An Honor Indeed | Nashville Portrait Photography

I don't know why I remember that it was the day I gave my notice at work, mid-January. I think it was probably the pieces of a day full of emotion, different kinds of overwhelming emotions, that added up to cementing such a simple inquiry into the file cabinet of my mind. I guess, I remember stuff like that anyways, as the subject of this entry knows firsthand.

Needless to say, when Evin let me know of the updates taking place on her beautiful new website and blog, which were just released today, and asked if I was interested in getting some shots of her to update the site... I was obliged, elated, ecstatic to say "Yes! Absolutely!" To have someone I look up to, ask me to do for them what they are so successful at doing for others - at a time when that affirmation was more than needed - was an honor indeed.

And as the last couple of months have unfolded, Evin, a dear friend who has become even more so, dreamed and planned and worked laboriously to launch an updated and even-better website and blog. Which is saying a lot, because for five years already, Evin has established such a name for herself in our area for wedding and portrait photography.

And her character, her fun and lively personality, and her true ability to relate to and love people makes it that much easier to understand why. And to understand why the couple of hours we spent together last week were a wonderful highlight to my week.



















Truth be told, I look up to Evin for so much more than her successful photography business. And I always have. And because the reasons why deserve to be told, I plan to share more in an upcoming entry featuring Evin... and the two leading men in her life. Stay tuned...

And lastly, thank you Evin for the joy it is to be your friend. And for an afternoon, to have been your photographer. The new site is wonderful, and your hard work and patience have definitely paid off. The best is yet to come!

A Month (and more) Ago - PartnerCon 2009

Dream. Create. Inspire.

Three words that, to me, hold such much life inside of them. And yet, I don't think on them, believe them, live them out the way I should. But sometimes, life puts you in an unexpected place with a lot of people you don't know, and gives you the greatest gift in the continual and consistent reminder that we all have something to offer but that it's a process.

A month ago, plus a couple of days, I hopped in an SUV with some of my good friends and employers Zach & Jody and fellow photographers Jessica McIntosh and David Molnar to ride eight hours to New Orleans for an incredible three-day conference put on by Pictage. Formally called Pictage Partner Conference, but known lovingly as PartnerCon, this event is a meeting of all sorts of minds and skills and styles in the photography world, which just so happened to be in a city (and state) I'd never been to and hadn't ever really done much in the way of planning to visit.

And it's a good thing I didn't plan anything, because for the first time ever I was at a conference where I didn't want to miss a thing. Instead of looking at a program and deciding between choosing something relatively enticing and sight-seeing, like I am used to, I was actually having to choose between sessions. Making the choice to go to sessions at any given time during the day was probably as complicated as anything I've done in the last three months of my life, including buying our first home. I mean really, you're really asking me to decide who I want to see when really I want to see everyone?!

But choose, I did, and for the most part I was pleasantly surprised - enticed - encouraged - and challenged by everything I heard in a matter of just a couple of days. From the art of photography to the nitty-gritty of branding, my world was rocked. Whether it was Jeff & Erin Youngren, Amber Holritz, Justin & Mary Marantz, or Jared Platt, words were spoken and lessons were shared over and over again which ring in my mind and heart as echoes, now. Reminders that the ability to capture life - for yourself or for art or for others - is a gift and that we all find our own way to make it work but that we truly have a great deal to learn from each other. And the each other part was key, because my whole world was opened up to new photographer friends all over the country like Jennifer Tai, Audra Bayette, and more!

And not only did I learn by hearing, but doing as well. Wednesday I participated in a workshop led by the Youngrens where none other than Zach & Jody worked as models. It was a new experience to take pictures of them, but a fun one for sure.

I managed to capture as much of the city as I could, considering how much of it I ended up seeing.

All I could think, with the announcement that PartnerCon 2010 would be back in New Orleans, was that maybe that will be my chance to see and to take in the culture the city is so famous for. And of course, to grab a couple more beignets because at least I got that much out of the city and that's enough for me, especially considering the overabundance of what I walked away with from the conference.

What Inspires Me? 10.31.09

Nick Brandt's work is unreal. If you haven't seen more of his portfolio, go now.

What Inspires Me? 10.22.09

I seriously drew in my breath and held it for a good 15 seconds when I saw this image by Untamed Heart Photography. What a magnificent contrast in setting and character. It's just romantic and natural and beautiful. For someone who doesn't consider herself a wedding photographer, Michelle Huesgen captured a beautiful series of this couple on their big day.

I love it.

And it inspires me to know that skill, heart, and an eye for photography can bleed into every type no matter what you categorically label yourself.

What Inspires Me? 10.15

The wind. The contrast. The expressions. The composition.

Sigh.

Sarah Rhoads has such an eye for catching moments like this.

I'm inspired.

The Marantz Duo is Spreadin' The Love

I'm a big, big fan of Justin and Mary Marantz.

First put on to them by the countless recommendations of Zach and Jody Gray, I was quick to take a look. And when the Grays believe someone's awesome, I'd better sure as well believe it myself because it's always true.

The Marantzs have an incredible style of photography that is both editorial in look and yet so personable and intimate with their clients. I love looking at their images from recent weddings, as well as reading some of their more thoughtful reflections on their life as a married couple, as photographers, and as people.

Now they're at it with an incredible opportunity for photographers to take as stab at winning some incredible prices, all in a request for feedback on where to go for their Spread The Love Tour 2010. That's it. They just want feedback and yet they've secured some INCREDIBLE goods for some lucky winners.

Find out more about their Choose Our Adventure contest!