Grad Portraits

12 Pts Eagle Law 2010

2010-07-14T16:48:19Z

skpa accreditaion logo

2010-05-16T01:45:27Z

Collage of Life Portraiture - Beyond the Single Picture

2010-05-13T02:51:27Z

A single image doesn't show the full, extensive life you lead. This is why we create our Collage of Life Portraits, a collection of your studio moments compiled in a single portrait, capturing more than a smile, to reach your spirit deep inside.

]]> The Promise of a Portrait: Keep me... Protect me... Share me.... and I will live forever.... because nobody ever leaves this world until their last portrait disintegrates into dust. Our Collage of Life Portraits capture your spirit like no other portrait you'll find in the world today. Whether it be in Color or En Blanc, we'll painstakingly create a single portrait from many. It is an artistically created display of your life. We aim to produce beautiful portraits showing your growth and change over the years because, beautiful photographs will provide your family with visual keepsakes of an immeasurable gift: you and your recent achievement.

Special Kids Portraiture - Down Syndrome Multiple Sclerosis

2010-05-07T16:27:36Z

Beautiful photography capturing a special child's personality, their

'SKPA accredits portrait photographers work with special needs children - William Hodge is one of only 57 accredited in the US.'

soul and their spirit in a portrait, positively impacts their self-worth and sense of acceptance. This is true for any child, not just the special child. Down Syndrome

Multiple Sclerosis

]]> The Promise of a Portrait: Keep me... Protect me... Share me.... and I will live forever.... because nobody ever leaves this world until their last portrait disintegrates into dust. to create a photograph that artistically and creatively depicts the natural features of your special child both positively and attractively. Pictures like this can provide a tremendous boost to your child's self-esteem. Any portrait of a special child that creates a positive image of 'self' is of great value for you, your child, and brothers and sisters. This is specially true during formative years when their sense of self-esteem is developing. This is why William Hodge sought out training, and understanding of the special child portrait. He's been accredited by the Special Kids Photography of America association, having taken classes, passed extensive tests, submitted a portfolio and testimonials on his gift to provide you with a portrait of consequence, of beauty. He aims to produce beautiful portraits showing your child's growth and change over the years because, beautiful photographs, will provide your family with visual keepsakes of an immeasurable gift you have been given: a very Special Child.

William Hodge Personal Blogs

2010-04-27T16:00:48Z

Throw in 200+ boats, a 34 foot Catalina, vibrant visuals at sunset, sunrise, and even during the day, a little sea sickness, some good food, three hour shifts of sleep, then three hours on deck, five other level headed guys and 22 hours to get to the finish, fish tacos, Mexican beer, Super Viagra Man statues on the sidewalks and you have the Newport to Ensenada boat race. Here is my visual take on the 2010 run to the border aboard Callisto II.

Art of Eagle Scouts - Beyond Pictures and Photos

2010-04-02T15:52:16Z

Our Eagle Scout portrait program is something for which we are proud. That's why we've pushed the limits in creating these studio images of Eagle Scouts that are on display at Orange County Council's Service Center (1211 E. Dyer Road, Santa Ana - just west of the 55 Fwy.)

'After a day of creating portraits of Eagle Scouts, we have this particular feeling of having met some of America's future leaders.'

They take us beyond the standard rite-of-passage portrait into the realm of character study. They're a deeper look into the soul of these future leaders and a tribute to all the men and women working as volunteers in Scouting. ]]> Eagle Scout Art: The Show (120 second video)

These portraits also pay tribute to Sir Baden-Powell, the father of the Boy Scout movement, and all who have contributed to the program during it's 100 year journey. After a day of creating portraits of Eagle Scouts, we have this particular feeling of having met some of America's future leaders.

Cal Poly Pomona

2010-02-17T20:50:19Z

Times like these should not be left to memory alone!

Make sure to to share your portrait with your family and friends, celebrating an important milestone in your career path. We create, you edit, and may take portraits home the same day emblazoned your California Poly Pomona logo. That's right, you help edit the images on site and may take them home to your family and friends on the same day or you may opt for wall prints or retouching and post event delivery. These formal portraits tell the story of your hard work and achievements at CPP. View Our Collegiate Senior MP4 Portfolio: 'Don't Fail Me Now'

Use them as a gift for family and friends who helped you achieve this great new achievement. Retouched images are available along with wall display portraits. Celebrate your hard work with a portrait your family, friends, and especially your children, will cherish for years to come.

"We love your portraits of our daughter, I became very emotional when we opened them up together." Cookie H.

