OUR STYLE

ROMANTIC GRIT

We’re a huge fan of romantic imagery and we use light to create a mood filled with tension and emotion. This, in turn, draws the viewer in and creates a deep inward feeling rather than to the intellect. Raw emotion is how we want people to see our work. We use the light to capture the true sense of our subjects. In today’s world, anyone with a phone can take a pretty picture. We want the viewer of our work to stop and say “Wow!!”

The technique we use is called Rembrandt lighting. It draws light across the subject and draws focus to the eyes. Pioneering movie director Cecil B. DeMille is credited with the first use of the term Rembrandt lighting. While shooting the 1915 film, The Warrens of Virginia, DeMille borrowed some portable spotlights and "began to make shadows where shadows would appear in nature." When business partner Sam Goldwyn saw the film with only half an actor's face illuminated, he feared the exhibitors would pay only half the price for the picture. After DeMille told him it was Rembrandt lighting, "Sam’s reply was jubilant with relief: for Rembrandt lighting the exhibitors would pay double!"

And as Gloria Swanson famously said in the closing scenes of the 1950 movie Sunset Blvd. “Alright Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up!”