Mike's Photoblog

Shoot with Mina Javaherbin

mfoley — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:10:35 +0000

Recently did a shoot with author Mina Javaherbin. Her new kids' book Goal! is being released in April and she wanted a few new photos of herself for marketing purposes. Check out her facefook fan page when you have a chance. Very funny, smart and talented woman.

Engagement Session

mfoley — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:15:13 +0000

Recently did an engagement session in San Clemente with a couple from Sunset Beach. It was supposed to rain that day, but we lucked out. It was a beautiful day, and we got some very nice shots. Click on images for larger view.

My Son, the Artist

mfoley — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:16:15 +0000

Here's my two-year-old's first attempt at art. Not too shabby.

Couple Shoot with Dog

mfoley — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:18:48 +0000

Recently I was hired by a Dana Point couple who needed a nice portrait of themselves for their family. They brought their very sweet dog along with them, and we walked around Dana Point Harbor talking and shooting. We did several posed shots, but I liked this spontaneous photo the best.

Glorious Ladies of San Clemente

mfoley — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:55:25 +0000

I've been working on a little side project entitled The Glorious Ladies of San Clemente. The only qualification for inclusion in the project is that the woman be:

glorious,
a current or former resident of SC,
unfortunate enough to know me.

My modus operandi for each portrait session is to shoot one roll of medium format film - ten frames - using available light with a reflector or a simple one light set up. So going in, my model/victim knows that she's only going to have to suffer through ten shots, and she won't have to deal with a photo-geek who's more interested in tinkering with his gear than bringing out her gloriousness. In addition, I keep my ancient mechanical camera on a tripod, which allows me to interact with my Glorious Ladies in a more natural way. I can actually get out from behind the camera and speak with m'lady face to face.

I find this approach forces me to work more slowly and methodically than I would with my digital kit. It's really a lot of fun, and I'm always a little stunned by the results.

Anyway, here are a few frames from my latest victim. Click on any photo below for a larger view.

Mr. Mischief

mfoley — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:25:20 +0000

Was doing some test shots around the house, and caught the little one up to no good, as usual. Shot with RB67, Portra 400NC using window light bounced from a silver reflector.

Brother and Sister

mfoley — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:23:02 +0000

A while back I did a shoot for a local couple who wanted some photos of their two young children. They wanted shots of the kids in and around the house, and we tried a variety of different scenarios. Very cute kids and a very fun shoot.

Business Headshot

mfoley — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:00:09 +0000

A local real estate agent hired me to do some headshots for her marketing material. I met her at her home, and we decided to do the shoot in her backyard. She had a nice bougainvillea plant that we used as a backdrop, and I used a shoot through umbrella as a soft key light. Came out pretty nicely.

Another Product Shoot for Local T-Shirt Company

mfoley — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:25:24 +0000

For this shoot, I had to bring along my mobile studio to the an off-site location. Worked out pretty well, even though we didn't have a lot of space to work with.

Local Wellness Center

mfoley — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:55:23 +0000

Recently did a shoot for Brenda Carbone and Mark Stevens of O2 Wellness in San Clemente. They needed some interior shots and a few environmental business portraits for marketing purposes. O2 Wellness was recently featured in San Clemente Journal. Check it out. Very nice people. Lots of good vibing.