However, there is something less tangible and but equally stirring that happens when we pack up the studio and bring it to a location. It has to do with the way the environment influences the narrative that the subject is living out. In many cases I find we can be granted access to an image that lies beneath the surface quicker and with greater ease.

Lit with a Profoto w/ Beauty Dish edge light with two 2 Profoto Strip Lights over and behind the shoulders. Shot with Canon 5D mark ii w/ 85L 1:2 set to f-8.

Consider this image is of Sister Alice, shot on location at the Interfaith Center in Cincinnati. This is a shot I do not believe we could have accomplished with such gravity in the studio. It is an image that captures the subject at home and honest in her environment, but the viewer does not see the environment at all. It was shot against a black backdrop, with a fine tuned studio lighting setup, but within the environment where this sister normally sits and prays. The calmness she experiences there translates completely in the image, and the lack of of a context beyond darkness actually provides highlight to this gentle stillness.

This is the kind of image that really gets me excited.  There is something exciting about walking into a room and knowing a beautiful moment is about to happen. And if it is to happen for only a fraction of a second, I will be there ready and waiting.  This is the direction in which we pray we keep creating. Here’s one more for the road.

To read the full story for which this image was shot click here

A special thanks to Aaron Morgan and his family for coming in to shoot this, check out this track from his band Seabird for further inspiration!

P.S. Please do not show up with unannounced livestock. Thank you.

Here at the studio we’re gearing up for The Simple Portrait Project, and it promises to be grander than ever before. For a few years now we have been galvanizing TSPP into an ever more refined and invigorating experience, and this round already promises to be the greatest success to date! There is already a great deal of excited anticipation for these quickly approaching dates, both here in the studio and with those families already scheduled to participate.

A great shot from last year!

For those of you who know little of TSPP, it is an ongoing experiment we have been pursuing for a few years now. The premise is simple: Create truly unique and definitive family portraits, within specific boundaries of both time and space. This is nothing like your typical family portrait session. It is the meeting ground of honest family expression and photographer’s creative spark. With 340 sessions or so under our belts, we’ve only had 2 dull sessions.

The boundaries are pretty straightforward. They include a single prop, with no background, one light source, and only 30 minutes to shoot and edit the images. These limitations create a situation were an artist has to strike solely upon the unique properties of the family in front of the lens. The resulting energy is something akin to magic.

In all the excitement, we have decided to make some creative changes. We just bought a brand new couch to center our families around, and we will be using a darker background. There will also be a color option this year! This will keep things fresh for our veteran TSPP families.

The sessions for this Project are filling up faster than ever, so it is no surprise that we expect greater results than ever before! To see more sample images and find out more about TSPP, feel free to check out the details at TheSimplePortraitProject.com.

Follow the link above to read the entire story. The interview is loaded with history, lighting tips, and thoughts on gear and such.

Thanks Jack and Shutterbug!

The lighting recipe is simple:

1. Find a sphere of Gods beautiful sweet diffused natural light.

2. Thank him for it.

3. Push the button.

Teanaway River

Enjoy the ham Emmit.

The Stoop Freightliner facility is expansive, with tons of dynamic mechanical and industrial spaces. With so many cool options, trying to pick a location gave us the feeling of a kid in a candy shop(a very messy, greasy, rusty and hot candy shop). We dialed in lighting on the most colorful and yet simple/spacious location.  Shooting guys like Jeff, very successful men, is always intersesting. My expierence has proven that men is his role don’t get there on accident and they certainly don’t get there by being a jerk. Typically, as in this case, they are engaged in the moment, and have an apprieciation for those around him.  They understand the value a quality images can add to building there brand and treat you accordingly.   I think television and media have unfairly demonized successful business men and its unfortunate. So here is the lead image from the the shoot

Lights on:

Lights off:

We had just wrapped up, shook hands with and thanked Jeff, and were beginning to put everything away when I turned around and realized that there was a really phenomenal shot just waiting for me to look over my shoulder. I love the oder within chaos and the way the layers of the environment stack up.  Luckily, Jeff was still within shouting distance, and he was gracious enough to come back and let me shoot him one more time. I think it came out great. Studio lesson of the day – Don’t forget to look over your shoulder!