Category Archives: Photography Locations

Old Car City USA

Feb
11
2013
by Jessy | 0 Comments

This past weekend I packed up and headed to Old Car City USA in White Georgia.  It’s about 6 hours away but well worth the drive.  I love my cars, and I loved this place.  There are acres of cars and random buildings.  There are cars with trees growing through the grills even!

Everything is for sale or trade, but I would just pay the extra and take your camera for a few hours and enjoy the experience.

*Please note, a few hours will far from cover the amount there to photograph.

Being from Florida now, I was not prepared for the 37 degree weather, but once I saw the place I just could not leave.  Dean, the owner, was very nice and gave advice upon entering and didn’t rush me out the door when I was late to go.  There was a lot of crawling over vehicles and under trees to get to some decent shots that I wanted but the entire experience was more than worth the time and effort.  I left feeling cold, dirty, and very tired, but I am ready to go back, for a few days.

 

So many things and so many opportunities for more photos, or something to buy and fix up.  you can still see the glory in what once was of these amazing cars.  I know there is a photo workshop coming up that RC Concepcion has been talking about.  I would message him and find out the details to go.

While you are there keep your eyes open for amazing HDR opportunities as well as any other edits you can do to increase the dramatics of a photo.  With cars and shooting, the secret is in the details.  I can only hope that I get a chance to make it back out to Old Car City USA some day soon for a few days….

 

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The Importance of Sunrise

Sep
03
2012
by Jessy | 2 Comments

A few weeks back a co-worker of mine was in town.  He really wanted to get out and do some photography but it rained every day!  We finally decided to do sunrise at the beach in hopes that we could get some done before it rained, and it worked!  I am not, normally a morning person but due to the afternoon and evening rains we tried.

The light was amazing and we even had a few surfers out to use as subjects.  Once the surfers saw that I was using them some they even tried to pose a little and ensure they were lined up for the camera so that they could be in the shot and help me out.

We used an app called TPE on my android to line up the sunrise and the pier and it really worked!  We would not have been placed better if we had tried.  The light coming across with the pier in the shot gave an added subject for some dimension.  As much as I hate to admit being a beach girl this is probably one of my favorite places to photograph, especially with my ultra wide Nikon 12-24 lens to get the clouds in.

The pier always adding that extra calming piece in any photograph is just want I need.  shots from under the pier are one of my favorites though this morning I finally got one I truly loved!  This one will be printed and hanging in my office or studio soon I am sure.

Just take my reminder of sunrise as a reminder for yourself and get out there in the early morning to get some fabulous shots!  Then you can of course take a nap in the afternoon, I won’t laugh.  If I didn’t have a full time job that I had to be at that afternoon, I would have taken a nap.

Thanks again for reading and have a great day!!

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Event Photography Coming soon!

Sep
01
2012
by Jessy | 0 Comments

Apparently I did an OK job doing photos for my company back in June.  They have asked me join again and the Orlando conference to not present this time but to be only IT support and Photography.  In Denver I presented and actually surprised myself with how decent the scores were.  Orlando will be a different sort of crowd and more urgent photography needs with the images due to the live blogging that will be done.  I’ll post images once it’s complete!

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My First Engagment Shoot

Jul
18
2012
by Jessy | 0 Comments

A few weeks back I was able to do my first engagement shoot!  I knew this couple previously, I use to work with him and then he went to work for my husband for a year before moving on to bigger and better things.  I adore them both so much and was excited when they emailed and asked me to do their engagement photos.

The two didn’t want the “posed” type of photos and I was given strict instruction for no “glowy” or sepia processing.  This is something I like to ask as I know everyone has their own tastes.  They have to live with the photos in the long run so they should be processed in a way that they appreciate.

We started the morning at a fantastic coffee shop here that they frequent (and wow am I thankful, it’s my new favorite place!), then headed over to a building that had a lot of graffiti and then to a park.

