12 Months on Film

Over the years, in my professional as well as my personal and creative life I am resigned to the fact that I need to be pushed, motivated, inspired and competitive to DO THE WORK. And that’s okay. It’s also probably why I don’t live on an isolated sparsely populated island. It’s also probably why I will some day seek out that island. :)

Enter a new photography challenge for me. I have bags and shelves and a closet full of vintage film cameras and I need a reason to go through each one and shoot it and decide if it is worth keeping. I also have a freezer and refrigerator full of film. I am psyched to have the framework of shooting a different analog camera and different film every month. For January I chose one of my Holgas and Ilford HP5 b/w film. I took my camera on a walk in my neighborhood and I am happy to share the results here!

Over the last few months, the google algorithms have been working some magic for me. I’ve suddenly been getting new inquiries for photo sessions, weddings and photography classes as well, right here in Santa Barbara. My weekends have been getting booked with all these opportunities and I am so excited to be back in the game after taking an extended break after moving to California. SO. Take a peek at my Classes tab and or my People Gallery and send me a message! Right now I am teaching in-person hands-on camera and photography classes on the weekends in Santa Barbara and I have loved seeing the ‘a-ha’ moments with the people I am teaching and they are producing some great work too!

Newborn Photography in Santa Barbara

Meet baby Finn with his rock star mom and new big brother Sebastian. We decided to take advantage of the beautiful spring weather here in Santa Barbara as well as all the gorgeous California sunshine and landscape. Finn was photographed on the grounds of the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum. Finn agreed it was a wonderful place with so much to see…as per usual, normally sleepy babies like to be wide awake during my sessions to take in all the world around them.

Santa Barbara Pregnancy Photos

Clara and I arranged our schedules at the last minute to squeeze in a maternity photo session just before the arrival of her second child. With a 14 year age difference between her first and second babies, this was a very important moment for both her and her teen son. This is an amazing experience for both of them and I was thrilled to help them record it.

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Clara and Sebastian were photographed at Ellwood Bluffs in Goleta California by Dena Robles. The photographs were captured with Contax 645 on Portra 400 and Hp5 films, processed and scanned by IndieFilmLab.

March Film Project-Lights

Photography is all about the light and sometimes it is hard to break away from relying on the sun to provide my light, glorious light. I don’t own any flash units or light kits right now and the only cameras I have with a built in flash are the Fuji and Lomo Instant cameras. I decided to use those for on-board flash but also play around with neon shop light and available artificial lights on the street. It was fun to take the two teen boys, let them help brainstorm ideas, do some double, triple, splitzer exposures and then hear them exclaim “oh yeah! THAT’S the album cover!”

Before you dive into the funky fujifilm retro goodness ….

This is part of a small blog circle of film-shooting friends and I would love you to click through to Utah family photographer Cami Turpin here. She makes magic every time :)

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Cameron and Sebastian were photographed on State St. in Santa Barbara California using the Lomo Instant Square camera and Fujifilm Instax Square film.

Ellwood Bluffs Experimental Portraits

Fellow artist Anna Dulaney contacted me about collaborating on a black & white film shoot after seeing the last session I did at Ellwood Bluffs. Even though we brainstormed several different locations, this one felt perfect to explore again. I was in love with the freeing approach we took and I am in love with the results. I am currently scheduling more collaborative sessions on the California central coast. If you are interested, please send me an email! denarobles@gmail.com Let’s see what kind of magic we can create. :)

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Anna was photographed on Ilford Hp5 on a Holga 120N by Dena Robles at Ellwood Bluffs. These photographs were double and sometimes triple exposed. IndieFilmLab processed the film, pushing one stop and delivered these beautiful scans.

February Film Project-Minimalism

I’ve photographed a lot of color stories in the past, look at my Instagram story highlights ( here ) to see my attention to every color imaginable. Every few years I get on a path of photographing the color white. Since moving to Santa Barbara, with all its white washed stucco and Andalusian style I have wanted to try photographing Black & White, but with color film. So this is my nod to Minimalism. Black and White with a bit of Glorious Green tossed in all on color film. Enjoy!

Amy Berge is a magician in the photography world with her golden Midas Touch. Please see her work ( here ) as we both tried to capture Minimalism this month.

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These photographs were created with my Hasselblad 500C, using Fuji Reala 100 film and Kodak Ektar film. Processing and scanning by Indiefilmlab. Empty sidewalks courtesy of Covid-19, sigh.

BW Portraits Ellwood Bluffs

India at Ellwood Bluffs, Santa Barbara California. Holga, Ilford HP5 +1 IndieFilmLab

January Film Project-Framed

As we draw close to a full year of pandemic and quarantine I can’t help but feel like I am no longer breathing OR seeing reality. I am breathing through a filter and mask, the air is not free. I am seeing life through windows and imagining life outside the frame of my house. Living in California is both a dream and a nightmare this year. I decided to take on this month’s project of FRAMED to share a little of my life through the viewfinder of my Hasselblad 500c/m. This is the walk from my home to the beach with my son to pick up some surf wax for his skim board, with TWO taco stops sandwiched in the journey. The views are almost tangible, but separate from actual reality. The streets are empty, the shops are shuttered. When I am able to venture outside my home, these views are what I am typically doing…or wishing I was experiencing, more often and with more people. The little twist here is all these views are flipped, feeling just as backward as I do.

