This was shot entirely with a Canon 7D, mounted on a monopod with a 300mm 2.8 lens, and edited with Sony Vegas. It’s really two different videos combined into one, and while it’s far from perfect, I’m pretty happy with it

One is the new Anderson County Football poster schedule, with an image of mine from last year as the background…

Football and Fireworks!

And the second surprise was the lead image on www.maxpreps.com, I remember this being one tall dude!

I responded with something along the lines of, “First question-Have you ever been committed to an institution or been forced to take anger management courses by a judge?”, and of course he just had to include that in this excellent article

All kidding aside, I’m scared to death of trying to cover someone’s wedding who is not going to be happy with us. Whether it’s me, them, or a combination of both I really want to make sure we are a good “fit” for each other. I truly believe that conflict between the bride and the photographer can result in some poor images, or lack of images. It is for this reason that I insist on meeting with the bride at least once, sometimes twice, before the contract is signed. The better relationship that the photographer and the bride (and groom) have going into the wedding day can really pay off with some awesome images!

And yes, I have declined quite a few weddings. But more importantly, I consider all of my past wedding clients great friends and hope to continue photographing them for many years.

Grover’s next article is going to be, “What are the Top 10 Questions for a Prospective Photographer” and I’ll be sure to post a link to it here as soon as it comes out, See Ya!!!

By: Twitter Buttons

• The key to this is long exposures (shutter stays open) and a stable camera (tripod).
• With a DSLR, I would start with these settings…ISO 200, f/16.0, set the focus to manual and infinity, and use the bulb exposure mode. Once you get everything setup and are ready to try a shot, press the shutter button and then place your hand over the lens (this blocks any light from getting to the camera). As soon as the fireworks are shot, move your hand and you should capture the launch, explosion, and the falling streamers until you cover the lens or press the shutter again. In bulb exposure mode, the shutter opens when you press the shutter button and will stay open until you press it again.
• With a point and shoot your mileage will vary. Some have a “fireworks” setting which is a long exposure, some have a manual mode where you can set a long exposure of 4 or 5 seconds. Might want to check your owner’s manual, what you are wanting is a 4 or 5 second long exposure.
• Other things to consider include being downwind will cause the firework smoke to drift towards you and will cause all sorts of problems.  Streetlights are a pain, the more time you spend picking your spot the happier you will be!

Ken Rockwell has some very detailed info on photographing fireworks, and of course I’ll be happy to help anyone I can.

Here are a few from Boomsday, Thanks and Have Fun!

Owen won the baby contest we held last winter, and we used some of his “winnings” on a photoshoot. We started in the studio, then went to a park, then headed back to the studio for the Grand Finale! Here is a slideshow from Owen’s first ever birthday cupcake. Not sure who had more fun…Owen, his parents, or me

Lisa and I owe (as always!) a huge thanks to Wade Payne and Laura Sartin, without those two helping we would have been lost…So Thanks!!! I’ve made a Facebook Album that I’m adding images to per the parent’s request, so if you would like your entry added there just buddy up with us on Facebook and I’ll get you added and tagged. Thanks Again!!!!

And here’s a super cool video that Lisa put together with all of the contest entries…

Saturday May 15th  (10 am – 5pm), and Sunday May 16th (Noon- 5pm), at the West Town mall in Knoxville TN, Images By Design Studio, (Lisa Hudson and Randy Sartin – photographers), along with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, West Town Mall and the Tellico Village Kiwanis are sponsoring this Portrait Contest.

“Who’s got the cutest Little Baby Face?”  Bring your child ages 6 and under to the mall and register for $15 to have your child’s portrait taken and entered into the contest. Each entry will receive a complimentary 5×7 color portrait. Additional portraits will be made available. Photos will be posted for voting on May 22nd (10am to 5 pm) and 23rd (Noon- 3pm). $1.00 equals 100 votes. The child receiving the most votes wins.  100% of the proceeds from the contest benefit East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Grand prize winner and age group plave winners will be announced on May 23rd.

Please help out Children’s Hospital by sharing this link, and if you have a child 6 years or under come by Saturday or Sunday!