Portrait

Hebert Family Candid Florida Beach Portraits in Black & White

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Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens @ f/8 ISO 200 1/320th Strobist: Nikon SB-800 Speedlight 1/2 power on light stand

A majority of my photography jobs lately have taken place in the evening outside (or in "the environment" in photographer terms).  This has coincided exactly with the start of the subtropical thunderstorm patterns of west central Florida.  Thus, on top of all the other things I have on my mind as a photographer, nowadays the weather has become almost the dominant thought.  For my own shooting style, I do like the drama and dynamism a storm can bring to a photograph's background.  So artistically, I am very ok with them.  However, the logistics can get quite intense knowing when to continue a shoot, and when to run for cover!

Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/8 ISO 400 1/320th Strobist: Nikon SB-800 Speedlight handheld off camera 1/2 power

As long as I am able to start shooting 30 minutes before the rain arrives, I have a very good sense for avoiding the rain.  Having lived in Florida since I was a boy, and spending most of that time outside, knowing if a storm on the horizon will pass or punish is an acquired skill.  With the Hebert family, we were at the far south end of Sunset Beach as a southerly storm closed in quickly.  I used my fastest shooting methods possible.  Got the shots I wanted to, then got everyone on the boardwalk back toward our cars in order to take cover if necessary, and if not then drop off all gear but what I can handhold and go back on the beach for a few final pre-storm shots.

Nikon D80 Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8 @ f/4 ISO 500 natural lightWell, everything was timed perfectly as I was able to get all the shots the Hebert family requested and all the shots I personally wanted as well.  With all gear safely in the back of the Lexus and my drive away song queued, the rain fell.  Skills. 

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    • The Kiss - Florida Beach Sunset Wedding

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    Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/8 ISO 400 1/200th strobist: SB-600 on light stand 1/2 power radio triggeredTherese and Mark chose Florida as their location to wed on a quiet weekday evening.  It is always semi-fascinating to me what is important to some people, has totally no meaning to others.  Of the people on the beach that Wednesday, too most it was just another great Florida sunset.  Perhaps to some it was the final day of their hard earned Florida vacation.  To Mark and Therese is was their wedding day.  That fact that this divergence exists causes some fascination to me.  What really is important?  What really matters?  

    Father's Day Photography Promotion for Tampa Clearwater St Petersburg

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    Candid Father's Day Promotion for Tampa Clearwater St Petersburg Florida

    Jason Collin Photography is offering a Father's Day Photography Promotion because we want to be a part of giving fathers in the Tampa Bay area a gift they will love this Father's Day and everyone one after that.  Ties, golf balls, a gift card?  Those are tired Father's Day presents.  Make your dad smile this Father's Day and reserve a Candid Father's Day Photography package today!

    Admiral Farragut Class of 2010 Graduation Portraits

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    Admiral Farragut Graduation Dinner 2010 by Jason Collin Photography

    Welcome 2010 graduating class of Admiral Farragut Academy and the family and friends of the seniors.  Available now are the portraits that were taken in the lobby as well as a few candids before the dinner began in the ballroom.  Digital copies may be downloaded in full resolution from the gallery link below.  Prints may be ordered from the same link as well, which will be made by a professional printing lab on your choice of three different professional papers.  Thank you!

    ADMIRAL FARRAGUT ACADEMY PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY FOR DOWNLOADS & PRINTS

    Jason Collin Photography is both honored and sustained by your referral of family and friends.  

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    Focus on someone unique

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    Nikon D300 Nikkor AF ED 80-200mm f/2.8D @ f/4 ISO 200 1/800th strobist: SB-600 off camera to left on light stand 1/2 powerWhen I photograph a wedding, an event or sometimes even a multi-person candid portrait session, someone in particular usually catches my eye.  This person often times is just a guest or not the focus of the event.  However, I make them a focus because I like their look or personality, or both.  Why do I do this?  Because I am always looking for a shoot within a shoot.  Just because I was hired to deliver a certain type of photograph(s), does not mean the client may not also be pleased with something else. 

    I read about a photographer earlier today on the Nikon Learn & Explore app for iPhone (cannot name him because lost his page due to poor app build, iPhone flaw, or who knows, it's a frustrating device to me) who quit commercial photography because for that type of job a great client is required to make a great photograph.  He would be given an assignment, but in the field realize that it would not work and then would come up with something on his own.  

    He also never planned what he was going out to shoot for his own personal shooting, the opposite of what you usually here photography instructors say to do.  I have even advised my own students to go out with a focus for each shoot, although I, myself, do not always follow my own advice.

    Back to why I focus on a particular person over the course of an event or wedding . . . it also adds an extra element of fun for me, almost kind of a game.  For a New Year's Eve shoot I photographed the same woman four times, to her surprise, over the course of two hours.  She could not believe I was able to sneak in and get a shot of her again without her noticing.  Made her and I smile each time.  This broke up the routine of trying to photograph each and every guest in attendance.  It added a bit of a game for me to play, a shoot within a shoot.

