Memory Portraits

First off, I'm happy to report that I'm actively photographing these days, and really enjoying it. Though I've been slow to post, I've had great opportunities to share some moments with friends and capture a few beautiful scenes between all of the other things in my schedule.

Back in September, in the middle of a last-minute move between apartments, work, and trying to keep up social obligations, I had a birthday party. In the past, I've put tons of time into planning music, food, and an all-around intensively good time. This year, the main attraction was more for me than everyone else.

... I took everyone to a set-up outside (between their socializing) and took pictures of them. They are very similar to the portraits I did in Bruxelles, and I think I've settled on the way I like to remember. Straight on, and with some personality.

With paying jobs queued up, I had to put editing on the back burner, but I have most of them edited. Below are a few of the beautiful people in my life here in Texas. I'm closer to some than others, but I really do appreciate the small and large contributions people have made to my life since I got here.

Head Shots - David

Just some quick portfolio shots from the past week.  Might recognize this dashing individual from some of my previous work with local short films.  If you need a producer, call this guy.  Seriously.  He gets things done.

Find out more at www.linkedin.com/pub/david-estrada/61/905/215

Merry Christmas - Family Head Shots

I can't remember the last time we had formal pictures done of family members, aside from my college graduation (workin' the silly hat like a boss and all).  When I updated my head shot, I got a request from my mother to get a similar shot of my brother and send prints for Christmas.  Done and done... although I suppose I could have smiled better.

Utah Trip - Family #3

And now that I'm back in Texas and working through photos - here is family number three.

Their little guy was the oldest - and by far the squirmiest of the bunch.  I'm pretty sure all he wanted to do was run full speed at the nearest pile of leaves and have at it.  In fact, I'm positive he wanted to do just that!  It was a lot of fun to play with him, but I had to be fast on the trigger for photos.  In the end, it all worked out quite well, and I think he enjoyed the park... if not the pictures.

Fun fact - this was a nostalgic location for their family shoot.  A few years ago, I did their engagements at the same park.  I'm super glad I got to work with them again!

Utah Trip - Family #2

Glory, Hallelujah, the weather warmed up enough to shoot outside!

There are many more pictures, with many more family members involved, but I've still got sorting to do.  Chloe and Ryan have added on little Tucker to the family since I photographed their wedding ages ago.

Utah trip - Family #1

I'm having a romp back in Utah to see some family and friends, and while I'm here I get the chance to catch up with a few people photographically.  Specifically, three of the couples I've taken engagements for in the past few years have started their families and are blessing me with the opportunity to work with them again.

I don't have a lot of spare time for posting at the moment, but while sorting photos, I just couldn't stop smiling at this one.

Lovely Faces in Texas

Yes, I know it has been ages since my last post.  I'm failing miserably at regular updating.

Most of my time has been spent doing editing with another architectural photographer, which doesn't give me much to show for myself.  In my "spare" time, though, I've gotten to do a little work with people in the area.  In the cases below, a photo shoot for a family reunion and some head shots for the talented Kyra (she sings, she dances... she does it all, y'know?).

The Aaron Smith Band - Another little backlog item

When I first got out here to Texas, I met a guy who does some music.  We had a little collaboration session, took some pictures, and made a little cover art.  You can listen to the music here.

Dual post from 99 days: People I know.

 I know I have plenty to catch up on, but as I write this, I am preparing to leave Brussels to see Ireland and Spain before returning to the USA.  I don't know how often I'll have internet access or how much time I'll have to edit and share, but I figured I could get this up before I go.

Below you will see a good many of the people who I have been around for the summer... as well as a few I just met.  These are people who are a part of the LDS JA group (young adults) in Bruxelles.  Interestingly enough, I'm only aware of two or three of them being born and raised in Belgium.  Bruxelles is a very international city, so we have friends from France, Africa, Serbia, Russia, the US, China, and the Philippines. You might also recognize the other BYU students I've been traveling with.

On my last day, I surprised them all with my camera equipment, and everyone cooperated well (you know, it can be scary to get your picture taken when you're not prepped).  This is a great group of people.  I suggest you get to know them.

Just playin' around

Trying my hand at design for my roommate's recital poster

Motivating concept? Fun.

No, that is not her natural 'stache.  (I know you were wondering)

Cosplayer 7 - Chazi

If Severus Snape was transformed into a person in real life, he would probably be a science teacher.

... Oh wait, Chazi is a science teacher.

In addition to keeping America's youth well-educated, she thoroughly enjoys the outdoors and activities such as biking and horseback riding.  Her collection of costumes is one of the more extensive ones I've come across.  We were debating between at least three for this shoot!

Cos....tumer 5 - Dart

Star Wars time.

To give a sense of scale, here's a light test with me (about 5'6").

He has these booster shoes that you can't see in the final shot.  I'm pretty sure he's about 7' tall with them on.

I ran into Chewbacca (or Dart, if we're talking about the person under the fur) when I was recruiting, and he graciously agreed to participate in this project.  In chatting with him, I discovered that although he technically fits the description of a cosplayer, he doesn't really consider himself a part of that community.  Generally, cosplayers tend to focus a lot on anime, which really isn't his thing.

As if Chewy wasn't impressive enough (Dart made this himself), this isn't his only costume.  He participates in a couple of groups that will make not-for-profit appearances for kids' groups and such.  I'd say that's a mighty good use of a costume.

Cosplayer 4 - Savannah

Most of us will recognize the one, the only... Sailor Moon!

As with many cosplayers, Savannah makes her own costumes.  She takes things up a notch, though, and has created mascot-style costumes using foam skeletons to construct the non-human shaped bodies.  Her most recent and (in my opinion) most impressive creation was a Pokémon - Lugia.  The suit is about seven feet tall.

Savannah worked with me a couple of years ago, and along with one other co-worker was the first to introduce me to the concept of cosplay.  Had I not known them, this series never would have happened.

Photographed in the lovely kitchen of the home she and her husband recently purchased.

Cosplayer 3 - Kiana

Next cosplayer!

Kiana's cosplay is Tomoyo from Cardcaptor Sakura... steam-punk version.  The camcorder is part of the costume, as her character is always carrying it around, like this.  In addition to cosplaying, Kiana loves making art.

Enjoy.

Welcome to Cosplay

I love costumes, as evidenced by this post from last Halloween.  So when I discovered that there is a whole community of dedicated costume-wearers I decided that I needed to get to know them better... photographically.

Everyone, meet cosplay.  The linked article describes it better than I ever could, but essentially cosplayers dress up as characters from anime, manga, video games, or other cartoons and go to conventions in character.  And these aren't lame costumes.  People style their own wigs, sew, build, accessorize, and apply make-up to create the best representations they can of characters they choose to portray.  It's a true labor of love.

The thing I really like about all of this is that the people I've seen who do this are taking fantasy and turning into a little bit of reality.  They get to do part-time what actors do constantly, and that's where the fun comes in for me.  Cosplay is pure fun and fantasy just a step outside of normal life, usually just donned for a day or weekend before heading back to school, work, and the rest of that stuff we all do.  Because of that close relationship, I've chosen to photograph people in their cosplay (costume), but in a setting from their everyday life.  Work, home, school, the store...

Here are the first two.

 Jess, an avid writer of fanfiction...

and Aly, a Computer Science major who currently works in a lab as a programmer.

I'm really excited to expand on this project.  Though I am not a member of the cosplay community myself, this is something I can really sink my teeth into.

Blessing pictures

Meet my cousin-once-removed.  Isn't he adorable in his little white tux?