A formal portrait is the perfect way to celebrate this right of passage few people experience more than once in life.

Spring Portrait Dates On Campus: 2010

February 23, Club Day 10am-2pm Make your winter appointment reservation online by following this link to reserve the most convenient time for your portrait creation. Walk-ins are welcome, however, reservations take precedence. Make your reservation online at Gradportraits.com early enough to have gift portraits for your graduation invitations and Commencement Day gifts. We look forward to seeing you and creating your portrait of consequence. You may receive your prints at your portrait session to share immediately with family and friends. Retouched or enlargement prints will be shipped within three weeks. We accept cash or credit card (MC, Visa, Discover). Follow this link to our PDF file with 13 Techniques For Making Great Portraits. Please be sure to bring payment of some kind, a comb/brush for your hair and a shirt/blouse to match your robe/mortar board. Ladies, as a general rule, wear more make-up than less. You will have the opportunity to approve of your portrait. Set your appointment now by following this link!

Portraits En Blanc - Black & White Art of the Ages

2010-02-15T18:10:51Z

Portraits En Blanc Celebrate the love of your spouse or family with our Portraits En Blanc, a beautiful way to say, "I love you."]]> View our new Portraits En Blanc Series of Portraits

Whether it's on our Canvas Art prints or our Marquis finish, you'll love their beautiful look on a home or office wall. Let the world see your feelings of your loved ones with portraits displayed in your office or home.

Intimate Look At Flowers of California

2010-02-15T18:02:52Z

Foliage Of Spring Is Still Blooming In Fall The color and shape of spring are still with us in California. So I spent an hour creating portraits in my backyard. ]]>

Elk Horn Kelp - Giant Kelp Rises From The Depths

2010-02-15T17:59:23Z

Elk Horn Kelp Elk Horn Kelp is a shy ocean fauna that rarely comes to the surface intact.]]>

For 24 hours, this kelp remained tightly wrapped around the mooring line. In the morning light I saw it differently than I'd seen it the day before and I retrieved my camera. I saw beauty in its form, the way light caressed it amidst the colorful waters in one of Catalina's hidden coves. Slowly, when it had my attention, it started unraveling itself from the mooring line and I photographed it with new interest. Not satisfied with these images, I waited. Slowly but surely the kelp completely unwound itself and began drifting away. For a brief few moments it unfolded itself, showing the beauty of an underwater world that came to the surface for a few brief hours.

California Clouds: Alchemy of Color, Shape, Shadow & Light

2010-02-15T17:56:32Z

An Ongoing Look At the Clouds Over California California is know as a place where the sun always shines, it's always warm and never rains. Yet this year springtime blended into summer bringing us many weather fronts. It gave this photographer a show of color, shape & light - simple parts of nature that came together to give us a show of beauty and visual delight. We only needed to remember to stop from our daily tasks, responsibilities and work, and look up to enjoy the beauty. In this two minute MP4 video you'll see some of these images. More are certain to come. Check in occasionally for more visual treats.

If you're interested in looking at these fine art 11x14 prints, give me a call and we'll schedule a studio visit for you to preview the images.

Grandmother Loves Me Portraits

2009-09-20T14:36:48Z

Portraits you for today, and all their tomorrows]]> 'The memory of loved ones never leaves this world until all of their pictures disintegrate into dust. This is why portraits are important.'they’ll remember the fun times, like baking cookies, talking, walking, and just holding your hand. It’s the miracle of grandchildren. View an 80 second portfolio of one session

Give them a legacy of portrait memories with an image of you two that will last for all their tomorrows. Call us now at 562-596-8999 and schedule a portrait. We’re right here locally awaiting you and a portrait with your beautiful grandchildren. It’s a great gift for birthdays or the holidays! And, grandfathers, you can get in on the action too!

California Clouds: Alchemy of Color, Shape & Light

2009-08-15T21:26:11Z

Foliage Of Spring Is Still Blooming In Fall The color and shape of spring are still with us in California. So I spent an hour creating portraits in my backyard. Portraits of carnations, plumeria, henna and the other plants around my home. And, my exercise was limited to the use of a small point-and-shoot consumer camera. No professional camera was used here. No professional lens. Just a small Canon SD1200. The lesson here is: 'The camera is only as good as the person using it to create images.' As an example, since I have a word processor, am I a better writer than Steinbeck, Conrad, Tolkien or Wolfe? No. My mind doesn't put words together like they did. But my mind does see the patterns of light, shape and color you'll see in this video. Enjoy. Come back occasionally for new installments.

