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.

BW Portraits Ellwood Bluffs

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

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 January

My story goes like this, I learned to shoot film in my college Commercial Art program. I shot film for ten years, dropped and broke my beloved camera and bought a new-fangled digital camera. Canon 10D was the groundbreaking diggity-bomb at the time. So I shot digital for 10 years. Not much to say on that…it is what it is, always. Lacking the joy and artistry that I experienced when shooting analog I picked up film again just before my youngest was born. He’s almost 12. As a result, he has grown up in front of my too-many-to-count film cameras. I’ve been shooting One Roll, One Person with him since he was born. I love the compact snippet of 12 or so frames at a time to mark his childhood. No pressure, no planning, come as you are, show me who you are at THIS MOMENT. So here he is, 11 and a half, desperate to be taller than me, anxious to get on with Junior High, all about the friend group, memes, the skater style and no cheese ever (at least in my photographs, he is a well-trained little portrait machine.) On this day he was helping me test my ancient rusty Yashica Mat 124G, and this was the first roll I had run through this camera. Kodak Tri-x400. Always a winner for me.

As I have moved through my different photography journeys, first college, then online forums, to Facebook groups and Instagram pods, coffee shops and gallery shows, I have continued to build communities and relationships with other artists.

Charlene Hardy is a gorgeous example of One Roll, One Person with her own children. Click here to enjoy this Washington based portrait artist.

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One Person, One Roll of Film is one of my favorite sessions to offer. You can find more information on these fun and fast sessions on my Info tab on my website here.

My Favorite November Person

My favorite part of November is celebrating this girl of mine. India is turning 17 later this week and is off on a solo trip to Michigan to spend the week with dearly missed friends! I love her so. I don’t want to let her go. anywhere. ever. But let’s be honest…we’d probably strangle each other at some point. So there will always be those steps of ‘letting her go.’ Having a daughter is one of the greatest gifts in life. Happy Birthday India! No, you still can’t get a cat.

Love Letter to Michigan

Dear Michigan,

Thank you for the many blueberry fields and the vast apple orchards.  Thank you for treating us to glorious perfect summers and the crisp brilliant autumns and the winter wonderland.  Thank you for the summer rain and the fireflies that follow. Thank you Michigan for the unsalted sea and the sand dunes and the long hot afternoons resting on your banks.  Thank you for the beautiful sunsets shared with family and friends. Thank you Michigan for your beer enthusiasm, your growing food culture and for the coffee shops where many a rant was shared.  Thank you for the street fairs and the artist community. Thank you for the makers, the bakers and the markets.

Thank you dear Michigan portrait clients for appearing in front of my cameras over the years and for trusting me enough with your memories to return for more and more and more again. Dear Michigan, thank you especially for growing up with my children and parenting beside me. Thank you for the lifelong friendships and the smiling faces. You are all missed.

Love always, me.

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Hello to Santa Barbara, CA! We’ve been in town for about 5 months now and are happy to make our new home here in California. We are already in love with the palm trees, the salt water, the mountains, the food and the people. We can’t wait to explore and discover what is in store for us in this next chapter. I look forward to making memories with new west coast friends, and welcoming visitors from our Michigan years. I hope to see many of you in front of my cameras both here in Santa Barbara and again in Michigan dear friends. For the lovely East Grand Rapids class of 2020, I will be back in Grand Rapids for a week in June 2019 to conduct your senior portraits just like we planned way back in 4th grade! Can’t wait to see you again. xoxo.

Class of 2019 Senior Portraits

Hello High School Juniors!  Guess what? It's time to book your senior portraits.  As if you aren't already busy enough, summer sessions book up very very quickly.  My calendar is now open and I have an early bird special for Class of 2019 Portrait Sessions who book this spring.  Contact me at denarobles@gmail.com to get all the details and to secure your session spot.

Celebrate Motherhood Mini Sessions

I am excited to collaborate with fellow photographer and friend Amber Brooks to offer a few dates of mini sessions this April to honor mothers and all the selfless things you do.  We know it is hard as parents to get in the picture with our children, especially as we are usually the ones wielding the camera!  Do this for yourself, for your children, for your own mom, capture your relationships together because our children need to remember that "we were here too." 

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All the Details:

Mini session dates are April 21st and April 29th.  The $200 session includes a 25 minute session window, beautiful edits to keep everyone looking their best, 5 digital files for your own printing, sharing and archiving.  Additional digital files or printed products are always available to purchase. Sessions are designed to showcase mothers and children of all ages in immediate family groups.  Inquire with Amber or myself for a generational session. 

Sign up here: https://calendly.com/mothersday

Amber:

www.87orange.com

(e) amber@87orange.com

Dena:

www.dena-robles.com

(e) denarobles@gmail.com

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