the WEDDING

so, i shot my first wedding as a "pro" for a long time friend and client. it was a small intimate affair that i shot with fellow photographer nicky motto. i can't begin to express what a real honor it was to help the couple capture this moment in their lives. the brides daughter officiated the ceremony which added to the sense that i had been invited into a very special family moment. that impression increased both the gravity and honor as i focused on photographing the moments i hoped would best capture the meaning and spirit of the day.

all that said - one of my favorite shots of the day was the one of a lady sitting at a table one moment after her date had stood up to hit the buffet again. i shared it on facebook and twitter to get people's impressions... the responses would have indicated anything but a wedding - in most cases the antithesis. gave me an interesting lesson on "capturing" an event versus a feeling or emotion.

my hat remains off to full time wedding photographers - it's extremely fun and demanding work.
greatest irony of day was the fact that the bride kept saying to me - "you don't REALLY want to be a wedding photographer do you?"

well deborah if they were all as special as yours - i'd be honored to be one!

cheers!

the SHOT BEFORE THE STORM

squeezed this shot (for an upcoming real-estate ad) in before the weather moved in this morning... i just love it. over 14 years ago, david stinson was probably my first client in this business. he's been a fantastic friend and client ever since.

cheers.

the CUTEST GIRL

outtake from today's shoot - phoebe was the greatest little model... could not help sharing a quick setup shot of her scene.

cheers.

cheers.

the NOT SO LAZY BOYS

i had the pleasure of documenting LAZY BOY's gift to AUGUSTA URBAN MINISTRY for LAZY BOY's P.R. firm. LAZY BOY donates furniture it receives through its trade in sales to the AUGUSTA URBAN MINISTRY for its work with families in our area. the youth from a local mentor program came to help unload the tractor trailer full of furniture. GREAT CAUSE and a wonderful way to spend a morning.

more here: http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/07/23/ric_541653.shtml

cheers.

the LESSON

teaching about blogging.

the KINDRED SPIRIT

about 2 miles or so up the beach from our place is a NC nature preserve named "bird island" for years it was separated from sunset beach by a shallow inland waterway which meant you could only wade there during low tide. in 1997 a storm filled in the waterway leaving "bird island" an easy walk down the beach at anytime of the day... i'm sure this has somewhat discouraged the nude "naturalist" that used to enjoy that end of the island. three things catch your eye as a notable departure from the otherwise pristine nature setting, an AMERICAN FLAG, a BENCH and a MAILBOX.this is the mailbox for the "KINDRED SPIRIT." for at least a couple decades... maybe more, people have read or written messages to the kindred spirit via this humble mailbox partially hidden in the dunes of BIRD ISLAND. nobody can quite explain exactly who or what the KINDRED SPIRIT is - but to try is probably missing the point. it really doesn't matter who i think others think they are writing to in that mailbox - it only matters who I think i'm writing to - if anybody. sabrina, the babies and i walked down to visit bird island yesterday. it is truly a beautiful area. i sat on the bench and watched sabrina and the kids splash and play for a considerable time while i read a few entries written to the KINDRED SPIRIT. some notes were half a page and some several pages. there were request and petitions for help in these times, there were also references to the beauty and solace of this preserve. it was peacefully and refreshing to sit in that place.

after finally deciding (like many others) my "kindred spirit" would be GOD as i have know personally from my youth and leaned on for strength and creativity and peace, i walked back to the mailbox to add my own note...

08/07/09

THANK YOU.

brent...

the SUNSET

on vacation - means i don't have to write... but i still shoot. running around sunset beach, nc with my old D200 and a SB-600 half the day then and old RB67 with a polaroid back for fun other times. love the minimalist approach even tho i filled the back of the jeep with cameras a light i might not even unload - we'll see. another medical shoot when i get back on monday - spent some time brainstorming last night. now that i have a plan i'm really looking forwardt to the shoot. but first - spending time with jack and brenda for a couple days and then looking forward to dinner with my aunt and uncle saturday night. good times.

cheers,