This Kid Named Kami

I had the most wonderful time taking photos of this little boy over the weekend! It was about a 45 minute session. Kami is so adorable and makes the best facial expressions.

This four shot black and white set was when he sat down at the dinner table and his mom was standing behind me saying "Aiiyeeee" to make him laugh. He was distracted because his dad had food and was giving him little bites in between too. So he had to split his time between taking photos, eating, laughing, and making faces.

For this shot I used my soft box on the right and then the window as ambient and back lighting.

This shot was lit only with my softbox on my left hand side raised to about a 45 degree angle. Again, his mom had to keep saying "Aiiyeeee" and I'm sure that as she was saying this she was making a funny face. I couldn't see her since my back was turned to her, but I can just tell.

Here is one of my favorite shots from the session. Kami's stance and expression makes me think about a tough little boy who is standing on his turf and seems like he totally owns this back yard.

It was so fun to shoot this and he really has such a great smile. I'm looking forward to having the chance to take his photos again as he grows older. It was so cute a couple days later when his mom told me that Kami said "I have a new friend named Pao! She takes photos."

Family Portraits Are Important (and fun)

I may be biased when I say this since I am a photographer, but photos are so important in helping you to remember life and to help preserve your family history. We all grow older and travel where life takes us. Sometimes siblings can live on the other side of the country or maybe even on the opposite side of the world. No matter what, I cannot stress how much a photo means 30 years down the road and sometimes it is sad when you realize that you don't even have a full family portrait or a portrait of all the siblings together. Take the time and make the effort to get everyone together because it is worth it!

So I had my say on that subject and on a happier less serious note, below are a few shots of the Vang siblings. My very last shoot of 2011. See....family portraits can be very fun. Also, it may lead to epic posing.

Black Trash Bag Dress

A simple trash bag can be the star of your wardrobe if you give it a chance. It gets a little sticky if you are someone who sweats a lot so maybe only consider wearing it in the winter time. However, it works wonders when trying to accomplish the look of a glossy poofy dress.

One of the best things about being creative is learning how to take some of the simplest things you can find in your home and make something completely different out of it. Here is an example of taking an ordinary black trash bag and transforming it into a dress. The glossy quality of the trash bag lends itself to performing well in direct sunlight at the beach. The contrast of black against the lighter solid colors of the sky, ocean, and sand makes the model stand out from her environment.

It took a couple snips, twists, and ties and the trash bag was transformed into a dress. I added a simple black belt to define the waist and added a metal slinky as a large bracelet. With an hour of hair and another hour for makeup (all done by myself) the look was complete.

A little bit of breeze that day helped to create the poofyness on the rump and added some drama to the composition.

With a setting sun, there was plenty of beautiful warm lighting and wonderful sun flare to add just a little bit of color and interest. Some people hate sun flares and I agree that sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Whatever the case, it only matters that I like it. I hope you all get a chance to do your own trash bag photoshoot. I might have a go at it again just to see how different of a dress I can make out of it.

Time Flies

It is amazing how fast time flies by. I can't believe that my last post was from June of 2008. Well...I guess I CAN believe it since I'm the one not posting. To be honest though, I actually haven't posted because I couldn't remember how to log in and wouldn't take the time to try. At last, here I am again!

It's time for me to pick this back up. I have a renewed energy in life, in my art, and my photography. There were changes in my life and tough choices that I made which brought me to where I am today. I am the happiest I've ever been and can see that I have a blessed life.

Onwards to amazing photographic adventures and creation!