Deepika & Prashanth with Baahu

I met with Deepika and Prashanth and their lovable American Bulldog Baahu on June 24th.  After going over a few locations for their family photo shoot they choose to go with Brick Pond Park for it's rustic wildlife visuals and unique bridge.  Deepika shared with me that they would be moving to a new location where American Bulldogs are outlawed.  They will have family watch over Baahu while they complete their time at the new location.  Deepika expressed her vision for these photos and what they will mean for her and her husband Prashanth.  My job that day was to create a memorable photo session that will carry them both through this hard separation from their family member Baahu.  Although my dog Tobey is not very cooperative when it comes to taking photos, Baahu was a complete trooper!  He was very cooperative, considering how hot and humid it was that day in the Georgia sun.  Here are a few of my favorite photos from their photo session!

Kelley Family Portrait Session

Heather contacted me just days into the new year asking if I was available to capture her maternity/family portraits. She was 34 weeks into her pregnancy and really wanted some memorable photos she can cherish with her family. I was honored to be asked and was excited to capture this special time in all of their lives.

We began our photoshoot at the nature filled Brick Pond Park, I really love having photoshoots there! It has such a rustic feel to it and I always come up with new ideas, it’s never a dull moment there. Heather bought along her husband and her two energetic and well behaved sons. We all had so much fun during the shoot and her sons agreed to take any type of portraits their mother requested as long as they could take some fun silly shots. As you will see below they are quite funny! I especially like the “Bieber” impression photo hahaha.

In closing, I want to wish the Kelley family many blessings during this time and hope to capture their new addition to the family when the time comes.

Here are some of the photos we captured that day!

James & Katrina's Engagement Session

A few weeks ago I had the honor of capturing the engagement session for James & Katrina featuring their daughter Serenity.  They both decided on having the session at Pendleton King Park in Augusta, GA.  I had shot an engagement session there before, but I had never notice the lovely garden there that is just perfect for taking photos!  I really love working with couples prior to their big wedding day.  It gives me an opportunity to not only get to know them better but work with them and gain their trust and confidence.

As we began conversing and walking to our first shot location I asked Katrina where her engagement ring was?  The next few moments were of utter shock as Katrina had realized she had forgotten to put on her engagement ring and had accidentally left it home.  I really care about giving the best images and care to my clients.  So I told her I would wait for her to go back home and get her engagement ring.  In the meantime, I would warm up my photo taking skills on her youngest sister (who was there to chaperon) and daughter.  When Katrina came back we were ready to go.  The rest of the engagement shoot was fun and relaxing.  James & Katrina were really fun to be around and had no objections trying out any photo ideas I might have had whether they worked out or not.

I can’t wait for September when I capture their wedding at The Red Oak Manor in Harlem, GA.  In the meantime, check out a few images from their engagement session! 

Kevin & Natalie's Wedding!

Kevin and Natalie were married on July 2nd at the beautiful Lakeside Manor in Gibbsboro, NJ.  As hot as it was outside that day, nothing could be hotter than Kevin & Natalie on their wedding day!  One can't help but instantly feel the strong connection Kevin & Natalie have for each other.  The term "Soulmates" often gets thrown around too often.  Kevin & Natalie are most undeniably soulmates and I have no doubt that whatever punches life swings at them in the years to come, they'll swing back harder.   Here is their wedding story........

India Day!

Hello everyone!  Back in Mid-August I was hired to photograph the India Day event at the Augusta Maxwell Theater.  Anyone who knows me well knows that I am not only a professional photographer but also an IT professional.  I have found these fields both share a central truth; the learning never ends!  Just when you think you've mastered one area of photography, you quickly realize there is another to learn.  I think that is what keeps me going.  I am not sure I could do something that couldn't provide change or growth.  

Capturing the performances for India Day would be an event the like of which I had never done before.  I couldn't use flash and the auditorium lighting would be dim and constantly shifting for the various performances.  I planned for this event in detail: ...what will my camera settings look like the day of the event? ...how will I know which parts of the performances will be the most relevant? ...how many photos do I need to capture?  Much like shooting a wedding, it's great to have a plan but nothing can fully prepare you for a new experience.  You simply have to be focused and locked in; like a musical instrument, you must know your camera inside out.  

I made many mistakes and learned a great deal with this event.  One takeaway from India Day that will help me going forward is shot selection.  I took way too many photos (almost a movie of each performance!) and the client only needed a few of each set.  Both dance and sports photography require anticipating key moments and working for clarity in difficult shooting conditions.  Clearly communicating with clients about what outcomes they desire from the photography will provide the ability to meet their expectations.  Tying back into what I love about photography, focusing on improvement keeps what I capture fresh and responsive.  The client was extremely happy with my photos and will be hiring me again to capture another event in the coming weeks.  

Without further ado, here are some of the photos....