birthday photographer
I adopted Kiki when she was just 10 weeks old and 11 pounds. She has now turned 11 years old and in all that time we have never even spent one night apart. I cannot say that for any human being in my life. She is the one constant in a life of great change. Whether it was on the beaches of Florida, the capital stairs of Des Moines, or the desert in New Mexico, Kiki has always been by my side.
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Eldest friend Terry and his wife and a friend on his 40th birthday party - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 hotshoe mountedThis year I have photographed a 50th birthday party and even a 100th birthday party. Now a 40th birthday party can be added to the list for 2013. My oldest friend (since 7th grade) turned 40 in November (thankfully I am almost 9 months younger!) and his wife contacted me about photographing the party which would also be for another one of their friends who was turning 40 as well.
There was real (with play money) casino action during the 40th birthday party - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/15th zooming in with SB-800 hotshot mountedThey went all out for this party with several professional casino tables! I guess they really like cards and gambling! There was only play money used though at the party. Above you can see the blackjack table, and there were also roulette and poker tables.
Football theme for this 40th birthday party in Wesley Chapel Florida - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/4 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 hotshoe mountedThe other theme for this party was football. One Packers fan and one Bills fan. As a life long Dolphins fan I restrained from damaging any Bills balloons or decorations.
Green Bay Packers 40th birthday cake in Wesley Chapel Florida - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/4 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 hotshoe mountedThere was even a football birthday cake! I had a piece from the Packers side. I always say, the best part about photographing events is getting a piece of cake!
A lot of self-portraits taken at this 40th birthday party - Nikon D300 Nikkor 50mm @ f/2 ISO 800 1/60thI was not the only way taking photos at the party as many people would get together with their phones to even take group shots (see above). I enjoyed the chance to combine business and personal by photographing my oldest friend's birthday party. Now I wonder about an 80th birthday party??
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Memorable -- Fun -- Vivid -- All Ages
Full-time professional photographer Jason Collin makes birthday party photography more than just cake & candles. The results are strikingly vivid images that capture your birthday party's character, emotion and fun. Reserve your birthday photography experience today.
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Pane Rustica Bakery event room - 60th Birthday Party CelebrationI had the chance to photograph a 60th birthday party at the Pane Rustica Bakery (restaurant) in Tampa recently. I wondered what it would be like? I can recall my own grandfather's 60th birthday party long ago. We were all in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and were heading to the go-kart track, one of our favorite summer activities. Naturally, some bumping of karts took place. Well, on his 60th birthday party my grandfather was thrown out for bumping! It is a very good memory of him that I have put in the vault.
Pane Rustica Bakery event room - birthday cakeThere were no go-karts inside the restaurant of course, and to my knowledge no one was thrown out. It was a formal, adult birthday party. There was one very nice homemade decoration on display, however. The photo posters showing family history were very interesting to me. I really like to look at old photos, especially family ones to see what places used to look like, to see what photo prints used to look like. Also, it took me some time to realize that the poster on the left did not in fact say "HAPPY GOTH" but rather "HAPPY 60th." I was really wondering where the goth connection was . . .
The birthday boy receiving kisses from his daughters - Pane Rustica Bakery event roomThe event space was exceptionally dark, but one good thing it did have going for it was a very tall and wide room dividing gray curtain that could be pulled out and extended as necessary. It made for the perfect photography background. Whenever someone wanted a photo, I just pulled out the curtain and was able to get both a good exposure and a clean background.
The 60th Birthday Speech -- Pane Rustica Bakery event roomI have mostly successfully avoided having an organized birthday party since I was 12 years old. Even as a kid I forbid the singing of the happy birthday song at my party. The cake was brought out in silence. Perhaps on my own 60th birthday party, should I be lucky enough to be able to attract such a large crowd of fans as seen above, I will yield and give a speech myself, though never to the birthday song! However, I am a big fan of birthday party games like pin the tale on the donkey, musical chairs, etc.
Family Birthday Celebration - Pane Rustica Bakery Tampa event roomI wonder if any of the above photographs will end up on a future birthday poster for him, perhaps for his 75th birthday celebration? If I could, I would like to contact the person(s) who took the photographs on his 60th birthday poster and tell them that they did something valuable and continue to contribute to this person's life.
The birthday girl thinks of something to wish for - location: Tampa, Florida
This past Saturday's birthday party shoot was in a near ideal photographer's location: backyard with lots of shadows but still bright with lots of play space for the kids. My specialty is candid photography, and the kids at the party obliged that style greatly by mostly ignoring me and going about their play naturally. However, some of them loved to pose without any prompting, which will be the subject matter of a future post.
The birthday boy chooses a cupcake over birthday cake.
There was a lot of great food at this birthday party, and the hosts graciously let us eat anything we wanted to. I, myself, sampled one of the above cupcakes and the touch of lemon in them made for a very tasty cupcake.
No sibling jealousy despite having birthdays very close to each other's.
The brother and sister's birthdays were only separated by a few days allowing for a two-for-one birthday party scenario. As long as his sister continues to love him as much as she does now, I foresee no sibling squabbles about who may or may not have gotten a better birthday present. She was always hugging and kissing her brother, as seen above.
The birthday boy's grandfather siphons a beverage into his mouth.It's always great when there can be three generations (or more) at family gatherings, such as the case at this birthday party. I wonder what grandpa's childhood birthday parties were like? No doubt he doesn't have as many photographs from his childhood birthday parties as children will have of their birthday parties nowadays. 
Blowing out the candles on her birthday cake.
If you would like the candid moments from your child's birthday party captured by a friendly and professional photographer, then make your reservation today.
