Picnics, Photo Booths and Passing Out

Guidewire had its annual company picnic this past Friday and though you couldn't tell from the parents and kids killing each other in this photo, it was quite the family event.

I love the Phat Photo Booth because it gets at the heart of my photography - making people laugh. What I didn't realize till two days before, was that the entire event would be outside at Menlo College. It was too late to buy or rent anything and most professional backdrop stands (those big walls of fabric used in fancy photo shoots) blow over with even the slightest wind or kick from a toddler. So I headed over to the Home Depot and built one, complete with tie downs and anchors. Other complications included:

• Inhaling my fair share of smoke from the nearby BBQ and sounding like a pack a day smoker.
• Bugs going into my $1500 printer which of course then choked as if it had been smoking.
• Getting dunked in the dunk tank and then returning to my post shivering wishing the warmth of the grill was still present.

Baby Photography Tips: While you'll probably never need a backdrop stand, shooting against a white backdrop can be desirable for that studio look. Easier alternatives are hanging sheets on the wall (use Gaffer tape or clamps that leave your paint intact) or photographing your baby in bed with white sheets. Polyester sheets can be had for cheap and don't wrinkle as easily as cotton. The bath tub could work too if you don't mind all your shots being from above, but I would avoid putting your kid in the toilet. It helps to have a couple of strobe lights (two were used in the above setup) but natural light can work just fine too if you place your baby near a big window. Do not put said baby near the window ledge!

Now I'm going to pass out from a long week...