About five years ago, I found myself in a photography rut. Although I’m primarily known for doing San Antonio Wedding Photography, I also enjoy Special FX pictures. I was amazed at photographers like Joel Grimes who does commercial work for companies like Nike, Adidas, and other big companies. He shoots composites, where he will take a portrait in a studio, and then composite it into a background that he has taken previously.

I was also blown away by photographers like Adrian Sommerlin, from the Netherlands, who shoots these amazing composite photographs with his son. I thought since I have Collin and Kelly, I’d have enthusiastic models who would help me take some great pictures. I was wrong.  In one of my recent composites, my son Collin charged me $5 to pose for his flying picture. It was the best five bucks I’ve ever spent.

I think the first special effects (Special FX) photo I did was making a picture of myself appear transparent standing in front of a window.  Next I did some levitation pictures with a banana and my daughter Kelly.

Levitation

One of my favorite Special FX is doing a levitation. It involves taking two photographs, one of the scenery, and one of your person sitting or laying on a stool or ladder. I combine the two pictures in Photoshop, and erase out the stool or ladder: It takes a little practice, and you have to use a tripod to keep your first and second shot identical. If anyone is interested, I’d do a little tutorial on Youtube.  If you have an idea or a concept, I’d love to hear about it. I’m always open to a challenge, and if it a project that really interests me, I will make it happen.  Click HERE to contact me with your idea.