Several times a year I join some fellow strobist photographers and local Tampa Bay models for an on location group photography session. I had met Tiago at a Museum of Fine Arts Saint Petersburg FL Erotic Art opening exhibition a few months prior and decided to invited him to model at our photo session in the Warehouse Arts District of Saint Petersburg, which covers a large area that runs from First Avenue North to Sixth Avenue South and 14th to 28th streets. Starting in 2000,  with Saint Petersburg Clay Company, the district has attracted painters, glass blowers, ceramic artists, and metal workers who live and work in this industrial area of Saint Petersburg.

Tiago accepted and joined us at U562 Art Studios and Showroom, a gallery and working artist studio. We walked around the surrounding neighborhood and I spotted this blue pickup and last light in the sky.Working quickly, my assistant hand held one SaberStrip flash modifier for these shots, with my SB-800 inside triggered by a Radio Popper Jr. I shot my D700 with my Nikon 85mm lens at 2.8, ISO 200.

I love how Tiago’s clothes draw upon the blue pickup and then worked very well when I photographed him in front of glass artist Duncan McClellan’s studio doors. I spotted Duncan when we first arrived and he kindly offered for us to shoot in his studios gorgeous gated exterior garden. I thanked him for the generous offer but declined knowing that I had my eye on this door. I love how the light front the Saberstrip shadows the metal work on the door.

I strongly recommend visiting the Saint Petersburg Arts District during on of its Second Friday trolly tours. People can park at any of the stops and hop on the trolley, which will take them to about two dozen studios where art is made and sold.

CONTACT KRISTEN SLOAN TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR PORTRAIT SESSION