Thanks for walking with me. Jolene Redfern is another California photographer who also took on the FRAMED challenge this month-click here to see her work!

Pause

There comes a time of the requirement of re-centering, reevaluating and renewing. Pushing the Pause button, catching my breath. See you again soon.

one person one roll of film-pismo beach

The calendar tells me it the first week of autumn, the warm sun outside tells me it still feels like summer, and by the magic of film that was shot a few months ago and is finally being published today, it is only JUNE. June, I’ll take it any day. Here is my girl India hanging out under the pier at Pismo Beach California. When the calendar said summer, but the cool breezes had her wrapped up in a Turkish towel like it was only spring. :)

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India was photographed by me at Pismo Beach with a Canon 1V and on Fujifilm. The film was processed and scanned at home…which is why it is 3 months late! haha. PLEASE, go see Washington photographer Charlene Hardy, who is a mastermind at photographing her own children monthly AND processing and scanning her own work in just a few short hours. GOALS.

one person one roll of film summer

I have a little travel-everywhere Pentax K1000 which was loaded with Ilford HP5 film. Sometimes, especially in the summer when the film is black and white, that roll can stay in the camera for ages. I have a 2nd Pentax K1000 loaded with color film too and that one gets used more often. This roll of Hp5 was used up at the beach, but over several different visits, mostly with my beach loving boy. Black and white film grain, sandy skin, wave splashes and ocean misty skies are a delicious combo. I’ll do this summertime black and white more often! Processed by ProPhotoIrvine, scanned (with loads of dust) by me.

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My friend Juliet Schwab has also posted her One Roll One Kid this month and you can see it here : https://www.julietschwab.com/blog/2019/7/29/one-roll-one-kid-july-2019

Downtown Senior Portrait Sessions

This is a session I am very excited about. Even though I have photographed this family many many times over the years, this was the first time I really got to focus alone on Ashton and (hopefully!) photograph him the way he wants to be seen. I love when a person can relax and bring their true self in front of my camera and when that person is also a very talented artist with killer style and great attitude it is even better. Love you!

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Ashton was photographed in Eastown and downtown Grand Rapids in June 2019 by Dena Robles. The session was captured on Kodak Portra 400 film with a Contax 645 and processed by IndieFilmLab.

High School Graduate Photos

Over the years of photographing high school seniors I’ve had so many students and families realize the importance of documenting this ‘growing up’ milestone. Somewhere around age 12 kids and parents don’t often interact with each other in photographs. Annual family sessions don’t keep happening annually, and all the ‘memorable moments’ seem to happen separately from each other, and thus, the family camera is not pulled out as much. Granted, teens are taking their own selfies with filters and posing with friends…parents are still trying to grab a shot now and then but are often greeted with hands covering faces or silly expressions, pulled faces or my favorite ‘the death stare.’ A high school senior portrait session is much more than a yearbook photo. It is a culmination of a forming identity and a display of newfound maturity. It is often the last ‘formal’ photograph created until wedding photos or corporate head shots. I’ve had many students return to me to purchase photos from our senior session for graduation announcements, college applications, press releases for awards earned, publications in college etc etc. It’s more than a yearbook photo, it deserves more than an iPhone snap or mall kiosk, or even a photo from Dad’s big-camera-with-the-lens-that-changes-and-everything. Even at 17 or 18 years of age, teens are still more receptive to working with a professional. And at 17 or 18 years of age, parents belong IN the picture with their youth, not behind the camera. Next time it happens could be in wedding photographs. yikes.

Here are a few favorites from my recent session with Josh. I was delighted to have his mom jump in for a few photos!

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Josh was photographed at Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids Michigan by Santa Barbara based senior photographer Dena Robles. His session was shot on Kodak Portra 400 film with Contax 645. Senior sessions are still being offered in both West Michigan and Southern California. Please email dena @ denarobles@gmail.com to book your session

Senior Pictures

I met Katie and her sister Ashley when they were in 6th grade, the year our three community elementary schools merged into one middle school. I met them with braces, glasses, blemishes, unruly hair and ‘mom I don’t care’ awkward stares. I’ve watched them evolve into their own identities and into the confident, witty and beautiful people they are today. I look forward to hearing about all their college adventures and adult lives. Thanks Katie for finally getting in front of my camera :) These are just a few of my favorites!

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Katie was also photographed at Reeds Lake in Grand Rapids, MI. A popular place if you know where to go and at the right time! She was photographed on Fuji Pro400H film with a Contax 645 by Santa Barbara based portrait photographer Dena Robles.

Senior Portrait Photography

The sun finally peeked out this morning after a few days of rain. Ashley is absolutely luminous here in the forest setting. I’ve loved watching this fiery girl transform into the confident woman she is today and I do hope our paths cross again in the future (hint hint…California awaits.)

