Charlotte | Amberwood Media Group

All in the Family

A special family portrait gives us memories that last a lifetime. Way take chances with your photographer? Contact me if you’d like to arrange a time to shoot. I’m available weekends and some evenings, by appointment. Email me.

November 20, 2023 | Categories: Family, Photography | Tags: Charlotte, family portraits, North Carolina, photography, portraits | Leave a comment

Tell Your Story

How’s your personal brand coming along?

When building an image, whether for your dating site or your comp card or your album cover, ask yourself: “What story do I want to tell?” Lots of people can take a good picture. How many can capture the real you?

You only get to make one first impression.

Make it count.

Let’s work together. I’m based in Charlotte NC, but shooting across the region. Evenings and weekends, by appointment.

August 20, 2020 | Categories: Commercial, Fashion, Photography | Tags: album cover, brand, Charlotte, fashion, image, musician, North Carolina, photography, portfolio, portrait | Leave a comment

Image

Ideas for shooting Nature Next Door

In the shadow of a global pandemic, there are many things we can’t do. Always the optimist, I ask: what’s still possible?

With my camera equipment staring me down and another gorgeous North Carolina spring pouring through my window, an idea sparked: what about using this time to capture nature next door? Everything here has been shot since the US pandemic measures began in late March, which in local terms, is week 5 of the lockdown.

Here are my ideas for building your nature portfolio in a way that’s socially-aware, in keeping with current COVID-19 guidance to stay safe and away from others:

Take inventory; when it comes to nature, what are your nearby options and preferences?
Think flowers;
Thinks leaves in sunlight;
Think birds;
Think rain (especially after it rains, if the sun emerges);
Think combinations of the above (extra credit);
Grab a long lens, I like to say 100mm or longer, for the best bokeh;
Consider a tripod, especially for isolated but highly mobile subjects like birds; personally I find tripods a burden, but the difference in sharpness is visible;
Set aside a full 60 minutes; my days are blurring together so waiting for free time may defer your creative pursuits;
Be opportunistic – the best shot may not be the one you’d planned;
Go more than once – 2-3x per week? – using takeaways from the prior shoot on the next one;
Stay in public spaces – street, curb or sidewalk – and be sure to choose subjects and views that stay within public space; legal guides for photographers say as soon as you point your camera toward somebodies yard or house, they could claim privacy issues – and nobody wants negative energy;
If you’re determined to take a picture of a beautiful dogwood or azalea in someone’s front yard, just ask them – they’ll probably say yes, especially if you offer to send them the JPG
Get your images clean in camera, fewer edits saves time and brings peace of mind

And of course, the COVID-19 overlay:

Travel alone
Honor 6-ft social distancing at all costs; there are lots of joggers and dog-walkers out there!
Mask-up, it’s the right thing to do (but the colorful biker or ski versions are more fun)
Say hello, and ask folks how they are – it goes a long way

Share some of your ideas and progress. Let me know what’s working! And watch for more images here, on Instagram and Pinterest. Be well, and stay safe.