In order to capture these special locations, we put together an inspiration portrait session with Adriene + Anthony, a fun-loving and easy-going couple that both are interested in modeling/acting.  They blended naturally with the camera and jumped into feeling comfortable behind the lens and with each other.  Thank you guys for sharing some fun with us and using these beautiful landscapes!

Go HEELS!

B + W

{Artist Series}

The arboretum at UNC looks more like a jungle here!  Rocking strong, Anthony!

Dream a little dream…

{Originals}

Snuggle moments

Duke’s Gothic pillars…

Right outside the Duke Chapel…just beautiful!

Anthony’s new profile pic

Sadie, you’re a beautiful gal with a strong head on your shoulders.  Best wishes to you as you go out and experience the world and continue your education in ministry.  Thanks for choosing us to capture this rite of passage in your life and may you look back at these from time to time and see the confident gal we see in these images!

Carpe Diem!

B + W

{Artist Series}

{Originals}

The worst happened and during our trip, Dizzy very rapidly went downhill and passed away.  Without Sharon’s dedication and love, the experience would have been extremely difficult (as it was, losing a pet you’ve spent 13 years with is tough enough!).  There’s not enough gratitude in the world that we can share to say thank you.  As a tribute and small token of thanks, we invited Sharon and her adorable 12 year Boston Terrier, Brodie, to do some formal portraits.

Sharon, you are a God-send and true friend.

Many, many thanks,

B + W

LOVE this – just wanna kiss his forehead.

These are the kind of shots where I wonder what Brodie is thinking….

Ultimate bliss – smothered with love!

Byron: “Brodie!  Brodie, over here”  Brodie: “huh?”

My grandfather was humble gentleman – a Jewish, American medical student in Germany from 1933 – 1938, a neurology psychiatrist that always put his patients first, the youngest of a family of seven children, a father that secretly gave treats and gifts to my mom and uncle, a quiet man that always had a punch line and a laugh when he did speak, a world traveler that found joy in life experiences, a hobbyist photographer that traded his old Leica for his first car, a lover of the arts and humanity that spread through to me.

He was a man that was well loved.

Man I have good genes….

Wendy Roe

My 93 year old grandmother – Ruth Drobnes

A stream of supporters and welcome hugs…

…and many introductions to the family.

My uncle, Bill, known for his emotions flowing, did a great job!

My mom highlighting stories, world trips and sharing fond memories of her father for those that didn’t know him as well.

My grandmother won’t like this shot…but I love her staring off as my mom reads her stories.

A tear here and there….

My grandfather’s long time, 30 year work partner at the VA hospital giving a beautiful toast.

We had some fun chasing Micah (the little guy) and their black lab around the Old Mill during a day with a spectacular sunset.  Although there are lots of posed shots of the family; we decided to showcase the spontaneous ones – cause that’s how we roll.  Our total favs, and what made Micah giggle the most, was when Max was pushing him up in the air.  Truly, he was beaming from cheek to cheek.  See for yourself!

Thanks Max + Dory and Happy Holidays!

B + W

Micah having a BALL!

The water reflecting the sunset sets off these beautifully…

Peek-A-BOO!

Love it – hopefully an image Micah will cherish as he gets older.

Chill-lax-’in

Love the texture and this intimate moment – father and son.

Having fun with everyone on this natural jungle gym!

Ahhhh, C-U-T-I-E.

Love the shadow and the warm light from the sunset…

Micah says, “You want me to do what?”

Yup, my parents rock it, can’t ya tell?

Going down, going down….saved at the last moment

Like father, like son.

What can I say about Zoe, other than she freakin’ rocks!  Poor girl has a torn PCL, on crutches, in a dress and it’s 45 degrees out and did we hear one little peep of complaint, NOPE!  She had a spectacular smile and brought to the table ideas to include ‘something rustic.’  We’ve been wanting to do a full ’round-about-art’ series and so I thought, “Hey Zoe, are you shy?”  She said no, so we kicked off the series and brought her to the Butler Market roundabout right before rush hour.  Later, she got a text from a friend saying hi and she saw us having fun with the giant iron horse.  Nice

Thanks Zoe for being such a sport, you make our job seem easy.  Here’s some of our favs from the session – ENJOY!

B + W

PS: Lots more where this came from!

Simply Mar-va-lous…

Um yeah, eyes are un-retouched because they were so freakin’ brilliant

Playing with a fall-colored-vine wall downtown.  Zoe’s getting close to the leaves – one with nature kinda thing.

I love that horse!  Especially now that we’ve stopped and taken a real look.

Something about this one and can’t put my finger on it…

The brilliance of FALL.

“Rustic”

…back to brides in a little bit but we pause to bring you this adorable little cutie and her family for a special surprise to Brian (well sort of surprise!).

Thanks Melissa!

B + W

Getting ready, deciding what to wear…decisions, decisions.

Wipe that tear away little one!

Lucas playing in his sand pit

Melissa and the kids….surprise Brian!

My personal fav….CUTIE!

I look back on my senior pics and cringe (wayyyyy back in the day), so glad seniors are choosing pics to match themselves these days…

Cheers!

