Jason Kindig Photography

How To Protect Your Photos When Disaster Strikes Part I

2010-09-15T19:14:00.000-07:00

It is amazing to see how quickly someone can go from having a normal day, to having everything washed away. In this instance, that was literally the case. My wife’s grandparents live in a quiet neighborhood, near a typically quiet creek. However, a week ago today, during the intense rain storm brought on by Tropical Storm Hermine, this gentle creek became a rushing river. The river flash flooded a nearby park in addition to flooding 25 homes and 100 condos in the area at various depths.

Some homes, like my wife’s aunt and uncle’s home, which is nearby, saw a depth of about 4-5 inches rush through their home, while the grandparents had to brave four feet of water swirling them and all of their possessions around like toys. Thankfully they have a wonderful caregiver named Frankie Donison who was able to help get the grandparents out of the house within minutes of disaster. You may have even seen her grandmother Florence, who was pictured all over the U.S. being rescued from her home in her wheelchair. She was wheeled out of her home with water up to her neck!

All in all, it was a very scary situation, and is unbelievable as we stand back and look at the devastation. They had their home gutted of all the carpet, furniture and appliances, which were ruined, and had the walls taken back to the studs four feet up.

Their car and caregiver’s car were both totaled, and they will not be able to move back into their home for about the next 45 days as massive repairs are made.

Last Wednesday when the flooding occured I was not able to go out to the home initially due to my shooting schedule. However, I had Aynsley go out and take tons of pictures to document this devistating event.

To read more about archiving from Dallas wedding photographer, Jason Kindig, please check out his Dallas Photography blog.

Wedding Photography, Whats On Your Menu

2010-08-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

You ever had that kind of week where everything feels like a blur? Well, to be honest the past several months have felt that way. I am sure many of you can understand. Now summer is coming a close and everyone is trying to gear up for the school year that is literally right around the corner.

Well, I say all of this because in our busy week of various shoots, we were unable to mention a particular blog that featured some of Jason’s food photography. On Wednesday, August 18, Jason’s work was featured on Dallas Wedding Planner Blog. The article entitled “What’s for Dinner? Current Wedding Food Trends ~ Part 2” discussed the latest wedding food trends. So, check out this blog to get great ideas on what to serve for your wedding.

The wedding menu is a big deal. Couples spend a lot of time coming up with what they want to serve their guests that not only tastes great but also captures their personalities. Lately, the wedding menu has gotten more creative, fun and exciting.

To read more of this blog please visit the Jason Kindig Photography Blog. To view Jason's food photography please click here.

Wedding Photography, A Warning to All of You Brides to Be

2010-04-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

This morning started off like any other. I woke up and got on my computer to catch up on the day’s events. While looking over the headlines the words “frustrated brides” caught my eye. The article was talking about a bride’s worst nightmare: Never receiving her wedding photography.

When I read this I just got upset. As a recent bride myself, I cannot imagine never receiving my wedding pictures. All of the moments captured at weddings are irreplaceable. There are the images of the bride with her girls prior to her walk down the aisle. There of course is the sweetest of all kisses at the altar with the man she loves. And then there is the party afterwards celebrating this beautiful new marriage. Through these images brides are able to go back to that special day where they married the man of their dreams. Photographs help us remember all the special events in our lives, and no event is more precious than your wedding day.

The article talks about how a wedding photographer will not give her client(s) any of her wedding pictures. The client paid for the photography upfront, but once the wedding was over the photographer disappeared. Unfortunately this is not isolated incident. Of course now the bride is extremely upset, betrayed, and angry. Yes, she is frustrated about the money she paid up front, but more importantly are her images which are priceless. She has tried consistently to contact the photographer about her images. As of now, she still has received no images from her beautiful wedding day.

When I read this article it was a reminder yet again of how important the decision is when it comes to choosing the right wedding photographer. When you are looking for your wedding photographer consider the following:

To read more about questions to ask your potential wedding photographers, please click here.

Wedding Photography, What Style Fits You?

2010-03-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

We are all individuals. People may seem similar in some ways, but no two are ever the same. We all have unique tastes and desires, which carry over into all aspects of our lives. For many women, one of the biggest ways they will ever express who they are and what they like is through a wedding. Though budgets differ across the board, every bride will figure out how to make a wedding uniquely hers, and will seek out vendors to help fulfill her particular vision. One of the most lasting outcomes of her style decisions will be in the wedding photographer, and the wedding photography they perform. To read more on this, please check out our full blog, and to see more wedding photography, you may visit my site here. Thanks!

Here's Savannah!

2010-03-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
I wanted to take a minute and share some images that we took of Savannah a little while back. She is a very talented singer (who could model just as easily I might add), who needed some fresh and interesting portraits to take with her for auditions. If you check out my site, you can see I shoot shoot a very wide range of portraits; doctors to brides; fashion, seniors, businessmen and women, and so much more. Portrait photography is one of my favorite things to do as a photographer; I love working with people to make them look their best.

For Savannah’s portrait session, she wanted to do a shoot that was interesting and different, and create images that would really grab your attention. To go see the rest of the story and images, please go check out my new blog here. Thanks!

Go Formal Wedding Portraits!

2010-01-28T09:36:00.000-08:00

Family Portraits: The soon-to-be newlywed’s guide to herding those unruly relatives for a quick photography session.

There’s nothing like it. The beautiful wedding ceremony, with tears and emotions flowing, is one beautiful moment after another as the couple declares their lifelong dedication. It’s one of those times when you get to see pure joy on a person’s face. Then come the family portraits. This is the part where tears may be flowing more out of frustration than anything. Any time you get together a large group that is stressed out and ready to go party, things are going to get tough.

Though some people may enjoy this mad dash to get as many portraits possible of their entire family in a half hour, most couples would rather spend this time together, or heading off to the reception. Additionally, many churches have time limits imposed for family portraits, usually around thirty minutes. So, to keep things moving along so that you can get to the party (and maybe even have a little alone time!), here is a quick guide to shooting the family portraits. By following this, you will have a better chance of getting all the shots you need and/or want, without squeezing someone out or compromising quality. After all, this is the greatest day of your life, but also one of the most hectic. You don’t want to figure out who needs to be photographed and how during the session.

Develop a Strategy

This is the most integral part of the process. Before getting a plan together, talk to your wedding photographer and see if they have any advice for you, or have a method to shooting the portraits. If they are an experienced wedding photographer, they may have a plan to help you along. If not, you will need to make a list of whom you would like included.

Start with the basics, such as the wedding party and immediate family, i.e., siblings, parents and grandparents. From there you may add in as many or as few relatives you would like. (*Quick Note* When creating your list, organize for one family at a time, do not mix shots of either side together until you want a shot of everyone together. This keeps things flowing more smoothly, and will save you a considerable amount of time).

You may want to have pictures with certain relatives by themselves, gradually build groups together, or do certain groups all at once. Remember, it is up to you. As your list grows, it will also help to jog your memory and remind you of some people you would have forgotten to include otherwise.

Tell The Masses

Before the wedding day, make sure to inform the people on your list that they need to remain behind for portraits after the ceremony. Immediate family should know this, but some people outside of this may not be aware. If you want them photographed, let them know!

See It In Writing

Something else that may help you is to take your list, and print copies of it for everyone. This clears any confusion about the process and gives them a clear order, and can also help your family to organize themselves for maximum efficiency.

Someone To Herd The Cats

Finally, appoint someone in the family who is outspoken and doesn’t have problems giving orders. From our experience there is always someone in the family who is perfect for this. The wedding photographer is often distracted in making images, so if there is a person dedicated to calling out names and rounding people up, it will make the process much easier on everyone.

Best of luck to all you beautiful brides and grooms tying this knot in 2010!

Food's Always Good!

