“A good director creates an environment, which gives the actor the encouragement to fly.”

— Kevin Bacon

We're racing around the edges of a roof top, inches from a plummet that would leave us badly hurt. Chad Mathew doesn't care, and neither do the rest of us (we do really, but it’s fun to pretend). We live for this. His approach to an acting career - it's all or nothing. We need to get these shots, pilot season is approaching, the flight to LA is booked and the Vancouver daylight is fading fast. I've got my eye through the viewfinder, ignoring the drop behind us while Derrick Daniels, our videographer swoops by with a glidecam as Chad gives us look after look in an effortless display of versatility.

Chad approached me at Rogues West Actors Studio in Vancouver (a great place to study and meet emerging talent) with the opportunity to help him produce photos for his press kit in preparation for LA. With the personas that he brought to my frames, I think we got some great shots.

-Mat Lo

“After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul’s indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer.”

— William R. Alger

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There's a little more direct sunlight coming over the west coast yet. Though it may be chilly, those skies have been exceptionally clear; the sun low in the sky, making good for prime outdoor shooting. I always had it in my head that you should snap with the sun behind you. It may have been some old-school photography rule they used to throw around when I was a kid, but it took me until my twenties to start breaking it. Of course with digital weapons you can actually check your exposure and adjust accordingly on the fly, without blowing a roll and ending up with a reel of silhouettes. Now I love getting the sun's rays in my photos. I like to aim so the sun is just out of frame, and even let the lens catch some glare. Either that or put the sun directly behind the subject—so that the subject becomes engulfed by a brilliant tenor of glorious light.

Here are some of the shots that I got this week whilst on a mother-daughter portrait session, all featuring our good friend, Mr. Sun, who happened to be hanging out just beyond the frame or hiding behind something.

Enjoy,

Mat Lo

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