Lights, Camera, umm… action?
I got an hour to work with Ben Robi today and we focused on indoor lighting. Lighting has always been a foreign language to me, but I know the more I practice the less foreign it will be. I brought my buddy Jess with me so we could play with different lighting styles and placements.
We did some skin shots but to reserve the modesty of my lovely Jessica, you only get to see the ones I've posted :)
Here's a few from today (Thanks again Jess and Ben!)
Hunter is ONE!
This adorable little man turned one last weekend and he, as most one year olds, was more interested in the paper and boxes than the toys! He's such a happy little boy, full of smiles and giggles (also tantrums and screams but what one year old isn't?). Mom, Stefanie, had his birthday party at their house and she did a wonderful job decorating with the very appropriate theme of monkeys.
Happy Birthday Hunter!
Pulse Check…
Yes! I'm alive. I can't believe I went this long without blogging! I haven't been shooting much because of the heat. Even at 7pm it's hot enough to cook an egg outside, so instead of spending my days off shooting pictures I've been spending my days off working. Yep. Working, LOADS of over time.
But today I picked up the camera and shot a few of our new furry friend, Brody! My son has been asking for another dog and I told him the next time we got a dog he could choose what kind and of course he wanted a "police dog." I am a huge advocate of rescues and shelters and I wanted to show Gavin he could get a wonderful dog from a rescue so I found a local rescue group called New Beginnings Rescue and we were approved! Yesterday was the big day so we drove to Pelzer and picked up the new lad! He's beautiful and is a great pup. I wanted to give him time to settle in before whipping out the camera, but today it was on! Here are a few :o)
I'll be taking more action type shots as the days go on. Breakin' him in easy!
Jones + Gillian:: Married! {Greer City Hall}
Tonight I shot along side of Ben Robi and I have to admit... it was pretty fun. It was our first time shooting together and we didn't have a single glitch in the system! :o) .
We started off at a church in Greer where the couple had a beautiful ceremony. The groom made a special entrance and danced down the isle. Following the ceremony we headed to the reception at Greer City Hall for wedding party pictures. I took the ladies and Ben took the men. What a wedding party! 10 on each side! Whew... it was by far the largest wedding party I have shot to date.
Over all, it was a great night, a beautiful wedding and a lot of fun. It was a pleasure to be a part of your wedding day and allowing me to create a story through my art.
https://www.mirroredimages.net
Greenville Wedding Photographer | What is ‘Photojournalism?’
As you scroll through wedding photography business sites there’s a common word, photojournalism. If they’re all claiming to possess this technique then why are their images so different?
I went through my parents wedding album the other day(35 years ago next month, go mom and dad!) and saw a lot of posing and staged shots. These are shots I tend to stray from. It’s inevitable that photographs of the family with the B & G will need to be set up, but why stay in that frame of mind? Think outside the box and incorporate your surroundings to aid you in your creativity.
So the big question here is ‘What is photojournalism?’ Think about it for a moment; what is it that a journalist does? They find a story and they capture it through their descriptive words to insure that you feel as if you were there yourself when reading the story. A photojournalist has the same effect on viewers. As you flip through the photographs you feel the moment, you feel the emotion and you feel the real events of the evening. Weddings are full of emotion and should never be bottled up and contrived.
Creating the moment, setting the atmosphere, stand here, put your hand there… those are not traits of a photojournalistic photographer. The moment is already created and it is our job to capture it, as is. The atmosphere is beautiful and full of love, why change that? A good photojournalist needs more than just camera skills. Personality and people skills are just as important. A photographer must be able to interact with the guests and make them feel comfortable with the camera and with themselves. It is our jobs, as photographers, to capture the moment as it happens and to capture you and your guests flawlessly.
I personally like to be in the middle of the action. A lot of photographers prefer to stand in a corner so they’re out of the way. I agree with that to a certain extent. But when guests are huddled and having a great time, I want to be right there with them snapping away and catching every moment of it.
