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Thinking out loud Thursday #3

Proud parent alert!!!!

Well, this week was our Daughter’s Spring concert with the school band. She’s been involved with the school band for three years now and this will probably have been her last appearance with the group. She made her schedule for her Senior year already and band is not on her list. She told me that her college prep courses will not allow her time to take part in the school band. She may change her mind however, we’ll see.

This being the last appearance of the band for the year, they also had an awards ceremony. Ashley really ‘cleaned up’!

She took four awards, among them most improved and most dedicated! Mendy and I couldn’t be more proud!! Way to go Ash…….!!

Here are a few of my favorites of the evening:

On a different note, Tonight is Survivor night again. There are only two episodes remaining. Tonight and the final one on Sunday. At this stage, I have no idea who will win it. The bigger question is – do I care? I’m not a big fan of any of the final people in the running. It's just fun to all get together to hang out and watch it.

I want to continue my series of photos of my little puppy – Mi Mi.
She looks like she had a hard day in this shot…….. however, I know better!!

Have a great Thursday - The weekend is almost here!

…. Paved with good intentions…

“I think I’ll get up early tomorrow and go make some photos.” I said to Mendy before going to bed Saturday night. “Yeah, what time.” She replied. “Well, I want to get an early start, beat the sunrise, maybe 5:00 or 6:00.” She just looked at me and said, “Have fun.”
We didn’t actually get to bed until about 1:30 AM, we were working on the images from the last Wedding that we shot. So, 5:00 came a bit too early and then 6:00 – it wasn’t looking like I was going to make it. Around 8:00 AM our little dog Mi Mi came busting into our room to get me up so she could ‘do her morning business’ – as they say. As I walked down the steps from our back deck, I knew that I’d really be mad at myself if I didn’t take advantage of the great weather that was awaiting me. It was unseasonably cool for this area of the country at this time of year, and not a cloud in the sky!

I’ve been wanting to take some photographs of the Destrehan Plantation House. Although, to be honest, I’ve never been and had no idea how to get there! The town we live in has a drawbridge that connects us (the most direct route) to the rest of the New Orleans civilization – of course on this morning, when I’m racing the sun – it was broken! So, I had to circle around the LONG way! After driving for while I realized that I needed to figure out where I was going. A little search on my trusty iphone revealed that I was headed in the right direction.

Once I found the Plantation I took a few shots from outside the fence. Then decided to go ahead and take the tour. To say that it was ‘slow’ at the plantation house would be an understatement – it was just a couple from New Jersey and Me!

I followed the ‘group’ for awhile and then just struck out on my own – again not wanting the sun to get too high in the sky before I got the shots that I came to get.

A couple shots of the front of the house:

The front porch area:

One of the bedrooms inside the house, looking like it did back in the 1800s:

There are many other structures on the property,
this one that caught my eye - for some reason:

Thinking Out Loud Thursday #2

Thinking out loud Thursday #2

Well, not too much going on this week. We have a bit of a “photo-break” coming up. I’d like to take advantage of this time and get some stuff done - I'm sure that Mendy will have a 'honey-do' list for me.... (just kidding Babe).

I'd like to shoot some ‘artistic’ images during this time off– photos that are just for fun…. Kind of spread out a little. Stay tuned for those. I think it’s important to do this whenever possible
in an attempt to keeps things kind of ‘fresh’.

I don’t like posting without uploading an image to view. This one is of my favorite little dog of all time. I know that she’s not a big, scary - “manly” kind of dog – but she has the best little personality – she looks you right in the eye and really seems to understand just what you’re saying. We've had her for a few years now and I wouldn't trade her for anything!

Here is our little Mi Mi:
Tonight is Survivor night, we have some family members over to have some dinner and watch the show. Even in the beginning of the season, when the show is kind of slow and you don’t know the ‘players’ yet – it is still a good time and great chance to catch up on what everyone in the family is up to in this busy life. So, I think I speak for everyone invloved when I say that I really look forward to it.

Also, I can’t wait to check out the new IRON MAN movie – we’re supposed to go this weekend – I’ll play the role of amateur movie reviewer once I do see it…. I know everyone can’t wait for that!!!!

"May I never miss a sunset or a rainbow because I am looking down."

