Sarasota...

During my trip to Sarasota, I took a few moments to sneak a few photos...Sarasota has changed...it's not a retirement community anymore!

Check out this storm/sunset from Nokomis Beach...the storm was over Sarasota...

A whole...entire wedding!

Yup...I am out of my mind! Photogs, I am posting an entire wedding (minus a few shots out of consideration for the bride). To this day, other than Kathryn Brown and Robert Hill (who I have 2nd shot with a few times), I have never seen another photographer's entire wedding. I have even paid a photographer for a consult and asked if he could bring an entire wedding so that I can see where my work stands...he didn't do it! So I'm doing it...grade yourself (you most likely will score higher)...or for brides to be - you can see that I'm pretty consistent (I hope). Get your dancing shoes...boogie on down to the two and half minute wedding! Enjoy!

An Entire Wedding! from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Fast Graduation!

Don't you wish all graduations were this fast...the 40 second graduation (the 34 second mark is the best)! Congratulations Bree!

And if you are wondering...this was shot with my 24mm 2.8...at 2.8...1/100 of second...& 2000 ISO...no tripod (apparently)...no post processing (straight out of camera)...and very little regard for photographic quality...it was done for plain FUN!

Enjoy!

Fast Graduation! from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Rickolus!

You know that feeling when you have to keep a secret...a good secret...a good secret surprise...that's what it's been like the last few weeks for me...so finally, I show you (the world) a picture of Rickolus that will be used to promote his new album, Youngster...you can buy it here in July! And you can check another photo here !

Enjoy...this took a lot of work from Curtis (thanks for the set-up and infinite amount of dry ice)...Hubbard, for helping me out with the lighting...and Rickolus, for being patient and holding that heavy as heck accordion!

Vacation is so Refreshing!

I just got back from my vacation in Virginia (a day in North Carolina)...it was Refreshing! We spent most of our time in my parent's log cabin in the mountains of Virginia...with no TV, Internet, or Cell Phone Signal! Here's one of the sunsets...enjoy!

Cool stuff...

It's neat seeing your own work published...it takes a lot of work...and that's where my personal projects come into place...you dictate what kind of work you want to do...and you meet people...people who become friends...and friends that look out for you!

The first picture was for Florida Realtors Magazine ...and that's my friend Mabel Nunez that I met while I was taking Video Production courses...and then we reconnected while working on a personal project...and then she gave my info over to Florida Realtors Magazine!

The 2nd picture was for the cover of EU ...which I've received a lot of love for!

The 3rd picture was also for the EU...an article on artists who are "Off the Grid"!

Work hard...it pays off...and be human...be nice to people...it's the right thing to do...and it naturally pays off too!

Here's my favorite from Mabel's shoot!

Heide & Quentin's Wedding!

Here's a little preview of Heide & Quentin's wedding! It was a sweet day for the two...surrounded by families and friends!

Thanks to the following vendors:

Tanya of Southern Charm Events

Michal May (Make-up Artist) - 786.390.0066

Judy's Cakes

Susan at A Fantasy in Flowers

Julie & Blake's Wedding!

Yesterday I documented Julie & Blake's wedding day in St. Augustine! I think everyone had a good time...I had a good time...I don't think I've ever witnessed so much dancing!

Thanks to all the vendors for making my day a bit easier.

Church: Cathedral Basilica

Venue: White Room - Shannon is the best!!!

Hair & Make-up: Debbie's Day Spa & Salon

Cake: Piece of Cake

Flowers: Liz Stewart - Good seeing you Tiffany!!!

DJ: Jay Rock

For photogs...and for everyone...I break my weddings into 3 parts...Preparation (hair, make-up, details, & getting ready)...the Ceremony (plus formals & portraits)...and the Reception. This keeps me sane (joke)...and it preserves a good pace in my mind...it's a psychological thing...but it works to my advantage! So I posted 2 montages..maybe next time I'll post 3...enjoy!

Preparation/Ceremony & Portraits

The Reception!

Thank you Yuliya for your help!

Ron Rodriguez!

This past week I had the blessing to photograph one of my favorite persons ever...Ron Rodriguez...you know, Ron Rodriguez & the Repeat Offenders! Ron had a gig at the CW Studios. Thank you CW for being so kind to let us shoot the whole show with a white background! Check here, here, and here for some other cool photos from the day...and check the images down below...on guard!

Arlington Expressway...

