When it comes to celebrating their wedding anniversary, every married couple has unique ways of expressing their love. Girish and Kiran, a delightful couple I had the pleasure of photographing before, decided to commemorate their special day with an enchanting outdoor shoot. Their choice to book a follow-up session speaks volumes about their trust in my skills as a photographer and the quality of work I deliver.
"Remembering Taylor: The Lasting Power of Photography in Honoring a Life Cut Short"
As a photographer, I had the privilege of capturing Taylor's passion for snowboarding in his senior photos. He was eager to have his snowboard as a part of the shoot, and I suggested we head to the graffiti art district of RiNo to add some excitement to the session. Little did we know, this would be the last professional photos he would ever take.
Just ten months after our photo shoot, Taylor was getting ready to start college at Idaho State University, where he would study computer science. I was excited to hear about his future plans, but fate had other plans. Days before he was to leave for college he collapsed, and after several tests, he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer that is known to be aggressive. The prognosis was not good, and despite multiple surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments, Taylor passed away surrounded by his loved ones.
As a photographer, I often reflect on the value of a photo. It captures a moment in time that can never be replicated, and in Taylor's case, those photos will forever serve as a reminder of his passion for snowboarding and his bright future ahead.
"The Lasting Importance of Senior Portraits: A Photographer's Perspective"
As a photographer who specializes in photographing high school seniors, I can tell you that there's nothing quite as rewarding as capturing the moment when they're about to leave home and embark on the next phase of their lives. For many of these young adults, these images will be the last professional photographs they take before starting their adult journey.
Of course, outdoor photography comes with its own set of challenges. There are so many things to consider before you can even push the shutter button: where to shoot, the time of day, weather conditions like wind or clouds, and many other factors. But when everything comes together just right, the results can be truly stunning.
Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing a charming high school senior for her senior portraits. Before we began, she was pampered in our studio with a full model experience that included perfect hair and makeup. Her parents have a fascinating backstory: her mother is a stunning Russian immigrant, while her father is a second-generation Coloradan who bears a striking resemblance to George Clooney. As I captured her stunning blue eyes, I couldn't help but wonder if they came from her mother's side of the family. (Fun fact: she was recently accepted into Brown University!)
For her senior photo session, she brought along her boyfriend, and I couldn't resist taking a few shots of the happy couple. They made such a cute pair, and it was clear that they were truly in love.
In the end, the young lady's parents purchased a foliobox plus an image of the happy couple. It was such a joy to be a part of their special moment, and I know that these photographs will be treasured for many years to come.
"Capturing Life's Joy: Celebrating Personality and Culture in Outdoor Photography"
This was one of my earliest professional photoshoots. Adele, a 43-year-old single woman originally from Shanghai, wanted outdoor pictures for her social media profile. As a result, I wanted to capture not just good profile shots, but also her personality. To achieve that, I had Adele hold her hands out and smile joyfully, while my assistant threw leaves, as if she was celebrating life. The location was chosen specifically for its red background, which is a color highly regarded in China, and complements Adele's brunette hair nicely. To this day, this photo remains one of my favorites from the photoshoot.