The double exposure merges two photos into one, but the technique can bring more than just images together, creating a blend of ideas, perspectives, or concepts. This week, we’re featuring five stunning double exposure images as Photos of the Week. Find inspiration in these shots by Cat Ekkelboom-White, Lucy Schultz, Lindie Wilton, Kristen Hazelton, and Will Khoury.

Cat Ekkelboom-White, Wild Connections Photography

Cat Ekkelboom-White of Wild Connections Photography had just taken this couple’s photographs as they said their vows at sunrise when she decided to try a double exposure as the two were taking in the view. Ekkelboom-White explained that she shot this double exposure in camera using her Fujifilm X-T5 and  XF 16-55mm f2.8 lens.

“Just play around and have fun with double exposures,” she suggests. “Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. Practice exposing and testing what makes the best compositions. Make sure you test your settings before going into the shoot, and give yourself time to be creative. Explain to your clients that you want to try something, and that sometimes it can take a few attempts, so you’ll need them to be patient. Most clients are more than happy (unless they are on a tight timeline) and love seeing the results.”

Lucy Schultz, Lucy Schultz Photography

Lucy Schultz of Lucy Schultz Photography was inspired to take a silhouette during Ruth and Ryan’s elopement. But, she wanted to include the California Redwoods they were surrounded by in the shot as well. To do so, after taking the first silhouette exposure, she turned the camera upside down and used the in-camera double exposure mode and live view to properly align the second shot of the tree with the first. She captured the shot with the Canon R6 and Canon 70-200mm f2.8 lens.

“Double exposures are a great way to play,” she said. “My advice is to start with a silhouette photo early in your session, and go back to it later when your creativity is flowing. Use live view to see where your second image will line up and bleed through the first image’s dark areas.”

Lindie Wilton

For photographer Lindie Wilton, double exposure is a tool that allowed her to create an image representing the interconnectedness with nature that all people share. She used Adobe Photoshop to blend the two separate exposures together in post.

“Experiment extensively,” she suggests. “Begin with an image that features striking contrasts between shadows and highlights. Delve into images or scenes with diverse textures, and don’t hesitate to adjust your overlay settings during post-production.”

Kristen Hazelton, Kristen Hazelton Photography

During this senior session, Kristen Hazelton of Kristen Hazelton Photography wanted to create an image that represented her client’s time in Chicago, with a feeling of both looking back at the past and forward to the future. That inspired this double exposure, captured on a windy day in the windy city and merged later in Photoshop. Hazelton captured the image with the Nikon Z5 and Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 lens.

“My advice with double exposures is just to give it a try – if you don’t like it, delete it,” she said. “I was talking with fellow photographers Laurel Smith and Abbie Christine about how to boost the creativity in my work and decided to try something out of my norm at each session, starting with double exposures. For this image, I looked at tutorials for how to make double exposures in Photoshop to get an idea of how to achieve the look I wanted.”

Will Khoury, Will Khoury Photography

To blend two different perspectives from this wedding, Will Khoury of Will Khoury Photography used a double exposure, taken with two different cameras and two different lenses. The photographer explained that, while he’s done in-camera double exposures previously, for this shot, he wanted to mix the wide-angle silhouette with a telephoto shot that would effectively make the moon appear larger. The resulting image mixes the couple’s intimacy with a sense of place, while giving a surreal look to the moon that looks as if it’s part of the wide shot. He used the Canon R6 with a 35mm lens and the Canon R5 with a 70-200mm lens and Photoshop for this image.

“Approach double exposures with intention, but don’t hesitate to experiment. Play with different image combinations in Photoshop to see how they interact—this practice will guide you in capturing the right photos out in the field. Sometimes, the final edit may surprise you by taking on a look you hadn’t expected, and that’s what makes it art: creating something unique from each moment.”

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching portraits and wedding photos. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: arlene.evans@emeraldx.com.

The post Photos of the Week January 6: Double Exposure appeared first on Rangefinder.

Capturing individual portraits on the wedding day highlights the bride and groom’s personalities separately. Groom portraits should showcase his sense of style and emotions on the wedding day. This week, we asked five photographers to share advice on capturing groom portraits. Find inspiration in this week’s Photos of the Week by Ionut Lucian Ianos, Xiaoqi Li, Matthew Sowa, Samantha Turner, and Katarina Tati.

Ionut Lucian Ianos, Lens Stories

During the wedding day preparations, this groom asked photographer Ionut Lucian Ianos of Lens Stories if he could get a picture with a cigar from a special box bought just for the occasion. As the preparations were finishing up and everyone was preparing to leave for the ceremony, Ianos spotted the patterned light coming through the curtains and immediately knew that was the spot for the groom’s requested cigar portrait. Ianos took the shot with the Nikon Z6 II and 58mm f1.4 lens.

“…just like any other portrait, be aware of the light and the surroundings,” Ianos said.

Xiaoqi Li, Xiaoqi Li Photography

For this groom portrait, Xiaoqi Li of Xiaoqi Li Photography was inspired both by the groom’s sense of style and the beauty of Positano. She noted that the groom took pride in how he dressed and wanted to lean into a “cool” vibe. She took the shot with the Canon EOS R5 and an RF 50mm f1.2 lens.

“Hype up grooms just as much as brides,” Li said. “Positive feedback makes all the difference in making them feel confident, and that will show in their portraits.” 

