My Inspiration The quintessential “guy” movie, Scarface, inspired this image. Carlos is a accomplished solider. His gun collection rivals some guys car collections. And that gun is real. Guy genetics focused me in on these nuances.

The Tech Breakdown. Noon sun lit this entire image. Photographed on my Nikon D700 with my favorite 85mm f/1.4 lens set at f/5.6, 1/1000 second shutter, ISO 200, auto WB. That puppy is sharp, sharp, sharp at f/5.6. And for all you photographers out there, guns and Norwegian cheek bones photograph very well in hard light. Perhaps it’s because they don’t see the light of day much this time of year considering we are two weeks away from the shortest day of the year. Here is the set up in a shed in the harsh noon light, a perfect studio space if you ask me: I asked Carlos to stand against the door frame with his right shoulder, holding his favorite gun. He loved his experience being photographed in HIS element. His fiance, Megan, relished in seeing him enjoy his engagement photography session, a quintessential phenomenon in the wedding planning process these days.

Guys DO Matter Few images created on an engagement session remind of how important the ‘guy’ matters in a photograph. I see lots of girly engagement images on wedding blogs these days… so often in fact most guys dread the very fact that they have to dress up to get their photo taken. Most times, the style of the shoot is determined by the bride-to-be. Nothing wrong with that. However, myself in the wedding planning process, I stand next to many guys find themselves nodding in agreement while thinking “I really don’t care” and saying, “Honey, that sounds great…. let’s go with it.” I really do want guys to have their say, especially when it comes to wedding photography. Most guys don’t have much of a say about the style of the flower girl dress, flower colors, or the choice of the champagne or wedding coordinator.

And a few more favorites since Carlos loves B&W photography: A classic portrait of his bride-to-be: To view the slideshow, click HERE (crank up the volume… this is their favorite song!).

Megan and Carlos, I thank you for inviting me in your lives and I can’t wait for your North Carolina wedding next September!

This weekend I met up with Megan and Carlos for their engagement shoot at their home in Spring Hope, NC. They are a perfect yin / yang of love, complete with muscles, numbers, hugs, and thoughtfulness. Together, they decorate their souls by remodeling old homes and creating a sense of place for entertaining for friends and family. They invited me to their lovely home to share… a privilege and honor to experience.  They love their cute, historic home!Earlier this year Carlos wrote a very special letter to Megan… then walked her to the mailbox to read it…  The proposal letter met Megan with complete surprise and joy! They found the same letter, but this time they read it together outloud, remembering their proposal story all over again.  Little slices of time and life like this remind me why I love my job so much! What a great shoot!

Stay tuned tomorrow for Part 2, photographed from a groom’s perspective, including guns, cigars, the “Man Shed” and an image inspired from the Al Pacino flick, Scarface.

You see, during the biggest recession of our lives, Mike and Dave quit their full-time day jobs to pursue their passion for a sustainable lifestyle through innovation and design. *Effing awesome.

The gem they created:The skinny:

WHO: You and me, like minded creative people in pursuit of love and life who need to be reminded to slow down. WHAT: To ponder your purpose of being {flowerchild thoughts welcome} WHEN: Take 5 minutes for yourself. Right now. Seriously. WHERE: In front of your iPad, iPhone, laptop, parking lot, or garden WHY: Life is shorter than we think.

**** IMPORTANT: One lucky commenter will receive a gift from me worth more than the $25 iTunes gift card that I’ll also be emailing them Monday, August 8, 2011 by 10am MT.

Notable lines (with personal notes): + If you don’t have enough time, stop watching TV. I’ve never paid for cable TV and am proud of it! Yet I love movies on my 60” 3D HD. + Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself. True that. Among the youngest cartographers at National Geographic, I play off the fact that I get lost all the time. I call it exploring. Kinda like my experience at Burning Man 2010. Or in Beirut last month. + If you don’t like your job, quit. No comment about my day job until midnight Sept 30.

Beloved Blog Readers: Right now, I want to hear your notable lines (with personal notes), commented below. There is a gift MUCH greater than the $25 iTunes gift card that will be included in your *free* gift. You dictate. Spread the love.

Very quickly I knew within seconds of shooting I had to prove that she was beautiful. Many woman don’t see it. I’d say 85% of women have a hard time looking at pictures of themselves because they don’t feel beautiful. It’s my challenge gift to prove otherwise:) Not only think she’s beautiful, but make her feel beautiful. That’s what a good wedding photographer is all about, in my opinion.

However, I like to think it is my gift to show them that Cosmo doesn’t know what beauty is. Here’s the mirror I shared first with Greg, then with Lori: I’ll be honest, I shot stuff like this on every shoot… just to cover my grounds. Worse case scenario, I want my clients to look and feel beautiful. This technical allows me to push the frontiers of what can happen. If I take then 0 – 160 mph on their engagement sessino, i’ll be able to cruise at 95 mph on the wedding day (thats my secret for all you photogs out there).

All you single guys out there… THIS is how you kiss a woman (shot with Nikon 500mm f/4): Since Greg is a bonafide fireman, it was okay to play with fire in my own backyard… glad I grew out those weeds just for them. Never thought I’d be shooting this in my backyard, but glad I was able to diamond cut my lawn early morn. Inspiration: they are watching a movie featuring real-life us (two video lights used to light this entire scene with a 14’ ring flash lightpainting sans shadows): Turn on the red light… sexual tension in a big way going on here: Proof you CAN lightpaint an engagement portrait with an $8700 Nikon 500mm f/4 lens:

Elise and I share much in common: we both love architecture. She’d kick my ass if we competed together on “Project Runway: Architecture.” While sustainable & thoughtfully designed structures are her passion, she compliments Danny like no other. And she’s got Italian beauty. Oh, Italy. Combined, their energy, compassion, and love inspire me.

If big decisions in my life were run by a board of trustees, Danny would be listed among my Board of Directors. In 2002, Danny was my “Day in the Life” intern while I worked in the maps division of National Geographic in Evergreen, CO. We graduated from Colgate University, studying Geography, years apart. While we’ve grown apart from our undergrad academic discipline, we’ve grown closer in our friendship. Friday the 13th is still a lucky day for us both (Go ‘Gate!).

Since then, we’ve continued the stream of conversation and have bonded beyond expectations. While I was booked on his wedding date to Elise, I’m stoked to attend my first ever bachelor party, a no holes barred Olympic feast of sorts including ping pong & underwater distance swimming.

For me, their engagement session exuded color, composition, captured moments, and zest for the different. Then we hit up Park & Co., a favorite date night restaurant, completed with grand food & atmosphere: We got off to a great start on the rooftop of his pad…. Ready to depart, an idea sparked: