Jonathan L Golden Photography - Houston Texas Wedding and Portraiture Photographer » Houston Texas Photography

PPBF Weekly Challenge: Isolation With Shallow Depth Of Field

Jonathan — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:21:41 +0000

From the PPBF:

This Week’s Assignment:
Subject Isolation With A Shallow Depth Of Field

As photographers we are storytellers. Our job is to provide elegant tools for our customers to tell their stories. One way we can create a more elegant and polished story, and further define ourselves as professionals, is through the use of a shallow depth of field. A shallow depth of field is a tool a photographer can use to draw the viewer’s gaze to a certain area in a finished portrait, making it more clear was to what the photograph is trying to convey. This week, your assignment is “Shallow Depth Of Field”. Tell a story, and make the subject of your story more clear through the use of a shallow depth of field.

I love this image. It was shot during a night bridal shoot I had a few months ago at Discovery Green in the heart of Downtown Houston. My Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 is one of my favorite lens’, partly because of the smooth creamy bokeh it produces. This image was shot wide open (f/1.4) with two speedlights bounced off a cement wall directly behind me.

Wish me luck in this weeks challenge and head over to the Pro Photo Business Forum for its friendly environment as well as its wealth of information on photography and business.

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Deborah & Keith’s Wedding – Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, Houston Texas (part 1)

Jonathan — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:41:58 +0000

The first time I spoke with Deborah I could tell she was going to be a glowing bride. She seriously GLOWED through the phone. I did not get a chance to meet Keith until the rehearsal, but I knew he had to be a spectacular guy to land Deborah. I actually met Deborah through her daughter, Suzanne, who is a close friend of my wife, Kristen, a few years ago. What a great family! This was one of those fun events where it was evident that the goal was to 1. have a wedding and 2. HAVE A GOOD TIME! While part one is focused on the ceremony, you will want to come back for part two next week; what a party!

These wedding images are of two people deeply in love with each other. Their friends and family were awesome and made me feel comfortable from the moment I walked through the door. I don’t know what could be better for a photographer.

I hope you enjoy Deborah and Keith’s Wedding images as much as I enjoyed shooting them.

In case you missed it, don’t forget to check out Deborah and Keith’s wedding reception at The Plaza Club.

Too Cool!

Deborah’s first of 3 dresses was absolutely STUNNING!

The look on Keith’s face the first time he saw Deborah was priceless!

DEFINITELY ready to Party!

Contact me to book your wedding today!

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Ava’s First Ballet Recital

Jonathan — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:52:06 +0000

Last Friday, after many months of preparation, Ava performed in her very first Ballet recital. This was actually her first performance of any kind (not counting “showin out” in the living room). To say we were thrilled would be an understatement. Both sets of grandparents, one great grandmother and other family and friends joined in the festivities.

My parents followed my two younger sisters and I all over the country as they played golf through college and I played football. My dad, who also played collegiate football used to tell me that he got more enjoyment watching me play then he ever got from playing himself. Whenever he said that, I would give him a cockeyed look of “ya…right.”

After watching Ava dance and twirl across the stage during the recital, I fully understand what he was talking about.

Enjoy the pics!

After so much amazing ballet dancing, someone was sleepy.

No worries though. We had more than enough sweets to go around at the post-recital after-party. The cake was made by Aunt Lizzy, who is in the process of opening up her own cake shop. Her cakes are DELICIOUS!

Yes, I had a cupcake too

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Ava’s First Ballet Recital [Sneak Peak]

Ava’s First Ballet Recital [Sneak Peak]

Jonathan — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:57:37 +0000

I could not believe how proud I was when I saw my little Ava on stage performing. She was brilliant; if I have to say so myself.

More to come!

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Ava’s First Ballet Recital

Oneka Birthday Party – La Colombe D’Or | Houston, Tx

Jonathan — Fri, 21 May 2010 15:07:56 +0000

Every year in Houston, we get a consistent warming through mid to late march before one last surprise cold front. Just as we start to bring out the shorts and tank tops, we get slammed with 2 days of damp windy cold. It just so happened that Oneka’s Birthday Party fell on one of those days.

It’s funny what a few libations and some good music to dance to can do to the mood. Looking at these images, its hard to tell that it’s 40 degrees and windy!

Complete with mojitos, a great live band and of course cigars, the meticulously planned Cuban-themed event was a hit!

Here are a few of my favs from the evening!

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Sophie’s 2nd Birthday Party – Houston, Texas Photography

Life and Asher Samuel | Houston Newborn Photography

Jonathan — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:25:32 +0000

WOW! Its been over 2 months since I clicked “Add New Post” for this blog; smh. Actually, its been weighing quite heavily on me lately because I really do have a lot of great things to post. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some fantastic clients recently.

As far as life is concerned, during my 2 weeks off from my 9-5 at Christmas 2009 I was lazily clicking through the channels one afternoon. Somehow, I found myself watching the Ironman World Championships (shocking right in the middle of BCS Bowl Season). The Ironman Gods must have been summoning me toward 12+ hours of pain and suffering because 2 weeks later, after running the Houston Half Marathon, I decided to buy a triathlon bike, hop in the pool and start training for my first triathlon. I’ll be starting my triathlon career at the sprint distance Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 in Galveston on April 24. I’m super excited!

