“Oh, the weather inside ain’t frightful / In fact it’s purely delightful! / And as long the AC will go - Let it blow, let it blow, let it blow!” It may be summertime but in a studio it can be a snowy day on a frozen lake. Our champion skater, Zoey, performed beautifully in this studio portrait session. What scene can I make for you?

“One time around the block, two times around the clock, three times don’t cross the little lady.” Big, cheesy grins are for cellphone pics and Grandma. Childhood is a serious thing so something of like mood is perfectly fine for children. Studio portraiture is not simply “smile for the camera” - it is meant to evoke moods and be timeless.

While I consider all of my subjects to be people of stature and importance, it is not often I am given the opportunity to create a portrait for a man who has both seen history and played an active role in it. My study of Justin Cardinal Rigali, one of the loveliest prelates of the Catholic Church.

Working with model Chris Stanley and hard light in the midday sun was a joy to do. Here are some images from our session on a hot and sunny day.

We don’t need celebrities when everyday people are inspiring. And Elizabeth is one of those people whose true grit resulted in a significant change in her life. I think her story - with pictures, naturally - needs to be shared to inspire others! She’s a real loser - #winning!

I like softness and movement in such intimate portraits. My ever collaborative muse, Sierra, shows that keeping it simple is best and brings attention to the where it belongs - on the subject!

It is refreshing to leave behind the familiar landscape of East Tennessee and play with the Nevada desert. A recent visit to Vegas allowed me some time with a young lady at a ghost town, under a hot sun.

Getting in front of a camera can be scary but look at it as a way to show your true colors, which make you who you are and beautiful. I recently made some images for another photographer’s branding. It doesn’t have to be for business, you know - you DESERVE to be seen in a portrait!

It is wonderful when the end result of a portrait session arrives - the printed album! Watch Logan’s reaction to hers!

Joseph’s mom allowed me to do a formal studio session with the birthday boy but even better, she did not have to bring him to my studio - the studio came to him! Read this post about how it can be done and made easier for families with young children. And check out Joseph’s style - just a year old and already a fashion influencer!

I don’t like the school pictures or sports team pictures kids get shoved into - I like them feeling themselves and in black and white.

Street portraiture - not street photography - is something I define to be the few minutes when you meet a subject randomly and make a portrait of them in the environment. In New York City recently I met a delightful woman named Tiffany who gave me the opportunity to do just that!

Alannah and her lovely pregnant body allowed me to do a study of her in studio portraiture. It isn’t not your run-of-the-mill “photo shoot” but is that what you’re really looking for? Or do you want a work of art?

Bleak House in Knoxville featured a history weekend that gave me the opportunity to capture some environmental portraits of the actors in period dress.  Come back to 1864 in this blog post.

A recent study with Logan and her sweet boy, Joseph.  The goal was to capture a mother nursing her child in a classic and romantic way.  What could be a more intimate moment between a mother and her baby than when she is nourishing him?

Catching up in studio with my friend, model and actor Kwame Rock.  Always a delight and hey - stay out of trouble.  Good to see Kwame back.

A warmer, sunny afternoon in Winter was the perfect time to photograph Mason - and at 9 months old, he was the perfect age for baby pictures.  Come and see the latest GQ model in his shoot!

Winter doesn't mean it is time to stop shooting - it just means it is time to head indoors and work in studio.  Never stop practicing, never stop learning!