Feeling at home

Sylvia is a nutritional consultant. She contacted me recently to get some headshots and environmental portraits for her soon-to-be-renovated web site. Sylvia's office and client meeting space is in her home. Talking beforehand, we decided to feature her surroundings as part of the portrait making process.

Sylvia's place has a nice open airy space with lots of windows, and on the day of the shoot, lots of late afternoon sun streamed in through a bank of windows and a set of french doors on the west side of the house. Lots of light. My job was to bring in just enough fill light with a flash or two to keep the shadows from getting too dark and to provide nice catch lights in Sylvia's eyes.

We shot poses in her kitchen (what better place for a nutritionist?) and living room, projecting the warm and welcoming vibe of Sylvia's home and personality.

James Jordan Chicago Portrait Photographer

Engagement Photo Session: Thip and Suli

Thip and Suli are a great couple -- fun, energetic and more than good sports about posing for an outdoor engagement photo session on a chilly October evening in Elgin. But they more than warmed up to the task and got some great photos out of the (or)deal.

Thip and Suli have known each other for 13 years, since they were high school classmates and will tie the knot next September.

James Jordan Chicago Portrait Photographer

Photographs © 2009 James Jordan.

Got your fall groove on?

Got your fall decorating done at your place? I want to photograph it. I'm looking for festive fall homes in the Chicago metro area to shoot for submission to Getty Images, the leading stock photography agency, of which I am a contributing photographer. Old, new, small, large, it doesn't matter -- let's set up a time. Who knows, your decorating style may become famous.

Drop me a line at james[at]jamesjordanphoto[dot]com.

If nothing else, there's variety ...

Interesting day, photographically speaking. It ranged from capturing decorated alpaca clothing and artwork (on a real alpaca farm with all the sights -- and smells, no less) ...

To corporate headshots and environmental portraits in a clean, air conditioned setting ...

Can't say the job is boring.

Life's too short to have to live with bad photos of yourself

I'm on a crusade. I see too many portraits on web sites, brochures and business cards that look like the one on the left. One flash, staight into the face, like a shovel. And like a shovel to the face it can leave you looking flat. It doesn't matter how many gismos and gadgets you have on that camera. A portrait using the on board flash will always look like it was taken at the DMV.

You say you're a professional. An expert in your field. You want me to trust you on that and do business with you. It would be easier for me and a whole lot of other folks to work up some trust if you had a portrait that said "Wow!" instead of "All that's missing is the orange jumpsuit and numbers across the bottom."

Just sayin.'

Here's the deal. I can come to your office and make some boffo portraits of you and your professional, dedicated staff at package prices for as low as just $20 per portrait. We can show all of you in your environment or make it look like you sprung for a day at a photo studio -- all without leaving the building. Your call.

Whattaya say? All you've got to lose is your DMV/police lineup look.

No, really. Don't hold back. What do you think of me as a family portrait photographer?

I love getting good, honest feedback from my clients.

Actually, after an hour wrangling a couple of kids, a set of in-laws/grandparents and a large dog on a very warm summer afternoon, everyone needs to let off a little steam. If it can't be fun, why do it at all?

The best part? The family chose this shot as part of their finished package of pictures. Other, more restrained examples below:

Portrait Quiz

Take a look at the portraits below. Can you pick out which portraits were taken on location and which were taken in a studio?

OK, trick question. All of the portraits you see were taken on location. Top left: Taken at the subject's office; Middle Top: Taken in a park; Top Right: Taken at the subject's home; Bottom: Taken at a retail optical store.

You don't have to travel to sit for a professional portrait. I'll come to you, and bring whatever is needed to produce a pleasing portrait that puts you in your best light.