the kangs

This pose was the last in a more traditional set of portraits, mom suggested this pose from a movie and television show I had never seen.....but as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and I knew the photograph just from its ads. And even though this is a photograph of a mother and sons, I think the concept was quite effective. Thanks for the input!

the crosswhites

Simplicity and closeness....plus a cute set of hands. I love it!

miss ashley

Thanks Miss Ashley for choosing us as your senior photographer. We had a blast helping you and your family with the experience.
And as you know, I love the eyes, the smile, and the hair in this portrait.
Perfection, absolute perfection!

2 more seniors

When we started our studio, we were 21 years old and a lot closer to a "High School" seniors age than we are now. But because of that closeness, our "Senior" business has always been our best segment.
Our last 2 sessions were of seniors, a boy and a girl.
For the young man, we photographed him in a light blue oxford cloth shirt, then a plaid shirt with his Gibson Flying V guitar and a killer Vox amp, and closed the session with an urban look in the warehouse district.
The young lady was photographed in her cheer leading uniform at the stadium, then her tennis outfit at the courts, then a fashionable look using some design elements of shadow downtown, and finally a high fashion dress in the studio with her puppy.
While anyone with a camera can snap off a bunch of pictures in a location, I believe that what we bring to the table is the ability to tell a story, a true story of who our clients are. Themselves being who they are, looking their best.

My Dad

A year ago today (the last Sunday in February) as Jolene and I were pulling into Hastings for our after church ritual, we got the phone call that my dad had passed away. I had just seen him that morning on another of my Sunday rituals. He and I watched "CBS Sunday Morning" with Charles Osgood, as we had done since he became ill in 1996. It was our time together alone since my mother was at church (and in those times I found out he "got" the Beatles, although he said he didn't in 1964, but he didn't "get" Springsteen, and he also like the art of Andy Warhol, who would have thunk it), even though he was sleeping that Sunday (as he had done almost continuously for the previous 3 weeks). I had expected this call for 12 years, but it still kicked the breath out of me.
One of my Saturday rituals (other than 2 Krispy Kreme frozen donuts in the microwave for 37 seconds) is reading Jorma Kaukonen's (the former guitarist of the Jefferson Airplane) on line diary and thoughts. Sometimes on the anniversary of one of his parent's death, he writes this poem from contemporary Jewish liturgy. It is my thoughts now and so I thank him also for this inspiration.

"In Many Houses" by Diane Cole

In many houses
all at once
I see my mother and father
and they are young as they walk in

Why should my tears come
to see them laughing.

That they cannot see me
is of no matter:

I was once their dream:
now they are mine.



To all who read my blog, thanks for indulging me today.

4 generations of buntens

For many of us, Christmas has turned into a yearly ritual, giving, getting, family, food, the same thing year after year.
But for some, there are years that are special, times where a son is back safely from Afghanistan, and parents come from out of state to visit all.
And that is the story of the "Buntens". Our hearts were touched by the opportunity you gave us to photograph your family again.

amazing pr portraits

This month, we have photographed quite a few press release portraits.
The latest one was of a counselor whose previous photograph made her look heavy and not very caring. With proper clothing choices, a correct background, soft lighting and a relaxed fun session, she looks great.
Stay posted next month for the final result.

the muellers

We originally posted about this session January 14.
They wanted casual, interactive, and studio.
But in addition to those 3 things, they ended up with "fun".
What a wonderful original piece of art to hang over the mantle.

2 three month old babies

In the last couple of days, we have had the opportunity to photograph a pair of three month olds.
One with his parents who were home visiting the grandparents and the other one was by herself for another of our "Little Blessings".

2 seniors

Variety again is the spice of life.

Friday we photographed 2 seniors.

The first was a girl who wanted a full length black and white portrait.

The second was a boy who we photographed with his trumpet (also in B&W) and then a close up color portrait in a different outfit.

Everyone is different, and we hope you can see that in our portraits.

dylan & parents

One of my strongest wishes for my clients is that their portraits will bring joy and insight in the years ahead when they view them.
Perhaps Dylan, when he is a teenager, will feel the love that his parents have for him in his most difficult days. (In writing this last sentence, I am probably telling you more about me than you need to know). :-)

variety

The typical day in our life is not typical.
It might begin with a portrait of a mother and son.
Then the "showtime" for a high school senior,
followed by a "showtime" of a 6 month old.
After lunch, a grandmother picking up a portrait of her grandson.
Then the "showtime" of a 38 year old son being viewed by his retired mother.
A "design time" for a high school senior.
And ending with a press release portrait.
As I wrote, there is no typical day .... and for that we are always amazed!

gavin

When photographing a client out of the studio, you should follow the same guidelines as you would in a studio portrait. You must have a background that works with the clothing and the mood as well as flattering lighting. For these reasons, I am very pleased with this portrait of Gavin.
PS, If you have not seen the portrait of him from last year, drop by the studio, it is on display and of course we are quite proud of it as well!

management team

Today we are on a really neat project .... the management team for their annual report. The ad agency wants full length portraits floating on a white background as well as close up photographs for perhaps next years annual.
We always look forward to this group and welcome the opportunity to do more of this type of photography.

ellie

Love the clothing, the pose, the eyes, the smile, and of course the attitude!

Incredible!

brad & victor

Last Saturday, we also had the pleasure of photographing Brad Richter and Victor Uzur. If you missed their concert, you missed some wonderful entertainers as well as music. We photographed Brad when he was in public school here and enjoyed renewing our friendship as well as getting to know Victor.

miss addison @ 6 months

Here is another of our "Little Blessings" .... and she truly is!

mr & mrs voss

Saturday, we had the opportunity to photograph one of our favorite couples, the Vosses.
They were married the first of January and they and their family wanted some portraits of the two of them together as well as individually.
I am always amazed at how many wedding portraits we do after a couple is married.

miss adkerson

To the Adkerson's, be prepared, we have some great portraits of your little one, especially the close ups! See you soon.