Family in the Studio
Capturing images in the studio is fun and gives me greater control over the lighting. In this recent shoot with my family we had fun with the kids posing for their portraits. The 4 year old in the family even brought her Russian dress for the occasion. Here are some of my favorite from the session. ...
read more2011 TBEC Honor Roll Conference
On December 2nd, 2011 I served as the primary photographer for the Annual Texas Business & Education Coalition state Honor Roll conference to recognize Texas schools for academic performance. To qualify for the Honor Roll, schools must have a high percentage of students meeting state standards on every TAKS test for three consecutive year and perform at the state’s most rigorous standard – commended – in ALL subjects. A large room was dedicated as the “photography” room so that every group could return home...
read moreFamily Portrait In November
Below are some of my favorite photos from a Nov 2011 family portrait session. I met the family at the Palomo Lake subdivision in Round Rock, Texas. We used the architecture of the subdivision entrance as our backdrop. The session took place between 10-11 am in the morning. I used a mono-light to match the brightness of the sun making it possible to keep the background from being to bright. After the group shots, I captured a number of photos of the children and smaller group shots for the family. I think everyone had fun and we...
read moreNovember Wedding
I provided photography services for a November 5 wedding at the Texas Baptist Children’s Home chapel in Round Rock recently. Friend Dena filled the people wrangling role. The wedding was well organized and was enjoyed by all, including this photographer. Along with typical images captured during the ceremony we spent about 30 minutes after the ceremony capturing both group images and close-ups of the bride and groom. I also attended the reception and provided images such as cutting the cake, the toast, and the tossing of the...
read moreSearching for the King
Each year I volunteer as a photographer and media development specialist for the Christmas pageant of First Baptist in Round Rock, Texas. Along with developing graphics that are projected during the live event, I help create the marketing images that used to drive attendance. The 2011 event is entitled Searching for the King and is based on an exciting script which juxtaposes one of the Magi (Mordecai) as he follows the Star of Bethlehem with Benjamin, and a soldier stationed in the Middle East 2,000 years later, who is looking up at...
read moreKim & the Hat Collection
I recently completed a photo session with Kim, featuring a portion of her ever growing hat collection. I first realized Kim had a “thing” for hats when I noticed she wore a different hat in the choir every Sunday morning at First Baptist Round Rock where I attend. I complemented her hat of the day and offered to do a photo session to help her create an online gallery to share her collection with friends and family. Kim is in the last years of completing her medical training so it took a while for her calendar to be open. The...
read moreKeller Williams Photoshoot
I was invited to capture professional business portraits (head shots) for Keller Williams Realty this week. They were in the process of moving into a new building, requiring all staff to get new business cards. The invitation went to all Williamson county agents to come by for a portrait. I enjoyed meeting each of the agents and discussing their photography needs for the real estate industry as well as discussing meeting their family portrait needs. I set up my portable studio in their offices which includes a 44 inch reflective...
read moreCaleb Luncheon
The following are from a collection of over 100 images captured at a luncheon at First Baptist Church, Round Rock on July 26, 2011. My charter was to capture the fellowship for the attendees as well as images of the major presenters and performers. I accomplished this with a combination of flash and non flash images. The completed collection was delivered to the church office the following day on a CD. I have been the primary photographer for this event for 4 years. Each year the images from the previous year are displayed on a large...
read moreBallerina in Training
The images below are from a recent photo shoot for a young ballerina in training. These images were captured in the DigitalAspirations studio using a 9 foot wide paper roll extended to cover both the background and floor. I used a large softbox to the left of the subject and a 72 inch reflector to the front right. The background was lit with 2 36 inch strip softbox units. All 3 lights were professional mono-lights. (Einstein 640). Both the subject and her mother were pleased. ...
read morePortrait of a Musician
I met with musician, Kennith Mitchell, to help him capture a portrait series that could be used for marketing his music on the Internet and potentially on CD covers. Kennith was great at posing and had the unusual ability to display a natural and fun smile on demand. The reflective surface of the guitar posed some issues but by changing the angle of the main light and the guitar’s location relative to all of the light sources, we were able to get both the subject and the instrument in good lighting. We chose a black background to...
read morePalo Duro Canyon
On May 7, I was visiting my daughter in Canyon, Texas to see first dance recital. The morning before, i packed up my backpack with camera, tripod, and bottled water and made the 20 min drive to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. I begin with the short hike to Capitol Peak and captured a panorama of this structure using 7 images with the tripod mounted camera in portrait (vertical) mode. Below, you can see the result after stitching the photos together in Photoshop. The resolution of the image would allow a 3 to 6 foot wide print. I then continued...
read moreSenior Shoot for Erika
On April 23, I completed a senior shoot for Erika. Erika was joining her friend Margie which made it more fun for both girls and gave me an extra pair of hands to hold a reflector when needed. We began in the DigitalAspirations studio using a softbox-left and a reflector to the right. A gray back ground lit with a gridded light provided a conservative background. Erika is planning on studying graphic arts and was very interested in the photography principals that I explained. ...
read moreSenior Shoot for Margie
On April 23, 2011 I completed a fun senior shoot with Margie, beginning with a studio shoot and then followed by a field trip to Memorial Park in Round Rock. Margie, at my recommendation wore a dark blouse which I think really helps highlight the face in these low key studio images. We used a soft box to the left and a reflector to the right. A hair light helped separate the subject from the background. ...
read morePhotograph-Based Composite Images
I attended a class recently by Richard Sturdevant with an introduction on how to produce photo composites. This technique can produce fun and print worthy images that celebrate an individual in a special way. They are frequently used for sports, but really can be used to tell any story about the subjects interest and mastery. Below are some of my first composites built from photographs that I have taken. Creating a composite image for a framed print or a poster is a service I offer to my photography...
read moreFriends & Bonnets
On March 17, 2011 I used natural window light to capture my granddaughter and her friend in their bonnets. These images were captured in the DigitalAspirations studio where I have a full length window that has shears to help soften the light. I put the two mothers to work helping to hold a reflector on the right to bounce fill light into their faces. I used our new “conversation couch” to pose the girls for the...
read moreGrandkids in B&W
On March 12 of 2011, I had nine grandkids from two families in the studio at one time. I captured these in color, but really liked the Black & White conversions that I’ll share here. I used our new professional lighting kit to provided soft lighting from the left with a medium softbox. I used a reflector on the right to bonce light in as a fill. Finally, I had a rim light from the back right-hand side. The images have been retouched in Photoshop for these portraits. ...
read moreFBC Christmas Pageant
In November of 2010, First Baptist Church of Round Rock, Texas asked me to help them capture images for their Christmas pageant, which would feature choir members in both Biblical and Charles Dickens era costumes. The images were used in producing marketing posters, newspaper announcements, and finally many where projected on 12 foot screens during the actual performance. I decided to shoot the characters in front of a white background and to use Photoshop to separate the images from their background. I used four flash strobes to...
read moreBlue Lapis Light Event
On the evening of September 26, 2010. I was invited to be one of six photographers attending a dress rehearsal of the Blue Lapis Light. BLUE LAPIS LIGHT is an aerial site-specific dance company. Using aerial techniques along with classical, interpretive and modern dance, we strive to transcend athleticism, capturing poetry in movements and a dream of the infinite. As photographers, we were allowed to be “stage” side. In this case the stage was the Long Center for Performing Arts in...
read moreAbout Me
Keith Mitchell is a passionate photographer who strives to produce art, not just snapshots. He is both creative and technical. 