Matthew Sowa, Matthew Sowa Photography

Photographer Matthew Sowa of Matthew Sowa Photography wanted to use the open barn to create a simple backdrop to frame both grooms during this wedding. The composition also created dramatic yet different light across both grooms, while the dog was an unexpected but welcome element in the photograph. Sowa captured the shot with the Nikon Z6 and a 24-70mm f2.8 lens.

“Unlike the bride, when I photograph the groom I often utilize dramatic lighting and shadows to enhance the scene,” Sowa said. “This approach is essential for conveying the confidence of the men, as the moody lighting plays a significant role in the [image] overall.”

Samantha Turner, Samantha Turner Photography

To take a break from urban photography and polish her skills, Samantha Turner of Samantha Turner Photography attended a workshop at Euridge Manor in the UK, organized by Elira Workshops. The change in settings inspired her to capture this portrait with model Taurean and attire by Andréa Kọsta. She captured the shot with her Nikon and a 50mm f1.8 S lens.

“I recommend solo shooting time away from all the chaos,” she said. “Try to engage in relaxed conversation, maybe take the conversation off topic to try and break any nerves.” 

Katarina Tati, Katarina Tati Weddings

For this portrait, Katarina Tati of Katarina Tati Weddings was inspired by the groom himself. To create more dramatic lighting, she closed the room’s curtains a bit for more depth. She took the shot with the Canon R6 and Sigma Art 35mm lens.

“Take your time to get to know the groom, create a relaxed atmosphere and take photos that match groom’s character and his style,” she said.

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching portraits and wedding photos. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: arlene.evans@emeraldx.com.

The post Photos of the Week November 18: Groom Portraits appeared first on Rangefinder.

While many predicted that the digital camera would mark the end of film photography, the traditional method has endured. For many photographers, the unique qualities of film provide a feel that’s impossible to replicate with digital cameras. Others have found that learning film for the first time has brought joy and discovery back into their work. This week, we’re featuring film wedding photography—and tips on getting started with film—from five photographers. Find inspiration and advice from Mikalynn Amos, Zoey Sunghera, Steph Large, Gabrielle Maurer and Francesca Carpinelli.

Mikalynn Amos, Venturing Vows

Photographer Mikalynn Amos of Venturing Vows has incorporated 35mm film into her elopement photography for the last three years, alongside her digital work. “I was unsure if film was worth it when I could edit my images for a film look if I really wanted,” she said. “When I started my film journey though, it was as though I was being introduced to photography all over again. As many professional photographers have come to know, there’s something special about getting to revisit the craft through the joy and excitement of a beginner. If you have similar hesitations that I had, know that there really is something special about film.”

For this image, she wanted to capture a quiet moment between the couple with the layering of mountains in the background. She captured the shot using a Canon Elan II with a Canon EF 35mm f/2 lens and Superia film.

“Start with a point and shoot film camera,” Amos advises. “I think a lot of new film photographers are drawn to the cool looking, more vintage cameras. These cameras are generally more expensive and far harder to learn with. For a more manual experience, my most used camera is a newer, 90s film camera that’s compatible with my old DSLR lenses. The interface of the newer film cameras are a lot like DSLR cameras for less of a learning curve. It’s been more natural to incorporate that camera into my wedding sessions than my older ones that have manual focus, older light meters, etc.” 

Zoey Sunghera, ZoeyLynn Photography

For this shot, photographer Zoey Sunghera of ZoeyLynn Photography used her grandfather’s Minolta SRT 202 with a 50mm lens to create a keepsake for the couple. Inspired by the golden Oregon sun, she wanted to create a film portrait that felt both timeless yet nostalgic.

“I am no expert in film wedding photography, but I do think understanding that trial and error is where the magic happens,” she said. “Start out shooting film for fun and get creative! There are no limits!”

Steph Large, Stephanie Dreams Photography

Steph Large of Stephanie Dreams Photography captured this shot after helping to organize the shoot at Folkstone in the UK. She was inspired by the colorful streets and how they brought out the details in the groom. She captured this film wedding photograph with the Canon AV-1 and Kodak Gold film.

“Literally just practice and try,” she suggests. “I always have my film camera on me at weddings, to practice in different venues & with different lighting. It’s helped me build up a great portfolio to showcase to possible film clients.”

Gabrielle Maurer, petites.images

This groom, from Toronto, and this bride, from Ireland, founded a group The Faces of Advocacy to reunite couples and families impacted by border restrictions during the pandemic after the bride was turned away at the border in the spring of 2020. When Gabrielle Maurer of petites.images was tasked with capturing their wedding, she knew the couple’s story would be a key source of inspiration. She created this diptych of two separate portraits to represent fighting their way back together after being forced apart. She used a Contax G2 camera with a Contax Carl Zeiss Planar 45mm f/2 T lens and Cinestill 800T film, later converted to black and white.
 