These two had a lot of fun.  To get rid of the “posed” idea I had my husband with me to help me, but also to have someone else that’s not pointing a camera at them to chat with.  They were  telling jokes and just being them.  While they have their sweet moments they also have a lot of fun times that they are playing around and even making fun of each other.  I wanted to be able to capture both types of moments for them because its what truly makes them click and makes them “them”.

About an hour into a 3 hour shoot she made a comment that all of their photos were going to be the funny type of photos, but this is easy to think when you don’t notice how sweet you can be sometimes.  They had the sweet times between the goofy moments that I was so happy to capture, we were able to get the sweet loving photos without doing posted images and making them uncomfortable.

 

I wanted to get some shots of the engagement band, but being my first engagement shoot I hadn’t had many opportunities to try different things to find what worked.  Spur of the moment she said, “lets put out our hands to show my ring”.  It worked perfect.  It’s not the super posed type of look but it shows off the ring and still comes across as a very sweet photo.  This is definitely an idea for future shoots that I will be stealing from this bride to be.

I took this image into OnOne and used focus to slightly blur everythign but the ring to help it stand out a little more.  I tried this photo in black and white, but liked the color much more.  Definitely a keeper!

There are many more, but check the “Portraits” section of the site to see them, not always enough room just on the blog.

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Album Cover Images – Sound of One Hand Clapping

Jul
10
2012
by Jessy | 0 Comments

A few weeks ago I had the oopportunity to go to Denver for my company and shoot even photos.  You can read about the amazing opportunity that they gave me on my blog here.  While I was there I was able to stay a few extra days and stay with my cousin, back in the day we were great friends.  Our families did everything together and shortly before I moved to Florida she moved from the piano to the guitar and singing.  Even then I was amazed with her talent.  I am so happy she kept it up and has formed a band.  They have some great music, if you are looking for something new check out Sound of One Hand Clapping on Reverbnation.  If you want more information on them or are in the Denver area and what to keep up on their upcoming shows then like them on Facebook.

Erica and Dan asked me to do a photo shoot that weekend for album covers of their upcoming release.  I was absolutely ecstatic to do something like this for a band, and especially my cousin.  She is such a talented individual it was a great feeling that she thought enough of my photo work to ask something like this of me.  This was one of my very first portrait type of sessions and I’m thankful that it was them.  They are both so easy going and laid back, we were able to just have a lot of fun and not do too much posing other than what they wanted.

Maybe I’m crazy but I think the images came out great just by talking with them and having them talk to each other and have fun rather than trying to get the perfect posed shot.

All of these photos were  of course shot in color, with my Nikon D7000.  I switched between the kit lens, my 105MM and a 12-24.  Any black and white conversion was done post processing in Lightroom, or photoshop.  I did also use On One software for a few things, just because I am very specific about what software I use for what and when.

Even after completing the shoot and going back I was almost nervous to drop them on my machine and see what they really turned out like.  Having not done my portrait shots and it being so important for them I was just worried.  I had scheduled to go hang out with my parents for a while so I left Erica (my cousin) with the SD cards and my laptop so she could load them and go through them.  When I got back and saw how happy she was that before editing she saw images she liked it relieved my fears.

Going through and processing the images I found a new love for this kind of work.  I had such a great time taking the photos, and they have become some of my favorite to process with all the personality that they each have.  From this I shortly after accepted a gig to do engagement photos for another set of friends I have.  Those photos have just completed processing and are out the door and in their hands.  I have even agreed to do a wedding this upcoming week.  I have found a second shooter to assist and am more excited than nervous.

Peter Hurley taught us at G+ Photographers Conference that when shooting portraits you are 90% therapist and 10% photographer.  I think I am loving that combination and having a great time.

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MECLABS Op Summit in Denver Colorado

Jul
06
2012
by Jessy | 1 Comment

June 11-14 of 2012 MECLABS hosted the 2012 Optimization Summit in Denver Colorado.  I have the wonderful opportunity of working for MECLABS as the Senior Technical Manager at the Headquarters in Jacksonville FL.

