The Holga Surprise...

This is what happens when you use a Holga...my Holga...

If you're not familiar with Holga's, don't feel bad...I'm just getting around to understanding them. Basically, a Holga is a cheap toy camera...made in the early 80's so that the common person in China could afford to take pictures...and then an uncommon people in the West got a hold of this cheap, plastic lens camera...and manipulated it beyond all imagination...some even won awards in photojournalism using this $20 something-dollar camera...

Here's my hand at it...the severe vignetting is done in camera...by manipulation...hence, extracting a certain piece inside the camera. Much tape is needed to prevent light leaks...and for all you photogs...this camera is stuck at 1/100 shutter speed...F/11 or 13 (depending on your source), and the suggested film speed is ASA/ISO 400...

Enjoy this strangeness...

Life.Culture.Reylius

Rewind. 2004. I just got a new job at the Boys & Girls Club at Woodland Acres (aka: Sin City). I'm the Program Director. I meet my staff...and there's one, Reylius...18 years old...living by himself at Lighthouse Bay Apartments...attending FCCJ (FSCJ)...and working as the Art Director at the Club. This calls for a lot of responsibility...and some serious growing up!

I left that job 7 months later...it was more than a job...it was your life...and I had a new born, so I couldn't afford to give my life to the club. Reylius has moved on too. Over time I lose touch with him...that's in 2005.

About a year ago, I'm sitting at the now closed Barnes & Nobles...someone comes up behind me..."hey, Ezra...???" Holy___ (I can't say on my blog)...it's Rey...with Dreads...

We swap #'s...e-mails...hang-out one time afterwards...catch-up...stay in touch...and now the foto-shoot.

Reylius now attends Edward Waters College and will be graduating in a couple of semesters.

Here's the many sides of Reylius...Life.Culture.Reylius...enjoy!

Credit goes to Jerome...once again...for helping me out! Thanks bro!

Jacksonville Shoot Club!

Alright...so if you follow me on twitter or facebook, then you've already seen these fotos...but if you haven't, enjoy...but first let me explain....

Jacksonville Shoot Club was started by Kara Pennington and Melanie Watson...and their husbands. Basically, the shoot club was designed for a bunch of photographers to get together and shoot...experiment...network...hang-out...jump in fountains, etc. All level photogs are welcomed. Props go to these people below for this month's gathering:

Makeup and Hair was provided by Faythe Mesic: http://www.faythemesic.com/

Bridal Bouquets were provided by Anything with Plants & Flowers: http://www.anythingwithplants.com

Lauren's Dress and bridal attire was provided by Solutions Bridal of Gainesville: http://www.solutionsbridal.com/
Her dress was by designer Alvina Valenta (style #9700) and her veil was by Lori London (style #VM95)

Our models:
Julianne and Greg (engagement couple)
Kelly & Chris (bride and groom)
Lauren (solo bride)

And Melanie, Kara, and the dudes...and Shain for driving from Valdosta (dedication baby...and good gas mileage)!

Now you can enjoy!

Solo Bride - Lauren

Partial Head Bride and Groom - Kelly & Chris

Sexy couple who suffered hypothermia (just kidding) - Julianne & Greg

Joe Vigil...11 months later...

Remember this...Stacy Nieuwenhuis probably does...

This was taken 11 months ago for Joe Vigil's website...we shot outside of St. Augustine...we shot at the famous Airplane Graveyard...and then moved on to an old car lot...

11 months later we meet again...but this time inside of 11E (11 E. Forsyth St. in downtown). Thanks to a good friend Tan, she hooked me up with Make-up Artist Michal May...who happens to live in 11E. Michal let us in her apartment (Thank you Michal!)...and Joe & I started where we left of 11 months ago. This time the fotos will be used for an iTunes release coming real soon...I'll keep you posted on Twitter & Facebook...enjoy!

Natalie+Scott=(check below)

Natalie & Scott's engagement session...at the Mizell House...thanks Kathryn Brown (aka: Kaci).

