Robin Chavez has been one of my biggest inspirations since the start of my own photography journey. Breathtaking locations, gorgeous subjects (her children), and top notch post processing skills are a few key ingredients that will leave you mesmerized when viewing her images. Robin is always more than willing to share her photography knowledge with her peers. If you are not following her work, you are truly missing out!
About Robin Chavez
Robin Chavez is a photographer who began her relationship with photography after photographing her own children. Although she photographs most genres, she finds true passion in photographing children. The beautiful landscapes of Washington and Oregon are often seen throughout her images as the backdrops of childhood exploration and imagination. Her work is often done in composites as she enjoys expressing the world in a way that children might see it.
Q & A With Robin Chavez
Q: What sparked your interest in photography?
A: I first became interested in photography after the birth of my youngest son, Ryder. I wanted a way to document my children’s lives and those moments that faded, changed and passed all too quickly for me. I purchased a used Canon T3i and experimented daily with it, learning all of its ins and outs while using my own children as subjects.
[REWIND: TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE THE BIGGEST IMPACT WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING CHILDREN]
Q: What is your favorite shooting location, and why?
A: I love to shoot the stunning scenery throughout Washington state as my backdrop, but there is one location in particular I enjoy the most. It was discovered while doing some off-path exploration and scouting while on a road trip. Located near Vantage, Washington, it offers desert-like landscape, sagebrush, uniquely shaped rocks, a waterfall, gorge and river below. In the distance, a line of windmills can barely be seen along the ridge. It’s never overrun by people, usually just visited by an occasional mountain climber or avid hiker, and is especially lovely shortly before sunset.
Q: Who has been your biggest inspirations?
A: Mainly inspired by children’s photography, I am drawn to the works of Jessica Drossin and Cream n Cocoa Photography.
Q: What’s in your camera bag?
A: I now shoot with a Canon 5d Mark II. You will also find the following lenses in my bag: 70-200 f2.8, 50mm f/1.4, and a 24-105mm f/4.
Q: What is your favorite “go to” lens?
A: I almost always shoot with my 70-200 2.8 lens because I like the sharpness and crisp details it provides, as well as the beautiful depth of field, so as to ultimately showcase my subject(s).
Q: What sites and resources are your favorites for shooting/editing techniques?
A: I enjoy learning new techniques from my peers both in person for meet-ups and gatherings, as well as in photography Facebook groups. I also enjoy the teachings of Glyn Dewis through his inspiring YouTube tutorials.
[Join the SLR Lounge Photography Community Group on Facebook]
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to all beginning photographers?
A: Shut out any negativity via social networking sites and just focus on learning. The industry can be rough on those new to photography, but when focusing attention on the support that is there and getting one’s hands on everything they can for intent to learn and grow with, they will become all that much more successful.
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Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment as a photographer to date?
A: I choose to measure my success and accomplishments through the connections I create with my subjects. For me, being asked to attend such intimate moments as births, weddings, the passing of loved ones, funerals and special milestones is the biggest compliment and success a photographer could have.
Some of Robin’s Favorite Images
To see more of Robin’s work and follow her on her photography journey, check out her Facebook or visit her website. Whether she is sharing her beautiful images, inspiring/educational blog posts or an occasional overlay or two, Robin is high on my list of inspirational photographers.
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CREDITS: Photographs by Robin Chavez are copyrighted and have been used with permission for SLR Lounge. Do not copy, modify or re-post this article without express permission from SLR Lounge and the artist.
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Great images
These are inspiring, gorgeous images. Beautiful!
I can tell you that Robin shoots at 200mm 2.8 almost exclusively. So the depth of field is created in camera. She does not use any plug-ins. Most of her editing is done using mostly curves adjustments.
Thanks that clear it all up for me.
Anyone knows how the blur in the last image was done?
In portrait we often see the use of small DOF but here I’m pretty sure it was done with a plugin or a retouching technic.
Great images. ps I love tulips
Thank you for the input! Interesting about the use of the term, compositor. I see it used in this context quite often. In fact, a quick Google search shows it defined this way in the first few results.
Me stating “if you aren’t following her work, you are truly missing out” is obviously my opinion, which I stand by. But I do thank you for your input and appreciate you taking the time to give feedback. :)
I have not seen the word compositor used in this context before. A compositor is usually a person who sets type.
I also found the opening paragraph of this article a bit overboard. “If you are not following her work, you are truly missing out!” is a bit presumptuous.
Let her work speak for itself and allow the readers to come to this conclusion instead of telling the reader.
Love this!!!
What an incredible work.
Great Images
she must live in the Pacific Northwest. Mountains, rabbitbrush, and tulip farms
The places really help the pictures pop! Lovely work! Imagine these beautiful portraits printed in Fine Art! This is where the true value of photography will be noticed.