mitzvah season again. I photographed one this past weekend for Brad Floden of Classic Image Photography. What a wonderful party. It was the perfect mixture of tradition, speeches and wild fun.

Love this family shot!
HORA!!!
I like to shoot between the poses to get true emotions. Little Sis made a beautiful speech.
" Don't you dare tell that story Dad!"

It was a beautiful evening so we were able to shoot portraits outside. Marisa was such a wonderful young lady to work with. She made my job fun.
This is one Dad who knows how to enjoy a party. What a great moment

I love mother/daughter shots
I saw this little girl walking in and her eyes were glowing with wonder. "click!" After looking at it now though, I wish I had included the mother's hand in the frame. I still think it's a beatiful shot.
"I'm King of the world!!!"