2009-12-10T11:53:00.000-08:00

There is something about shooting food. It is always a challenge, a puzzle, to make all the elements of a dish line up, and get it to look as tantalizing as possible, while making it believable at the same time. This is why I have tremendous respect for the work that food stylists do. Unfortunately, I do not get to work with one very often, so it is usually up to me to make sure everything looks right. Take the chili from Tolbert's in Grapevine, for example. They have been photographed multiple times in national magazines, so it was a bit intimidating to make something that could compete. However, after working with the chili, and figuring a few things out, I managed to style it to my satisfaction. Then eat it. Delicious.

The fun part about the next two images is that I shot them back to back, going from one culinary extreme to another. It is an experience to drive all the way to Mary's Cafe in Strawn, TX, which I had never heard of before this shoot, the town or the restaurant. In either case, it was amazing. I was hungry when I got there, and she fed me a medium chicken fried steak, which I absolutely could not finish and was stuffed beyond belief. Then she brought out the large. As you can see, it is bigger than the platter it comes on. And I do mean platter, not plate. That is a Texas-sized dish. And boy did it taste good. Next to shoot was the Magret du Canard at St. Emilion Restaurant in Fort Worth, TX. For those of you who are not well-versed in French, it is duck breast. So, in a day's time I was able to shoot the biggest CFS I have ever seen, then experience beautiful French cuisine. Lovely. This is why I love what I do so much, I seriously never know what I will be up to next.

Jack Borden 101

2009-12-10T11:31:00.000-08:00

Hello all,
Now that I have a little downtime to work on images, I thought that I would post a few recent favorites of mine. As you may know, one of my favorite things to shoot is portraits, especially editorial portraits for magazine use. The reason for this is because you can usually try new and different ideas, versus a standard portrait. Jack Borden was a perfect example of this. This man is 101 years old, but goes to work every day at his law firm. Pretty impressive. So, I made a portrait of him sitting at his desk in his suit, and around his office, but those are the same old shots you always get (and have to get).
However, before doing the shoot, the writer told me about how avid a fisherman he was, as I wanted to know if he had any special hobbies or interests. That of course sparked an idea for something different. I spoke with his assistant though, and getting him near any body of water was pretty doubtful, due to his limited maneuverability, and the fact that it was so hot outside (this was photographed when the temperature was around Mr. Borden's age).
I was pretty pumped about my idea though, plus I'm stubborn, so I could not be so easily discouraged. Since we couldn't move far, I found a great spot behind his office where you could avoid the parking lot and houses, and see nothing but trees. He stepped out on his walker, flicked the rod for a minute or so, and I had my shot. Fun and whimsical, just like Mr. Borden.

Six Tips For a Fabulous Bridal Session

2009-12-02T10:44:00.000-08:00

Below are 6 Tips for your Bridal Session. Provided By

Jason Kindig Photography

There are two times in your life that you will be the beautiful blushing bride. One will be the most magical day of your life, the day which you walk down the aisle before all of your friends and family. The other time will most likely take place before you mom or maid of honor as well as strangers who continuously stop to tell you how stunning you look.

After the wedding date has been set, the plans have been made, the dress has been chosen and the venue has been booked you will prepare for one of the most important parts of your wedding day: your bridal portraits. When your guests arrive at your reception, the first thing they will look for is the stunning pictures of you, the bride. In the following article you will find important key tips for creating the most beautiful bridal portraits for your wedding day.

Tip 1: Bridals are all about Location, Location, Location

One of the most significant parts to your bridal session is the location you choose. You want to find a location that inspires you and your beauty. Spend time considering whether you want an indoor portrait, or something outside in nature. Consider whether you are looking for a more traditional bridal session in a flower garden, or something more modern such as a train station. Choosing your location is definitely the starting point to creating perfect bridal portraits.

Tip 2: Bridal Location: What Questions Should You Ask

When you have decided on a location you will want to run though a list of questions before the day of your bridal session. Consider the following questions for your bridal venue.

1.) How much does it cost to have my bridal session here?

2.) How much time does my photographer have?

3.) Is there a changing room where I can get ready for my portraits? This is a critical question because sometimes venues do not offer changing rooms. You will need to plan ahead if this is the case because you might have to get dressed before you leave your home or find another location closer to your venue to change at. Make sure you look into this. You do not want to get to your bridals and have nowhere to change except a public restroom.

4.) How many guests can I have with me, including the photographer?

Tip 3: What Does Your Wedding Photographer Supply for Your Bridal Portraits

In this article we are assuming that you have already chosen your photographer, and we hope that the photographer who is shooting your bridal portraits is also the one photographing your wedding day. Choosing the same wedding photographer for both your bridal session and wedding is important because your bridal portraits are a time when you can truly get to know your photographer so you are comfortable with him/her on your wedding day. With that being said, you will want to find out what your photographer supplies for your bridal session. Here are some things to consider:

1.) White Sheet: Does your photographer supply a white sheet in case you need to stand on it to keep your beautiful wedding dress from getting dirty before you big day. If the photographer doesn’t supply a white sheet, bring one.

2.) Drinks: Find out if your photographer is bringing drinks for you especially if your bridals take place in warmer temperatures. If he/she doesn’t supply drinks, come prepared. You will be much hotter in your wedding dress and you don’t want to faint during the session.

3.) Ice Packs: See if your photographer supplies ice packs for bridals photographed in warm/hot seasons. Again, if they don’t, bring a cooler with ice as well as plastic bags. This way you can make your own icepacks which can keep you cool between takes. Also consider bringing a few wash cloths that can keep any condensation from dripping on your dress. Dish cloths make perfects wraps around your neck between takes as well.

Tip 4: Bridal Session: This Is The Real Deal, Not A Trial Run

Remember that your bridal session is the real deal and you only get one shot at it. Don’t wait for your bridal session to try out the makeup artist and hair stylist for the first time. Prior to your bridal session do a full run through with your makeup artist, hair stylist and your dress. Have your mom or friend take pictures of you so that when you go in for your bridal session everyone is clear on how you want to look. If you wait till your bridal session to test out everyone you might not get exactly what you were hoping for. The bridal session is too important. Make sure you are prepared. Treat this photo shoot as if you were preparing for your wedding day.

Tip 5: Surround Yourself With People You Love

Your bridal session will be an amazing experience. Nothing compares to being all dolled up in your wedding dress. This is supposed to be a fun time where you transform into a model for a day. It’s all about you and your beauty. So, surround yourself with people who love you. You want this time to be stress free so choose people to help you on the bridal shoot that are encouraging and loving whether that be your mom or your dearest friend.

Tip 6: Bridal Essentials: Don’t Leave Home Without Them

Your bridal session day will most likely be hectic, so be prepared. There are certain things you do not want to leave home without the day of your bridal session. Perhaps pack these items the night before so you are sure to not forget anything as you are running about the day of.

1.) Powder – It’s always good to have your powder compact on you, especially for your bridals. If it is warm outside, you may sweat. Bring your powder.

2.) Blush – You want to make sure you bring blush because an extra hint of color on your cheeks goes a long way.

3.) Lip Stick – The shoot may last a few hours. It’s always good to have lipstick on hand for touchups. Don’t simply rely on your makeup artists’ application. Make sure you have your own lipstick to freshen up with.

4.) Lip Gloss – Make your lips look sexy with a touch of lip gloss. A hint of lip gloss goes a long way.

5.) Bobby Pins and Hairspray – Bring these items just in case it’s windy outside. You want to have extra on hand so your hair looks perfect from start to finish.

6.) Flip Flops – You don’t want to walk everywhere in your wedding heels. So, bring some comfortable shoes along with you.

With these 6 Tips you will be ready for your bridal session, one of the most important aspects of your wedding day. When your guests arrive at your reception they will be greeted by stunning images of you, the unforgettable bride. These tips have been provided for you by Jason Kindig Photography.

Many thanks to Katie, our beautiful bride pictured above.