Random thoughts:

The MMA shoot (a few blog posts down) is no longer my most difficult shoot. Try taking 7 joggers on Arlington Expressway...have them jog across the expressway...photograph them...and nail it.

The hard part about shooting on Arlington Expressway...constant traffic...

The hard part about shooting 7 people running...variables...composition variables...not much I can actually control...

The hard part about shooting 7 people running on Arlington Expressway...safety...I now have ulcers!

Why would I photograph 7 people jogging across an Expressway...Arlington residents (including children) do it quite often...even to the death...it's kind of far to have to walk up to Arlington Rd. to cross the expressway...hence, this is my sarcastic way of telling the city to build a crosswalk!

By the way, I learned something new about a month ago...and it came in handy today...I used the back focus button on the back of my camera...makes things easier in these situations...

Finally, never shoot...I mean photograph...7 people crossing an expressway...trust me...don't do it!

I mean, finally, the top left image...and the 2 below it, will most likely be used for my series of Public Service Announcements...

Thanks to the jogging crew for putting your life at risk...sort of..it was for a good cause...and thanks to Richard for helping me out!

Fundraiser!!!

Changes: Instead of auctioning a print, I will be doing a silent auction for a 2 hour photo shoot...bids will start at $75. The shoot will include your images on disc!

When: Wednesday, June 2nd

Time: 5pm-9pm

Where: Suite 106...inside the Landing...see you there...

Extra: From 7pm-9pm - $10 donation=portrait on the spot, including a print.

Greetings everyone! Thanks for stopping by to read my blog! This is a really important blog post...so keep reading!

This coming Art Walk I will be doing a LIVE shoot to raise money for Compassionate Families! About 4 or 5 years back, I did quite a bit of collaborative work with Compassionate Families...so I am very familiar with their services...and they were one of the best agencies I had a chance to work with! Compassionate Families is a non-profit agency (but very, very grassroots) that works with families (especially children) that have lost a loved one due to murder. You can read about them here.

This is the deal...you need to come and show support! The live shoot will be based around the theme of diversity...but that's all I'm going to say, b/c I don't want to spoil the surprise! After the shoot is over, I will post process the images right there on the spot...and my goal is to have a large print on display before the end of the night!!! That print will be auctioned off...100% of the proceeds will go to Compassionate Families. Additionally, once I've completed the post processing...around 7pm...I will be doing portraits for a $10 donation...and you'll get your print right then!

Follow me so far? Cool! Another thing...this one is for up&coming photographers...even hobbyists! I'll be offering 4 days of "don't call it a workshop" thingy. The thingies will be broken down into 4 subjects....shooting manual, composition, lighting/lifestyle shoot, and post processing! Each subject will be about 3-4 hours...it's very fast pace...very hands-0n...and I promise you'll have some practical skills at the end of each "session". The cost is minor...and 100% will benefit Compassionate Families. So what's the cost? A $60 donation! If you want to give more, then I won't stop you! (You'll need a DSLR and a Nikon camera...ok...just joking...but a DSLR is necessary!)

The event will take place during the June Art Walk...that's June 2nd. The location will be Suite 106, which is inside of the Jacksonville Landing (it's one of the Off the Grid galleries). Joey Thate and Kim Barry have been super awesome letting me use some of their gallery space...and they will also have some of their work up...I suspect surprises from them too!!! The shoot will start at 5pm...and around 7pm I will start photographing whoever wants photos of themselves!!!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 904-338-3901 or at ezra@ezramarcos.com

And if you want to reserve your spot for the "don't call it a workshop" thingy, you can contact me now...or reserve your spot at the Art Walk!

Hope to see you there...and they do too (Kim & Joey on the scooter)!

Mixed Martial Arts...

This past Saturday I was asked to do something I have never done. I was asked to photograph a night of MMA bouts. If you know me, follow me on my blog or whatever social networking tool is out there...then you know I'm not much of an advocate for violence. I understand the skill needed...and the respect these warriors have for one another...but I don't get any joy or adrenaline rush watching people pound each other. Regardless...I shot the event...b/c it's hard for me to turn down something that's new to me...and b/c I knew it would be a challenge...and I like challenges (now I sound like an MMA fighter).

