This month’s featured photographer is Florida-based Alycia Alvarez. She specializes in babies, kids, maternity and family photography.

See her blog.

Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A. For several years during my childhood, my house backed up to a golf course. My brother and I would collect *stray* golf balls and clean them with toothbrushes (not our own, of course!) …so for some time, I thought I might have a bright future in the business of reselling cleaned up golf balls and lemonade. Realizing, much to my dismay, this would not support me for long, I entertained the idea of being a performer, as I was always very involved in theater. I decided that I didn’t want to spend years in possible rejection and left that idea as well. Shortly after graduating college with a degree in Social Work (studying, as an elective, black and white photography/darkroom—FILM! Gasp!), I had my two children and became really obsessed with capturing their every move and growing moments and suddenly KNEW my passion!

Q. Where did you grow up?
A. Um… the South! With my dad being a pulmonologist in the Air Force, I was raised a “military brat”. Born in Richmond, Virginia, I then went on to live in Illinois, then Mississippi, then Texas, then Mississippi, then Texas then Arkansas, where I finished high school and college. I have lived in a few more states since then, but have now been in Tampa, Florida for five years and I LOVE it here!

Q. Your favorite subject to photograph?
A. I’d love to say my own children, but truth be known, they are tough cookies (though, they do take bribes VERY well!). Babies and children are my passion! Children are so *real* and *genuine* and I love to capture their true personalities. They don’t have any walls up yet, and are rarely self conscience. I especially love babies around seven months! They are so roly poly and laugh easily (and usually can’t get away from me too quickly!).

Q. What camera/s do you shoot with?
A. My first camera was a Canon AE-1, which I do shoot with from time to time. On a day to day basis, I use my Canon 5D’s, Canon 1DS and my iphone (though, my clients prefer my Canon’s…haha! Kidding!)

Q. Your most awkward photography moment?
A. I was shooting an event for a high end client and didn’t see this small step in the yard…I totally WIPED out! I mean… W-I-P-E O-U-T!… I was down on my face, holding my camera in the air (saved!). Regardless, I am the fastest person to JUMP up and play it “SMOOTH”… later, I saw that under my pants, my knees were bleeding and bruised. Horrible! Luckily, the party had just begun and only a few people saw the wipeout!

Q. The hardest part of your job.
A. Balance! I absolutely love my job and sometimes it is difficult to tear away from it. I spend way too many hours on the computer; it’s a blessing and a curse. How many jobs can you think of that you would do even when you are “on vacation”?

Q. The easiest part of your job?
A. Getting to know some amazing people and clients who absolutely love and adore their *babies*! The best part of my *job* is watching moms—and DADS!—come to tears while watching the slideshow of their portraits…it’s when I know I’ve succeeded!

Q. Your favorite movie of all time?
A. The Notebook. Love it! I’m a sucker for a sappy love movie… Following closely, When Harry Met Sally, Bridges of Madison County, Pay It Forward, Say Anything, Dirty Dancing… and the 80’s classics, Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Goonies… Are you feeling the general *cheesy* theme? That’s me!

Q. Your favorite meal?
A. Hmmm. That is a toughie. I like a wide variety of foods and am always open to trying new things! But if I had to decide on a *most favorite* meal, it would probably be a Caprese Salad, a cup of French Onion Soup, some broccoli and a Steak Oscar filet-Medium! (and a wheel barrel to wheel me out after!)

Q. Who do you most admire? Why?
A. On a serious note, this is a difficult question for me to answer. (*warning*…sappy answer to follow!) Although this is really cliché, I truly most admire my boyfriend and partner, Kevin Jairaj. Aside from being an amazing wedding photographer, he is my best friend. He is one of the smartest men I have ever met, in addition to being adorable, sweet and funny. He is patient and loving and he never yells. He has an innate ability to “go with the flow”. I am a bit more “high strung” at times (okay, most times!), and he teaches me how to be a better person every day. He’s my first call in the morning and my last call at night (long distance relationship…blaaah!)

