This image was shot a long time ago with my first session using my strobes. I used a large softbox with my AB800 and a reflective umbrella with my AB400. I used a video screen for the background on this particular shot, although white paper works just as well.  I love my Alien Bees.

The light tan gradient was set over the original white background and set to normal layer mode. A new subtle texture layer was set over the entire image and set to color burn. The layer was duplicated and the opacity dropped a little to give it a bit of edgy intensity.

Sidenote:
For those that know me, they know I am a BIG family guy. I came from a large family and love being around my family. I am the oldest of 5. My middle sister, Hannah, got married a year ago and moved with her chef husband, Kyle, to Hawaii. I have news regarding them! They are moving home to Kansas City! Here is Happy Hannah as we all know her smiling face (oddly enough, from the same shoot, just different processing). She looks just like my mom. Goodness!

(Girls Singing)

Last weekend, we did our annual family foray about an hour north of Kansas City to Weston, MO. It is kind of our kick-off for Fall and a wonderful time for everybody. Almost the whole crew made it (with the exception of my little sister Hannah & her husband, Kyle, who live in Hawaii and are moving back later this month).

It was not a good year for apples in this area. Due to 4 late frosts in the Spring, the apples were literally not available. Out of 1,000 trees at one particular orchard, there were only 33 apples harvested! They still have plenty to do around the farms (country store, tours, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, barnyard animals, and much more). At the Red Barn there was a beautiful wedding happening at the end of one of the barns.

Storms were rolling in as we got there and we were outside in the cool breeze for about 45 minutes and then the rains and hail came…it hailed dime and nickel-sized wallops of ice there for a little while! It was crazy LOUD under the metal roof of the barns and country store!

My newest niece (Lacey’s baby!), Ruby.

The girls. Lily Mae (my niece), Jillian Joy (my 2 year old) and Ashlyn Grace (my 4 year old).

There is a guy standing on the far right of the giant covered deck of the barn. I think he was the groom standing outside. There were about 100 people on the inside of the beautifully decorated reception hall. I would love to shoot a wedding out there. All I had was my 50mm, otherwise we could have had an amazing wide shot there, but oh well.

Dad & my brother-in-law, Danny (Lacey’s hubby). They were walking down from the barn you see in the background, admiring the new construction.

The girls! Nice directing by the moms. I almost missed the shots. The wind was beginning to pick up and the thunder had begun to roll.

My girls…

One cleanly and pristine princess, trying to control and keep the younger ornery one under control.

Chillin’ on a bench.

Great photo op idea, but right when we stuck them in there, the rain came…hard!

And it came…and came.

And came…

Mom and dad talking across the room. My mom had stuck my hat on her head! It cracked me up… You can see Ashlyn’s head next to paw-paw’s arm. The girls are never far away form them.

For those of you who would like to see the ultimate mother in a not-so-pregnant state.

Thanks for letting me share my family a bit.

One of my long-time friends and clients is Nate Bock. He is a wonderful daddy and husband and is highly intelligent. Even now, with his doctorate, he still has plenty of study sessions. Nate used to be my student minister at my church when I was in high school! He made a move down to Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, MO a couple years ago and has been building an excellent student ministry down there. He has two great staff members that I work with often, Julie & Erica. We all know who really runs the show, don’t we ladies?

I drove down to Springfield a few weeks back and we shot in the downtown area for some promotional photos to be used for various things. What a great little city! It just feels like home even when you visit. Here are some of my favorites from that sweltering, hot day.

Lastly, my favorite…although, not Nate’s.