Jason Kindig Photography Website Release

2009-10-07T06:01:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JASON KINDIG PHOTOGRAPHY RELEASES NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE
Dallas company brings photographic imagery to clients’ fingertips

DALLAS – Jason Kindig Photography is pleased to introduce its new and improved website, JasonKindig.com. The upgraded website features the versatility of Jason Kindig’s photographic talents. Jason Kindig Photography’s goal with the new website is to provide a sampling of Jason’s work that is easily accessible to his clientele.

The new website features various aspects of Jason’s work including wedding photography, event photography and editorial photography. Within editorial photography Jason focuses on architectural photography, interior and exterior design photography, individual and corporate photography, and food photography. These selected images showcase Jason’s wide range of artistic ability.

“The most important aspect of our new website is its user-friendliness,” Kindig said. “The goal was to create an easy-to-navigate site designed with our clients in mind.”

Not only is JasonKindig.com full of imagery, the newly designed, easy to maneuver website includes a client access portal where photo shoots will be posted for client review. This feature easily allows for both public and private galleries to be accessed through the website enabling clients to find, view and purchase images from the comfort of their own home.

It also features an informative and consistently updated blog about the company. The blog will feature the latest photo shoots ranging from weddings to corporate portraits. Not only will the blog display Jason’s recent photography, but it will also be informational. The blog will be used as an online gallery of recent shoots as well as a forum to interact, share ideas, and provide helpful information. Clients can stay up to date through the site, the blog, Facebook and Twitter.

With the new and improved website, Jason Kindig Photography is continuing its mission of creative and visual excellence through photojournalistic photography. Take some time to view it: JasonKindig.com.

About Jason Kindig Photography

Established in 2002 by Jason Kindig, Jason Kindig Photography is a photography company with a mission of creative and visual excellence. Jason Kindig Photography provides individuals, companies, designers and brides with editorial, event, and wedding photography. The synthesis of vision, skill, creativity, technique and preparation form the foundation upon which each image photographed is built.

Dallas-based Jason Kindig Photography was created to provide high quality images to individuals and businesses locally and nationally. Jason Kindig Photography utilizes creative, expressive and innovative photojournalistic art photography. Visit JasonKindig.com for photography collections and additional information.

Moody Blues Slideshow

2009-10-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

The Moody Blues - Dallas, TX - Images by Jason Kindig

Due to popular demand, I have put a slideshow here for everyone to view of the Moody Blues concert with the Dallas Symphony from a few weeks ago. Feel free to scroll through and view images, and click on the images to purchase prints or personal downloads. Please email me or post if you have any questions. Thanks!

Fashion in Fort Worth

2009-09-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

I had a great time recently doing a fashion shoot out in Fort Worth. Our model was the fabulous Lindsey Collins, and fabulous she was as we cruised all across town. I always have a great time doing editorial fashion work , as it is a collaborative effort between editors, art directors and the photographer. I do not work with a team for many of my shoots, so to have several minds going over things is always a plus. Also, fashion photography is a great way to get out and try new techniques, and a really great chance to push myself further in my pursuit of continuous improvement. I am definitely a Dallas photographer, and love the city, but Fort Worth has so much character, and as they say, its a big city where everyone acts like they are in a small town. I don't think I've met one person that isn't friendly out in FW, which makes my job a ton easier. And a lot more fun.

THE MOODY BLUES

2009-09-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

THE MOODY BLUES bassist John Lodge salutes the crowd during their concert at the Meyerson Symphony Center.

Excited fans wave to one another before the concert begins.

Justin Hayward and John Lodge play together during a concert at the Meyerson.

The lighting was truly spectacular throughout.

Justin Hayward points out to fans during the concert.

I had a great opportunity to shoot the great classic rock band THE MOODY BLUES, when they toured through Dallas recently. It is always fun to shoot music and event photography, especially when it is such a talented group, so when I was hired by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, whom I do a lot of event and concert photography for, to create images of the concert, I was rather excited. Of course, my excitement in no way matched that of the fans, some of whom had been following THE MOODY BLUES since the 60’s and 70’s. These loyal fans filled The Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, and many knew each other from websites and chat rooms dedicated to the band. They told me I was in for something special, and that it certainly was. Even after thirty years, John Lodge, Justin Hayward and Graeme Edge still were full of vibrancy and energy, and put on a terrific show. Lodge was especially active, waving and pointing to fans all across the hall, and slinging his bass guitar all over the place. With all of the energy the performers displayed, they needed to have an equally impressive lighting show. It certainly was impressive. They had all kinds of bold colors dancing across the stage, and throughout the audience. To give even more depth to the light, they were constantly adding fog to the scene, which always makes photographers happy. There is nothing quite so dramatic as light shining through fog, especially when it is a brilliant yellow, blue or purple. Please enjoy my concert photography, and I will talk to you soon.

Leah&Andrew Engagement Photos

2009-08-31T09:17:00.001-07:00

Hello All,
I just wanted to share some photos of one of my fun couples, Leah and Andrew. They had their engagement story published in the Dallas Morning News yesterday with one of my images, you can read all about it here. There isn't any imagery for the online story, so here you go! We had a blast doing their shoot on the Trolleys in Uptown, our driver Boris (who was a volunteer by the way) really took care of us and kept things moving along. We are documenting their wedding over in Fort Worth in October, and with their chemistry it will be a party for sure. So any way, enjoy!

Food and Jewels

2009-06-15T12:03:00.000-07:00

I love shooting food, and really love when I get to try the food, as we don't typically feature places that don't serve amazing dishes. At least that's been my experience. Now, that said, I did not get to try either of these entrees, but they certainly look delectable. They are from Grace in downtown Fort Worth, and JR's Steakhouse in Colleyville, which is actually for an ad. Finally, we have some jewelry from Grissom's Jewelry in Fort Worth. They were voted 'Best Jewelry/Accessories' in Fort Worth. Enjoy!

Cute Kids, Tough Attorneys, and Tracy Kornet

2009-06-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

Hello All,
My magazine just did their annual Best Of Fort Worth Issue, so I wanted to share some bits and pieces. The fun part about working here is that I shoot everything, so there is a ton of variety all the time. I probably talk about this alot, but it rocks so I can do that. Anyway, here are some shots to check out:

First off, there is nothing cuter or funnier than kids eating food. This was shot at the Purple Cow in Fort Worth, they were voted 'Best Kids Menu' in 2009.

Now these guys weren't in a best of category, but were featured in our Family Law profile section. They wanted to illustrate how they will fight for their clients, so no better venue than a boxing rink. You can check them out here.

And finally, we have Tracy Kornet, who anchors for CBS 11 and TXA 21 in Fort Worth. She was voted 'Most Attractive News Anchor,' and was a very sweet lady to work with.

Also, to let you guys know, we are pumped to announce that our redesigned website will be going live soon. Don't worry, you will definitely know when it hits. This is very exciting for us, which means you should be excited to. And show it everyone you have ever met. Ever. Thanks and stay posted!

Women At Work

2009-05-13T09:51:00.001-07:00

Ok guys, as promised, here are a few portraits from a series we did, titled "Women in Unusual Jobs." First off is Kristin Jaworski, trail boss for the Fort Worth Herd. Naturally, they are a tough-looking group, but they were very friendly (it is Fort Worth after all) and helpful. By the way, we are undergoing a complete website redesign, so please stay tuned for when it hits. It is going to be awesome, and we are really pumped.

Next up is Kathy Lumley, special agent for the FBI. There is nothing better than photographing people with very powerful firearms. Especially at a gun range. I even had her point it at me for a few shots, for some reason that made me nervous.

The last of my favorites was private investigator Lisa Edrich. She typically goes out and runs surveillance on people who are doing things they shouldn't be, such as drinking or hanging out with men or women that are definitely not their spouse. Crazy job, as you can imagine people aren't too excited to have her around, at least when she's out working.