]]> Elk Horn Kelp Wrapped tightly around my boat's mooring line, I spied a large Elk Horn Kelp trying to garner my attention. At first I thought it was a problem. With so much flotation, I thought, it wouldn't allow the mooring line to drop to the bottom of the ocean away from my props and would create all kinds of trouble and grief.

If you're interested in looking at these fine art 11x14 prints, give me a call and we'll schedule a studio visit for you to preview the images.

Orange County Girl Scout Gold Award Portraits

2009-07-29T02:38:05Z

Calling all Future Business Leaders, CEOs, Community Leaders, Mayors, Congressmen and Governors Who Have Achieved Their Gold Award. Your Formal Gold Award Portrait Commemorates This Great Achievement. Congratulations! Your official Girl Scout Gold Award portrait will hang on the Girl Scout Gold Award Honor Wall at the Council Service Center in Irvine. Portrait sessions will be at our studio (12832 Valley View St., Ste. 104, West Garden Grove, where the 405 & 22

If you cannot wait until this date, you may come to the studio by making an on-line reservation at our Portrait Fridays when you are purchasing a portrait. Parents, do not make group reservations. Gold Awardees and their parents should make reservations for themselves.

Collide!) Your portrait session is complimentary on council scheduled dates. If you are interested in purchasing portraits as gift prints for relatives, parent's office display or home, we'll offer options for purchase. Payment is due at time of delivery. Debit, Visa or Mastercard accepted. View Our 90 Second Tribute to 2009 Gold Awardees

2010 Dates at the West Garden Grove studio are: Saturday, November 6, 9am-1pm A limited number of appointments are available, so make your reservations early. Reservations may be arranged by following this link. If you cannot wait until this date, you may come to the studio by making a reservation. Please be advised that you must attend with a parent to 'live edit' and purchse your portrait. Regular studio pricing will be applied to the hour session (we will waive your portrait session fee as a Girl Scout discount.) We look forward to seeing you and celebrating this special achievement.

Born Anew as a Photographer Artist: Boot Camp with Arthur Rainville

2009-07-08T17:32:05Z

Get Off the Garden Path! As a professional photographer it's important to grow professionally and artistically everyday, every month, every year. That's why in the past two years I've spent five solid weeks in weeklong seminars learning from some of the more creative portrait photographers in our business. I've spent a week each with Arthur Rainville & Jennifer Hudson, Tony Korbel, Joseph & Louise Simone, Trevon Baker and Carl Caylor, all disciples of Don Blair (you'll notice, I'm vicariously learning his styles through others, since he's no longer with us.) ]]> A Quick Look At My Art Take on the Week

Spending a week with Arthur Rainville and Jennifer Hudson was meant to push my orbit out of place just a little bit. In fact, I wanted them to push my orbit out far enough that I wouldn't drift back to the same orbit I followed at the beginning of June. To some this may seem mystic and overly artistic. To some of us who go through these weeks, we are born anew. It's not that I don't like my work, I do. I cherish the portraits and make for Eagle Scouts, university graduates, law school graduates and their families. It's important work creating portraits of America's future leaders.

"I want you to get off the garden path you are traveling, I want you to go to the side of the trail amongst the leaves, the logs, the fogs, the rocks and stub your toe, and grow as an artist." Arthur Rainville

My goal was to let them push me further down the creative road to create better portraits, more passionate portraits, more interesting portrait studies. This way I can make better images about these future leaders, and, have the opportunity of creating portraits of them as they achieve their goals. Over the five days much was discussed of posing, lighting, reality, creativity and the business side of portraiture and the pictures we provide. The one thing that sticks out in my mind as I write this is Rainville's message about following the creative ruts on which we sometimes travel. He defined what he calls, "Garden Pathing." It's the thought that all of us continue to follow the first successful path we take with our careers. We forget that there are other directions we can take to success, and we should not stop on the first and only path were we find successful. It's corrallary is, "taking the path of least resistance." To nudge us off the path, he said, "I want you to get off the garden path you are traveling, I want you to go to the side of the trail amongst the leaves, the logs, the fogs, the rocks and stub your toe, and grow as an artist. You'll fail occasionally, but you'll grow as an artisit. Get off the damn trail!" It's a simple thought putting words to the constant growth we all go through as portrait photographers. We take chances to try something new, oftentimes, creativity that might fail, or, might create a better portrait. This brings another Rainville thought to the forefront, "How do you carry this forward after our week?" Keep in tune with these pages and you'll see.