I was thinking today (dangerous, i know) that, at this time of year, many of my clients from way back in the year may wish to have some files for Christmas purposes.

I don’t generally sell files for portrait work… but I’m changing that at the new year. 

As a bit of a “closeout” special here at the end of 2009, I’m offering four small file packages before all the older sessions get archived and go into secure storage. In fairness, my current clients are included as well! Here’s the deal.

Until December 25th… you can order any of the following packages. Just head over to your gallery at www.slpclients.com and check out what you want. If you don’t see your gallery, or if your gallery was from the older collages.net site and you’d like a new one… email me and I’ll set you up. Once you’ve figured out what you want, see below and adjust as per your budget:

• “Facebook Special” - Entire Session - Low-Res Files (for facebook/email/web) on disc - $125               
• 1 File - High Resolution also w/Low-Res File (for facebook/email/web) on disc - $100               
• 5 Files - High Resolution also w/Low-Res File (for facebook/email/web) on disc - $175              
  
• Entire Session (proofs) - High Resolution also w/Low-Res File (for facebook/email/web) on disc - $250

All files will be as seen in your proofing gallery… i.e. color corrected, artistically treated, basic retouching. They can be added to your cart in your gallery by going to the “STORE” (at the top right of your gallery) and selecting your chosen package under “DIGITAL FILES”. In the cart there is an “add order instructions” box. You can put your chosen file names there or just email them to me.

These are priced way below what they are worth, so take advantage of this pre-2010 special while you can.

Again… any questions? Email Me.

So… here are two more for your viewing pleasure.

An abstract (long exposure):

and some more moving water at an old abandoned dam near my home (also a long exposure):

Cheers!!! Shelby

Well, you’re right. I love shooting people (lol) and always will. But, this time of the year is the slow season for an on-location shooter like myself. As such, it allows me to follow some other interests that I normally wouldn’t have time for. You see, I also do some work in architecture (I have a degree in architecture… two in music) and love form and composition. Often, when shooting portraits and weddings the moment drives the photos. I try extremely hard to also compose shots artfully in those moments… and usually succeed.

But… Landscape photography gives me the control I often wish I had when shooting portraits/weddings.

Simple as that. 

I also LOVE the outdoors… so landscape work serves a double whammy for me. Lastly, this works improves “the eye” which is always helpful, no matter what the subject is. Here are a few new shots from the past few days.

Sunrise from this morning:

“Landscape Blur” abstract… long exposure with intentional camera movement. Subject was some Miscanthus with light filtering through from camera left.

Long Exposure: Rocks and Water (fluid and stasis):

Cheers!!! Shelby

Continuing my newly enacted ritual of attempting to take a daily walk in order to clear my mind and give me a chance to practice landscape photography… I took another photo-stroll today around the neighborhood greenway. I love that there is a trailhead within a block of my home and that I can explore such a compelling area so conveniently. I took my two oldest kids and shot for about an hour or so roughly in the 30 minutes before and after sunset this afternoon.

I have to admit… a rather uninspired hour… but I did come away with a few shots that I thought had potential.

an old dam just under highway 99:

photographing buildings roughly 30 minutes after sunset leads to some beautiful light:

Cheers!!! Shelby

I can’t believe it.

I’ll try to keep my words to minimum here. Cole and his family are truly dear to me. They are affable people who care deeply about fine photography. They are the kind of clients that just let me “do my thing”, and I believe all four of Cole’s sessions have been great due to that fact. They understand that the modern consumer’s battle cry of “I want it yesterday” just isn’t applicable all the time. I love them for that! 

It doesn’t hurt that they are such a physically beautiful family as well, lol.

As before, we met at Cole’s Grandmother’s home between Murfreesboro and Woodbury. The weather couldn’t have been any better (75 Degrees in November!) and the trees’ colors were still hanging on for dear life. 

Fantastic.

CHEERS Cole! Shelby 

So, I’ve started something new.

In an attempt to spend more time outdoors, find a few more moments of peace in this hectic life, and (yes) work on “seeing better”… I’ve started going out and about in the early morning and just, well, shooting. My goal is to come back after an hour with two, maybe three shots that have artistic potential. From that point, I may or may not decide to work on the shots further (in the computer). The exercise is just that… exercise.

Only, this time it’s visual and mental.

