A Job Well Done

I started off the month shooting the Rugged Maniac Obstacle 5K in Petersburg for Gameface Media. I shoot to their cards so I can't show you anything, but they are a great group to work with. I picked up two more contracts with Gameface and for two days in June I'll be shooting the "Tough Mudder" event in Doswell, VA. That will undoubtedly be a good time.

As I mentioned in last month's post, I was supposed to have an engagement shoot on the Eastern Shore at the end of April. We had to reschedule due to late afternoon thunderstorms. We went with our backup date and it was well worth it! We had a gorgeous evening at Kiptopeke State Park and I ended up catching a great sunset on the Chesapeake Bay with Jackie and Matthew. 

Mid-week I shot a National Travel and Tourism Week luncheon for the Newport News Department of Tourism. The event was catered by a number of local restaurants, and concluded with an awards presentation by Mayor Price. "The Gregory Cherry Tourism Professional of the Year Award is given annually to a hospitality industry employee who has made an outstanding contribution in promoting travel and tourism in the city. The Newport News Hospitality Association awarded their 2014 tourism scholarships to students interested in taking or already enrolled in college classes related to travel and tourism or hospitality management." (source: http://www.newport-news.org/files/media-releases/2014-04-02_366.pdf)

A few days later I documented Regina and Keith's wedding day. I had a blast working with them on their engagement session back in March (you can see a few shots in that month's blog post) but this go round the weather wasn't as cooperative. Late afternoon thunderstorms ruled out photos on the golf course at Kiln Creek Country Club. I quickly came up with a couple of ideas, one was a bit on the racy side but when I told Regina and Keith they said, "We totally trust you. Let's do it!"

I knew I was going to use the staircase in a couple of different ways but I needed one more location. I turned and saw an elevator. I pushed the button and the doors opened to reveal a large service elevator with doors at both ends. So I ended up Shanghaiing the elevator for five minutes. By the look of it, you may think I was in the elevator with them, but I was lying in the hallway outside of the elevator. There were about fifteen wedding guests near the elevator and I asked one to hold the bumper to keep the door open and then it was game on. When Regina and Keith got inside, more guests quietly gathered around to watch. I told the couple to close their eyes and do what they would do if they were the only two in the elevator. Then I told Keith to grab Regina's leg and then they really got into the moment. Just as the crowd started to hoot and holler (Regina was starting to crack a smile), I grabbed that last frame.

The middle of the following week I photographed the swimming event for the 2014 Virginia Senior Games, which was held here in Newport News, VA. "The Virginia Senior Games is open to anyone 50 years of age or older. Through a multitude of athletic and social events, participants have the opportunity to display their athletic ability and share common ties and interests with other senior individuals throughout the Commonwealth." (source:http://nnparks.com/vasrgames13/vasrgames13.htm)

The following weekend I photographed Carrie and Joey's wedding. The bridal prep started at the Magnuson Hotel. Before I shot the dress and other details, I asked Carrie if there were any places in the hotel where she'd like these things photographed. She said, "I totally trust you! Do your thing." And so I did. I showed her a couple of detail shots on the back of my camera and her eyes welled up with tears. Mission accomplished. The ceremony and reception were at the Virginia Living Museum. The VLM features an intimate, outdoor amphitheater for a ceremony and the vast expanse of the first and second floors of the museum for the reception. I've shot several weddings and events there and it never disappoints. 

 

The next evening I had an engagement shoot with Randi and Doug. The Noland Trail in Newport News was a special place for them so it was only fitting we shoot there. We hit a couple of places they were fond of and I had a few nearby locations up my sleeve too. We finished up the shoot just in time to catch a great sunset on the shore of the James River.

(In Doug's defense, Randi specifically asked for that shot)

The following Wednesday I shot a little league baseball game. I cut my teeth in photography shooting sports, so I love action. I've shot a variety of professional and semi-pro sports and my goal is to make a child look like a pro! Wyatt's parents now have a great set of in-game, action shots instead of just those boring picture day photos.

From there I rolled right into another outdoor wedding and this time it was at the Williamsburg National Golf and Country Club. I'd just worked with Dough and Randi six days earlier and they were such an easygoing couple. The families saw the engagement photos and everyone loved them. On the wedding day I wasn't just another vendor, I was treated like part of the family. That happens on almost every shoot and I truly, truly appreciate it. During the reception, Randi and her father even took to the driving range to hit a few. Like I said, a really easygoing couple.

A side note on the bridal party photo: Our allotted photo time was winding down and while we were working through a few ideas for the bridal party photo, it was refreshing to know that Doug, Randi, and I shared the same opinion on those jumping bridal party photos. I'd just finished up some attitude shots with Doug and his best man Logan and I just told the girls to jump in the mix and give me some attitude too. Done.

I rounded out the month with another baseball game. Good, good times! I've harped on the they are only this young once / skip the boring photo day / don't settle for smart phone photos thing for a while and it is great to see parents are now investing in those memories. This is why...

 This is what you get with a smartphone.

 This was what you saw in your mind. For an added bonus, the coach behind Pete is also his father!

Next year, Pete will have grown but his parents have great in-game, action images of him at this age forever. He may be a little guy, however, his in-game passion is huge. He especially has an intensity when it comes to base running. You just have to love the expression!

