In a world of so many great photographers and writers, I am venturing into some unknown territories, leaving comfort zones, finally very willing to practice the art of seeing. By maintaining the practice of posting daily photos, I hope to continue learning about the possibilities that I trust are out there for the taking.
Ray and I have been in Mesa, Arizona. My nephew Zane and Jerami got married yesterday. It was not only a wonderful wedding but a fun packed 3 days of two families coming together.
Jerami and Zane the night before they were married.
It's official.
I am now uploading probably 80 gigs of photos from the nail and spa day for the ladies, to the wedding rehearsal at the All Saints Catholic Church, followed by an incredible dinner at the Wildhorse Grille at Talking Stick Golf Club and of course the Wedding and Wedding reception back at the Arizona Golf Resort (were many of the guests stayed), and lastly a short break before we all were invited to the bride’s mother’s house for a mighty fun evening centered around beer pong! There was a BBQ planned today but Ray and I opted out to drive home hoping to avoid the holiday traffic.
Ray and I attended Susan and Andrew’s wedding in Las Vegas. They hired a photographer to shoot their wedding and family shots following the wedding but I photographed the before and after the wedding shots for Susan and Andrew. The pressure was off me and I had fun practicing all I’ve been learning about on camera bounced flash shooting. I loved the safe environment that allowed me to get some practice shooting events.
Susan sitting and visiting with friends before getting dressed.
Andrew and Susan enjoying their wedding cake after a wonderful wedding in Las Vegas.
First business.
Then some flash lighting practice.
And lastly, the Jim and Stacy show.
Jen doing what only she knows how to do, jump high.
A way overexposed photo of Jen I treated with a LR preset.
Jen was out working some off camera flash and shot this fun photo of me.
My trainer Dr. Mark and his wife Valerie put on an incredible fashionable charity event benefiting Desert Arc at the Mission Hills CC Saturday night. I got to be one of a few to photograph the event and had a blast. Don't miss this annual live auction and 40 foot long runway fashion show next year.
We don’t usually hike in the afternoon but I’m glad I didn’t let the dark clouds stop me from meeting Jen at 3:30pm today.
I’d emailed Jen saying I would be bringing my camera and a small old (lighter) 420 Speedlite flash and Honlphoto 1/2CTO 1/4 cut I velcro attached to the flash head, hoping to match the flash light color with any orange hue from a sunset colored sky.
It turned out we shot more than we hiked. But neither of us cared.
Hero shot! Great jumping Jen.
We didn't do much hiking as you can see.
Jen can just keep jumping.
Can you tell Jen loves dance?
When the flash wouldn't fire we got lucky with this silhouette.
Pretty Lady, thank you for a fun time:-) I'm learning how to have fun.
And now here are some photos Jen Clark shot of me.
I'm not great at the jumping thing:-)
It took me 10 tries attempting to follow Jen's direction to hop up on my right leg and lift my left leg up in front of me. Do you think I could do it?
Stacy has ideas. Stacy puts her ideas into action. Debbie and Stacy work as a team. Stacy’s friend Debbie was a woman experiencing hair loss not long ago. Stacy photographed Debbie all made up looking glamorous with no hair and made a photo book of Debbie’s beautiful poses. That was the beginning of something that may just be the most fulfilling journey ever.
It’s difficult to describe the range of emotions felt during this shoot at Stacy’s. Olga, a professional makeup artist, worked her magic on 3 beautiful ladies, two of whom don’t normally wear makeup at all.
Sandi, Carol and Wava seated. Linda, Olga, Debbie and Stacy standing.
Wava.
Carol and Sandy.
Carol.
Carol.
Sandy.
Wava.
I spent the last 3 days helping Stacy with a documentary she is filming and shooting. More on this tomorrow.
This is Lola, one of two of the Jacob dogs.
Oh I hope Stacy doesn't mind my posting this photo of her. We were testing lighting for a shoot.
Meet Jim, Stacy's husband.
And the rest of the Jacob family.
I’ve started carrying the Canon 7D fitted with a EF 50mmf/1.4USM lens on our morning hikes. The 50mm lens lightens the camera load and forces me to shoot more close ups do to the limited field of view. I’m now thinking more about what aperture I want to use to create the look I want.
Settings: 1/30 sec at f/2.0, ISO 640
Love that Jen and Melissa willingly hope to any and all requested poses:-)
Settings: 1/2000 sec. f/2.0, ISO 125
Another post hike pose in lots of orange color and light.