Donnas Family Portrait Session, New Orleans, French Quarter

Pin It

I had the absolute pleasure of taking some more pictures in the French Quarter, New Orleans last weekend.  This time it was a family session.  The French quarter offers so many exciting areas to shoot and each turn down every street offers new opportunties.

One of the places we discovered was a small hotel which from the outside doesn't look much but once you are inside the gates a whole world of beauty and charector suddenly springs into life.  Another fun session with lots of laughs and great fun.

You can see a selection of images from the shoot in the slideshow below.  You can also download the slideshow via i-tunes by clicking this link.  You can then add the slideshow to your i-phone / i-pad etc.

Ashleys Senior Pictures in New Orleans

Pin It

Last weekend we has great fun taking senior pictures in the down town New Orleans area with Ashley.  It was a super fun session and whilst we photographed Ashleys mum circled around us in the car as a moving changing area for Ashley.

 As you can see from the pictures we had a great time in and around the French Quarter which really is an amazing place for photographs to be taken.  Every back alley and side-street offers new interesting opportunities. 

You can see a selection of images from the shoot in the slideshow below.  You can also download this slideshow to i-tunes (and from there add it to your i-phone / i-pad) by clicking this link.

BritBowl 2011, Crystal Palace

Pin It

London Blitz Players celebrate their win

  This weekend saw the end of the British American football league season, the best teams in the respective divisions all headed for the nations capital to fight out for their respective national championships.  The top of the bill saw the London Blitz take on the London Warriors* (not the South Wales Warriors who would later win the Div 2 championship).

The finals have moved around the country over the last 6 years, but having the finals in London this year certainly seems to have paid off.  I've bee for the last five years and I believe the numbers for this year where at least double the norm.

To add to the drama Vernon Kay of TV fame (family fortunes, etc) played for the Warriors as safety.  One of the funniest moments happened when Vernon was flagged for a late hit and the quick thinking commentator played the sound bit used on family fortunes for a wrong answer making the crowd roar with laughter. 

Vernon Kay collects his losers medal

 The game finished 18-0 to the Blitz and was an excellent advert for the game for any neutral who made the effort. The Warriors never seemed to be able to get their offence moving and were punished by the hard hitting Blitz defence for every mistake. 

Whilst Crystal Palace is no where near what a great stadium should be it was adequate and hopefully the powers in charge will keep the finals in London.   



*The London Warriors were previously know as the London Cobras but after threatening legal action were allowed to take the name warriors, meaning there are now two warrior teams in the senior league.

Stixx Senior portraits, Baton Rouge, Denham Springs

Pin It

Something that is common in America (so I'm learning) is for school leavers to have a selection of photographs taken as a reminder of a certain moment in time.  These are known as senior pictures.  This was all new to me but having discussed with Taylor (her friends call her Stixx) I was confident i could put my own twist onto what was expected.

We started out in the Louisiana State capital (Baton Rouge) and used a little coffee shop I'd stopped in when we came down for Mardi Gras at the start of the year.  I remember thinking what a cool little place it would be for a shoot so when we decided on Baton Rouge I new where I wanted to start. 

I also new where there was an old bank vault very close to the coffee shop that I had seen that was just screaming out to be used in a shoot.  As you can see from the images on the blog and the video below we had some real fun.

The next location was next to the river where I'd scouted underneath a bridge which gave a really cool unusual overhead background.  Close by there was some nice long grass and some logs all making excellent photography props and backgrounds.




You can download this video to itunes by clicking this link.  You can then add it to an i-phone or video i-pod and have it with you wherever you go.

We visited a few other places in Baton rouge but then unfortunately it began to rain.  However we we decided that if we were going to get wet we might as well go for it so Stixx had fun splashing around in the water fountains outside the museum.

Because the rain had cut us short the day before we had arranged to meet up again the next day this time in old Denham Springs an areas rich with antiques and old styled shop fronts full of colour (British spelling) and excitement.

We were so lucky that Hollyn of the Pin-Up Parlour hairdressers allowed us to take some pictures in her shop and use it as a base so Stixx could get changed. We spent another three + hours finding fun places to shoot.   

All in all an excellent fun couple of days!!

Family Portraits in New Jersey

Pin It

I've been sitting on this slideshow for a while now.  The photographs were actually taken back in February but were part of a gift for Jobeth and George.  The whole family recently went on a cruise which where the pictures were shown publically for the first time so it's now safe for it to be added to the blog.


I had an incredible fun time meeting everybody and it's amazing how many points of interest are within just a short 45 minute drive ..... ;0)


You can download the above slideshow via i-tunes by clicking this link.  You can then add it to any video i-pod, i-phone or i-pad to be watched at your convenience.

