Early in November I had the opportunity to go up into the foothills of South Carolina's upstate to shoot some portraits of a great-looking couple, Dave & Rachel. We chatted a bit beforehand about the direction we wanted to go with the pictures, and decided to try some type of casual Fall fashion style with an epic location. Bald Rock turned out to be perfect for this set!
I contacted Dave & Rachel because I wanted a couple with creativity, who would collaborate with me on the shoot and have valuable ideas for what we could try. At the moment, one of the things I struggle most with is bringing out the right expression in my subjects. Usually it's not too difficult, as I've mostly shot for happy families who want happy–family pictures! But I wanted something a little different this time. These two did a great job with their expressions, working together to give each image it's own feel. And they brought some pretty cool props!
Check out this sampling from their gallery!
I contacted Dave & Rachel because I wanted a couple with creativity, who would collaborate with me on the shoot and have valuable ideas for what we could try. At the moment, one of the things I struggle most with is bringing out the right expression in my subjects. Usually it's not too difficult, as I've mostly shot for happy families who want happy–family pictures! But I wanted something a little different this time. These two did a great job with their expressions, working together to give each image it's own feel. And they brought some pretty cool props!
Check out this sampling from their gallery!
This whole mountain adventure was also a chance for me to play with lighting. Obviously for most of these I had beautiful, bright, direct, . . . harsh sunlight. Which is what I was planning for. So I used my strobe (an Alien Bee B-800) with a beauty dish and sock to fill in the shadows. It's a matter of getting the ratios right; balancing sunlight and artificial light. Determining which is going to be the key light and which is fill. I can't say I thought through it this clearly while we were there. I just kind of do what feels right and check it on-camera. Then adjust and keep working. And analyze later so I can do it all better next time.
I used my strobe for most of the set, but I did some shots (like the one above) with just direct sunlight. As you can see, it is very harsh, but very beautiful. I did pull the darks up a bit in post to restore some shadow detail.
I used my strobe for most of the set, but I did some shots (like the one above) with just direct sunlight. As you can see, it is very harsh, but very beautiful. I did pull the darks up a bit in post to restore some shadow detail.
Aaannd, last but not least, the best shot of the set! Well, 10 shots, actually. This is what we went up there for. One of my signature panoramas, portrait-style. 39" long! And look at that lighting! Gorgeous sunlight as a rim with my strobe pumping it in as the key light. Epic!
Thanks, Dave & Rachel for all you two did to make this shoot happen.
And thanks to my dad for being my lighting assistant, keeping my equipment safe!
If you've read this far, please drop me a note to let me know what you think. Which is your favorite image, and why? Did this spark any ideas for a shoot you'd like to try sometime? Get in touch! I'd love to create more of these images with you!
And thanks to my dad for being my lighting assistant, keeping my equipment safe!
If you've read this far, please drop me a note to let me know what you think. Which is your favorite image, and why? Did this spark any ideas for a shoot you'd like to try sometime? Get in touch! I'd love to create more of these images with you!