Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Willie & Dana Featured In Westside Gazette

I want to thank Pamela Henry of the Westside Gazette (Broward County's oldest and largest African American owned and operated newspaper) for featuring us in their Thursday, January 22 - Wednesday, January 28, 2009 issue of the newspaper. The news release shows me receiving the "Photographer of the Year 2008" Award and Dana receiving the "7th Place, Top Photographer of The Year 2008" Award. Dana and I are members of the Professional Photographers Guild of Florida (ppgf).

Senior Editor, Pamela Henry
Westside Gazette: Click here
PPGF: Click here

Portfolio - Kendra Baselice

This blog could easily be titled "Vendor Meets Vendor" because I met Kendra at the January 20th Bridal Show at Signature Grand in Davie. As vendors will often do before the show opens, Kendra strolled over to our booth to check out our photography. Immediately, I was captivating by her extremely beautiful hair and almost flawless face. Here was a face I could work magic with!

So, I asked her if she would be willing to let me photograph her for my portfolio in exchange for free portraits. She said, "I'm not sure. I'll have to check with my husband". At which I told her: "PLEASE do!! Quite often when I ask a stranger to pose for me they are very apprehensive about the offer and never give me a call back. I appreciated the fact that Kendra was somewhat interested in working with me although she wanted to talk it over with her husband. Even before she left my booth and returned to hers I knew exactly how to capture some great images of her face.

Well, much to my surprise Kendra called me a few days later, told me she had visited my web site and thought my work was great. So, I quickly scheduled a session with her (and husband Mike). What you see below are some of the awesome images I created of this lady. I don't think we shot for more than an hour, but Kendra has the type of face that you can't miss getting beautiful portraits. I hope this won't be the first and last time Kendra and I team up for some really hot shots. I'm not sure how old she is, but I think she has the making of a top model.

In closing, I also want to thank Mike for his help. I couldn't have done this without his approval or his help during the session.

Enjoy!
Willie

I like to start out with reclining poses for
inexperienced
models because it gives them confidence.Kendra could easily model for hair
commercials.
She has exquisite hair.
This shot may look like it was taken at night,
but I used a profile lighting pattern to add
depth and mood to this image.
This image captures the initial idea I had for
Kendra the moment I met her at the bridal
show. It truly shows how beautiful she is.
I feel that one of my greatest talents as a professional
photographer is that I can
take any person who has never
modeled
before and create awesome images of
them
in a matter of minutes. I love it!!
Kendra, I hope you enjoy the many different
looks
I've been able to create of you. You are hot!


Click here to see a bonus slide show of Kendra.

Camera: Canon 10D with 70-200mm IS lens.
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom 2.0

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Portrait Corner Featured on Web Site

To be recognized in my profession is a great honor, and as some of my readers know we have received numerous awards to confirm our level of photographic skills. However, to be recognized by another industry as being excellent in what you do is an accolade sought after by many. Portrait Corner Studio has always strive to be the best. More importantly, we have tried to be an example of professionalism at its highest caliber.

So, when I got an email from Tangela Cummings of Admardecor, thanking us for sending her images of an event she'd produced, I was deeply honored to see she had made a comment about us on her web site. Now, I don't want to turn this into a brag session, but I have to tell you that I have NEVER seen the type ambiance displayed at a wedding like that put on by Admardecor. So, if you have any event and you want to leave a lasting impression on your guests, click here: admardecor

Check out Tangela's handy work. It's is award-winning stuff! Thanks Tangela for the compliment and I look forward to a great relationship with you over the years.

Enjoy!
Willie

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Marliese & Joel

Some times things happen for a reason, and when they do it can happen quickly. Such is the case of me being contracted by Margie and Bernard Edwards to photograph their daughter's wedding. Within the matter of 2-3 days before Marliese's wedding, Dana and I were asked to show up at the beautiful Westin Resort & Spa in Hallandale Beach to cover the event. It was an outside wedding at sunset, and the ambiance of the resort was awe-inspiring with twilight adding a spectacular moment for a wedding.

Admittedly, shooting outside at sunset is tough! Basically, light from our flash units simply flies out into infinity and is lost forever leaving whatever is illuminated standing out in stark darkness. However, I used some unique camera techniques I've learned over the years coupled with my own post-production enhancements to come up with some stunning images of the ceremony. In addition, to show you how beautiful the resort is, I've included at the end of this blog several panoramas like the ones we frequently shoot at our weddings.

Thanks, Marliese and Joel, for quickly asking us to be your photographers. The experience was exhilarating and magnificent. I hope you feel the same way about your wedding images. Check out the slide show below to sample the entire wedding

Enjoy!
Willie

Location: Westin Resort & Spa
Event Designer: Admardecor (Tangela Cummings, Coordinator)

Marliese's dress awaiting her to wear it.Marliese admiring her gown before the ceremony.
The floral arrangements were spectacular.
Joel and his son preparing to walk down the isle.
The sunset was spectacular that evening.Marliese and Joel sneaking
away to their honeymoon.


These are two panorama
backdrops
for Joel and Marliese's wedding.