Photoshoot: Carla Paulate [USF Senior; 05/08/10]

Here's Carla, a USF Nursing Senior graduating this month! I actually met Carla lonnng time ago when I was part of my friend's cotillion [18th Birthday Party] when I was a sophomore in high school. She was also my "rival" since we were both in our high school's dance/step team who performed in the big rivalry basketball game every year haha! So it's definitely been a long time since we've actually hung out.

We went around USF and chose some simple background in order to focus in on the graduate.



We then headed up the [dreaded] stairs of Lone Mountain.

We headed to the Study Room at Lone Mountain and I apologize to those who were studying at that time! I tried to work quietly but even if I whispered directions to Carla, I couldn't help the loud shutter and flash whirring haha. Pictured above though and below was putting the nice window light to good use.


This is when I got a view glances by then since I was now using my light set up. =P But can't argue with some of the great shots I got [above and below].


Before heading out, we used the lovely natural light flooding in the old halls of Lone Mountain.



Lastly, we headed outside right in front of main entrance of Lone Mountain and had Carla go in the shade to grab a few shots.

The last photo she chose for her edits and my favorite. Love how the railings in the back compliment her teal dress!

Thanks again Carla and hope you had as much fun as I did!

Photoshoot: Julie Ann [USF Senior; 05/11/10]

With the influx of USF seniors, thought it be good to mix it up by going someplace completely different... so here we are are Fort Point in San Francisco. Plus, Julie wanted something that reminded her of Hawaii since that is where she calls home.

Julie brought some props, notably a hat and the cool suspenders. I ended up giving a quick "demo" on how to wear the hat haha

Definitely loved the light that afternoon gave and did have help of the "light stick" I usually bring along--so thanks again Markie Idea who came along as my assistant.

We briefly went to an area that had a view of Golden Gate Bridge. In this shot, you can't see it but I had Markie hold my shoot-through umbrella to provide her some soft lighting. Photographers know that a nice sunny day is good in general but until you shoot directly under sun, problems are bound to come in the form of shadows!

This large brick building is practically under the Golden Gate Bridge's base. Plus, it had shade so it was good to use my light stick with that umbrella mentioned above to diffuse the light. Kudos to Julie by the way for being so involved and having Honors! I too was in the nursing program and yea... I was not involved nor had the grades... hahah So congrats again Julie!


We did find a place that had a more simpler background and it was the side of the rest stop at Fort Point.. hehe It definitely works though to provide a clean image!

A tip by the way to all graduates, do what Julie did: pin your hood and stoles so even in the windiest wind [like on this day], it'll be fine!


So after the cap and gown shots, it was time to have fun in another outfit. Props again to Julie since even though it was a nice day, it was windy like crazy!


I took a series of Julie walking across the parking lot and out of the dozen+ images that I shot, this shot is definitely a winner.

Thanks again Julie for the photoshoot and hope you had as much as I did! Congrats again on graduating and definitely wish you the best in your bright future!

--
Images by JJ Casas
Assisted by Markie Idea

Photoshoot: Resi [USF Senior]

To be fair, there's about 3 other USF seniors [and 4 more I'm taking this week!] I already photographed but am waiting for their proofs to be approved. Here's Resi, a nursing senior who is graduating with honors [niice!] The photo above is her "pick" in which she's getting her "starter kit" prints [1 8x10, 1 5x7, and 4 wallets] that's included in the photoshoot.

We decided to shoot in USF's newest building, Kalmonovitz Hall. Definitely had fun in the lobby while passerbys looking on wondering what exactly is happening [you gotta see behind the scene pics coming soon...]

I did do natural light too since the large windows in this building is really nice!

I say this is my favorite photo from the bunch and I don't even know what I said as she was laughing when I took this... maybe it's my direction I give as I'd say "Ok.. look here! OK, over here too!" haha

I remember going by the School of Business' lobby a couple of semesters ago and thought it be nice to go there since I've yet to shoot here.

Finally, we go to this stairwell that I'm sure no student goes to [or even allowed to?] As we were taking photos, some USF staff passed by too and had expressions of either "Um... oookay?" [confused faces] or "Congrats!" [smiley faces].

A close up of Resi and the light from this stairwell and day really made things work... glad to have shot in nice weather in the always-changing SF weather!

The last shot that Resi picked from her photo reel and I must say it will look great as a print! =)

There's still tons of pics for me to go through but I will say thanks to my friend Gee who assisted me on this shoot and actually went through the 1st run of all the photos to weed out the bad ones. Visit his blog for sure and take a look at his work! He's also a "faculty member" of the partnership company and I put up with my friend MotionScope Studies. Sorry, but I gotta plug it in! =D

Photoshoot: Graduation Photos for Emmeline [05/27/09]

A roommate of Mel. Em asked if I can take her photos when I stopped by their apartment to take Mel's headshots with her cap and gown. I've known Em since freshman year [among our group of our annual Kris Kringle group] and it's great to see her don the cap and gown for her graduation.

I'm sure she won't miss these steps from Lone Mountain. No matter how many classes I have there, I dont think I've ever gotten use to climbing those steps!

"Walk... ok... smile..." We both laughed since it is awkward to walk down and pretend you're not being photographed. haha

Here we go to Golden Gate's Music Concourse. Unfortunately it was under construction so I couldn't get a clean body shots since you can see the tractors/yellow tape.

Overcast days = lovely black and white conversions.

A quick shot at Academy of Sciences--using my membership to good use for sure.

Probably one of my favorite sequences. This here is my usual close up shots with my 50mm 1.7 lens and when I said "Breathe through your mouth" I didn't know I'd get Em to start laughing away. haha

Congrats again Em!

Photoshoot: Graduation Photos for Jensine [05/17/09]

My friend Jensine asked to do her grad photos and I've actually photographed her in addition to her sorority sisters as well about a year and half ago.

This is taken at Parina Lounge in USF with the freshly updated mural.

This was a surprise place to photograph. The new Kalmonovitz Hall has this frosted roof that provides great natural light.

A great close up of Jensine using the 50mm portrait lens with a shallow depth of field.

This was the frosted roof I was talking about (Ok. Maybe it's not "frosted" but I don't know how else to describe it).

Yes. This is in the library. And yes, this was taken amidst finals week. Luckily, no one was downstairs looking for books but we were both laughing because out of all the aisles I've chosen, I chose an aisle that one of the library workers was restocking the books at.

Thanks Jensine for the shoot and Congrats Grad!