How to Personalize an Award Winning Portrait

Is This Your Card? is a portrait that captures more than just a moment in time; it encapsulates the essence of a long friendship and a shared passion for the art of magic. The subject, Francesca, is the daughter of a lifelong friend, and over the years, she has delighted me with her ever-growing repertoire of card tricks. Each time we would meet, whether at her home or at family gatherings, she would have a new trick up her sleeve, ready to amaze and entertain. This mutual love for magic became a cornerstone of our connection, and I wanted to honor that with a competition-worthy portrait that was enchanting.

In envisioning this image, I sought to portray Francesca as a young magician, captured in a moment of pure magic, levitating an ace of spades with a graceful and confident flourish. The concept was brought to life with careful attention to detail, beginning with the creation of her magician’s hat. My assistant, Lisa, crafted this custom piece, adorning it with elegant feathers, ribbons, and trinkets that added a touch of whimsy and sophistication. The hat, perfectly suited to Francesca’s age, not only completes her look but also serves as a symbol of the playful and imaginative spirit that magic embodies.

“The technical execution of this portrait was planned to ensure that the final image would not only tell a story but also stand out in terms of quality and craftsmanship.”

Curtis Sprague

I captured the image using a Canon EOS R5, paired with an EF70-200mm lens set to a focal length of 123mm. The choice of an aperture of f/8 allowed me to achieve a depth of field that kept Francesca in sharp focus, while still providing a pleasing background blur that doesn’t distract from the subject. The exposure settings—1/100s shutter speed and ISO 100—were chosen to create a well-balanced image with optimal clarity and detail.

Lighting played a crucial role in setting the mood of the portrait. I used a Godox AD600Pro, mounted with a 5-foot Octobox, positioned slightly offset to camera left. This setup provided a soft, diffused light that wrapped around Francesca, highlighting her features while casting gentle shadows that add depth and dimension to the image. To ensure that the shadows were not too harsh, a reflector was placed opposite the light, at camera right, to bounce light back onto her face and the details of her attire. The result was a beautifully lit scene that accentuated the magical atmosphere I wanted to create.

The magic was further enhanced in post-production using Photoshop, where I digitally placed the levitating ace of spades into the image. My goal was to make the card appear as if it were genuinely floating between her hands, held aloft by her sheer will and talent. This touch of digital magic was the final piece in bringing the vision to life, seamlessly blending the real with the imagined.

The journey of Is This Your Card? did not end with its creation. The portrait quickly gained recognition, winning awards at both the local and state competition levels in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The positive reception from these competitions was a testament to the connection and emotion that the image conveyed, as well as the technical effort that went into its making.

The pinnacle of recognition came when Is This Your Card?  was entered into the Professional Photographers of America’s (PPA) International Photographic Competition (IPC). The portrait was not only accepted but was also selected for the prestigious Imaging Excellence Collection. Being included in this collection is an honor that recognizes the highest level of photographic excellence and creativity. For me, it was a moment of pride and validation—not just for the image itself, but for the story it tells and the relationship it represents.

This portrait is more than just a photograph; it is a celebration of a shared passion, a tribute to a lifelong friendship, and a testament to the magic that can be created when technical skill and personal connection come together. It stands as a reminder of the moments Francesca, her and I have shared, the tricks we’ve exchanged, and the joy that comes from creating something truly magical.

As a photographer, this image holds a special place in my heart, not only because of the recognition it has received but because it encapsulates the essence of what I strive to achieve in my work: capturing the spirit, the story, and the magic within each subject I photograph.