Concept Photography – St. Louis Concept Photographer

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:46:45 +0000

Today I was talking to a neighbor and she asked me, “What is Concept Photography?” This caused me to realize that, while I know what it means, most of my clients probably don’t. Wikipedia defines concept art “as a photography genre in which the artist makes a photograph of a concept or idea. Usually the conception of the idea precedes the realization of the photography. The photographer puts in place the things and the beings that will be the subject of the final photograph, and the placement of those things and beings build the concept, the idea, and the final outcome.” That’s a much better definition than I gave, which was, “I get these visions in my head. I see a finished photo or series of photos made entirely up of my own imagination. I get inspiration from many places. Sometimes I see a location as I drive down the road, or the way the light falls on a rock, or a barred window in a ruin, or a stranger in the mall, anything really, and it sparks an emotional reaction. My mind quickly fills the scene in with a concept or idea for a photo session. It’s a very hard process to describe and it haunts me until I can make that vision a reality. I always have about 3 dozen concept session running through my mind just waiting for the right person or location or whatever piece I’m missing.

These first 2 photos were my concept of a postcard of a French ballerina from the early 20th century. I came up with the idea when I met this lovely high school senior. During our initial interview she told me she was a dancer. This information, combined with her unique beauty set my mind into day dreaming mode. Both of these photos were shot with window light in a dance studio in front of a gray paper backdrop. I had a clear vision before I shot one frame what my post processing was going to be.

The idea for the next 2 photos was sparked by my mother’s prom dress from 1951 which I re-discovered in a cedar chest after her death. I wanted to recreate her senior prom from 1951. So I enlisted my niece as a model, drove everyone I knew crazy until I found a 1951 Buick that would match the dress in color, found a location that felt timeless, and hired a makeup artist and hairstylist to give her the Grace Kelly look.

And this last photo was sparked by a drive through Town and Country one afternoon in early spring. I saw a field of daffodils, slammed on my brakes and almost got rear-ended. But I knew I had to shoot there. I knew I had to shoot a sweet girl picking flowers. So I started knocking on doors trying to find out who owned the property to get permission. In just one week I found the perfect little girl. It was just about to storm and we had to work quickly but we had beautiful light, a beautiful location and made beautiful portraits. Do you have an idea or fantasy shoot you’d like to try. Give me a call and we’ll come up with something fabulous!

Trevor – An amazing high school senior

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:04:17 +0000

Meet Trevor. A young man going places. He was such a delight to work with. He is funny, smart, kind, polite, caring… and cute! His parents have done a wonderful job with him. Trevor is a senior at St. Louis University High School. He’s the baseball team manager, he’s into theatre and is a great student. Just a wonderful young man. I’ll share a few more in the next week.

9 Months Since My Last Post – Newborn Baby Photographer

admin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:44:14 +0000

No, I didn’t have a baby during those 9 months, I’ve just… well I’ve been lazy about posting. Terrible of me, I know, but with my facebook page I kind of forget about the blog. But enough about me.

I thought it only appropriate to start back up with a newborn session… kind of a tongue in cheek send up to my 9 month blog absence. Last August I got to photograph Baby Ray. He was the most curled up newborn I’ve ever photographed. I love how this image looks like he’s still in the womb. He was a dream to photograph. And with this being mom’s 2nd baby, it was such an easy, calm session. I love that!

This is shot using only natural light. But it looks totally like studio lighting. Just give me a nice-sized window and we can shoot in the dead of winter or in the oppressive heat of August in total comfort.

Swaddling Works! – St. Louis Baby Photographer

admin — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:50:48 +0000

Another of sweet baby Charlotte. She loooooved being swaddled. Doesn’t she make you want to just scoop her up and snuggle with her? She looks so warm and soft and angelic. I really love this image. Â

Baby Charlotte – St. Louis Baby Photographer

admin — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:07:36 +0000

Meet Charlotte. OnlyÂ 6 days old. She was so teeny tiny at less than 6 lbs. And a total sweetheart. She didn’t cryÂ until the very end. But when she did she raised the roof! We certainly got the message –Â sheÂ was D.O.N.E.!!Â She definitely had a mind of her own and hadn’t quite figured out the sleep thing yet but we still got some sweet, sweet images.