MECLABS is such a supporting organization that they requested I be one of our staff members to attend the Op Summit this year.  I was to have 1 bonus session of “Crossing the Technology Divide: How to diagnose and troubleshoot your IT/Marketing Relationship” on Wednesday in the afternoon.  I arrived in Denver Monday morning and worked through Thursday afternoon at the summit.  Of course I provided some IT support with any internet issues and other items.

My two priorities while at the summit were of course my session but then, photography!  How often do companies with multiple locations and near 150 employees notice their employees hobbies enough to give them opportunity to apply them in the work place?!??

This was not the first time they have requested my photography skills, but the first time that I was taken to such a large and important even to be the on sight primary photographer.  We have another staff member who is responsible for video, but not the photography.  I feel so honored to work for such a company.

Check with your own company if you are currently employed, see if they have any events that they may consider….

 

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Google + Photographers Conference – Sergey Brin and Project Glass

Jul
04
2012
by Jessy | 0 Comments

The Google+ Photographers Conference was full of surprises and great speakers from start to finish.  While sitting in a session with Scott Kelby I do not believe any of us knew what was coming when he said we had a surprise speaker in 20 minutes.  Everyone session wrapped up a little early and everyone headed to the main auditorium.

Everyone was surprised when Google came out talking about Project Glass and all the great things they had been doing with it.  There was even some pictures shared of the audience themselves and a photowalk that happened using the glass itself hours before.  The announcement and updated information was a pleasant presentation and great information.

Then the moment hit, Sergey Brin himself walked onto stage.  I am not one that usually gets wrapped up in the “I met the CEO of X” but everyone was amazed.  The G+ marketing team themselves was so amazed and please that Sergey took the time out of his day to address the crowd that formed together using a product from Google themselves.  ( Many of us have been on twitter, facebook, and Flicker, but face it, we have not formed the community of photographers we have now on any other platform)

 

Sergey gave a great speech and answered several questions about Project Glass and many other items going on with Google.  From the outsider perspective, it was nice to see someone in his position so excited about the company he is with, the potential that still remains, and the users they are serving.

Sergey was wearing the glasses himself and took a few images during the presentation.

I hear the glass prototype is now for sale….there are some amazing things they can do, but they will only get better and cheaper.  What else would you expect from a company that keeps pushing the limits.

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Google + Photographers Conference

Jul
02
2012
by Jessy | 1 Comment

The Google+ Photography Conference in San Fransisco is now over, I do hope they are already planning for next year.  The conference itself was not expensive, the travel from Florida and the hotel is what cost the money.

The conference itself was amazing!  I learned a great many things about different media and different ideas and ways to get involved.  Jeremy Cowart had his keynote with a G+ hangout and Moose Peterson was making jokes as always.  The media show that Jeremy gave us of the drawing to video was really quite impressive!

 

Then of course we had Lindsay Adler doing a full session on Fashion photography!  Lindsay had models on stage with her, the lighting set up, her camera, assistants, and everything was tethered to display on the big screen above her.  To instantly see and better understand what she was explaining really was the polishing factor.  Many of the things she talked about are on her blog but to see them in action gave a whole new meaning to the many things I have read.  It’s hard to find people that will just let you point lights at them in different ways all day to understand what she is really describing.

No matter your level of photographer from armature to pro, I think it brings a whole new perspective to your life when you get to watch someone else work and really understand their process to use any tips and tricks they have yourself.  There’s many things each of us do to make our lives easier that we don’t even think of when teaching another person.

