Kettin | 60th Birthday at The Backyard Grill

I recently had the incredible opportunity to photograph an intimate surprise 60th birthday celebration at The Backyard Grill. Walking into the venue, I was immediately struck by the warm and inviting atmosphere, with its open side walls allowing natural daylight to filter in. However, this presented a challenge for me as a photographer, as the mixed tungsten and daylight lighting created a tricky situation when it came to white balance.

As I set up my Fujifilm camera, I knew I needed to rely on the Film Simulation feature to help me capture the true colors of the scene. I opted for the Classic Chrome simulation, which I knew would help bring out the rich tones of the wooden decor and the vibrant hues of the birthday decorations. Additionally, I made sure to set my white balance manually to account for the mixed lighting conditions.

To combat the challenging lighting situation, I decided to use an off-camera flash to provide additional lighting and fill in any shadows. This allowed me to create a more balanced and dynamic look in my photos, ensuring that the birthday celebration was captured in all its glory.

Throughout the shoot, I found myself constantly adjusting my settings and positioning to make the most of the available light. It was a true test of my skills as a photographer, but it was also incredibly rewarding to see the final results.

One of the most memorable moments from the shoot was capturing the look of surprise and joy on the birthday guest of honor's face when they walked into the room. It was a genuine and heartfelt moment that I was honored to document.

After the shoot, I spent hours in post-processing using Capture One Pro to fine-tune the colors and lighting in each photo. It was a meticulous process, but I knew it was necessary to ensure that the final images truly captured the essence of the celebration.

Overall, the intimate surprise 60th birthday celebration at The Backyard Grill was a challenging yet incredibly fulfilling photography experience. It pushed me to think on my feet and adapt to unexpected lighting conditions, but in the end, I was able to deliver a collection of photos that perfectly encapsulated the love and joy shared on this special occasion.