Kid’s Portraits – Pulling the Drama out of Natural Light

I photographed super cute and energetic Jude’s, Batman themed birthday this past weekend. Jude’s mom Virginia, really knocked herself out to make a great party that was fun for the kids and adults and a bumped up post processing seemed a very appropriate approach for the day.

I love photos that look other worldly and dreamy at the same time, and lean towards that approach for most of my work.

I’m often asked about how I get the photos to turn out the way they do. Two things that are vital to my work flow. Whether natural light photography or strobes, I (mostly) take all photos in “manual” mode (in Raw mode) so that I can manipulate the ISO, F-stop and speed to my liking and then I bring all of the photos into Adobe Lightroom for basic processing and cataloging and apply my custom presets for specific effects (punched color, black and white, sepia etc.). Switching to this process about two years ago has made all of the difference in the world.

A wow facility for La Cañada Presbyterian Church and photos of kids at play.

Took a bunch of photos for LCPC Parent Education Program. The facility is beautiful and the mommies and kids were having so much fun. When I was editing the photos Archer looked at them and said “can I go there?….now? Please?”. Me, I love it – taking photos of toddlers, it’s pretty much my very favorite activity and well, I was thinking it would be nice to go there with Archer – we’ll see how my schedule looks like come January and how it fits into his school, that is down the street that he LOVES!

Photos from behind the most famous sign in the world (the Hollywood sign)

For a truly wonderful/amazing/glorious hike in Hollywood there is none better than a hike in Griffith Park to the back of the Hollywood Sign. On a clear day hikers who make it to the top of the hill (the back of the Hollywood sign) are rewarded with a vision from sea to mountain tops – eye candy! Easiest route – go to the end of Beachwood Drive (where Hollywoodland Riding Stables are is) park at the trailhead and head up the hill, veer left going up the hill and then make a right onto a paved path (fireroad) – Once on the paved path hike up and around the mountain (Mt. Lee) for a stunning view – more details here and here are historic photos. Have fun!