Making Faces ;-)

Family portraits should be fun... It's not easy getting good pictures of large groups of people, families are the similar-- especially with younger children. This may present a challenge to the photographer-- to capture a good expression on everyone's faces. A good way to do this is occasionally, just make it really cheesy, capture the most awkward family photos, have some fun and somewhere in between you'll end up with a well-balanced image.

The below images of the Pearson family were shot in south Germany on a grey, wet day. As you can imagine, this low-pressure zone reacted on everyone's moods a bit and also presented a lighting difficulty. We solved all these issues easily by having a good time and allowing everyone to just be themselves. The lighting was completed by my handy speedlights, an umbrella and a couple gels...

http://www.kroghstudios.com

Behind The Scenes Pictures From Germany (Summer 2010)

   Most of these pictures end up in an archive and are usually never seen again. Why not post a few of them here for people to see? This is just a small selection of the behind-the-scenes collection from a recent trip to Germany. Most of the final project images can be viewed either here on the blog or on their respective web-pages: http://www.kroghstudios.com and http://www.kroghweddings.com

World's Largest Pumpkin Festival and Pumpkin-Boat Regatta

   Held once a year in Ludwigsburg, Germany, this is the largest Pumpkin Festival in the world. Showing off hundreds of different varieties from all over the world. Traditionally, the largest pumpkins in the show are placed on the scale, in a competition for the heaviest pumpkin in the world. In 2008 the winner reached 604 kg, that's some 1,331.59 lb!!! These large pumpkins are also used for another purpose. They are hollowed out and used as boats in an annual race. This is not an easy thing because they tend to tip, turn and are extremely unstable-- but it is funny to watch. The food served at the festival is all pumpkin base, and extremely delicious! Statues and sculptures are also made, mostly using pumpkins for form, texture and color.

Venezianische Messe (Ludwigsburg, Germany)

   The Venezianische Messe (Venetian Market) in Ludwigsburg, Germany is the second largest masquerade ball in the world. Every two years, this event is held, in honor of the original market in Venice, Italy. A former Baron of Ludwigsburg traveled to Venice long time ago to see the masquerade ball and fell in love with it so much he decided to hold a festival of his own, closer to home. From Friday Sep. 10 through Sunday the 12, the town square boasts dancers, magicians, singers and other performers. Most of the costumes seen are crafted by the very people wearing them. It has become a tradition for these performers to create their own costumes for the event. The workmanship in these costumes is amazing, from the materials used to the stitching and selected colors, they prove that every detail counts. As the day progresses into night, light and fire performers begin to show their skill. On the final evening the festival is ended with a spectacle of fire-works centered around a metal sculpture thirty feet high.