Spring Fashion

2009-05-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

I had the chance to shoot some fashion at Fort Worth's Bass Hall last month for the magazine I work for, Fort Worth, Texas Magazine. Definitely fun, and our model was awesome to work with. For a bit of contrast, I will show you some faves from the other portrait series we did, Women in Unusual Jobs. Everything from a woman that makes goat cheese, to a private investigator and FBI special agent.

Jaap van Zweden

2008-09-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

It has been entirely too long since I last posted. For some reason getting engaged, planning a wedding for six months, then getting married seems to take up a lot of time. Don't worry, you will see those images soon, probably after I actually get to sit down and look at them. In the meantime, I will give you guys some fresh stuff. These images are of Jaap van Zweden, maestro of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, with his wife Aaltje, at their temporary residence in the Ritz Carlton in Dallas, TX. They were shot for De Telegraaf, which is the largest newspaper in the Netherlands. Mr. van Zweden has an excellent view of downtown from his balcony, which is why we decided to shoot out in the wonderful Texas air. Enjoy.
-jason

Jaap Welcome Celebration

2008-04-28T10:42:00.001-07:00

Onstage

Backstage

Dressing Room

Hello all,
I got to shoot the Welcome Celebration for Jaap van Zweden for the Symphony the other night. The full set of images are located here.
It was very cool, as they performed Verdi's Reqiuem. Since I had to be backstage, I only got to hear snippets, but it was incredibly powerful. Plus, the style of Jaap van Zweden is thrilling in itself, as he is very dramatic, fluid and loaded with energy. Those conducting attributes make him very fun to photograph, and I had the chance to get a few of those and some more behind the scenes. I hope you enjoy.

Photoshelter

2008-04-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

Well,
I wanted to post a ton of images up, but my schedule has gotten crazy again.
However, here are two shots from the Gold Bow Dinner I did for the Dallas Symphony. Everyone attending got to eat onstage at The Meyerson, which is certainly a unique experience. I now have images from this shoot as well as many others on my photoshelter site . It is a very cool online tool, that also works as a digital archive, something I've needed for a while. More images will be going up there soon, or at least I hope so. And of course, there is always my website, which is a magical place as well. Go check everything out, then go back and do it again. Take it easy,
-jason

Food!

2008-03-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

As the sole photographer for Fort Worth, Texas Magazine, I do a little bit of everything. And I do mean everything. Here are a couple of the tastier food shots I've had since I came on to the magazine in August. Perhaps I should have worded that better, because I have never hit on a publication, ever. Oh well. Anyways, enjoy and let me know what you think! I will be posting more and more things here soon. At least until my assignments pour in again.

Some delicious creations from Fort Worth's Cupcake Cottage.

These are the very delicious sliders and onion rings from Dutch's Hamburgers in Fort Worth. I often have the chance to do quality control after the photo shoot, which is a great perk.

Filet Mignon.

The Chocolate Moussetini from Lili's Bistro in Fort Worth.

And Lili's Rosemary Polenta fries.

Finally, a meat and cheese platter from Zambrano's Wine Cellar, which also happens to be the place where Ayns and I celebrated our engagement with a few friends. Great place, the pizza is incredible.
As always, if you are interested in seeing more of my personal work, please click here. If you would like to go see my magazine's website, please check them out here.

March Issue

2008-03-13T15:00:00.001-07:00

It is impossible to follow the last post I had here, as it was one of the most important events of my life. However, I have more images to show, so here we go. The images over the next few days are all from the March issue of the magazine, our Men's Issue. Enjoy. Above is Justin Anderson, who is CEO of Anderson Trail Granola. I thought since he was such a grainy guy, that we would go have some fun in a field with a bag of oats. Then I got him to thrown them at me. And there you have it.

We're Engaged, es la compremetida!

2008-02-26T10:57:00.000-08:00

Well everyone, it is official! I am engaged to the love of my life, Aynsley Elizabeth Dobrey. I proposed to her last Saturday at Trinity Park in Fort Worth. We began the day taking photos of all our favorite/memorable places up at UNT, where we both went to school. Then we headed to Fort Worth, and the magic began from there!

Ayns and I having our little picnic. As an added bonus, the miniature railroad chugged by, and all the passengers cheered us on!

Nothing like a little coke toast (this is a city park after all).

Walking to the canoe, though she is completely unaware at this point. I would like to point out all of these amazing photos were taken by Juan Guajardo, a good friend of mine, and obviously a very talented photoj. Many thanks to him for all of his help, we could not have asked for a greater record of our moments than this.

There is the ring. It is difficult to propose in a canoe, fyi.

She said yes.

She really said yes.

And now, the staring begins.

She has been in this pose since Saturday actually, I've yet to have her look at me, she's too focused on the ring...

There it is, the perfect ring, for the perfect woman.

The creative team. Without the help of her two sisters, Caroline and Lane, Thomas (far right, Caro's fiance) who was our waiter/2nd photog, Andrew (Lane's bf, aka the canoe master) and Juan, our photographer, this just wouldn't have been possible. Thank you so much guys, and of course, thanks be to God in all of this. Without His help I wouldn't have been able to do it, or have such a perfect day! Thanks again everyone!

Custom Home Shoot

2008-01-24T06:55:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,
Last fall I had the opportunity to go do a full interior photography shoot for Montclaire Custom Homes. Aynsley and I trucked up to the house, and went to town shooting and lighting almost every room of the house for about eight hours. This is a lot of fun for me, as each room is like a puzzle needing to be unlocked. You have to figure out just the right composition, styling, and of course lighting that accents everything while still having a natural feel. After doing several of these, I have great respect for the hardcore magazine home shooters. But anyways, I'd like to give some insight on how these go down, it may just help someone out. I've found you just have to come into a room, and watch how the light works in there. You want to try and use the natural light to work for you, and just accent it and fill in details where it might not reach. Now to do this is certainly easier said than done, and I am definitely still learning. However, I must say having your camera tethered to a laptop for instant proofing certainly helps the process along. And having an assistant to bounce ideas off of (she's quite stylish as well) is fantastic. If you are interested in this kind of thing, see where the light is coming from, and try to guess where I put lights, and how I did them. I will definitely tell you if you ask. Take it easy,
-jason

Caroline and Thomas

2008-01-23T14:31:00.000-08:00

So Aynsley's sister got engaged a couple weeks ago, and I was there along with her sisters to capture the actual proposal. Thomas sent her on a scavenger hunt for a few hours, with everything ending at the Cottonwood Arena in Highland Village. Obviously, she said yes.

Adenworks Imagery

2008-01-16T09:37:00.000-08:00

This is some recent work I did for Adenworks, Ltd., which is a wholesale importer of rustic teak furniture from Thailand. This stuff is pretty cool, as teak is weather and timeproof, termites don't like to eat it, etc. Most of the parts for the furniture come from wagon wheels, fence posts and things from up to a century ago. My wonderful girlfriend just happens to be the designer for a majority of these pieces, just so you know. Way cool. So anyways, here is the work, let me know what you think.

A Suit for Mr. Valentine

2008-01-08T18:14:00.001-08:00

Suiting Up

The Digs

Definitely Cool

A while back, our company had a day where we volunteered at a Cancer Center in Fort Worth. It was beautiful, as we had the chance to buy Christmas gifts for people who had little or nothing. I felt so privileged and blessed to be a part of such an event, I definitely think we are placed here to serve those less fortunate. So, I heard the story of a man, Mike Valentine, who had gotten a new suit. He has had a tumor for quite some time, and it had been inflamed by doctors who put iodine in it. Since he had had this tumor, money had become much tighter, and he hadn't been able to buy a suit in several years. That's why when our editors saw his story and his request for a suit, they knew what they had to do. Mike teared up when he saw the Men's Wearhouse bag.