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Ashley was photographed in East Grand Rapids, Michigan by Santa Barbara based portrait photographer, Dena Robles. Her session is captured with Fuji 400HPro film on Contax 645

Travel Sessions in Grand Rapids, MI

Last month I went back to Michigan to photograph high school seniors for East Grand Rapids High School Class of 2020. Even though I only lived and worked in Grand Rapids for 8 years, I feel like I have known these students their entire lives! It was great to come back and see everyone again. Here are a few favorites from my morning with Reece.

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Reece was photographed at Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids Michigan by Santa Barbara California portrait photographer Dena Robles. His session was captured on Kodak Portra 400 film with a Contax 645

East Grand Rapids Class of 2020 Portraits

June marks that time of year for me…time for senior portrait sessions. I made a trip back to Grand Rapids a few weeks ago because the Class of 2020 holds a special place in my heart. I’ve watched these students grow up in my neighborhood since 3rd grade, the year we first moved to Michigan. When the rain started pouring down a few minutes before this session we got creative and ducked into a coffee shop, utilized the stoops and overhangs of local buildings and brought out the bright dotty umbrella. Here is sweet Olivia!

I always encourage parents to jump into a photo or two during senior sessions, sometimes they are my favorite frames of the day. :)

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Olivia was photographed by California based lifestyle portrait and editorial photographer Dena Robles in Grand Rapids, MI using Kodak Portra 400 on Contax 645 and Canon 1v. If you are located in Central Coast California OR in Michigan and would like a session of your own, please email me at denarobles@gmail.com

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Family Portraits in Hawaii

When you travel annually to the same places for 20 years for family vacations doesn’t it make sense to document that time with family photographs? I think it is a brilliant idea. My family vacationed in Maui this spring with our good friends who are frequent Hawaii vacationers. It seemed only natural to do this year’s family portrait session in the place they love the most!

That ‘Hawaii light’ is just as beautiful as ‘that California light’ and I can’t wait to photograph more sessions…in either location! xx dena.

Grand Rapids Michigan June Sessions

Hey Grand Rapids! As promised I am returning to East Grand Rapids for a week of photo sessions. For all those rising seniors that I’ve watched grow up since 3rd grade and for all those families I have worked with year after year, this is Me coming back to YOU. :)

Dates: Friday June 7th to June 11th

Details:

Class of 2020 Senior Photos or Family Sessions

Full Signature Session : up to 90 minutes shooting time with varied locations and wardrobe choices. Session includes standard and creative edits on up to 30 photographs, digital files for your own printing including yearbook-specific photograph for students. $325

Mini Session: up to 25 minutes session time at one location and one wardrobe. Session includes standard and creative edits on approximately 10 photographs, one digital file for your own printing and the yearbook-specific photograph for students or 5 inch print for others. Additional files are available for later purchase. This is a good choice for those budgeting their senior year expenses or who just really want the yearbook photo or a quick head shot or sibling update! $150

Location choices: Downtown Grand Rapids (Sunday 9th only), Reeds Lake, Eastown or your own backyard/home. See location samples below!

Schedule: Full Signature sessions are booked at 9am and again in the late afternoon. Mini Sessions are booked immediately before or after Full Sessions at the same location (contact me to book) or the mornings of June 10th and 11th scheduled back to back at Reeds Lake or at another location TBD. Inclement weather date June 11th.

How to book: Sign up now for available dates and times between June 7th and 11th here: https://calendly.com/denaroblesphoto Paypal payment is accepted through the calendar and is required in order to book the time slot. If you need a different time slot during that week, or location, or payment method, please email me ASAP so I can block out your time! (e) denarobles@gmail.com Once your session is booked you will receive a guide to prepping for your session and we will decide on a location. Because of the travel time constraints, it is imperative to be on time and camera-ready according to your booked time. Once booked, there will not be refunds, but you can transfer your appointment to another party.

Contact me: (e) denarobles@gmail.com (t) 616-238-8738

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Reeds Lake

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Downtown Grand Rapids

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Backyard

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Eastown

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I can’t wait to see everyone again!!

one person one roll of film february

As a human, (especially as a parent) you always assume you will have all the time in the world. Time to do this, time to try that, to go there, to love them, to be with them. I’ll do it tomorrow, there is always next week, next year will be different. Minutes turn into weeks, weeks into years and then time has slipped by. So now time looks like this “I have some time Saturday morning before I go to my job, after the dishes are done, after the dog is walked, IF my favorite shirt is clean, IF it’s a good hair day, AND the rain stops and I STILL have time to get to my job. Let’s squeeze in our photos then.” Okay, yes. NOW is the time.

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I photographed India (after the dishes and the dog walk, before work at her job, just between rainstorms) on a Saturday morning at Santa Barbara Mission Historic Park with my Contax 645 on Portra 400. One Person, One Roll of Film, BAM.

My friend Jennifer Stamps has also shared her version of One Person One Roll of Film on her blog here. Go see!!