“Do it for the love of the craft & for yourself first, not because it seems to be back in style,” she said. “Shooting film wedding photography is an art form in itself, and like any other craft it requires tremendous investments in terms of time, resources and dedication – especially with today’s inherent costs associated with it. At the end of the day, it’s about figuring out your voice, your workflow and the medium that works best for you. Whether it’s film or digital, I would say – be patient with yourself, shoot every day, find your voice through personal work, lean onto your instincts, be curious, be bold, don’t limit your inspiration sources, don’t underestimate the value of community, be willing to learn and make mistakes. Trials, errors, risks – on repeat. It’s true for film but I think it applies to anything else really. And more specifically for photographers used to shoot digital but new to film – learn the inside & out of this new world and understand how it differs from your comfort zone as a digital photographer. Know the strengths and weaknesses of your different tools (gear, film stocks, processing, etc.) and shoot with this in mind! Shooting film is unforgiving and in a way, it helps appreciate and honors what you have on hand.”

Francesca Carpinelli, Francesca Carpinelli Photographer

While preparing for this wedding in a majestic venue, Francesca Carpinelli of Francesca Carpinelli Photographer, knew she didn’t want the beautiful location to overpower the story of the couple’s day. For this shot, she saw the moment unfolding and captured a moment that represented their real story. She used a Hasselblad 503 CX with Fujifilm Pro 400H 120mm film.
 
“Go shoot some film,” she says. “It doesn’t really matter with what camera, or what film, just go and do it, go back to basics, question everything you know about exposure and composition and be open to learning and also messing up. It will change your way of understanding light, dimensions, layers of information in an image and will make you a smoother digital photographer as well.”

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching portraits and wedding photos. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: arlene.evans@emeraldx.com.

As a thank you to our readers, we’re pleased to offer you a Rangefinder exclusive discount code to get 25% off The Portrait Masters courses below. Use the code RF25 at checkout to redeem. This code cannot be used in combination with other sales.

The post Photos of the Week November 11: Film Wedding Photography appeared first on Rangefinder.

The dance of the Aurora often inspires photos of the phenomenon, but mixing night sky photography techniques that typically require a slower shutter speed and manual focus with portraits is no easy task. This week, we asked four photographers how they captured these stunning northern lights portraits of the bride and groom. Find inspiration—and northern lights portrait tips—from this week’s Photos of the Week by Andrew Pavlidis, Henry Tieu, Hayley Forstved and Thomas Garchinski, and Tori Burley.

Andrew Pavlidis, Willow and Wolf Photography

Alberta-based Andrew Pavlidis of Willow and Wolf Photography is familiar with the northern lights, which often appear as a faint glow on the horizon. However, during one couple’s elopement, a major solar storm coincided with a mostly clear sky. Pavlidis explains that, on their drive back from a helicopter elopement, they saw the lights from the car window. They pulled over to capture the shot, with the full moon providing enough light to keep the couple and the mountains from appearing as silhouettes. Pavlidis used a Canon R5 Mark II, an RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM lens, and a tripod.

“When photographing the northern lights, greater attention is given to the sky,” Pavlidis said. “It’s important to find somewhere to shoot that is away from any light pollution e.g. city lights, streetlights, buildings etc. The darker the landscape, the more vivid the northern lights will be in your images. Where can you go that has enough open space so that you can get a lot of sky in your images? If you are photographing a subject in your image, how can you position them above you or shoot from below, so they don’t get lost in the foreground? Or you may want to consider lighting them, so they stand out. Unlike photographing the stars, you can get away with shutter speeds as low as a few seconds as the sky is much brighter. This is also essential to capture the bands of light.”

Henry Tieu, Henry Tieu Photography

During this elopement, the last thing Henry Tieu of Henry Tieu Photography expected on a day that started out cloudy was to end the night with shots on the northern lights. While Tieu was photographing the couple during Blue Hour, he noticed a faint pink hue on the horizon. He asked the couple if they wanted to take a chance and wait for complete darkness, which would mean arriving late to the reception. The couple readily said yes and as the sky darkened, that faint pink hue become a stronger aurora glow. Tieu incorporated the couple’s headlamps from their earlier hike, using a Sony a7 IV and a Sony G Master 24mm f/1.4 lens.

“There’s a balance between long exposure and client experience,” Tieu said. “To get the best light, of course a longer exposure would be the best approach. However, as the night gets colder and colder and our clients would be in wedding attire, we want to make sure they can handle the cold as well. Therefore, to get a sharp image without motion blur, I’d advise photographers to keep shutter speed within 4 – 8 seconds and rely on ISO and aperture to get a proper exposure. This image was at 6 second shutter speed.”

Hayley Forstved and Thomas Garchinski, Film and Forest Photography

Capturing the northern lights over the Rocky Mountains is a rare opportunity. When a solar storm hit during a couple’s August elopement, photographers Haley Forstved and Thomas Garchinski of Film and Forest Photography jumped at the opportunity. After sunset vows, the team decided to stay overnight in an alpine hut in Banff National Park, hoping for aurora activity. As the lights began to dance, they ventured back outside, turning the elopement into a 16-hour session that ended at sunrise. They used a Canon R5, an RF 15-35mm lens, and a Manfrotto tripod.

“There’s so much to know when capturing aurora, but the biggest thing to know is that it’s different from starry sky photography,” Forstved said. “You’ve got more light in the sky, and more movement (especially with strong, dancing aurora) so you’ll want a lower shutter speed than if you were simply photographing the Milky Way – or else the pattern of the aurora themselves will be blurred out! The trickiest thing about this photo was finding the sweet spot between letting enough light in to light our bride and groom, while not blurring the auroras.”

