I answered an ad on Model Mayhem from a woman who wanted to have her young family photographed for the holidays. He was recently laid off from his job, so I agreed to do it for free. She drove around the area looking for a good place to shoot and came upon Hartley Botanical Gardens.
Now this location is one of the most coveted (and expensive) sites in the area to host a wedding or event, but in the off months (ie. December) their botanical garden is open to the public. I didn't know this, so I was under the assumption that we were just going to come in there, and walk around and then do their family shoot guerilla-style. After about 30 minutes, a craggley old man came up to us and asked if we needed any help. I said no... and he could tell we were nervous so he told us it was open to the public this time of year.
Whew.
So I squeezed off a few shots, all RAW, candid and portrait. They're really wonderful people and all I asked is to spread the word if they were happy with my work.
This weekend I have a car shoot for my sister-in-law who got a new car on Friday, and then a model/holiday shoot on Saturday, then meeting a bride/groom the same day, followed by being the official photographer for the Camarillo Holiday Parade (and judge of floats), followed by a holiday party.
My trigger finger will be sore by Monday.
Hope all your holidays and holiday shopping is going well.
corrieblueeyes, and 10 other people added this photo to their favorites.
View 19 more comments
Debasis ~~ 55 months ago | reply
wow...so adorable kids.....brilliant collage workstream ....very attractive and interesting ...these are precious photos
<(C o u R t n i E)> 55 months ago | reply
awww! They're such a wonderful looking family!
l.gallier 55 months ago | reply
Such talent! May you have a successful weekend!
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~v.h~ [deleted] 55 months ago | reply
so nice of you to do it for free... good karma coming your way for sure ;)
Have fun over the weekend!
Kelly Huljev Photography 55 months ago | reply
wow! you sure are busy! can't wait to see more pictures when your crazy weekend is over! :P
love these portraits. it's really nice that you did that for them...
luketurner 55 months ago | reply
you do such a good job of these sort of things!
keep it up!
:: Artie | Photography :: Offline for 3 Months 55 months ago | reply
a kind soul like you will deserve something great soon john! u will have good karma! & perhaps lots of good $ for your future work too ;)
Frank Eleveld 55 months ago | reply
Nice work, John. Seems like you've a busy weekend coming up.
s0ulsurfing 55 months ago | reply
you're like a photo-super-hero who never sleeps or tires in his pursuit of locations and the perfect shot, gotta admire that dedication, nice series of shots here my friend
Sametatak | facebook.com/sametatakphotography 55 months ago | reply
Wow excellent shot..! Well done..
Have a great Friday and weekend ...
[Adam Baker] 55 months ago | reply
that's quite nice of you...great photos.
SaraCrowe?! 55 months ago | reply
BRILLIANT!
the quality of these are... yeah, really good!!
gourmeted 55 months ago | reply
You have a good heart. And you take great photos -- they're beautiful! I'm sure your kindness will come back to you tenfold. :)
SMGallery (MooreFoto.com) 55 months ago | reply
amazing! I really love that 1.4 bokeh!!
Hassy Chick Kalai 55 months ago | reply
Don't ever stop doing the free-bes....
"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard." -Proverbs 21:13
L-T-L 55 months ago | reply
You be a good guy! And a great photog!
Doug van Kampen 55 months ago | reply
These turned out beautiful John!! I can't get over the quality of the 85mm lens; every shot that comes through that thing is awesome.
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*Peanut (Lauren) 55 months ago | reply
Nice work...you are so sweet to do it for free.
foxygretchy 55 months ago | reply
beautiful!
MikeJonesPhoto 54 months ago | reply
They don't really look like Gorillas. And, you're right, your spelling sucks.