I wish I could take all the credit for this shoot, but Michelle is actually an extremely talented fine art photographer. She picked the gorgeous dresses, and added some amazing ideas to the concept. You know you've had a successful shoot when three police cars are waiting to escort you off the property. Let's just say we weren't in the best neighborhood. Thankfully it was at the end of the shoot. Thank you for being an amazing model Michelle. 
Meagan
Could Meagan be any more photogenic? The camera certainly loves her, which made the two week wait for the film seem like two years. The wait was worth every second. I hope I get another opportunity to photograph her again soon!
Fourth of July
This is where I spent my fourth of July. Yes, Independence Day is the holiday celebrating our Independence from Great Britain. But my holiday was spent declaring freedom from technology and society. On this day, I knew nothing else except friendship, sweat, rain, and the unbelievable seclusion and scenery of the backcountry of the Smokies. I hope I can spend every Fourth of July the same way.*I will be sharing quite a few more images from my four day backpacking trip on my facebook "like" page soon, as well as behind the scenes images of myself knee deep in the cold stream... in the zone. Check out my page here.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Today, I head to the Smokies. As soon as I arrive, I will backpack with two of my best friends for four days and thirty miles. The last time I backpacked in the smokies was in 04', and we got caught in an incredible storm... Check out the story here:I will be away from July 1st - 7th. My assistant Carissa will be answering time sensitive emails while I'm away.(This image was created on the first morning of that trip, just after sunrise. My feet were ankle deep in the stream while I made this on Fujichrome Velvia 50, converted to BW in post)
Ansel Adams
Ansel Adams likened his process to music saying "The negative is the score. The print is the performance." After being in love with his work for more than 8 years, yesterday was the first time I got to see an original performance by Ansel himself, and it was nothing short of spectacular.Any artist will tell you, you must see an Ansel Adams print first hand. Even though I've seen the Ansel Adams PBS Documentary 15 times and I have poured over his images online countless times before, I was blown away. I mean literally standing there with my mouth open.There is something to be said about the quality of his prints. Each one is unique and handmade by him, so rich and full of life. They not only give that immediate "wow factor", but they clearly stand the test of time. Even with today's 50 megapixel cameras, the digital darkroom, and new printing technology, there is no comparison. In my monthly subscription to Outdoor Photographer, the name "Ansel Adams" is on regularly on the cover. Keep in mind, he died in 1984.In high school I found myself visiting my principals office on a regular basis. Not because I was in trouble, but because above her desk were several large Ansel Adams posters (she is also an amazing principal). Today, I have three of my own black and white images in a custom frame next to those posters. While they don't compare to Yosemite National Park in a winter snow storm, they represent my earliest success in nature photography, and the impact Ansel still has on me today.His images will be on display at the Florida Musuem of Photographic Arts in downtown Tampa until July 6th.(This image was made in August 2005)
Landscape Photography
Immediately after clicking the shutter, I knew I captured something special. I wish I could say that happened every time I went out to photograph landscapes, but the fact is, that may only happen a few times in a busy year. Ansel Adams said it best when he said: "Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer, often the supreme disappointment". My journey at Hillsborough River State Park started my freshmen year in college, and continues today (although I don't get out to shoot as much as I used to). In college, I spent every Sunday for months photographing until dark. I often only came away with mosquito bites. But I also came away with an intimate knowledge of the river, and got to witness drastic changes in the color of the water, the height of the flow, and vegetation in and around the river. This past Sunday, was the first time I returned with my camera in a long time. I may not have created anything special yesterday, but I walked away knowing the images I created in the past are moments that can never be recreated. They are more than my interpretation, but a record of my journey. The image below was created more than three years ago. I came back the next Sunday after I made this image, and the water was no longer flowing in the same area.
Cecilia + RJ :: Wedding
Walking out in to the field for the first time, I told Cecilia we'll be careful - She said, "I'm only going to wear this dress once"... I knew epic pictures would follow. If it looks like we had a ton of time to shoot portraits with the bride and groom, it's because we did, and I love every second of it. I'm in love with the location of their wedding (RJ's parents home), the fact that their dog was roaming around all day, and how amazingly laid back Cecilia and RJ were. I might also add that they had possibly the coolest ring bearer ever. If this blog post takes a while to load, my apologies... I was already extremely selective with this blog post, but I just couldn't leave the following pictures out! I have a feeling their album will be massive!
Ashley + Rob :: DC Engagement Shoot
This is my third attempt at trying to verbalize how amazing Ashley and Rob are, and how much I loved everything about the shoot and being in DC. This time around, I decided I'm just going to let the images speak for themselves. I would just like to thank Ashley and Rob for being amazing clients and for treating me to the best Sushi I've ever had at SEI. The only thing better than this engagement shoot will be their amazing wedding this summer at the Bluemont Vineyard in Virginia, I can't wait!
Jessica + Derek :: Wedding
It's been just over two weeks, and I can't stop listening to Mumford and Sons - The Cave. I think I would've loved that song regardless, but I heard it for the first time at Jessica and Derek's reception. The next day I bought the CD, and every time I listen to it, I think of their amazing wedding. Jessica and Derek were amazing to work with from the beginning, and I was totally impressed with their wedding details and style. I was so anxious to get the film back, and now I can't wait to finish editing. Let me just say that I loved all the colors, the J.Crew seersucker suits that the boys wore, as well as Jessica dress, and the bridesmaids dresses... And I could go on forever about the car and all the other amazing details. If you'd like to see a little more J.Crew style, check out their St. Augustine Engagement shoot here.
Event Coordinator :: Burkle EventsVenue :: Davis Island Garden ClubDJ :: Grant Hemond and AssociatesFlorist :: Apple Blossoms Floral DesignCatering :: Good Food CateringGown Boutique :: Olga's Bridal BoutiqueMakeup Artist :: Andie SleemanHair Stylist :: Denise Burkle - Roberts of PhiladelphiaCalligrapher :: Erica Hammer CalligraphyGown Designer :: Maggie SotteroVeil Designer :: Pricilla of Boston
