mr druse

Usually, 32 degree's is my cut off temperature for not going outdoors ... yesterday was so close, I didn't look. And I am glad I didn't. We got some great shots outdoors in the tall grass at the edge of a clump of barren trees. It's not June, and so I think we shouldn't try to make it look like it is.

miss martin

What a great time photographing you and your ferrets.
I really appreciate all the help your family gave to an incredible session.

diehl, gibbons & gibbons

No, it's not the law firm of "Diehl, Gibbons & Gibbons", it's the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving Day full of fun and family. Thanks for the past 30 some years of being the champions of the "Wess Gray" look!

donita & harry

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to do a very creative portrait for two of our biggest fans. Harry had found an antique oval frame with the curved glass .... and for several years, he has wanted to do a portrait of his wife with him for this frame. After meeting with them, we decided to be inspired by the original portrait and create a sepia toned portrait with lighting very similar, and a background very close to it also. 

Once again, stay tuned in about a month to see the final portrait. 

bree

This portrait is part of a triptych that we created for Bree's senior portrait series. The first was a formal portrait of her with her oboe, the second was a beautiful study of her face, and this final portrait tells the story of her family.
To her and her parents, we say thank you for allowing us to be a part of this very special time.

greg

Executive portraits are one of the most interesting assignments for a photographer to pursue. The locations are all different and most of the time, the subjects do not have a lot of time for the portraits. But in this case, I was familiar with the location (going back 25 years), and the subject had a great interest in a great photograph. The results are obvious, and as in many cases, I was most blessed.

clemens brothers

Another portrait that we have photographed the subjects since they were 1 year old.
What good looking, fun and fine young men they have become (with just a hint of orneriness thrown in for good measure)! ;-)

brooklyn

A granddaughter in front of her grandmother's mirror....a perfect combination!

the hennekes

20 some years ago, we began photographing this group...and now the children are all grown up...but the parents and their photographer still look like it's 1989 (but with better haircuts).

miss wright

How would you photograph someone in the roses.....and not make it look mass produced.
Stay tuned next month for the final portrait!

miss moore

The secret to photographing a 6 month old? Have plenty of time so you don't have to rush and make sure that the mother knows that all is okay!

miss fuksa

Our senior photography business has been great for the class of 2009. We have had a lot of seniors who have had tremendous ideas for their portraits. Plus we are honored that they have looked at many photographers from across the state and have chosen us. Such was the case this past Wednesday, her and her mother loved our studio art as well as the urban look we did of her with her car. We are looking forward to posting the finished portraits!

jeanne & missy

Those of you who were at our open house in September will remember Jeanne and Missy. They were our official greeters for the first hour.
Our thanks to them for their friendship!

the mueller and delacruz families

Monday was a really cool day. We got to photograph two families with young children. The first was casual, interactive, and in the studio. The second was dressed in formal clothing, studied, and in their location. A day of contrasts, which makes our jobs some of the most fun and interesting of any we know.

kyle

Kyle, it was a lot of fun photographing you. Keep on "Rockin"!

the james family

Thanks a bunch, I really enjoyed meeting and working with you and your family (especially the grandchildren as well as the birthday boy).
Happy New Year!

the crosswhites

This morning I had a fun time photographing a young family with two children. The father had in his mind a "black and white" studio closeup with a solid gray background. My work was done for me. They were super easy to direct and the expressions were great. I cant wait for them to see them at the "showtime".

sunna

Hi Sunna,
It was great to photograph you again. One of my favorite things is renewing old friendships.
Thanks for this opportunity.

the gutierrezes

A recent portrait session of a young family was designed around the request that the mother made. She wanted a "Black & White", casual (jeans and black tops), barefoot, and interactive (as opposed to looking at the camera).
I know she will be thrilled, there is one in particular that they "nailed" it.

the phillipses

To our friends the Phillipses, "HAPPY 60th ANNIVERSARY" and thank you for letting us create this incredible memory for your family and friends!

the millers

What a great family, easy to work with and even the dog was smiling. We could not ask for more. Just themselves, close together and happy!

1st portrait of 2009

Starting today, I am going to start blogging about the actual portrait session event, as well as showing the finished portrait later.
Our first session this year was a portrait of our middle daughter, Glenn, our son-in-law, Michael, and their pups Sandy and Marley (many of you may remember Sandy when we "dog sat" him 2 years ago In fact, so many of our clients loved him that we knew the first time Judy brought Davy in, he would be right for our clients as well as us).
Glenn wanted a "Black & White" portrait, so we actually photographed them using my personalized "Black & White" presets on our camera.
The study itself was very simple with both Glenn and Michael wearing everyday clothing holding the dogs and looking at the camera. Michael is sitting in a director's chair from our 1st studio (1975) and Glenn is leaning in close to him. I chose a dark background to throw the viewer's eyes to all 4 faces.
Stay tuned to see the final portrait.