Haleys Senior Portraits, Baton Rouge

A while back we set about photographing Haleys' senior portraits in and around the Baton Rouge area.  Haley is a talented dancer so we included some shots of her in the dance studio where she practises as well as some fun stuff around the city.

You can see more of Haleys images on the slideshow here

As you can see we had really great fun and produced some memorable images.

Attempting to Catch Up

OK it's been a long time since I updated this blog and soooooooo much has happened both business wise and in my private life since the last time I took the time to write here.

To start with I got married and moved to live in America, to be more specific, Denham Springs in Louisiana ...... yup told you a lot had happened.  It took months of paperwork and background checks, a serious amount of money and interview at the US embassy in London but finally my K1 visa was approved.  Of course this was just the start of the long journey to be a legal foreigner allowed to live in the US which is still as we speak a long way from its conclusion (although i'm allowed to live and work here whilst the paperchain is being reviewed).   

Probably the hardest thing was not being allowed to work whilst the relevant paperwork went through.  Sitting at home for months on end is something that drove me to distraction.  But eventually the permission to work card came along and the photography jobs started (I'll add them as soon as I can).

So there it is in a nutshell, those that follow my families personal blog will probably have known the ins and outs of what has been going on.  But for those who are just interested in the photography side here's the reason I haven't updated lately, sorry.  

Alexia and Pauls Wedding at Mangapp Manor

Lexi and Paul out side Mangap Manor

This Saturday i was honoured to be asked to photograph the wedding of Alexia and Paul at the stunning Mangap Manor.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't the best and in all honesty I think it's the heaviest rain I've ever had to work in.

Alexia getting ready

 Although the rain came down hard it didn't effect anyone.  Everyone had great fun and took the day with a smile which made what could have been a hard job so much easier and we achieved some great images (see slide show below) and even managed to get outside late into the evening.

Paul and his bestmen

A fantastic wedding day made easier by all involved including the excellent staff at the Mangapp Manor.

Maegans Senior Pictures, Baton Rouge

It seems so long ago that I met up with Maegan and her parents at the State Capital in Baton Rouge.  It was a warm day and very bright (no surprises there) and Maegan had brought several changes of clothes to wear throughout the shoot.

I always think that the best senior pictures (or any pictures) are when a persons real expressions and ways are captured.  When you hear a comment something like "oh that's her" it's means so much more than a picture.  It's a moment in time a true reflection of the individual as they are.

Check out a few more of Maegan's senior pics in the slideshow below.

We had great fun and chose some fun locations making use of the beautiful grounds and lakes.  Its always a pleasure to photograph people with charecter and Maegan has plenty, with a magical smile that spreads from ear to ear.

The Pin Up Parlour, Hollyns Hair Studio

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Cat fight in Prison

And now for something completely different ....... Photographing in prisons, hair boutiques, in the street and in 50's cars, all in a days work ... Luv It!

It's always good to step outside of your comfort zone and push your boundaries.  I'm so used to shooting wedding and portraits I'm confident I could do them with any sitter in any enviroment and still get the results I would be proud of.

However this shoot was definitely not the norm.  I'd had several meetings with Hollyn the owner and main stylist at "The Pin Up Parlour" in Denham Springs who had an idea on what she wanted in her latest images to use for her marketing and decorations.  In addition her friend who owns a local clothing boutique lent her and her models some clothes she wanted to feature in a campaign.  All of a sudden instead of my norm of the person in the picture being the most important thing the clothes / hair was to be the feature.

Think this image is a good commercial shot for the Jeans

I'd checked out the area and had some ideas on where we could shoot and I had a few ideas I wanted to introduce and gauge the reaction.  We started in Hollyn's boutique with some pin up styled shots, and then moved outside.  It was about now I suggested we take some photographs inside the city hall (and specifically the jail cells).  I was very pleased that everyone loved the idea and we carried on photographing the girls in the prison cells.

You can see a further selection of images from the shoot here.  This slideshow of Hollyns pics is also available for download via i-tunes by clicking this link.  You can then add it to your i-phone / video i-pod or i-pad.

Another shot adapted to emphasise the Jeans

We finished the days shoot using some uber cool 50's cars which set the images perfectly.

The final shoot was with a couple of classic 50's cars

Al in all a very enjoyable day with excellent models and Hollyns exceptional skills in reshaping hair styles in no time, in not ideal locations with the minimum of equipment.  True professionals all around.

Chris's Senior Portrait Shoot, Baton Rouge

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Chris plays the drums on the banks of the Mississippi

There are several things vital for capturing great images and  I always consider that capturing a persons true spirit is probably the most important.  When it came to taking Chris's senior pictures I new this wouldn't be a problem.  With an army of helpers we managed to move his drum set onto the river bank overlooking the Missippippi river.   I'd intended to just pose a few images but for someone like Chris it's impossible to sit at a drum kit and not have a jam session.  This worked out perfect as i moved around and climbed up and down getting the shots.

A selection of images from Chris's senior portrait session around Baton Rouge

 We worked our way around Baton Rouge, finding some cool walls and super interesting backgrounds.  You can see a selection of images from chris's shoot on the video below.  You can also download the video via i-tunes and then add it to your i-phone/ video ipod by clicking this link 

Ariel's Senior Photographs, Central and Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Ariel relaxes during her senior portrait session

I love shooting people with character and Ariel certainly has lots of that.  Her constant smiles and boundless energy made the whole senior photographs shoot in three different locations a real fun afternoon.

We started off at her house and her massive collection of shoes, I'm not saying there were a lot but let's just say a centipede would not have had cold feet.  Not satisfied with that she also has an uber cool seat made in the shape of a ... guess what ..... yup a shoe.

Having finished shooting at Ariels home we headed for Baton Rouge.  We photographed all over the town and finished at the old state capital.  It was my first time at the old capital and it was well worth a visit.

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

Jeanette's Senior Portrait Session in Baton Rouge

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Jeanette relaxes by the lake at the state capital

Just  before I left the comfort and warmth of Louisiana for the cold winter in England I had a very busy week where I photographed 4 sessions in a week.

The following images are all taken of Jeanette and were inside and around the state capital just before dusk.  Amazingly the whole shoot was done inside of two hours (i think) as we had to be super-quick because we were running out of daylight.

We had great fun although we were warned away from the state capital steps at one point by the security guards.  Unfortunately a young child had fallen recently and some of the drops from the steps down to the ground are very high so it's understandable they don't want anyone injuring themselves.

The following is a short video showing a few of the images from the shoot.  You can download this slidesghow via i-tunes and from their add it to your i-phone / video i-pod by clicking this link.

Dave and Julies Wedding at the Fennes Estate, Bocking

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Julie and Dave have a quiet moment on the bridge at the Fennes bocking

Differant times of year offer differant opportunities.  Autumn offers possibly the best colours as leaves and plants turn yellow and fall to the ground.  Of course life can't be too easy so whilst the colours are amazing the light in autumn is scarce and at 4pm its almost dark.

So having spoken to Julie and Dave back in April (see their pre wed shoot by clicking here), it was always going to be a rush to get the pictures at the church then race back to the magnificent Fennes estate to make use of their well tended grounds.

We had a lot of fun on the day and as yo can see below managed to get some pictures before mother nature turned out the lights.  You can download this slideshow via i-tunes and then add it to your i-phones or video i-player.

Donnas Family Portrait Session, New Orleans, French Quarter

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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

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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.