I took the opportunity to hang out with him wearing his new suit. Since he is a minister, I wanted to ride along for his first Sunday in the new digs. What a blessing. He was so thankful and a great man to talk to. I'm glad that I finally took a chance to put these up, I have taken too long as always. Anyways, enjoy!
-jk-

Church

2008-01-08T18:07:00.000-08:00

This is from the church I was at with Mr. Valentine. They are a bit charismatic. I had a blast

50 Influential Fort Worthians

2008-01-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

John Avila

Marty Leonard

Steve Murrin, "The mayor" of The Stockyards

Eric Fox with Lockheed Martin. If you look closely at his boots, you can see the Lockheed logo on them.

Rosie Moncrief feeds her cat Meddler, before a photo session with husband and Fort Worth mayor Mike.

Fort Worth councilmember Wendy Davis.

Hey guys,
I spent quite a bit of time last fall shooting for our 50 Most Powerful story for the December issue. It basically detailed 50 of the most influential folks in the Fort Worth area. I shot about 23 of them, and these are some of my favorites. Disfrutan!

Armed Forces Bowl

2008-01-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

Hello all,
I went and shot the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl yesterday. California beat Air Force 42-36. It was way cool, as it has been entirely too long since I've been out to shoot a football game. Its very therapeutic, as I had no deadlines to meet and just could shoot for myself. With any luck the magazine can use the stock, or maybe even in the next issue. I have to at least try. Thanks so much for checking in, I will try to post more soon. It has just been so darn crazy around here, I know everybody can feel me on that. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
-jk-

Weiss Dairy Pt. 2

2007-10-18T19:10:00.001-07:00

Weiss Dairy

2007-10-18T19:04:00.001-07:00

The Barn

2007-10-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, here are some scenes from around the barn at the Eddie Adams Workshop I went to last week. Check them out, and I will hopefully post up more images from my assignment in a bit. Thanks and have an awesome day ya'll.
-jk-

EAW XX

2007-10-12T15:19:00.001-07:00

This is the first post of hopefully a couple. I got back a few days ago from the Eddie Adams Barnstorm. It was incredible. Here is a picture of some cows from the dairy farm, I spent the majority of my time in New York hanging out with these fun-loving creatures. Take it easy for now.
-jk-

Food!

2007-10-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots I took at Lili's Bistro, a very tasty place out in Fort Worth. They let me have the polenta fries, which are the gigantic french fry looking things. Yum. Savor the photos my friends.

Bob Klabzuba

2007-10-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

Robert Klabzuba, 89, stands in a map room at Klabzuba Oil and Gas in Fort Worth. Klabzuba, who is a geologist, is the founder of Klabzuba Oil and Gas, and a philanthropist in the Fort Worth area as well.

I had a great time working with Mr. Klabzuba, he explained to me the meaning of all those squiggles you see on geographical surveys, and how to look for possible drilling sites. He also introduced me to the really cool lemonade packets that you just drop into your bottled water. Very tasty, I need to get some. Anyways. I am making my last minute packing things, and then I will be headed out tomorrow evening for New York, where I will spend Friday through Tuesday at the Eddie Adams Workshop. Its going to be intense, but I'm totally pumped and ready to rock. Take it easy!

Joe L. Matthews

2007-10-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

I had the chance to hang out with this man, Joe L. Matthews, who is 94 and goes to work every day. Not only does he work at his store however, which specializes in equipment for linemen (guys who work on telephone lines, etc) but he also works out several days a week at a gym near his retirement home. I was noticeable impressed, as he's doing an hour of cardio 3 or more times a week (see below). Makes you want to get in shape huh? Anyways, very cool guy, loved hanging out with him.

8 Over 80

2007-10-01T06:47:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,
This is the first man I shot for our 8 over 80 project. Basically what we did is found eight men over the age of eighty that are still out working in their job every day. These men's ages ranged from just over 80 to 96, with many of them going to work every day and the gym as well. This is Don Woodard, he runs an insurance company in Fort Worth, and basically knows something about everything, and is a very gifted poet and writer. Very cool guy to meet. Now that I have internet on my laptop again, I should be able to update my blog more often.
Also, I will be leaving on Thursday to go to the Eddie Adams Barnstorm up in New York. I am incredibly excited, and it will just be a great time to meet people and shoot my self silly. Stay tuned for more, as always.
-jk-

Finally, an update.

2007-09-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, here are some pics from a wedding I shot last weekend. Enjoy! Also, I have started working for Fort Worth, Texas Magazine, which is a magazine similar to D. Except that we cover Fort Worth. Our October issue hits the shelves tomorrow (09.25), and is available at Barnes and Noble, and grocery stores around the Fort Worth area. Or, if you aren't in the area, you can go to our website at fortworthtexas.com. Let me know what you think, and my favorite pics from the magazine will be posted up here over the next month or so. Take it easy.
-jk-

!Me Gradue!

2007-08-24T06:48:00.000-07:00

I graduated! I'm out. Done forever, or at least until I decide to go to grad school. And I've got a job, more on that later, as I need to get to work. Take it easy!
-jk-

San Antonio!

2007-08-24T06:40:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, it sure has been forever since I last posted. Ayns and I went down to San Antonio last weekend to chill, check out the Riverwalk, and go visit some of the amazing missions that they have down there. Check it out!
-jk-

I have no idea why this pig is here, but it was fun to check out.

Some of the murals can get aggressive.

Yes a wedding, even on vacation I seem to shoot them. Oy.

Hasta Pronto Cuernavaca!

2007-07-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

Well guys,
I sit here writing the very last post of mine for my time down here. This doesn't mean I don't have more stories or tons more fotos to share, but its the last time I do it from Cuernavaca... for now. Oh the effect of putting "..." somewhere. What tension. And drama. Anyways, I digress. It has been absolutely awesome studying down here, learning culture and language. I'm not definitely not fluent, but I've learned enough to finally be able to converse with people and Spanish and actually have the courage to do so, which was probably the hardest part. And I know I've made a ton of progress, had I not come here, I may have graduated from UNT with a minor and Spanish and have no clue how to speak it. But I came, saw, conquered, and got my diploma from Uninter so its official, I'm done. And that means I'm done with undergrad. Quite a way to go out I'd say. Thank you so much to all of you that have checked out my blog and seen how I see the world, and how I see the people and places of Mexico. What a beautiful journey I've taken. I would also like to mention how beautiful this trip has been in other ways. God has shown me my strength by allowing me to face temptation in a foreign place, and just stand firm for what I believe. Here now is a completely different man, and one that now is stronger and wiser, because he knows himself deeper, and knows how much he has to learn. May I be able to pass this strength to those that need it, and may I support my family with this as well. I love you guys, I love you Ayns, and I love my Lord! Rock on, and I will be chatting with most of you soon. Hasta pronto,
-jason

Mucha Lucha

2007-07-14T08:26:00.001-07:00

So we went to Lucha Libre the other night, it was pretty crazy, and I'm definitely glad that I experienced some more cultura mexicana. We were in the nosebleed section and couldn't move, which makes me wonder if there are fire codes here. Probably not. Anyways, we went and chilled at Las Estacas yesterday, and Chris and I even went snorkeling - it makes me want to get some underwater equipment, maybe a bag or something. Today is just relaxing and maybe some karaoke, and maybe some studying too, who knows. Enjoy!

Adorable self-portrait.

The crush.

Short on Words

2007-07-12T17:21:00.000-07:00

Murals by Diego Rivera.

Iglesia in DF. It was originally built on very poor soil, since DF is a dry lake bed, so it is sinking and falling apart constantly. Thus they are constantly working on it.

Cool Statue in the Musuem of Anthropology (I still can't say Anthropology in Spanish, too much of a tongue twister. At least I can ask where the bathrooms are).

