Family Portrait at the Beach

Headed out to the beach recently for a family portrait session.  We were a little concerned since the entire day had been overcast, but it ended up working out.  We didn't see the sun but it turned enough of the sky orange to give me plenty to work with.

Loosening things up with a little family stroll down the beach. 

As they get farther away, people tend to relax and the photo becomes a little more realistic.

Took some time to split into some pairs.

This lagoon tends to get all of its photographic attention from bird shooters, but I like bringing people down here as well.  I think it's nice to have some water and land in the background to mix up the standard beach/ocean shots.

Couldn't help playing around with the lifeguard stand.  Given how dark it was getting, I knew the bright red would pop from the image and give some nice contrast.

 We even managed to squeeze the moon in there for a few shots.

Remember everyone, it's never to early to start coordinating those family photos so you're not caught off guard when the holidays start rolling around!  Thanks to Dawn and her family for sacrificing some sandy toes for what I think turned out to be some great family portraits.

90th Birthday Party

I had the distinct opportunity to photograph a 90th birthday party recently.  It was quite an affair that gathered family from all over.  The above photo is probably my favorite from the evening.  Toward the end of the party, the 5 sons put on a video slideshow of keepsake historic photos.  It was great to see how much this family values photos and it would be an honor for one of my photos to appear in a slideshow 90 years from now.  This photo was taken as the birthday girl happily viewed the video.  The actual light from the TV was usually an odd color cast so I actually used a flash to mimic the TV light in a controllable manner.

A granddaughter helps secure the tiara as guests arrive.

Everyone had a blast snapping photos of the birthday diva.

The evening was a good mix of posed photos and captured moments.  With so many family members gathered together we made sure to get lots of different group combinations.

Lots of great moments to capture.

We took advantage of a cool dusk sky to fit in some more groups out on the balcony.

We managed to corral everyone outside for one large group photo.

This has nothing to do with the party, but most of you know I'm a sucker for moody sky shots.

Squeezing out some photos in the last bit of usable light.

The young generation views photos of parents, grandparents and other family members from years past.

I had such a blast covering this birthday party.  With so many real moments and connections between family members, it really felt like no work at all.  Happy 90th!

Angie and Dominic: Don CeSar Beach Resort Wedding

Tampa Photo provided photo and video coverage for Angie and Dominic's wedding at the Don CeSar Beach Resort. Kevin was on the video and I was working stills. This was a relatively short event, as it was just a ceremony at the Don. The real party was taking place immediately afterward on a cruise ship leaving out of Tampa. Unfortunately, they didn't ask Kevin and I to come along for that. We asked. Several times. Seriously, I knew my time was limited, so I worked every minute I had to get the couple a nice set of photos. Let's dive in.

If you've read this blog before you may detect several themes. One of those themes is that it takes a long time for ladies to get ready. That results in me getting plenty of time with the fellas while the primping and the painting continues upstairs in some hairspray-choked hotel room. Here, the groom and his men gather in the very front lobby.

The front doors let some light in on Dominic, while windows to the side provide a nice edge light.

The ring bearer flashes a smile while lining up for the ceremony.

Angie waits for her turn to head down the sandy aisle.

A trio of flower girls prepares the way. Big Pink rises out of the dunes.

Exchanging vows under the sun on a Florida beach. Not bad.

We're going on a cruise!

We managed to squeeze every wedding guest into one big group photo. Well done everybody!

A quick detail among jubilant family and friends.

The flower brigade.

Angie and Dominic were able to spare a few minutes for a quick trip around the hotel for some more intimate photos. We headed upstairs and stopped at cool spots along the way.

Before calling it quits and cutting the couple loose, I captured them up on a balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

Congrats Angie and Dominic! Thanks for choosing us to cover your special day. Good luck in all your future voyages! Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Dominic's from Pittsburgh so I'm allowed to insert a shameless "Go Steelers" plug. Sorry if that alienates any of you Cowboys/Ravens/Browns or other lame team fans.

Farmer Gray's 1st Birthday

You may recall Grayson from his first photos here or his newborn photos here. Now, it's time for his first birthday party and that means farm animals.

The birthday boy takes a spin.

Dad takes a lap with Grayson.

Little boys; overalls.

Hey, you're not a horse!

It's my birthday and I'll smile if I want to.

Connect.

Look here Grayson, this is how grandpa does it.

I asked ALL THE KIDS to line up. The girls went right up there in perfect position. The boys, not so much.

This is pretty much perfection. If you'll look, you'll see a nosepick, a scream, a blink, a miss (he's foot made the frame) and one perfect birthday boy in front looking right at the camera!

One.

The family.

Grandpa's under there somewhere.