Tori Burley, Trillium and Pine

For photographer Tori Burley of Trillium and Pine, taking portraits under the northern lights combines her two passions for photographing people and the night sky. The goal for this elopement was to document the couple’s adventurous souls, Burley says. After a first look at sunrise, the photographer and couple spent the day hiking and chasing waterfalls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Following sunset photos on the beach, the group waited for darkness, hoping the predicted solar storm would deliver a light show. “I don’t think we could’ve enveloped more of a Michigan UP experience into a single day if I tried,” Burley said.

Dust from a day of hiking added even more pop to the image with bokeh. She captured the shot using a Sony a7 III, a Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art lens, a tripod, and a Lume Cube light panel.

Five Tips for Northern Lights Portraits from Tori Burley:

1. Learn and practice using your camera in the dark beforehand. Photograph the moon, the Milky Way, or stars to get comfortable with night settings.
2. Remove your lens filters. Newton’s Rings are a real bummer, I promise.
3. Prevent your lens from fogging. If it’s cold and you don’t have a lens warmer, use hand warmers and a hair tie as a makeshift solution.
4. Scout your locations during the daylight. Make sure you have a comfy spot there, be prepared to wait and let someone know where you’ll be.
5. Adjust your settings as needed. It doesn’t matter what they say your settings “should be,” it’ll always be different. I always start with shutter speed at 15 seconds, aperture as wide as my lens allows, and ISO 1000. Manually focus on the brightest star and adjust from there. For this shot, settings were 3.2 seconds, f/2.8, and ISO 2000.

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching portraits and wedding photos. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: moneer.masih-tehrani@emeraldx.com.

As a thank you to our readers, we’re pleased to offer you a Rangefinder exclusive discount code to get 25% off The Portrait Masters courses below. Use the code RF25 at checkout to redeem. This code cannot be used in combination with other sales.

The post Photos of the Week November 4: Northern Lights Portraits appeared first on Rangefinder.

Meg Loeks, Meg Loeks Photography

For Meg Loeks of Meg Loeks Photography, her work often centers on the real-life moments that unfold in her family. Portraits carving pumpkins is an annual tradition for her, but this year, she wanted to do a bit more of a comical take. Inspired by her daughter’s antics and attempts to sneak candy, she set up this scene, exaggerating the amount of “stolen” candy. She took the shot with the Canon R5 and Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art lens, lighting the scene with a Profoto B10 Plus, B10 and two A2s with umbrellas, diffusers and softboxes. A Tiffen Black Pro Mist Filter also helped contribute to the softer, painterly look to the final image.

“The holidays are a great time to experiment with new concepts,” she says. “If I’m trying something new, for example, a new lighting setup, I often like to have an experimental day where I set things up and play prior to the actual shoot. This allows me to freely make mistakes and make alterations without being rushed. This is especially important when my children are in the frame with me because I only have a short window of time to get the shot. On the day of the shoot, I have everything ready to go.”

Tyler Clement, Clement Portraits

This self portrait by Tyler Clement of Clement Portraits was part of a one-year challenge to create a new self-portrait every month. The photographer explains that he wanted to create a photograph that visualized the feeling of being an outsider in an image of being abducted by aliens. He used the Nikon D780 and a Nikon 50mm f1.8 lens, with two Godox AD400 lights–the main with a green gel and strip box and the fill with a parabolic umbrella. He photographed the objects mid-air, then composited them into the shot, using Photoshop to remove the stool to create the look of levitation.

“Give yourself permission to think outside the box,” Clement says. “Halloween is all about stepping into characters and personas, so don’t be afraid to get creative and push boundaries. Play with dramatic lighting, unusual angles, and bold concepts.”

Mariah Arianna Wall, Mariah Arianna Photography

For this shot, Mariah Arianna Wall of Mariah Arianna Photography wanted to blend the aesthetic of ghoulish lovers with the desolate mood of the mountains in late fall. She used a Canon 5D Mark IV and a 24-70mm f2.8 for this shot, using the lanterns and a hiking headlamp as fill light.

“Get weird! Halloween is one of the few days of the year where adults get to believe in magic again and indulge in fantasy worlds,” she says. “Lean into your creativity and take risks with your Halloween photography. Use it as an excuse to try that new technique, or a different editing style, or just take a break from your usual content.”

Floriana Mantovani

Floriana Mantovani (@floriana.mantovani) says that Halloween is one of her favorite holidays, so she celebrates by creating a new image every year. She captured this double exposure using a Polaroid Automatic 340.

“The things that scare us are often all around us, even if we do not immediately notice them,” Mantovani says. “Just as horror movies exploit the ordinary to create creepiness, we too can carefully observe our surroundings and imagine them in a frightening context. This will help us find the perfect subject. Once we have identified the protagonist of our photo, we can experiment with dramatic lighting cuts, extreme framing and unusual exposure times. This mix of techniques will not only help us discover our personal style but will open up new ways to interpret and transform our subjects in original and frightening ways.”

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching portraits and wedding photos. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: hillary.grigonis@emeraldx.com.

As a thank you to our readers, we’re pleased to offer you a Rangefinder exclusive discount code to get 25% off The Portrait Masters courses below. Use the code RF25 at checkout to redeem. This code cannot be used in combination with other sales.

The post Photos of the Week October 28: Remarkable Halloween Photography appeared first on Rangefinder.

