Roberto Westbrook: New Photographs and Thoughts

This is from a recent shoot in Virginia Beach. We shot around sunset and got some beautiful light. Emory, pictured here was a great sport taking quite a beating in the waves. Each time a wave came in I had to hold the camera above my head and jump up. Crazy! The camera did get a little wet despite my efforts. There are better photos we did on land but I’m posting this one because I risked my camera for it. Next time, I will have a case for the camera. All images are model released and available for licensing.

So, I just got an e-mail from Cox Communications pitching their phone service. It was a fun surprise because I photographed everything on it except for the cutout of the guy with the mic. He was shot in a studio somewhere else. If you live in Hampton Roads, you’ve probably seen similar billboards and mailers featuring these photos. This was a fun shoot that took us all over the area from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach.

Until July 23rd, I am offering large prints of my photos at a special price. Why? I need to raise $4,000 for a marketing campaign to reach new clients. By buying a print — or prints — you’ll help me build new clients. Buy one for yourself. Give one as a gift. The subject matter is heavy on South America, Europe, water and nature. If you care about these subjects, or if you know someone who does, you should check out the photos.

I normally sell these 16×24 and 24×24 prints for $199. Right now, I am offering them at $159. To sweeten the offer, and get things moving, the first 10 people to contact me will get a special price of $135.  For comparison purposes, photos in this size from the NY Times archive sell for $389.

How do you see the photos? Good question. You have three options:

1. I set up a gallery of 15 popular prints here: http://roberto.photoshelter.com

2. If those 15 are not to your liking, browse or search my other Photoshelter galleries. (If you select a photo with the old price, let me know and I will adjust.)

3. You’ll find even more photo options on my portfolio site, http://www.robertowestbrook.com.

Your entire transaction can be completed online with a credit card. I also accept personal checks.

I will fill orders after July 23rd. Prints will be delivered in early August. Prints are shipped in a tube via USPS for $5. If you are in a rush or need a customized size, contact me via phone or e-mail. Virginia residents are subject to a 5% tax.

It’s almost July 4th weekend, and in the South that means hot weather and cookouts. No better way to cool off than with a juicy watermelon.

I did a lifestyle shoot with this really nice family as I continue to build a library of images. Mom and the girls are all dancers who are used to performing. The kids showed me a few moves before moving into the kitchen for a little snack.  After a bit of cajoling, we got this really nice moment between mom and kids.

My 10 year college reunion is this weekend. Strangely enough I will be a guest on a career panel. For any friends who may come to the site as a result of the reunion, I have posted this series of photos from the Foxfield races. Anyone who attended UVa will understand what is going on in these photos. The photos are part of an ongoing project taken over several years. Enjoy and please leave comments. Prints are available up to 24×24 inches.

Memorial Day provided for some fun photo opportunities. On our way to a show we drove through Yorktown and stumbled upon some Civil War reenactors. This man was very friendly so I asked him to pose for me. Then the next day, we spent some time with our favorite beach family. We’ve known them a long time. Alison, at right was the flower girl in our wedding six years ago. Now she is as tall as my wife!

I photograph one or two assignments per quarter for a local glossy magazine called Distinction. Below is the photo that ran and two other images I liked. The image that ran in print was shot in front of the Jewish Mother restaurant, a local institution that was torn down a few weeks later. Craig Beecroft at Beecroft and Bull provided the clothing and the sweet Vespa. I love Vespas.

I’m toning photos for a new portfolio. It’s going to be almost all personal, slice-of-life work. I’m going for really honest and authentic. Not overly perfect and over-produced. Lots of natural light and some humor. Here is one photo. I love the little crumbs around his mouth. This is from a shoot I arranged, but I photographed the boy after he ate real food. No food styling around the mouth in this photo!

I’m excited to teach a small photo class this summer right here in Norfolk through the Muse Writers Center. This should be a fun and intimate class. It just posted today and 3 of the 8 spots are already taken! This is a testament to the e-mail list that the organization has built over the last few years.  For more information about this class and other interesting courses, follow the link above. I took a travel writing class a few years ago and really enjoyed it.
In the spirit of learning, I am posting a photo from my first year with an SLR. This is from Fall Semester of 1999 while an undergrad at UVa. It was captured on slide film with a Canon Rebel. I had taken one B&W class through the school of education. Please pardon this old scan.