Scott and Abbey: Married

Several years ago, I met Abbey in the last Psychology class I needed to earn my Minor. Just like many college courses (but certainly not all), it was a very simple lecture with little class involvement that allowed me to work on other things... such as photo editing :-D Every class, Abbey would sit next to me and see what photos I had taken that week as I edited. Airport events, fun with a new lens, several trips to New York, portrait sessions, and even some wedding photos - it was such a relaxed class that I actually used my Wacom tablet for some of the editing, which I remember her commenting on it and asking how it works.

Flash forward, and Abbey began referring me wedding and portrait clients. After several years of watching me work, sending me new clients, and seeing weddings I booked thanks to her, I wasn't surprised when I finally received a note from her, acknowledging that it's her turn this time:

"Alrighty Mr. What is your pricing for wedding photos?"

Scott and Abbey share a love for cycling, riding new places together often. Scott surprised Abbey in a heartwarming engagement in Charlottesville, Virginia. The couple was married at the beautiful Washington, DC LDS Temple on a crisp, sunny day.

Every wedding has something unique - Scott and Abbey's wedding incorporated Scott's new involvement in falconry. This was the first wedding I have photographed in which the ring bearer was... a Red-Tailed Hawk!

After the dancing and partying finished, Scott and Abbey departed Old Town Fairfax to begin their new life and careers together.

2014 Headshots

This Winter I've had several folks contact me for headshots. Everyone has their own reason or purpose for headshots, but the art remains the same regardless. I think it's a blast shooting one-on-one, turning up the dance music and bringing out the fun-loving model in even the most reserved individuals.

Here are couple shots from just the past month!

These first two were shot, of all places, in front of a grocery store on New Year's Eve - it just proves that a great photo can be taken anywhere there is an interesting background to provide some accentual yet non-distracting texture.

I've also had a few people show interest in how I retouch portraits over the past few months, so I figured I'd share this time-lapse with you which shows you just that. I thought to start recording after I'd already completed color and toning work, so you don't get to see that portion (sorry!).

I'd like to eventually produce some video tutorials explaining some of my processes - I haven't done this just yet.

This is 50 minutes of retouching work, including skin, hair, and other details. If you watch, you actually see me spend 20 minutes reducing fine mist droplets from individual hairs - this photo was shot outdoors in foggy conditions, and we didn't realize mist was collecting in the model's hair until after we finished shooting... certainly not something I normally spend time retouching.

This video shows just some of the methods I use. I often use Frequency Separation for in-depth skin retouching, but I felt that would be way overkill in this case, thanks to a talented makeup artist.

In case you're interested in the setup for this image:
Canon EOS 1D X @ ISO 320, 1/320th
EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM @ f/1.2
Natural (overcast) lighting with model holding a 43" silver reflector at waist level.

Interestingly, I forgot to post this photo from several months ago to my blog - oops! Even though this isn't from the past month, I've continued working with this realtor over the past few weeks, aiding in creation of promotional graphics.

Best of 2013

2013 was an amazing year. A few downs, but so many more ups. I was given the opportunity to photograph so many great things, and met a lot of awesome people along the way. If 2013 was any indication, 2014 is going to shape up to be a great year.

This post is coming somewhat later than I had hoped, after the blog editor crashed when I clicked "save" and only the title was saved. Frustrating to say the least (maybe 2014 isn't starting out too great?...).

Here are some highlights from 2013!

Gabi and Khalid: Engaged

Snow is one of those things I love to take pictures in, but it's not often I get the chance to. For years, I've yearned to take snow portraits... so much, that I even started the Snow Portrait group on Flickr several years ago.

Last week's snow brought me a lot of opportunities to finally take some snow portraits, albeit quickly. Gabi and Khalid had just gotten engaged a few days earlier; as the sun was quickly setting (and the cold getting even colder) we used the fresh snow as a unique setting for some engagement photos.

Mad props to Gabi, a Brazilian woman, for wearing heels in the snow; I still can't get over that!

Fun in the Snow

It's not often we get a good snow in DC (though when we do, it seems like it's a blizzard that takes a few days before anyone can get anywhere). This past snow was a good balance between the two, and I went along with a local family for a snowball fight.

Blog

Scott and Abbey: Married

2014 Headshots

Best of 2013

Gabi and Khalid: Engaged

Fun in the Snow