“Your camera

takes really great pictures.”  I hear this every once in a while and it makes me laugh on the inside.  While my camera is a tool, it doesn’t replace the knowledge I have of photography.  It would be like telling a chef, “your pans add great flavor to your food”, when it had more to do with his knowledge and experience with cooking.  In comparison, photography is the same way.  There is a recipe for each photo, which is a combination of aperture, shutter speed and ISO, matched with composition and humor to draw out natural smiles and emotion. [Humbly speaking]

Simply put, a more expensive camera isn’t going to make you a better photographer.  It takes fundamental understanding of both light and your equipment, creativity and lots of practice to become a better photographer.  The more expensive cameras, such as the Nikon D700 and the D3 variations allow you better quality results in lower light settings, such as with weddings where you might find yourself in a dimly lit church without the ability to use flash.

My advice for becoming a better photographer is to first find inspiration and then get out and shoot, a lot.  In doing so you’ll learn your camera and develop your own style.  You’ll discover what works and what doesn’t…for you.   I remember back, taking countless photos of my cat, Dracula, he was so patient, haha!  Maybe I’ll introduce him later.

Need inspiration?  Try Flickr

Do you like to read?  I suggest The Moment it Clicks by Joe McNally

Need a camera? I wrote this a while back.  Buying a DSLR


Sarah 2011

This weekend, friends of ours from Seattle stopped in for a visit on their way to Florida.  John just got back from 12 months in Afghanistan.  It always nice to mix good food with good friends.  It’s going on 7pm and I thought I’d start editing Sarah’s photos before going back on the road again tomorrow.  I’ll leave you with a few of my favorites.

Kansas City Portrait Photographer

Sarah 2011

Twenty Seven

I’m stranded, the little one is napping and I was pleased with what I found when I uploaded my camera cards from this weekend.  I couldn’t resist putting this slideshow together.  This was actually my first attempt at maternity photos and I’m quite happy with the turnout.  I’ve been spending some time looking at a lot of maternity photos, trying to get an idea of different poses and such and while I remembered a few, I’m so glad we didn’t end up with alot of the typical shots.  Plus, these show their own personality quite a bit..simple, happy, creative and free spirited.  Thanks to Christine of Two Saints Winery for allowing us to use their vineyards and best wishes to Kyle and Mandy for a healthy baby!

On the road

First and foremost, I’m thankful to have my awesome (and growing) family behind me, you mean the world to me.  I couldn’t be where I am today without you.

Room 911, looking over the city of angels, watching the sun disappear into the ocean, inspired.  Music inspires me and invokes thought and creativity.  It provides cadence and a motivation to reach the finish line.  Finding my place as a photographer has been a journey that often times feels like a race.  Never before have I had this type of creative outlet but it needs to be refined and given direction.

A niche..

That started in the confines of a red room among a decayed Kansas City artist’s space and is what eventually led me to this point.  For the better part of building my portfolio I focused on nothing and shot everything.  With the few random wedding inquiries earlier this year, I’ve been on the fence trying to decide if I wanted to be a wedding photographer.  So instead of saying no, I’m going to start saying yes!

It’s a blessing to do what you want to do.  I’m going to roll with it, have fun and work hard not because I have to, but because I want to.  I want to see where this road takes me.  Surprisingly I’ve already booked a destination wedding in the Keys, and a local wedding in Parkville.  Not to mention, my wife (aka Alissa) is making the couples wedding cake!  It’s really an honor to be chosen and trusted to capture a couples memories.  So for now, I’ll leave you with the last 18 months.

F a c e b o o k