A long time coming...

So after turning down countless people because of all the stress that inherently comes with the job, I have finally given in and started scheduling weddings. I am definitely keeping myself limited, but I have to admit there is a certain level of excitement from the whole process. I shot my first engagement photo session this past weekend, and even though it was freezing cold, it has been a blast. I am looking forward to shooting the same couple in the spring when it warms up and greens, and this summer for the wedding, but we had to do a quick session because of a need they had for some images.

Here are just a few of the shots we got in spite of the conditions. =)

angellstudios.com

Bank Dedication

It was a beautiful day for the dedication (almost 60° at the end of November in Kansas—Wow). I had yet to walk through the building, so when I arrived on site before things kicked off, I got the grand tour.  It was truly a beautiful bank that seems to have been very well thought out of the needs of the community it serves.  

I took a bunch of candid shots of the shareholders enjoying their first experience in the space, but the most exciting shot came with a group picture of everyone there.  The city brought in a new bucket truck, which was an impressive piece of machinery.  They closed down half of the highway running alongside the bank and hoisted me up into the air.  I coordinated the movements of the group by communicating with a ground crew via radio to get the perfect shot. 

New equipment and a fun weekend.

I was able to get my hands on a new off camera flash this week, after the death of my previous unit a number of months ago.  I have enjoyed the past few days getting to know a new friend that will serve me for years, I am sure.  The new flash is the Canon 430 EX II and brings a host of new functions and controls that will enable me to achieve lighting techniques that I never have before.  

With the new flash comes a great opportunity to throw it into real world practice from the get go with an event this weekend.  I am being brought in to shoot a branch opening for the Community National Bank.  It should be an exciting shoot with my new flash (plenty of people inside the bank to photograph as the dedication takes place) and a group picture outside the building with around 200 people.  Ill be up in a bucket truck thats being brought on site to get up above the group and coordinating the organization of the group by radio to a ground team.

I'll post pictures when all is said and done. =)

Kyle Blake album available on iTunes!

Just a quick note to let you know that Kyle Blake's album, Holding doors, Pulling Out Chairs, is now available on iTunes.  I did all the photographic and design work for the album, and it is definatly worth the download.  Head over and have a listen here.

Education and Inspiration

Today I attended a conference with hundreds of photographers from around the Kansas City area hosted by the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), of which I am a member, and Adobe.  

It was simply fantastic!  I got the opportunity to learn from one of the top photographers in the country and was able to meet creative professionals from some of the biggest names in the business.  It was encouraging to sit in the room and be familiar with everything that was being discussed in regard to photoshop.  Thats not to say that I would consider myself the all knowing photoshop guru =), but it was great to at least be familiar with all the techniques discussed.  My education in photoshop began years ago and after all that time I was able to walk into the Kansas City Convention Center where advanced techniques were being taught and feel completely capable of accomplishing everything that was discussed.  

Today was more than merely educational though.  It was inspirational.  I got to see the cutting edge techniques being developed by the industry, by the people leading the charge.  I was able to see new ways of using tools that I had never considered before and powerful adjustments that could be created and combined in photoshop to create powerful images.

Needless to say, I can't wait to get out with the camera and start shooting!

Kyle Blake - Holding Doors, Pulling Out Chairs

It was so much fun to handle the photography and design work of Kyle's entire album.  I was so pleased that we were able to achieve the specific mood that Kyle desired.  Work began by listening to Kyle's music.  Starting with the message he was conveying though his voice, and working from that point on a visual concept allowed us to create artwork that accentuated the message, not flashy visuals that detracted from it.  By approaching the project in this manner Kyle was not only able to speak to his listener's through his lyrics, but also on a completely different level with them visually.  

We wanted to create a warm, intimate feeling with this solo album because of the honest and deeply personal lyrics.  

I'll say it again.  It was a blast!!! Be sure to check it out on iTunes (available soon) or pick up your own hard copy by emailing kyleblake5@gmail.com for details. 

-Gavin

NEW NEW NEW!!!

AngellStudios.com becomes the new face of the business I have pursued for a number of years at gavinangell.com.  I had to be patient to acquire the domain, but eventually I was able to obtain it and with the new name comes a new face.

A beautiful flash interface and professional merchant solutions now enable me to run my business closer to the way I have dreamt about since I first brought my work online.  

Stick around for more updates as I continue to make adjustments to the site and begin this blog space.

-Gavin