Welcome to “The Blog”
I’ll try my best to keep up with the current events of my life on this here blog.
You may notice a lapse in entries from time to time but I’ll get to it eventually.
Like how I’ve had a blog since last year but am just now putting this little
introduction thing on it! Hey, we’re all busy right?
Anyway, thank you so much for taking the time to check it out.
Jon
Mattie & Max
Gone but not forgotten.
November 15th., 2008
BRITTANY & MONTE
Brittany & Monte had their ceremony at the Lake Junaluska Chapel and the reception at Grove Park in Asheville. It was a great day and I had lots of fun shooting. We even got to see Barack Obama taking a walk around the grounds! He was making a campaign stop in Asheville and was staying at Grove Park. Anyway, you guys were great. Thanks again for letting me be a part of your day.
Oh Yeah, these are some fantastic shots:
October 5th., 2008
LATE GARDEN HARVEST
As much as I love a fall garden I decided to pick the remaining peppers and tomatoes and cut my herbs to hang up to dry today. I’m using a hallway closet to dry them for a few weeks and then I’ll put them in jars and have them to use all winter. Much nicer then store bought dried herbs. Check it out:
Got some late Banana Peppers, Cayenne Peppers, One Jalapeno and a few Grape Tomatoes
Framed by Oregano on the left and Thyme on the right.
A very aromatic closet!
Frome Left to Right: Sage, Basil, Rosemary, Thyme & Oregano
A late blooming Zinnia
September 11th., 2008
ROUGH CREEK HIKE
About two weeks ago Jamie and I hiked the Rough Creek Watershed area of Haywood County. Formerly the Canton Watershed it has only been open to hiking and biking since this spring. After 4 miles you reach the top of the mountain and some spectacular views. That makes an 8 mile hike! We’re getting in shape for a backpacking trip to Cumberland Island National Seashore over Thanksgiving so we needed the exercise.
Butterlfy and Bull Thistle
Jamie: Extreme Hiker
View from the top.
Another view from the top.
September 10th., 2008
RIVERVIEW FARM
I went to Riverview Farm last month on assignment for Smoky Mountain Living Magazine. If you’ve ever gone to the state fair and enjoyed some home made apple ice cream this is the guy that makes it. They grow organic apples, blackberries, raspberries and asparagus. Look for the article in the next issue.
Asparagus
September 8th., 2008
STEPHANIE & JIM
I really enjoyed shooting Stephanie and Jim’s wedding. They both have a wonderful sense of humor and loved goofing around in front of the camera. I think I could include their friends and family in that also! The ceremony was held at Inspiration Point, which is at Lake Junaluska with the reception at Waynesville Country Club. Once again everyone, including me, had a great time. I was glad to hear that they are moving to Asheville. I’m hoping to get Jim out on some bike trails. Thanks again guys!
September 1st., 2008
THE PATIO
OK, I'm going to brag on the patio I built one more time. My vision for it has finally been realized. I've got flowers, herbs and vegetables going and it just looks awesome right now. Check it out:
August 28th., 2008
MEG & WILL
I've been spending a fair amount of time out on trails and in rural settings with my couples so it was really cool to do an urban shoot. Meg choose downtown Asheville for her bridal portrait. Downtown Asheville as tons of great spots to shoot. I love peoples reactions when they see a bride in her wedding dress. "Congratulations" and "Your so beautiful" were the words of the day. Thanks again Meg! It was great working with you!
Meg and Will had there reception at Coleman Place in Asheville. Very relaxed and friendly. I had a great time and I’m pretty sure everyone else did to!
AUGUST 18th., 2008
MELISSA & JONATHON
Melissa & Jonathon got married in a small country church in Haywood County. They had a great vision for the shots they wanted between the ceremony and the reception. Jonathon's family just happens to have a beautiful farm and also own the oldest cabin in Haywood County. Add a couple of horses and an old tractor and what you get are some fantastic photographs. The reception was at a place called "The White Barn" which is just that. Very cool. Thank you Melissa and Jonathon, you guys rock!
JULY 31st., 2008
Another Cover Shot!
