Smokin'!!

-Hey everyone!

The soggy group on our second day. Image by Gordon Kreplin

HDR

Ken Sklute on the first morning

Bry braving the elements

With the government and the national parks  being shut down right now, I thought it was a perfect time to post a few shots from my trip to the smokies during the Tennessee Professional Photographers Convention a few weeks ago. I was honored to spend some quality time with three of the speakers and some of the TNPPA attendees that got up early. I was able to get away at dawn twice. Both days were gorgeous, just one was much wetter than the other. It was inspiring to see everyone get out in the rain to photograph. It just felt good. Wet, but good. There were tripods and long exposures happening everywhere.Then we celebrated our trip with pancakes! The city of Pigeon Forge's main export is pancakes I think! I want to thank Gordon Kreplin, Bry Cox, and my mentor Ken Sklute for coming to Tennessee to share their knowledge and judging skills. Thank goodness the park was not closed that week! I did really well at the image competition too, but that is for another article. The image of our group on the second day is by Gordon Kreplin. See you next time!

A perfect day at Cedarwood!!

Photographing weddings in multiple states is incredibly interesting to me. The styles, the venues, the food, etc. is different everywhere. What carries through every wedding is the love of family and friends, and that makes me love my job.. Larry, Peggy, and myself covered an incredible wedding on Mother's Day this year.  The wedding and reception was held at Cedarwood, a wonderful venue about 6 miles from downtown Nashville. I cannot rave enough about how professional the staff is there!. The coordinator, Courtney, ran the entire day flawlessly. The venue is beyond gorgeous. This place is a photographer's dream. And totally different from my Florida weddings. Courtney (Bride) and Sterling and the entire family were wonderful to photograph all day, too. They were so much in love, it made me have a permanent smile all day. Our caterer was Chef Christophe's Catering, and the reception was  totally perfect thanks to our DJ Jace Aaron www.reverbnation.com/jaceaaron. The gorgeous bride's cake is by Patty Cakes. Here are a few images from a perfect day! Thanks!

Al

 

Good Times, Good Times

As a full-time professional photographer, there are times when you wish you had time to photograph- I mean for yourself. To do photos that are just to please your inner soul. We all spend a lot of time creating images that please others. And that is ok, It's what we do. And I love making others happy. It's what I do.

But there is an incredible joy just to get out there and just SHOOT. And I don't just mean landscapes and such. I found these photos Sunday of my favorite Florida wedding assistant Nikki. I just could not stop smiling after I found them. It brought back great memories of a trip we took to photograph a wedding on the Georgia-North Carolina line. These were taken the next day while we were driving to Asheville with a good friend Michael Gleydura to teach a class to the local photographers there. We had photographed Nikki in her wedding dress at sunrise that morning, and were just driving. Perfect weather too, by the way. We saw these incredible flowers on the side of the road, and knew we had to stop.. Mike and I grabbed our reflectors and cameras and Nikki was gorgeous and patient as always. It didn't hurt that Nikki has a smile  and a grace that is beyond amazing. We had FUN. Nothing could have spoiled those moments for me. We were only there 30 minutes, but I will always remember that feeling of pure relaxation and joy. As photographer we need to cherish those moments, and never let ourselves lose the passion to photograph and create.These times will make you a better photographer for every session you shoot.. Take the time.. MAKE the time to photograph for you!

PS-- These are scans from proofs... These were on FILM.. remember that?

Thanks!! Al Gordon

Honored

Larry and I were honored to photograph the funeral of a prominent man in Murfreesboro this morning. It was immediately obvious from photos and the American flag that the man was a veteran. I personally was not a member of the armed forces but I  began to think of the people in my family that were, but are not around anymore. My father (WW2) and my brother (Vietnam) seemed to be with me this morning. From what I remember, they rarely spoke of their time in the service, but I do know I was very proud of them both.My partner Larry did serve in the military, and I am sure this morning brought back memories for him. It was very moving to hear taps played by the bugler, and see the flag being handed to his late wife today.. Please take the time to thank a veteran, a policeman, a firefighter, anyone who puts their life on the line everyday for our city, state, and country. Please do it before they are not around to hear you. These people are heroes, and they need to know how much they are respected and loved.

Have a good day!

Al Gordon

NEWS

Hey everybody!!!

A lot has gone on in my personal and business life since my last post so long ago. I have opened a second studio in Murfreeesboro, Tennessee with a partner, Larry Ralston. Murfreesboro is my real hometown where I grew up and graduated high school. I will continue to do weddings and other things back in Bradenton, too! I am presently flying back and forth every few weeks. As of now, our website is still www.algordonphoto.com. I have also remarried! Its gonna be a wild ride, but just know, we love our clients in both cities, and we will continue to provide you with quality photography and great service! Our Tennessee phone number is 615-396-8776! Our Tennessee e-mail is GordonRalstonPhotography@gmail.com