Boudoir Eyes...

I'm working with a client on a boudoir shoot to update her portfolio. This was the last shot done after a six hour shoot. I photographed Holly using a Canon 7D with a 24-105mm L Lens. I used a 4 light Alien Bee lighting system utilizing soft boxes placed to the direct left and lower left of her and 2 backside kicker lights for the rim light effect. She was shot in studio in front of a black seamless backdrop.

Mad Hats for a cause...

This hat is part of an online auction to benefit CureSearch for Children's Cancer. To see all the hats in the auction, visit www.facebook.com/AnnClinesMadHats. All of the proceeds go to the charity. But, the Hat Auction is just part of what my friend, Ann Cline, is doing. She is also taking part in the Ultimate Hike to benefit CureSearch for Children's Cancer. To learn more about the Ultimate Hike, please visit http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ultimatehike.org%2Fcharlotte2012%2Fanncline&h=TAQH9VgjQ.

The Hunger Games

With all of the hype of the "Hunger Games",  I wanted to blog about it, too. This bench is a prop from the movie, "The Hunger Games", and was used in the scene of President Snow talking to Seneca Crane about "Hope". http://hungergamesmovie.org/12396/new-video-clip-president-snow-talks-to-seneca-crane-on-hope/

The "Bench" gets a full five minutes of screen time. It was made in California for the movie and after filming it was sold at auction and found it's way to Lloyd's Antiques, right before Pfifer University. And there is where I found it and immediately texted my friend, Rick Anderson McCombs. He said "Sold" and  purchased it mainly because he was an extra in the film and thought that this was a great piece of memorabilia. The Salisbury Post, our local paper, even wrote about it.http://www.salisburypost.com/Lifestyle/032512--Hunger-Games-qcd#.T28NxGOUnKk.facebook

Days of Spring

I really enjoy Spring. It gives me an excuse to get out of the studio and enjoy all of these warm days. I have been busy as a bee shooting bridal portraits, but no one can see the brides' dresses until they are married! Expect wedding and bridal portrait posts soon. I visited Clyde's garden with my Canon 7D and 100mm macro lens to capture this bee as it gathered nectar. Spring Brides are just as busy this time of year!

National Geographic Photographer Sam Abell

I attended Sam Abell's lecture at Randolph Community College on Tuesday, February 28th and was amazed. Amazed by his body of work, love of photography, and his photography mantra of "find the background and wait for your subject".  I am usually proactive in my shots, composing them on paper and my head before shooting and his point of view was inspiring. Mr Abell has been on the staff of National Geographic for over 30 years but has only graced the cover three times. The picture above was one of the first pictures taken of Australian Aborigines and Abell spent over three months with the tribe earning their respect and trust in order to take this photo. 

45th Annual Heart Ball

The Salisbury Post ran a great story on the 2012 Heart Ball  (http://www.salisburypost.com/Lifestyle/021912-Heart-Ball-qcd)  accompanied by my photos. I appreciated the byline.

45th Annual Heart Ball

I had the privilege to photograph the 45th Annual Heart Ball at the Salisbury Country Club in Salisbury, NC. I enjoy Event Photography almost as much as photographing weddings. The venue was beautiful and the committee was excited to be working with Snapshots Photographic. I think I had almost as much fun as the guests.

City Singer....

   

Thanks to my friend and guitarist Barry Campbell who requested a portrait showcasing his love for music. The photography was done in studio at Snapshots Photographic in Salisbury, NC. I shot with a Canon 7D using a 24-105mm L lens. I lit the subject using multiple Alien Bee strobes, soft boxes, and a beauty dish.  The image was fined tuned using Photo Shop CS5 utilizing adjustment curves and masks to enhance highlights and shadows. 

The Bassist's Portrait

Thank you to my model and bassist, Jennifer Caballero. This portrait was photographed in the studio at Snapshots Photographic, Salisbury, NC. I used a six light set up, utilizing strobe lights, speed lights, grids, and a beauty dish on a boom arm. Adjustment curves and masks in PhotoShop CS5 fine tuned the image. 

A Favorite Place...

One of my favorite spots in Spain, Ronda in the Andalucia Mountain Range. The pizza was as great as the view! Sitting in the city center, the people watching was great, too.

Retouching Today...

Retouching a photo from a recent shoot. The photography was done by Tiffany Abbassi Photography. Tiffany is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and is currently working as a fashion photographer. She has a different "out of the box" take on her style using on location settings instead of the typical studio.  A run down or abandoned location makes for a more unique set and brings more character to her   photography.

Traveling The World....

ImagingUSA

ImagingUSA was filled with colleagues willing to share their perspectives on wedding, senior, and freelance photography.   The vendors offered everything a photographer could need to help clients ranging from brides & grooms, to new parents, to seniors share their beautiful photographs.  I returned home to Salisbury rejuvenated & inspired to be a photographer!!  

China Before and After