The publics perception of photography is not what it used to be. As I have stated in a previous article, anyone can buy a fancy camera. It is important that the public understand that photography is an art and a craft. A lifetime of memories should not be jeopardized in an attempt to save money so when planning your wedding make sure to leave room for a professional photographer. If chosen for the right reasons, you will never regret spending the extra money.
https://www.mirroredimages.net
Spartanburg Family Photographer | Farrell Boys
This started off being one of the most flattering shoots ever. I got out of my car at the field to meet with James (9) and Spencer(5) for a evening session and James says "You're beautiful." You've taught him well mom! Flattery will get you places in life!!
We met in Holly Springs at a big open field with nothing but grass, kudzu and grass hoppers. We played ball, frisbee and bubbles until the heat had us all worn out. I will not give out my new top secret trick to making a 5 year old boy laugh. It stays between me, Spencer and the grass hoppers. :o)
Country Side Ride...
I have been eye balling a certain sunflower patch for over a year. Two years ago I was told there was a beautiful, full and bloomed patch but I could not find it anywhere. The following year I found it, but was about a week too late and they were all dead. But this year, I had my buddies that lived around there keep an eye on it and today I made the drive to photograph it. It's such a beautiful drive that I should take more often. Relaxing and scenic the whole way.
When I got there I found another photographer named Bill. He's from the west coast and is visiting friends here. The stalks were so high that I discovered a new found love for my jeep. I set up the tri pod on top of my jeep and shot away! Who would have thought it? I did some HDR and some single exposure. I hope you enjoy them and remember prints and gallery wraps are available in all sizes!
So excited!
After looking for someone to do my SEO and drawing blanks I decided to do it myself. What's SEO? It's how you rank on major search engines. Well I am excited to say, my rankings have increased significantly! I am so happy! Here are some of my top rankings:
Senior Portraits: 2nd page / 4th page
Newborn: 5th page
Family: 3rd
Children: 5th page
boudoir: 3rd page
spartanburg wedding: 4th page
bridal portrait: 4th page
Trash the Dress: front page
I'm working on Greenville Wedding ranks right now and hope to get up there soon!
I'm going to celebrate by taking a nap.... :o)
Spartanburg Photographer | Crazy, sexy, beautiful…{Milliken}
That's it... I've made up my mind. I'm moving to Alaska! This heat will be the death of me! Today wasn't even in the 90's and it was so sticky out Tarah and I both were glistening.
Anyways.
Tarah is a beautiful and artsy 19 year old (almost 20!). She's originally from Canada so that makes her my first foreign client! (ha.... if you call that foreign) She's in school to be a graphic designer and she has also taken a few photography courses. Oh and boys... she's single. :o)
I've driven by this great graffiti wall several times over the last year and finally had a client that I knew would be perfect for it. So off to Spartanburg we went. The park was packed so after a few shots we moved to an open field near by. Tarah was a great sport and made posing look effortless. Despite the humidity, the gnats and the sun glaring down on us we managed to rock this shoot.
Sneak Peaks!
Month of July promotion
To many, July 4th is a day off work, a day to blow things up(fireworks), and a day to be with(i.e. party with) friends and family. But, do you know the meaning behind the holiday? Americans became tired of dictatorship, they wanted to make their own rules. Congress met and Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence which was adopted on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence is a symbol of American citizens' goals and their desire to fight for them. It is a symbol of the USA's independence from Great Britain and the courage it took to stand on our own.
Today, nearly 234 years later we have yet another battle in front of us. Our troops are still fighting for our freedom, our safety and our independence. Although it may be a small token, I feel that a promotion just for military families is a way for me to give my thanks and show my support.
For the month of July Mirrored Images will be offer 1/2 off any session, excluding weddings. Portraits, Trash the Dress, Boudoir, Day After Sesssion & Intimate Sessions. Session must be booked and a deposit must be placed prior to July 31st.
