Events

JAZZFEST!!!

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Alright, I usually try not to use too many exclamation marks unless I'm really excited (or emailing a potential bridezilla).  However, I really do love Jazzfest in New Orleans.   It's the perfect mix of my favorite things in life- music, food, friends, and late nights of fun in the Big Easy.   In fact, they say that the best thing about Jazzfest is that when you leave Jazzfest, you're still in New Orleans.  Keri and I went last year and had an amazing time.  This time more of our friends were able to make it and all fit into a 2 bedroom shotgun house Uptown on Magazine street hosted by an amazing newly engaged couple (soon to be the Stedmans). 

Click the link below for more!

We'll start with the music.  Jazzfest is so big, it goes on for two weekends.  It is hosted at the Fair Grounds Race Course near City Park.  There are 11 stages ranging from Jazz, Blues, Rock, African, and Bluegrass music- so no matter who you are, there is music for you.  The fest goes from 11am to 7pm each day.  The beautiful thing there is that you have enough time to get home, shower, and eat before you consider your options for late night shows.  Clubs and bars all around town become flush with musicians all night long.  Most shows start around 10pm, but you do have the occasional 2:30am start time.  Keri and I heard Trombone Shorty and his band at 2:30am last year... needless to say the next morning at Jazzfest was rough.

This year we saw a number of acts during the day on Thursday and Saturday.  My personal highlight was early in the day Thursday when we were at the Lagniappe Stage (very few stages were easy to pronounce).  The Lagniappe Stage was one of the smaller stages, so it was easy for me to walk right up to the front and snap some pictures with my 5d and 70-200mm.  While I was there, I snapped this photo.

In addition to getting a few photos of the Mark Miller Band, I happened to catch a glimpse of something laying in the dirt at the edge of the stage... and it was an artist's backstage pass for the Lagniappe Stage!  It was cool that I found it, but there really was no need for a special pass at this stage.  The crowd was thin enough to get some close up shots. 

However, with a big ass camera, confidence, and something that looks like a backstage pass, you can just about get anywhere.  So our group headed to the Gentilly Stage for Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers.  When we arrived at the stage, we were surprised how packed it was for a 2:30pm show.  Apparently Steve Martin's immense TV and movie fame have been great for his music career.  There were very few spots for us to lay down a blanket, so we settled in toward the back in between a bunch of lawn chairs with a slight view of a big screen.  Once we got situated, I decided to try out my newly found artist pass (for another stage).  I made sure the camera  was in front of me as I charged through the crowd.  I worked my way all the way through to the front of the stage, passing two security guards who had no issues with me.  I jumped into the photo pit (literally a shoelace grab away from Steve Martin)... then I ran into this guy.  Not sure what his name was, but I could tell "you don't mess with Fess." 

After Mr. Fess literally charged at me like a warthog yelling "YOU! GET OUT!" I decided to step out of the pit.  I had a sticker that looked legit, but I couldn't fake the "photo pass" wrist bands everyone in the pit had on.  Luckily all I had to do was step just outside of the photo pit, which was still incredibly close to the stage.  From there I was able to snap these of of Steve:  

 

Steve and his "$500 set list" (an iPad) which included the song "King Tut."

 

 

After Steve Martin, Greg and I decided to take a little cat nap while the girls went to the port-o-potties and to get some food.  Once sound check was over, I jumped back up and headed again to the same spot for Elvis Costello.

There were some other shows we saw on Thursday, including the Paulin Brothers which was followed by a parade of the Paulin Brothers.

And in addition to these great bands, we also saw Blues Traveller in the blues tent (of all places- I know!).  This was another one where I just walked right up to the front with my large lens and no one argued.  It was awesome.

Now that you've seen the music photos, up next is the people, food, and city...

Masters 2009

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Yes, sadly it says "2009" above.  I made the dumb mistake of passing up 2010 Masters practice round tickets because I couldn't find anyone to drive out there with.  In retrospect, I should have made the drive by myself and met up with my parents who were livin' it up in the IBM cottage with free food and drinks...  I know.  Dumb. However, I do have some photos to show you.  Because I didn't have the blog up and running this time last year, I figure I can share some of the photos I took from the 2009 Masters' practice round.  As you may know, the practice rounds are the only days where they let anyone in with a camera (but still no cell phones).  There's no real competition that happens other than a few side bets I'm sure, but all the players have a good time hanging out with each other and generally interact more with the crowd.

