It feels like I have been missing in action from my blog. Although that might seem like nothing is happening - the honest truth? Life goes a million miles and hour and sometimes you have to drop out of lightspeed to write a blog post. (Nerd humor)

I had the opportunity to photograph some models with clothing from Chloe Lane. This was the first shoot where I found a stylist who helped with hair and wardrobe. More on that another time.

These aren’t the model photos either, those will be post soon. These are some of the detail shots from Chloe Lane. As I was waiting for the models to change and the stylist was selecting clothing I was snapping photos of clothing on the rack. Trying to find some cool mood and detail shots. I think I took some cool photos.

Well, at least the last post until I photograph their wedding in April.  I just had to show off some more photos.  These were at the very end of their photo shoot.  The sun was disappearing and disappearing fast.  And I really wanted a few urban shots.  So we raced over to Exchange Place (of course) and we were able to squeeze off a few frames.

And I really like these.  I love the contrast from the beauty dish which I placed to the side - it is the only light used in this shot.  I love the edgy urban look.  And these were processed in lightroom only.  Woo hoo!

I will be the first to admit - I am not a big fan of studio photography. Yes it has its advantages. You can shoot indoors where weather is nice. You can control everything with lighting and blah blah blah.

But so often the environments are so sterile that they borderline on boring. And you have stupid props or sets that look beyond fake. Or backdrops with the fake bookcase - cause that fools people. Anyway, there are times where you can’t beat a studio environment. I have a portable set up with a portable background and portable studio lights. So I can set up in a garage, living room or wherever.

Here are some studio shots for Jacob & Drew’s engagements. We wanted high contrast high key photos. Bordering on overexposed. I then went into photoshop and turned them black and white (for the most part) added a lot of grain. And they are awesome. (I think I use the word awesome to much. You know - like - whatever…. )

I love to add textures to photos.  I do it sparingly - to much of a good thing and you go overboard.  I like to call it “ugly-fying a photo.”  Digital photography takes pictures that have so much detail and they are “perfect.”

Old photos (from film) often have grain, vignettes and other imperfections that add character and attitude.  So I love to take a digital photo and add some character and imperfection.   Much like holga cameras and pin hole cameras you can create a mood and a style that is unique.

I am saving my pennies for a Lensbaby Composer - a specialty lens meant to take the “ugly” photos.  Till then here are a few photos of Jacob and Drew where I went in and “ugly-fied” with textures from nicholevan and design aglow.

I love a good protest. America’s greatest gift to the world is the gift of protest. In this case the protest was started by my good friend Jacob Whipple. I took his engagement photos and posted them the other day. Well with the passage of prop 8 we decided to protest and Jacob got the whole thing going in a day.

5,000 people took to the City Creek Park and then demonstrated in the street. Here are a few photos from the event. Click any of the photos to go to the gallery of 300 plus photos.