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.

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.

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.

Kenny Loggins Concert Photos - House of Blues, Dallas

Ok, I have a confession. I went, I had fun. My mom (pictured below with Kenny) is a HUUUUGE Kenny Loggins fan. She doesn't see well at night and needed a chauffeur to the show (I swear !). I went with her a couple of years back and promised that when he came to town again, I'd take her and bring my camera. Last night Kenny played the House of Blues in Dallas. First, what a GREAT venue. Second, the show was awesome. Sure he stuck the over-played, over characterized staples in there (Footloose, TopGun thing, etc), but the night was made by a 15-minute jam session on Celebrate Me Home. In addition to tickets, my mom is somehow special and had backstage passes to meet Kenny. For me, this was a treat. For her, she's met him so many times he knows her by name. The House of Blues was relaxed on their camera policy so I got in with my D300 and 50mm f/1.4 lens to get these shots. Feel free to download and share if you're a Loggins fan. Just leave the copyright symbol on and don't print or reproduce, please. Just click to see larger versions. Or you can click here to see a gallery of photos.








This last shot is funny because of a couple of things. 1. I know in looking at this photo that I am CLEARLY the youngest person in the room. 2. Look at all of the cameras, phones, PDA's etc. I'm in the back with a $2500 camera getting great shots and these people are trying to squeeze out one decent photo from a PHONE! Funny. By the way if you were at this show and want a larger version of a photo you see here, just email me.

Dave Matthews Band Concert Photos

Dallas, TX - As many of you know, my favorite band is The Dave Matthews Band. If you're reading this site you already know that my other favorite thing to do is shoot photos. On August 19, 2006 I was given the unique opportunity to have both of those favorite things come together. A friend of mine was starting a concert review magazine. He asked if I would be interested in shooting the first 3 songs of the Dave Matthews Band concert for his debut magazine review. He no more than got the words out before I was jumping through the ceiling with excitement. As it turns out, the magazine lacked funding and the shots never published, but it made this photographer and Dave Matthews Band fan very, very happy nonetheless.







I am posting this now because we just went to see Dave in concert on Saturday, and it reminded me that I need to update the site with the photos from 2006.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the show, and you can click to see a slide show. Music provided by, of course, The Dave Matthews Band (So Much to Say). Enjoy.

The Agile Images Asuka Photo Book

Last summer I shot a wedding and the bride wanted a non-traditional photo album. I had always wanted the opportunity to produce a coffee table album for someone, and she gave me the chance. I built the book with Asuka Book, a custom coffee table book manufacturer. The book turned out amazing and the bride and groomed were thrilled. You can actually see some of the pages in my wedding portfolio.


Each set of pages is made up of wide double truck images that look like panoramic photos on a computer monitor, but when printed, they make up the left and right pages of a book. With Asuka Books, there are no templates, no drag and drop web interfaces, nor any styles to copy. The designs are all my own and 100% original. It is a very rewarding process that takes many hours to complete.

In order to promote my business, I am creating a printed version of my portfolio. I am using Asuka Book again and designing from scratch. I wanted to post my progress here so you could see some of the book as its being produced. It isn't finished, and won't be for a while, but its coming along. When you're looking at the pages, they are laid out as if you had the book open on the table. The cover is opposite, as if you were laying the book spread out face down.

If you want an a custom coffee table book, I can build one for you. Whether its for a wedding or a baby's first year, or any other occasion, these make fantastic keepsakes. When I delivered the wedding book to the bride's mother last summer, she had to be careful not to get tears on the pages. That was the best compliment I've ever been paid about my work!

Books come in sizes from 5x5", 20 page, Soft Cover, up to 11x12.5", 100 page, Leather Bound editions. The pages are very thick, high quality print, with either a glossy or satin finish. Prices start at $250 and go up to $1500.

Ok on to my portfolio book . . its a work in progress, and I'm adding pages daily. I hope to get it to about 60 pages before printing. Use a little imagination and picture the gutter of a book right through the center of this long image. You can click on each image to see the full sized version and all of the detail in each page.

Front and back covers (front is on the right)

A couple of the content pages
If you are interested in following my progress with the book, you can view updates and all of the pages by clicking here.

BGB Band Promo Shoot

I had the opportunity to shoot with a local band this past Monday night. The BGB or the Brent George Band is a local band fronted by Brent George, with Johnny Perdue on guitar, Eric Thomas on drums, and Dusty Gray on bass guitar. We spent a few hours in Downtown Dallas shooting some shots for their website and various marketing materials. Thanks to the guys for being great sports and for being patient with all of the light setups we did. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the night.

Duncanville Daddy Daughter Dance Photos

You can find the links to the Duncanville Daddy Daughter Dance at my website. Just click the link from the home page, or click to the gallery pages here. All of the photos will be loaded by Tuesday night. If you are here before then, just stop back later.

Thanks to everyone who attended and was patient with us while we worked through the on-site prints. It was a little slower than expected, so thanks to those who waited around late with us. Here are a couple of my favorite shots from the night.

For those of you who ordered packages or additional prints from us, you will have those in about 1-2 weeks. If you place an order online, you can expect the same delivery time. If anyone was not able to wait around for their free 8x10, please drop me a line or call me and I'll make sure to get it to you in the mail.

If you are new to Agile Images, please read through this blog and look at my portfolio if you are interested in more of my photography services. I offer children's and family portrait sessions, sports action shoots, wedding and bridal photography, and more.