Category: Families

Choice Clearwater beaches…

Clearwater Beach Family Photo One of my clients recently booked a portrait session on the beach and let me know she was coming from out of town.  The beach that was closest to her vacation condo was not as “portrait worthy” as one that she would have to travel a bit to get to.  Since she was from out of town with some younger children, I happily emailed her some beach suggestions in town so that she could visit these on her other vacation days. I’ve included it here for your information as well.

Fred Howard Park (Tarpon Springs) – Nice wooded area for picnicking and a beach that I would rate about a 7.

Sunset Beach (Tarpon Springs)  Very small beach, not crowded, lots of shall

ow areas for wading and a playground there as well.  The beach?  Well, really a 2 or 3, but last week I saw two dolphins swimming only about 50 feet offshore!

Honeymoon Island – State Park in Dunedin – pay to get in, nice area, bird watching and shelling, beach can be quite rocky.

Clearwater beach  – very pretty, more crowded, lots of tourist things, shops etc., if you want to do that. 20 to 30 minutes to get there from the Palm Harbor area.  Clearwater marine aquarium, with the dolphin Winter – they just made a movie about him.   Beach -8-9

City of St. Petersburg Municipal Beach at Treasure Island, 112th St and Gulf Blvd.  Beautiful beach!  This would be at least a 9, maybe a 10!  It doesn’t look like much from the parking lot, but just go beyond the fence and WOW!  Drawback – restrooms only open 10:00 till 4:00,  why, I do not know!  Refreshment area and play area for the kids.

Ft. De Soto Park – absolutely beautiful.  About 1 hour drive south from the Palm Harbor area; take U.S. 19 south, follow the signs.  Takes a while to get there, but voted one of the top ten beaches in the U.S.  Dolphins, sand dollars, wide sandy beaches, fishing pier, picnic areas and usually not crowded at all because it is so large.  Yes, the beach really is a 10!

The portrait above are from the Treasure Island beach.  This family was staying at a large, very nice hotel on St. Pete Beach that was very crowded, due to a convention.  The beach was very nice, but way too busy for a lovely family portrait.  Treasure Island beach was only a few minutes drive for them and they were quite happy to make the short drive.  The final results are fabulous!

 

Stand up Straight…

Posture.  There is a lot to be said for good posture.  I see a lot of trends over the years with people’s posture.  For years it was one shoulder higher than the other, because that is the shoulder they held the phone on!  Now, when I tell clients to sit up straight, they usually all lean back just a little in their chairs, because that is how they are used to sitting at their computers!  So when I get them straight, they feel a little odd for a few seconds!  Posture can do very good things for the final portrait.  It lengthens the body and puts all the “parts” where they should be!  Good posture gives an impression of alertness and assertiveness in a client as well.  So, I am always saying sit up straight or tall and encouraging clients to look their best.  Ok, so now that is all said and done, there is the case for a slight easiness among clients to establish relationships.  Take a look at these two mother and daughter portraits.  Just a slight lean of the daughter in the second one creates the finishing touch on the portrait.  She relaxes into her mom and the closeness that you can feel in that one is much more real and less posed.  So, exceptions to every rule.  As a photographer, I feel it is my job to watch for these things and correct them ever so slightly to get the emotional content that you desire to have in a portrait.     I do so love my job and all the family relationships that I get to witness every week.

Contemporary Portraiture

Contemporary…fresh, clean, emotional… showing a subject’s personality in a simple and powerful way.  That’s how I describe contemporary portraiture.  Take a look at these images I took of two young ladies.  Twins, identical, yet distinctly different in personality and behavior.  The look in their eyes is fresh and clean and directs the viewer’s eye directly into theirs.  Classic and timeless.  I love these images of two twelve year old girls, just blossoming into their teen years.  Let me know what you think!

 

 

         

 

Two boys and their Mums…

Dunedin is such a great place for an urban shoot.  Lots of color, lots of interesting places.  Just created images for these two clients with their boys in downtown Dunedin.  Weather was perfect and the boys were terrific!  ( But, all my clients are!)  Take a look. 

October Mini Sessions…

 You kindly completed my survey and you asked repeatedly for more cost effective sessions.  And you wanted to be on location!  So here are my October offerings for you…

Urban Mini Sessions

October 14 and 15th (Pinellas County Schools are out on Friday)

Downtown Dunedin, 1/2 hour session, includes 1 8×10, 2 5×7 and 24 Holiday cards!  Only $199.00!  Bring the entire family or just the kids.  We will focus on one location and great urban portraits!  Dress very casual in white and jeans or do something more modern and colorful and urban.  Funky shoes, colorful scarves, hats, loose ties for the guys…call me and we can discuss ideas!  Call right away to reserve your time!

 October 28th and 29th

Fort DeSoto Beach sessions

This fabulous park in Pinellas County has one of the best beaches in the country.  We will be doing mini sessions here as well on these two days.  Yes, the same pricing applies!  Only $199.00 for the mini session with 1 8×10, 2 5×7’s and 24 Holiday cards!  Reserve the best times and days for you by calling today!