The rapid pace at which children seem to grow makes capturing portraits during childhood even more challenging. But, when done well, photographs at this young age can become iconic childhood portraits. This week, we’re featuring five maternity, infant, and childhood photographs from the Icon Awards. Find inspiration from Kelly Brown, Martina Wärenfeldt, Hanna Neret, Rachel Lee, and D’Ann Boal.

See the live judging for the next round of the Icon Awards in fabulous Las Vegas at WPPI in March 2025.

Kelly Brown, Kelly Brown Photography

Kelly Brown of Kelly Brown Photography often takes on the role of both photographer and set designer in order to bring her iconic childhood portraits to life. For her Bookworm photograph, which received First Place in the Portrait Division: Newborn and Baby in the Icon Awards, she wanted to symbolize how parents ready their children to launch into the world. Everything in this particular set is handmade, Brown says, allowing her to capture the photograph in one frame. She took the shot with the Canon R5 and the RF 28-70mm f2 lens and a Broncolor Siros 800 S and a 150cm octobox. She even used her photo printer, the Canon Pro 400, to make the book covers.

“If I could go back in time, the one piece of advice I would give myself would be to create without fear—without worrying about what others think or the fear of failure,” Brown says. “True creativity comes from having the courage to embrace your unique vision and push boundaries.”

Martina Wärenfeldt, Warenfeldt Fine Art Portraits

The shapes and contrast in this portrait by Martina Wärenfeldt of Warenfeldt Fine Art Portraits highlight this mother’s round baby bump in a striking way. Inspired by an AI-generated fashion image that played with shapes, she decided to use circle shapes to create a pattern with the model’s round belly while matching the background to her beautiful skin tone to make the white shapes and wardrobe really pop. She captured the shot with the Canon R5 and the RF 24-105mm L IS USM and a Profoto light with an octagon modifier and boom. The image earned First Place in the Portrait Division: Maternity Category at the Icon Awards.

“Know your worth and value, get organized and serve with love,” Wärenfeldt says.

Hanna Neret, Fotograf Hanna Neret

When creating this image, Hanna Neret of Fotograf Hanna Neret wanted to create iconic childhood portraits that represented how deeply immersed we can become in fictional stories through reading. By overlapping the face on the book cover over the top of the boy in modern clothing, she created a visual representation of how we can see ourselves in the characters we read, despite our differences. She captured the shot with the Sony a7 III and Sigma Art 85mm f1.8, an Elinchrom strobe and a large white umbrella, earning a First Place in the Children and Teen Portrait Division at the Icon Awards. If she could tell herself one thing as a beginner, it would be to invest in a laptop that can actually handle heavy editing, like her current MacBook Pro.

“I have always loved reading and been fascinated by the fact that we can become so immersed in books and stories even though they are just words on a page,” she says. “There are entire universes hidden among the pages of books, and our minds have this wonderful ability to transport us there. With this particular image, I wanted to illustrate how we can relate to written characters. Even though they are fictional, we can form a deep connection and see ourselves reflected in them.” 

Rachel Lee, Scribbly Gum Photography

When Rachel Lee of Scribbly Gum Photography created this image, she did so to validate and talk about the challenging aspects of motherhood. The photographer explains that she was exhausted and felt like she was being pulled in every direction–that everyone needed her all the time. This image, called Overwhelm, visualizes those emotions. The image is a self-portrait that Lee took in her looking room. The image was captured in a single frame, which also meant all three of her kids had to cooperate at the same time to get the shot. She used her Canon EOS 5D Mark III with the EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM lens and a single flash with a large modifier. The image earned Second Place in the Portrait Division: Group and Families Category.

“I put so much into my photography work–from the creative vision, energy, time, and more,” she says. “It’s always nice to hear wonderful feedback from others who love your work, but as a photographer, you learn the most when you hear the critiques. Hearing what can be improved is going to be what helps you learn the most. Choose mentors, or awards programs with great critiquing options to hear what those with high levels of expertise think of your work and provide that constructive feedback.”

D’Ann Boal, Smitten and Swoon

For our final image in our iconic childhood portraits series, D’Ann Boal of Smitten and Swoon wanted to capture the feeling of gratitude for the sun after a long winter. She took this photograph in late winter, when everything was still brown but the days were beginning to be longer and sunnier. She captured the image with the Nikon Z9 and 200mm f2 lens. The sun served as the main light camera right while a Profoto B10 X Plus with a large white umbrella and diffusion panel on the left helped fill in the shadows. The photograph earned her a Silver Award in the Children + Teenager Portrait Division.

“I vividly remember the stressful feeling of analyzing my work and knowing it wasn’t where I wanted it to be,” Boal says. “If I could go back and talk to that younger version of myself, I would tell her not to rush it and not to worry. I would tell her: with every click of the shutter you will learn and grow, and if you want to be a good photographer, you will be. It’s just a matter of putting in the hours.”

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching portraits and wedding photos. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: hillary.grigonis@emeraldx.com.

As a thank you to our readers, we’re pleased to offer you a Rangefinder exclusive discount code to get 25% off The Portrait Masters courses below. Use the code RF25 at checkout to redeem. This code cannot be used in combination with other sales.

The post Photos of the Week October 21: Iconic Childhood Portraits appeared first on Rangefinder.

