As I drove out to Rogersville, it was time for the first wedding of the season.   My game plan was cycling through my head, but it never turns out the way that I envision it.   I get to the drive of Samuel Cedars and pull in, grab the  equipment out of the car, and so it begins.   We had a wonderful day, and the weather was perfect for photos.   Here are some of the images from the first wedding of the year.

Ryan&Leeya096, originally uploaded by W.K..

There is a spot on an old gravel road near Montauk State Park where you can still get red cream soda, beef jerky, wooden nickels, picnic baskets full of BBQ, and Model A rides down to Ashley Creek.  This spot is called Bo’s Hollow (Click Here for More Info).   This wonderful place is where I got to work with the amazing couple, Ryan and Leeya, we got to spend the morning exploring this little town and creating some great images.  We even took a moment to eat a brisket sandwich down by the creek.   Below are some of the Highlights from the day.

Doula Foundation Charity Print, originally uploaded by W.K..

ARTcetera was a charity auction held by the Doula foundation.  I was asked if I would donate a photograph for the event, and of course I said yes.   My wife is currently doing her internship with Success Naturally Yoga Center, whose founder is also a founder of the Doula Foundation of Mid-America.  I could tell you all about the Doula Foundation or I could let you find out straight from them, so if you would like to find out more about the Doula Foundation of Mid-America.  Click HERE.

We were able to attend the event on April 8th at the Savoy Ballroom on Commercial Street in Springfield, Missouri.   If you have never been to the Savoy Ballroom (Click Here to Check it Out) it is an amazing old building that has been remodeled and turned into an event center. Many artist  donated work and many companies  donated items for the event.   The event was full of people and many bids were being placed.   I got to see and hear from many artist in the area and look at their amazing work.  The charity raised $40,000 that night and I just hope my print was able to help add to that number.  I was honored to donate and will be looking to do more charity work in the future.

Here we are at the event.

Sheona011, originally uploaded by W.K..

After traveling back home to Salem, I got to photograph Sheona.  It was a full morning of shooting, we traveled to many different locations so we could get many different looks.  She even gave me the chance to photograph my first monster truck, I will never forget that.  Take a look at some of the highlights from the session.

Jordan003, originally uploaded by W.K..

I got the opportunity to photograph my first Male Senior Subject, his name is Jordan, and we got to shoot in downtown Springfield.  We started in Founder’s Park and made our way to a back alley behind some lofts.  We had a good time and got to spend a couple of hours hanging out and capturing some images.  Here are the highlights to the session.

Just Over the Skyline, originally uploaded by W.K..

Going back and looking over the goals from 2010, I see that only a few were reached.  I did get the facebook page up  for the business, and I did continue my portrait business.  I shot 4 weddings last year, 2 senior sessions, 3 family sessions, 3 engagement sessions, and 1 modeling session.  I will push to surpass those numbers and accomplish the rest of the goals below.

2011 Goals.

1.  Get Over 5,000 blog views.

2. Create a small gallery show.

3. Shoot more portrait sessions than last year.

4. Get Model Mayhem setup.

5. Attend a Photography Workshop.

6. Donate some photography to Charity.

Now it is time to get to work.

Buried – 64/365, originally uploaded by W.K..

Week number ten has came and went, were we got buried, in the cold, looked through a James Bond peephole, a birthday dinner, a barren land, some frozen traffic, and a great partnership.

Brrrrrrrr! – 65/365

James Bond Peephole – 66/365

Thanks Wingstop for the Birthday Dinner – 67/365

Barren – 68/365

Frozen Traffic – 69/365

A Great Partnership – 70/365

Down the Barrel of a Snoot – 57/365, originally uploaded by W.K..

Week number nine is in the books and you will look down the end of a snoot, the light of doom, snow day preparations, the sun arrives, preparing to cook, taking it to the next level, and a snowy walk.

Light of Doom – 58/365

Preparing to be Snowed In – 59/365

The Sun Is Here! – 60/365

Preparing to Cook – 61/365

The Second Level – 62/365

A Snowy Walk – 63/365
 

Working on Stock Photography – 50/365, originally uploaded by W.K..

Here is week number eight, you will find some stock photography, before and after the snow storm, hitting the courts, game day and the snacks involved, and then a late night on the road.

Waiting for the Snow – 51/365

It Has Arrived – 52/365

Hitting the Courts Again – 53/365

Gameday – 54/365

Gameday Dip – 55/365

Late Night on the Road – 56/365
 

L1.6, originally uploaded by W.K..

I have just recently purchased four of Ed Verosky’s EBooks and have found them to be very informative.  The first is Flash Photography, in it he list a series of lighting techniques, which I have decided to try to work through.  My wife has also agreed to help me out which, I am completely grateful for considering she has told me repeatedly that she is no longer a model.   I owe her a lot especially after the first session which was straight on flash with a wall behind the subject.

This style of lighting is usually avoided if at all possible, because you get harsh shadows behind the subject and it is a very unflattering light. The only modifiers that I was able to use were a grid, a snoot, and a reflector. I used the grid and snoot to create a vignette around the subject and also allow me to control the light more. I decided to fade the photos in post, just to give a more vintage fashion look. Please leave any comments below, I would love to hear from you.