Here are just a few of my favorites
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I usually talk to the client to put them at ease and to get to know them a little and it also gives me time to analyze their facial features. I usually talk to them about their goals for using the image, what they want to convey with this image and how the image can help them in business. This helps me visualize the end result.
I take few shots, reposing them gradually to where I believe we hit the mark on what looks best.
Then we review the images, which then gives the client an idea of possible changes, or actually picking the image they like best.
Then I do the editing. Lint, flyaway hair, temporary blemishes, are removed or faded out. People joke and ask if I can make them look 20 years younger...Yes I could, but no I won't. I'll make you look your best, where you are now in life. This was the final delivered image, and those that follow were a few examples from the same day.
If you're thinking about a new headshot, talk to me. I can do Environmental Headshots (Fancy word for natural background), or a themed background. I can do an entire staff group image. Give me a call 512.415.2640, or send an email to [email protected]. Would love a chance to discuss your needs.
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Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I watch, what has become my favorite seasonal movie, "A Christmas Story". The central character is Ralph, whose Christmas desire from Santa is a special BB gun. He dreams of sitting with Santa at the local mall and describing the deepest desire of his heart. What happens if you get to the Mall, wait in line for over an hour, then right before you go to sit with the Jolly Guy, you find out Santa doesn't speak your language? What if Santa can't hear you? There is a community of children and adults that are hard of hearing or deaf, but still get a chance to talk with Santa using ASL or American Sign Language.
At this time of the year, I get the privilege of working with volunteers from the community and staff from the Texas School for the Deaf in taking over 250 photos and providing prints of them with Santa at Barton Creek Square Mall. I admit, I know almost no ASL, only "Thank you". But I think Santa forgives me...and hugs are universal.
This event is made possible by the generous donations of love, time, talents, and money. If you can help, please do so.
If I want to tell Santa what to bring me for Christmas, I can write a letter addressed to somewhere in the North Pole. But getting up close to Santa himself, and telling him how I've been such a good boy this year, and I want a Nikon D5 with a 600mm F4 lens, and blah, blah, blah...you get the picture. You tell him your list of things you really, really, want. Not that you really, really, need more stuff. That's just nonsense. It brings me great joy to see lives filled with true love. Love one another deeply.
Merry Christmas to all of you,
Michael
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Melanie and Shannon wanted an iconic background for their engagement/invitation images. University of Texas in Austin was their choice and it provided a beautiful background for this wonderful couple. Just a block away were a couple of Austin Icons as well. To see the entire session, click here for their full gallery. If you'd like more information about Michael Barker Photography, please connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram or email me: [email protected] or just call me 512.415.2640! Talk to you soon.
Michael
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Michael
While I don't like to hear about local businesses filing Bankruptcy, , http://www.kvue.com/story/news/local/2015/08/12/more-than--hundred-brides-left-without-photographer/31588757/ The Wedding Shoppe Austin has closed their doors and left several couples without a photographer. I'd like to help, by working with any client of the Wedding Shoppe Austin who is in need of a photographer. I am giving away 2 digital wedding packages to two local couples who's wedding photographer needs cannot be fulfilled by the Wedding Shoppe Austin. This includes day-of coverage, fully edited images on USB flash drive, Online gallery to purchase prints and albums from. These are based on availability and some other details. Please get in touch with me ASAP
#weddingshoppebankruptcy, #weddingphotographer,#atxwedding,#georgetownphotographer,
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Backyard weddings can be wonderful, especially if you share a larger space with a neighbor, as Sarah's parents share their backyard with their neighbor having a small arbor between them. Obviously, landscaping sets the tone, and well manicured healthy plants can add such beauty to an outdoor wedding. To see the rest of the images, click here http://www.michaelbarkerphoto.com/p534467585.
If you are looking for a photographer for a special occasion, I'd love to chat with you about it. Connect with me on Facebook, twitter, email, or just call me.
Michael
Recently, i've decided to do a little soul searching, and have decided to trend back into some personal work in the studio. Sort of a mental flossing, if you will. Setting up these shots takes considerable time and patience. I shoot about a dozen images, each time discovering something new as I change the lighting, perspective, or camera setting. As I experiment, I find myself critically thinking about why I find certain things appealing. Images start to represent ideas, at least in my mind. You may just find them as pretty flowers. Click here to see the rest. The image above reminded me of a passage of scripture I memorized long ago. Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." This delicate flower began to wither within moments of bringing it into the studio. I literally watched it fade and droop, it's life ebbing quickly from it's initial upright noble position. A tiny flower whose purpose was to bloom for a short period of time. Our Heavenly Father's words live on; long after my own life's purpose blooms, fades, and dies.