Bay of St Louis Family Portrait Session, Louisiana

Pin It

OK so it's kinda warm over here in Louisiana, especially if you used to the the English summers of grey skies and rain.  So when the suns shining and it's hot where else would anyone rather be than on the beach.

I photographed young baby Presley when she was just 14 days old ( click here to see the newborn baby slideshow).  Now she's grown a little it was time for a few more pics with mum + dad, grandparents and great grand parents.


You can see a few of the images above in the slideshow and if you wish download the slideshow via i-tunes by clicking this link. You will then be able to add it to any video i-pod, i-phone or i-pad, so you'll always have it with you.

 As you can see from the images we all had a great time and even managed to go for a paddle in the sea.  Great times

Julie and Daves Pre Wedding Images, Braintree

Pin It

Isn't it amazing how time flies?  Six years ago I photographed Julies sisters wedding, 6 YEARS!! Was it really that long ago?  It's always a fantastic pleasure to catch up with old clients and find out how their families are doing.  This weekend I met up with Julie, Dave and Julies parents at their house in Braintree as we discussed their plans for their upcoming wedding.


As always I offer all my couples a free pre wedding shoot so I can see how they are infront of the lens and also as an excuse to have some fun.  As you can see in the slideshow below we had a good laugh throughout the shoot.   Such a fun couple and so easy to work with, I have a feeling their wedding will be spectacular!!


If you wish you can download Julie and Daves slideshow via i-tunes by clicking this link.  It can then be added to a video i-pod or i-phone meaning you can show your friends anytime.

I'm in the Memory Preservation Business

Pin It

I once heard a photographer describe what he did for a living.  Instead of a long winded description of what he did he simply said "I'm in the memory preservation business".  I can't think of a better way of describing what I do, and the importance was brought home to me again this week when I was asked by mother if I could rescue an old photograph of my Nan and Grandad (see above on the right of the image).  Photograph restoration isn't my normal line of work but you can't work in this industry without learning your way around photoshop, so I think the above finished picture turned out ok.  Although I'm torn if I should add a sepia tone just to age the image.

We are constantly reminded of the importance of memory protection after national disasters.  Time after time we see distraught families returning to their destroyed homes and the one thing they bring out of the wreckage are their photographs.  The 50 Inch TV and the Louis Vuitton hand bag are all replaceable, the photographs are not. 

Photographs are one of our only links with the past and our own personal histories.  Whatever you do make sure your memories are protected in the best way you can.  One things for certain, you'll never have another chance to capture today. 
 

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Pin It

There are several things that New Orleans is famous for but probably the top of the list has to be Mardi Gras.  The origins stem back to the religious idea of giving up things for lent, traditionally prior to giving up things people would party (to make the best of it whilst they could) and gradually over time the mardi gras parades were formed.  Very few people give up something for lent these days, but there's no reason the parties can't take place.

What I hadn't realised was that Mardi Gras takes place over a whole week and throughout the whole of Louisiana.  Most towns have their own parades but it's in New Orleans that everyday massive parades thread through the streets with hundreds of thousands of people watching as and the people on the incredible floats throw beaded necklaces.  Its really strange that it's almost impossible to attend a parade and not shout out for the beads, on the floor there are hundreds of the necklaces but the act of actually catching the beads is what it is all about.  

Many of the locals bring along ladders to give them a height advantage, but in truth all they offer is a higher view, if the aim is catching beads that's easily achieved from the floor.  All in all Mardi Gras is an incredible time and I feel sure it won't be the last time I experience it.

You can see a slide show of some of my images from two of the Sunday parades below.  Again you can download this or any other of my slideshows via i-tunes by clicking this link and then add it to your video i-pod/i-phone.

Colonel Rogers Promotion Party, New Jersey, USA

Pin It

It takes exceptional ability and leadership to be promoted in the US Army to the rank of Colonel, so on the rare occasions it happens its something that is often celebrated by the officers friends and families.

I was honoured to be asked to photograph Stephanie's day and also to capture some family images which will be uploaded at a later date.

The day started with Stephanie preparing her uniforms and various family members visiting at her parents house.

The trip to where the party was to take place took a "New Jersey 45 minute drive" which I was to discover several times over the weekend could be anything between 30 minutes and an hour and a half.  When we arrived there were plenty of people already there.


The actual military presentation of the rank was a short part of the day with a short reading.  Stephanie's, dad then placed the Colonel badge of rank on her uniform and her mother, sister and brother added the rank to her dress uniform and cap.


With the formalities out of the way it was time for everyone to eat the excellent buffet meal that had been provided and carry on the conversations as Stephanie did the rounds and visited every table being an excellent host.


