Wedding Portrait at Nature's Point shot on Fuji Instant Film

ow often do you get to do something you have always wanted? Thanks to Eric Hegwer I was invited to bring my 4×5 to a gorgeous event this past weekend at Nature’s Point along with all my regular gear. The spectacular venue was awash in perfect weather and even better light. Eric and I had discussed the shot before had and I came prepared with my 15′ telescoping ladder and some wood clamps. A few minutes after scouting the ceremony site I clamped my tripod to the ladder, pre-focused and marked the spot.  Before the ceremony the whole rig was hidden behind a tree and half-way into it I carried the camera/ladder into the middle of the aisle to shoot a few sheets. This first image comes from a quick session we did after the wedding shot on the luscious Fuji Fp100c45 and the negative retained using advice I received from the incomparable William Littman.

Portrait of the Architect as a young man.

Tribeza magazine here in town assigned me to make a portrait of local architect Brian Dillard for their upcoming October Architectural issue. He is a very talented architect who has designed many projects in different areas of Austin. I met him in his South Congress office where he showed me a few plans for homes he is working on. We then walked up the block and around the corner where I shot him in the soft, early evening, summer light against the side of Guerro’s. 20 minutes and a roll of 120 later and we were set. Thanks Brian!

One of the last shots of the session.

Greg sits a while.

I was reminded of this shoot with musician Greg Vendetti recently when a photographer friend of mine was asking about interesting locations to shoot at. This was done this past January in an abandoned house not far from where I live. I drive past it regularly but only noticed it about a year ago in the winter when the leafless trees revealed their secret. They have kept it well and in turn the house remains undiscovered and absent of graffiti. I brought the 19th century bed spring which fits into the brass frame and window curtain to complete the scene. The house doesn’t need much more than that- it speaks for itself. I am particularly fond of places that inspire more questions that answers. As J.J. Abrams so brilliants posited in his TED talk, sometimes it is the unresolved mystery that draws and maintains our attention. This is one of those places.

Jasper studies the decay rate of oak leaves in a Ford composter.

We were out taking a walk and passed one of my favorite places to shoot- this old Ford pickup that was left by the previous owners toward the back of the property. It lies in between several oaks and so the only light that reaches it has to travel the 30 feet or so down from the canopy of the forest around it. The light is always spectacular especially in the afternoon. I have shot several people here on many occasions. It always has a mood and feeling to it that suits the subject I am working with. Today it happened to be Jasper who just turned 2 years and 6 months old. Another image I created here features the musician James Intveld sitting on some tires – there is no seat, and no engine – and was used as the cover for his album Have Faith.

Bodie models his vintage polyester tuxedo jacket

Sometimes it is worth getting the Sinar 4×5 out to shoot the boys with. Bodie looked downright debonair in his paisley tux jacket so out it came.

This is scanned from the Fuji instant print.