Father and Daughter

For some years we've been invited to make portraits at an annual Father Daughter event. Dad's spend an evening with their daughter making crafts, playing games and such. A hectic adult world plays against simple time with your kids. Here's Dad's chance. A few days after, he receives a nice portrait with his little girl. One for their family history. How often does a dad get a portrait with his daughter? Some opt not to sit for a portrait. I can't imagine. The discounted price $10. I... can't imagine.

Some of the years past, the organizers wanted to do the background and propping. Other years they leave it to me. I usually go for a clean and simple portrait letting their clothing or costumes represent the theme of the year. This year I put a bit of our relationship style in, to provide something more treasured. I ended up conceding on my B&W standard for this, as we have no control over the clothing-some themed and some quite colorful- I instead opted for color photographs.

I used an old Ed Pierce signature Westcott halo as a main light camera left (which covered me with silver glitter - the silver inside is flaking away). A ringlight for fill, a striplight for a little rim from high and behind subjects camera right, and a studio strobe behind the subjects for a background light.

Some of these families I've photographed for years, the girls change while their dads stay the same, the nature of youth. Children grow up. Become young women. Go to college. Get a job. These portraits are the memories of their sweet youth.