That's about all I got. I'm done writing for now, this weekend will just be chill. And with that, I will be back in the States next Friday. Have fun, I know I will.
-jason

Relajado en Las Estacas

2007-07-08T17:03:00.000-07:00

Ayer (yesterday) we went to Las Estacas, which is a beautiful spring-fed river/water park place. The scenery made you feel like you were in the middle of a jungle somewhere (maybe that's why they filmed Tarzan here back in the day), and there were tons of things to swing on or jump off of. Look and see.Chris diving like a maniac off one of many spots. The water was incredibly clear, you could see the bottom everywhere, and it was very cool and oh so refreshing. Good times.

One of the swings we could jump off of. You started from a stump and either stood or sat on it, and when you swung out over the river, you jumped. Muy divertida.

Area where we picnicked/napped/sunburned. Not me though. I bronze.

This my friends, would be the view I had while dozing in the afternoon sun. Not exactly Texas but it will do.

Taxco

2007-07-08T16:44:00.000-07:00

So, fuimos a Taxco el Domingo pasado, and it was a beautiful city, with a beautiful iglesia, beautiful vistas, and plata (silver). Definitely a fun place to walk around, but enough chat, because we all know you just want fotos.
-jasonJust a view of the city. It had really narrow streets, as it wasn't exactly built for coches. However an interesting observation: nearly all the vehicles in Taxco are either Volkswagen minibuses or bugs, both of which you can see here.

I find umbrellas to be interesting. Anyone from the Star might remember a somewhat similar shot via Hassy.

Beautiful vista from the restaurant we ate at.

Oh by the way, I like tile too.

On the way out, this place was really pretty and very friendly.

Looks Like We Made It...

2007-07-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

This is the piramide de la luna, which is the smaller of the two piramides we ascended, but it still packed a punch. Apparently the pyramids at Teotihuacan are only bested in size by those in Egypt. This ancient civilization would build these piramides, and every so many years, they would add to them, which is how they got to be so grand. Definitely a cool place to check out, and obviously there were a ton of people that felt the same way. Still good though.

Here's life at the base of la luna. Though there is much of these structures intact, alot of it has been reconstructed so that turistas can get some idea of what these things looked like a few thousand years ago.

These are the largest yucca plants I've ever seen, they looked like plants that got hit with the same stuff as the Ninja Turtles (anyone?) and were about six feet tall for the most part. Apparently the natives can make just about anything out of them, from clothes to tequila. Pretty impressive, as I don't know how to make either one out of anything.

Random cacti that I liked.

Now this is the big boy piramide, el piramide del sol. Very tall, very thin air, and the steps are ridiculously steep. The steps were originally designed so that worshippers had to walk up them sideways, as they were not to look directly at their dios. Interesting design concept to say the least.

This is me right before I jumped off the piramide. Hardcore.

Our guia told us if we rubbed this plant together and smelled it, it would help you adjust to the high altitude more easily, and make you learn Spanish faster. Note the amount of hands that quickly went for it. And to be fair, I did the same right after taking the photo.

Cool artifacts, these people knew how to carve stuff.

The Teotihuacan were a very ancient peoples, and used up their resources here and eventually had to abandon the city. It is said the Aztec found the city later and assumed the city had been built by the gods, as they didn't think any human could build structures so huge. And with that, I'm out. Hopefully you've enjoyed thus far, I'll have some more pics soon. Gotta please the masses. As always, que tengas un buen dia.
-jason

Soy el Conquistador

2007-06-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

Man this place was cool. This is the Aztecan temple.

The ex-convento.

The view from the ex-convento. Basically the mountains you see are the ones that we climbed up to reach the temple at Tepotzlan.

The view I had for most of the way. There are a few rocks up there.

I have some kind of thing for trees that grow on the sides of stone walls, you'll see another shortly.

More steps. And oh do I mean more.

Self-explanatory (hardcore).

La vista.

A strange half-raccoon half-anteater (hormiguera) creature that really liked eating tourist's food. No bueno.

This is at la hacienda de Cortes. Pretty happening place, its now an upper-class hotel.

Here's what basically was the sewer.

So last Domingo (Sunday) we took at little trip to Tepotzlan, which is a pretty little city up in the Mountains in Mexico. It is well-known for two things: the Aztec Temple atop one of the mountains, and the ex-convento (which for you non-Spanish speakers is ex-convent) that worked to convert all the indigenous people to Catholicism. Interesting story here, told to us by our tour guide: The Catholic priests sought to peacefully convert the native people, and to do so presented a challenge to the people. They said they would climb to the top of the temple, and throw the statue of their dios off the temple, and if it broke, then they knew that their dios was not real and they would convert, and if it didn’t, they wouldn’t convert. The natives agreed to this, and on went the challenge. However, the priests threw the statue off the temple and it didn’t break. However, the priests simply said it was a trial run and didn’t really count, so they did it one more time. Fortunately for them, the statue broke the second time and all of the natives converted peacefully.
We went on to ascend the mountain, which was basically a 1.3-mile stair climb. Literally. Just look at the photos, you won’t see one with level ground because there was no level ground. This was quite an undertaking, especially when it started raining and made the rocks slick, and thus there was cause for much felicitaciones (see my hardcore self-portrait, soy el conquistador). Such a cool place to be, its such a great feeling when you can work so hard to achieve this goal and work through all the discouragement, and look out and see just how far you’ve come. I think life works very much the same way. And with that, I’m off to do my tarea for the evening. Que tengas un buen noche.

You don't say?

2007-06-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

I must say I like to go check out El Centro and The Fayuca (Black Market). Definitely fun, and its very much like eBay: you will find what you're looking for. Everything from hog's head to Bibles, it's all inside. Anyways, enjoy the fotos, and on a side note, I took sound of indigenous dancing and mariachis, good times. Tepotzlan was awesome, I'll try to post those at some point. Hasta luego,
-jason

Conoce la Familia

2007-06-26T14:43:00.000-07:00

Ok so my house parents tienen 4 hijos, and here they are for the world to see. They are all just as cute as buttons. Above is Zaine, o Zainecita as we like to call her.

These are the two oldest kids, Brenda y Emmanuel.

And last but certainly not least is Aquiles, the baby of the group. He is nine months old, and a great little kid. Plus he can be entertained by any object for hours just by holding it in his hands.

Que es esto?

2007-06-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

Well amigos, I am in Cuernavaca, and it is awesome. Really awesome. We had orientacion today, and I was insanely nervous, self-conscious, etc. However, as the day went on, I got to feeling much better about things, and have realized that I don't know much Spanish, but I will when I'm done. That said, it should be a killer five weeks. I'll try to post up here every so often, and hopefully it will be chock full of prints (because I know that you guys probably won't even read this). Take it easy, and vamanos!

One of the edificios at the Universidad Internacional, aka Uninter from here on out.

Los jardines at Uninter, celoso?

My roommate Chris entering the compound where we are staying. I don't know if it is referred to as a compound, but we decided since we have razor wire protecting a lush poco paradiso, it is deserving.

A very old church en el centro de Cuernavaca.

Kid yelling to friends as several children play futbol in the streets.

And this one? Just for you pops, happy Father's Day.

Here's that dang cadillac again. I got to see it when it was parked at the iglesia, and when it was cruising down the street. Rock on.

Trees Falling From The Sky

2007-06-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to the realization that there were men in the trees. And that they were cutting them down. So I took some pics. We had some nasty storms awhile back, and the winds felled a cedar tree that struck another tree. So they had to come down. Above is the fun that ensued. Enjoy!

He's A Walker

2007-06-08T08:18:00.001-07:00

Congrats to my cousin Grant. He graduated last night from Midlothian High School, and the ceremony was held at Potter's House, which has some of the best lighting I've ever seen in a church. Rock on.

Bedtime!

