Your Best Portraits

This portrait of Bob St. Laurent, the vibrant voice of 99.3FM "The Vine" KVYN in Napa Valley and a touring musician with Billy Bob Thornton's band, was envisioned as a departure from the magazine's typical headshot cover. Knowing Bob's deep connection to the sea, I sought to weave together his two passions – music and the maritime. This concept led us on a collaborative journey involving location scouting, wardrobe selection, and even borrowing a friend's ship. The key challenge was orchestrating the vessel's placement against a picturesque backdrop, allowing for a low-angle perspective that captured Bob, the ship, and the vastness of the water. The golden hour provided the perfect flattering light, complemented by a large softbox positioned dockside to illuminate the ship. Subtle post-production enhancements included refining the ship's details and adding a touch of cloudscape. Captured with a Canon R5 and a 50mm lens at f4 and 1/250th of a second.