Robert Wagner is a Commercial Photographer and Videographer, based out of Toledo, OH. Wagner specializes in creative portraiture and stylized retouching. His take on a family portrait is whimsical, unique, and concept based. Wagner shared his ‘Story Behind the Shot’ with us and you can learn more about his process below!
ISO: 400 | SS: 1/250 SEC. | APERTURE: F/5.6 | FOCAL LENGTH: 27MM
This style of family photography has become a tradition for us. Twice a year we sit down as a family and blueprint a photo concept. Getting input from the kids helps them feel like they are part of the process and take ownership of the final image. I also find they are more willing to participate if they feel like it’s their ideas coming to life. Plus the mind of a child isn’t restricted by reality, so they tend to have creative viewpoints. I like to build these images into a visual playground for the viewer. Each subject has it’s own story, within the story, and can stand on it’s own. So no matter where you’re looking there’s something interesting going on. It’s a lot of fun for us to create something as a family that shows off our different personalities. In the end though, it’s not about getting the perfect shot. It’s about the process and making a memory together as a family. Everyone else sees the final image, but when we look at it we see a day spent laughing together. To me, that’s what a family photo should represent – a snapshot of a time in your life, not just what you all look like in uncomfortable clothes.
This photo is a composite, so everybody was shot individually and then the images are put together in Photoshop. I used (2) AlienBees™ to light everyone, and just moved the lights around the scene as I photographed each person. The key light had a 47” foldable octabox and I used a rim light with 7” standard reflector.
EQUIPMENT USED
AlienBees™ B800 Flash Unit | VagabondTM Mini Lithium | 7″ Standard Reflector | 47″ Foldable Octabox
Photos by Robert Wagner
About Robert Wagner
Robert Wagner is a Commercial Photographer and Videographer, based out of Toledo, OH. Wagner specializes in creative portraiture and stylized retouching.
BUFF BASICS 