Rolf and Sam took me up on my neighborhood portrait package

Waxhaw Weddington family and couples portrait photographer North Carolina

Here’s a quick look into Sarah’s bridal portrait session…

Classic styling

Feminine mystique

Soft vintage feel

Arresting vintage movie poster styling

and the dreamy overview

I had a blast meeting everyone at BarCamp CLT yesterday!

So many great ideas flying around and I’m sure what I picked up will improve my creativity and deployment of Make Light Real – my creative journal.  Thanks everyone for sharing!!  And a big thanks to Carlos of Area 15!!!!

I was able to give an ‘Avatar Reboot‘ to anyone who would step into my little photo booth.  You can download your free shot from Flickr on this link<–

Your headshot is free, and I appreciate the link love to http://makelovereal.net – friend me on Facebook – or Twitter!

Here’s the show!

Many of you ask what I do with the head shots, well I make business cards…

Click here to have your headshot made into full color 2 sided Business cards

A totally professional image on your business card has stopping power and makes you memorable to your business contacts – even if it’s only on the back side.  Out of all the business cards I was given at BarCamp only Jose’s card used a memorable image!

Many of you were asking if I photograph families and the answer is I sure do, mostly in a candid way.

Click to purchase The Neighborhood Portrait Package – photographed by Neil or My wife and you will  receive  1 8×10 and 3 4×6 prints of the same image selected from a viewing session at our studio.

Embed the show in your own site or blog….

Embed it in your own site:

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Or use this iFrame

<div><iframe style=”border: medium none ; background-color:3F3F3F;” src=”http://makelovereal.net/shows/barcampclt/iframe.html” title=”Showit Web Slideshow” frameborder=”0″ height=”690″ width=”340″ scrolling=”no”></iframe></div>

Eben decided to join the circus and walk the tightwire for his birthday!

The boys all got to try the various aparatus – but Eben got a big candle to light for his birthday.

Eben held the candle to a nice  balloon  filled with Hydrogen from the  Einstein’s  corner demonstration.

The boys thought it so cool that I could capture the explosion with my camera that I thought I’d offer them this:

The last bang had  Magnesium  in it for an extra sparkle!

Boy oh – we have a 10 year old now.  All my clients that have been thinking about buying an album now’s the time so we can start that college savings program!

Elizabeth is the Principle Flute for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.

I was  privileged  to sit down with her for a head shot portrait session an these are the results.

Elizabeth wasn’t sure what she needed from her head shot portrait session but we convinced her that the business card was a great choice.

Why are personalized professional business cards important?

Here is what happens when you receive 50 business cards in a single night of networking:

• You  can’t match any names with faces, so you forget everyone.
• You  are so overwhelmed that you don’t know who to follow-up with first and end up not touching base with any of your new contacts.
• You  have spent so much time connecting with many different people that you’ve neglected to build a stronger relationship with a select few.
• You  toss them in your card holder, under your bed, within your sofa or ontop of your TV.

How to create a business card that SCREAMS “BRAND ME”!

When you hand out your business card with a classy, personality revealing photograph – people will recognize you and remember you. Your business card is not only how you can make a statement but leave a lasting memory.  The Personal Branding Blog has 9 more ideas for you to make a card that’s effect so read on there:

Purchase your package with sitting fee and 100 full color double sided business cards!

Purchase portrait package and 250 full color double sided business cards!

I did all the art and design for this CD packaging:

Above is the CD cover. Below are the enlargements of the band members: … Read more

I have some of the coolest clients in the world:

Tom and Tracy, searched me out for unique style that would help define their relationship.

Tom was headed to Iraq
… Read more

Sara & Jeremy’s slideshow from Belhurst Castle

Sarah & Jeremy had an  emotional  (men crying during the ceremony) silly (did you see those bridesmaids) and funny (um, ringbearer’s finger in the cake – people eating goldfish) wedding celebration. Entertainment for the night was masterfully hosted by Kevin Colangelo. And is Jamie trying to stalk all my NY weddings, or has she just become the best wedding hair babe in WNY? My wife and I drove up with the family to see friends so Sarah got the bonus as My wife as the assistant photographer. She seems to be sneaking pictures of herself into everyones proofs lately, so if you got one  psychoanalyze  it for me.

• Wedding Location at Belhurst Castle
• Hair by Jamie Lynn
• IPod version music by Jap Jap
• Bridal Jewelry by Something Blue on Etsy

Golden autumn senior portraits

… Read more

We’re new to the neighborhood, so we thought we should give you a special package!

A portrait of My wife and Tia shot by me!

A portrait of Me, Tia and Eben shot by My wife

… Read more

Are you looking for something different in senior portraits?

Then get on your dirt-bike and let’s rock you some cool images!

… Read more

Suzi was our nanny in 2003 and 2004

This image was her favorite from our shoot together and really does sum up her personality very well.

Despite her pension for total adorable cuteness, we were able to work her into a bit of a sultry pose and sly expression!

Suzy wears all the facets of bridal grace with charm and poise.

Neil is available for Fashion Bridal sessions throughout North Carolina including Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington.

You saw their engagement story

Here’s their signature journal.  40 pages for their guests to sign and enjoy.

… Read more

Ever recognize someone the first time you meet them?

Well a highlight of my year went that way when I met my now friend Steve Yates, who was kind enough to let me stay at his home this summer in the Lake District of the United Kingdom.  He’s a wedding photographer in this legendary landscape. and if you’re daring enough to click that link you’ll see some amazing wedding images.  If you imagine me, as a scotsman, and ten years older – well – that’s Steve, a climber, adventurer, and photographer and all round nice guy!  Well, here’s a photo to end my blabbing on:

And his family with whom I stayed in the Lake District

Ever recognize something the first time you hear it?

Well it was the same when Steve had some John Martyn playing the Sunday morning I was headed for the train…We were drinking coffee in the back garden shown above.  I instantly wanted to know who it was, and he informed me – and sent me on my way with a few tracks.  I’d like to pass on his recommendation and this two disk set (available as download also) retrospective for your consideration over the weekend. The album is Sweet Little Mysteries: The Island Anthology The Amazon reviewer glows:

“Martyn has the whiskey-soaked voice of (fellow scotsman) Rod Stewart with Louie Armstrong thrown in, the spiritual intensity of Van Morrison and the jazzy folk sound of Joni Mitchell.  
I’ve never heard anything quite like it. All of his songs are melodic and interesting and some, like “one world,” “small hours” are transcendent and as beautiful as any music i’ve ever heard.”

The history on Martyn goes back through the seventies and I don’t know why he’s not more recognized than he is – cause in my perception he deserves it.  Take a listen with this player:

I’ve now used two of his songs in my slideshows, and we’ll see what else may develop in the future.

A quick fashion shoot:

I shot this fashion bridal project in time for the fall publishing cycle. Which bridal magazine will go a little dark this fall?

… Read more