It was a crazy scene here in the Santa Clarita Valley today. A warm wind blew hard through the valley taking off every golden leaf with it. Down most of our streets it looked as if it “was raining leaves”, as my kids put it. And what kid can resist jumping in all those leaves and making it rain some more.

Enjoy,

Baker

{ photo geek note: all images straight out of the camera. 85mm 1.2 } {not everything was wide open}

After quite the month of weddings and a three wedding weekend I began to like more and more certain songs that the D.J. would play. So much so that I found myself sitting in San Francisco airport downloading Black eyed peas and Lady GaGa. My daughter A. thinks that I got a feeling is HER song and she goes around the house telling everyone how “today is going to be a good day”. I play my dance mix while we’re in the car, while the kids are in the bath tub, even at Sundays wedding while some wedding party members were getting ready to take some shots. And what happens? People dance. I also found myself in the middle of the dance floor with my camera just groovin and gettin down with the rest of the guests. Of course this allows people to let down their guard and I can snap away amazing photos with them not caring but I’ve also enjoyed being a part of these celebrations more and more. Just take a peek. It’s all over the bible. God tells us to dance. David writes about it over and over. So when you get the chance, just dance like you’ve never danced before.

Here is a good example if you need a reference. I’m a bit bias though since this is my little girl.

Enjoy,

Baker

What started out as an opportunity for some one on one mentoring and shooting with the up and coming Jennifer Beal, turned into more of a fun, relaxed mini E. Session. Josh and Naomi just fell right into their roles as models for us and did a fantastic job. Their personalities, love for each other, interaction with each other and with us was such a joy. It really made for an easy shoot for us and of course a positive teaching time as well. You can check out Jennifer’s shot here since she did the majority of shooting ROCKED IT I might add.

Enjoy,

Baker

It took me 34 years but yes, I’m finally the coolest kid in kindergarden. Every year it’s something new in this adventure of raising kids and a family. This year Grant started kindergarden and when I’m not at work I get the privilege of taking him to school. He and I decided the first day on our mode of transportation (see photo) and are having a blast every time we go to school. Um, every time I take him to school. It’s pretty much a race to get there and when we do he hands me his helmet gives me a big ol’ hug and a kiss and is on his way. The smile on his face says it all as he walks through the gate…… “I have the coolest dad in kindergarden”!

Enjoy,

Baker

Our first tip out of the gate comes as one that is almost more of a pet peeve to me than anything. It’s not that I mean to be negative or pic apart other peoples work but this seems to be the most abused form of creativity. Yes, some people think it’s being “creative” when you add that extreme tilt to your camera so you have to look at the photo sideways when you finally see it. Don’t get me wrong, I have abused this tilt more than once in my time. I would say most people starting off in photography do. But so do some seasoned, well respected photographers as well. All the way up to some very big time, highly paid wedding photogs that get paid to speak and teach.
Here’s some basic guidelines I try to follow. First, try to shoot it straight. Try to make your composition (i.e. lines, subjects, etc) work without tilting the camera. Your attention should be on your subject not the crazy angle.
If you tilt: It should flow. It should be with a purpose. It should not distract from what you were trying to achieve in the first place. A person looking at the photo should almost not even notice that you tilted the camera in the first place. Usually, it will frame up your subject or cause lines to lead your eye to them. You might try pushing your subject to a corner. DON’T JUST DO IT TO “BE CREATIVE”. But don’t be afraid to try.
Here’s a wrong and a right. Yes, they are my images. I’m not to proud to show you my mistakes. We can all learn from them. You know I did.

Enjoy, Baker

Ohhhh, creative. Not bad but does nothing for the photo.

Ahhhh, better. Subject is the focus and where the eye is drawn to first. Notice the line the surf makes leads out the far corner. It’s only then you might notice the tilt due to the horizon line. I think of the 120+ images I gave this couple only 3 were tilted.

With the way this engagement session went I can’t wait to shoot their wedding this fall. Tyler and Ashley just have it! Fun, the looks, photogenic and up for anything. What a great time we had. Just too bad it was freezing by the time we got to the beach but we still managed to pull a few great shots off there too.

Enjoy,

Baker

Matt is another firefighter I worked with and loved his idea of starting off this session at the LAFD museum at old 27′s . They’re wedding will be of the 40′s era so we headed downtown to union station to stay with the theme. If you have been to or heard about firefighters weddings as a photographer I know I’ll have to be on my toes. Going to be a fun one.

Enjoy,

Just a follow up on my last post on our trip to the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles. This is an incredible ministry going on down there. Taking care of those that truly desire to get their life back on track. Tim Campbell from our church is the director down there and I don’t think I’ve met a harder working man with such a heart for what he is doing. He has been putting in 15+ hour days down there right now and always has a smile on his face. Here are just a few photos from our trip.

Enjoy

Baker

Today I have the opportunity to tag along with others from Crossroads Community Church to the Los Angeles Union Rescue Mission. They’ll be manning the Christmas store and later this evening serving a meal. A few weeks ago God put it on my heart to share my gifts and talents. I was not sure what they needed in ways of a photographer but thought it might be a great opportunity to serve if not for anything else but documenting the event. Well, when I approached Pastor Todd he told me that was one of the last things on their list they were looking for and here I stand ready to serve. If we don’t give some of our gifts and talents back to the one who gave them to us then we aren’t fully using them. What gifts has he given you?

Check back in a few days for photos of the day.

Enjoy THE season.

Baker

URM.org – The Way Home for the Holidays.