My #1 Client

For any of you that know me, you know my daughter, Chandler, is 17, and graduating from Dallas Christian High in May. She's a National Merit Scholar, has personality and wit (just liker her dad), and I can't remember the last time she caused me any trouble. Yes I know, she's too old to have a dad my age, but that's not her version of the saying (I'm too young . . .).

Today, we went to downtown Waxahachie to work on her Senior Portraits. I'd been looking forward to this day for a while, but not so much that I wanted it to get here, more that I wanted to spend time with her and see how great she would look when we were done. Since she is a special "client", I thought it would be a good time to share some of the images, and talk about the different finished looks I can produce. We haven't decided on which of these we will print, but I processed a few versions of my favorite two shots from the day. I wanted to explain each and show you what you can expect in terms of finishing when I shoot a portrait for you.

Here is the first image. This is a good shot, even straight out of the camera, but you'll see it is a little bit washy, and doesn't "draw" your eyes to any one specific part of the shot. I like this pose for her because it is very natural, very relaxed, and makes me think she's still 14 and needs a ride home from the movies :-).

The next shot is the "basic edit", I like to call it. I color corrected it, softened her skin some, and brightened her eyes. Pretty basic and its ready to print.This is a basic black and white process from the same image. Its a classic feel and the focus point really moves to her face in this one. I burned in the edges a little to draw your eyes in.
I call this one the Wash Out. Essentially its a high fashion style process that blows out all of the highlights in the shot. It makes skin look super bright and is a very non-traditional antique look. I suspect Chandler will use this one for her Facebook page because its "COOL!".I call this one "The Look". I used a similar process as the "Wash Out", but didn't blow the whites out, and kept the colors fairly natural. Again, the focus here is on her face, where it should be. Her green eyes really pop in this version.


Ok I used a few different processes to finish the next image. First, the out of the camera version. Not bad and this actually works for me since the scene calls for a vintage feel. Again, a little bit washy, and needs "pop".

The next version is the "basic process". A little boost in contrast, a little color pop, and some skin smoothing to make her skin even more perfect.Now, my personal favorite, the black and white. This is actually a special black and white that is realted to the Sepia family, and has a little more red left in it than normal. It works great with the old rail yard we were shooting in.
And finally, my favorite, I call this one my HEY edit. Which came from the man that taught me this processing technique. Its essentially a boost in contrast, and some added warmth, along with a really strong vingette technique. To me this one looks like a catalog image for whatever brand of jacket Chandler is wearing. I'll probably frame this one for the office.
I hope this illustrates some of the really cool processing techniques I am using. At least it shows the various results. I can't tell you exactly HOW to get these looks from your own photos, of course. But if you're handy with Photoshop, you can probably get creative.

If you want to see Chandler's Senior Gallery in progress, click here.

Pretty in Pink, or Any Color: Skylar

Ft. Worth, TX - Yesterday I had the chance to meet up with Skylar and her mom at the Ft Worth Botanic Gardens. Skylar is the reigning International Girl 2008 Baby Miss. I met her through the pageant system last summer. After months of talking about a session, we finally had our day in the sun. We had great light, a very cute little girl, and a great setting. We started at Trinity Park and then moved across to the Gardens. Here are a few of my favorites.

Dog Park: Rhodesian Ridgeback Confirmation Photos

Ft Worth, TX - I got a call this week from a client who needed to update her portfolio. Usually this means we're shooting with a family or maybe a baby, or for a corporate head shot. Well this client is different. He's a Rhodesian Ridgeback. My client, Michele, shows her dog all across the country in confirmation events for the AKC. He recently won an event and Michele needed some shots for an ad in one of the upcoming show catalogs. The shots had to be of very specific movements this particular breed makes. After about 30 minutes of shooting, I think we got it done. I love these kinds of shoots because they are totally foreign, and the client knows more about what she wants than I do. I love being able to produce the result, even though I was the one being told what to shoot! Thanks Michele.