Creativity is undoubtably a key part of creating a portrait considered iconic. This week, we talked with four photographers on the inspiration behind their creative portraits that won them Icon Awards recognition. Explore iconic portrait photography in this week’s Photos of the Week by Richard Wood, Jen Hargrove, Rachel Owen, and Alvaro Ruiz Nogues.

See the live judging for the next round of the Icon Awards in fabulous Las Vegas at WPPI in March 2025.

Richard Wood, Richard Wood Photography

When Richard Wood (@Richard_wood_photographer and @Richard_wood_commercial) of Richard Wood Photography hosted the Imagination Series online course for The Portrait Masters, he created this re-imagination of Da Vinci’s Last Supper as a meeting of the underworld. The iconic portrait photography image earned the photographer a First Place and Grand Award in the Creative Division: Portrait Creative in the Icon Awards.

Wood wanted the image to look as if the underworld was planning to take over the world, including details like maps and atlases. He built the image piece-by-piece as a composite because he was working with two models and he wanted a wide shot without the wide-angle distortion. He took the shots with a Canon R5 and two Godox AD600s with diffused umbrellas.

“To be honest, I think I had all the advice I needed quite early,” Wood says. “I was originally inspired by Sue Bryce back in 2011, who spoke about value in your work. I also joined the NZIPP (New Zealand Institute of Photography) which is the NZ governing body of sorts in the industry here. When you belong to a body like this, you have access to so many mentors eager to give their advice in all aspects of photography.”

Jen Hargrove, Jen Hargrove Photography

This iconic portrait was a spur-of-the-moment idea, says Jen Hargrove of Jen Hargrove Photography. The model, Rich Cox, was attending Hargrove’s pet and child photography workshop in Boston. Hargrove says that Rich has the sort of face and persona that can inspire a thousand images, and so with a Santa suit and a couple minutes in the hotel lobby, she created this emotive portrait. She captured the image with the Nikon D850 and 70-200mm f2.8 lens and asked her husband to hold up the Godox AD200 with a translucent umbrella because she couldn’t access her light stands at the time. The image earned her Third Place in the Individual Portrait Division of the Icon Awards.

“Always make sure that you are NOT the best in the room,” Hargrove advises. “By surrounding yourself with others who are at a level above yours, it gives you the opportunity to learn, and a lot of times it lights the fire to be better because who wants to be the worst in the room?” 

Rachel Owen, JR Owen & Co

Photographer Rachel Owen (@jrowenco) and her makeup artist Kylee Ann (@kyleeannartistry) had an ice queen image pinned on their inspiration board for almost a year before finally finding the opportunity to put the idea into practice when commissioned for a Pro Prints billboard campaign. Working with the makeup artist as well as costume designer, Illuminescent Design (@illuminescentdesign), Owen photographed the model on a green screen in her studio, creating a composite using images from the Ice Castles in Wisconsin. She captured the shot with the Canon 5D Mark IV and a Canon 50mm f1.4 lens, later receiving a First Place in the Creative Division: Fashion and Beauty for the Icon Awards.

If she could go back in time to give herself advice as she was just starting out, Hargrove would say, “Good choice. Photography is going to be the most rewarding career that will bring you more joy and opportunity than you can imagine. There will be tough times, but as long as you keep at it, everything comes to fruition.” 

Alvaro Ruiz Nogues

For this image, photographer Alvaro Ruiz Nogues (@alvaroruizfotografs) wanted to represent the strength and history of the older generation. The rifle symbolizes a protective, fighting stance, while the worn-down environment helps visualize the resistance to being forgotten. He captured the shot with the Nikon D850 with a 14mm lens. Nogues placed a Profoto B10 series flash with a Profoto Softbox Octa 90 outside the room’s window to simulate the look of natural light while allowing deep contrast and dramatic shadows. The image earned Second Place in the Individual Portrait Division of the Icon Awards.

“The advice I’d give myself would be to be patient and trust the creative process,” Nogues says. “Early on, it’s easy to feel impatient and want to achieve perfect or quick results, but photography is an art that takes time to understand–light, emotions, and the stories you want to tell. I’d also tell myself to explore without fear. Many times, I held back because I was afraid to experiment with styles or subjects that seemed outside my comfort zone. Now I know that the best images come when you allow yourself to break boundaries and follow your curiosity.”

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching portraits and wedding photos. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: hillary.grigonis@emeraldx.com.

As a thank you to our readers, we’re pleased to offer you a Rangefinder exclusive discount code to get 25% off The Portrait Masters courses below. Use the code RF25 at checkout to redeem. This code cannot be used in combination with other sales.

The post Photos of the Week October 14: Creative, Iconic Portrait Photography appeared first on Rangefinder.

Photographers who make creative portraits must think outside the box to highlight their subjects in a unique way. The Icon Awards recognizes iconic photographers, with previous winners in the portrait category recognized for creative techniques from composition to in-camera special effects. This week, we’re highlighting five creative portraits and Icon Award winners. Find inspiration from these stunning images by Kris Anderson, John Makris, Enrique Oliver Tortosa, Michael Kennedy, and Shannon Beauclair.

See the live judging for the next round of the Icon Awards in fabulous Las Vegas at WPPI in March 2025.

