comfort zone begone
Hello world!
Late winter and early spring in the years past have typically been a slow period for us. Outside of speaking at WPPI, PPA and other seminars I seem to mostly shoot for myself, start new projects, finish projects that have been long over due or just lay on the sofa and watch Coen Bros. or Tarantino flicks until I have them completely memorized or the beer runs out. This year seems to be a bit different though( I didn’t even find the time to watch True Grit!) I have found myself busy shooting more portraits and commercial type work than ever before. I’ve even been hired by several music groups in the past couple of months to create some conceptual PR images for them which is forcing me to step out of my photographic comfort zone. What I mean by “photographic comfort zone” is that I have really gotten used to showing up at a wedding and flowing with the day and shooting what makes itself available to me in my style and composition. Shooting these conceptual projects force me to create the moment, create the light, create the mood and relay the message of the subject. This is stepping outside of my comfort zone; and it feels great! I haven’t been nervous about shooting a wedding in years. No matter what happens, I got it. This other kind of work makes me as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rockin’ chairs! But then I remembered how good it felt to be nervous and feel that inspiration and drive pushing me to the next level. Somewhere I wouldn’t have journeyed had I not stepped out side of my comfort zone.
A couple of weeks back I had an outdoor, spring, airy, soft light commercial/fashion gig slated for a Thursday. A company that makes uber fashionable hair pieces and bridal accessories Fine & Fleurie had hired me to photograph her products with my vision. So i was thinking since it is spring time in Asheville we would go out into the blooming cherry trees with some beautiful afternoon soft light and create some soft beautiful images. Funny how the weather here in the mountains can push you into plan B or C or D! The forecast was partly cloudy with a 10% chance of precipitation. Boy did the weather guys miss that one. It poured all day! Thanks Brick Tamland. (did everybody get it that is gonna get it? Ok moving on) Since my client was out from out of town a reschedule was out of the question. So, with a saw in hand and a trailer on the back of the rover I started following in the footsteps of George Washington. I chopped down some cherry trees and drug them into my studio and made my own forest. Face; mother nature! All of the real talent that I pulled together for this shoot was starting to arrive; my models for the day, Trecy and Morgan; oh my! my stylist and amazing dress maker Brooke Priddy of Ship to Shore , Zack with Makeup at the Grove Arcade, Danielle with WestOne Salon, and my always trusty assistant Kelly G. 7 lights, 4 trees, some bird cages and a plate of sushi later, we were making images. I couldn’t have done it without this amazing troop! Here are a few.
In the next post I want to share some of those music oriented images. Stay tuned…
ALSO, there is a whole new gigantic gallery of images under the inspired tab!!
Keep on clickin’
Parker J
Goodness, these look even more lovely than I could have ever anticipated- thank you again and again for your enthusiam and impeccable work!
“Yeah, there were horses, and a man on fire, and I killed a guy with a trident.”
…..seriously, Parker….amazing images! Thank you for sharing the creative journey with me. No artist has ever inspired or challenged me more to the creative possibilities that are around me!
ADORE the light and the entire concept. My favorite attention to detail, the shadow of the free standing bird cage. That’s just the cheese on the macaroni.
I really like the soft spring feel of the light images . the dresses look beautiful and even throw the ladys are beautiful i still looked at the dresses. I think the winter bride in spring tells a bit more of a story.
thanks for sharing.
again i love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love everything about this shoot! Amazing work!
your immense talent is such a glorious treat to be able to witness. wow. just such a gift
Wow! Thank you Kristi! Beers soon?
Hey Parker J. This work is amazing. Well done sir. The lighting/shadows are amazing. Very inspiring to say the least. If this is out of your comfort zone then maybe you should spend more time there so the rest of us can enjoy looking at the work.
Thanks Jerry,
I would love to do this stuff more and I hope too! Thanks again!
okay I’m dying to know who made the dress for the 5th picture down???? I can’t find any clues anywhere and but I love it
Hey Christine!
Thats easy! http://www.shiptoshoreshop.com/