warm weather images for cold winter nights

Greetings,

With the weather getting colder and the days shorter, I thought that it would be nice to post some travel-themed snaps from my recent trip to Nassau in the Bahamas. This is in no way intended to torture those of you living in the Northeast…but more to provide therapy as we enter into the long winter haul. During these cold, dark months, I try to remind myself to embrace the winter's charm by engaging in cold weather activity and noticing the unique beauty that is abound during this time of year. Truth is that there is still a part of me that would rather be sitting on the beach watching the sunset! ...that's where these pictures come in.

I gathered them while exploring with Kenny during our down time:

We begin at sunrise…...then back to bed for a few more hours of sleep!!!

We decided to leave the comfy confines of our resort atmosphere and head into Downtown Nassau for some urban shooting...

urban sniper shots...

...and an encounter with a hook-handed pirate pedaling rum cakes.
...then back to Paradise Island.
this is in and around where they filmed the latest Bond film, Casino Royale, The Executive's Club.



sunset is upon us...it's getting interesting...


How low can you go?? This guy was serious about his limbo...notice the flames??
...interior shots from in and around The Atlantis Resort.






self portrait with 15ft sharks swimming over my head.
...and finally, my picks for favorite pics...




What an amazing experience!!! A super huge, mammoth thank you to Kenny Kim for inviting me to work alongside him on this project. It was both a joy and an honor. I'll be posting images from Jina & Joe's wedding real soon, so check back often.

Well my fellow blog-vember-ites, that concludes this installment. I want to wish you all safe travels and happy times during the Thanksgiving Holiday. There is so much to be thankful for...

All the Best,
t

Elevate 2

So this past week I got an email from my good friend Garrett Nudd. Something to the effect of "Hey tomas...hope you're well...it's been over a month since elevate 2 and I'm still waiting to see the images you captured." "Wow", I thought..."it couldn't have possibly have been a month ago!!" Truth is that it's been over 6 weeks already!!! Incredible how the time gets away from you.

So what is elevate 2 (you may be wondering)?? Elevate 2 was a gathering of some of the industry's most promising up and comers. For three days, we talked shop, photographed beautiful people in beautiful places and got each other fired up about what we do. It was bliss!! Elevate 2 was held in Orlando, Florida and hosted by the incredibly gracious and talented husband and wife team of Garrett and Joy Nudd. Their attention to detail was unmatched...nothing was overlooked. And the supporting cast...a virtual who's who of the biz. A very special thanks to Gene Higa and Ann Hamilton, who came in from San Francisco to spread their infectiously good groove. To Mr. Zack Arias, who is one of the most accessible, down-to-earth guys I have ever met. To Curt Littlecott for opening up his studio to us. I cannot describe how inspired I felt to be in his presence in the environment that he created. If you're ever in the Orlando area, look up Nu Visions Photography and pop into their studio/gallery...you won't be sorry. Thanks to Lori Barberly for taking the time out of her day to hang w us. To Andrew and Rachel from LaCour in Atlanta who came to demo the exciting new Shoot Q that they have so brilliantly been manufacturing over the past few years. Congrats guys...all the best! And to all of the attendants...onward and upward. STAY FIRED UP!!

If you're a photographer...I don't care what you have to do...get to Elevate. Dooooo it. You won't be sorry.





Here are some snaps from Zack Arias' One Light Workshop. The tagline for One-Light..."Better Living Through Lighting". How great is that?!?!? Those of you who know me know that I'm a closet lighting freak. This year has been huge for me as I have begun to incorporate more lighting into my events. Workshops like Zack's have given me the confidence to do so. Thanks again bro...you keep doing what you're doing and you will have your Rolling Stone cover. No doubt.




Thanks for reading guys!!!

be well,
t

"Make Light Real" Seminar w. Neil Cowley & SUNSHINE!!!

Hey Blog-World!!

Just coming off the heels of an amazing workshop held right here in Rochester w. lighting guru Neil Cowley. What a great experience!! Neil is a super-accessable guy who encouraged us to pull from within and trust both ourselves and our environment when approaching a shoot. The technical focus of the workshop was lighting...hence the title "Make Light Real". We learned about contrast, color temperatures, equipment, surveying a space and the like. We touched on processing techniques, workflow, actions and other technology-related applications. But the most important lessons, in my opinion, came by way of philosophy and approach. The biggest lesson that I took from the experience...

"You have not begun to reach your potential as a photographer."

The path is open-ended...therefore, a specific destination does not exist. This rings true not only in photo, but in all aspects of life. Stay open-minded...listen to the cues around you...be adaptable...always believe that the best is yet to come. Don't ever accept complacency...always demand the most from yourself and your expericence. Thanks for re-inforcing that Neil!!
I was fortunate enough to share this experience with a small group of talented, encouraging photographers. Rachel Gracie hosted the event at her studio in the Park Ave. Area. Thanks Rachel,for your hospitality...I look forward to getting to know you better in the future. Scott McQuarrie and Tim Forbes made it all the way from Canada for the event. It was a real pleasure meeting you guys - stay in touch!! Lou Gonzalez of Steadfast Designs and, of course, my man...Mr. Erich Camping. We need to do more of these events in the future E...they recharge the batteries and get the wheels turning.

OK...a couple of photos...
Neil and Erich looking over some images...what's with that scarry fuzzy thing you're holding Neil??Inside Rachel's home...what an amazing abode!!Rock Star Headshot captured by Neil...One more thing to report....

IT'S SUNNY IN ROCHESTER TODAY!!! I REPEAT...IT'S SUNNY IN ROCHESTER TODAY!!

I was beginning to think that home would look like this forever:
I won't jinx the weather by saying that it's turning for the better...but it just might be!!

I hope this finds you all well. Remember you can subscribe to this blog by entering your email in the fancy little subscribe box on the right. C'mon...you know you wanna!!

All the best,
t