Claire Nicholls | Portrait Selections | MB Photography in Halton Hills

Claire came over a week ago and we shot in the mini-studio.  We went stripped down with a single 28" apollo softbox providing the light sometimes augmented by a 5:1 reflector to fill in shadow.

When I had first pictured the shoot I was completely sketching ideas around Claire wearing a tank top because when I first met her that's what she was wearing and she had a Starbuck vibe going on.  But then she had to show up with her awesome vest with the hood.  I love hoods so, though we shot the tank top, I really only wanted to stay on the hood.  

This shoot started and ended almost on time!  I like to jibber jabber and Claire indulged my every jibber. :)

My personal favourite image is the last in this series.

Garrett Williams | Portrait Selections | MB Photography in Halton Hills

It's always great to get guys into the mini-studio - especially nice, down to earth guys like Garrett. 

 I've known 'Bud' for some years now, kind of surprising that this was the first real time spent shooting him!  

Knowing that we were going to be shooting in a relaxed, informal kind of way was great and afforded us a chance to play with some different lighting set ups and looks.  Garrett was quite at home in front of the camera and made it pretty easy to transition to different set ups.  

All shots are in front of a 4 foot wide grey seamless, lighting set up was usually two +Westcott Lighting 28" Apollos (main and fill) sometimes with a third speedlight, gridded and aimed at the background.  At the beginning of the shoot the fill was westcott's 7' parabolic umbrella but it was much easier to use the apollo's for the space I have.

I finally got to use my bankers chair in a portrait session!  It is a half finished restoration but it looks quite nice in the photos.  I think I'll pull it out again!

The last image of Garrett in my peacoat is one of my faves.  I was kind of stunned that it fit him so well as we're both different builds.  Fun Fact:  In this shot the second Apollo softbox is resting on my couch!  You can do a lot with a small space :)

Williams and Samson Wedding | Selections | MB photography

I don't do weddings. 

That's a pretty easy thing to say until one of the Williams' clan asks you to shoot their special day and right up until that point I've been pretty firm when pressed.

But Williams folk are special folk and when they ask you adjust the things you think you'll never do and find the time to "get 'er done".  So I did.

These are simply selections from an amazing day filled with amazing people.  I was very honoured to be included in their special day and I wish them all the very best for their future.

Halton Hills family portrait photographer | James Merritt Photography

Been down with some bronchitis and pneumonia as has my wonderful son and I find myself way behind on blogging and photo updates! I have them and will soon get to posting them!

Here is a recent shoot with the Holm's.  When we finished their family portrait shoot earlier this year we understood that we'd be meeting up again for a short session. This time with Son and girlfriend.

The weather refused to cooperate for the planned outdoors shoot so we quickly headed in and out of the cold (cold) rain for a studio shoot.  for studio shoots I typically use either a neutral grey background or black flats, speedlights, and light modifiers.  Natural light is wonderful but it is fairly rare at night ;)

These are just selections from the half hour shoot.  They brought their "A" game with them and it made it so easy.

Halton Hills Family photographer | Me Breathing, James Merritt Photography | Georgetown ON

Selections from the Costello family portrait session I did at Scotsdale Farm in Halton Hills.  When I was approached by the family it was to do portraits with their 1959 Austin Healy.  Such an awesome little car, how could you say 'no'!?  

Everyone was awesome, and the kids were so comfortable in front of the camera it made for a very relaxed and productive shoot.  We shot right into sunset and beyond, and everyone got involved with lights and reflectors when they weren't on camera.  

If I could have changed anything it would have been to meet earlier so that we could have explored all that Scotsdale Farm has to offer!