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Britt & Tyler: A Bull City Wedding

 

There’s nothing I love more than the Bull City.  Okay, maybe a couple of things, but not many!

One of those things might be a great wedding, so when you combine the two I’m one happy camper.  So was I ever excited to shoot this wonderful couple last month, just several blocks down the road from my house.  Literally.  BLOCKS away.  I could almost have biked.  Although I’m sure some of you would pay money to see me try to juggle two camera bags, a tripod, a monopod, and all my other gear while riding my bike, I decided against it.  Perhaps in a year or two.

A beautiful ceremony at First Presbyterian Church, followed by a hard-to-beat reception at Bay 7 over in the American Tobacco Campus.  I could go on about the lighting (unique & beautiful), the amazing cupcake cake (smelled so good it almost made me want to give up veganism and take off with one), the incredible photographers (nothing beats leaving with new friends), or the entertaining dancing, I know you’re all really here for the video.  So let’s get to it!

One Year Lived– Adam Shepard Book Release

I have been keeping this one close for a while now, and am excited to finally be able to share!

I have known Adam Shepard, author of Scratch Beginnings and The Best Four Years for a while now, and if there’s anyone who could pull off a year-long trip around the world and write a compelling book about it, it’s him.  So I wasn’t surprised when he did just that.

His newest book, One Year Lived, just officially released this past week.  For a sneak peek, check out these promo videos!  Unfortunately I was stuck back here in the states while he was traveling so there’s no original footage.  I still think you can get a pretty good idea of the adventures you’ll be able to read about once you buy yourself a copy of the book.

Enjoy!

Check out his speech/book reading from the April 13th Book Launch!

YES. WE. CAN.

When our school’s Music Director came to me with a vision for a video that would show at this year’s Black History Celebration, I was at first hesitant.  I watched the original Will.I.Am version and was intimidated by what it would take to create our own MJCS version.

But then I thought about how powerful the final product could be for our scholars, their families, our community, and really everybody.  To see the faces of the very people that Obama was speaking about, speaking to, and aiming to inspire sharing the same message.  Wow.

After hours upon hours of editing, I still get goosebumps when I watch Caleb sing the words “There is nothing false about hope”, and when I see the innocence in Jabari’s face as he says “Yes I Can”.  And all of them collectively, put together, just reminds me how important this work is, and how important  it is to keep them in mind when we make decisions about what the future of this country looks like.

YES. WE. CAN.

Now the next step is the day when we can make a ‘Yes We Will’ video showing how we’re living that message day-to-day, and the day when we can make a ‘Yes We Did’ video, showing off the results of what happens when people consistently make the hard choices that lead to real change.

Pin Durham

Taken by the talented Frank Myers.

In 2012 Durham was selected as the 8th Most Creative City in America by The Daily Beast.  I prefer citing The Atlantic’s list, however, as they named Durham the #1 city for Designers and Artists.

At the time that list came out I had just joined the brand new co-working space in downtown Durham called Mercury Studio.  I quickly discovered there’s something pretty powerful about working in a space that’s full of other creative-minded people, regardless of the diversity in work they’re doing.  While much of the time is spent with everyone working in their own spaces, there are still plenty of amazing organic conversations to be had about all of our work, none of our work, and how our work can collide into other cool projects.

Needless to say, I love it here.

And this winter they decided to host an awesome art collision project called Pin Durham.  Based off of a similar exhibit in St. Louis called Dart St. Louis (which encouraged local photographers to represent their city with pictures based off of a dart thrown at a map), Mercury Studios decided to host a Bull City version with their own spin.  All artists were invited to participate.  We were then blindfolded, spun around, and given a pin to stick in a map of Durham.  Wherever it landed was your ‘spot’, and in two months your work would be on display at the opening reception.

This past Friday it all came together into an amazing collision of photographs, paintings, collages, a short film, writing, and combinations of all of the above.  If you missed it, don’t worry!  They’ll be keeping all the work up for Third Friday this week.  Stop on by!

*All pictures taken by the talented Frank Myers*

 

 

2012: It’s a Wrap!

One full year in business, and I couldn’t be more excited to write this post and share this video.

It’s certainly been a busy and crazy year, but I am so thankful to have shared in so many beautiful weddings in 2012.  And while a picture may be worth a thousand words, a video is certainly worth a thousand more.  So I’ll spare you too much writing, and get straight to the very best of 2012 :)

Reception Highlights

While the reception always makes it into the highlight films I create, it’s usually the pieces like the cake-cutting, toasts, and first and last dances that are included.  In between all of these, however, you can find some pretty entertaining dance moves, silks performances, fire eating, you name it.  I’ve seen a lot.

Photo captured by Elizabeth Ryan Photography

Sadly, much of this can get left on the editing room floor.  So over the past year I’ve started making a separate short video for couples that shows off all the fun that happened later in the evening.

Must admit, I often revisit these when having a bad day, as it’s nearly impossible NOT to smile when watching.  I dare you.  Give it a try.

Message From the Young Ones

I make no secret about the fact that I am lucky enough to work full time at a local charter school, with some of the hardest working teachers I know, and hands down the coolest kids.

I wanted to take a quick minute to share the holiday card I created for our staff this month, as it was helpful for me to keep life in perspective this holiday season.  As much as I love holiday cookies, vacation, presents and the many other wonderful things that come with Christmas, this is what it’s really all about…

Tis the Season…

to deck the halls.

wear lots of layers.

love on some puppies.

drink way too much coffee.

drive way too many miles.

catch up on some reading.

commit to relaxation.

play in the snow.

and cherish loved ones.

Happy Holidays!