With that said, it was a challenge. Friday night was the weigh-in...and there were way too many grown men in one room...so needless to say, the set-up wasn't great...I knew I wouldn't be able to create any memorable images...so I quickly set-up a make shift studio in the hallway of the hotel. I used their dark window curtain as a backdrop (I was running short on time and had very little space...so using my backdrop was not an option). I used 2 flash units on a stand...one with a soft box...one bear. The soft box was directly to the left of the fighters...and the bear flash unit was 20 degrees or so to the right of the fighters. I then quickly grabbed a few guys to see if they wanted pictures...and they did. And then with their images on my display screen to use as an enticement, I was able to photograph most of the guys...and even a few guys that weren't fighting! A few of those images are below.

The night of the fights was pretty chaotic as well. This was definitely the most challenging shoot to date...harder than any wedding I have ever shot! The problem was no one could direct me as to where I could shoot from...and all I knew is that I couldn't shoot from practically anywhere...it seemed. To make matters worse...it was a cage fight (which is normal for MMA). Additionally, they had this 2-3 foot platform coming off the cage, so you couldn't shoot through the "gate" holes. Regardless, a few minutes before the fight, I found a spot with limited views...but it was a spot that didn't interfere with the judges or any other officials. The first fight was an experiment with lenses. I learned quickly that my 35mm prime and my 70-200mm lenses were the tools for the job. 35mm got the wide shots...especially if they got really close to me...unfortunately, the gate links are visible in most of these shots...but the 70-200mm was good for reach...and the shallow depth of field nearly dissolved the gate links! That was my experience...a massive learning experience...and I got my adrenaline rush when I realized I did capture some very notable images!

Click here to see a slide show of the night...there's no place for these images on my blog...and perhaps you might not want to see the pictures...which I can totally understand...for those who click the link, enjoy...sort of...

Historic Five Points!

Last Friday I was asked by Wingard Creative to capture Five Points...the essence of Five Points (thank you Joey Marchy)! The photos will be kept by Riverside Presbyterian in a time capsule...so when the day comes, future generations will be able to see the changes in Five Points (it's cool being a part of history!).

Here's s a few shots from the day/night...thank you to all the shops and people that let me photograph them...enjoy history frozen in time...in megapixels!

Ashley & David's Wedding!

As promised...Ashley & David's wedding! This couple knows how to have a lot of fun...and I'm going to miss photographing them...

Yesterday, Ashley & David married at Hibernia Baptist Church. The reception was at Oakleaf Plantation. It was a fun day...full of surprises...especially the horse...Dot! Check out the montage below...and the awesome vendors too!

Wedding Coordinator: Tanya of Southern Charm Event Planning

Venue: Oakleaf Plantation

Hair Stylist: Steven at Wired Look (904) 727-2526

Cake: Metro Custom Cakes

Enjoy!

Lifestyle Shoot!

I've been asked a few times how I get my clients (not models or actors) to do the things they do in my shoots - run, kiss, laugh, flirt, etc. To try to answer the question, I took 5 photographers with me on a lifestyle shoot and showed them how I run it.
Here's a few shots from the shoot...one thing I can say is that the images you put on your blog and website will attract people that fit within your images' personalities. So, by me, displaying strictly shots of people walking, laughing, jumping, chasing, and eating, I naturally attract people with that kind of personality. So when it's time to do a shoot, they are willing and ready for whatever surprises I have in hand!
Thank you Ashley & David for donating your time...and by the way, Ashley and David are not models...they are my clients...they are "regular" people...and you will be seeing them on the blog again...b/c they are getting married tomorrow!


For inspiration check out:

www.alyssapizer.com

www.nickonken.com

Rani & Jeremy's Wedding!

Let me preface by saying I love the Filipino culture and it's people! They are so vibrant...so positive...and so loving!

Yesterday I documented Rani & Jeremy's wedding...and it was such a pleasure...additionally, they fed me a totally vegan meal...now that's love! The ceremony and reception took place at Club Continental. Despite the heat, we rocked the day pretty darn good. The Faze Band was ridiculously awesome...they kept the dance floor moving! Check out the awesome vendors listed below...and the pictures...which I think tell the story way better than my words!

Enjoy! (Ah...special thanks to my trusty friend, Jerome...and Rachael Shepherd for their helping hands.)

Venue: Club Continental

Make-up: Paulina Perez

Music: The Faze Band

Flowers: Blossoms & Accents

Karen & Daniel's Wedding!

Greetings everyone! I have another surprise...fresh out of the box...Karen & Daniel's wedding! Today...yes...really, today...I had the opportunity of documenting Karen & Daniel's special day. Over a year ago I shot their engagement photos...and finally they became wife & husband! I hope you enjoy...and a special thanks to Krystle Hicks for coordinating today's wedding!

