Justin and I are happy to announce that our little family has expanded by one - welcome to the world, Rory Reynard Souza! This little guy tagged along in-utero to multiple weddings in the 2015 season, so I think it's safe to say that he's a born photographer. We're thrilled that he's here, as is his older brother!
Prospect Theater Project Cast Photos for "Faith Healer"
In its fourth and final play of the season, Prospect Theater Project brings acclaimed drama "Faith Healer" by Brian Friel to the Modesto stage. Director Jack Souza asked for a God's-eye view cast photo, which pairs perfectly with the spare, David-Lynch-esque set and costumes.
Read MoreLapeña Family Blossom Portrait Session // Riverbank, CA
When Melissa booked a family portrait session, she had one request - that we shoot it at her family's almond farm in Riverbank during blossom season. Surrounded by lush wild grasses and a canopy of white flowers, the Lapeña family's love for each other had them practically glowing. And literally glowing, thanks to the sunset.
Read MoreStephanie + Robert's Romantic Winter Engagement Session // Knights Ferry, CA
One of the many benefits of living in California is the winters - or, specifically, the lack of winters. With this climate, even the middle of December can be the right time for a lovely, romantic outdoor engagement shoot. Stephanie and Robert are an amazing couple who were looking for a rustic feel for their engagement shoot. When I found that neither of them had ever been to Knight's Ferry, I knew immediately that I had to introduce them to the gorgeous park.
Read MoreGantzer Family Portrait Session // Ceres, CA
There's nothing like a relaxed, goofy family portrait session to make a weekend sing! The Gantzer family brought great energy and hilarity to this autumn shoot out in the glowing orchards of Ceres, CA. In addition to the family portraits, mom Adriana also requested some individual shots of her daughter Ainsley, who just started kindergarten this past year. Apparently her school portrait didn't turn out the way they would've liked - which seems crazy to us, because look at how photogenic this sweetheart is. Thank you, Gantzers, for letting us be a part of your family's fun!
Read MoreProspect Theater Project Portraits for The Women
The Prospect Theater Project's third show of the season - a sophisticated version of Clare Boothe Luce's satire "The Women" - opens in less than a week. For the cast portraits, Director Carin Heidelbach and Stage Manager Mardi Brewer asked for 1930s-style glamour shots. To achieve the soft but dramatic lighting needed for headshots of this kind, we paired a wide front light with a narrow beamed flash and a strategically-placed backlight. The result? Old world beauty.
Read MoreProspect Theater Project Portraits for Julius Caesar
For the past year, we've had the pleasure of shooting cast photos for The Prospect Theater Project, a popular performing arts venue in downtown Modesto. These shoots always pose interesting challenges - the photographs need to showcase the faces and characters of between ten and twenty actors and they need to be shot in a relatively short period of time, usually between scenes at rehearsals.
Read MoreSarah + Josh's Family Portrait Session // Ceres, CA
We love shooting in an almond orchard as much as the next Central Valley photographer, but it's nice to get the opportunity to shoot in one outside of blossom season - it's something different. This family portrait session, which Sarah and Josh traveled all the way from the Bay Area to do, really captures summer in Modesto. The resulting photos are full of green leaves, leading lines and dramatic lighting from all that summer dust.
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