Simple headshots

Jai, pronounced "jay", reached out to me in need of a simple headshot for LinkedIn and online profile photo for his upcoming conferences. He's a director for Enterprise Data Services at CapitalOne.  I arrived on location and was immediately told by property security there is no photography allowed on the grounds - this is actually quite common, but still frustrating.

Obstacles aside, we walked off property, found a few decent locations and had a simple and relaxed shoot. To be clear, security was third party, not CapOne and was actually very nice about the rules.

Below are a few of the favorites. Enjoy.


Kelsy, CEO/Designer of DiDomenico

Kelsy is the CEO and designer of DiDomenico Designs. She is passionate about designing, traveling and has recently gained much exposure from New York Fashion Week to Washingtonian Magazine to a feature on GoodDay DC. She's also launched a #sewingtheworld campaign taking her Great ant's 1914 antique sewing machine on a trip around the world for photoshoots. See more on her Instagram account.

Its always exciting to meet and network with local professional artists that share the same drive in their own craft as we do. I am looking forward to watching her success continue to grow.

Now for some fun pics taken at the National Gallery of Art. 

Website: http://www.didomenicodesign.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/didomenico_design/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/didomenico_desi
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/didomenicodesign

Portrait sessions: Apr - Sept

Over the last few months I've had many portraits sessions. Below is a recap of those shoots with a little description about each image or the subject [hover over image to see text]. Use the arrows on left and right of image to see the next one.


My favorite window

In 2011, I took this picture of Zainab and became obsessed with trying to recreate it. This is nothing more than simple natural light shot from a 20"x30" window in my basement. I was amazed at how beautiful a simple window could create such stunning light.

I fell in love with the highlights, light direction and the contrast that this mighty little window could produce. Of course because we're talking natural light specifics I was limited to shooting during daylight at certain times of the day.

Over the years I continued to recreate and improve on this type of shot. Last winter I took one my favorite images of this style with Sasha (below). I had many people contact me about this shot asking for something similar.

The shot above was processed using Nik Software for an edgier and raw black and white effect. I've been using Nik Software since early 2014.  When it comes to the feeling of these images, I make sure to talk to my subjects about conveying a moody, more serious expression. As you'll notice there are very few smiles in the galleries below.

In 2012 I took this shot with the amazing Amanda. I just love how the light wraps around her, shows a lot and very little at the same time.

I still didnt realize I was really onto something yet. 

In 2013 I took some stunning beauty shots of DasJia [day-zja]. I started to pay more attention to time of day, cloudy vs sunny vs shade up or down and began to work at it.

Unfortunately for 2013 the majority of my shoots were not from my home studio and the few that were I neglected to use my special little window. This next shot of CarrieJo is the only other "window" shot from 2013. Still a favorite.

In 2014 I really drilled myself in this shot. I tried it with almost everyone I shot that year. Previous to this year I was a Canon shooter, from the 5D Mark I to the the Mark III sho0ting with either my 100mm 2.8 (non L) or 50mm 1.4. As of this year I switched over to the Nikon D750 and used either my 85mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.8 and loving the new results. Due to various times of day and weather conditions my settings changed drastically. Some of the images are ISO 100 (CarrieJo above) to ISO 3200 (8th image below). Shutter speeds range from 1/60 to 1/400 but aperture is usually within f/1.8-2.5. Although its rare I do something use a reflector.

Click images to view in full size.

 

Here are some more favorites from 2015.

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Looking forward to the rest of this year with you faces.