jimjarrell

Jax & Sydney

This is Jaxson and his new sister Sydney

This is Jaxson and his new sister Sydney
Read less

NIKON D4

Aperture f/11.0 ISO 400 Shutter 1/125

upload_date

Oct, 2014

Views

1063

Likes

+128

Awards

Top Shot Award

People's Choice in Kids Connection Photo Challenge

Featured

Contest Finalist in We are Family Photo Contest

Peer Award

+43

Superb Composition

+11

Top Choice

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

All Star

Magnificent Capture

Superior Skill

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 30 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This photograph was taken in the children's home. I often take a whole studio setup on the road for families and work with them in their home. I feel it is much more intimate and the clients are much more comfortable.

Time

This one is during the end of the session. Jaxson and Sydney were both a little tired and we were running towards the end of the day. Jaxson's mom had just finished with the tattoo's and we were going to do some father/son images when Sydney fell asleep. I posed them in this position and just let Sydney sleep on her brother.

Lighting

I wanted the image to fall off into space and leave the soft skin tone to draw in the viewer's eye. Both of them had skin tones that were almost exactly the same, very lucky. I was using a two light setup with both lights bounced off the ceiling through umbrella's to diffuse the light even more.

Equipment

I used my D4 with my 24-70mm 2.8 Nikkor lens. I use a savage stand with a black cloth backdrop and pocket wizard radio triggers on the light kit.

Inspiration

Jaxson throughout the day was active, animated, and very alive; except when he stops to talk to and often kiss his sister on the forehead. It struck me that he stops his whole world to make sure his sister knows that she is loved. Those times, for me, were wonderful to see and were one of those rare times when love is pure and visible. I was just trying to capture one of those times in this image for the family.

Editing

I photographed this as color but thinking as black and white. I did shoot it a little hot in an effort to even out the skin tones but I did have to avoid hot spots. The idea was to bring out the subject and keep a wide contrast between the subjects and the background so I could try and edit in a true black background. I used lightroom and the high contrast NIK B&W plugin then added some touches in Lightroom again to balance out the image.

In my camera bag

I carry a D4, D300s (backup), 14-24mm 2.8, 24-70mm 2.8, 70-200mm 2.8, SB800, SB900, 4 pocket wizards, a two strobe light kit, backdrop stand, and either a paper or cloth backdrop depending on the job.

Feedback

This image is personal but not about Jaxson or Sydney. I feel the image is about the relationship the two have, together. One of my teachers told me once that, "it's not worth writing about or shooting if it's not personal." Everything this day just worked. I cannot tell you how excited I was when I walked in the door and out walked Jaxson with the mohawk. I had already planned on the tattoo's which fit in with the mohawk so well. So plan your day, get creative, and let your clients see you get excited. If you get excited then they will help you make great images.

See more amazing photos, follow jimjarrell

jimjarrell

jimjarrell

Jax & Sydney

This is Jaxson and his new sister Sydney

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow jimjarrell

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.