WizBlog

not your parents' headshots!

"The goal is not to change your subjects, but for the subject to change the photographer."

Very occasionally we agree to do business headshots for our family portrait clients. Because we do them infrequently, it makes the journey into this specialized medium challenging and enjoyable, much of that in the post-processing where our goal is to create flattering art, not just shoot and burn to disk.

Betcha this isn't what you picture when you think of the usually boring corporate headshots, is it?

Nope, she's not a professional model. This, dear readers, is the image of today's contemporary corporate lawyer. Oh yes, and a lovely lady.

You may recognize our client, Michele. She is caring and bright. And she is beautiful - inside and out. We think of her as one of our favorite members of our Wizzy & Friends family ... well, OK, in part because we adore shooting her charming Miss Emily.

Oops, you caught us. We just had to sneak one in of little E.

One more more 'traditional' view -


A non-traditional headshot - good for uses other than being published in a law journal or the County business journal. *wink*

And a couple more casual that could be used, say, for more consumer-oriented publications. Even the back cover of that book we're sure she'll write. We love how these show that casual can still say confident and professional.


A little comp card, just for fun -


Caution: These are NOT your parents' headshots - LOL!

"twofer" & a pistol | OpLove

This OpLove family gave us a "twofer" - two Marines, mom and dad. Another first!

Mom K reminds us of a young version of Wizzy - sassy, smart and aware.
Having just returned from the Middle East, it is obvious right away that Dad M has re-bonded with his sweet family.

First things first. This little monkey, Mr. I, is a pistol. From the time he is unbuckled from his car seat his feet never stopped moving. We let him run off a little energy in a field with the last of the Spring's mustard weed. Just look at this big ol' hunk of a Marine teaching his boy to appreciate nature.

Then there is little Miss G who is good as gold throughout the whole session. Big smiles, a little hand-to-mouth teething, and just happy to be part of the fun.


This baby brood keeps mom hopping - and she takes it all in stride with a smile. The grin on dad's face says how glad he is to be home from loving his family.


 

Little "I" at play.

What a cute goofball!

Semper Fi to all our OpLove Marines! God bless you and your families for your service and sacrifice to protect our freedom. 

grandma's birthday

Youth is the gift of nature, but age is the work of art.  ~ Garson Kanin

Remember this gathering of four generations in celebration of grandma's birthday? Check here: Grandma's Birthday

We wanted to share a couple more, including one of all 14 family members - from age 1 (the twins) to grandma's 84 - all enjoying the day with its late Spring warm weather and a scrumptious pot luck buffet. Yum!

The day is SoCal wicked bright. Love the sun morning and late afternoon - but that darn midday overhead sun causes squinting and shadowed "raccoon" eyes -  just not anyone's best look. We luck out finding a little spot of open shade on the front walkway.

This family does great at our "snuggle close" directions -



And one more of the youngest cousins. Just look at those girls' sparkling brown eyes and dark hair!

Did you notice one of our signature "blends" behind the chair?

Happy birthday, Grandma!

happy father's day

Dads are dolphins in disguise with hearts as big as kings.
They test the waters and devise a way for everything.
When we are small hey swim along to help us reach our dreams.
And through it all so proud and tall
So like we'd like to be.

Many, many warm Father's Day wishes to all dads granddads, and dads-to-be out there. We hope your day brought you much love and many special moments. We love our Wizzy & Friends dads! Here are a few of our favorite daddy moments from the past year.

A special blessing today to our OpLove daddies, especially those who are deployed and cannot be with their families this Father's Day. You're in our hearts.













And a heartful of love on this Father's Day to our Woggy, with memories from Cirina, the late Sweet Roobie, Sam & TeeTee, and Jennifer- his four-legged and two legged kids.

picture this

"Memory is very important, the memory of each photo taken, flowing at the same speed as the event."   ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

Each of our sessions seems to unfold as its own unique experience, often accompanied by the unexpected.

Capturing 14 family members and four generations gathering for great-grandma's 84th birthday is the focus of this session. As an unfamiliar location, we check out various spots around the home to find flattering light, then take a few test shots.

Today our volunteer helper, bright and precocious Miss L, is quite insistent that she is a good helper. And so she is. Because we are essentially strangers, we think she might be a little camera shy. So Woggy suggests she do animal imitations. Here is her elephant:

  Wizzy takes a few test shots, then Miss L reaches for the camera, mutely requesting her turn. Both Wizzy and Woggy have an affinity for smart, confident women, so who are we to refuse? Once she wraps her little hands around our huge camera, she even directs how the shots should be taken.

While Wogg helps support the camera (for an average-size adult, it is the equivalent of holding up approx 10 pounds to one's face), L squints, aims, and shoots. Whooda thunk this little bitty girlie would do so well? A little editing and cropping, and voila! The Wiz -

(take note of the green day lily stem - it appears in later shots as well - occupationan hazard of a child being so close to the ground - LOL)

Then the two of us being impressed at this monkey's photogarphic prowess! (green stem peeking in from left)

And finally, two of our little cutie, Miss Photographer herself. As it turns out, not camera shy one little bit! (note to mom and dad: when she asks for this camera for Christmas, we disclaim any responsibility - tee hee ...)


Watch tomorrow for great-grandma's birthday portraits.