Portraits: Baby Beluga

Life has been keeping me quite busy, and unfortunately I haven't had much time to photograph little Lex. However, as I am in the habit of doing, I like to think about lighting scenarios and where I should shoot even when I am not actually photographing anything.

Generally for portraiture studio setups are nice and reliable, but there is something about natural light that I love. Baby photography is also an incredible test of patience, and so I salute all the baby photographers out there!

 

Being a dad is quite an interesting experience. I like it a lot more than I thought I would. When I am greeted by this smile in the morning, it really is very difficult to leave for work. Or maybe he is smiling because I am leaving. I'll have to ask him in a year or so.

This is my favorite shot from this set. Smiles are nice and all, but there is something about a person with a pensive look (imaginary or real) that I enjoy. The contrast between the semi-serious face and the unmanageable Alfalfa sprouts of hair always makes me chuckle. 

I got a brief look at Le Tigre. It is a fierce look Lex uses for catalogs and footwear sometimes. I am starting to wonder if I can even handle Magnum. It always amazes me how different children look when you pose them in a different way.

Lashes

When I look at my sleeping child, it gives me time to reflect on all the big changes in my life. While I may not be in control and have very little sense of where all this is headed, I am happy. I realize that my love for my son is really just an extension of my love for my wife. I love seeing features on him that without a doubt are from my wife's side of the gene pool. And I love him more for it.

Wedding: Jen & Matt

I recently had the pleasure of second shooting for my friend Inhar Chong.

It is always good to shoot with friends, and the freedom to exclusively take photojournalistic shots is always a fun way to capture an event.

Warming up for the big show

Go time

No more pictures!

Two Roads Diverged in a Wood

[Dueling Pianos]

I enjoy second shooting for my professional photographer friends, because it is an exercise that provides lots of leeway for creativity. As a primary shooter, not all the shots you have to take are the stuff dreams are made of, but that is one reason why the lead photographer cashes the check. Financial considerations aside, second shooting is generally much more interesting and stimulating. Since every photographer has their own approach and methods, I also enjoy observing people do their thing. It helps a lot if you like the people you are shooting with too.

My brief stint as Mr. Mom ends tomorrow, and so I feel that it is an appropriate time to take account of the photographer I am today as opposed to the photographer I was when I started down this expensive but rewarding path.

My new iMac is the latest addition to my ever-growing inventory of gear and toys. I love it, but I suspect I will miss my PC the way I miss my old Nikon gear once in a while. I don't think better gear makes anyone a better photographer, but technology is good. I liken nice gear to a wider variety of crayons and a larger sheet of paper. So if you couldn't draw with your little set of primary colors, you're probably not going to be able to do that much more with the deluxe set, just more megapixels of the same crap. I remember shooting my first DSLR (Nikon D50) and loving every minute of it. There was a lot of trial and error in those days, but my love of photography was pure. I am still just as passionate about photography, but I sometimes miss those old days. Sure I was confused, but I was pretty happy to be in a constant state of learning.

With the addition of the little guy in my life, personal time has become a very scarce commodity. Working full-time again in an office that feels like the Italian version of Mad Men (more on this another time) will surely cut down my current levels of dwindling freedom. I am not one to put my dreams on hold, but there is just no way to pursue my passions with the same type of energy and devotion as I did pre-baby. However, I see where I want to go and have a vaguely defined idea of how to get there. I will just continue chopping through the forest whenever I can. I don't mind. I like taking detours. Life is pretty much one long detour. A straight line may be the most efficient way of getting from point A to B, but it is surely the least interesting. I want to see the rest of the alphabet. B can wait.

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So the 5DMII has HD video capability. Those features were rarely touched. However, I was recently inspired by a presentation given by Clay Blackmore's video guys, so I ventured out into the world of video. I hope you enjoy my little production: A New Life - a celebration of the birth of a child and the preparation for a new baby