Ylioppilaskuvaus – Graduation Portraits In Finland

I have to admit, I love doing graduation portraits.  Having teens as subjects allows me to let loose and really have fun with a session.   But more importantly, it gives me a chance to introduce modern graduation portraits in a country still using a 60+ year old style for many session.  It’s time to shake up the teen portraits and really show the unique personality and character of the 21st century Finnish graduate!

I’m happy to play with both the old and the new: the traditional white and black graduation cap in a timeless Finnish setting.  In this case, a location in the lovely city of Kauniainen.

senior graduation portrait finland

Graduation portrait

Sunny graduation portrait

graduation portrait Finland

close up graduation portrait

graduation cap

 

Monday, May 9th, 2011   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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The Big Picture Workshop Series

One of my greatest pleasures is working with budding photographers to help them develop their talent and creativity.  Over the past 4 years, I’ve been invited around the world to teach natural light portrait photography – from Australia to America to Europe.

This Summer, I am pleased to announce two special workshops, the 29th and 30th that I’ve taught:

The Big Picture Workshop: Australia (click here for more information).  At the Surfers Paradise studio of Wild Spirit photography.  Limited to 15 only.   June 18th and 19th.  Note: only 1 seat left before it is sold out!

Surfers Paradise 2009

The Big Picture Workshop: Europe (click here for more information).  Limited to 10 only. July 17th and 18th at my studio in Helsinki, Finland.

Tapiola, Finland

 

Sunday, May 1st, 2011   Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Category: Lecture/Workshop   No Comments comments

The Cusp of Spring

Between the bits of melting snow, we can actually see ground again!  The warm Spring sun means that although there is the white stuff still on the ground, it is warm enough to bring out the Summer clothes.

Of course, with that much golden sun out there, I’m going to take advantage of it!  I love the glow and warmth from shooting out in that full sun.  It really exemplifies the beauty that is Spring and the emergence from a very long Winter!

spring sun full sun portrait outdoors finland

Full sun shoot outdoors in Espoo

Full sun shoot outdoors portrait in Espoo

Full sun shoot outdoors in Espoo Portrait

Full sun shoot outdoors in Finland

 

Saturday, April 30th, 2011   Tags: , , , , , , ,
Category: Personal   2 Comments comments

A Romantic Sunset Shoot

The weather is finally starting to warm up in Helsinki and I had a chance to shoot a lovely couple at the Seurasaari outdoor museum in Helsinki.

A little extra lighting helped really bring out the colors of the sky yet still retain the vibrant hues of the red in their formal wear.  We were serenaded by swans (one of which became a bit too enamored of us and had to be shoo’d away) and the occasional jogger (who we didn’t shoo off).   But in all, it was a lovely evening and perfect to really showcase the love and respect these two share.

couple shoot at downtown seurasaari helsinki

couple shoot at downtown seurasaari museum

Couple shoot at downtown Helsinki Seurasaari

 

Saturday, April 30th, 2011   Tags: , , , , , ,
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Revisiting the Little Red Theme

Before the snow melted this year, I really wanted to revisit a Little Red Riding Hood themed shoot.  Of course, I never want to be too literal and I want to always keep that bit of magic and mystery behind the fairy tales intact.

This was actually photographed alongside a road to a school in the middle of the City of Espoo.  These trees were wind barriers along the road but they were also interesting enough that I really wanted to shoot here.

red riding hood

 

Friday, April 15th, 2011   Tags: , , , ,
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Welcome Little One!

I am surprised that, unlike other countries in the world, in Finland newborns are rarely professionally photographed.  That age is one of the hardest of all children’s portraits to really capture – it takes years of training as a professional to know how to light and shoot a newborn to really capture those soft skin tones and sweet expressions.  It’s very rare to get ‘lucky’ and get a very good shot of a newborn – if you don’t get the light right, it’ll never come out beautiful.

I welcome sweet Elise to the world.  Here she is, 5 days new in her heirloom portrait finery!

newborn, vauva,

 

Friday, April 15th, 2011   Tags: , , , ,
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Beautiful SouthWestern Bridal Shoot

I was very fortunate to shoot bridals for the lovely Cari.  Her personality and spirit was inspiring and whether we were setting up a full lighting rig in a dark alley or playing between the columns of an historic turn of the century theater, she gave us her very best!

Thanks Cari – and congratulations!

bridal pillars san antonio downtown urban

between the theater pillars main street san antonio

profile bride

downtown san antonio near the alamo

 

Friday, April 15th, 2011   Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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Back To Where It Started: Australia Big Picture Workshop

Update: Only 3 spots left – the workshop has nearly sold out in 2 days.

4 years ago I was invited to Australia by Wild Spirit Photography to give a photography workshop to select photographers in the Brisbane area.  30+ workshops around the world later, I am pleased to return once again to the sunny land down under.

The Big Picture workshop will be on June 18 and 19 in downtown Surfers Paradise along the Gold Coast.  I promise an intensive 2 days of shooting and post processing at the Wild Spirit Photography Studio.

I love Australia and have a special fondness for the Australian portrait photographers.  I look forward to returning again to tackle that glorious Australian environment.

More information about the workshop (and online courses in photography that I teach) can be found on the Photographers Learning Resource website.

From the 2008 Brisbane Workshop

 

Monday, April 11th, 2011   Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Category: Lecture/Workshop   1 Comment comments

Newly 8 this week!

Part of what makes Spring so exciting for me is that I can do the yearly birthday portrait of my daughter.  Here, the strong Spring sun gifted us with beautiful backlighting late in the day!  I present to you a very proud-to-be-8 year old!

 

Monday, April 11th, 2011   Category: Client   2 Comments comments

Little Red

A fantasy shoot revisited.

 

Thursday, March 24th, 2011   Category: Artistic, commercial   1 Comment comments

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