Going back to an earlier thought, I suppose I'm doing my job well when the good folks that hire me tell me to "do my thing" and trust me to do it. I'm rarely ever referred to as just the photographer.  Instead people say, "This is Brian. He's the photographer." That really says something. I'm not viewed as a vendor or just some guy with a big boy camera; I'm included as a part of whatever I'm covering. 

When I have clients, their families, and their friends rave about my work or a bride well up with tears of joy ...it makes what I do not just a job. Then again, to me, photography has never felt like a job. I honestly don't know what to call it. I love what I do and I'm very fortunate to earn a living at it. I suppose it is pretty darn close to living the dream. So here's to the start of the summer and a job(s) well done! See you next month.

Long-Winded April

April is hours away from ending and it brought such a gratifying variety of opportunities. The month started out with a weekend of photographing the annual Civil War reenactments at Endview Plantation in Newport News, VA. I've photographed a number of these over the years; I saw a lot of familiar faces in the camps, as well as on the battlefield, and I had the opportunity to meet some new folks.

This family friendly event is a good opportunity to get a feeling of what life was like during the Civil War. You can roam through the Confederate and Union camps and you typically get a front row seat for all of the battlefield action.

Reenactment of the Battle of Petersburg at Endview Plantation

The following Saturday, at 05:30, I was off to Appomattox, VA to photograph another Civil War reenactment. This was part of the 4 year Long Road Home series of events that, in 2015, will lead to the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse. If you recall your history, it was after this battle that General Lee surrendered to General Grant. 

I was only able to be in Appomattox for the day but I covered camp life, the Battle of Namozine Church, the Battle of Amelia Springs, and I shot until just after dark. I always meet so many friendly and knowledgeable people at these events.  My point of contact for the event was none other than the gentleman portraying General Robert E. Lee. His hospitality was unmatched and very much appreciated as he and his generals laid out the day's battle plans for me. The Appomattox Historical Society has extended me an invitation to photograph next year's sesquicentennial events. From what I understand this event is going to be huge and I'm really looking forward to it!

Reenactment at Appomattox

The battles are always packed with action, but I have to say one of the things I enjoy most about photographing reenactments is the camp life. Before and after the battles visitors are able to roam through the camps. The reenactors are incredibly friendly, the Confederate camps always have "colorful" characters, and the reenactors are always willing to chat with visitors about the who, what, when, where, and why's. The folks who participate are living historians and know far more about the era than what you were taught in school. I learn something new at every event I attend.

I followed up two weekends of Civil War reenactments with shooting little league baseball.

Since we all have cameras on our smartphones, we tend to go for a quick snapshot and post it to social media. The results are...well...you've seen it...usually not so great but we give it a thumbs up on Facebook anyway. After all, it isn't about the photo it is about the moment. Parents tend to overlook the importance of quality images when it comes to sports simply because it's so easy to take a photo and "immortalize" it on the internet from their phone. Down the road, those dark or blurry snapshots are not what you'll want to look back on those times. A parent, whose husband is also the coach, was one of a growing number of parents who are realizing the importance of these milestones in their child's life and are now entrusting me to capture them. I shoot sports of all types and all skill levels; simply contact me for more information.

From baseball I rolled right into two out of three engagement sessions for upcoming wedding clients. The first session, on the Eastern Shore, had to be rescheduled due to weather but you will get to see that in next month's post! I still had a busy weekend ahead of me and my second engagement session was going to be on a nice stretch of beach in Hampton, VA. Ahead of my shoots, I took my pup out to the location I'd scouted and gave her a little time to play in the water.

I had a great time working Katie, Don, and their son for a engagement/family session. The stretch of beach where we were shooting doesn't have a lot of foot traffic like other popular beach locations on the peninsula because it was early in the year and it is a pretty long walk to get there. The weather was warm but water was still pretty chilly and we all came away with soggy feet...but it was totally worth it!

Hampton Roads is packed with all sorts of great locations for shooting. Except for mountains, we pretty much have everything you could want here. The next evening I had an engagement session in Smithfield, VA with Jessica and Brian. 

When people think of photo sessions in Smithfield they typically think of the popular Windsor Castle Park. I like the area and I've shot there several times but I just wasn't feeling the location this day. Aside from the two family sessions already in progress by the barns, the vineyard was bare and there wasn't a crop growing in the field, so I opted for another location nearby. There was great light in an area along a walking trail and since it was a beautiful evening, there were people out enjoying the weather. Jessica and Brian were a fun couple to work with and even a passing hiker joined in the fun...

April was a fun month. I shot a variety of genres and I had the opportunity to work with and meet a lot of great people along the way. That's why I love being a lifestyle and event photographer! 

Coming up in May I'll be shooting the Rugged Maniac 5k Obstacle Course in Petersburg, VA for Gameface Media, an engagement shoot on the Eastern Shore, an event for the Newport News Tourism Development Office, three weddings, the things that always pop up in between, and hopefully a few GoPro shots starting off my 2014 surf season!

A special Thank-You for the hospitality shown to me by the Newport News Tourism Development Office, Endview Plantation, the Appomattox Historical Society, and the 1st Stuart Horse Artillery.