Hi-Key Little Beauty - Chicago Child Portraits

Is there anything more cute and amazing than seeing a baby smile? I don't think there is. I became really interested in baby portraits the second I knew my wife and I were going to have our daughter. Since then I have had the privilege to have taken so many of my families, friends, and clients baby photos. I have traveled to Wicker Park, Downers Grove, Orland Park, and other places and into peoples houses and lives. So my many thanks to you all! Here are a handful of images from one of my latest baby portrait sessions. This cute little baby girl is probably one of the best babies I have photographed in recent memory. I don't recall her crying at all, or even fusing. We wanted to do her first year pictures and some Christmas pictures, but that might have been too aggressive of a plan. We ended up breaking up the portrait session into 2 sessions. Her parents were so cool about doing so and brought her over the following week. It was a bit of a challenge to select the images to post just because she had such a great smile most of the time.

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Set-Up

  • Nikon D700 - shooting in RAW
  • Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8
  • Alien Bee strobes - 2 on the background and 1 on my model. Note: the background was about 10 feet away from my model. Any closer and the light reflecting from the white seamless would enter the lens and create some contrast issues.
  • Pocket Wizards (2)
  • White Seamless background
  • Small white table for baby to sit on. Her father was just behind her.
  • Adobe Lightroom 2 for editing

    • Rock On! info@ottorascon.com | my portfolio | facebook | twitter | 773.430.4785

    By The Way: Shooting hi-key images is so much tougher than you think!

    Wedding Rings are Beautiful - Chicago Wedding Photography

    Wedding rings are truly works of art. I have really come to appreciate my bride and grooms rings this year. I remember going to the jeweler to pick out my wife's ring. I was so nervous and very conscience of aesthetics and price. This was a major purchase for me and I wanted to make sure that I purchased the PERFECT ring. This line of thinking has helped me focus more on the rings, placing them in beautiful backgrounds and giving them the spotlight they deserve. Here are just a few of my favorites for this year. [gallery link="file" columns="1" orderby="title" size="large"]

    The Set-Up

  • Nikon D700
  • Nikon SB-800 - Triggered via Nikon CLS. There was no light modifier on the flash.
  • Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 lens

    • Rock On! info@ottorascon.com | my portfolio | facebook | twitter | 773.430.4785

    Garfield Park Conservatory Family Portraits - Hamilton Family

    The Hamilton's are a great family and I always look forward to photographing them. Pam is a fellow artist/graphic designers and she gets the importance of family portraits. I love being around them and seeing them all interact. Their children are so mature and well behaved that I forget that they are as young as they are. Shooting at the Garfield Park Conservatory was Pam's idea. I totally dug that idea and we went with it. The Conservatory is a pretty amazing place to visit and to work in. There are so many background possibilities that one has to stop and really focus because there is so much there to choose from. I am sooooo glad that the weather was as beautiful as it was because we were then able to go outside for a majority of the shoot. There is a lily pond, a small bridge, an area of vintage looking stuff, and other really cool things. The Garfield Park Conservatory has become one of my favorite places in the city. Check them out!

    Here are a handful of my favorite shots. I am really happy with what we got that day. But what's even more important to me is that they loved the photos too! Thank you Hamilton family, you guys rock!

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    Set-Up

  • Nikon D700 - shooting in RAW
  • Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8
  • Tokina 12-24mm f/4.0
  • Nikon SB-800
  • Pocket Wizards (2)
  • 42" umbrella
  • Adobe Lightroom 2 for editing

    • Garfield Park Conservatory 300 N. Central Park Ave. Chicago, IL 60624-1996

    Rock On! info@ottorascon.com | my portfolio | facebook | twitter | 773.430.4785

    Hi-Key, Hi-Drama - Chicago Child Portraits

    I love photographing little ones, especially MY little one. Below you will see a few photographs I took last week of my Jocelyn. What you will not see is the drama that unfolded during the making of these photographs. I was photographing a clients daughter for her 1st birthday when Jocelyn came in and asked to be photographed next. Of course I couldn't deny such a request. But once it was her turn to be photographed she decided that she wanted nothing to do with this shoot. So I was only able to take about 7 photos. I was hoping for a few smiles, especially since she looked so darn cute in this dress. But she just wanted mommy. But it is all good and I ended up really liking these photos. [gallery size="large" columns="1"]

    Set-Up

  • Nikon D700 - shooting in RAW
  • Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8
  • Alien Bee strobes - 2 on the background and 1 on my model. Note: the background was about 10 feet away from my model. Any closer and the light reflecting from the white seamless would enter the lens and create some contrast issues.
  • Pocket Wizards (2)
  • White Seamless background
  • Adobe Lightroom 2 for editing

    • That's about it for now. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about these images or how I created them.

    Rock On! info@ottorascon.com | my portfolio | facebook | twitter | 773.430.4785

    4 Photographers And A Wedding

    I had the privilege to work with Kevin Swan and his crew a few weeks back. Kevin is a wedding photographer out of Indiana, who also happens to be the owner of Kiss Wedding Books. I met Kevin earlier this year at the Dane Sanders Roadshow Workshop. I had a fantastic time shooting with Kevin, Geno (his assistant), and Jason Aten (photographer from Michigan).

    The Wedding Day

    The day started at the beautiful The Fairmont Chicago. I was able to work alongside Geno as we photographed the groom and groomsmen. We walked around Michigan Avenue and had a blast shooting around the hotel lobby and general area.

    After a handful of portraits we all jumped on the trolley and headed towards Old St Patricks Church. This church is gorgeous and is a treat to shoot in, as it allows a lot of natural light in.

    After the ceremony, Jason and I headed out to the University Club of Chicago, where the reception was to be held. I must admit that shooting at the University Club is a treat. This place is simply stunning. I do not think that the images you will see below do room any justice.

    My many thanks to Kevin for having me shoot with him. I also want to thank Geno and Jason as they were more than willing to help out, teach, and make for a great day. Thanks guys!

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    The Fairmont Chicago 200 N Columbus Dr Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 565-8000

    Old St Patricks Church 711 W Monroe St Chicago, IL 60661-3501 (312) 648-1021

    University Club of Chicago 76 E Monroe St Chicago, IL 60603-2702 (312) 726-2840

    Rock On! info@ottorascon.com | my portfolio | facebook | twitter | 773.430.4785

    Matt + Erin // Chicago Wedding Photography









    I want to thank the Jones and the Unander families for a wonderful wedding experience. This was a very fun wedding, though the weather was a little less than ideal. But bride and groom were both up for walking around Navy Pier and around the Adler Planetarium after the ceremony. I really did appreciate their willingness to walk around in the cold and fog, as we were able to get some beautiful shots near Olive Park.

    The reception was held at the gorgeous Sutton Place Hotel. We were able to take a few portraits up in their suite, which overlooked the city of Chicago (breathtaking view!). After the portraits I was able to go downstairs and take some photos of the guests and family. The night was kept lively by Madeleine Kuhns of Toast & Jam DJs. The bridal party arrived and the rest of the evening was kicked off. Plenty of great food and dancing ended the night. Thank you all again for a great evening. Fourth Presbyterian Church 126 East Chestnut Street Chicago, IL (312) 787-4570