I hope you all enjoy the new montage style...give me feedback...I'm considering this type of montage vs. my usual...enjoy!

Ben Harper!

I'm really not sure if I'm allowed to show these pictures on my blog...b/c the venue had me sign a paper that stated I could not use the images on my website...well, this is my blog...not my website...hahaha! So, Mr. Harper...if your secret investigators snoop out my blog, I want you to know, I really won't profit from this blog post...I mean, perhaps a local band will ask me to shoot their show at some ratty venue...and they will compensate me with unbelievable exposure...as they say...(that's my sarcasm coming through)!

Unto the show....this was one of those nights of "firsts". First, I have never seen Ben Harper live! This was the first time I attended a concert that had assigned seats...and this was the first time I shot a concert!

Thanks to EU and Rachel Best Henley, I was given the opportunity to shoot the show...well, a very small part of the show. The deal is, I had a press pass...a photo press pass...and I could only take pictures for the first 3 songs...and from 2 assigned locations. But it was totally worth it! Thank you Mr. Harper for a good time!

So here's a few pics from the show...I hope everyone is enjoying "the unexpected" that lands on my blog. My blog is like a Cracker Jack's box...it comes with surprises!

Another Massive Slideshow!

Here's all the shots from the Retro shoot a while back...I think it's over 700 frames...again, you can see the shoot in progress...the minor adjustments...and the ridiculous amounts of repetition!

A few things that I've been thinking about:

If you really want to do something or make something happen...

You'll figure out a way to do it. You can't wait for someone to do it for you...you can't wait for your lucky break...it doesn't typically work that way! You have to do it yourself...and then naturally, you'll align yourself with the right people and they'll keep an eye out for you. But it's your passion that will make you succeed!

You have to work REALLY HARD! I mean...REALLY, REALLY HARD!!!

Create your own path...don't copy-cat someone else's path...it won't work...there's too many differing variables!

Don't expect overnight success...that's rare...

Be ready to drop everything you're doing at any given moment to further your progress in whatever you are trying to pursue...and if you are mentoring someone...then you should be super ready to drop anything that's happening to learn more!

Be inspired! Look to someone else (whether online or someone in person or even someone historical) that's doing/did what you want to do...look at their great work...their achievements...and be inspired!

Don't become stagnant...go back to being inspired...your progress should be ever-evolving!

Don't think whatever you are doing is great...there is someone always better than you...way better than you! If you think your work is the best...you will become stagnant...and full of yourself...and no one likes that!

With what was mentioned above...respect your work...enjoy your gift...don't beat yourself up thinking you'll never be that awesome lawyer that all lawyers look up. Respect your achievements within the proper perspective.

With what was mentioned above...again...do learn from your mistakes so that you can improve!

This one is specifically for my photog friends...aspiring photog friends...newbies (which includes me), etc...

You don't need anyone to teach you how to use your camera...or how to use Photoshop, Bridge, or Lightroom...really!

You CAN teach yourself! Grab your camera manual...google something...buy a used Scott Kelby book (his books will teach more about photoshop than you'll ever need to know)...play with the buttons on your camera...read some super outdated forum post...grab your flash or studio strobes...wait until sunset and photograph your friends...or that neat, interesting person you met last week...make mistakes...think about how you can fix your mistakes...look at Chase Jarvis' website or Nick Onken's...and then go out with your friends and try photographing them at sunset again....bring your strobes...and improve...this how you will really learn!

This is for everyone...you have to have PASSION...if you're pursuing whatever you're pursuing to make more $...blah...wrong reason! You need to be passionate...whatever it is that you are trying to do, needs to be pumping in your veins! It needs to be an Organic Pursuit! If you can't live without being a doctor...then you have Passion...and you will be a doctor (hopefully focusing on prevention and holistic approaches)!

Enjoy the slideshow!

The Clothing Warehouse collab shoot from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Eco-Friendly Fashion Show!

This past Thursday was a first...I photographed a fashion show...typically not my thing...but if it's Eco-Friendly, then I think I can manage!

The fashion show was a collaborative effort. Aura Salon, Aveda, Violet, Sunrise Surf Shop, & Whiskey River put it all together!

What's up with this collage???...today I was putting up a ceiling fan...and it was so technical, so I think this was my subconscious trying to break free from the regimented feel!