SINGER, DANCER, ACTOR: MISS MYA V.

What we knew about Miss Mya as we put together outfits for a day at the beach is she's super-fun to work with and one of the sweetest kids on the planet. And we knew we'd get some great looks from her.

What we didn't know is she is an amazing voice-over artist. She can imitate everyone from Applejack from My Little Pony to the Queen of England. Oh, yeah, and she can sing, too! Miss Mya V. is awesome!

TECH STUFF: It was a pretty cloudy day -- as you can tell from the gray ocean in the last image -- so we shot everything at around 6500K with a Canon 5D MKIII and a 70-200mm f2.8 and a bit of reflector action here and there. Her skin is pretty flawless so most of the retouching, beyond the basics in Lightroom, was balancing highlights and shadows. I used a gradient mapping technique I learned from Pratik Naik, which is a pretty effective way to manage skin tones, along with the usual frequency separation things I've been doing for awhile. 

BEACH BLONDIE

Lilian is one of those kids who can wear any outfit -- from a fancy dress to beach wear to jeans and a leather jacket -- and look awesome no matter what. This set of images were taken at the beach, in Seaside, OR, about a month ago. We figure they pretty much speak for themselves!

TECH STUFF: Everything here was shot with my usual kit: Canon 5D MKIII and 70-200mm f2.8. We used a silver reflector here and there to light up her eyes (see image #3). The weather had "Mixed Emotions" (reference: a Rolling Stones song) as the clouds came and went, which made lighting a bit of a challenge at times. I used Lightroom for basic adjustments (camera calibration, sharpening, highlight/shadow, white balance) and finished the images in Photoshop.

JACK & PENNY

It took us awhile to get these world travelers into our studio but, when we did, the results were just spectacular. We made these amazing images during one of our Rockstar Sessions, which if you haven't heard, have become a really popular event for us. 

If you're a Rockstar and would like to join for a session, you can get more information and contact us here. And, if you're a casting director who'd like to work with one of these kids, hit up Marissa at Sport + Lifestyle Unlimited.

TECH STUFF: These were shot in my studio, in front of a Silverlake backdrop, using a Gemini 400 head and a 47" deep umbrella. Canon 5DMKIII and a 70-200mm f2.8 at something like ISO 100, f9 at 1/160. Beautiful kids courtesy of their Mom and Dad; wardrobe styling by Angie Swim.

AVERIE

Today we got to deliver a pair of headshots for an up-and-coming Portland actor who we know has huge successes in her future. She's smart, she's hard-working and she looks (and sounds) about three years younger than her age (which is ALWAYS a good thing for an actor). We can't wait to see what the future holds!

Tech Stuff: A 5D MKIII, a 70-200 f2.8 and a Gemini 400R with a 5' Octo (my standard commercial headshot kit). A little color correction and sharpening in Lr and some color and shadow balancing in Ps and, voila, a fabulous headshot.

BLONDIE AT THE BEACH

I'll just repeat what I said on Instagram: "I couldn’t be more grateful for this kid and her family. Hannah’s kind and compassionate and consummately professional; she brings positive vibes and a sense of fun to everything we do. In a business where a tiny bit of success can cause people to lose perspective, Hannah and her family have remained loyal and down to earth through and through. They are indeed a gift!"

Tech Stuff: Shot with a Canon 5D MKIII and a 70-200mm 2.8 on a cloudy day in Seaside, OR. Pre-processing in Lightroom, detail work in Photoshop, mostly balancing highlights and shadow and doing come color balancing tricks I learned from Max Eremine.

AWESOME OLIVIA IS PRETTY IN PINK

She was a little shy at first but, by the time we got to the end of her shoot, she was working the set like a pro. We love working with new kids ... and Miss Olivia was a treat to meet. We can't wait to work with her again.

Tech Stuff: Shot with a Canon 5D MKIII and a 70-200mm 2.8 at roughly 1/160, f8 and ISO 100 using a Bowens 400R instrument and a 5' Octo. Lightroom for basic exposure and color correction, Photoshop for the detail work. Cuteness was entirely from her Mom and Dad!

DEVYN THE BLUE EYED BEACH BABY

To say we appreciate this kid and her amazing Mom is an understatement.