My friend and talented writer, Michael Beadle is coming out with a new book of poetry entitled "Friends We Haven't Met". He asked me to shoot the cover for it and Amy Prior did the design. Pretty cool.
You can check out Michael at: www.beadlepoet.com
JULY 26th., 2008
MELISSA & JOHN
Melissa & John had their ceremony on Purchase Knob which is now part of Smoky Mountain National Park. Have you ever seen a better spot to get married? Once again I have to thank Melissa & John for choosing me to capture their wedding. You guys are awesome!
Here are a few I liked:
Need I say more?
Nerves of steel.
Greg, the proud papa.
Melissa's son Ryan during the ceremony.
Groom's cake.
I guess you guys were meant for each other.
I love it.
JULY 24th., 2008
Cover Shot!
Check out my cover shot and the summer wildflower spread in Smoky Mountain Living magazine:
JULY 10th., 2008
Proof That I Work!
For all you doubters out there, here is proof that I actually do work.
Well, I guess you could call it that?
At Melissa and John's ceremony on Purchase Knob. What a place to tie the knot!
Self portrait with a bunch of goofballs. Especially you Megan!
JULY 9th., 2008
BROOKE & RICH
As I mentioned in my previous entry, Brooke and Rich were wed at our home on June 21st. It was an awesome experience to both host and photograph a wedding at the same time. It rained everywhere but at our house. I guess we were in the wedding bubble. Got some great shots, and had fun hanging out with old and new friends. It was definitely a night to remember. Enjoy:
JULY 7th., 2008
Our Yard and Patio
OK, I know I have been a very slack blogger lately but there are lots of things to come.
The wedding my wife and I hosted at our house has come and gone. Everything went great and a good time was had by all. Brooke and Rich made a lovely couple and I wish them a lifetime of happiness. I'll be posting wedding photos soon.
We now have a completed patio, which I have been working on for a year. We also painted our gazebo and did tons of yard work. Everyone thought we should make our home a small wedding event center. Here are a few pics of the grounds:
Our gazebo with a fresh coat of paint and a wedding cake.
The finished patio built by hand, by me. It took a year working on it off and on but was well worth it.
Back yard set up and ready.
JUNE 17th., 2008
Brooke & Rich's Rehearsal
I mentioned earlier in the blog that our good friends Brooke and Rich are getting married at our house. Well it's this Saturday and they had a little rehearsal last night so I got some practice shots in. Look for the real thing soon.
Rich's daughter India.
Rich, Brooke, Trent, India and the ham, Megan.
Practice makes perfect!
My wife Jamie relaxing during the rehearsal.
JUNE 17th., 2008
Elk in North Carolina!
Melissa and I had a first and probably a last during her bridal portrait shoot. While on our way from the Heintooga Spur Rd. in Smokey Mountain National Park to our next location on Waterock Knob we ran into a group of four Elk! They had made there way from Cataloochee Valley where they were originally released as part of the parks Elk reintroduction program. They seemed healthy and happy and we grabbed a few shots while we could. These may be the first and only bridal portrait shots with Elk outside of Cataloochee Valley.
JUNE 14th., 2008
Melissa's Bridal Shoot
Melissa and I decided on Heintooga Spur Road in Smoky Mountain National Park and Waterrock Knob along the Blue Ridge Parkway for her bridal portrait shoot. We found some great spots and came across some Elk while we were up there! Here's a few of my favorites.
MAY 20th., 2008
Meg & Will's Engagement Shoot
Meg & Will decided on the Arboretum at Bent Creek for their engagement shoot. We had lots of fun checking out all the gardens and walkways and came away with some great shots:
MAY 12th., 2008
Melissa & John's Engagement Shoot
Every now and then you do a shoot when everything comes together. The engagement shoot I did with my friends Melissa and John was one of these shoots.
Aside from getting lots of great shots this was one of those shoots that has helped define my style as a wedding photographer. I was able to capture the ideas in my head with my camera, which is not always an easy thing. Thank you Melissa and John for being so easy to work with and for sharing my vision for your engagement images. I have created a separate gallery on the web site just from this shoot. Below are a few of my favorites.
