Amber Moore

Vacation and Family Time

Images © Robert Harris Photography

Many moments come to mind when I think about my family. Some of the best memories have come when we all "gear down" and spend time together on vacation. With the girls now young adults and Ashley engaged to be married, it seemed extra special to take what will probably be our last vacation with just the four of us.

A cruise was never on my radar however at the suggestion of the rest of the family we decided to drive to Jacksonville and set sail to the Bahamas for five days of R&R and beautiful sunsets. We ate and soaked up the sun (I was nicknamed the "sunburn police") while enjoying the many activities on board the ship. To be brief; it was the perfect vacation.

Once in Nassau I was content to soak in the busy street life while Wanda and the girls shopped. On our drive back home from Jacksonville, I glanced over the front seat to witness what I have seen since Ashley and Katie were toddlers,two girls totally spent and asleep with their heads just inches from each other. Only difference is they are'nt children anymore...they are all grown up.

Ohh.. looking forward to what lies ahead. As my grandmother used to say as she sat quietly smiling during family gatherings, "I'm making a memory"

Among Mom's flowers

Image © Robert Harris Photography

The above camera study is the foundation of a beautiful Canvas Oil Portrait that will be created from this image. Once completed, the 24x30 inch piece will not only capture a likeness of this beautiful child, but more importantly her personality.

The setting was chosen to frame the subject with flowers her mother planted and enjoys caring for. The red wagon to the left compliments the roses and visually carries the viewer's eyes through the portrait. Finally lighting was refined in a pleasing warmth that matches the genuine expression of our young subject who was so proud of being three years old. A portrait of her brother will also hang on an adjacent wall to complete the heirlooms of Mom and Dad's children at three.

An Expression Tells the Story

Image © Robert Harris Photography

There are moments when an expression says it all. It is even better when that special moment is captured for a lifetime. Jennifer and Brian were enjoying a beautiful and breezy afternoon at Celebrations on the banks of Swift Creek Reservoir. Our goal was to capture their relationship for a special album of photographs for the couple to share with guests at their upcoming wedding reception. This particular image truly captured their joy of being together. The gentle breeze adds life to the image and compliments their genuine expressions.

I love this moment...I'm happy they love it too!

Painting with Light

Images © Robert Harris Photography

In the days of film (we still use it at times) an incident light meter was a must to measure light values and ratios especially when mixing strobes with ambient (existing light). (It's the piece of "jewelry" seasoned photographers wear around their neck) A visual confirmation was only available in the mind of the photographer (unless a special Polaroid back was attached to the camera to confirm the vision) before exposing film.

Fast forward to digital and I still use an incident meter in the same way. Visualizing the photograph before exposure is still the best way to create art. The light meter is at the foundation of the process of "painting with light" and how it will affect the subject. (not the screen on the back of the camera; which serves as a confirmation of a picture, but nothing else) The core of the process of visualization helps to engage the mind and "see" the image before an exposure is made.

This process usually goes unnoticed by our subjects as Wanda is usually the "test" to confirm the vision before we place our true subject in the scene. With lighting and composition in place, we are able to give our complete attention to our subject which enables us to bring out the most important element of the photograph; the individuals personality.