Fuji Masterpiece Award

Image © Robert Harris Photography
A panel of seven Master Photographers from across the country judged the Virginia Prof. Photographers Assoc. annual photographic print competition this past weekend. They were responsible for evaluating hundreds of images in virtually every discipline in photography during the VPPA annual convention in Richmond. We received three awards for our photography including the Fuji Masterpiece Award for the wedding image "New Horizons." This photograph features Ashley and Matt on their wedding day at Hermitage Country Club in Goochland County. This entry also received a Court of Honor award.

A New Life Begins

© Robert Harris Photography
One of the nicest aspects of our daily routine is to photograph life in the happiest of times. We've had the occasion of photograph Laura since her wedding day five years ago. Since then we have watched her family grow by two. Her latest addition (a little girl) is a bundle of smiles and giggles. Laura comes from a family of Clemson grads. I wonder if her kids see an orange tiger paw in their future?

Telling a Visual Story

Image © Robert Harris Photography
A successful story should engage the reader from the beginning of the book until the last page is turned. A successful visual story is no different when photographs are captured and designed in a compelling way. The images featured above are designed as a visual chapter (2 page spread) of a wedding story. Just as words are composed in a novel; photographs are designed in a story for the viewer to appreciate the many facets and fleeting moments of a day filled with activity. A design that allows the photographs to "speak" as a group is critical. Of course, each photograph must be allowed to"speak" individually as well. The resulting story should leave the viewer with a sense of "reliving the day" until the last page is turned.

Twins

Image © Robert Harris Photography
We have had the pleasure of photographing Brennan and Tucker since they were just a few months old. To mark the milestone of their fifth year of life, we photographed them once again to create a special portrait; in this case individually. It was decided that although the boys were twins and had been photographed together their entire lives, we would create a unique portrait for each boy to be hung in a room that would include their older sister. Although the clothing is the same, the oil portraits are distinctly different. Each 24"x30" portrait will be custom framed and become the focal point of the room.

Snowing again....

Image © Robert Harris Photography
A third major snow storm has blanketed the area in just over six weeks. A few remaining leaves are stubbornly hanging on despite the cold winter grip of over 30" of snow in the Richmond area this winter.

20 years ago

One of my favorite photographs of my daughter Ashley (now a senior in collage) was made about 20 years ago when she was about two years old. This image (used film) was made while spending time at Buggs Island Lake in the southern most part of Virginia. Ashley spent a lot of time "cruising" the yard in her pink Barbie Corvette. The keys in Ashley's hand (skeleton key) were attached to a key ring with my Grandfather's logo of his past business, "E.H. Harris Oil Corp." It was a nice addition to add another layer of memories to appreciate in the photograph.
The photograph was planned down to Ashley's foot visible below the open door as well as the keys. Her expression however is totally spontaneous. I like to use the phrase; "planned spontaneity" I use this technique all the time when planning a portrait session. The photograph is designed to bring out elements within the photograph that are meaningful to the subject. The key (no pun intended) is to allow expressions to be spontaneous during the moment the photograph is made. When all of the elements come together (expression, design, lighting) the image is made to be appreciated even decades later.