You can see a short slide show of some of the images from the day by clicking play below.  You can also download Stephanie's slideshow via i-tunes by clicking here, allowing you too add it to a video i-pod or i-phone.

Rayna, Tyler and Hannah, Lifestyle Photographs Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Pin It

Over the last few weeks i've had the real pleasure of getting to know the three little ones pictured above.  We've played football (soccer) in the garden and struggled with homework in the evenings but every moment has been a joy.

The images in the slidehow below were taken over a couple of days at the Louisiana State University (LSU) and the Louisiana state capital building in Baton Rouge. 

The slideshow below can be downloaded via i-tunes by clicking this link and can then be added to your video i-pod / i-phone.

New Born Baby Presley's Photo Shoot

Pin It

Its always really special to be the first to photograph a newborn baby.  Baby Presley here was just 14 days old when we took these pictures and her mum and dad were absolute stars throughout the whole shoot with a constant hand in rocking her between pictures, feeding burping etc.

As is often the case young Presley was a little camera shy and it was over an hour before we got the first image.  This is not unusual and is why i tell people booking me to photograph their newborn baby to allow between three and four hours.  

Its the case in this area that everyone (and i mean everyone) loves their football and especially the New Orleans Saints, so we had a little fun dressing her up in Saints colours and giving her a football helmet to hold.

If you watch the video below you can see some more image.  You can also download the video from i-tunes by clicking this link, you can then add it to your i-phone or video i-pod and watch it when you want to.

I love these shoots but PLEASE if you are wanting me to photograph a new born be aware, these types of photographs can only be taken in the very first days of babys life (the first two weeks).  Don't miss a once in a lifetime opportunity through poor organisation, drop me an e-mail if you need any more info.

Maegan & Franks Wedding, la Maison Creole, New Orleans, Louisiana

Pin It

Sometimes I forget how lucky I am and how much I love to take photographs and as a result I've had some pretty incredible opportunities.  I'm lucky enough to have travelled the world and photographed in some incredible locations.





Last weekend was one of those incredible wedding days.  Frank and Meagan had chosen to marry at the fantastic wedding venue "La Maison Creole" in New Orleans and I was honoured to be asked to capture their day.

New Orleans is famous for many things but probably top of the list are its infamous Mardi Gras parties.  

Maegan and Frank's whole wedding theme was "Mardi Gras" based and incorporated the three mardi gras colours of gold purple and green which realy helped set of the photographs.

I also encountered a new tradition i'd never seen at a wedding before.  It was based around the cake (check out Frank and Maegans incredible cake in the slide show above).   The base of the cake has strings attached and the single ladies each take one.  On the command they all pull and at the end of each string is a small pendant that signifies various things, I love discovering new ideas and traditions and this wedding was packed full of them.

There are so many happy highlights from the day but one of the most touching parts was when Maegans grandfather sang to her and her new husband, a very touching and heartfelt moment in time, not a dry eye in the house.


You can watch a short selection of their images in the slideshow above.  You can also download this slide show via i-tunes by clicking this link.  You can then add it to your i-phone / i-pod and have it with you wherever you go.

Business talk at Central High School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Pin It

OK confession time.  I haven't added anything to the blog for about a month and that's really bad.  However in my defence I had a lot of work to get finished before I flew out to Louisiana to photograph Maegan and Franks wedding in New Orleans last Saturday (pics to follow soon).  I've been busy since I landed a couple of weeks ago and have another six weeks work intermingled with fun before I have to return to the UK, It's times like this I realise I truly do have the best job in the world. But I fully intend on adding more stuff on here over the next few weeks.

Today I did something totally new.   I had the honour of being asked to talk about my business and the way I work to various high school classes at the Central High School near Baton Rouge.  This was a real treat and an honour for me.  It's not unusual for me to be asked to talk to groups before but previously these have been businessman or other photographers so to talk to students at the start of the professional lives was a real treat and I hope they took away some ideas they can use in a positive way in their own chosen professions..

Not all (in fact very few) of the students had much of an interest in photography as a career choice so I aimed the majority of my talk to be general business ideas and centred the whole talks about two things.  Being remarkable and the advantages it can bring and finally the ways of achieving excellence in the eyes of clients.

I always find when I teach I learn a few things myself,  today they included, the English accent in America is a great advantage, the TV show Glee isn't a totally accurate view of real life in an American high school and teenagers throughout the world are pretty much the same, with the same worries, concerns and thoughts.


All in all a fascinating day and I must say a huge thank you to Miss Phenald and all her classes  today for listening to my talk, and their interesting and often searching in-depth questions.