    The woman in the above photograph was the sister of the groom.  I was immediately drawn to her because of her cool hairstyle.  She was also a little shy which only encourages me to try and photograph a person more!  She got extra volume in her curls for this shot because the wind was blowing behind her.  

    The bride was still not ready, so there was extra time for this type of fun shot that put me in an even better mood and no doubt helped me be a better photographer for the actual photographs I was hired to take.

    Florida Beach Sunset & Twilight Wedding Children

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    Making time for the flower girls - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/8 ISO 640 1/320th strobist: SB-600 off camera to left 1/2 power

    I had the chance to be a second shooter for a wedding recently, which to me is one of the most fun gigs in photography.  Minimal pressure & responsibility, but maximum opportunity to get creative or at least unusual shots.  While the main photographer worked with the bride and groom, I was able to focus on the children in the wedding party during sunset and twilight.  I corralled the two flowers girls, who were frolicking on the shoreline, just long enough to make this sunset portrait.  The older flower girl just instinctively held the younger flower girl like that.  All I had to do was make sure my strobist setup was aligned correctly and try to get the horizon straight (whoops).  That is always a challenge as people standing up straight are almost never perpendicular to the horizon.  This time I chose a slightly crooked horizon in exchange for flower girls with perfect posture.

    Representing multiple generations - Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/5.6 ISO 400 1/320th strobist: SB-600 off camera to left full power

    The woman above is holding her granddaughter.  I purposefully wanted to try my best to make as good a portrait of her as I could . . . because she told me earlier either another photographer or just someone told her that she did not look good in photographs.  That made me feel ill that someone would do that, especially if it was a photographer!  I made a point to prove that person wrong, which I think I was successful at with the above portrait.  I showed it to the woman right after saying, "see, you look great in this photo."  She thanked me and I could see in her eyes she was surprised herself.  It was a very satisfying feeling for me.  

    I helped the woman get over her self doubt by having her hold her granddaughter for a portrait, much better than trying to make a good portrait of her on her own.  I am sure just holding her granddaughter puts her in a more relaxed, loving mood.  Add to that a beautiful Florida twilight sky, and boom, a photograph that will be valued by both photographer and subject.  

    standing perilously on a jetty! Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/5.6 ISO 400 1/100th strobist: SB-600 off camera to left full powerThe above flower girl was obviously a very easy subject to make a great portrait from.  She was standing, rather balancing, on some jetties when I brought my light stand over to use the now inky twilight sky as a background against her white dress.  It was a rare opportunity for me to photograph a child so far after sunset.  Flower girls are usually drenched in sunlight in photographs, or under the lights of a church.  I wanted to add a sense of mystery to a flower girl portrait.  This shot and all the others would not be possible for me to take being the primary or lone wedding photographer for a sunset wedding.  I was glad to have the opportunity this time.

    Three young sisters candid portraits in Vinoy Park

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    Big sister hugs everyone in Vinoy Park for their candid portrait session

    When Carter, Maggie and Abigail stepped out of their family's van, I was immediately impressed with their fancy dresses and knew that our candid portrait session would be a stylish one.  I donated a candid photography package to a friend's charity auction last month, and the girls' family were the winners.  

    Maggie at age four was surprisingly articulate, often asking interesting questions about houseboats, manatees and the cleanliness of Tampa Bay.  Carter seemed to be quite energetic and expressive (see below).  Abigail, being only one year old, seemed good with everything happening.

    Carter showing off her great sense of balanceThe large jacaranda tree beside the Museum of Fine Arts in downtown St. Petersburg seems quite picturesque and to be a great place for portraits, but in my experience I find it to be quite tricky to make a good portrait near.  This time I focused just on one of its huge roots for the most part.  I have been wanting to make portraits lately with the subjects arms up in the air, and if possible leg in the air too.  Carter (above) was able to make my vision come true the best of anyone recently. 

    Maggie was actually doing this standing on just one leg, skillsIt was Maggie's turn for her solo shots next and she had no trouble balancing on the tree root as well.  It seemed like Maggie is a natural ballerina in the making.  Hopefully, she can see a manatee soon as we were unlucky this time and saw none around Vinoy Park.

    Baby Abigail did not get up on the root, but shows off her balancing skills nonetheless

    Having seen her two big sisters have their root time, Abigail was ready for her moment.  She did very well delicately touching the root and still managing to smile at the lens.  Like many babies, she seemed a bit transfixed by the look of the Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G VR Micro lens.  Her dad did a great job in the background keeping her attention so I was able to take all the shots I wanted without Abigail's attention going elsewhere, not that it would!

    One of Carter's numerous unique smiles she displayed during our candid portrait sessionOldest sister Carter was the only one willing to brave a perch upon the higher branches of the jacaranda tree.  I cannot say this is the first portrait of this kind I have made.  If you browse through my portrait portfolio, you will see at least two other ladies like this eyes crossed smile as well!

    It was a fun time for me and I hope to some day get to photograph the sisters again.