I did a fun gift-voucher shoot a week or so ago. The young lady in question had a couple of portraits shot which she bought along with a voucher for her boyfriend’s birthday. They redeemed the voucher by having a shoot together. Along with the ‘classic’ shots, I tried some split-focus work, using a large softbox. This would have been along the lines of Zack Arias’ one-light work, except I used two lights – the shadows were just a little too harsh without a fill in this case.

You can buy gift vouchers from my portrait photography site.

I had a great portrait photography sitting last week. These lads had all just graduated from Loughborough university. Having been following Zack Arias for some time, I went for a very simple set-up, concentrating on the subjects rather than any fancy lighting. I think it has a really nice modern, yet timeless look, and it’s hopefully something they can keep as a souvenir of their time together before they go off for their new lives.

Graduation

Congratulations, chaps, on your graduation – and good luck for the future!

Here are some ingredients for The Perfect Shoot.

1) Lovely people
2) Great kids
3) A beautiful home
4) Windows and curtains in all the right places

I packed all of my studio kit into the car, and headed over to my clients this morning. As it turned out, the kitchen/breakfast area was beautifully airy and light – no direct sunlight apart from a tiny patch coming through a skylight – but even then the sun was behind haze. Their newborn baby was lovely, their toddling daughter was an absolute delight (and even helped me to take a couple of the pictures), and the couple and the grandparents were all lovely people.

The indoor shots needed no backup at all, and outdoors the sun started coming out so there was a little fill flash in places. Apart from my main camera bag, all the kit stayed in the car. This, of course, gives natural shots which are definitely my favourites. Studios are well and good for studio shots – controlled conditions. But natural light, under the right circumstances, is just wonderful.

If more shoots could be like today’s I’ll have a very happy future… I even managed to avoid falling in the pool.

As well as my family portraiture, I also provide Corporate Portraits. These can be arranged in the studio or on location in business premises. Headshots of the whole staff, or more creative portraits for small business – contact me and I can provide the results you require.

Sometimes you have a client who is just wonderful – confident in front of the camera, happy to bounce ideas and take direction, and beautiful to boot. Unfortunately, the photos are for a surprise gift, so we’ll all have to wait before I can post them here or on my slideshows.

Patience is a virtue…

In other news, the wedding bookings are coming along nicely… unfortunately, my first couple of 2010 found themselves having to rush their plans and have postponed their big day until December. So my wedding season will kick off in May. Watch this space.

Darkened conference rooms are always interesting – the tiniest glint of sunlight can make its way through the curtains and ruin shots, the propensity for people to fill up from the back and leave empty seats at the front and at the end of rows. It all takes a bit of extra thought to give enough definition and make the location look full.

Thankfully, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II that I use allows low-light shooting without introducing too much grain – a godsend in these difficult photographic conditions.