Thank you, Nadege!
It all started over a simple obsession with her newspaper earrings. Me being a total nerd about all things media/journalism/earrings the conversation of course progressed from there, and reached full on fan girl 12 minutes in, when I discovered that Nadege was a journalist for WLRN our local NPR station. I'm sure I made a dorky first impression in all kinds of ways, but luckily it didn't turn Nadege off from offering me all of her contact information and staying in touch. She offered advice and years worth of wisdom just in the short period of time that i've known her. I'm not even sure she'll ever know how uplifting that first talk was for me. I don't have to aspire to be a photojournalist, I can actually be one. Thank you, Nadege!
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I've recently been getting plenty of corporate decor photography jobs. I can honestly say I truly enjoy it. For some reason I find so much peace in it.
I'll travel for any reason. Even a wedding. It was my first time ever on the westside of the United States. I don't know why I waited so long. I fell in serious love. It's such a different feel than anything I'm used to. And the good hair days are the biggest plus. These are my friends Ana and Steve. I've known Ana since she was a baby youngster. So it was such a privilege to be a part of her day. Here a few shots from our weekend together.
What a freaking treat it was for me to get to experience My Electric Heart performing with some outdoor scenery. Not that I don't enjoy the vibe and atmosphere of dimly lit venues with multicolored strobe lighting, while I gamble with shutter speeds and run and gun all around, sometimes a break from that feel is refreshing. And nothing beats what a vacation 6 o'clock sun can be for a photographer.
So enjoy the view. Thank you Balcony TV for letting me bts you. :))) It was the way in which everyone I came into contact with addressed the situation that genuinely solidified my need to be there. When the news broke that the protests had made their way to South Florida, the overall consensus towards them was fear. Whether it was publicly being discussed all over my Facebook feed, or direct personal texts messages from friends and family. I found it hard to find anyone on their side, but more specifically anyone who understood and valued our right to assemble and basically challenge our government with any and all grievances. I'm not quite sure why so many have chosen to forget how some of our nations greatest achievements sit on the foundation of a protest. Our first amendment rights exist daily in our lives. It is not something we need to fear, it is something we need to cherish. It is something we need to actively care for. And acknowledge how much it actually cares for us. At no point did our Miami protesters lose sight of its importance and genuine privilege. I'm applauding them.
"It is our duty to fight for our freedom, it is our duty to win, we must love and protect each other, we have nothing to lose but our chains." - Assata Shakur quote @dreamdefenders I think this show revived me. Or at least changed a few feelings I had going on in me. Maybe I'm alone in this, but for the last few years I've been rather disappointed in South Florida's music scene. As a photographer eager to focus my work on the development of local musicians, I've witnessed a serious lack in support from everyone else. I've noticed more and more artists/bands completely disregarding our area as a stop off for their tours, I've seen local artists make the decision to move elsewhere to find their break, I've gone to shows with a total of 3 people in the audience, and I've seen people get more excited about the Chipotle opening down the block from them, than any events our local venues were hosting all year. I grew up in The Culture Room parking lot. Even before I could drive, I miraculously could make it there on a Wednesday night. Crammed inside, ribs smashed up against the stage, experiencing the kind of closeness with strangers that they have laws protecting us against if we happened to be anywhere else. But we chose it. We loved it. This show brought me back to that. I watched a group of kids come out on a Tuesday night and graciously welcome with open arms one of the best local bands South Florida has to offer. (My Electric Heart) No questions asked. As the opening act, they weren't slighted in the least. And it's given me hope. We are more than basketball, and beaches. We get excited about real things. Things that deserve it. Shout out to Revolution Live for always giving Fort Lauderdale great live shows, but especially for always granting the opportunity for the underage crowd to participate. They are going to be what changes things around here, and yet it's so hard for them to find a place that will let them belong. I think Revolution is playing an incredible role in the revamping of our area. It was truly an awesome time for me. One of those "do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life" moments. Every band did an incredible job. And I'm thankful for the attention they gave our city that night. You all deserved it. My Electric Heart (Click photos for larger view) MKTOAction ItemTiffany HoughtonBut it was these guys that did the best job...