B + W

Young and fabulous – the hat adds it all!

This feels more like a painting with the myriad of color.

I would have again paid for the wind, it set off this peaceful setting.

Tashia bringing her intense modeling background (just kidding!)…she’s rockin’ it though!

LOVE, LOVE this photo…speaks of beauty, innocence, strength and maturity all in one.

This whole series (the above is just one sample) is my fav.  FUN!

Stylin’ it up below ‘Salon Envy.’

Dramatic lighting, strong expression….WOW, Tashia you’re awesome.

42 years, incredible, it went so fast.  I can remember our wedding like it was yesterday – all my dreams came true that day.  So many wonderful happenings in 42 years.  Two wonderful sons, vacations, work, sailing, skiing, tennis, motorcross, great music and so much more.

I start voicing a thought and you finish it.  We sometimes think about the same thing at the same time.  Your smile and the twinkle in your eyes makes my heart beat faster because I know they are just for me.  You are so caring and tender, you make me feel safe and loved.

My favorite poem says it all -

How do I love thee,
I love thee to the depth,
and breath and height my soul can reach.

Grow old with me my dear, the best is yet to come.

All my love, now and forever,
Ninfi

Mom and Dad,

You both are our biggest fans and ultimate role models.  It’s a constant reminder of what can be possible when you wake up and choose love every day of your marriage.  We can only hope to attain the joy and happiness you both live everyday after 40 more years!  Thank you for so openly sharing your love with everyone around you, you probably have no idea how deep of an impact you make in us and others that admire from afar.

Even during this session (your first ‘real’ professional photography session!), you couldn’t keep your hands off each other and a tear was seen here and there.  That’s pure love.

Here’s a gift to your anniversary and to many, many healthy and happy years together.

All our love,

B + W

Love is a beautiful thing at any age….

Can I just say the flowers were full on AMAZING.

Now that’s one HANDSOME man!

Mom with one of her endless giggles, she’s constantly smiling.

One of our favs – do share the secret to your success?!

Ok, luckily it wasn’t that bad today as I really felt like I hit the ground running in the right direction as opposed to feeling like I had two left feet, or something to that effect.  Today, Joe showed us how he’d light a group of people and much, much more.  The shooting felt more (read way freakin’ more) synergistic as I was able to process all the information from yesterday and make it happen.

With 15 people in the workshop, we split into three’s and, well I have to say I’m now really spoiled after having two assistants working for me when I shot…..back to reality Byron.  Actually, my hot wife is my assistant so that’s way better than two any day…..right hun?  I got to work with Steven (dancer) again and the beautiful Kyli and we had a great time.  Really trying to push it with Steven in an area with some tagging on the wall.  During those last shots I really began to feel like I was in control of my light.  Ok, here’s some images from today, (again, unprocessed) and I’ll start dumping some info I learned on you in the next few days.
Cheers.

UPDATE: Top 10 takeaways from this weekend:

1. On Nikon bodies with the pop up flash, using the CLS (creative lighting system) is super easy but has limits mainly with other flashes being triggered by the pre-flash of the small pop up. Use a SB800 or 900 as the commander, point it straight up and put the diffuser on. The pre-flash signal is WAY stronger and 9 out a 10 it’ll trigger. Also, using the SB800-900 as a commander allows for adjustments with 3 groups of flashes and the pop-up only allows for two, providing you with an added level of control.

2. When shooting profile shots, position the flash at about 45 degrees in front of and BEHIND the persons face (the flash will be facing more towards the camera). This way the light will gently wrap around the subjects face and prevent the background from collecting unwanted light.

3. Great use of a Think Tank CF card holder: Cut the middle seam which initially separates them into two CF holders and presto, great holders for all your gels!

4. Wana light up a city block? Gel your car headlights and watch out!

5. Paint poles with male stud (for attaching softboxes, etc) can be used just as well as monopods for creating the “light on the stick”. In fact, these poles will be for the most part much longer and a bit more versatile (but a little less collapsable.

6. Any time your camera goes into High Speed Sync mode, (any time your shooting with flash and using a shutter speed of 1/250 or greater) remember this will draw lots of power away from your flash and you may need to either double up flashes to get what’s needed. Trying to overpower the sun is hard!

7. After you have accessed the location (light and background wise) and have a concept, place your subject in the frame where you want them and take a few test shots using AP (Aperture Priority) to determine what the ambient light is doing (looking for hot spots, etc.) and then build your flashes in from there.

8. Reflectors below the chin can light up peoples eyes. Or throw the reflector on the ground-just play around to see what you can get!

9. When changing auto compensation while using flash, this affects flash power when in TTL. Switch over to manual on the commander rather than using TTL to lock in the flash power.

10. New ideas can come from mistakes in prior frames you shoot. Maybe one of the faces you blurred gives you an idea. Don’t be afraid to just shoot and see what’s happening!

Review: Day 1 Portland, OR Joe McNally Photography Workshop

Best looking guys in the class!  Thanks Joe.

Below:  Behind the Scenes – a jungle of lights

The mind reels………….hey, by the way check out all the flashes on that light stand.