Madison Flashes of Hope - 2013

This is my second year of volunteering with Madison's chapter of Flashes of Hope. A national organization that coordinates free portraits of children and their family who are being treated at the University of Wisconsin's American Family Children's Hospital. It's a great way to give back with photography. It can be a bit of challenge to make portraits of children who may not be feeling their best and at the same time being confronted by a stranger with a camera. But, it's the challenge that I enjoy. Working quickly while being patient is the key to capturing those fleeting candid moments. I'm honored to be part of this great organization.

One Light Portraits

I'm a fan of traveling light and seeing what I can create with what I have. It's easy as a photographer to accumulate more and more equipment. I'm not saying their aren't things on my equipment bucket list, but I take the minimum when I travel. These images of cousins Alison and Abby were made with a speed light and a hand held mini-softbox. It can be a little specular, but I put a diffuser on the speedlight inside the soft box to tone it down a bit. I'm also a fan of using the sky just after sunset as a backdrop. That cobalt blue is gorgeous in my opinion. It's also easier to control the light on the subject.

 

St. Louis City Museum

The St. Louis City Museum is a crazy place housed in an old shoe factory and warehouse in the former garment district of St. Louis.   The vision of Bob Cassilly who purchase the building in '86 and and began working on a place for kids and adults to play and explore together. It's bills itself as an "eclectic mixture of children's playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel. With it's many floors that house tunnels, cage tunnels, memorabilia and architectural artifacts of now gone historic buildings of St. Louis. The highlight is the rooftop playground with a bus as if it's teetering over the edge, and big slide and ferris wheel. It's great fun and everywhere you turn there's a something to discover.

Flashes of Hope

I was excited to get the opportunity to be the photographer for June's Flashes of Hope. What a great experience if not a little challenging, but that's what photography is about. I love being able to use my photography to give back to the community. For more info, check out the Flashes of Hope website.

Trudy is the coordinator for the Madison Chapter of Flashes of Hope.  She's great to work with and makes sure all goes well with the sessions.   I appreciate the fact that she took a chance and let me fill in for another photographer who couldn't make it.

Maya & Mary Claire

Maya & Mary Claire are pair of sisters who I've been making portraits of since they were born.  It's fun to see them growing into sweet beautiful little girls.

Livi & Finn

Livi & Finn are two of the cutest kids around. I've been making pictures of Livi since she was just an infant and she's growing up fast. Finn is the newest addition and finally had a chance to snap a few of him while he and Livi were hanging out in the living room. The natural light of the north facing window is always a safe bet for nice soft light.