*Sigh*

It's just what I needed. A relief. A pleasure, really. I got to photograph F. and her new little L., today. She's just a month old, but look at all that hair. Thanks a bunch for a fun time making pictures, F.

Nikon D800, 105mm f/2.8 VR Macro lens, f/8, 1/200s, ISO 100.

Technical stuff. We made this picture on the side while making portraits for the Portland Urgent Care clinic where F. works. Effectively, that means I had the lights setup in a specific manner that helps ensure the portraits are all similar, which means I couldn't easily move it to make a piece of art for mother and daughter. 

I had a black backdrop, a small octabox up front, and a barebulb strobe with a reflector in the back. Without changing my light settings, I brought F. a little closer to the octa to wrap her and baby in a softer light (the closer, the softer). We made several frames here, but this was my favorite, shot with me on a chair so I could see from a little above.

Madonna and Child

Nikon D800, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens @ 36mm, f/8, 1/320s, ISO 640, Nik Color Efex 4.

New Brother

This is Turbo. He's having trouble saying his C's, but it's cute 'cause he's two. The littler one is C., and she's 6...days old. Turbo is still adjusting to the situation, I think. In another picture he was supposed to give her a kiss, and he put his mouth right close to her head and then looked like he was about to bite into it like an apple...

He'll adjust.

Nikon D800, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens @100mm, f/8, 1/160s, ISO 800, Nik Silver Efex Pro 2.

Harbinger

If you look through this blog, you won't see newborn babies in pea pods dangling from a snagly branch over the raging surf during a beautiful sunset. It's not that I don't think that wouldn't be a beautiful (if insanely dangerous) picture...it's just not my style.

My style is usually mom and dad with their little kiddo, brother and sister with the new sibling--these pictures I love, and I can interact with and make a more real picture. There's only so much emotion I can elicit from a crocheted owl touque.

But I do enjoy making pictures with meaningful objects, stuff from the family, stuff that might be with the kid for a while. Grandma's blanket, dad's christening clothes, mom's teddy bear, the blanket auntie made. These things have more meaning, and help tie an image to the past, to the family. I dig that.

And this little guy sure dug it, too, when we swaddled him in dad's high school football jersey. Something about all that old sweat and grass stains must be comforting.

Nikon D800, 70-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens @ 98mm, f/5.6, 1/160s, ISO 640, Nik Color Efex Pro 4.

A New One...

This is little A.; she's just a couple of months old, and makes a room light up with her little smile.

Nikon D7000, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II lens @70mm, f/4, 1/500s, ISO 640.

New Family

I always say that I love working with musicians, but it's more than that: I love working with people who are passionate about their craft. I think it makes me feel a little justified in being outrageously passionate about my photography. Justified in laying awake at night thinking about light. Justified in carrying my camera everywhere I go. Justified in considering "Nikon" as a name for my firstborn. In speaking of first born...

Gil and Nadine are professional musicians, playing the bass and cello, respectively. But, as you can see, they are about to be trio. I highly recommend their work to you. It'll be very interesting to see the developments of this little troupe.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 105mm, f/14, 1/200s, ISO 400.

Can't Wait

I had the pleasure of shooting some family portraits for J & N's with their new little guy, Q. I'm really excited to show the images to them tomorrow. Since they haven't seen them yet, it's not fair to post a bunch here...but I just can't wait! 

Here's something to tide me over.

Nikon D700, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens @ 300mm, f/5.6, 1/200s, ISO 200, Paul C. Buff PLM.

Brand New (Newborn Photography)

Nikon D700, 55mm f/3.5 Micro lens, f/4.0, 1/50s, ISO 800.

K. was born just a few hours before I made these images with her and her parents. She was red. Not, like kinda pink, or blushing in spots--she was marinara red all over. Really pretty amazing to a guy who hasn't had kids of his own, yet. She was so soft and small.

This next image is a favorite from our few minutes in the hospital because of the caring gesture evident in Dad's working man hands.

Nikon D700, 55mm f/3.5 Micro lens, f/4.0, 1/50s, ISO 800.

I enjoyed this shoot immensely. Seeing the new love for this little girl was great, but for me the best part is recording her first day on Earth, her tininess, and her family's enjoyment of her. This job rocks.

Nikon D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens @ 110mm, f/4.0, 1/250s, ISO 800.

Nikon D700, 55mm f/3.5 Micro lens, f/4,  1/50s, ISO 800.

J. and Little S.

This is a quick peek at a fun session we had the other day. S. is just ten days old here.

Nikon D700, 85mm f/1.8 lens, f/5.6, 1/320s, ISO 400.