They planned and planned; they knew exactly what they wanted. You could see how it was going to look just to hear them talk about it. Monica and Matthew had it all laid out. It would be a Ceremony under the awning outside the Country Club. It would be late in the evening, the sun not quite setting, but close. As a photographer I was really looking forward to it – we love the soft glow of setting sunlight.
They made lists, who will walk with whom, who would be the first to walk. Lists and diagrams, they practiced it. They agonized over the details. This is NOT at all what they had in mind. Mother nature had a very
different idea of what the weather would be that day. No matter, Joel and his staff at Stonebridge Country Club set them up right. It sounds cliché to say it, but they took the lemons they were given and certainly made lemonade! Mendy and I said 'Wow' to each other when we walked in, not knowing what to expect after everything had to be changed due to the weather.
Luckily, there was a suitable ‘behind the scenes’ area where the Wedding Party could dry off and prepare themselves to walk down the aisle. Of all the Weddings that we’ve done, we’ve learned something. NONE of them ever go off without a hitch. Something will always happen. The good news is, no matter what unexpected thing takes place, so long as the Bride and Groom are there with someone to perform the Ceremony – the end result is that they will be married by the time it’s over. One thing about Monica and Matthew, they didn’t let the necessary change in plans get them down. They were both smiling, laughing and generally just happy the whole night.
Here are a couple of my favorite shots of the new couple. Congratulations Monica and Matthew – Mendy and I want to wish you both the very best!
"May I never miss a sunset or a rainbow because I am looking down. " Sara June Parker

Thinking Out Loud Thursday.....

So, this is the first edition of “Thinking out loud Thursday.”

One of the things on my mind this week is the Movie
“No Country for Old Men.”

I’ve asked everyone I know what they think about this movie. The reactions and answers are very telling. In all honesty, most people haven’t seen it yet. It just came out on DVD within the last couple of weeks. I’m not going to spoil the movie for anyone who hasn’t seen it, but I will say that it is NOT the usual Hollywood ‘feel good’ type of story that we’ve come to expect. I think that’s a good thing. I’m really tired of unrealistic and predictable movies. What about the human ‘Superman’ movies where the star just can not be killed – I just saw the latest “Die Hard” movie where, in one scene, Bruce Willis actually jumps off the wing of a hovering Harrier jet (whose pilot has ejected) and LIVES! In fact, not only does he live, but he is able to run away from the scene and (of course) save the day……….. Well, you won’t get ANYTHING like that in No Country for Old Men. If anything it is VERY realistic. I feel that the directors and producers just decided to take a block of time and show us what happens in the lives of the people involved in the story. When the block of time is over that’s the end of the movie. There is no ‘sunset’ or (like I said) a Hollywood type of ending. The things that are great about this movie (in my opinion) are the things that the movie makers usually get wrong (at least lately) like character development, Realistic interaction between the characters; the dialogue is also very realistic. Some of the people you come across in this movie just look like they would really be there. For example; the lady in the Trailer Park office, the guy in the Gas station, the woman in the Motel office – they really look ‘real.’ There was no attempt made to ‘pretty them up’ – that’s for sure!

Anyway, if you’re up for something different – the movie is rated ‘R’ for violence – so be prepared for that – I have to say that I would recommend this Movie – it is certainly worth a rental. Then if you like it – go buy it.

By the way, it Won 4 Oscars – so, it can’t really be all bad, can it?

Lori and Lex - Engagement session

This weekend Mendy and I had a really great time out at a local park shooting an Engagement session with a fun couple. Lori and Lex will be married this September but it was great to get out with them, before it just gets too hot, and shoot some relaxed portraits.
Below are some of the images that are ready for viewing.

This great little church isn't 'real' - it was part of the decor
of the park and made a really nice backdrop for our couple.

I was able to get Lori off to one area for some
single head-shot type of portraits - nice work Lori!!!

There were a lot of little areas perfect for intimate portraits. Mendy and I agree that we will be back to this park and the surrounding areas often. Look how happy Lori and Lex look. They've been together for quite awhile and really seem to have a very close relationship.

This last one has a kind of 'dreamy' and romantic feel, which was
totally on purpose of course! :-)

Thanks for being such good sports Lori and Lex, we can't wait for your Wedding this Fall!

We do Events too!

We’ve been fortunate enough to photograph several interesting events recently. Within this past year we've done a fund raiser for, then candidate, Bobby Jindal. A few weeks ago was the Expo event for Motorola and last night we were on location at a dedication of a new vessel for the company Louisiana Oilfield Divers.
The event was held at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside.

Of course the vessel was on hand for display at the event, named the Premier Explorer.

The weather wasn't the best, it was pretty overcast and gray, but we didn't let it get us down.

Part of the dedication was the smashing of a bottle of champagne on the side of the ship, which was interesting.

Thank you Louisiana Oilfield Divers for having us!

Power up the Studio.....

Today we had the pleasure of getting back into the Studio (and even outside of it) for some portraits with some new friends. Wendy, her daughter and Mother came for a visit - part one of her scheduled visit(s). We'll be doing a follow up session around this time next week.

As always, the session started out a little hesitant, it didn't take too long, however, and everyone was feeling relaxed and ready to have fun.

A little shy at first, Sydney started to warm up to the idea of having her picture taken and we were able to get some really great photos of her. Here is one of my favorites:

After all the studio shots were finished, we headed outside to find a shady area to try some relaxed natural light head shots. I think that it turned out to be a good idea as this photo shows!