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You've got the photographer booked to shoot the engagement session finally. Now what? As the day approaches and you both talk about what to wear, you realize he is probably somewhat nonchalant about the whole thing. Maybe he says, "just tell me what to wear, and I'll be there". Hopefully not, but I've seen it. It's not necessarily the guys doesn't care. What it comes down to is being uncomfortable in front of a camera. Primarily, they don't know what to expect. Here are a few items that might make the shoot go smoother for you and your man.
- Give him plenty of notice of when the session is. Make him put it on his calendar with reminders. Put it on the refrigerator. Mental preparedness is key for most guys. Talk about your photo session in advanced and tell him what your ideas are, and ask him for input. Collaborate on a setting and on dress style. He will enjoy the session if he has a vested interest in it and you will have a better time during the session as well. Continue to talk about it as the date draws near. Keep it on the front burner. Let him know how important it is to you.
- If possible, a couple of weeks in advance of the session, have the photographer talk to the bride and groom together about how the session will flow and make sure you feel like the photographer knows how to pose you as a couple. Maybe even the buzzwords the photographer uses to pose you. I sometimes will just roleplay a single pose at a meetup session. Something simple. If the guy feels confident, it will show in the images.
Physically Prepare Him
- Clothes Actually put on the clothing you both will wear at the session and together look in the mirror. Make sure the clothes are clean, neat, and somewhat wrinkle free. Make sure the clothes fit and are not too tight or too baggy. You might even practice your hugs and kisses...but don't get too wrinkly!
- Hair: If he needs a haircut, make sure it get's done about a week before the session so it looks more natural. Full beards need freshening up, trim, neck cleaned, eyebrows cleaned up...etc. Many guys are ok with their everyday appearance, but a little preparation will show up in your final images. It makes a difference between vacation snapshots and engagement photos.
- Socks and shoes(optional). Unless you're doing a barefoot shoot, then, yes he'll need matching socks and appropriate and clean shoes. Cowboy boots are popular in this part of the country, but it all depends on what style you are going for. If boots are part of the ensemble, make sure they are clean; no fresh samples from the ranch necessary.
- Ties are great for formal style, whereas bowties lend more character(think, Dr. Who) but not everyone can pull off a bowtie. If he can't tie the tie, get him a clip-on. Also a tie clip of sorts is a great accent piece and keeps the tie in place. Make sure the tie color/material/texture complements his shirt. No tie with short sleeve shirts. Suspenders or belts; not bot
- Hats Again, cowboy hats are popular around here, but guys tend to hide under them. The photographer will have to have him tilt it back to see his fresh face whereas the hat doesn't sit right. It can be done, but not always. Ball caps are out, unless you are going for a sports theme.
Toms Silver-Glitter shoes, pearl earrings and necklace accessorized her Vera Wang dress and veil. The long set of pearls belonged to her Grandmother. A big "Thank You!" to Scott and Amelia for being my assistants as well as Shelby's dress wrangler.
Thank you all for stopping by and asking questions and looking at my photos. The show was filled with vendors and brides who brought their mothers, mother-in-laws, aunts, sisters, siblings, children, grandparents, grooms, maids of honor, bridesmaids, and friends. Because this was a local show, the pace was good. There was plenty of time to talk to people and not feel too pressured.
]]>Earlier this week the Texas School for the Deaf, along with friends and families hosted a Signing Santa at Barton Creek Square Mall. We shot and printed over 170 images and gave them for free to the families of deaf or hard of hearing children who sat with Santa and told him what they wanted for Christmas. There was also a great sing along led by students from the Texas School for the Deaf...You probably wonder what that sounds like.? It's more of what it looks and feels like...you just had to be there to appreciate it.
A great big thank you to Diana Melcer who provided a stuffed stocking to every child who visited. A big shout-out to Keena Miller, Frank Hereford, & Twyla Heslop, who helped to provide an online image as well as a printed version. We made a great team! I'm glad things went fairly smooth.
Here are a few of my favorite images...some unexpected, and some I could see coming a mile away. Enjoy!
There were quite a few little ones that absolutely did not want to be near Santa. Multiple people tried to coax a smile, but to no avail.
Usually they ended up this way....Not quite a memorable moment. I saw this brewing from the get-go...poor baby! Brave Santa.
Watching the children tell Santa what they wanted was fascinating. Although I don't sign, I picked up "thank you" quickly.
I saw this one from several girls... lol...I'm thinking she's not telling Santa to "call me"
This young man had his family call ahead of time to ask if it would be okay if he could join in. They said he was 73 but was still just a kid at heart. He enjoyed sitting with Santa and getting his picture taken just as much as the other children...He squealed with delight when they handed him the photo...melted my heart.
