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.

BritBowl 2011, Crystal Palace

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.