Back in April I met with Natalie and Scott...we met the Flats...you know...Tijuana Flats...

We talked about their wedding...and then for the next 3 hours, we talked about everything under the sun...

Well, today wasn't much different...except the awesome fotos below.

Natalie & Scott will be getting married next month...at One Ocean...so keep an eye out!

One of my favorites!

My father's wedding slideshow!

FREE!!!

Ok...this is simple. You have to guess what this is...the first to guess correctly (leave a comment) gets a free 1 hour shoot! Sorry Kaci, you can't play...and also, this is only for locals...unless you want to come in from out of town for your free shoot. Ahh...and only 2 people maximum...this is not intended for families...just singulars or couples...

So go ahead and guess away...and if I don't know you, you have to leave me some contact info in the comment section...

Well...we already have a winner! Emily wins...that's right...it's Cloud Gate...or as the Chicago locals call it...the bean. It's located in Millenium Park...this shot was taken under it...you can see my reflection in the middle of the image...I'm kind of tiny...

Chicago - Day #5

I'm a little late on this post...but yesterday was my last full day in Chicago...and like usual, it was another busy day! To start the day, I had a shoot with Katie & Jason...I photographed them back in May on Fernandina Beach...they came in from St. Louis...Katie was pregnant. Well, when they heard I was going to be in Chicago, they booked for another shoot...but this time, we met in Chicago and Katie wasn't pregnant...Miles was born 3 weeks ago. You can see a few fotos below.

After the shoot, I went down to Michigan Avenue...to get a little surprise for my daughter...I went to the American Doll Store. I got her a Bitty Baby...needless, to say, I think she was more excited about her surprise than me coming home!

Then after I escaped the doll store, I ran and met with my cousin for a late lunch...yup, we got some Thai food...it was very good...and unfortunately, I can't remember the restaurant's name.

And after that, I met with my old roommate from college, Rayshawn...and his wife, Sabrina...we hung-out a little...ate a late dinner...and I talked to one of their friends regarding their September 2010 wedding...and then that was it...Now I'm back in Florida...my wife surprised me with Indian Food...which was just perfect...b/c there are no Vegan delights in the airports...just smoothies...and those don't fill up your appetite...so thank you Rana!

Enjoy the few fotos...and look for something FREE tomorrow!!!

Chicago - Day #4

How do I start this blog entry? Ok, today (which was yesterday) my father got married! I was the best man...and I took a few fotos! It was pretty special to fotograph my sister helping my father with his cufflinks...and my father dancing with Maria around Maggiano's...and my father making a toast to Mary's mother! It was even cool giving my camera to Mary's daughter-in-law to take pictures during the ceremony - she had a better angle...I was the best man...stuck in the front!

The ceremony was small...it took place in Mary's backyard - Mary is my father's wife...I have known Mary since I was in high school! Anyway, the ceremony was in her backyard...she has a very nice garden...super nice! During the ceremony, they did the sand pouring ritual...but before they poured their sand in together, a few selected family members from each side of the family poured in the sand. It wasn't just my father and Mary "mixing"...it was the two families! That was pretty neat...

Here's a few fotos from the day...enjoy!

My family...and friends of the family...thank God for timers and tripods!

Chicago - Day #3

Day #3...Ok...first I visited Rana's grandmother in the hospital...she had a super minor heart attach Wednesday...so I went to see how she was doing...Rana's grandmother is 90 something years old!

After that, I ran to the Thai Bowl on Taylor St. for some quick Pad Thai...w/Tofu & Veggies (and thank God they didn't accidently put Chicken in it like they did in Jax...)...I also had a Boba Tea w/tapioca balls....

Once the stomach was full, I jetted to the John Hancock Building...the 3rd tallest in the city...and then I met my aunt and we drove to the suburbs for my father's rehearsal...

After the rehearsal, my cousin and I went to the Bahai Temple and caught a few cool shots!

Enjoy!