Some of the A-Team!!! I think a couple of them left just a few minutes earlier.
Event photography requires a keen sense of observation. You need to know where the best interactions are happening and be prepared to capture the moment. The course of the event is shot primarily journalistic with some impromptu posing. During the evening of photographing the Austin Bridal Guide's Fall Book Release party, held out at Flint Rock Ranch, I saw something that just struck me as a "fun magnet". The photo booth. Being the geeky photographer I am, I had to ask owner Paige Marie Bull loads of questions!
The concept of the photo booth goes way back to the 1880's with varying degrees of success. However, this particular photo booth from Forever In Time Photo Booth, LLC, was a digital modern mobile metal curtain box filled with untold stories and spit out wonderfully brilliant bold colored photos. With several props to chose from, several guests would adorn themselves with hilariously oversized glasses, moustaches, masks, and other props, instantly bringing out their inner child. An outside monitor gave other guests in line, a peek into the silliness or love that transpired inside the booth. Laughter and squeals filled the room from inside the booth as well as from guest collecting their strips of 4 pictures. If you want to add something special to your event, add a photo booth. Your guest will have a blast.
SVRA or Sportscar Vintage Racing Association was at COTA or Circuit Of The Americas this weekend in Austin, TX. I was able to attend Saturday's all day event with my friends Jeff, Barret, and Nathan. It was overcast most of the day,
We were able to move freely to almost most parts of the track...except to those areas nearer to the track reserved for media journalists. It's for safety reasons, as they go through much training and it's for those who cover sports for legitimate commercial endeavors. I wanted to try a new technique I've wanted to try, but never got around to it. Panning. It's an aid in composition that can give a real perspective of an image in motion. Some of these cars are in definite motion. Here is an example of a high shutter speed on a beautiful Porche going how fast???
You can't tell if its parked or what. I've picked a shutter speed that completely stopped the action. It doesn't relay the speed of the car which is integral to the image. ISO 200 f4.0 at 1/2000th of shutter speed. The car would have to be going incredibly fast to create any motion blur at this shutter speed. If I just shoot a slow shutter speed and don't pan, you get a blurry car and a terrible image. What you're trying to achieve is a moving background/foreground/wheels, with a steady car. This gives a better impression of speed.
It's shot at ISO200 f9.0 and shutter at 1/160th of a second. Not a great example, but for my first "panning" project, I settled. I couldn't get slower without getting camera blur. It just takes practice. Lots of practice.
Here are a few of my favorites from the race.
If you want to see all my photo's click here or go to my Events Gallery. http://www.zenfolio.com/michaelbarker/p983610132/edit
]]>A big thanks to the TSDF for allowing Michael Barker Photography to participate. And a double thank you to my sweet wife Carrie Barker for helping and encouraging me.
I asked Lord Vader if he had tried to turn the lights on with the Force (ref. Volkswagen commercial)...he just breathed deeply and stared at me. His mom is Ms Universe.
A sweet couple just wanting a memory
Thing 1 and Thing 2
Those crazy kids from Tough Cookie Cycling Team...we traded cookies for pics...I definitely came out ahead!
Thought I'd share my setup for anyone interested. Two Einstein 640's for lights. Large Octobox on right and bare strobe on left, about 1/2 power compared to the Octo. The entire Tent/Canopy (EZUP ES100) kit made like a large diffuser and eliminated all shadows during the day. At night, the lighting had to be adjusted up. Camera: Nikon D700, Lens: Nikon 24-70 2.8, ISO 141, Shutter 1/250, varying F5-F8. I actually shot Tethered to my MacBookPro using Adobe LightRoom4. It gave the clients the ability to see what I just shot, and to adjust their poses. It also made a great table display to show what the photos were going to look like. I only hosted the photos on my website and they could download them whenever. That particular Event is locked except to those who have the password and were at the event except for these few pics here.
and I guess there was quite a bit of water due to some past intense rains.
But Carrie and I were able to manuever around the debris which had piled against a small bridge.
I did find evidence of the existance of bigfoot. Maybe I should call someone important? I love the Fall season; just wish it lasted longer here in Texas.
They both share a love for baseball (softball), each other, and Jesus!
Save the Date Pic...one of my personal favs :) The rest of the pics from this session are in the engagement gallery. Thanks Shelby and Parker! You make a beautiful couple!
It was a hot and steamy late evening when we shot these pictures at the ball field. Shelby and Parker rocked the field while we dabbed the perspiration off them between shots!
My personal shout out to Scott and Amelia Johnson for scouting the place and being my assistants! Couldn't have done it without you!
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