About Us

There is something magical about taking a photograph, and being able to experience a moment in time over again. But as a photographer the feeling goes deeper than that, looking through the lenses at the subject, be it a person or a lone tree in a field. Right before the shutter snaps there is a moment where the photographer feels for that moment in time, that there is nothing else in the world except them and the subject. Photographs speak louder and more often than words. They are a ticket into the past, they are the feeling that touches your heart and a moment recorded forever.
    
We are the Erika & Ryan a team. we both find beauty and order in chaos, watching for the delicate interplay of light and contrast and -SNAP- there is that moment. That moment of shear natural beauty in everyday things. We approach our calling with an openness of spirit, an openness of mind that allows us to become caught in a moment of time, however minute to find the perfection that exists in everyday moments. Perfectionists at heart, we are driven to improve, learn, and to find the connections between technology and artistry, nature and mathematics; there is a mathematical equation within every image. We experiment with new media, lighting techniques, proportion, layering. We are driven to develop constant mastery of technical skill which we realize is the unattainable goal and therefore will provide us with a lifetime of learning opportunities.

We don't like to use chemicals for development, nor do we want to waste paper, so we view our images on the computer and print only the very best. We enjoy photographing a variety of subjects, be them people, or inanimate objects, landscapes or interiors. Delving into different worlds keeps us fresh and creative. Each different area of photography we tackle helps to compliment another and only helps us to fulfill our ongoing quest for knowledge.

But at the end of the day the purpose of our photography like all art is to share the beauty of the world and to evoke emotion. To tell a story through the image, to create a believable subject and to deliver a message of truth. Our art is 50% heart and 50% soul, its speaks to us on so many levels with so many layers. It is every ounce of who we were at that moment in time, it is a reflection of our life, our family, and our community. It reminds us of our past, and is helping to pave the road for our future.

“Mr. Photographer, I’m ready for my close up!”

For those of you who have not heard Britney Spears’ new album, that’s a line from the song “Kill the lights”. But it also fits in with the next set of photos we photographed with our photographer friend Apryl Munro Photography this November (Yes I know, another post from long ago, but its the last I swear we are caught up now.)
We did a creative beauty shoot with some of our favorite models for a local hair and makeup studio.

Here were our 3 favorite images, you may recognize these girls, they have been on our blog for years, each one of them was a Barrie’s Next Top Model, and Logan (the blond curly head on the far right) was our assistant in 2008.

Here are some of my favorite head shots to date, they were taken in a messy living room, with 2 flashes, and 2 white umbrellas on the model and a hair light (flash) above the models head.

model life Mr. Photographer, Im ready for my close up!

…and we even think these are awesome shots. We might even do a series of shots, in the style of Jill Greenburg’s Crying Babies, except have beautiful models making ridiculous faces.

model life Mr. Photographer, Im ready for my close up!

Here is how we created this set up:
-3-580 EX Canon Flashes all triggered with the ST-E2 Infra red flash trigger
-2 light stands, 1 for main light and fill light, 1 for hair light
-2 umbrellas were used, one at about waist level on the model, and one above the head of the model, both mounted on the same light stand. Each with their own 580 Flash behind them.
-The hair light was gridded with a home made 5-10 degree grid, which was placed on its own stand behind the model.
- We shot between the 2 umbrellas (see photo below)

model life Mr. Photographer, Im ready for my close up!

Photo By: Apryl Munro Photography

Related posts:

  1. Calling All Models- Model Workshop
  2. Photo of the Day #3 – Creative Portfolio shoots
  3. One on One Photographer Sessions
  4. Photo of the Day #4 – Studio shooting

Related posts:

  1. Calling All Models- Model Workshop
  2. Photo of the Day #3 – Creative Portfolio shoots
  3. One on One Photographer Sessions
  4. Photo of the Day #4 – Studio shooting