Leigh Ann’s blog

Here I go again

I find myself sitting in an airport once again, waiting for a flight to Vegas. It seems like just yesterday I was here waiting to catch a plane to Vegas. Silly me, it’s been over a week. So, back to the land of sparkly lights and even sparklier entertainment. Will be covering the Snow Patrol West coast tour. More fromthe road later.

Holiday Portrait Special

The weather is getting cooler and the leaves are starting to change. It’s time to think ahead to those family portraits and holiday cards. Do you want unique and personal holiday cards this year? A beautiful framed portrait makes a perfect Christmas gift for grandparents. I’m currently offering a special for Holiday cards. If you schedule a portrait session before November 22nd, you only pay $50 and will receive an 8×10 print of your choice, plus the regular design fee for holiday cards will be waived (cost of actual cards is extra). This is a savings of $170, so don’t delay, contact me about booking a session and make your christmas cards something special this year.

Ghostface Killah & Raekwon

I had a great time shooting their performance. The crowd was immense. They were fantastic despite being exhausted. They literally had just gotten off a flight from Europe. When they left the stage, they were on their way back to the airport to fly off somewhere else.

Performer Magazine Cover

The October edition of Performer Magazine - Southeast features my photographs of Birds Of Avalon.

You can see the edition online or can pick up a print copy at most music shops, including The Guitar Center.

The Loft @ Exit/In

Day 2 in Nashville and you’ll find me photographing again at the Exit/In for Rocktog Magazine.. Tonight I’m shooting The Loft.

Ludo

While here in nashville I got the chance to photograph Ludo performing live at the Exit/In for Rocktog Magazine. It was a fantastic gig, although more laid back than I’m used to. I think it’s one of the first gigs ever that has started earlier than published , about 30 minutes earlier. not that I’m complaining, as I was tired and was happy to have an early night.

Stay tuned for images from the show.

Winging my way to Music City

Yes, I’m on the road again. Some may wonder if I ever stay home long enough to get laundry done. I do, but I go in spurts of travel where I spend so much time on the road that I dread setting foot in another airport. So here I am again, in the airport, off to Nashville for for a brief visit and work. Unlike most trips, I’m going to be meeting fiends and having fun, talking shop and all that, so I’m actually looking forward to this excusion.

Birds Of Avalon

I recently photographed local Raleigh band, The Birds of Avalon at the NC Museum of Natural History for the cover of Performer Magazine. The museum was a pretty cool place to shoot with lots of unusual backgrounds. The trick was to keep the images from appearing like a photo of a band on a field trip. A few of the locations within the museum were a challenge to light, particularly the of prehistoric aquarium display, as it was essentially a narrow plexiglass tube that curved around a bend. This limited the placement of lighting and shooting position, as well as the challenge to avoid creating reflections of the lighting rig and/or photographer in the plexiglass.

Here are a few of my favorites.

T-rex

Met this guy at the NC Museum Of Natural History when I was photographing the band, Birds Of Avalon. Lots of cool dinosaur bones and such there. This happens to be the skull of a T-rex. Don’t think I’d want to meet this fellow on a dark night.

Hidden Treasures

You’d think I’m some sort of massive gardener by my recent photos of flowers and gardens, but I’m not. You’d never question that if you actually stopped by our home and saw how out of sorts my garden is. Seattle, on the other hand, is filled with incredible gardens and I always enjoy snooping around to see what I can find. I love all the fountains and hidden treasure tucked back into the plantings, like a secret waiting to be discovered.

Sun and fun on the beach

I’m taking a few days to relax at the beach up on Whidbey Island. Whidbey island is a about 45 minute drive north from Seattle to the ferry, then a quick 20 minute ferry crossing, but it feels like a world away. I’m on Useless Bay, where low tide leaves the boats stranded on the sand. Here locals have crab traps and during low tide simply walk out to the trap to bring in their catch of dungeoness crab. Out by the bluff is known for excellent clamming. But for me, I enjoy simply walking in the tide flats and watching the kids play.

Seattle Rocks!

OneLight Workshop

I’ve been trying to get into one of Zack Arias’s OneLight workshops for some time but it hasn’t worked into my schedule, until now. A few months ago I was one of 100 photographer sitting at my computer waiting for the hour at which registration for the Seattle workshop opened up. One hundred of us trying to get one of the 12 slots. It was a bit like trying to get front row tickets to a U2 concert. But I was one of the fortunate ones and spent Sunday evening and Monday into Tuesday morning learning new lighting skills and shooting portraits around Belltown in Seattle. Absolutely the best workshop I’ve ever attended. I learned a great deal, developed my skills, and met other great photographers.

Lily & Sidney

Meet Lily, a beautiful 19 month old. isn’t she adorable? I had a great time playing with her as she showed me her new Dora furniture and all her books. She’s got a very nice ball collection as well.

Lily’s younger sister is Sidney. She’s almost 6 months old now. I last photographered her in March when she was only 3 weeks old. She sure has grown a ton. Doesn’t she have the most gorgeous eyes?

A Day In The Garden

I had the opportunity to do a bit of flower gazing today while I photographed the Marcia Zech’s incredible lakeside garden outside of Seattle.

Latteland, here I come!

I sound like a broken record, but I am again on the road, or more accurtely, in the air. I’m winging my way to Seattle as I type where I plan a mixture of work and play. Hmmm, my work is sort of my play as well, as I love what I do, so it’s all pleasure. I’ll be shooting a few portraits, attending the OneLight workshop by Zack Arias, and spending some time with family.

So, stay tuned for updates from Latteland.

Fat Matt’s

One of my favorite eateries in Atlanta is Fat matt’s Rib Shack. Seriously the best BBQ and best ribs. I’m not a big rib eater myself but my husband loves them. in fact, it’s the one thing he requested, that I bring back a slab of ribs for him. I prefer a chopped pork sandwich, with beans, and if I’m really hungry, a [piece of pecan pie. Yummmmmy!

Very AltF

I always enjoy being in Atlanta. It’s a fun city filled with cool shops and interesting people. Anyway, I attended a great workshop today by John Michael Copper. He is the most creative photographer I’ve ever met and was completely inspired by his work and the way he approaches his art.

Here’s the we built during the workshop. The whole process opened my eyes to so many possibilites for my own work.

On the road again…

I’m once again on the road, this time headed to Atlanta where I’ll be attending a workshop and sqeezing in another portrait session. I’m also planning on catching a gig if I still have enough energy. Imagine…going to a gig as a regular fan without having a job to do. Actually paying for a ticket and all. Ok, so I wouldn’t actually pay for a ticket (it’s good to have connections) but still a novel idea.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my 7th wedding anniversary. OK, so it isn’t mine, but it’s our seventh wedding anniversary. This anniversary is what will be forever referred to as the iAnniversary. Our iPhones we purchased earlier this month were early anniversary gifts to each other. But of course, my wonderful husband also gave me gorgeous orange roses (what a sweety). I gave him a bag of Fritos and a can of Frito Bean Dip. Hey, who says I’m not romantic. Ha!