ALSO and most importantly, my wife Kristen and I were blessed with a beautiful (and healthy) newborn baby boy; Asher Samuel Golden. I’d like to thank all my friends and family for their loving thoughts and prayers while Asher spent the first 7 days of his life in the NICU at Texas Children’s Hospital. At nearly a month old now, he is sleeping, begging to be fed and going through $.65 diapers just like any other newborn. We have truly been blessed!

As I ease back into a regular blogging schedule, I figured I’d start with a few photos of the newest member of our family.

We were in good hands!

Mimi

If you are expecting or have an infant, please Contact me Today to book your newborn portrait session.

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Halloween Fun 2009 – Houston Family & Event Photography

Deborah, Jules and Marjorie – Houston, Texas Pet Photography

Jonathan — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:01:11 +0000

Aunt Deborah rarely goes anywhere without her two best friends – Jewels and Margery. When I say anywhere, I mean, she won’t buy a car that isn’t a station wagon with room for two 70 lb dogs. As a person who grew up with cats (my mom is terrified of dogs), I learned about the loyalty and friendship that dogs bring to people after I married my wife. If you say a cross word about Jewels, Margery or Venus (my mother-in-law’s papillon), you might as well be talking about their owner. If table food didn’t result in thousands of dollars in medical bills, I’m convinced most dogs would have a seat at the dinner table. They really are members of the family.

A couple weeks ago, I stopped by Deborah’s house for what turned out to be a very fun shoot. When I arrived, Jewels and Margery had just returned from Petsmart where they received their monthly $100 pampering. They were very relaxed and posed for some great photos.

Here are a few images from the session.

Goodbye until next time!

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2010 Marketing Campaign – Houston Wedding & Portrait Photography

Jonathan — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:14:28 +0000

In 2009, I mainly focused on using Social Media sites like Facebook (jonathan.lgolden) and Twitter (@jlgolden) for marketing. While I was able to get great exposure, it is important for me to use some of the “battle tested” marketing techniques of the past as well. Inbound marketing techniques (blogs & social media) are great but I see no reason to shun traditional (outbound) marketing.

Bob Bates’ was kind enough to give me permission to use his beautiful daughter Sophie on my flyer. I plan to battle the elements and go door to door getting the word out about Jonathan L Golden Photography!

I read a few photography blogs religiously, and right before Christmas, Tony Hoffer had a contest where he gave away a free photo shoot. His readers had to send in stories explaining why they should get the free shoot. I was shocked when Tony wrote that more than a few readers sent in stories mentioning that they had not had a portrait taken in 20 years! One of the best ways to document you and your families journey through this beautiful life is with annual (or bi-annual) portraits. Please allow Jonathan L Golden Photography to document your timeless memories.

Check out the new ad.

***Whether your first time seeing the ad is here on my blog or you find it near your front door, mention it for a free 8×10 at your first sitting.***

Don’t hesitate! Before you know it, another year will have gone by. Contact me to book your portrait session today!

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Sophie’s 2nd Birthday Party – Houston, Texas Photography

Jonathan — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:02:13 +0000

As my last photography assignment of 2009, I was hired by Mr. Bob Bates to shoot for a few hours at his daughters 2nd birthday party. Bob is currently stationed in Afghanistan and came home for the holiday’s to enjoy some much needed R&R with his family.

One thing all children need is an overdose of love and care (and to be slightly spoiled). The whole time I was taking pictures of Sophie and her family, I couldn’t help but notice how close they were. Sophie has such a great spirit and really enjoys being the center of attention. She had definitely been in front of a camera before because as soon as I set up my lights, she started posing. I love it when my clients are as excited about photography as I am!

With the love that’s in the Bates household, Sophie is destined for great things in life. As for the celebration, Bob really set the bar high for himself; bounce house, friends and family, food, cake and loads of toys. When a man loves his daughter, she can have the moon and it not seem out of the ordinary. I can’t fault him, see where we did the same thing for our daughter here.

Enjoy the pictures from Sophie’s 2nd Birthday Party.

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Ava Loves the Snow! – Houston Texas Photography

Jonathan — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:39:18 +0000

Last Friday Houston was greeted with an early “White Christmas.” If we get snow, it’s usually a 10 minute freezing rain storm that we call snow. This time, Houston had a full blown snowstorm. To top it off, as my final photography purchase of the year, B&H (via UPS) delivered a brand new Nikkor AF-S 70-200 f/2.8 to my doorstep! I all but shredded the box getting to it, strapped it on my D700, grabbed the family and headed out into the snow.

At first, Ava (my little one) thought the big snow flakes were making her “dirty” and refused to venture away from the porch. Eventually, determined not to let my wife and I have all the fun, she gave it a chance. As you’ll see in the pictures below, Ava could not get enough of it.

Don’t act like you didn’t try dirty snow the first time you saw it!

A lucky man…I know

Daddy gets to adventure into the middle of the yard. You’ve got to love my “cold weather socks!”

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