Buck Moore Feed and Pet Supply Composite Portraiture

As my architectural photography work slows in the winter, it lets me enjoy my next favorite passion – composite portraiture. When I saw the Austin American Statesman article about Buck Moore Feed and Pet Supply closing after 72 years in business, I was inspired to ask the owners, John and Ken Bushong, if I could shoot their portrait for posterity. The shop was ideal for a photo shoot since it has iconic items like a 1920’s cash register:

Buck Moore 1920 era Cash Register

a 1930’s adding machine, and scales that are over 50 years old. I knew this setting would be perfect for a composite portrait where I light and capture the people first, then remove them and the lights from the scene, and then go around the room and pop a light on different areas and paint in those spot lit areas layer by layer in Photoshop.

Johnny Stevens spot lighting at Buck Moore

Spot lighting the portrait scene at Buck Moore

I love the drama that spot lighting gives you because each light pop comes from a different direction.

John and Ken Bushong composite portraiture