Ricardo Sevilla

So Helen and I stay over at the a friend's house over night with the intent of waking up early for a long drive. We had originally planned to go to a Morikami Museum to test some shots. Funny how NO ONE woke up anywhere near on time for the drive lol. A 9am drive never happened because most of us woke up at around 1:00pm lol. In a rush, my little model's mother just grabbed a dress and we just went to some place in the grove (don't recall where) and we begin taking some test shots.

It was HOT. HUMID, and it began to rain. I felt a little bad for my little model because we were unable to get the shots we wanted. That's fine, we'll try again next time, at the right place :)

Here is one of my favs of that day. I did not want a typical "Look at me, I'm pretty in a dress and Tiara in a garden!". I wanted something a little more along the lines of, "WTF are you looking at" while looking pretty in a dress and tiara :).



Helen did a really good job with the makeup with nice colors, but I killed it when I had this "attitude" image for this shot. I love her stare towards the camera, her pose, and the circular back light composed of many wine bottles.

This shot was taking with available light.

Then there is this one.


My little model being silly just spinning around. I thought it was cute so I shot.
I would show the following pictures of her falling to the ground after making herself dizzy, but I like her too much lol. It's things like this that makes photography so much fun.

So, after all this time I managed to find myself an alligator to wrestle! These creatures are not so intimidating once you know how to handle them. Follow these easy steps :

1. Stare at them, show them no fear
2. Throw insults at them (This angers them and they loose concentration)
3. Jump 5 times in the air (Alligators goes into confusion shock and are unable to move for 12 seconds)
4. Run straight to them, over their back, grab their jaws, squeeze down and yell, "GIVE!??!"

Note: Be aware that there are good and bad ways on handling an alligator. Below are samples.

RIGHT WAY - Jaw Lock Technique


WRONG WAY - Wrong Jaw Law Technique

Brother demonstrates what NOT to do :) (Luv ya bro! LOL. Couldn't help it, you look funny! YOu look as if you are about to molest the poor thing lol)

RIGHT WAY - Locking Eyes

Dad demonstrates the Eye Lock Technique


*Note: Don't try this yourself, only a trained professional should do this.

Once all is said and done, relax against a totem pole?




Turtles find amazing ways of traveling throughout the Everglades.


Posing Like an Alligator


Found you.

Leebo Freeman contacted me several weeks ago and informed me that he likes my style of shooting and would like to set up a shoot. I looked through his photographs and I felt that he would be a good addition to my portfolio. I did notice that that he was from North Port, FL. That's just about 4 hours from Miami. I msged him back with my concern, and he said that he would not mind the drive. Great, we schedule a shoot.

I call Winston, my assistant, to see if he would be available to come to the shoot. Thankfully, he was. He recorded the behind the scenes video that is shown in my previous blog post.

We met Leebo in SW Miami at a McDonalds where he was having lunch. We talk a bit , mainly about concepts and such and I just remind Leebo that...I don't really plan much, lets just see what happens. With a laugh he agrees and we set forth towards the Everglades. On the drive I kept my eye out for a beast of an alligator...you know... a huge one that can swallow a car? Sigh, we did not spot one.

We arrive at the spot and I begin setting up my lighting equipment. The rest can be seen in my behind-the-scenes video of Leebo.


Simple composition shot. Green tones were included and the lighting is even across Leebo's body.



Stronger light is then used to create more shadows. A second light is added. Added a replica of this image in the background with an opacity difference.

Hand stand. Saturated colors.

Leebo holding a kick. Shadows are made more apparent.

An attempt at fashion.

Close-up Shot

Below is my first "behind the scenes" video that I have released. I plan on making more of these videos to show people more or less what it is like to shoot with me. Another reason why I am doing this is because I have been asked countless times by other photographers the following question : "How did you light your subject?". While I do plan on making more in-depth tutorials to answer such questions, photographers can get a glimpse on just how I light my subjects.

Play the video, watch the footage, and get a preview of the some of the shots I will be publishing soon from this shoot.



Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

I would like to thank Cesar Yenkenes for letting me use his music for this video. Please visit his website to hear more of his work. My future videos will also contain some of his other works too.