Q. What will you be doing 5 years from now?
A. Five years ago, I would never have imagined my life today. I am truly blessed to have such amazing people in my life and a successful business doing what I absolutely LOVE! I really have no idea what the future holds, but I know that I will be a photographer until I am too weak to hold a camera! Life always has it’s peaks and valleys and I look forward to growing and learning every day!

Watch this space for news on how to purchase your Site Composer Expressions Set.

Here are some snapshots:

See her website.

Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A.When I was about 6 years old, my parents caught me strutting back and forth on my windowsill, behind my Big Bird curtains singing to the world. I was supposed to be in bed sleeping, but as my schedule has not changed much, I still stay up way past my bedtime thinking about all of the things that I want to be. Back then, I wanted to a singer and an actress and now my interests are definitely behind the lens.

Q. Where did you grow up?
A. I grew up in a small town in Michigan, about one hour outside of Detroit. I had a yard surrounded by “woods” that I was constantly exploring and finding adventures in with my brothers. My parents still live in the same home where I was raised and I visit as often as I can.

Q. Your favorite subject to photograph?
A. My favorite subject to photograph is natural light and it’s effect on our surroundings. I am consistently enamored by how the color of the sky makes even the most overlooked of things come alive. The insistence of nature’s play on those things that are human-made is what captures my eye.

Q. What camera/s do you shoot with?
A. Although I do appreciate the classic, made to last cameras, such as a Hassleblad or a Leica, I do not subscribe to any one camera brand. As long as I have the ability to take a photograph, I am happy. I enjoy using all camera formats for different purposes. I primarily shoot with a 35 mm digital camera. I find that digital allows me to focus on my vision for the photograph without the worries that film can bring. Since I typically shoot on instinct, I never can predict how long I may spend with one particular idea. On the other hand, I find it uniquely rewarding to slow down and shoot with a 4×5 camera or a medium format Mamiya or Holga. Another passion of mine is Polaroid. I have worked with Polaroid lifts in the past and am currently working with Polaroid SX-70 and Land cameras.

Q. Your most awkward photography moment?
A. I always find posed portraits to be very awkward. As I mentioned previously, I shoot with instinct and as I am also a social worker, I love to study human behavior. After a short time, I begin to predict gesture and emotion and I find it very difficult to ask someone to smile or to “look at the camera”. That form of staged photography goes completely against the grain for me. I crave genuine emotion, sincere moments and that is the essence of photography…capturing a moment in time.

Q. The hardest part of your job.
A. The most difficult part of photography for me is stopping myself from obsessing over my photographs. There are times when I literally have to tear myself away from the computer to get outdoors and spend time doing all of the other things that I love. I tend to lose the balance for time when preparing a presentation of my photographs. I am realizing more and more that a break away from the visual gives me a fresh eye and clearer mind.

Q. The easiest part of your job?
A. Returning home with a camera full of new photographs is the most exciting and rewarding feeling.

Q. Your favorite movie of all time?
A. I can’t even imagine having to choose a favorite movie, I have so many that I love. What comes to mind is anything casted with or directed by Clint Eastwood, particularly Million Dollar Baby. Without dwelling on the moving drama of the film, I also loved Million Dollar Baby for its use of light and shadows that give the film a raw and unspoiled look, unlike many of the recent special effects films. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I am a huge fan of all of the Pixar films. I just saw Wall-E today and was so impressed with the animation as usual, and cheer Pixar’s choice to deliver such a strong and necessary message.

Q. Your favorite meal?
A. My favorite meal is a big fresh salad. For me, there is nothing like creating a new dressing or sauce and combining it with all of my favorite fresh vegetables, fruits and cheeses. I love putting together my own flavor combinations, so a pinch of this and a dash of that is my style of cooking, as opposed to sticking to a recipe.

Q. Who do you most admire? Why?
A. If speaking of photographers, I most admire Josef Sudek. I admire him for his ability to create beautiful images and for his passion of life and friends, despite living through the Nazi invasion of World War II in Prague. Sudek would tell his friends that “no matter what, the music must keep playing”. I admire his philosophy in life which was, as he said should be “not all-too-clearly defined. I prefer the living, the vital, and life is very different from geometry; simplified security has no place in life”.