Kris Anderson, Images by Anderson

Kris Anderson of Images by Anderson often makes creative portraits of dancers, but for this shot, he decided to challenge himself to create a piece that looks like post-production was involved while creating it entirely in camera. He came up with the concept for this image, then sat down to figure out how to use strobes, continuous lights and long exposure to make the vision a reality. He mounted his Canon R5 and 28-70mm f2 lens on a rotating gimbal tripod mount. He used a Godox AD200 strobe firing once per second to freeze the dancer in place eight times, while a Neewer 660 LED RGB cycled through its color range to add the color effect. He then took an eight-second exposure, rotating the camera 360 degrees during the exposure. His work earned him a First Place and Grand Award for the In-Camera Artistry Open In-Camera Division in the Icon Awards.

If Anderson could go back in time and give himself one piece of advice as he was starting out, he’d say, “Make friends with other photographers. It took me a few years to figure out how important that was. Aside from having a network for advice or help, I’ve made friends that will be in my life forever.”

John Makris

When photographing couples, John Makris (@johnmarkisphotography) strives to capture images that feel real and alive by incorporating action and movement. For this shot, which won First Place for the In-Camera Artistry Wedding Division of the Icon Awards, Makris was working in a spectacular forest in Greece and envisioned an image where the couple and the landscape felt like one. He achieved that using a silhouette and a cool white balance. He captured the shot with the Sony A7R V and Sony 14mm f1.8 GM.

“While everything is important–light, composition, pose, camera settings, editing–everything should be driven by the same purpose: I am photographing love between two people,” Makris stresses. “If this exists permanently as an inner voice in my mind, then every choice of lighting, composition, pose, and settings is based on how to best show my purpose: love between two people.”

Enrique Oliver Tortosa, Enrique Oliver Fotografo

Photographer Enrique Oliver Tortosa (@enriqueoliver) says composition and impact have always been the hallmark of his creative portraits. For this shot, which won First Place in the Creative Division in Weddings for the Icon Awards, he wanted to create an image that was simple, but at the same time elegant and impactful. He captured the shot with the Sony a7R II.

The photographer says that the best advice he has been given is to believe in yourself. “When I started in photography, I told my wife that I did not want to go unnoticed in the world of photography,” he says. “She would tell me what I told myself at that time: the fight will be difficult and even more in my country where the rules that are imposed even today are far from my own reality. I decided to compete internationally where I can really express my style.”

Michael Kennedy, Theatre Ghost

Photographer Michael Kennedy of Theatre Ghost has specialized in theatre and dance photography for over 15 years. This shot, which earned First Place in the Portrait Division for Portrait Narrative, was a result of experimenting with different ways to capture a dance routine. He used the stabilization system in his Nikon Z6 and Z 70-200 f2.8 VR S lens to slow the shutter while still keeping just enough details intact. He used a variable ND filter in order to take this five-second exposure at f7.1. He then experimented with color balance in post to create a more ethereal feel.

“Take a business course and network with other photographers,” Kennedy advises. “Join an association, enter your work into awards, and try to connect with people who are in a position that you aspire to be in.”

Shannon Beauclair, Beauclair Photography

“Even when people are sick they are worthy of having their portrait taken,” says Shannon Beauclair of Beauclair Photography. She captured this portrait of her older sister after initially being reluctant to photograph her sister while enduring several chronic illnesses. Beauclair decided to use a documentary style to tell a story of her sister’s experience. She captured the shot with the Canon 5D Mark III and a 50mm f1.2 lens, earning a First Place and Grand Award in the Individual Portrait Division.

“The perfect shot is not the goal. It’s about the connection with your clients and documenting life’s moments in a way that is authentic to you,” she says. “Your style and skills will continue to evolve and grow in ways that are unexpected, and that’s OK.”

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching portraits and wedding photos. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: hillary.grigonis@emeraldx.com.

The post Photos of the Week October 7: Creative Portraits from the Icon Awards appeared first on Rangefinder.

While most of a photograph’s mood comes as the shot is captured, the final edit often plays a role in the overall feel of a portrait. Adjusting colors, shadows, contrast and more helps finish telling the story. This week, we’re featuring five photographers capturing emotional subjects in moody images. Find editing inspiration and advice from this week’s Photo of the Week artists Akis Douzlatzis, Salisha Blackburn, Nina Twardowska-Lukasik and Darek Lukasik, and Elise Marsman.

Akis Douzlatzis

Inspired by the Martin Scorsese film Gangs of New York, photographer Akis Douzlatzis (@akisdouzlatzis) wanted to create moody images that told a story and encompassed the emotions of the era. He created this portrait with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and a 50mm f1.8 lens. He used a three-light set-up, with the main light left of the camera with an octabox, fill light behind the camera with an umbrella and a background light with a grid. He also used a silver reflector to fill in under the face.

For beginners learning to edit, Douzlatzis says, “Keep it simple and keep it real. That’s it.”

Salisha Blackburn, Storybook Photography

For this shot, Salisha Blackburn of Storybook Photography was inspired by the power of Yosemite Falls in the spring. The spring elopement hit during the waterfall’s peak flow, so the photographer knew photographs under the falls would be epic. She captured the shot with the Nikon Z6 II and the Nikon Z 28-75mm f2.8 lens.

“For this particular shot I set Jucy and Chris up on a rock and asked them to interact with each other naturally, and they did an amazing job of posing,” Blackburn says. “Chris nuzzled his nose into her cheek and she gazed right into my camera as the force of the water falling created wind to blow her hair. Shooting at Yosemite Falls is nothing short of dramatic and inspiring, and I look forward to more brave couples to work with in future peak water flow seasons!”

