Jonathan trained with the original Charis founder throughout several years of immersion of at the Charis studio. He understands the majesty, grace and beauty of portraits done in the grand manner. These portraits are truly the finest photographic portraits made anywhere.
If your desire leans towards the finest, you've found it. We offer the real thing: Large format film, print enhancement done by the original Charis artist, canvas mounting and glossy lacquer.
Remember that viewing these works of art online does not do them justice. They need to be witnessed firsthand to be fully appreciated. The computer monitor is too crude of a tool to give the full range of their beauty.
Kids on the Beach
"I want you to make portraits of our kids on the beach like I see in my minds eye when I watch them play." This simple request from Jon Ball's wife one sunny afternoon on Calafia Beach in San Clemente began an oddesey to the creation of the perfect beach portraits. Spontaneous, soft, colorful, refined and gorgeous.
Kids on the Beach portraits are photographed exclusively on Calafia Beach in San Clemente at low tide twice monthly. Call soon because sittings go very quickly.
Jon Ball was browsing an antique store in Pasadena California when he came across a portrait that entreated his affection. It was a pretty antique french portrait of a Child presented in a delicate oval frame. He immediately began work to recreate the charm of his treasure. The result is the Lumiere portraits.
Wildly popular since their inception we are proud to photograph any child from the day they can sit up until 13 years of age.
Noir
The opposite of our famous Lumiere portraits, which in french means light, the Noir portraits feature a contemporary, abstacted rendering of the subject.
These portraits have a mysterious, subtle allure. Seeing them online does them no justice. They are sumptious, decadent and gorgeous when seen firsthand.