Every time we get to work with Devyn, it's nothing less than a privilege and an honor. To every shoot she brings professionalism beyond her years and a willingness to have fun doing the work (something we adults need to always remember). And, in case you've not noticed, she's SOOOOO CUTE!

Wardrobe styling by Claire Verity.

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Technical Stuff: Shot with a Canon 5D MKIII and a 70-200mm f2.8 on a pretty sunny Friday afternoon at the beach in Seaside, OR. For the most part they were shot between f8 and f10 at ISO 200 and 6300K. The swimwear images were taken in bright sun, metered on her face; the rest of the shots were taken in open shade using some soft white reflection. These are pretty close to what came out of the camera save for some basic highlight/shadow adjustments in Lightroom and some skin tonality retouching done with Photoshop.

RONAN

For those who were wondering, we shoot boys at the beach, too!

This guy is a true sweetheart, a real pleasure to work with. We've never taken a bad headshot of him, we totally dig the shots of him in the dunes and the black and white image at the end of the set is one of our favorites of the year (hint to Columbia Sportswear).

Casting directors and creatives interested in working with Ronan should hit up Jennifer at Ryan Artists in Portland.

Clothing styling by Claire Verity. 

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Tech Stuff: These were shot on a cloudy morning in Seaside, OR using a Canon 5D MKIII, a 70-200 and a few reflectors. The headshot was actually done in our hotel room, while it was raining, with Ronan facing a sliding glass door. The black and whites are pretty straight forward: a little exposure and highlight adjustment and converted to B&W in Lightroom. The horizontal image has a little more magic involved, including the removal of a swingset camera left and the enhancement of the sky using a blue soft light overlay and a bit of masking and painting. 

CHLOE IN THE SUN

If I could pick one kid to photograph all the time -- other than my own beautiful daughter -- it would be this awesome kiddo. She's as nice as can be, as professional as anyone can ask and, yeah, she's beautiful in such a natural way. Except a little color correction and removing a stray beachcomber in the background, these pictures fell pretty much directly from the camera. (We photographers love that!)

If you are a casting or creative director and would like to work with her, please ring the bell of Christian or Marissa at Sports + Lifestyle Unlimited.

Hair and makeup done her mom, the amazing Karina Talaro, who also does MUAH for all my editorial sessions. Wardrobe styled by Claire Verity.

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Technical Stuff: All these shots were done on the beach in Seaside, OR, on a really sunny day using a Canon 5D MKIII, a 70-200mm f2.8 lens and a lot of reflectors. The next to last image (of her splashing in the water) has some color enhancement done to the water but otherwise these  images are pretty much straight from the camera except for a little color correction. 

MARVELOUS MR. EZRA

Some kids just make an impression, even before they step in front of the camera. Such was the case with Ezra, whose charm and personality was evident the minute he stepped out of the car and shook my hand.

And though many of the kids with whom we work are smart and creative, Ezra is particularly sharp and incisive (witnessed by the way he explains to me what science of light meters).

If you're an agency or creative director looking for a handsome and friendly kid for your next commercial session, give the folks at Ryan Artists a shout and ask them about Ezra.

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Tech Stuff: These images were shot at my studio, out in the country, just north of Portland, OR using my go-to kit: a Canon 5D MKIII and a 70-200mm f2.8. The studio images were lit with a single 5' Octabox using Bowens Gemini 400s at around 4. Camera setting was somewhere around 1/160 at f8 at ISO 100. I used some frequency separation in Photoshop to balance highlights and shadows.

ELIZABETH IS FUN & FASHIONABLE

We think this kiddo is just adorable! The blonde streaks in her hair, her sweet smile and eyes that just knock us out. As with so many of our awesome clients, Elizabeth was referred to us by a friend and we were so appreciative to meet her at our Winter Fun & Fashion session. Thank you, Elizabeth, for making great pictures!

MUAH: Rachel Christensen | Wardrobe: Claire Verity

OUTSTANDING MISS OPAL

Some kids just have charisma and this girl, who worked with us for the first time at our March Fun & Fashion event, has enough charm and personality for 10 people. She's a dancer and an actor and, most important, an awesome young lady. We just love the range of personality we see in these pictures. Thanks, Opal, for working with us! 

