Today marks the anniversary of the beginning of a journey.
It was one year ago that I left the friendly confines of the newspaper industry to move out on my own as a freelance photographer.
What a year it has been!
I've enjoyed working with my wife Betsy as we opened a studio in Davidson, NC, and worked to adjust to a new lifestyle. We are lucky to have a talented associate in our company photographer Laura Mueller.
After more than 20 years working at three newspapers, it's been great not having to report to someone else's office each day.
It also made me think back to the start of this endeavor. As wedding photojournalism or a more documentary approach became popular, I became interested in doing weddings about six years ago. I started doing them on the side as I continued my full-time photography job at The Charlotte Observer.
I got excellent advice and guidance from fellow journalists who had switched to wedding photography. People like Matt Mendelsohn and Gary Allen, two great photojournalists who were gracious with their ideas and experience. Also Mike Colon, an amazing wedding photographer who didn't know me from anyone when I called looking for suggestions. He spoke to me at length offering more advice.
I've also been lucky to be involved with the Wedding Photojournalist Association from its beginnings. I've watched David Roberts build the group into an amazing resource for photographers who utilize a similar documentary approach.
Along the way I've seen other former newspaper shooters like Christobal and Kathleen Perez (Azul Photography), Andrew Niesen and Rachel LaCour Niesen and Mark and Erin Adams (LaCour) and Roger Winstead make a big impact with their wedding photography. Former Sports Illustrated photographer and my good golfing buddy Jim Gund and his fellow Charleston photographer Mic Smith (Lowcountry Photojournalism) have joined the fray.
Asheville is a hotbed of wedding talent with people like my friend, one-time client and now Rockstar photographer Corey McNabb, the amazing Parker J., James and Jenny Tarpley (Visio Photography), and Regina Holder to name a few.
It's a great time to be a wedding photographer with so much excellent work being done by so many creative people.
We have been blessed with fantastic clients and we are looking forward to some incredible events this year.
It's been a great year - Cheers!
The journey continues...
Showing posts with label Azul Photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Azul Photography. Show all posts
Friday, January 11, 2008
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Photos of Beautiful Fall Day
It's been a strange fall here in Charlotte with a prolonged drought and warmer-than-usual temperatures, but a cold front moved through Thursday bringing some rain, colder weather and then a brilliant afternoon.
I had a few things to catch up on at the studio so I headed up to Davidson. I love fall and the conditions prompted me to grab my trusty Nikons to record some of the intense colors around the Davidson College campus.
It's somewhat ironic that I used to hate so called "wild art" assignments like shooting fall color when I was a newspaper photographer at The Charlotte Observer. But I think it's good to keep your creative juices flowing with many types of photography and I thoroughly enjoyed my personal assignment.
I feel so blessed that my passion for photography remains so strong and I get so much enjoyment out of my job.
Here's what I saw Thursday - enjoy!
I had a few things to catch up on at the studio so I headed up to Davidson. I love fall and the conditions prompted me to grab my trusty Nikons to record some of the intense colors around the Davidson College campus.
It's somewhat ironic that I used to hate so called "wild art" assignments like shooting fall color when I was a newspaper photographer at The Charlotte Observer. But I think it's good to keep your creative juices flowing with many types of photography and I thoroughly enjoyed my personal assignment.
I feel so blessed that my passion for photography remains so strong and I get so much enjoyment out of my job.
Here's what I saw Thursday - enjoy!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Photography Night
Betsy and I made a quick trip to the Triangle Wednesday to catch a talk by Raleigh photographer Missy McLamb.
My friend and fellow former newspaper photographer Christobal Perez and his wife Kathleen of Azul Photography organized the Photography Night, an ongoing event for education and networking for photographers.
More than 50 people turned out to hear Missy speak about her inspiring project documenting a woman with breast cancer. Missy, who is often credited with helping bring documentary style wedding photography to the state, has a thriving wedding photography business. People came from all over, including another friend, Regina Holder from Asheville, who made the trip with Dana Andreasson of Conover. Regina made about an 8-hour round trip!
We had a chance to run into a few old friends as well as meeting some new ones. Betsy snapped a few photos with her point-and-shoot.
Thanks to Christobal and Kathleen for a great event!
My friend and fellow former newspaper photographer Christobal Perez and his wife Kathleen of Azul Photography organized the Photography Night, an ongoing event for education and networking for photographers.
More than 50 people turned out to hear Missy speak about her inspiring project documenting a woman with breast cancer. Missy, who is often credited with helping bring documentary style wedding photography to the state, has a thriving wedding photography business. People came from all over, including another friend, Regina Holder from Asheville, who made the trip with Dana Andreasson of Conover. Regina made about an 8-hour round trip!
We had a chance to run into a few old friends as well as meeting some new ones. Betsy snapped a few photos with her point-and-shoot.
Thanks to Christobal and Kathleen for a great event!
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