Event

First Communion Photography at St. Paul Catholic Church Tampa Florida with Juliana

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First communion for Juliana at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa Florida - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/7.1 ISO 200 1/125th - Strobist: SB-800 in brolly & SB-600 in shoot-through-umbrellaI first photographed Juliana and her family in 2010 for her 7th birthday party.  This past weekend I photographed her first communion at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida.  I have now photographed her and her family a total of four times.  It is always great to work with past clients, and there is no family I have been with longer than Juliana's.  Thankfully, since day one, Juliana has been a natural in front of the camera!  The above shot will for sure be one of my five favorites of 2014.  I heard that Juliana's mom cried when she saw this photo.

I first photographed Juliana at her 7th birthday party, now her first communion - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/7.1 ISO 200 1/125th - Strobist: SB-800 in brolly & SB-600 in shoot-through-umbrellaI met Juliana about an hour before the first communion ceremony would begin.  The church had a great mosaic pavilion in a quiet garden that we used as a background for several portraits.  No one was around and there was no wind, so I had not trouble setting up two speedlights on light stands for making strobist (off camera flash) portraits.

While I was setting up another shot, I saw Juliana lean back with her feet up & said hold that pose! - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/7.1 ISO 200 1/250th - Strobist: SB-800 in brolly & SB-600 in shoot-through-umbrellaJuliana almost needs no instruction when I photograph her as she just naturally has an ability to be creative.  While I was moving the light stands I noticed her sitting back and putting her feet into the air and I thought that looked great.  I said hold that and it turned out to be one of her family's favorite shots of the morning.  I may never have thought of it on my own, so creativity of the person in front of the lens is also very important.

Just before the ceremony starts in St. Paul Catholic Church Tampa Florida first communion photography - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/8 ISO 200 1/60th - Strobist: SB-800 in brolly & SB-600 in shoot-through-umbrellaThere was not much time to shoot inside the church itself, so I quickly carried in my lights and tried to frame the best shot I could.  After this solo one of Juliana, a few family members joined her before we got the sign to wrap it up!

Speaking in front of the whole church Juliana was calm and articulate - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/4 ISO 1000 1/100th on monopodDuring the first communion ceremony I was not allowed to use flash or move around at all.  So I sat in a pew on the other side of the church, cranked up the ISO, put my Nikon on a monopod for extra stability (and to absorb the weight during the hour I was sitting) and looked for candid photograph opportunities.  To my surprise the priest asked Juliana to get up in front of the whole church (several hundred people) and give a little talk!  She did not know she would be talking either, but did great.  I was impressed with her answers and articulate responses.

Mother & daughter share a warm embrace after her first communion ceremony in Tampa Florida - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/9 ISO 200 1/250th SB-800 hotshoe mountedAfter the ceremony there was a celebration at a restaurant.  I followed them to the second location where it was time for a few warm embraces and then cake!

Deep in thought on her first communion at St. Paul Catholic Church Tampa Florida - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/7.1 ISO 200 1/125th - Strobist: SB-800 in brolly & SB-600 in shoot-through-umbrellaI always like to make a photograph of someone thinking, especially on important occasions such that 20 years from now when they look at the photo again they may remember what they were thinking, thus giving the photograph extra meaning only to them.

TNTP Fishman Prize Winner 2014 Ruskin Florida Event Photography

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Kelly Zunkiewicz wins the 2014 Fishman Prize from TNTP at Lennard High School in Ruskin Florida Event Photography - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 @ 1/4 power hotshoe mounted

It was a very early start to the week for me this morning as I was to be in Ruskin to photograph an award presentation for a high school teacher at 8am!  Kelly Zunkiewicz is a high school calculus teacher at Lennard High School in Ruskin, Florida.  She won the Fishman Prize presented by TNTP which brings with it much, much more than the trophy and framed letter you see above, it also brings $25,000!!!

A very happy Kelly Zunkiewicz receives the Fishman Prize at Lennard High School in Ruskin Florida Event Photography - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 @ 1/4 power hotshoe mountedOnly four teachers in the country win the prize so it is a great and prestigious honor.  Kelly did not know she had won until a parade of people entered her 8am calculus class and then it was all smiles after that.