Hair and Makeup: Becca Olmstead at The Locksmythe Salon | Wardrobe: Claire Verity

CAMRYN, CARLY & CARTER

What a treat it was to work with this awesome brother and sister trio. The light in their eyes is real, a true picture of their shining personalities. Thanks, kids, for making our last Headshot Day awesome!

Models: Camryn, Carly and Carter | Agencies: Camryn (Sports and Lifestyle); Carly and Carter (Option Model & Media)

MICAELA'S SENIOR SESSION

We know Micaela because we know her cousin Kylie, for whom we've done headshots a few times. We took these senior pictures at Reed College this past fall  (and almost got in trouble!) and now we get to unveil them to the world! A super fun shoot with an awesome girl (and some great colors). We're booking senior pictures starting NOW, so hit us up!

MYA BROWN IN GREEN

Mya is one of my favorite models. She's enthusiastic and energetic and amazingly athletic. She looks great in every style of clothes and every time we work together, we have a blast. These awesome shots are from a Fun & Fashion session we did last fall (with some even newer images from the sports fields coming soon). Wardrobe Stylists: Claire Verity and Carson Verity | Hair and Makeup Stylist: Becca Olmstead.

DARCY

The Mom of one of my favorite models decided she wanted to get in on the action. We brought in our ace stylist, Rachel Christensen, put up a backdrop or two and just had a blast making some beautiful pictures. Now Mom has a portfolio -- as every Mom should! -- and we get to show off a bunch of amazing pictures. Thank you Darcy for a great day.

#family #pdxphotographer #pdxphotography #michaelverityphotography #pdx #model #fashion #portfolio #pdxfashionphotographer #compcard #childmodel #kidfashion #portlandfashionphotographer #prairiehighschool #rockstar #pdxphotographer #pdxphotography #michaelverityphotography #pdx

ALEXYS

We worked with Alexys for the first time about three years ago when she and her Mom dialed us up about a modeling portfolio (and we got in trouble for shooting on the railroad platform!)

We connected again this past summer for her senior pictures and then did an awesome shoot this winter at our Rockstar Session debut. It's easy math: gorgeous girl + cool clothes + plus nice light + eyes to die for = amazing pictures. We can't wait to work with her again!

Wardrobe Stylist: Angie Swim | Hair and Makeup: Emily Mercer

And a flashback to our first shoot in 2015!

Tech Specs: New Shots: ISO 320, f16 @ 1/160 using one Bowens Gemini 400R and a 40" umbrella. I have no clue what the tech specs are of the outdoors shot. :). Processed with Lightroom and Photoshop.

#family #pdxphotographer #pdxphotography #michaelverityphotography #pdx #model #fashion #portfolio #pdxfashionphotographer #compcard #childmodel #kidfashion #portlandfashionphotographer #prairiehighschool #rockstar #pdxphotographer #pdxphotography #michaelverityphotography #pdx

CHLOE

BtBtB.

"Been too Busy too Blog."

What a great problem to have; we're grateful for the amazing amount of work we've been doing lately! But, seriously, we really need to be more diligent in sharing some of the beautiful stuff being done by kids from Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA, don't you think?. 

This kiddo's from the Washington side, where we grow 'em smart and strong and full of life. We met Miss Chloe a few years back at a local dance studio and were reintroduced recently by the fine folks at Sports and Lifestyle Unlimited. Those SLU people are sharp: they recognized Chloe to be the smart, sparkling kid you see in these pictures.

Do you need a new headshot? We'll make you look smart and sparkling too ... and we'd love to meet you.

Book A Headshot Now

KIMBERLY

Kimberly is a very successful executive for a worldwide IT company. When she called in need of a professional headshot in short order, we fired up the lights in our studio and took care of business. We're really happy with her photo (and we appreciate our esteemed colleague, Christian Schilling, for referring us.)

ELLA CORTESE

We worked with Ella first the first time a couple of weeks back. She was getting some headshots done in preparation for a showcase (and, by all reports that have come our way, she pretty much rocked it.) We kind of figured she would, considering how awesome she was in front of our camera.

#teenactor#photooftheday #capture #face #closeup #eyes #classic#photography #photo #headshot #headshotphotographer#headshotphotography #pdxactor #pdxphotographer