Santa Pictures!

[jdorseydesign]

Recently a friend of mine who runs an Edward Jones office asked me if I would come take pictures of some of his client's and their kids along with Santa Claus for Christmas. I thought it would be a good way to get some free advertising, since I'm just starting out. I think the photos turned out pretty well, although the experience taught me a few things.

1). Relying on optical slave flashes is not reliable. I can't afford pocket wizards yet, but I'm definitely going to invest in some more gadget infinity radio triggers soon.

2). Dogs + leashes + light stands = broken radio trigger. My only flash trigger snapped when the light stand took a tumble (umbrella and all).

3). Duct tape. You should always carry duct tape. I was able to repair the radio trigger enough to get through the shoot. Otherwise I would have had to rely on bounce flash or my 35mm f/1.8.

Anyway, here's some of the results, I hope the clients end up liking them.

#1
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/739395649_8XcqS-L-1.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/10627251_HjQ6D/1/#739395649_8XcqS-A-LB)

#2
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/739392266_qdGEm-L-1.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/10627251_HjQ6D/1/#739392266_qdGEm-A-LB)

#3
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/739398933_Hi3r6-L-1.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/10627251_HjQ6D/1/#739398933_Hi3r6-A-LB)

#4
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/739332260_WAbZM-L-1.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/10627251_HjQ6D/1/#739332260_WAbZM-A-LB)

#5
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/739401743_mgQwe-L-1.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/10627251_HjQ6D/1/#739401743_mgQwe-A-LB)

PS. Best Santa and Mrs. Claus Ever.

[l.k.madison]

#5
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/739401743_mgQwe-L-1.jpg (http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/10627251_HjQ6D/1/#739401743_mgQwe-A-LB)

PS. Best Santa and Mrs. Claus Ever.

That is just beautiful!!!

I love that they're non-traditional, not the "sit on Santa's lap and click" pictures that you get at the mall. So super sweet.

I think Santa and Mrs. Claus need that one of them blown up to hang up in their house during the holidays as a thank-you, don't you? :clap

[dmmattix]

That is just beautiful!!!

I love that they're non-traditional, not the "sit on Santa's lap and click" pictures that you get at the mall. So super sweet.

I think Santa and Mrs. Claus need that one of them blown up to hang up in their house during the holidays as a thank-you, don't you? :clap

I agree totally. I liked all of the shots but the last one was the winner to me.

Mike

[Mikepic]

Very nice !
I like them all.

what was your set-up ?

Mike

[jdorseydesign]

Very nice !
I like them all.

what was your set-up ?

Mike

Nikon D40x, 55-200mm VR
SB-600 with an umbrella to the left with my gadget infinity remote on it, a promaster flash on a stand bouncing off the ceiling for fill light on the left (in optical slave mode), and one more promaster flash on the floor behind them pointing up towards the wall (although this one was not reliable and didn't go off most of the time, so my wall and background was pretty dark in some of the shots)

[goldilocksandmy3bears]

those are all super cute.. I agree.. looks like the best santa and mrs. clause ever!

[goldilocksandmy3bears]

I think Santa and Mrs. Claus need that one of them blown up to hang up in their house during the holidays as a thank-you, don't you? :clap[/quote]

I totally agree.. wouldn't that be a great gift!

[ivar]

These are great! Love the last one, it's a bit on the warm side, but very nice :thumb Judging by the smiles it looks like a fun time was had!