This morning I woke up to a backyard full of fog, dampness and random rays of sunshine. The morning/sunrise and the evening/sunset make for the most interesting light, so, forgeting my other obligations for the morning (finishing a report, going to the bank…etc), I grabbed my camera and ran outside.

I find that using a macro lens in the forest makes everything look like there should be fairys or little gnomes running around, sitting on mushrooms or laying on ferns. Something about the light this morning also enhanced this feeling for me. What do you think?

I love when the background is so out of focus that it is just soft colors that blend together…

Maybe this is someone’s home?

No matter how many photos of water drops I take, they never come out crisp. Maybe it has to do with the fact that my tripod was gently balancing on layers and layers of wet leaves-not so sturdy. Someday I will get the perfect water splash…but that day is not today…

That’s all for now!

~more later…

While I do commissioned product, event and portrait photography, one of my favorite things to do is just take some photos of my friends. Here are some photographs of Lisa and her boyfriend Zac.

I love portraiture because people can make such incredible faces. Color in landscape and food photography is essential, but emotion can be even stronger and more thought provoking in black and white. The first time I photograph people, they are usually a little uncomfortable and even awkward, but soon warm up and settle back into their natural behavior. (See my post on being comfortable with your model for some of my tips on getting better photographs of people.)

If you are interested in some my portraiture services, please email me at photography@jessicaricco.com

That’s all for now

~More Later!

The first “formal” photography training I had was in 11th grade Intro. to Photography class with Mrs. Palinkas. We learned to shoot and develop black and white 35mm film. This class is what sparked my passion for photography. I recently bought a new scanner, and thought I would share some of my favorite hand-developed “throwback” photos:

I think these next two are especially spooky. Like you would find them in a creepy attic in a horror movie. Sarah is such an awesome model. I dressed her up in this white button up shirt, a black skirt, striped colorful socks and her old Etnies. Good memories.

Anyway, that’s all for now!

~More later…