Blue Eye Media

30 Rock Part II

Just last week I was posting pictures of Baby Mack and bragging about almost rubbing noses with the rich and famous.  Who would have thought that in one week that little posting would lead to this awesome gift.

As I was shooting the Macon Cycling team yesterday, Bryn (baby Mack's mom and Jack's cousin) stopped by to visit her dad who is on the team.  She told me she had a gift for me and then revealed an envelope from Jack McBrayer.  Inside that envelope was this picture - just too cool!  Thanks Jack for sending the picture!   

Sweet Baby Girl

I spent about 2.5 hours with a sweet newborn (12 days old) yesterday morning at her home in Macon.  She weighs just over 6 pounds and is a complete doll.  It was truly a wonderful session.  I don't normally sneak peek this early, but I couldn't resist sharing one picture from our time together.  I'll post more once I finish processing the images. 

IVP

If pizza and beer were health foods I would be the healthiest man alive!  Although they may not be healthy, they sure are delicious.  And there is no better place to fill your belly than Ingleside Village Pizza (or "IVP").  Tina Dickson, the genius behind IVP, has practically branded pizza in Macon.  Her restaurant is one of the most unique and amazing places in Macon.

I recently had the opportunity to spend several hours shooting Tina and her team at IVP (not to mention eating both lunch and dinner there in the same day).  The staff was very gracious in welcoming me behind the counter as I attempted to capture their art of pizza making.  They are truly a well-oiled machine that can function under the stress of a restaurant slammed with hungry patrons.  I probably took around 300 pictures during my time at IVP.  A few are posted below.  Tina said she only needs 2 or 3 for her website - but it was just too cool of a place to only do a few pictures.  You can also see a shot I took during the recent "blizzard" in Macon of IVP by clicking here (its a big file and may take a few seconds to load). 

 

30 Rock

I recently had the chance to rub noses with the rich and famous.  Well, almost.  The adorable 3 month old in these pictures is Mack Bush, the son of Bryn and Eric Bush.  Bryn is cousins with Jack McBrayer, better known as Kenneth Parcell from 30 Rock.  So, although I didn't get to meet Jack, I did see a nice bobble head of him in the Bush's living room.

I had a wonderful time with Mack, Bryn and Eric.  The little guy was very alert throughout the entire session.  We spent about 2 hours in their home late in the afternoon.  The lighting was a little challenging, but I think the final prints looked amazing.  My wife also painted some of the art in Mack's bedroom.  I hope baby Mack will remember me when he is staring on whatever show is #1 for NBC in a few years!



 

Color Game

I found this yesterday thanks to the wonderful world of Facebook.  I call it the "color game" although I think its actually called "Munsell Hue Test."  It's a simple concept, arrange the colors in each row by hue.  You'll get a score at the end.  Lower scores are better.  My first go-round I scored a 31 (which I thought was pretty good).  Then, my wife scored an 8.  Give it a try and let me know how you do!

http://spectralcolor.com/game/huetest_kiosk

Loveshack

I am a bit of a picky photographer.  I won't just accept anyone on as a client.  I've turned away business based on my intuition that our personalities may not be a good match.  I believe that it is important for my clients to feel relaxed and comfortable in order to get the best photographs.  In fact, I don't even really like the word "client."  It seems too impersonal.  For me, it brings up images of pushy salesmen who are only trying to make a buck.  I take great pride in my work.  Whether I am shooting a couple, a baby, or something as simple as a tee-shirt, I want to produce the best possible image.  I invest a lot of my time and energy into every photograph (and the people I shoot are investing a lot of their money).  Although a session may only last an hour, I'll probably spend another three to five hours processing the shots.  For me, every photograph becomes a piece of art.  For my "clients" they become priceless memories.  After all. . .although you'll move, change furniture, redecorate, maybe even have a little plastic surgery to change the way you look, the photographs I take will become a part of your home for many years (probably for the remainder of your life).  And with that, I strive for perfection in my work. 

I recently had the opportunity to spend a few hours working with an amazing couple, Rachel Walker and Jon Lewis.  However, this was a very unique session in that I have known Rachel since we were kids (our parents are great friends and her brother has been one of my best friends for 29 years) and Jon is my brother-in-law.  They are getting married in May 2010 at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church and the reception is going to be behind the Walker's home on College Street. 

We spent about 2 hours on a Friday afternoon shooting at several locations around downtown Macon.  We started behind the Walker's home.  There is a rustic barn that created an amazing backdrop for many of their pictures.  In the photo below I was simply taking a "test shot" to make sure I had all of my camera settings adjusted properly; however, it turned out to be a really good picture (not because of me, but because of Rachel)! 

Jon and Rachel brought along their bulldog "Duke" who actually seemed to enjoy posing for the camera.

The picture above was taken at the Grand Opera House.  There are some great old doors on the fire escape that make a wonderful backdrop.  Again, it helps when the people are as beautiful as Rachel and Jon! 

I think the railroad track shot has become a bit of a standard for engagement pictures.  I though this particular one was nice because as it seemed to capture a very natural (and sweet) interaction between Jon and Rachel. 
The pictures above was taken on Coleman Hill.  This was the image used for the engagement announcement in the Macon Telegraph.

And finally....

If you're interested in seeing more images of Rachel and Jon, you can visit their gallery by clicking HERE and entering the password "26113". 

       

Beginnings

After typing about 5 different intro's for this blog, I figured I'd start with a photograph.  After all, this is a blog dedicated to my business Blue Eye Media.  I think I've placed too much pressure on myself to create the perfect beginning.  So. . .after a nice deep breath I took the plunge, dropped in an image, and am off to the races!  

But this first photograph isn't just any old picture.  It is one of those moments that I'll never forget.  It was August 25, 2007, our first night at home with a new baby (yes, she did have that much hair when she was born).  As we were getting her ready for bed (or so we thought), I was taking pictures and capturing the excitement of our new child.  Most of the pictures during those first few days she has her eyes closed.  But, for a brief moment, as my wife gave her a kiss, she looked up and locked eyes with Aubrey.  It was in that moment that I knew "I can do this."  And thanks to Lady Luck. . .I got a picture!  Although we had posed 100's of shots during those first few days, this is by far my favorite.

Since I'm a proud father, here are two other pictures of my daughter.

So there you go.  The first posting for this blog.  I promise everything will not be of my kid (although a good bit of it probably will since I think she's pretty awesome).  I just figured I'd begin with her since I find a lot of my inspiration from her.  My plan from here is to update about 3x's week.  So keep checking back for new content.