Nina Twardowska-Lukasik and Darek Lukasik, Nina & Darek

This shot was a result of a spontaneous photo shoot, explained Nina Twardowska-Lukasik and Darek Lukasik of Nina & Darek. When friends Marika and Michal came over for dinner, the photographers styled them in vintage clothes and headed out to the lake, spending 15 minutes creating moody images in what the photography duo says was the most magical sunset they’ve experienced. Nina & Darek used a Canon R6 and a Canon 5D Mark IV and an assortment of lenses — a 35mm Sigma Art, a Canon 85mm 1.4, and a Canon 70-200mm f2.8 during this shoot.

“Moody style is not the result of editing, but it’s the style of shooting, so the best way to get into it is to start underexposing your photos in camera,” the photographers explain.

Elise Marsman, Elise Marsman Photography

For Elise Marsman of Elise Marsman Photography, blue hour just after the sun has set is one of the best times to capture the colors of the sky. For this session, it was a windy and cold October day, so she asked the couple to snuggle in close for this one last shot. She captured this image with the Canon 5D Mark III and a Canon 50mm f1.2 L lens.

“Don’t be afraid to try something different,” Marsman advises.

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching portraits and wedding photos. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: hillary.grigonis@emeraldx.com.

The post Photos of the Week September 30: Moody Images appeared first on Rangefinder.

Lifestyle photographers give children permission to be themselves, a freedom that helps encapsulate the emotions and nostalgia of childhood. But capturing that play in the limited length of a photo session is often a challenge. This week, we asked four photographers for their best advice on capturing candid childhood photography. Find inspiration from these stunning Photos of the Week by Bethany Bee, Tara Graham, Liv van Leeuwen, and Jayme Lang.

Bethany Bee, Bethany Bee Photography

Childhood memories often include cherished toys, like the teddy bear in this beautiful image by Bethany Bee of Bethany Bee Photography. The image showcases the bear, the child’s delicate curls, and a quiet moment between the child and her toy. Bee says she was inspired by a moment that felt real and raw, taking the shot with a Nikon D750 and a 50mm prime lens.

“Advice I’d give to photographers on capturing genuine moments of childhood would be to avoid staged shots,” she says. “Authentic childhood moments are best captured when children have been left to play and have fun–especially when they’re with siblings or their own possessions, e.g., a treasured toy. They are most comfortable then, and shots, as a result, are natural and authentic.”

[Read: Tips for Taking Great Candid Pictures of Kids]

Tara Graham, Tara Graham Photography

Inspired by the bond between mother and daughter, Tara Graham of Tara Graham Photography asked the two to snuggle on the blanket. The way the mom started stroking her daughter’s hair and the expression on the girl’s face creates an image of childhood comfort. With a style somewhere between traditional and documentary, Graham uses prompts like, “Can you go find a yellow flower for Mom?” and “Tell Dad why you love him,” to help keep kids engaged. Graham captured the shot with the Canon 5D Mark III with the Canon EF 35mm L lens.

“I think the best thing we can do is make them forget we are photographers,” she says. “I like to get down on the kids’ level and ask them about what they’re playing with, or about their interests. I’ll play silly games and get them laughing with me (or at me). Some kids might need more time to warm up, so I just take things slow. I’ll also quietly document that shyness. As a mother myself, I love seeing all the different sides of my son in photos.”

Liv van Leeuwen, Liv van Leeuwen Photography

Liv van Leeuwen of Liv van Leeuwen Photography says that nostalgia often resides in the little moments. She captured that feeling eloquently in this shot of a mother and daughter in the water. The way the two mirror each other lifting their dresses and the way the little girl clings to her mother’s skirt creates an impactful close-up. She captured the image with the Canon 5D Mark IV and a 35mm prime lens.

“I think that often we want to focus on the big moments, but actually that feeling of nostalgia or poignancy is in the little things–the way a child’s hair is ruffled, the mannerisms, and little interactions that form the family as a whole,” she says. “I am also really drawn to those whimsical moments of childhood and using locations that allow a glimpse into this idea.”

[Read: Take Great Candid Kid Photos + Make 6 Figures in Your First Year of Business]

Jayme Lang

For this particular shot, Jayme Lang (@Jaymelang) was inspired by the exterior of the family’s home. She encouraged their son to get out his energy and just do his thing and run around. She captured the shot with the Nikon Z6 II and a 35mm lens.

“I think the biggest advice I could give for photographing children candidly would be to try and be a fly on the wall,” she says. “In my experience, kids don’t always have the attention span to follow direction, and I also think too much direction adds a lot of pressure. So, just letting kids be themselves, and allowing them to lead the session will produce the most authentic and candid images. I would also encourage you to get on their level. If they are low to the ground, get low. If they are running, feel free to run with them! Getting in there and playing, too, helps kids feel comfortable and also makes your sessions fun!”

Dig into our Photos of the Day Archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching portraits and wedding photos. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to five images at a time) to: hillary.grigonis@emeraldx.com.

As a thank you to our readers, we’re pleased to offer you a Rangefinder exclusive discount code to get 25% off The Portrait Masters course below. Use the code RF25 at checkout to redeem. This code cannot be used in combination with other sales.

The post Photos of the Week September 23: Candid Childhood Photography appeared first on Rangefinder.