APRIL 14th., 2008
Haywood County Special Olympics
Last week I had the honor of volunteering at the Haywood County Special Olympics. I told the organizers I was a photographer and they suggested I just roam the event with my camera because they are always in need of good pictures. I was actually hoping that's what I could do. I got lots of really great shots and had a great time hanging out with the athletes. If you ever get the chance to volunteer for the Special Olympics or just attend and cheer the athletes on it's an experience you will never forget. I'll let the photographs speak for themselves:
APRIL 9th., 2008
Spring
I went into the back yard the other day and LOW AND BEHOLD! Spring had sprung. Our yard is full of what they call "Money Plants" or "Silver Dollar Plants". In late summer and fall they have all these round shiny discs the size of silver dollars. This is what they look like in the spring. Very pretty and photogenic.
Secret Daffodil 1
Secret Daffodil 2
Our back yard & gazebo
APRIL 1st., 2008
Five Pound Fire
OK, I've never done much band/rock n roll photography but my friends in "Five Pound Fire" needed a group shot for their press kit so I thought I'd give it a shot. Here are a few that turned out pretty well and I think the guys liked them to.
PS - They play all original material and it's really good. If you get the chance go see them live.
Five Pound Fire
Five Pound Fire
MARCH 28th., 2008
Brooke & Rich
I just wanted to share this cool engagement party invite that I developed with my friend and graphic designer Amy Prior. Amore Infinito is Italian for Infinite Love.
MARCH 25th., 2008
Our Home
On the business side of things I've booked weddings for June, July and September this month! My wife Jamie and I will actually be holding a small wedding at our home in Waynesville in June. It should be interesting. We are fortunate enough to have a beautiful, historic home with a nice yard and a Gazebo. Who knows, maybe we'll start having more weddings at our home. Here's a shot of it:
Our home in Waynesville
MARCH 22nd., 2008
Amy & Blackie
My friend and neighbor Amy asked if I could shoot her portrait for her mom's birthday present. Nothing fancy just some quick shots around my house. She brought her dog "Blackie" along and we got some pretty cool shots of the two of them. I've also posted a few of Amy in my portrait gallery.
Amy & Blackie in the Breezeway
Amy Lovi'n on Blackie
Blackie relaxing after a hard photo shoot
Winter farm in Haywood County, NC
Hello and welcome to my new blog page!
I’ll use this blog to relay my latest adventures in the world of wedding photography and my life in general. I never thought I’d have a blog but after checking out some other ones I came to realize it’s a great way to get to know a photographer/person before contacting or meeting with them. I think your personality comes through on the page and it also gives people a glimpse into your personal life they may not see otherwise.
OK, here goes.
If you’re reading this you probably know I’ve been a professional photographer for over 25 years. I started in the commercial field and when I tired of the “big city” I moved to Western NC and pursued my love of nature/landscape photography. Now I’ve added wedding and portrait to the list.
If you follow this blog you will be able to experience my wedding business growth with me. I launched this web site last year. I’ve done several weddings, some portraits and even a retirement party. I really am enjoying the whole process. So far this year I have weddings booked May through August and I am getting lots of inquiries.
Well that’s the business side in a very small nutshell.
And now for the personal side:
I’ve been married to my lovely wife Jamie for 6 years now. We live in beautiful downtown Waynesville, NC and I have a really cool studio above our garage. I’m an avid cyclist so I’ve been riding my bike whenever it’s warm enough. I enjoy both mountain biking and road riding although I like getting out in the woods on my mountain bike the best. We love to travel and if you’ve seen my other web site you know I fell in love with Italy and can’t wait to get back.
I’ve got to go but I will be making regular blog posts so check back and thanks for reading!
My friends Caleb and Doug from the band Five Pound Fire
Jamie in downtown Waynesville at Christmas
We are very excited about Thanksgiving this year! Jamie, myself, my brother, his wife and their two boys will be spending the week of Thanksgiving on Cumberland Island. In case you've never heard of it (and most people haven't), it is an island and national seashore of the coast of southern Georgia. In my opinion the best kept island secret in the United States. Including the west coast. The island is 10 mile long and 1.5 miles wide and requires a 45 minute ferry ride to get there.