I had a seriously good time photographing The Revolution Games recently this month. It was an entire weekend full of heavy lifting, extreme facial expressions, and at moments even some levitating was happening, all the components of a great photo. But as much as I am very happy with this series of images, it was the CrossFitter that I found myself most impressed with. As much as their strength and endurance is truly something to be praised, it is not at all what captured my admiration. It didn't take long for me to find the heart of this community, realizing very soon that it was each other, and it surrounded all aspects of this sport, and especially me the first moments I joined them. I can't even express to you how right these CrossFitters have it. I almost forgot to acknowledge that an actual competition was taking place here. You'd think they all just got together to help each other reach their specific goals. It was one of the most refreshing moments I've had in a long time, especially regarding humanity. Getting the opportunity to work in an environment where the main and very obvious focus is individual support, was absolutely rewarding. Not a single one of them completed The Revolution Games using their own strength, and they'd be the first ones to tell you that. Well done, CrossFit, what a lovely family you have. Read more to see photosRock with uI love any time spent with Rock with u. My partnership with them is one of the greatest perks I've ever gotten out of just simple networking. I know I talk about them a lot and maybe I've done a terrible job at introducing them or even explaining who they are. Rock with u is an entertainment company based out of South Florida, they employ numerous entertainers, and collectively put on amazing events, and parties. Their clients include The Fontainebleau Miami, The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Clear Channel/Y100 and way too many other big names I could drop. They've changed the world of entertainment. So hire them to host something of yours! Over the course of a month I had the opportunity to work closely with each RWU member, ensuring that they each had a personalized image that would capture their own identity within the company, and still emphasize the core brand of RWU, class, energy, and passion. I love Rock with u. Enjoy seeing why! DancersI will always love the look of light mixed with a haze machine. I can't get enough. I made these girls dance their butts off. And it obviously paid off. Behind the scenesDJ'SI shot these photos in a little place called City of Progress Studios, which you basically can't find on any map. And I probably could never find it again, if I tried. Each room is like its own separate home, which is a photographers dream come true when you have 4 subjects to capture and you refuse to have any part in step and repeat shooting. Truly a one of kind location for me, so thank you to them! Behind the scenesMC'SLet me just first say if you've never been to Jet Runway Cafe, you're not doing life right. It's located on the runway of the Fort Lauderdale executive airport, and on top of having delicious food, it has planes flying in and out while you're dining. It's a serious adventure. So thank you to them for hosting us in their hanger next door. We had an obvious amount of fun working there. Having all access to a place like that is totally unheard of, so we took advantage of it, and spent a few hours there enjoying the luxurious amenities. One of which being Harrison Fords' helicopter. Shhh. Behind the scenesBehind the scenes video shootBack in October through November of 2013, I was given the opportunity to showcase my work for the monthly art show that takes place in Fort Lauderdale's Fat Village. My friends at Cadence did an incredible job at creating a theme that truly sums up my identity in the photography world. They allowed me to express the importance of me belonging to both worlds, the one that allows me to create, piecing together ideas and concepts completely from within myself, and the other which allows me to just capture the reality of life around me. Both being necessary to who I am as an individual and an artist. The experience altogether was incredible, and definitely impacted me, and the future of my art and career. The support I received from the community, from Cadence, friends, and from family, empowered me in such a new way. I have a renewed sense of confidence, and an even better understanding of why these two completely different styles of photography make me a one complete photographer. Huge thank you to Cadence! Rebecca, Gage, and Ashely. I owe you guys so much! Thank you to my dad for the cheese platters, and wine. :) Thank you to my Uncle Jimmy for flying in just to see one of the shows. And thank you to my numerous friends and family that came out and supported me. This would be pointless without you. The Show (Hurricane Sandy documentary featured.) The Wall Street Journal mentioned the show in their followup interview with Jimmy McGovern, on the one year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy. |
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