2007-06-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

Well ladies and gentlemen, it has happened. After almost three years of being without a bedframe at all, and even longer without a nice bed, it has happened. My dad built me a gorgeous looking bed, and I shot it for his portfolio, The Woodmeisters of Corona Gap. I enjoy shooting furniture, its a fun little challenge. Let me know what you think, I'll probably have some other random muses coming up.
Also, I leave for Cuernavaca next weekend, so be looking out for me/praying for me as I spend the next five weeks down there. It should be an incredible experience.
Finally, my grad application was turned in last week, and no matter what, I will be walking across the stage on August 11th, and graduating with honors. There will be grad parties for me on Saturday and Sunday, we'll call them Kindig Shindigs I and II. They'll be filled with food and fun, and of course my lovable self, so if you get an invite, come on by! And if you don't get an invite, there will be bouncers present, just fyi. But anyways, anybody that wants to come, just let me know!
Take it easy,
-jason

It'll Hit You Like A...

2007-05-23T22:17:00.001-07:00

As I was relaxing and reading by the pool today- that's right, I said I was relaxing - I decided it would be fun to cruise around for a few hours tonight and shoot whatever I wanted. Did some light painting with both a flashlight and with a speedlight, just for giggles and grins. Here are some of the fun ones. Aynsley arrives home from Spain tomorrow, which will be incredibly awesome. I go to pick up the entire Dobrey clan in the beautiful beast you see above. Beautiful even when it's dirty... So anyways, it has been a relaxing week, the opposite of last week, and I certainly relish the chance to kick back and have some time to think. Who knows when I'll get the chance to do that again? And I know what some of you are thinking, when have you ever done that. Alas. I'm off now, maybe I'll go watch History Channel (exciting!). Peace out.

Houston Wedding Last Weekend

2007-05-23T14:56:00.001-07:00

Some of my faves from a wedding last weekend. This was a traditional Vietnamese wedding, and was really awesome. Everybody was incredibly hospitable to me and the associate photographer. After shooting for 15 hours I was pretty gassed, but still had a blast. Enjoy!

Bridals

2007-05-23T14:52:00.001-07:00

So here I sit in my house, doing nothing. And it feels weird, but its about time I had a break. So anyways, here's some fun wedding stuff to go check out. After this, I need to go indulge my brain and read. Cheers.
-jk-

Good Times

2007-05-17T08:14:00.000-07:00

(05.16.07) -- Richardson, TX -- Grandmother Phyllis Harmon congratulates granddaughter Melissa Henderson before the press conference naming her the 2006-07 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year, at Berkner High School in Richardson, TX on May 16, 2007.

(05.16.07) -- Richardson, TX -- The audience claps for Melissa Henderson as she is named the 2006-07 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year at Berkner High School in Richardson, TX on May 16, 2007.

This is just a shot that I took during a cocktail reception at the Meyerson yesterday. I like it for some reason.

So yesterday was pretty awesome, I went to a wedding tradeshow and learned alot of things about the industry, and how this could definitely be a great business for me to fund myself with. Its relatively easy to do, and I love photography so it just works, plus I love business challenges. After listening to some really solid speakers I ran over to Berkner High School in Richardson to shoot the Gatorade Girls Soccer Player of the year, Melissa Henderson. Henderson, who is only a junior, is an incredible player with amazing stats and now joins the ranks of other players such as Greg Odom, Peyton Manning and Emmitt Smith. So that was fun, she was pretty excited and the people at Gatorade were great to work with.
I got a call from my Meyerson people before the start of the press conference saying they needed a photog last minute for their end of year cocktail reception, and off I went after I was done with Gatorade. So all in all it was a solid day, plenty of learning and shooting.
And to chill out a bit, tonight I'm going out to the DMA with my mom and brother to listen to jazz and picnic, should be a fun family outing. I shot some bridals I was pleased with the other day and will hopefully be putting those up soon. Just stay tuned.
-jk-

It's Holgarific!

2007-05-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

Remember when i was excited about shooting tennis balls? This is why. I finally got my film in and fixed for web so that all of you may satisfy your craving for visual imagery. I have some sweet pics of the Taco on Holga as well, but haven't scanned them yet. So you'll just have to love on these.

So. Awesome.

2007-05-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I never thought it would come, and it seemed like this was going to be dang near impossible, but I have finished two of my three finals. Spanish was yesterday... eish... but today I did International Relations, and was in the zone, despite having no sleep or study time (I shot two weddings last weekend down in H-Town). It has been really hardcore as of late, but as my girlfriend keeps reminding me, I am almost finished. So things have been stressful, but I've managed to stay pretty chill and not freak out about it. I've actually focused extremely well and been very efficient. Anyways enough about that. I took Ayns and her dad and sis to the airport, they are off to Spain and most of Europe for 2.5 weeks, estoy celeso.
But enough words, here are some pics from one of the weddings, Amy and Jim. Great time, they were extremely cooperative and let me do my thing, which always makes for great images. Enjoy!

I see that light...

2007-05-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

So I attended my last undergrad lecture at the University of North Texas (Accounting! Awesome!). This means that after my finals next week, I am finished (not including Mexico, but that's more like a vacation where I have classes to go to). Its awesome for sure, I am really excited to get out into the real world. I know, I know, you wise ones are sitting there saying that as soon as I start working, I'll wish I was back in college. Well, all I'm going to say is I love what I do, and I love to work (must be that German work ethic or something). I go crazy sitting around, fortunately this semester has kind of allowed me to breathe, but not really sit. So woo hoo.

In other news, I present you the latest effort in making myself able to eat food: senior portraits. I did a marketing shoot last weekend with my little brother, who is very James Dean-ish according to my mother, and his friend Sarah. They turned out well, and I hope to begin posting flyers around Duncanville and formulating packages very soon. I will also have examples up on Sportsshooter and my website.
If you or someone you know wants to do some portraits, especially senior portraits, I have an opening special: Multiple poses with up to two dress changes, a cd with selected ready-to-print images, an 8x10 and two sheets of wallets (should be about 24). All of this for $150. Now I will say, I am doing the majority of portraits at my house in Dallas, and will not travel very from there without an additional fee being paid. Please tell people now, because I will have these rates go up later on. Thanks!

And finally, I have been thinking about things, and I have a few little fun projects that have been left by the wayside because of this semester's insanity. Those include the Rec Center, some motorcycle-riding war veterans, and guys that build tall bikes. I have not forgotten about them, but have had them on hold. Now with school almost out, it looks like I can begin the pursuit again. Make sure you guys pressure me about these too, since I am not working for publication and have no deadline, I might drift, and don't want to do that. Keep my nose on the grindstone ya'll!

Insomniac!

2007-04-27T22:26:00.000-07:00

So guys,
I entered this crazy contest put on by mac, called the insomniac photo festival. I have from today at 5pm until 5pm tomorrow to make an image on the them they have selected. Everything is being kept under wraps, but i will say the idea I'm working with is, well here's a fun description:
{the box} {photo idea} . Anyways, it should be good, and you have to vote for me! Here's a link to insomniac (click here). Go check it out tomorrow, and I will send out further emails. Rock on!

Night Lights

2007-04-24T12:55:00.000-07:00

So I had decided last week I was going to go out and do a night shoot. I just wanted to take advantage of the surrealism that the darkness offers. One really should look around as they drive at night, and take the time to soak in the landscapes as they are bathed in artificial glow. It is incredibly peaceful. I always enjoy shooting out late at night by myself, as it allows me to relax, gather my thoughts and just work through the ideas in my head. Initially I was out shooting with the Hasselblad, but it suddenly became too structured for me, so I switched over to digital and decided to do some more experimental work, instead of shooting lighting. So I found a construction site right off the road (if you guys don't know how much I love industrial equipment, you really should. The piles of old Tonka Toys in my bedroom back home are testament), busted out my tripod and maglite, and went to work. In the images, I was hoping to convey a sense of power through the strong lines and grit these machines possess. The pic of the Taco is just because I love taking pictures of my truck. It won't be the last one by a long shot. Enjoy!