It was nice to meet you all and Mendy, Missy and I want to thank you for spending some time with us. We look forward to seeing you again next week!

Special thanks to Missy for helping in the studio with different ideas.

Flash Photography

While I certainly don’t consider myself qualified to give out photography ‘tips’ – this is something that is on my mind lately. Like anyone else, I love to shoot with natural – available light 100% of the time. The colors are more accurate and everything just ‘looks’ better in the final image. Sometimes however, regardless of ISO, shutter speed or max aperture that the lens will open up to – you still have to use flash at times – it is just unavoidable. So, if we can all agree on that, then the question is; how can we make the images lit up with that harsh flash look…. Well, not so harsh?

Living in a house with two girls, I am rarely ‘allowed’ to take photos of either of them. I do have one ‘model’ who doesn’t complain too often. She is a girl, but doesn’t worry too much about her hair or make up.

Mi Mi is our little Pomeranian, we got her from a family that couldn’t keep her after hurricane Katrina. She wasted no time fitting in with the rest of our dogs (Mendy has three Chihuahuas and just loves them – she is a true Chihuahua freak!

So, the “mems” (as we call her) was hanging out on the sofa and I saw a good chance to try out some flash photography on her. The camera is the Canon 5D, with a 50mm f=1.8 lens (yes, the cheap one) 1/64 shutter speed. Manual exposure. ISO 125.
Now, I could have bumped the ISO way up – say to 3200 and used no flash – the problem (of course) is that there would have been some noise – especially with a black sofa – and the other problem is that there would have been no ‘catch lights’ in her eyes. Just like with people, the catch lights give ‘life’ to the person’s eyes. Being a pooch, I couldn’t direct the flash right at her. She would have probably had those tell-tale green reflections that animals get with usual flash photography. I was using my EX flash pointed up and actually behind me. I want to say that I was using one of Gary Fong’s light spheres, but upon closer inspection of the reflection in my little puppy’s eyes, I don’t see it. I do see that there was a little dim lamp on in the room and that I could stand to loose a few pounds! I can also see from the EXIF data that this image was taken at 8:53 PM, so there was no window light – it was pretty dark in there.

Now that I look at her – she does look a little annoyed with me!

In this one she just looks kind of tired, I don’t know why – she can sleep whenever she wants…… ah, a dog’s life!

This is my favorite – this is the Mi Mi that we know and love!

Here is a 100% crop of her eyes from the first image: You can see that the catch lights are actually the circle of light on the ceiling and the small yellow reflection is the table top lamp – it’s got a dimmer switch and was on kind of dim. You can also see me in a white shirt – see what I mean – look at that gut!!!! Time to hit the bike!

On Location Event

This past week we were contacted to shoot photos at an event for a local communications company. Tomba Communications was hosting an expo for Motorola and they were showcasing the 'Motodriven' truck. Below are some of the photos taken at the event.

To view more of the photos from the day, click here.

The event was held in the parking lot of the local minor league baseball team stadium.

The inside of the truck was loaded with electronic equipment on display as well as live seminars going on every hour or so.

..... Into the Manor

This weekend’s adventure takes us to the Wedding of Heather and Ronald. It was to be our first visit, so far, to Taravella Manor in Marrero, Louisiana. Our coordinator and point of contact, Hans runs a tight ship and it really pays off when you’ve got a lot to get done and only a few hours to do it – and still allow enough time for the Bride and Groom to meet with family and friends and to have some fun themselves. It is their day after all.

The ceremony was held in the outdoor garden area and it was a beautiful night to “tie-the-knot”.

Again, (for the second week in a row) we met up with Le Grande Florist, they did a really nice job on the flowers – as always.

I really loved the understated cake design, it was simple and elegant.

The dance floor was all lit up with the mirror ball and disco light and there was always someone ‘bustin’ a move’!!

Our Bride Heather danced so much and took so many photos that she was just plain tired out by the end of the night! Hang in there Heather!

Mendy, Missy, Mike and I would like to offer a very heartfelt congratulations to the both of you!

All Grown Up...

When a baby is born, you hear a lot of things from parents who have gone before you. Little tips, tricks and even some horror stories. One thing that everyone says, regardless of what else they may say is; “They grow up so fast.” When a new born is up all hours of the night and crying to eat and then later teething – you get so caught up in the day-to-day job of parenting that you really don’t think about them being ‘grown up’.

This month our Daughter Ashley turned 17….. Mendy and I just can’t get over it……. 17!

She had her Junior prom in the same month and I wanted to include some photos on the blog of our ‘baby girl,’ Some of her friends met at our house before the limo picked them up so we could take some shots out in the studio.

Isn’t she cute?

This is her boyfriend Mason.
Some shots of them together.
Some random shots of some of her other friends.

Mom and Dad love ya lots Ash. We’re very proud of you..

Happy Birthday!!!