I guess the Masters crew is also a little more relaxed during the practice rounds as well... and as always- click on the pictures to expand them.

 

 

 

 

As part of the "crowd interaction" players often attempy to skip the ball across the water on #16.

 

 

"Do we really need to keep score during practice rounds?" 

 

 

 

I couldn't tell if the make on this lawnmower said Gillette or Norelco:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Wedding Book Widget

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Neat-o!  For those unfamiliar with what a widget is, it's really just a neat little toy that bloggers use on their site.  And this little guy displays books that I've designed!  See below for a preview of the book I did for Celina and Jesse Campion last fall.  I don't have any orders for more books as of right now, but when I do I'll show them off here.  :)

Natalie Perry and Keri Mercer (the younger one)

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The weather last weekend was amazing here in Atlanta.  Though fall is my official favorite season, Spring is a close second...

And starting off this spring was Natalie Perry's baptism on Sunday.  You may remember this beautiful baby from this post last fall.  These photos were taken from the second row at the Clairmont Presbyterian Church as we were considered "VIPs" for the occasion.  Though we didn't get backstage passes, Natalie was definitely a rock star (if you can say that about someone in church). 

 

 

Apparently Natalie loves bath time and was intruigued by the holy water. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later in the day Keri and I went to her niece's birthday party.   I think it would be an awesome goal in life to have someone name their baby after me- and my girlfriend already has that.  Keri's niece is Keri ("baby Keri" as she is referred to, though I can't imagine she'll like that nickname in her teenage years).  She turned 6 on Sunday and had a massive cake that looked like it was straight out of Fern Gully:

 

mmmmm cupcakes....

 

 

 

Sidewalk chalk is always a messy, dirty, pant ruining  fun bday present.

 

 

The birthday girl:

 

Bianca:

Photo Booth!

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Our good friend Greg turned 28 last weekend and his wife was clever enough to come up with the gift that involves snorkeling or scuba diving at the Georgia Aquarium with sharks, stingrays, and the like.  It's a pretty awesome idea and I know he's excited.   To celebrate this surprise gift, we threw him an ocean themed birthday party. I just happened to have purchased a new Westcott Apollo Softbox and black muslin backdrop recently, so I figured we'd try a photo booth out.  People at the party were weary at first, but with a few blue punch drinks and some water-themed props, they loosened up quickly.  Here are the best of's starting with our good friend, Curt:

 

 

Erin:

 

Greta:

Chris and Greta:

And Keri and I (not ocean-themed).

Help-Portrait Today!

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Today is Help-Portrait! I'm blogging on-site to give all 3 readers of my blog an update. Things here are going great! I'm at the post-processing table for a while working in Lightroom. It's been so much fun getting to meet and talk with photogs from all over Atlanta.

Most of the families we're taking pix of are associated with Families First Midtown. Families First is an organization that helps families with everything including foster child adoption, family counseling, helping homeless new mothers, and a number of other issues. It's a really awesome organization that helps all over Atlanta.

We've had a bunch of families through here getting their pix done. Overall the Atlanta Help-Portrait is expecting.400+ families at the 5 locations. There are definitely some cute kiddies around here.

That's all for now. Hope to have some behind the scenes shots up next week!

My Cousin's Wedding

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Over Thanksgiving, my family and I had the opportunity to  stay a condo on the beach in Florida for the whole week.....  Needless to say we had a lot of fun with countless parties (and countless rum drinks). In addition to Thankgiving with the family, we were excited to be there and take part in my cousin Ceci's wedding.  Though I wasn't the official photog, I was able to snap a few shots of "getting ready."  I also snapped a few from my seat at the wedding.   Here's what I got that day:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adita & Luis:

 

Mariana & Tina:

 

 

The ring and dress detail:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Help Portrait - December 12th

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I'm on my way to Amelia Island right now with Keri and her dad.  Kind of neato that I can do a blog post in the car (I know I'm so out of touch thinking this is a new concept). I wanted to post about my recent news that I've signed up for Help-Portrait Families First in Midtown Atlanta.  Help-Portrait is a way for photographers to give back to their communities.  On December 12th a number of photogs all over the world will be participating in finding families in need, taking their photos, printing them for free, then delivering them.  I think it'll be a really fun way to brighten these families' lives around the holidays.

