Recliners Band Portrait

So here they are, from the galaxy of cool, via satellite for your lounging pleasure: the Recliners. Check out their website to hear their "post modern power lounge" sound.

We made this portrait in a local theater here in Richmond, VA, the band's east coast home. They'd been filming their new video since 6am that day, and had just enough time to do a still shoot before wrapping. Damn, they look good in tuxes after 6 hours of filming, don't they? Of course, they were doing what they love, playing music together.

The tux shot is their "formal" portrait for folks who might like to see how the band looks all dressed up for a fancy gig (weddings, corporate events, etc.). We also captured this more informal look for the folks who book them in night clubs when they're go more casual-hip look.

Russell Young is the founder of the group (he's the guy with the trumpet.) He also arranges all the music for the group. I'll never forget the first time I heard them, Capital Ale House, I recall. We had a blast dancing all night. According to this week's Style Weekly, they're playing on Valentine's Day 2009 at Capital Ale in downtown Richmond.

The singer, Joseph, sounds like a husky Frank Sinatra on some tunes...and he can really belt it out. All the band mates are swell musicians in their own right. Super cool, martini-infused lounge rock. Oh, and you can dance to it, too!

Why I shoot so much.

The reason is, I'm an artist. And the pictures I like are not always the ones my clients select. So I have to over-shoot. This started with photo editors of magazines never choosing my favorite shots for publication (I'd even stack the deck with my faves up front in a web gallery of previews.)

Now it happens with my portrait clients, too. Like it did with this family shoot.





















We had blocks stacked under the backdrop to create seating. Mom & dad were comfy but junior was having none of it...he just kept wriggling his way down off the set to run around and play (exerting his independence!) We managed to get this shot where everyone looks reasonably good. And this is the one they selected for prints.

Since junior was happiest being chased around the studio, I suggested we shoot something more physically active. So, I moved the blocks and






















let them "swing". This only works cause mom & dad are in good shape, and the kid is still small. And this was my favorite shot from the session. But did they chose it for their prints? Nope. I like it because it shows energy and youthfulness. And that belly!!! Love the fact you can see the kid's tummy. Just like real life.

So, that's it...after years of shooting, I still can't say for sure which poses my clients are going to select for their favorites until after they see the proofs. So, I'll continue to shoot what looks good and try different things, hoping that in all those hundreds of frames, there will be something that pleases my clients' tastes. Fortunately, my clients forgive this "creative process" I have to go thru to come up with images they ultimately chose for prints. Whew!