There's not a lot to say about myself except that I love the life I live. I have the opportunity to take pictures and occasionally travel when I'm not teaching public speaking. I wouldn't trade this life for anything in the world. I hope you find something interesting on the blog. Matter of fact, if you're in Birmingham, we can even chat over coffee.
My proudest moments are when my friends hire me. Whether it’s for their wedding, portraits, or to photograph their kids, those images are just as sentimental to me. It’s a special feeling when these same people trust me with their most intimate of ideas, especially during a boudoir session. I always choose to shoot these sessions in black and white because it is one of the purest styles of photography. I love the hues and shadows it creates and those images are always TIMELESS. Did you hear me? TIMELESS. I love how raw the process is when I shoot boudoir. The intimacy that one has while experiencing their newness as a being. It’s the power of expression, rejuvenation, a new spirit that arises. And that’s just Willow experienced.
Willow, a fellow artist, asked me to shoot a boudoir session like no other. She has a sense of ability to create her own atmosphere and keeps the party going long after everyone has left the building. But this time, we rocked a boudoir session that she and I were very pleased with. I’m glad that I have creatives that I can call my friends and who trust my vision and creativity. Hopefully you all can experience the same.
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Marco (@aCuratorWright) is a guy that I’ve watched grow into quite the debonair man he is today. We grew as friends and creatives at the University of Montevallo in 2004. We had conversations from Kanye to the plight of mass communication while we in school. Somewhere in between, we lost touch. But when he came to the studio for a quick session, we caught up just where we left off. We have grown into unique individuals with our own taste in fashion, verbiage, and craft beers, but we never lost sight of our creative intuitions. We made sure we wrapped up the stills session early so that we could shoot some footage around downtown area of Birmingham. It was a pleasure shooting Marco, better known as A Curator Named Wright.
The proverbial end of the year post is a week late, but trust me… This is one post I will soon not forget.
2011 has come like a thief in the night and almost stole my will to blog before the year was over. But, here I am posting one last time before the ball drops in the central time zone to bring in 2012. I am always grateful for the clients and referrals throughout the year. It really moves me to see people who are instantly in tune with my fine art and personal projects. It lets me know that people have an appetite for something distinct, something natural.
Of course, every year brings new and exciting clients. From shooting one of the top Indy races held in the nation and a Grammy Award nominated group to creating culinary images and indulging in moving images has truly kept me busy. I have enjoyed assisting some talented photographers with weddings and smaller projects where I have the learned the value of consistent planning, ingenuity and a load of constant creativity. The highest honor of 2011 was filming the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program for Miles College. I enjoyed learning about cryptic analysis, the basics of “breaking codes”, and the use of Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems. I was never the science aficionado, but after shooting the program, I kind of wish I was. Either way, it was a rewarding project that people are still complementing.
But with all good things, there are struggles.
My grandmother, who is my heart (along with my mother of course), had a heart attack in May. She gave us the scare of our lives. I’ve always heard others speak of their grandparents ailments and their struggle to keep a vibrant spirit. It’s an odd feeling to experience it. Through it all, she remained a trooper, which is what she has instilled in me. I had to build my strength on her wisdom and keep it moving. This one lesson proved to me that as a granddaughter, daughter, friend, teacher and an artist, that I have a social responsibility to approach situations and my photography in a different perspective. Imagine the stories that are not being shared. There are so many missed opportunities that we as photographers are pushing to the side, or we are waiting on something tragic to happen in order for us to have a story to share.
Well, my vision for 2012 is to see this incessant behavior and simply create. No longer will I dream of what I want to do or wait until someone approves it. If the story is important to me, I’m sure it is important for someone else to learn from. This is a challenge not only for me, but for you too. Take those photography books you’ve purchased and actually read them. Make notes. Study the images. The only way to become what you want to be is by studying those that did it best. You know those images you posted on Tumblr and Pinterest? Sure they may serve as your “inspiration”, but you’re wasting your time posting it when you should be out creating it. It sounds cliché, but it’s the truth. I can attest to this because I’ve been in that rut. And that’s a place I never want to slip into again.
Don’t sit on your butts waiting on the moment. Create your own and make it count. This is another chance to soul search, be as imaginative as you were in your youth, and shooting purposeful art. Go ahead. Create.
Weddings are usually filled with lots of activity. The bride is getting prepared to look her best. Bridesmaids and friends are helping the bride calm her nerves. The groom is basking in manly activity with his groomsmen and friends. But the best part of the day is when all of the activity turns into a display of affection and a memorable experience with friends and family. And that’s exactly how Derrick and Camillia spent their wedding day. Thanks to Angelo Byrd Photography (@anglobyrd) for trusting my vision with this couple’s wedding day visuals. It was an amazing experience. Enjoy.
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