I firmly believe Peter Hurley stole the show!  He came out throwing t-shirts and hats…he was jumping around and super excited.  He walked through his issues when doing head shots and some of the things he does to assist his clients.  He was very clear that each person has to find what works for them.  I thought that insight was great as many people tell you what to do, they do not take into account that what I may be comfortable with, you are not.  I was so involved and riveted through his presentation I did not get any images, glad it was posted to YouTube! Peter Hurleys Presentation

 

The last night was an epic keynote with Trey Ratcliff.  Trey was interviewed by Scott Kelby and the interview responses did get a little dark and concerning.  This is the way with Trey, he looks so deeply into the meaning of the technology and future.  It is always amazing to listen to him speak his thoughts as it gives you another perspective that you never had.  Trey is such an open and honest person it’s amazing he has become as well known as he has.  Many people that are honest to the level he is are often much more hated than Trey, it’s fantastic the following that he has created just by being him.
Each and every presenter did an amazing job and was so personable.  Between sessions you could find them walking around and many would come right up and speak to you if you didn’t go to them first.  Though there were many people around everything was friendly and looking to meet everyone else there.  I have never been at a conference where people offered to let you use their camera that was worth thousands, or lenses, etc.  It was such an open and sharing environment that was created that way by the work from Kelby Media group but reinforced by the speakers themselves, then even those attending.

If there is another one next year, I hope you go, I’ll be there.

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Orpheum in Kansas and Buddy Guy Concert

May
09
2012
by Jessy | 2 Comments

This past weekend I went back to Wichita Kansas to a Buddy Guy Concert.    Buddy was great and had many humorous stories to share with us as well as a great couple songs where his son came out to play!  His son was fantastic as well!

The Orpheum in Kansas is quite an amazing place.  The building is so old and run down.  They are working hard to restore the entire theater and are doing a great job.  The details around the entire theater are so dramatic!  The seats are old theater seats that need some work but they will get there.  This is a shot from the corner of the mezzanine looking over the crowd below.

 

All the old lighting displays had orange light bulbs placed in them that gave the main theater this glowing red color that was fantastic.

As you can see there was so much detail in the windows, ceiling and even the front the of mezzanine were dramatic and great additions.  I did walk down to the front to look back and see the entire theater and was amazed at the look.

Check out the site for the Orpheum linked above and if you see something interesting and have a chance to to attend don’t think twice.  This is a great venue and has fantastic acoustics.

Check out the pics and let me know what you think.

 

Another shot from the mezzanine looking down the right side and to the stage

 

 

 

The front/corner outside with the marquee displaying the announcement of the Buddy Guy show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Side shot from the mezzanine showing the red color and railing for safety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is from the front looking up under the marquee at the lights and patters.

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Use What you Have

Apr
29
2012
by Jessy | 0 Comments

Today on G+ is SacredSunday.  There are many themes for each day of the week and I try to contribute when I can because it’s great to get the feedback on images and to continue learning.  I didn’t have much to contribute today but I remembered the great ideas so many others always have.  Many times the images are created with the smoke from incense, flowers and vases around the house, etc.  They always have such great ideas and I have never been able to really put things together like this, so today was my day!

I tried to think of what I had around my studio that would work for this theme and how to mix and match to make a great photo and something that would work.

I have this great little bistro set I purchased a while back that has some words and sayings painted on the top of the table and stools that say “Everything grows with love”, and “a dream is a wish the heart makes”.  I thought this was very inspirational and would work….so now how do I make it even more perfect for a sacred sunday…something that will make it pop.  Thinking I remembered my necklace that I always wear, people tend to think it’s a cross.  It’s actually a cut out from a spoon and is a dragonfly but the wings do make it look like a cross.  I took it off and put it on the bistro set to see if it would work.  I was quit impressed with what I had put together!

With the cross from the necklace the wonderful inspiration from the set it was perfect!  I moved the necklace around between the words, on the stool, on the table, etc.  I took about 50 images using my NikonD7000 and my Nikkor 105MM macro lens.  Using this lens gave great clarity to the images but was so tight on the subject that I found myself standing on the bistro set to get some distance.

I think the images turn out rather well.  This just goes to show that with anything you have on or around you current location you can make great images and things that will not only inspire others, but yourself as well.  If you have tried this before, post some links so that others can be inspired by your story.  If you have not tried this, then go out and try it today, don’t wait for something great, make something great!

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