Commercial Photography

Couples Model Portfolio Shoot in downtown St. Petersburg Florida

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Couples model portfolio shoot in St. Petersburg Florida - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/5.6 ISO 200 1/100th - Strobist: SB-800 @ 1/2 power in 43" brolly foreground & SB-600 @ 1/2 power in collapsed shoot through umbrella in background

This shoot was with returning client Mark, but was by far the biggest contrast between photography services with the same client.  In November 2012 he reserved a car photography shoot for his Mustang Cobra and as you can see this time it was a model portfolio shoot, involving himself and his girlfriend too no less!  He saw some of my previous modeling shots at a brick wall and vintage door location and asked if we could use that same downtown St. Petersburg Florida spot.  

Using my favorite brick wall background in downtown St. Petersburg Florida model portfolio shoot - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/5.6 ISO 200 1/100th - Strobist: SB-800 @ 1/2 power in 43" brolly foreground & SB-600 @ 1/2 power in collapsed shoot through umbrella in backgroundFor the shoot Mark wanted some individual shots of himself, individuals of his girlfriend, and then also shots of them together as a couple switching between the brick wall background and the vintage door.  They also did a wardrobe change.  For the above shot I used the pinhole filter in Silver Efex Pro to create that shadowy black & white look.

Dynamic model portfolio shoot in St. Petersburg Florida - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/5.6 ISO 200 1/160th - Strobist: SB-800 @ 1/2 power in 43" brolly foreground & SB-600 @ 1/2 power in collapsed shoot through umbrella in backgroundNot being professional models I suggested various ideas in addition to the ones they wanted to try too.  I always like to try and get a dynamic look shot, so I suggested a hair toss.  It took several tries and different starting points and remembering to smile even though she was flicking her head back, but in the end I got the result I envisioned for the shot.  

Urban model portfolio shoot in St. Petersburg Florida - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 200 1/100th - Strobist: SB-800 @ 1/2 power in 43" brolly to frame right & SB-600 @ 1/2 power in 43" shoot through umbrella to frame leftFor their first model portfolio shoot they both did great and I am of course always happy to work with a previous client again.  I look forward to whatever type of shoot Marks wants to do next be it model, car or something else!

St. Petersburg Florida panorama photograph featured in USFSP Conference banner

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My panorama image was used in the banner above. Thank you to attendee Tom Edmonds for the photo of it.Thank you to Tom Edmonds and St. Petersburg in The World for licensing one of my panorama images of downtown St. Petersburg Florida to feature in a banner a tthe Conference on International Affairs in March 2013.  As a photographer selling prints is still one of the most satisfying things, even in this digitla age.  

I have a large catalogue of unique images of St. Petersburg, Florida and the surrounding area available for commercial license and fine art print that when used show local support for area far beyond what a stock image can represent.  

White Background headshot with Casey in St. Petersburg Florida home studio

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This business headshot for Casey was made right in my St. Petersburg home studio - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/7.1 ISO 200 1/160th - Strobist: SB-800 in brolly to frame right & SB-600 in shoot through umbrella to frame leftThis afternoon Casey visited my home photography studio in St. Petersburg for a headshot.  Her mom came along and was very helpful petting Kiki while the photography was going on.  It was easy to photograph Casey as she was a natural in front of the camera.  After making lighting and posing adjustments as per her request it was just a matter of pushing the shutter, cropping the image, doing a little editing, then adding a digital white background and finished.  Well, I guess it does not sound so simple after all, but anytime I do not have to worry about the client's smile, it seems easier to me!

Allendale Terrace New Homeowner Portrait Real Estate Photography St. Petersburg Florida

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New homeowner portrait for real estate client in St. Petersburg Florida - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/60th - Strobist: SB-800 @ 1/2 power in 43" brolly to frame front left & SB-600 @ 1/2 power in 43" shoot through umbrella to frame right rearI normally photograph just homes for sale for Haike of Crown Group Realty, but this time she asked me to photograph some new homeowners in front of their new home in Allendale Terrace.  She wanted to give the couple a housewarming gift and I think it is a great idea for real estate agents to present new homeowners with a professional portrait of them in front of their new home.  

