"No, sorry, I don't shoot portrait photography" is how I usually respond. "I shoot landscapes and real estate."
But if you know me personally, you know that's BS. I just don't like shooting weddings, family portraits, or professional portraits. Ask me to shoot people at a fun assignment like the Trails and Vistas event and my answer is "Yes!" Trails and Vistas is an annual art hike where groups of people are treated to many amazing performances and art installations along a beautiful Tahoe area trail.
I don't make much $ off the shoot, I pretty much consider it volunteering my time to the arts. But I've shot it for 8 years now so I obviously like doing it. Photography is not allowed at the event but 2 or 3 photographers, myself included, get invited to shoot it each year. More info about Trails and Vistas can be found here: http://www.trailsandvistas.org (Most of the photos on the home page are mine).
Here's three photos to start off with for today's #portraitphotography contest. I'm sure I'll be posting more of these as time goes on. BIG QUESTION for you... Do you recognize the guy in the first shot? I'll give you a hint, he had his own TV show.
If you're wondering what's wrong with the focus in the first two shots, it's intentional. I used a 24mm tilt-shift lens to give the photo what I feel is a more dreamy look. I always carry two cameras around my neck for this event. One with a normal 24-105 lens and the other with the tilt-shift. Everybody gets shot with both but I usually like the tilt-shift photos better. What do you think of this look? And have you ever shot portraits with a tilt-shift?
Thank you for looking and commenting! Cheers!
-Scott Thompson