Fotografo de Bodas, Santiago

March 9, 2011

This session I shot FOR ME. Just saying those words out loud feels blasphemous! I can’t remember the last time I took pictures for the sole purpose of making the images that live in my head become real. Don’t get me wrong, I love shooting wedding photos for clients and I love shooting travel pictures for the blog. I push myself to try and do creative things that still fall within the realm of expectations. I push myself to exceed expectations. I push myself to try and make people look more beautiful than they ever imagined they really are.

But I wanted to be able to take photos and not worry about whether or not they’re flattering to the people in them. I wanted to shoot and not worry about getting a good amount of close ups and a good amount of panoramas. I wanted to take pictures where you can’t see their heads and where I chop off important body parts in the way I crop the photo that makes other people say, “That’s weird,” and that makes me say, “BUT I LOVE IT.”

All I really wanted was to take pictures that leave you wanting more. That leave me wanting more. We’re smack dab in the middle of high season and we haven’t had a weekend day off probably since December (and even then it was only because I put my foot down and said “No, we will not do a photo shoot on Christmas Day.” Even when we were in Patagonia we were still taking photos for the hotel. And then our session for last Sunday had to be rescheduled for another day. And I decided that I’d rather shoot for me than take a day off. I didn’t even bother asking Seba because I know his response would be to ask if we couldn’t pretty pretty please go to an asado (grill-out) with his friends and then take a nap?

It turned out to be the right decision. I feel creatively recharged. I want to take more photos like this. Photos that I love. Photos that are just for me. But that maybe someone else will happen to love too.

I started with the idea that I wanted to tell a story — a couple who arrived at the beach and were there having a good time.

But as it turns out, when I’m totally set free, I tend to lean towards the more abstract.

Love, love, LOVE these next two shots.

I wanted to play around with some superoverexposed photos to try and get them to feel less…direct. I don’t really know how to explain myself but I like when I look at a picture and it’s not immediately obvious what it is. Photos that make me keep looking for more are the kind that I like.

With the white sky and the people coming out of nowhere they sort of remind of Max Wanger. I’m not comparing myself at all. He’s the master of that style.

The photo below grabs me. I don’t know why, but I keep coming back to it.

Haha, poor Yan. First, in the photo above where he and Karla are jumping, I told him I wanted him sideways, so he had to kind of jump and then fall into the sand. Then later, I was looking at my notes and he was all suspicious, like, “Wait a minute. What does that say?” As it turns out my notes said, “Yan: sand on face.”

The moral of the story here is that he and Karla are the best. models. ever.

Oooh, I’m so happy with this next one.

Favorite. Favorite of my life.

29 Comments

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29 Comments

So rad.

Comment by Caroline Anne — March 9, 2011 @ 11:29 pm

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Chicky babe, you is on FIE-YAH!

Comment by Xanthe Roxburgh — March 10, 2011 @ 2:29 am

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Kyle, what I thought upon looking at these photos was “wow, self-care really churns out beauty.” I want to lobby for your doing this more: taking time for yourself and for chasing the images you love. These are all incredible, from the sand photos to the abstract ones to the overexposed ones to the slightly darker one of them heading to the water. I am in love, with photographs and with the idea of your listening to you heart. You are wildly talented, my friend, and I am lucky to be exposed to the beauty you capture.

Comment by Roxanne — March 10, 2011 @ 5:04 am

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Sometimes the best results come from doing things for yourself and not for others.
I like the “Sand on Face” one.
Rob W.

Comment by South America ME — March 10, 2011 @ 5:06 am

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Love the sand on face one. And the last four shots. Beautiful!

Comment by Abby — March 10, 2011 @ 6:44 am

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Wow, that was fun to look through, and I loved seeing this couple again. I don’t know photography terms, but the one where the couple is way right and the wooden hut is on the left is fantastic! What beach is this?

Comment by flojindamesa — March 10, 2011 @ 7:07 am

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I love #289 the most.