I used a 2-strobe setup, one in a brolly & the other a shoot through umbrella (I keep forgetting to make a photo of the actual setup!).  The brolly was the main light to my left and the shoot through umbrella was behind the couple for backlight.  I framed the couple under the curve of the tree branch behind them and included the house number in the composition.  I also had to be careful to avoid light reflections in the front window which I did by taking a few steps to my right.

Creative Business Headshot in St. Petersburg Florida home studio with Clark

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A more creative style of business headshot, Mad Men was an influence! - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/7.1 ISO 200 1/160th - Strobist: SB-800 @ 1/4 power in 43" brolly to frame rightThis afternoon Clark came to my home studio in St. Petersburg, Florida for a business headshot.  We had been in contact the day before and he sent me a few samples of headshot styles he liked.  He was definitely open to something other than the bright, straight on traditional business headshot.  Actually, the above shot was my favorite from the headshot session and not one of Clark's choices, but I still gave it to him as a free bonus anyway!  For me, I liked the S-curve of his head tilt on down to the slight bend of his tie.  I used selective editing to make the background essentially go black then cropped to create the final look and feel of the image.  This could very well turn out to be one of my five favorite shots of 2013!

Another more dramatically lit style business headshot - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/10 ISO 200 1/160th - Strobist: SB-800 @ 1/4 power in 43" brolly to immediate frame rightAgain, using just one speedlight off camera in order to create more defining shadows in the headshot, the above image cropped tightly purposefully below the top of the head, is a more stylized business headshot.  This is just one of many types possible that I offer both here in my home studio and also possible right in your office or home location.  

It took Clark and I a little longer than usual to create these headshot images, but I was glad to as I am always happy when I can produce new work and when a client is willing to experiment a little along with me.  Thanks Clark!

UPDATE from Clark:

Shortly after getting my professional picture from Jason, I posted the following message in ~50 LinkedIn groups:

I am a LION growing my network while seeking employment in the Tampa Bay area - Connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/clarkfinnical - While
you’re there check out my profile. :)

In a matter of days my connections have grown from 800 to 1500.  I believe the professional picture that Jason created played a major part in that success. -- Clark

 

Business Headshot in St. Petersburg Florida home studio February 2013

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Dick wanted a headshot of him doing something he would actually do - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/6.3 ISO 200 1/160th - Strobist: SB-800 @ 1/4 power in 43" brolly to frame right & SB-600 @ 1/4 power in closed shoot-through umbrella to frame left and aboveFor one of his two headshots made here in my home studio in St. Petersburg, Florida, Dick wanted one of the images to show him acting naturally doing something he would actually do.  So he did a little acting to look like he was giving a presentation.  He was actually very good at it and we made the shot above on only the second take!

He was photographed on a neutral gray background.  In Photoshop I removed him from that background and painted in a digital background using pure black, then adding a slight gradient.  It was a fun shoot!

St. Petersburg Florida Real Estate Photography - resort like pool

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A very nice backyard and pool area - St. Petersburg Real Estate Photography - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 7-exposure HDR

I recently photographed this St. Petersburg area home for Crown Group Realty which had a surprising resort-like backyard.  I was not expecting to find something like it when I walked out the backdoor!  I chose to make a 7-exposure HDR image to show details in all areas of the yard, sky and home.

An updated St. Petersburg kitchen - Florida Real Estate Photography - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 5-exposure HDRThe kitchen was recently updated with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, two things it seems everyone wants in a modern kitchen!  I shot from my tripod's maximum height to be able to shoot over and at the same time show the bar and countertops.

This could be your view when you get home! - St. Peterburg Real Estate Photography - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 7-exposure HDRIf you or someone you know might be interested in seeing this house, please contact Crown Group Realty for an appointment.  If you are a St. Petersburg or other Tampa Bay area real estate agent and would like to have high quality images of your listings that will definitely generate more traffic to them, my professional real estate photography services are available for homes in all price ranges.