Q. What will you be doing 5 years from now?
A. In five years, I hope to be in the process of creating moving and thought-provoking photographs that allow for both an enlightened discovery and illumination of the world around us.

Shaun Ring, Shaun Ring Photography 

By combining their award-winning talents and business knowledge, Kevin Jairaj (kjimages.com) and Alycia Alvarez (alyciaalvarez.com) are thrilled to offer the ultimate hands-on workshop for photographers, “Rings to Rattles”.Unlike other seminars, “Rings to Rattles” focuses not only on one specific genre of photography, but rather, on the entire spectrum. Beginning with marriage and continuing on to the development of a new family, Kevin and Alycia will teach the importance of cultivating and nurturing the relationship with a client. With the necessary knowledge and skills, a photographer can easily keep a “client for life”.Kevin and Alycia will outline some of the key differences and similarities in marketing, pricing, products, and branding for both wedding and family photography and how to properly educate your clients. In addition to hands-on lghting and posing techniques, they will also discuss and demonstrate their workflow and post production photoshop techniques.If you are serious about improving your photographic skills and earning more revenue for your business, then this is the perfect workshop for you.

A new concept by Alycia Alvarez of Tampa and Kevin Jairaj of Dallas, Rings to Rattles focuses not only on one specific genre of photography, but rather, on the entire spectrum. The website showcases the full gamut of both photographers’ work - beginning with marriage and continuing on to the development of a new family.

Pat and Kate are professional portrait and wedding photographers serving Saint Charles, Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri, and surrounding areas.
They specialize in newborn and children’s photography, pet and equine photography, wedding and commitment ceremony photography.

Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A. At age 13 or 14 I clearly remembered wanting to become a soldier. I joined the Jamaica Defense Force in 1987.

Q. Where did you grow up?

A. I grew up in Port Antonio, Jamaica.

Q. Your favorite subject to photograph?

A. People

Q. What camera/s do you shoot with?

A. I currently use a Nikon D3 with Canons for backups.

Q. Your most awkward photography moment?

A. Not remembering a Bride’s name during our portrait session.

Q. The hardest part of your job.

A. Choosing photos after a wedding.

Q. The easiest part of your job?

A. Having my wife shoot with me.

Q. Your favorite movie of all time?

A. Any movie with Jackie Chan.

Q. Your favorite meal?

A. Chicken especially when jerked boston style.

Q. Who do you most admire? Why?

A. In terms of wedding photography I admire Brooks and Leigh Whittington for their creative photojournalist approach to weddings. I admire James Natchwey for his courage in capturing some of the most intriguing images I have ever seen. I admire my grandfather for his simple way of life. He never had much but he was always happy and content.

Q. What will you be doing 5 years from now?

A. Shootings weddings I hope.

Joe Mcnally

Taking the D3 into Times Square, in New York City during rush hour, the camera is positioned two inches off the sidewalk on a hand-pulled golf cart. A feed ran out of the camera to a little video display positioned on top of the golf cart.

A leap of faith: This dancer was photographed with a 200mm f/2 lens at ISO 6400 in a tiny community theater in upstate New York.

When I was asked to review the new Nikon D3 in Japan last summer and give some of my feedback, I told the Nikon folks that it looks like a Nikon, but there’s definitely a different engine under the hood. Having been associated with the company since 1973, I would say that there isn’t a heck of a lot of difference in the feel of the D2Xs compared to the D3, but in terms of the similarities and differences the camera has to past models, it’s hard to know where to start-you kind of have to throw a dart at the wall and say “here we go,” because it’s a whole new ride.

The camera differs radically in its responsiveness. Its acutely sensitive response serves me not only in terms of the mechanics, which would obviously be the color engine and the auto white balance, but mostly in the fact that if I see something, I can go; I don’t have to think so much about the setup, the preliminaries, or any other difficulties because the camera is actively solving all of these problems for me.

