A Fall Portrait Weekend in Georgia

With our slate full with portrait sessions this past weekend, we could not have asked for better weather! I am an outdoor person. I love all of the seasons and if I am inside, Lisa can tell you that I have to be by a window and thinking of being outside. So, after one of the wettest Octobers in history, I welcomed the clear, dry days of last week.

On Friday, we met the Joneses at the state park for a portrait session with their three children. Moving around the park, we used the stone work, rocks, and trees. The kids climbed all around and were very cooperative, but I think it all came together when we went to the lake area.

Saturday morning found me in Hampton, Ga. shooting fall baseball teams. It was fun to shoot some local teams. I love photographing sports and these little guys are always happy and full of energy.

Later on Saturday, I met Douglas on the square for his senior shoot. This young man impressed me. He knew what he wanted in a portrait session. In talking with him, everything about him exuded in confidence. We started the session on some park benches in the square area. Then we found an old loading dock where the weren't many distractions and let Douglas' true character shine through.

Sunday afternoon, we had a family portrait session with the Pugh family in Piedmont Park in Atlanta. The great weather brought the city dwellers to the park! I counted eight other photographers working there, also. At one time we all were vying for the same ivy covered wall. Quite humerous that we were all in a few yards of each other in the huge park.

As I compose this blog entry I think of the all the nice people I met and photographed this past week. Also, I think about the challenges of clear skies and how to use the sunlight to light the portraits during the different times day. I welcome challenges in photography for they hold the lessons. Never stop learning and growing whatever your occupation.

As I peer out my window, I can see the rain gauge overfilled. Five inches of rain from a tropical storm in the last two days, but, oh, what a wonderful weekend in Georgia we had!

Randy

When There is Love

Outdoor location photography is special, but it can be very challenging. The flowers are not always blooming, the grass is not always green, and the trees are sometimes just bare. Not to mention the temperature and the wind can blow the hair to no end. But through all of this, nothing seems to matter when there is love.

This was the case this week when I met Tiffany and Salvatore at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. On the drive into the city, I heard the radio saying it was 33 degrees with a 16 degree windchill. I had my doubts about getting this session in let alone even having a meeting.

But when we met, they were full of smiles and eager to go. As we discussed their wedding plans, I knew we had to work quickly, but I also I wanted them to be relaxed. I saw how the sun backlit their hair and I simply asked them to kiss. This was my first frame of the day and I knew this was going to be fun!

This was all taking place while construction workers jackhammered the concrete and ran the leafblowers. Even the loud noises could not break the connection between client and photographer on this February afternoon.

I couldn't have a session in the city without some background buildings and they didn't complain about the walk further into the park.




















I had a wonderful time in the subpar conditions, thanks to two people with great attitudes. I am so looking forward to photographing their wedding. I love my job!

Randy