skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Before each shoot, I'll pull out a piece of paper and scribble down some inspirations for images. Poses. Compositions. Loose sketches to warm up the noggin and start thinking through a lens. A handful of these ideas will come to fruition during the shoot, but the spontaneity of a session is always king, and it's best to let that energy lead you where it may. This is especially true when photographing the little ones. Preconceived poses? Hah! Tots call the shots. Child runs on sand, I follow. Child runs in water, I follow, too. And while I might be able to negotiate a pause or pose here and there, embracing the unanticipated is what makes these outdoor children's sessions so rewarding.
I met two-year old "C" and her parents at Malaga Cove, Palos Verdes. A short hike down the hill brings you to this cozy nook of a beach, which opens up to an expanse of tidal pools and first class seats to a California sunset. "C" was mesmerized by the ocean, and this session would make for the second time I would return home from a beach shoot with water-logged shoes -- no regrets, but I better start bringing flippers! After some play time on the sand, we graduated to the grassy bluffs above the beach to enjoy the last pinch of sun before it dozed away.
The coming months are going to peppered with engagements and weddings -- including one up in San Francisco in May -- so a big thanks to "C" and family for letting me change gears here and spend the afternoon with you!
I love shooting in rural settings. Well, as rural as L.A. will allow for.
Rural as in meandering, withered fences. Fresh wildflowers harmonizing with the layered growth of seasons gone by. The fine layer of earthy particulate cast in the air. Combined with the warm raking light of late day, it's hard to go wrong with this natural stage. Except maybe for the gnats. Could do without the gnats. And maybe the horse dung. "Isn't it romantic?" I remarked at sight of the equestrian prize splat across our trail. We laughed and marched on... Doral and Justin embracing the potential of this place with a smile and no reservations.
Will Rogers State Historic Park, Pacific Palisades was our playground for the afternoon. Doral and Justin humored my attempts at park ranger, and we ascended a few of the trails to see what lay yonder. There's some amazing nooks to be found in these hills, and just shy of an out-of-breath hike, you can already feel as though you've escaped the big city and happened upon something simpler and special.
And as the sun retired behind the mountains, we chased its fading light to sea level and captured some final moments against the backdrop of a beautifully fiery sky. Considering all the fun we had, it's going to be a real treat reuniting with these two come their wedding in April. Doral was the maid-of-honor at one of the first weddings I photographed, so it's a real privilege to be invited back for her own day with Justin. See you both soon!