We took the camera out in the middle of Times Square during rush hour; I flew a D3 prototype two inches off the sidewalk on a hand-pulled golf cart (much to the consternation of the Nikon folks I was with). I then ran a feed out of the camera to a little video display positioned on top of the golf cart. We put a small fill card on an SB-800 and positioned the camera down low-from a ground perspective. We brought in a leggy model with three little show dogs, and I used a couple of different varieties of the autofocus, dynamic, and auto-area AF with face recognition. I wanted to portray a prim and proper lady with her little lap dogs in the hurly-burly of Times Square. I pulled the camera through crowds of people, so I wasn’t looking through it; I wasn’t controlling it; I wasn’t able to change the settings on it; and I couldn’t adjust the flash. But the camera just did its thing.

IT’S A SMART ONE

In the world of digital, you have to take every scrap of advantage and every detail into account. My results using the full-frame sensor are sharp, edge-to-edge shots. I can’t produce something for a client that has dead zones-I want to get something full frame. The results that I’ve had with the FX format and the new lenses, principally the 14-24mm and 24-70mm, are just astonishingly sharp.

Because I’m a photojournalist and often work in low-light situations, I like short, wide, fast glass. I’ve also always been a very big fan of primes, and my prime lenses with these new zooms are back into play. I’ve even been using some of my older lenses, like a 20mm and a 28mm f/1.4. I can’t tell you what a revelation the 14-24mm was for me, because the 14mm is a fast, rectilinear lens (f/2.8) and sharp edge-to-edge with no lens aberration. I’m a feature photographer, not a football guy shooting with a 600mm lens every day-I’m close to you, so to have the kind of focal length that the D3 provides at such an optimum level of performance is astonishing.

DETAIL IS KEY

At the end of the day, I’m principally a color photographer. The RGB sensitivity of this particular digital machine finds color nuances that I’ve never seen before. One of my very early experiences with this camera was on a really colorful set-we had different models with varying skin tones, snakes, elephants, butterflies, and just a gamut of color. When I went home after shooting that day and checked out the images, my jaw hit the space bar-it was my first “aha” moment with the camera.

The multifunctionality of the D3 allows me the opportunity to achieve really crisp images. For PhotoPlus East one of the images I’d made of a New York City firefighter was output into a 4×6-foot print. Surprisingly, nothing was lost in the image: the detail was still in the ax, in the blade, and in the face. Knowing that the texture and detailing is there and that information is being transferred effectively to the strobe, I can go out and intuitively follow my nose, confident that the camera is with me.

The quality of the D3 obviates the need for a larger format. You can choose the size of your image area and you not only have the full frame, but you also have the 5:4 ratio. I like a square format for portraiture, and I’ve always loved my 2¼ historically because I could shoot square or I could shoot 6×7, but now with the 5:4 aspect ratio, it gets me close to that feel of an older style of portraiture. I don’t mind giving up a little bit of the surface area of the sensor because I know that the camera’s level of quality is such that I can explore these options. I anticipate doing a series of black-and-white portraits at the 5:4 format to have a certain stylistic continuity that is a little bit different than your standard FX or 35mm full-frame format.

One of the things I have done consistently throughout my career is shoot dance and theater, and this camera gave me more flexibility than I ever had before.

I shot a leaping dancer with a 200mm f/2 lens, which is my favorite telephoto lens, at ISO 6400 in a tiny community theater in upstate New York, where the light was real rough. The camera’s AF, high ISO, fast glass, and full-frame sensor gave me a picture that just wasn’t going to happen with any other camera.

KNOW THE CAMERA

A cautionary note: the autofocus is different and does take some getting used to because there are different modes, so I really advocate learning the camera methodically. There are many different modes that are at work in this camera: you have 9-area, 21-area, and 51-area modes; you can go into dynamic [AF] and a number of [specific] cursors.

If you gang up the focus with a bunch of active points, and somebody has got their shoulder pointed at you, there’s a chance that an autofocus point is going to take off on that shoulder and stop critical focus short of the eyes, so you really have to be careful in the management of the AF system. I think the D3 offers another generation of autofocus that will require some education on the part of photographers who are going to want to rip this puppy out of the box and go to town with it.

This is a very smart machine-you have to familiarize yourself with it so that you can drive the train and make this camera take you where you want to go. It will get you there-you just have to know the way.

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