When I arrived at Placerita Canyon, CA, I spotted a glowing tree with its yellow leaves backlit by the evening sunrays. The perfectly backlit tree drew my attention as it stood there ready to lend itself as a backdrop for my client’s Family Portrait Session. So I set up my camera on a tripod, my Profoto lights on its stand, and started evaluating my exposure on my test subject. Soon, I was ready to start! Next, I eagerly awaited the arrival of the Martin Family – a beautiful party of seven: the parents, two children, and three furry babies with their wagging tails!
With any outdoor portrait session, lighting can change for two main reasons: The sunlight shifting due to clouds blocking its rays or evening’s sunset visibility being blocked by a large hill or structure, etc. I mention this because in such instances we photographers have to be ready to do one of two obvious things: choose a different spot or make the original location work.
As I watched the previously gorgeous sunlit tree become gradually dull when the evening’s natural light hid behind a large hill, I received a text from my clients letting me know they had unforeseeably run behind schedule. If you have ever met any photographers, you just might know that we all share one thing in common when it comes to seizing the light. We problem-solve on the spot and we don’t take no for an answer when it comes to executing an image that will become an heirloom. We dare to say, “No, not on our watch!”
I decided I would stay in the area I had already chosen as the starting point of the portrait session. I can happily share that because I had invested in a set of Profoto lights, I resolved the issue by asking my assistant to handhold a Profoto B10 Plus strobe, fitted with a Magnum Reflector, 3-4 feet behind the tree. I therefore successfully recreated the same illumination as before by mimicking the natural light with an off-camera flash, all the while giving the image an extra pop of color!
Of course, when the Martins arrived, all was set to go! My fill light sat on its stand to the left of my camera and the other light hand-held unobtrusively behind the yellow leaf tree that now served itself perfectly as the backdrop.
Equally important to this portrait session was the need to have my Canon camera on its tripod for several reasons. The first one is that it allows for consistency within a sequence of shots! Secondly, I can direct my subjects and move about the scene without having to reframe the camera each time I go back to the desired point of view. This also makes it easier to keep my face away from the camera and be more personable with my clients. Thirdly, it allows me to address anyone that might inadvertently enter the scene as well as to avoid giving other photographers the chance to take over your already chosen mark. Indeed, it can get brutal out there!
How special it is to be commissioned to create family heirlooms! It was fun to have had the pleasure of executing this sweet family’s vision for their portraits. In fact, this beautiful family holds a Christmas tradition of taking their family portraits at the Nature Park and Museum at Placerita Canyon. On the whole, I’m excited to see their delighted faces as they hold their Family Winter Album in their hands and share it with their loved ones too!