Comment by Kai Heeringa — March 10, 2011 @ 7:23 am

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I really love the photos with the big multi-colored umbrella. And i want to buy her bikini, so cute!!! The photo with the sandy fingers and face-me LOVE!!!

Comment by Keao — March 10, 2011 @ 7:52 am

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Awww I like these! I love the lighting. They really pop with the colors.

Comment by Christy — March 10, 2011 @ 7:59 am

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Wow Kyle and Seba I really like all these pictures, they are great as usual. I’m glad you took time to take the pictures that you had in mind, especially with us haha. Thank you again we had so much fun!

Comment by karla — March 10, 2011 @ 8:22 am

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Some great images – looks like you had lots of fun.

Comment by Alan Langley — March 10, 2011 @ 9:54 am

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You’re crazy good, Kyle. This is honestly my favorite session of yours to date.

Comment by Nessa K — March 10, 2011 @ 10:30 am

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Great post and perhaps the kick in the ass I needed to take more pictures just ‘for me’ – BTW the one where their feet are dangling out each side of the umbrella is money!

Comment by cole — March 10, 2011 @ 11:44 am

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Cute. So, so cute. They must love these, what a great set.

Comment by Jason — March 10, 2011 @ 12:15 pm

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So this is probably my favorite session of yours… EVER! Amazing. I love the natural scenery, ocean and gorgeous couple! I think we need to plan a vacay to the beach just for a photoshoot! Amazing!

Comment by Molly — March 10, 2011 @ 12:34 pm

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Playful and beautiful. A wonderful set.

Comment by Brad Ross — March 10, 2011 @ 12:44 pm

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Okay, the photos are awesome, and I’m glad I took my time looking through… but common! It’s snowing outside right now here in Michigan! Why must you torture us?

Comment by brett maxwell — March 10, 2011 @ 1:32 pm

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wow!!!!! You are right those two are the BEST models…wish I’d have her body …makes me want to go to the beach right about now….grrrrr…utah mountains!!!!

Comment by Vivian — March 10, 2011 @ 1:58 pm

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I am so thrilled that you got to recharge and get some mojo back!

These photos are amazing and I love the over exposed ones

Comment by Deidre — March 10, 2011 @ 2:19 pm

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These are beautiful, Kyle, and definitely a great reminder to shoot for ourselves. Love the feet in the sand, the sand on the face, and the overexposed ones.

Comment by Jessica Schilling — March 10, 2011 @ 3:54 pm

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One of the most creative engagement sessions I’ve ever seen. Seriously amazing.

Comment by Karen — March 10, 2011 @ 5:52 pm

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ooooooooooooh! Lovely! I love all, especially the over exposed ones! Stunning!

Comment by Kristy — March 10, 2011 @ 6:33 pm

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That photo that grabs you? Yeah, it’s amazing. Great job!

Comment by Allison Suter — March 10, 2011 @ 6:57 pm

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Kyle, I can’t even tell you how much I love this shoot! Love it so much. I think my favourites are the hyper-exposed shots. Stunning, dreamy perfection.

Comment by Eliza — March 11, 2011 @ 1:23 pm

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quiero unas fotos asi!!! con la sombrilla incluida!!! ademas de las de downtown tampa y unas en ybor city!!!!

Comment by Catalina — March 11, 2011 @ 3:58 pm

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Kyle, I know I say this a lot. I mean, you’ve probably got to the point where you’re like, “Oh that comment again? How original” but this is actually my favourite of your shoots. I’m serious. There was not one photo in this collection that I didn’t love. You just keep getting better and better. I don’t like having my picture taken but I hope that one day I can have the pleasure of having you photograph me.

Comment by Ceri — March 13, 2011 @ 11:08 am

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Notable sesiòn!

Comment by Juan Cristóbal — March 15, 2011 @ 7:12 pm

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Killin’ it, girl, you are KILLIN’ IT.

Comment by Zack — March 16, 2011 @ 1:01 pm

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I LOVE that second to last one. Looks like you had a blast!

Comment by Heather — March 25, 2011 @ 4:02 pm

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