Customer Appreciation Program – St. Louis Portrait Photographer

admin — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:18:07 +0000

I’m very excited to announceÂ my new Customer Appreciation Program for 2011. If you have commissioned me for a private session ($150 session fee) in the past your 2nd session is only $75*. Two or more commissions? You won’t pay a session fee at all in 2011. It’s a great deal to ring in the 2011 portrait season. There are quite a few of you who could have FREE sessions this year so call 314-607-7166 and reserve your time today!Â Newborn, child, family, even high school senior sessions apply.

*Plus sales tax.

Product Highlight – Custom Image Box – St. Louis Baby Photographer

admin — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 22:31:16 +0000

Working strictly on location as I do it can be a challenge toÂ show you all the lovely products I offer. So I’ve decided to startÂ showing you here! This is a custom designed Premium Image Box. These are so gorgeous and so versatile.Â EachÂ Image Box is created to enhanceÂ the images from your session. Your 20 favorite images are printed as mountedÂ 5×7′s to sit perfectly on the included easel, and tuck securely in the Image Box. The easel allows you toÂ change the displayÂ throughout the year.

Image Boxes also make a terrific keepsake box for baby’s first year. Â You can fill it with pictures, handprints, a lock of hair, a hospital bracelet — all those special trinkets you don’t want to lose but don’t really fit well in a tradtional baby book. Some clients purchase an image box for each year of their child’s life to secret away all those special childhood treasures. Whatever use you come up with I guarantee you’ll love your Premium Image Box created from your custom portrait photography session.

Cousins and Best Buds – St. Louis Child Photographer

admin — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:00:05 +0000

These two cutie pies are cousins. You may recognize them from previous separate baby photography sessions in 2010. Bennett and Ethan’s mamas are sisters and wanted to surprise their grandmother with a special portrait for Christmas. Grandma already had her own art gallery started with her previous gallery wrapped canvases. So we snuck in a surprise session in November with these adorable boys, and Grandma found a gorgeous gallery wrapped canvas under the tree to add to her wall canvasÂ collection.Â Call today to schedule your special session and create your own family art gallery. www.robinorvis.comÂ

Newborn Casting Call – St. Louis Newborn Photography

admin — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 22:58:17 +0000

Looking for newborn boy or girl. Must be less than 2 weeks old. Expecting and nearing your due date? Just had a baby? Give me a call. Free newborn session in exchange for signed model release. A $175 value. Â Prints and products ordered at regular price. Call me at 314-607-7166 or e-mail at robin@robinorvis.comÂ today! Be sure to tell all your friends. I may do this more than once!!!Â Â Â www.robinorvis.com

Newborn Girl – Bethalto Newborn Photography

admin — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 15:56:19 +0000

Elsie was completely and totally zonked out during our newborn photography session. I could pick her up and move her and rearrange her and she just slept like a dream. But notice that clenched fist. The little stinker just wouldn’t let me relax those hands.Â As a newborn photographer you try and arrange their hands and feet so carefully but she had her own ideas. I don’t know if it is her personality or her age. Newborns are best photographed at less than 10 days of age. But little Elsie and her brother Gage came early, as most twins do, and spent time in the special care nursery. Gage got to come home earlier than Elsie as she had a pretty rough start to life.Â SoÂ at 5 weeks she and herÂ brother were well beyond the bendy newborn stage. But it was a true blessing and very happy event when she finally went homeÂ to Mom, Dad, her 2 older sisters, and reunited with her brother Gage.Â

Expecting twins, triplets, a single birth? Call Robin Orvis Photography at 314-607-7166 to schedule your newborn session today.Â www.robinorvis.comÂ Â