Because Its Too Much Fun

2007-04-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

So, because I love these portraits so much, and I'm sure many of you will, here are some more of my faves. Please feel free to leave comments on here, and definitely let me know if you want to be added to my email list! By doing so you would be informed whenever I post up new photos, be it on sportsshooter, blogger or the website. Hit me up!

And A Bridal

2007-04-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

Also, another fun bridal portrait shoot.

From Mad Hatters to Lobster Ladies

2007-04-23T13:54:00.000-07:00

So, in fitting with the personality of my friend Deborah, her wedding was one of the more creative, and hands down the craziest that I have shot. The ceremony itself was innocent enough, though it was held at the Wizard Academy. Yes, your eyes do not deceive you, this is a facility where the best and brightest new age wizards are taught the tricks of the trade (the tuition is lower than Hogwarts), and they even have a chapel on the campus, which is where we were. However, before we talk about all this, I have a fun story to share on getting there. Normally when I shoot for clients I like to get there the day before to make sure everything is square, but with the general craziness, and the fact the ceremony was on a Friday evening, I left Dallas with Ayns the morning of. Traffic as always was interesting in Austin, and stayed predictably heavy for a majority of the trip. We decided to truck straight on through to Chapel Dulcinea instead of checking in at the hotel first. Well, Deborah gave me two sets of directions; one for the wedding and one for the reception, which were about 45 minutes apart. Needless to say I felt compelled to visit the reception first, and arrived there on time. Or at least I would have been on time if I was anywhere near where I was supposed to be. So I called the groom, Charlie, and told him my predicament. Charlie, though, was not concerned with my issue, as apparently he had left the rings at the reception area and was trying to fight traffic to pick them up (this call occurred after I was well away from there, just fyi). So I let him do his thing, and I raced to get there. Though Deb was slightly on edge, everything went smoothly, and it was a gorgeous place.
Now is the matter of the reception. They rented a house off Lake Travis, and invited family and friends over to relax. What made it unusual, as you might be able to tell, was that it was themed "Alice in Wonderland." I had a blast, and did portraits of all the guests, which was hilarious in and of itself. Everything from Mad Hatters to Lobster Ladies. After that, we just hung out and let the festivities occur. They even jumped into the lake in full dress, because they could. So definitely a wild weekend. My holga pics should be in soon, hopefully I can put those up today. In the meantime, enjoy!

Aileen and Dennis

2007-04-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

So these are a few pics from the wedding I shot last weekend in Houston. I'm going to be down there quite a bit in the spring time, four of the six weddings I'm shooting in May are there. It was a good time, I got to work with a new photographer for Bella, Jerry Smith. Anyways, here is some eye candy.
I went out this morning and shot lots of pics with the old Holgas. I literally had to take them off the shelf and dust them before I used them, but I'm glad I did. I woke up very inspired this morning, and just took off at 8am. I haven't been shooting enough non-wedding things lately, and it has really started to get to me, as I am always trying to do something different or crazy. So off I went to the park, because I absolutely love nature in the morning, and took pics of people playing tennis balls, and then worked with light and line interactions between shadows, balls and court lines. Whenever I get those back I'll make sure to post the favs up here.
I will be headed down to Austin this weekend with Ayns to shoot my friend Deborah's wedding. This one should be good. The ceremony will be beautiful, but the best part is the reception: it is themed Alice in Wonderland, with everyone wearing themed costumes. I'll be setting up a little studio to capture the magic. Now that you are salivating on the thought of dressed up Dodos and Mad Hatter Cake, I will leave.

Hardcore Bikin'

2007-04-13T19:15:00.000-07:00

So I never got to put these pics up of David and I from Tyler State Park. We jetted down there to do some relaxation/camping/biking/being awesome. And I certainly would say that we dominated out there. The trail ratings are like in skiing, the blues and greens are easy and medium, and then there's the blacks. Needless to say, we rode every trail out there, easy to expert, and were worn out at the end of the day, but still good to go. If you ever have the chance, please head out to Tyler, there's not much there, but the folks are friendly, and nature is incredible. Also, the first shot of David is him walking up a hill from the trail to our campsite. We were able to jump straight on the path from where we camped. So good.

Bluebonnets

2007-04-13T18:53:00.000-07:00

As I had promised, here is the bluebonnet pic of me and my sustainer, Aynsley (girlfriend is an inadequate description of this woman...) on Easter Sunday, right before we went over to my uncle's house for the family gathering. So I know what you're thinking, and its true. We really do go together like peas and carrots. But anyways, Easter was a beautiful day, I got to play baseball with my brother, cousins and uncles, and be reminded yet again why I never went pro. Plus this has just been an amazing holiday for me in general. I watched The Passion with Ayns on Friday, and if you think you have an understanding of what Jesus went through in sacrificing Himself for us but haven't seen this movie, it will give you an entirely new appreciation for what He has done for humanity. Though I have not been on the journey very long, I feel my relationship with God growing, and I am changing as a person for the better. There is so much more joy in my life now than bitterness, encouragement instead of despair, and just an overwhelming clarity as I see my purpose and know that I was put here for a reason. That last thought has done tons for me, because I know have struggled with knowing why I am here, and I know many people around me with similar struggles. Christ has helped me see the man I can become, and for that I am thankful. Cheers.

Softballs and Easter Eggs

2007-04-09T14:09:00.000-07:00

(04.05.07) -- Arlington, TX -- Arlington High School softball player Sabrina Holguin (5) searches for Easter eggs after their game against Duncanville High School. Parents from Arlington placed eggs outside the stadium for the girls to look for after the game. ©2007 Jason Kindig/The Dallas Morning News
(04.05.07) -- Arlington, TX -- Arlington High School softball players hold Easter egg baskets full of Easter eggs after their game against Duncanville High School in Arlington. ©2007 Jason Kindig/The Dallas Morning News
3. (04.05.07) -- Arlington, TX -- Duncanville High School player Alex Maxwell makes a catch for an out against Arlington High School in Arlington on April 5, 2007. The game was called after four innings, with Arlington beating Duncanville 11-0. ©2007 Jason Kindig/The Dallas Morning News

I haven't shot softball in forever, so this was fun. The girls are usually pretty pumped, singing and chanting throughout the game. It was quieter during this match, but fun was had afterwards for the victorious Arlington Lady Colts. Just as I was packing away my gear, I heard ecstatic screaming and yelling, and when I looked to see where it was coming from, there was a surge of black and green uniforms running across a wooded area by the parking lot, baskets in hand. So of course I grabbed the camera and ran over there to begin shooting the egg collection. It was fun, they were excited, and I got something different from a regular game. Enjoy, and I will be posting up some pics I took with my amazing girlfriend on Easter Sunday (its always cute to shoot in bluebonnets).

Shoot at White Rock

2007-04-02T22:34:00.000-07:00

Aynsley and I had the fortune of spending our Sunday afternoon at White Rock Lake in Dallas before an engagement session I had for Bella Pictures. There is nothing better than taking a nap on a blanket next to the lake, it allows you to completely let go of all the hectic things going on in life. So, we will probably be going out here more often, either to picnic, bike, canoe or kayak. Also, anyone else that would like to do one of the above with me, at least any of the testosterone boosting ones (picnicking just isn't that hardcore), just give a shout. In case you're wondering, the above pic is from the engagement session. Take it easy.

The First, The Meyerson

2007-04-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

Alright, it has been forever, but I have decided to start using blogger to do my posting instead of 360. It just seems like the format is a little friendlier for me. So, look forward to seeing what I've been up to on here, and leave a comment or three.
The first pic here is from the Meyerson. It was shot quite a while ago, but I think you guys should see it. I had the opportunity to work for the Symphony and shoot a light show they had that was put on to Respighi's "Pines of Rome." I couldn't help but smile the entire time I was shooting, as that is one of my favorite pieces, and has tons of power. Awesome.