I’ve also decided that I’m going to post some of these shots regularly just to “mix it up” here on the blog. I also have a wwaaayyyyy overdue fine art project for a friend that I’m trying to get back on track and there are a few more components that this practice will help with… as I want to do more of this work in the future.

Today’s shot: Rocks abstracted amidst water. Super slow shutter speed leads to water that looks like silk.

Lilly and her sisters make for one beautiful gaggle of girls… and I always love going and seeing them. This time the older girls (Emma and Maddie) even had some pictures of me drawn when I arrived, lol. We spent the morning shooting in various combinations of Lilly and the girls and ended up with a neat assortment of shots… some of Lilly just being “cute little Lilly”… some of the Maddie… some Emma… some of Emma and Maddie…

You get the idea. 

I’ve said it before that I treat my Baby First Year Plan more like a “Family First Year” plan. It takes a village, you know, and there’s no reason why an artistic lifestyle photographer should shoot the first year as if the baby is the only one in the family.

That said… this shoot was mostly a “girls’ first year” shoot. What fun!

BABY DIMPLES!!!!!!

There’s something special about this shot that really moves me… it’s so dynamic and peaceful at the same time.

Cheers!!! Shelby

I’ll clarify. I’ve been a photo-generalist for several years now. Weddings. Seniors. Commercial. Maternity. Family. Infants. Architecture. Surgery (yes… surgery, lol). You name it, I’ve shot it. Last year, on my “free” weekends, I began second-shooting for Meishach Moore of Meishach Moore Photographers. He loved my work and personality, so this year I’ve been shooting as an associate for him… and as a second-shooter on my “off” weekends. 

So… If you want me to shoot for you… I can, but under MMP’s name. Ok, that’s out of the way.

I know Kevin pretty well. We worked together for a year or so while I was still employed full time in architecture. He’s artistic, creative, and one smart dude… frankly, I was a bit gobsmacked when he asked me about shooting his wedding. I completely respect him as an artist and having me shoot the wedding was a bit intimidating. I met with him and Marie and quickly came to realize what a great pairing they were going to make. They’re both laid back… and were pretty quick to establish that they wanted thoughtful, timeless coverage. No gimmicks. (yay!)

All I can say is that the day was about as perfect as could be. Other than being a bit cool, the fall colors were really coming alive. I originally conceived of shooting this whole wedding “in black and white”. Kevin and Marie were cool with that, but the colors and subtle tones of the day just made that impossible. There were mild overcast skies most of the day, making for some very soft light. It finally got sunny when they left. Perfect. The venue was fantastic (St. Augustine’s Chapel on the Vandy Campus). Understated. Elegant. Oh, and cupcakes with milk. Kevin and Marie were both cool headed and seemed, most of all, content with the decisions they had made. I’ll admit they got me choked up a few times during the day. Revisiting the photos today to get this post together did the same. I had the talented Sionnie LaFollette as my second-shooter/assistant. She rocked it as well. 

Congrats Marie. Congrats Kevin. Congrats Guys!

CHEERS!!!!! Shelby

All that aside, their wedding was ultra cool. A tidy ceremony surrounded by family and friends… and a reception with some of the best reception music I’ve experienced. Apparently Linda and Andrew have connections in the local music scene.

In the end, though… it was a great day for two very “in love people”. Thanks guys for letting me be a part of it!

… and possibly one of my favorite wedding images I’ve taken. Technically not perfect, but you can just FEEL the emotion.

CHEERS!!! Shelby

Like several seniors I’ve shot this year, she’s from Riverdale HS. I’ve really enjoyed shooting so many people from there (and hope it continues!)

We shot for about 2 1/2 hours around Murfreesboro… the square, the library plaza, the campus school greens, you name it. As always, I tried to find new and interesting twists on some of the various locations I know throughout Murfreesboro. Kacy was a real trooper. We walked a lot and she stayed calm and cool. Her mom was along as well and kept things light and fun!

In the end… a fun session and some fantastic photographs of a lovely young lady (with some killer blue eyes!).

Thanks KACY! 

We actually shot the next one from the other side in another shot (so that she was shaded from the sun), but I thought it might be neat to actually shot a shot with her mom acting as “assistant”… BTW… moms, friends, boyfriends (whomever) always become “assistants” on my shoots! 

Cheers!!! Shelby