Midlothian Youth Soccer: Spirit FC Team and Action Photos

Midlothian, TX - Thanks to the Spirit FC of Midlothian for allowing me to photograph their action and team portraits recently. Continuing in my series of soccer shoots this fall, we did a little bit of action, a little bit of tradition, and a little bit of fun at the Spirit FC shoot. Parents, you can order additional prints here. The rest of you can enjoy a few of my favorites from the day.

Photos at Getzendaner Park, Waxahachie

NOTE: This post marks the end of a series of posts that covered the busiest weekend in Agile Images history. Over 4 days I had 6 shoots covering over 300 miles and 22 people. Thank you to all who participated.
Waxahachie, TX - Getzendaner Park in Waxahachie is a great old park founded in 1889. This past Sunday, I took the end of a long weekend to take some pictures with my own family. My wife and I are expecting our 2nd child, and my son loves the park. I didn't really need much of an excuse to bring the camera. I offered some shooting advice to my mother-in-law, and with my help, we got these great shots. I suppose this also helps you identify me if we've never met! Should be pretty easy to figure out which one is me...



I still have a few weekend dates open for Fall Sessions (Nov-Dec). I am still running my packages for fall, so be sure to take a look at the pricing.

A Family Session: The Autry's

McKinney, TX - Saturday I spent time with the Autry Family in Downtown McKinney. McKinney has a historic downtown square with LOTS and LOTS of great photography opportunities. We took time in the evening to catch some great light and ended up with results I am very pleased with. Take a look at a few of my favorites. Thanks to Tracie and her beautiful family for making this look easy! Click on the images for a larger view.

A Family Session: John, Paige & Greyson

Dallas, TX - Sunday I spent time at one of my favorite parks in Dallas with John, Paige and Greyson. We actually made stops at two parks along Turtle Creek playing with squirrels, feeding ducks, and of course, taking lots of photos. I really enjoyed my time with JPG and I look forward to taking lots of pictures of them as their family grows. Here are a couple of my favorites from the day.

International Girl Pageant: Texas Girls

Arlington, TX - This past weekend I was invited back to meet with the 6 winners of the International Girl Miss Texas Contest. The girls were all in town helping promote and operate a preliminary competition for the 2009 International Girl Miss Texas Pageant. We met up for some fun shots of them in several different outfits. It turned out to be one of the most challenging shoots I've done. The hotel they booked didn't reserve a ball room for us where we'd planned to shoot much of their session. So, we improvised, setting up my lights in the hotel lobby, making our way outside near the pool, and even pushing a couple of the shots back until the next morning. We managed to get in all of the work they requested and they were happy with the results. See for yourself.

A Senior Location Session: Heather

Dallas, TX - Last week I had the chance to shoot with Heather in Downtown Dallas. Heather is a senior at Crandall High School. We spent some time in Deep Ellum shooting her Senior Portraits. Heather has these AMAZING blue eyes, so be sure to click on the images to see them up close. Heather had never had her picture taken professionally before, so she took a little while to warm up. Once she did, I think we got some great stuff to help her remember her Senior year.

Alliance Air Show

Ft Worth, TX - Last week we took my son to the Alliance Air Show in Ft. Worth. He LOVES airplanes and helicopters, so what better way to spend a Sunday than out in the sun at the airshow. Of course, I took the camera along to catch all of the action. I got lots of family photos for the scrapbooks, but I also got these very cool shots of some of the planes in the show. There was the P-51 Mustang Flying Tiger, the P-40, an F-15, and one of the F-16 Thunderbirds.

Midlothian Youth Soccer: Dynamo Team and Action Photos

Midlothian, TX - I've been busy with soccer photos lately. I love shooting soccer action because I grew up playing (still play, by the way) and I think I have a feel for what a good soccer photo should look like. We have some great kids in Midlothian and this week the Boys U5 Dynamo was ready to show me their moves. Thanks to Leigh for inviting me out. My schedule is booked solid on the weekends, but if you're a coach or parent in Midlothian and you want team photos like these, I can get you in during an afternoon practice. Just email or call me at 972-775-2769. I offer a one price package for $25. Here are some of my favorites from the Boys Dynamo shoot. Dynamo parents can click here to view and order more photos.