Check out the video below.   You can see more info at www.help-portrait.com and it's not too late to sign up to help!  I think Atlanta alone is host to 5 Help-Portrait locations.

Also, if you have any interest in sponsoring a family for $10 (to cover the cost of prints), here is the link.

http://www.help-portrait-atlanta.com/donate/

 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ar8IxUsxR8

Alice and Rob - Rehearsal Day

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Alice was referred to me back in December by her sister Tina, whom I work with.  When I saw the couple had a website, I clicked over to it and was like "hey!  I know that guy!"  Rob and I apparently went to high school together.  I think he was president of the drama club, back when I was a freshman and thought drama club would suit me well (I was very very wrong- I can't act worth crap).  So when we all met up to show them my portfolio, he and I were able to catch up on old high school friends.  It was a nice, laid back introduction for me. This wedding was in Pensacola, FL.   I'm not gonna lie, I was stressed about this one.   It was a beach wedding.  Normally, I would think a beach setting for photography would be like shooting fish in a barrell.  However, I was a little more stressed about the timing of the ceremony.  The couple planned the ceremony just before sunset.  They knew the sun went down at 7:27pm.  First I heard the ceremony would be at 5, then 6, then when I got there it was 6:30.  My photography friends knew just one hour to squeeze in the ceremony and formals afterward would be way tight.  However, the ceremony was short and sweet, the subjects knew to hang around, and I had Keri at my side helping to bark out orders and poses.   Fortunately, we got all the shots we needed even though a few clouds rolled in toward sunset.

Aside from being a little stressed the day of, I loved the location shoot.  Keri and I got to hit the beach the day of the rehearsal and she got more sun on the wedding day while I took the "getting ready" pictures of the girls.  It was a fun vacation for Keri and I that paid for itself.   Now I just need to find someone getting married in Italy that wants to take me and my assistant along...  suggestions welcome!

Rehearsal Day:

Of course, the best use of a flower girl basket... sand.  Also- check out the depth of field on my new Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L !

Everyone in the wedding party wrote their own wedding tips to read to the bride and groom.  Of course the vulgar ones were the most fun to hear in front of the parents.   :)

Unintentional twins:

Eric and Suzanne Balint

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Eric Balint and I have known each other for almost 20 years.  He and I grew up on the same street in Marietta, GA.  When I heard he and Suzanne were getting hitched, I jumped at the chance to shoot their wedding.  I think they did a fun thing by just asking a couple of friends to shoot the wedding.  That way it saved them some cash while also having a set of photographers who already knew the MVPs of the wedding party.  Sometimes that inside knowledge can help a photo guy like myself. 

I had just shot my sister's engagement pictures before their wedding and wish I had prepared a little more for Suzanne's Bridal portraits.  Because Suzanne and Eric are such sweet laid back people, they didn't ask much of me nor want me to work too hard on their wedding day.  In retrospect, I wish I had shown up 3 hours earlier, brought every bit of my equipment, and put much more work into bridal portraits because Suzanne looked so beautiful!   But then again, I wasn't about to get in the way of their plans because I know even the most laid back weddings are still very busy.  Plus, I think I shoot better with a camera in one hand and a beer in the other.    Kidding!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Of course she made the album.  :)

 

 

 

 

 

Poppy's Wedding

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So these pictures aren't from my "Poppy," but from my boss's dad.   He recently was remarried at a small ceremony in Duluth, GA.   For this shoot, I was paid in italian food rather than dollars.  :) We had a fun time.  I've never seen a priest laugh through a wedding ceremony, but when you read bible verses to a 72 yearold that say "there comes a time when a man must leave his father's home..." and "may you be blessed with many children..."   I guess he couldn't help but laugh.   No worries, everyone else enjoyed themselves too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sean... in Italy