Footlights Jr. Theater Company Part 2

This past Sunday was the second day of shooting with the local theater company that I'd been asked to provide headshots for.  Twenty sessions in 3.5 hours.  Wow!  It was non-stop shooting and post processing has pretty much consumed all of my free time this week.  It's all worth it.  These young people are so much fun to work with and the whole experience has been invaluable.  Hopefully all of the photographs will be finished uploading to the private gallery tonight and I'll be able to share them all with the clients and their families tomorrow. In the meantime here's a small sample of photographs of just a few of the actors.

A Theater Community

Just after Christmas last year I had the opportunity to shoot some headshot for a couple of you actors.  Well the other actors in the youth theater company liked the photos so much that many of them wanted their own headshot.  This past weekend I shot the first of two sessions for them.

Once I arrived at the theater company's rehearsal space I set up two shooting areas.  The first was with strobe lights and a white background for the primary images.  The second was a natural light area by a window with a reflector to provide some fill.  This second area would be for making some low-key portraits for the actors which wouldn't strictly be headshots but I thought they'd like them.

Thirteen mini-shoots in three hours made for a whirlwind afternoon of photography.  I had a great time and I'm really looking forward to going back in a couple of weeks for the second sessions with the rest of the young thespians. 

Here are a few of the photographs.

Here's a behind-the-scene look at the set up.  The high-key shots are taken here in the front with two lights on the model and two lights on the background.  The low-key shots were taken over by the window with the model standing between the window and the reflector next to the folding chairs.

Actor's Headshots

Earlier this week I shot a session for two young aspiring actors who needed headshots.  These pictures will become an important part of their resume as they audition for future parts.  It’s vital that these portraits are clean and straightforward while accurately presenting the girls images and personalities. 

Fortunately, I found myself working with two very vibrant young ladies.  They’re as charming and engaging as they are beautiful.  I think we were able to capture that in essence in the photographs.

Using a four light setup, a white background and a telephoto lens produced a string of great shots.

The girls also wanted some classic black and white images for their portfolios.

Once we were finished with the formal headshots we decided to take some less formal shots.  After a quick change of outfits, taking down the background and a switch to a three light setup we shot some fun candid images.

These two really are a blast to work with.  Their personalities just burst through the camera's view-finder.  Their enthusiasm is truly infectious and I look forward to photographing them again.

A Young Family's First Christmas

What a pleasure it is to be allowed to photograph this beautiful young family's first family portrait.  Once the lights are set up, some furniture moved and the Christmas wreath is hung on the wall it's time to get started with the formal portrait.

With the formal portrait in the can it's time to have some fun.  My personal style is more candid and photojournalistic.  This often involves me crawling around on the floor.

It just wouldn't be a complete family portrait shoot without the four-legged member of the family.

It was a fun session and I think we made some images that they will be happy to have as the years go by.  

Mother and Daughter Portrait

It was a very windy morning last Saturday as I was trying to make a Mother and Daughter portrait for Cyndy and Sophie.  In addition to the wind the sun kept coming in and out of the clouds making the exposure tricky.  Choate Park in Medway Massachusetts turned out to be a really great location.  There are lots of great places there to shoot.  So with sand bags on the light stand, a scrim to tone down the sun and a quick hair fix between wind gusts.

Family Portraits for Christmas Cards

Kris wanted a photo that she could use for her family Christmas card.  I'm happy to help.  Paula and I arrived bright and early on Saturday morning and started setting up while the ladies finished getting ready.  The whole family was nicely coordinated in white tops and bluejeans. 

We shot a variety of set-ups indoors and outside.  This gives the family a lot of options for which image to use for their card.  Of coarse, as long as we're there why not take some nice portraits of the kids?

The lovely Hannah proves to be a natural in front of the camera.

Not to be outdone, big brother Zac works the camera too.

It was a fun shoot for everyone!

Eric's Senior Portrait

Eric and his parents weren't pleased with the pictures taken by the school photographer for his senior portrait.  They wanted something more personal and individualized.  So I offered to do a session with Eric.  We met a Hopedale Pond, just outside of Milford Massachusetts on a beautiful fall afternoon.

Using a combination of natural sunlight, reflectors and speed-lights we acheived  a look that Eric was very happy with.

The New England autumn colors provided a beautiful back-drop for the sessions.

The best part of shooting seniors is getting to meet young people on the very cusp of their next great adventure.

Eric is a fine young man with a bright future.  I'm glad to have met him and honored to have taken his portrait.