The Art of The Portrait

The Art of The Portrait
by Willie L. Hill, Jr., CPP


Candace Booker

I start by looking at the spiritual soul of a person. We all have it, but for most of us it is well hidden, guarded or disguised. The invitation to let someone enter into this inner sanctuary is the essence of a great portrait. That’s what I’m after...I want to intertwine and exchange our personas. Next I select the proper theme, background, lighting, and photographic equipment. Then I blend these ingredients into a prevision of what I want the final image to portray. Embrace the inner person. See what you’ve never seen of yourself. Delight in the discovery of who you really are. There. The charades are gone; the walls are down; you are who you are.

Thank you for letting me share my creativity with you. It happens every time I press the shutter. Tell us if you want to experience a personal relationship with our photography.

Call us at (954) 921-7959 or visit http://www.portraitcorner.com.

Inspiration guaranteed.

7 Steps To Making Tough Decisions

In these difficult times, many folks are having to make some tough decisions that will affect them for years to come. Many of these decisions are life altering, too. So, how do you deal with these tough decisions when you feel there is no answer.

Well, I was in my office last night and discovered a little note on the wall that I'd pasted there years ago. I planted it there during the years when things were going real good. Not so now. I reread what I'd written and was amazed at how appropriate it was for 2010. I thought I'd share those 7 steps with you in hopes that it will give you encouragement.

Here are some tips on how to make tough decisions.

1. Seek God's direction through prayer and fasting
2. Let Him speak to you through his word or other Christians
3. Place your faith in the joint decision by remaining patient
4. Steadfastly join your request with His impending answer
5. Whatever the answer, accept it, claim it, or do it!
6. Leave the consequences in God's hands
7. Thank and praise Him

Enjoy!
Willie

My Mother Taught Me #6

My mother taught me IRONY.

She said, "Keep laughing and I'll give you something to cry about".

Ornamental Home Design, Inc.'s Trailer

The first time that I used one of the products from Ornamental Home Design, Inc., it was one of their decorative doors. Some of their doors are on display at their showroom and they made great backdrops for fashion shoots. I was so intrigued by the beautiful home products they offered, one day I took the time to stop by and chat with the owners Tony Polo and Jorge Fallad. Since then we've developed a wonderful relationship with them and wanted to help promote that business.

I produced his short video trailer as a self promotional piece for Tony and Jorge. I hope they like it!

Enjoy!
Willie

Ornamental Home Design, Inc.
227 N. Federal Hwy.
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(954) 929-9982

Blondell Gibbs' Wall Portrait

In this profession you have some clients who simply stand out from the rest and Blondell Gibbs has been one of those persons. From the very first moment we met her it has been the kind of relationship that has deepen and grown over the short years we've known each other. A lady of impeccable taste, her appreciation of the finer things in life is reflected in every decision that she makes.

Recently, Mrs. Gibbs commissioned the studio to produce a large canvas portrait of her family to hang over the mantle in her home. There were two options: 1) Regular paper printed portrait with a frame, or 2) Canvas gallery wrap that is often seen in museums. The day we interviewed Mrs. Gibbs it was obvious that a 40x60 canvas portrait was the type of "fine art" photography she needed and wanted to hang in her beautiful home. Needless, to say, this was the correct choice in products to display her family portrait.

I wanted the hanging of this beautiful canvas portrait to be special for Mrs. Gibbs, so not only did we document the event with still photographs, but I invited David Cabrera of my video team to come in and we created a documentary video for her permanent record.

Mrs. Gibbs, thanks for the wonderful opportunity to enhance your life with the creating and hanging of this beautiful family portrait. I believe that not only did you make the right decision as to who would create your portrait, but you also wisely chose the best product to display that image. I'm looking forward to creating the three generation portrait you mentioned as we left your home.

Enjoy!

Willie

Mrs. Gibbs' portrait under wraps.

Preparations for hanging the canvas.

David working his video magic.

The canvas is finally in place.

Mrs. Gibbs admiring her new piece of art.

Dana and Mrs. Gibbs introducing the portrait.

View from the kitchen into
the living room.

My Mother Taught Me #5

My mother taught me FORESIGHT.

She said, "Make sure you wear clean underwear in case you're in a car accident".

Piedad Menezes - "Colombian Glamour"

Often as a professional photographer I don't get to pick who will be my subject. However, in the case of Piedad Menezes I had the privilege of inviting her to be the subject for a portrait session with the intent of using images of her for studio samples. Last year I was hoping to use Piedad in a mother and daughter session, but the person who was to be her daughter moved away. So, that ended that opportunity, but I never abandoned the thought of photographing her at a later date.

So, this week I invited her to come into the studio for a glamour session and along with NaTasha Barr of Divine Eyez Creation we teamed up to produce the images that you see below. One of the reason that I thought Piedad would be an excellent subject is because she has tremendously gorgeous Colombian features (big brown eyes, a great face, and long black hair). I gave NaTasha an idea of how I wanted Piedad's makeup to look and an hour later we began the session.

Because Piedad was not a model I made her job easy. I simply let her sit or lay on the floor and only required that she "look pretty". Was she right for the job and did she meet my expectations? Check out the portraits below. I think she was perfect! My hat is off to Piedad and NaTasha for a session that produced some great studio samples.

Enjoy!
Willie

NaTasha Barr and Piedad

Larger images can be viewed by double clicking
on the portraits above.

To view a slide show of Piedad's images, click on play below.

Carol's Gallery Wrap

One of the newest products that Portrait Corner Studio is offering its clients is wall size canvas and gallery wrap portraits. These products provide our clients with one of a kind "fine art" pieces to decorate their home or office. Unlike traditional photographs, these portraits are printed directly on to real canvas and then framed or hung as a gallery wrap.

Recently, the studio was commissioned by Carol to create a portrait of her lovely grandchildren. The portrait was being created to replace aging portraits of the the children that hung on the wall. Several images were created inside the home as well as outdoors and Carol settled on the portrait shown below.

Thanks, Carol, for the wonderful experience of letting us capturing the beauty of your grandchildren. It was fun and memorable.

Enjoy!
Willie

Carol's grandchildren

Carol's new wall arrangement.

Carol admiring her new gallery wrap portrait.

Karla Aparicio - Class of 2010

Karla Aparicio is the first senior from Sheridan Hills Christian School in Hollywood that we've photographed. She will definitely set the trend for senior portraits at her school. When we met with Karla and her mom (Karla) to discuss her portrait session, I knew it was going to be a great experience for the both of us. Karla is so down to earth, witty, and care-free with a personality that bubbles over with self-confidence.

The first image below was right out of the box and it just got better as we went from studio shots to location portraits. If I remember correctly I don't even think I got a bad shot of Karla even blinking...which is amazing in itself. Now that the session is over I'm considering asking Karla to come back for a "fun session" where we just go out an take pictures doing anything. I believe she's the perfect "teen model".

Thanks, Karla, for an amazing senior session. I'm certain ALL your senior classmates are going to love your portraits. I sure do and I know your mother does, too.

Enjoy!
Willie

As soon as I saw this portrait of
Karla I fell in love with it.

Every time I photograph at this location we are
guaranteed an FEC train to come blowing by!



Flying high!



Karla is Venezuelan and proud of it.





















Karla loves fashion and it shows here.

Double click images above to see larger previews of the portraits.

Click "play" below to see a slide show of all the portraits.