Another question every bride needs to ask her potential wedding photographer
There are many questions a bride really needs to ask her potential wedding photographer, but there's one question that is often overlooked, and it could make all the difference in the world. Here it is: Are the images you're showing me from a styled wedding shoot or are they from an actual wedding? See, when you go to bridal shows or meet with potential photographers, they're going to try to put their best foot forward by showing you their very best "wedding" images. You may notice that the word 'wedding' is in quotes. That's because many photographers show you incredible images that never actually happened at any wedding ever. They were made in what is known in the industry as a "Styled Wedding Shoot."
Katie Noble Session
A few months ago, I shot a commercial session for local dentist, Talia Nutting. It was a great shoot, and that's where I met one of Talia's patients, Katie Noble. After processing her images, I just had to get her int he studio. She's a one of a kind beauty, and definitely demonstrates that 30 is the new 20. I finally got Katie Noble into the studio and on location for a session of our own this week. Here's some of my favorites.
Modeling Test Shoot: Shelby Lindsey
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of creating some commercial campaign …
Sixteen: A shoot with my daughter, Katlynn
In case you weren't already aware, I'm a very proud father, and why should…
Nutting Comprehensive Dentistry
I had the absolute pleasure of working with Dr. Talia Nutting, her staff, a…
Not to be a party pooper, but PhotoVogue Italia is not the same as getting published in Vogue Magazine
There’s nothing wrong with the PhotoVogue section of the Vogue Italia website. It provides a place for photographers to showcase their work, and frankly there’s a lot of beautiful work shown in the PhotoVogue portfolios. It’s a great place to browse and get inspired. It’s also a nice spot to showcase your work to a larger audience, but let’s stop making it out to be more than that. Saying your images were “published in Vogue” when your images are accepted for the PhotoVogue site is misleading at best and purposefully deceptive at worst. You’re only softening the impact of the moment your work really appears in the glossy pages of a well-known publication. You’re hurting your real moment to shine.
BE YOU.
I have been both awed and inspired by the beautiful photographs of incredible photographers and artists worldwide, but I’ve tried very hard not to follow names or fall in love too much with any one photographer. My fear was and is that I would too closely want to emulate the style and creativity of someone else, and I would never find the creativity in me or develop my own style. BE AWED. BE INSPIRED, BUT BE YOURSELF. YOU’RE BETTER AT IT THAN ANYONE ELSE EVER WILL BE.
So, you want to be an NFL Cheerleader?
That's exactly what Marylyn Inman wants. It's the dream she's chasing as she graduates from the University of Tennessee, and I was glad to help her with it. Marylyn needed a flattering head and body shot to send off with her applications to become an NFL Cheerleader. Hopefully the Houston Texans see this Vol's talent and personality and get her on the field. Good luck, Marylyn.
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Process Play
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Curves
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Five things every bride needs to know about her wedding
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Fashion: Shine Series
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Fashion Illustrative Series: Morning Glory
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Fashion-Glamour Session: Black & White
As I've been honing my skills, I stumbled back upon a great session I did w…
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Eleven!
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(Dirt + Water) + Model = Feral, a Fine Art Series
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The Lady of the the Lake
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The Flood Revisited
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It’s a cold winter? Warm up with Redneck Summer
It's been a cold harsh winter so far, temperatures down to zero even in Ten…
Black hair and blue eyes are a dangerous combination
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Editorial Illustration: Alone
One of my favorite commercial genres is editorial illustration, where an im…
I love to play
As most of you who follow this blog regularly know, I love to play. I call …
There’s a Reason for the Season. It’s Personal.
I get tired of people reminding me that there’s a “Reason for the Season.” …
An Excerpt from “It’s the Communication, Stupid!” The perfect gift for portrait photographers!
An excerpt from the book It's the Communication, Stupid! The Art of Making …
What do our toy aisles say about our Country?
As the father of an almost 16-year-old, I don’t visit the toy…
Lauren and Justin Shelton for InTouch Magazine
In mid-October of this year, I was contacted by InTouch magazine to shoot a…
I’m a Master according to WPPI – again
I’ve been awarded the designation of “Master “ by Wedding and Portrait Phot…
Guindi Family Session
I had the absolute pleasure of shooting a family session for Sherif and Ale…
Head Shot Session: Alexis Guindi, Realtor
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Here’s a secret. Life is hard.
Here’s a secret. Life isn’t always easy. It’s not always happy either. Anyo…
First shoot with Team Autumn
So, earlier this summer, I did a shoot with local model, Autumn Livesay and…
WPPI Second Half Online Competition results are in: Second Place
WPPI Second Half Online Competition results are in. I placed Second Overall…
Don’t forget why you fell in love with photography in the first place
I didn’t fall in love with photography because I needed to pay the bills. I…