Chicago - Day #2

Wow...another crazy day in Chicago. The last two times that I have visited this place, things are non-stop.
Today...which will be tomorrow when most of you read this...my father cooked me a nice breakfast...a late breakfast...I needed some rest from the day before. After breakfast, we went down to China Town...I tried out my new Holga...we'll have to wait to see the outcome of those fotos being that camera is a film camera. After China Town, we met my sister at my father's house...I did a little shoot for them that we will call 'the year after foto session." The session started in the alley behind my father's house...then we hopped the train into downtown...shot some near the Picasso sculpture...and then walked to Millenium Park and shot some more. We headed back on the train again...shot some cools shots waiting for the train...even used the Holga!

My sister headed out...so my father and I decided to go back into downtown and go up the Sears Tower...I mean Willis Tower...
That was a near inexplicable experience. I've been up there 3-4 times...but this time they have the LEDGE!!! I have a serious fear of heights...but this was the best therapy! This is a must do if you visit the City!

After that, we ate at the Athena Greek restaurant...and thank God, they had some Vegan alternatives!

Enjoy the pics below!

China Town

My sister Nicole and my brother-in-law Nick!

Nick looking cool while waiting for our train...you have to look cool in Chicago!

Atop the Sears Tower facing Northeast...that's Lake Michigan.

Me...on the Ledge...on the 103rd Floor...over 1000 feet above the pavement below!

Chicago - Day #1

Ok...so yesterday was pretty crazy! I left Jacksonville at 6:20am...got to Chicago at 9am...10am for you all back at home in Florida...

My father picked me up at the airport...we hung out at the house...I downloaded CS4 for him....he has a Nikon D90, but Photoshop 7.1??? It's from the stone ages!

Then we went to Helix Camera Store...I needed new MicroFiber Cloth...my father bought himself a 50mm 1.8 - the best bang for your buck when it comes to any photo equipment!

Then we drove north to Glencoe...we ate a little lunch on this thing they call a beach - Lake Michigan??? At least it was cool outside with little humidity.

Then while my cousins were getting ready for a little fotoshoot, my father and I played a little tennis....I played in jeans! I didn't know I'd be playing...regardless, that's how cool it is up here...that I could play in jeans!

I did a little shoot with my cousins...check the images down below! Then we drove back to the City...got stuck in White Sox traffic...and then after that hung-out with my old college roommate Rayshawn...we went to Reggie's - on the corner of Cermak and State....anyway, The Mars Volta was playing inside...we hung-out outside because the weather calls for that! We drank this beer called Gumball Head...it's pretty good!

More to come today!!!

Layla (Wed With Ease) & Scott!

A few weekends ago I had an opportunity to hang-out with Layla and Scott...and their dogs...and yes, literally we hung-out...I just snapped a few shots here and there while we were talking. We first started the shoot at their house...and then we moved onto the outdoors. Forgive me, b/c I can't remember the name of the park we went to...but it was a pretty cool place with a little history behind it...I had never been there before...it's across from NAS JAX...

It was a very relaxing time...and I learned that there is ICE CREAM for DOGS...interesting...

If you need a wedding planner, check out Wed With Ease - Layla is very good people...down to earth...and she'll take care of you!

Here's a few pics...I included a few of Layla's home elements...enjoy!

Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens!

This weekend I had sometime to hang-out with the family, so we went to the Jacksonville Arboretum.

My wife has gone a few times with the kids, but I have never gotten a chance to go with them...so this time I went...and I was totally surprised. See, the parking lot is bare...no trees...so at first glance, you may think the place is a little flaky...but that's b/c the Jacksonville Arboretum isn't complete. I saw the plans for the park...it's incredible! I don't know how long it will take them to complete it...it may take a while...it seems it's being completed by volunteers.

Anyway, once you leave the parking lot and enter the trails, you'll be surprised...check below at a few fotos I took...also, visit their website...visit the park (go on all the trails)...maybe you can volunteer!