Kelly teaches calculus at Lennard High School in Ruskin, Florida - Nikon D80 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/4 ISO 400 1/100th SB-600 @ 1/4 power hotshoe mountedI wonder if I had a teacher like Kelly would my own high school precalculus grade have been better??  My high school math classroom experiences began in summer school algebra (before I even started the 9th grade) with a bunch of seniors who needed to pass the class in order to still graduate.  That was a very fun summer school class!  However, finishing with pre-calculus in 12th grade things were much, much less fun.

A kiss from dad for winning the Fishman Prize and getting $25,000!!! - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 @ 1/4 power hotshoe mountedKelly receives a kiss from dad who no doubt must be very proud of her.  The same for mom on the right.

Fishman Prize winner Kelly gets a congratulatory hug at Lennard High School in Ruskin, Florida - Nikon D80 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/4 ISO 400 1/100th SB-600 @ 1/4 power hotshoe mountedOne last hug as we all leave her classroom and things return to normal at Lennard High School.

Crown Audi Clearwater Audi A3 Premiere Event April 2014

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Crown Audi A3 premiere event in Clearwater Florida - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 5-exposure HDROn a sunny evening in Clearwater, Florida, I got to combine two of my favorite types of photography, car photography and event photography while photographing the premiere event for the Audi A3 at Crown Audi of Clearwater.  I got on site at 6pm, with still plenty of light inside the greenhouse like showroom of Crown Audi to try both HDR and natural light event shots like the one above.

Audi A3 premiere event in Clearwater Crown Audi - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 640 1/60th SB-800 hotshoe mounted

There was also a loft walkway surrounding one side of the Crown Audi showroom that allowed me to get this bird's eye view of the Audi A3 premiere event.  Providing maximum variety of shots is one of my goals when photographing an event.  It is rare to be able to get a high view of an event, but it adds a very different perspective. 

Audi A3 Cabriolet at sunset at Crown Audi in Clearwater - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/4 ISO 200 1/250th SB-800 hotshoe mountedAs sunset time approached, I took the opportunity to try and frame some creative sun backlit shots using the covered driveway and an Audi A3 Cabriolet.  

Catching the sun behind an Audi at Crown Audi Clearwater - Nikon D300 Nikkor 80-200mm @ f/4 ISO 200 1/250th SB-800 hotshoe mountedBy regularly checking inside and outside the Crown Audi showroom building looking for shots, I maximized getting the best light for both indoor and outdoor areas.  Of course once the sun went down, I focused on the indoor shots more.

Crown Audi employees having fun at the Audi A3 premiere event in Clearwater Florida - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/100th SB-800 hotshoe mountedI realized quickly that the Crown Audi staff really like each other and really like to have a good time at their events!

Attending the Audi A3 premiere event at Crown Audi Clearwater Florida - Nikon D300 Nikkor 50mm @ f/2.8 ISO 800 1/100thOnce it got dark, the lights were lowered inside the showroom as well, with lots of red ambient lighting.  I took the opportunity to turn my flash off and feature the glowing red background light for this client shot.

The staff of Crown Audi in Clearwater Florida at the Audi A3 premiere event - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/4 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 hotshoe mounted

The last shot of the evening after all clients and potential buyers had left, was this group shot of the Crown Audi staff.  I had a very good time photographing this event and look forward to the next Audi model premiere!

St. Petersburg Grand Prix Gala 2014 featuring Maserati Ghibli & Ferrari

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The 2014 St. Petersburg Grand Prix Gala featuring a Ferrari F430 and a Ferrari 458 Italia - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 5-exposure HDRLast Friday evening was my second year in a row receiving a media pass to the 2014 St. Petersburg Grand Prix Gala.  I got to see a number of interesting cars last year, including Lexus LFA #406.  This year, there was only one car I had not seen before, the Maserati Ghibli.  

Mingling among supercars at the 2014 St. Pete Grand Prix Gala - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 5-exposure HDRMaybe it was because I got there just as the event started at 7pm, but it seemed to be a bit of a low key affair this time.  Then again I only go to be able to see supercars, so having not that many people around when I was shooting is a plus.  

Guests of the 2014 St. Petersburg Grand Prix Gala with a racecar - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 5-exposure HDRWhen photographing the same event as years past, I try to find shots I did not before.  This year I went up to the open second floor to make photographs from a bird's eye view of the gala.  I am not sure why this never occurred to me last year.  

