Not used to posing solo for a photographer, Joint Base Lewis-McChord spouse Jennifer Rhodebeck was a bundle of nerves.
All it took were some words of encouragement from professional photographer David Lobban and 15 minutes to get used to the situation and Rhodebeck was on her way to producing a stellar lifetime keepsake.
Rhodebeck won The Ranger/Northwest Airlifter photo shoot drawing where she was treated to a personalized photo shoot and custom photo book.
On a tip from Lobban, Rhodebeck decided to take some casual shots at a local beach and then some in a nearby field.
"It took me about 15 or 20 minutes to relax," said Rhodebeck, a 25-year-old Racine, Wis., native who's been at JBLM for about three years. "Once I relaxed, it was easier to pose for the photos."
Lobban snapped a variety of shots on the beach and some others of her lying in the grass.
"The key is to go out there, have fun and enjoy yourself," Lobban said.
Lobban selected a handful of photos and handed them over to Robi's Camera Center in Lakewood for the production of the photo book.
"It came together very nice," said Rhodebeck, who sent her deployed husband some of the photos from the shoot. "I think he's really going to enjoy the rest of the book."
A key element to making an outstanding book is finding a place that is special to the person being photographed, Lobban said. That can mean getting dressed up and exploring downtown Tacoma or staying casual in jeans and going to the beach or a park.
"What looks good doesn't necessarily come from the clothes you're wearing," Lobban said. "Every person is different, and you have to go with whatever suits the subject's personality. If you have an open mind, chances are the photos are going to turn out well."
In addition to creating photo books and customized calendars, Robi's offers a wide variety of other services, including photo restoration, image recovery and cameras and supplies. For photo books, customers can insert their pictures into a kiosk inside the store, create their own layout and add their own text. Completed books usually arrive in two to three days.
For more information on Robi's, visit www.rainierphoto.com. For more information on Lobban Photography Inc., call (253) 565-1840 or visit www.lobban.com.