I have seen this Ferrari 458 Spider many times before - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 5-exposure HDRContributing to the smaller feel to the gala this year also was that there were only three cars outside.  Last year I got to make one of my favorite images of the year, framing a row of cars with the open scissor door of a Ford GT supercar.  At least the lack of cars let me photograph the above Ferrari 458 Spider from a couple of angles, which I will feature in a future post.  However, I already saw this particular Ferrari last year and actually see it regularly driving around my neighborhood.  Is it possible for a Ferrari to become commonplace in my mind??

The stunning Maserati Ghibli at the 2014 St. Pete Grand Prix - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 5-exposure HDRThe best part of this year's gala for me, by far, was getting to see the Maserati Ghibli in person.  Immediately I thought this is a stunning car and the best looking sedan I have ever seen.  The Ghiblie previous to this was not a car I thought about much or daydreamed about.  That all changed after seeing this beautiful metallic gray Ghibli seemingly waiting for me to just come and photograph it, if not drive home with it!

Tampa Litigation Department Awards 2014 Daily Business Review

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Gray Robinson Law Firm with their Editor's Choice Award - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 @ 1/2 power hotshoe mountedWeaving around rush hour Tampa Bay traffic as best I could I made my way to The Westin Tampa Harbour Island ballroom to photograph the Daily Business Review Tampa Litigation Department Awards for 2014.  Four awards were handed out, including the Editor's Choice award above to the Gray Robinson firm.  I really like these kinds of events because it allows me inside a world I never would normally encounter.  

Holding hands in anticipation at 2014 Litigation Department Awards Tampa - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 @ 1/2 power hotshoe mountedEven though the winners were known before the event, as you can see, there was still a bit of anticipation waiting for the formal announcement and acceptance of the awards.  

Accepting an award at 2014 Tampa Litigation Department Awards - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 @ 1/2 power hotshoe mountedI had actually heard of a couple of the law firms due to their prominent TV ads.  I did not mention to anyone though that their name recognition strategy was a success to someone like me who never even needed litigation services.  

Having a laugh at the Tampa Litigation Awards 2014 - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/5.6 ISO 800 1/60th SB-800 @ 1/2 power hotshoe mountedIt was a somewhat intimate event held in a ballroom away from the other parts of the hotel so that it seemed like we were the only ones in this huge place.  I was allowed to help myself to the buffet tables and to my surprise they had quite good vegetarian choices.  I ate enough spring rolls and mac & cheese poppers to count as my dinner.  I felt a little guilty though so I did two P90X3 workouts this morning as I normally do not eat such high calorie foods!

duPont Concours d'Elegance St. Petersburg Florida 2014 Car Event Photography

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Dressing to match your classic car at duPont Concours d'Elegance St. Petersburg Florida 2014 - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 1/125thThanks to a future car photography client, I had the opportunity to literally hitch a ride in his BMW into the duPont Concours d'Elegance in St. Petersburg, Florida.  This 2014 show was in cooperation with the Museum of Fine Arts set in North Straub Park.  Things started out very overcast, as has been the case many winter mornings this year, but after 9:30am the sun did break through and I of course had my camera with me.  I asked the couple above if I could photograph them as they had dressed up to match the era of their car.  They are in the classic car restoration business.  Visit their website for more info.

A Ferrari California 30 at duPont Concours d'Elegance St. Petersburg Florida - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 7-exposure HDR tripod mounted with cable releaseFerrari of Tampa Bay brought three cars, including the F12berlinetta, which will be featured in its own post.  Above is the latest Ferrari California 30, upgraded with more horsepower and a new suspension from the original model of a few years ago.  It is for sale!

1957 Buick Caballero at duPont Concours d'Elegance St. Petersburg Florida - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 7-exposure HDR tripod mounted with cable releaseI talked for a while with the interesting owner of this very interesting 1957 Buick Caballera station wagon.  He had original ads from the 50s showing that side view mirrors were only options back then!  As you can see, this car has no side mirrors.  If you can believe it, seatbelts were options too!  This car does not have that option either.  So with no seatbelts and bench seats front and back, you can have the fun of your sweetheart sliding into you around fast turns.  

Classic BMWs at duPont Concours d'Elegance St. Petersburg Florida - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm @ f/11 ISO 200 7-exposure HDR tripod mounted with cable releaseI arrived in the white BMW 2002 pictured above, but only was in it for one block.  Both BMWs are owned by a future client so I am hoping to have featured shoots of both of these cars coming up soon to share.  There will be subsequent posts featuring specific cars from this car show, including my current favorite of them all, the Aston Martin Vanquish.  

40th Birthday Party with football & casino themes in Wesley Chapel Florida

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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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