Mr. Al Pete | Fish in the Forest

My man Al Pete is releasing a new album (Fish in the Forest) 9.4.12.  For more info, go  here!

This is from our shoot during my last trip to Florida...enjoy!

Cassie & Kevin's St. Augustine Wedding!

Cassie & Kevin's fun St. Augustine wedding! 

Venues:  The Basilica & The White Room

DJ: Milton of McGee Entertainment

Florist: 57 Treasury

Bagpiper: Jim Sloan

Enjoy!

Because I couldn't resist...

All day I dream about...

Al Pete in his Adidas.

Check out more here.

Enjoy (that was sarcastic...a little bit).

Eralda & Adam's St. Augustine Wedding!

Eralda & Adam's super fun wedding in St. Augustine!

Venues: Lightner Museum & The White Room

Hair Stylist: Casey Powell

DJ: Carlton McGee

Dress: A bridal shop in Albania!

Bottom right picture --> the amount of times the bell rings supposedly equals the amount of children they will have...it rang a lot!

Angel & Jerome's Day After Jacksonville Beach!

Angel & Jerome's Day After session on Jacksonville Beach!

Enjoy!

Holmes Family...again!

Another shoot with the Holmes family...this time around it was a pretty simple shoot...with my #1 family!

Enjoy!

Eralda & Adam Engagement St. Augustine!

Eralda & Adam's engagement shoot in St. Augustine, Florida! Eralda is a pro in front of the camera...might have to keep her in mind for any future projects!

Enjoy!

Colbert Family!

Andrea, Carlos, and the family in Jacksonville! I shot their wedding over 3 years ago!

Enjoy!

Cassie & Kevin's Engagement Orlando, FL!

Cassie & Kevin's FUN Engagement shoot in Orlando (Disney's Boardwalk)! Kevin proposed to Cassie at this location! And for all you video game buffs...Kevin works for EA Sports!

Enjoy!

Angel & Jerome's Jacksonville Wedding!

Angel and Jerome's wedding! I was honored to photograph my old assistant's wedding! Check out their engagement session here. To view more wedding photos, visit here!

Venues: Epping Forest & Aloft

Hair/Make-up: Carmen Johnson

Videographer: Collab Creation (my favorite)!

Bouqet by Angel the Bride (my favorite bouquet to date)!

Enjoy!

The Holmes Family St. Augustine!

The Holmes Family! It's been nearly two and half years since our last session....here's the latest!

Enjoy!

Jetti & River Jacksonville!

Another run with the Godwin kids!

Here's more from the past!

Click.

And click.

Enjoy!

Bostic-Jones Family Jacksonville!

My 200th blog post! Interesting fact - the Bostic-Jones' were the first photo related blog post that I had posted on the "Ezra Marcos blog." Here they are again...198 posts later!

Enjoy!

Galnor Family Jacksonville!

Another awesome shoot with the Galnor's! Here's some from the past!

Enjoy!

Angel & Jerome's Engagement Jacksonville!

Here's a little preview of Angel & Jerome's Engagement session! The shoot was in Jacksonville, Florida....at Epping Forest! And for those who follow my blog...yup, that's Jerome...my old assistant from my days in Florida! He's a kick ass assistant...and now he assists his sweetheart Angel!

Enjoy...and stay posted...more pics to come of their wedding in November!

Nancy & Thomas' Jacksonville Wedding!

Here's a little glimpse into Nancy & Thomas' wedding. It was a sweet one! Plus, I got to go back to Florida and the wedding was sort of a reunion...a few of the guests I've worked with in the past...you can see them sprinkled throughout my portfolios...small world!

Catering & Venue by Casa Marina
Hair by Lindsey Varner at Nelson Crew Salon (904.554.7657)
Flowers & Shoes by the Bride (She's kick ass at DIY)!

Enjoy!

Buying a Camera...because I'm going Pro!

Not too long ago I wrote a couple of blogs on buying cameras...inexpensive cameras to entry level DSLRs. Well, this post is about buying a pro camera because you want to go PRO.

Let me preface. If you want to go PRO...you shouldn't be using an entry level DSLR or those shotty kit lenses. Those things can sort of get the job done...sort of (not really)...but when you're charging people for your services, you need to be rocking some quality gear.

Let me pre-preface. Don't become a PRO. Don't become a PRO especially if you are married. Don't become a PRO if you are married with children. Don't become a PRO if you are the only breadwinner in the family (like me). Oh...and most importantly, don't become a PRO if your picture making skills are kind of weak (sorry to be so blunt). If your work is weak...make it strong and then open shop....only if you're not married with children...and are not the only breadwinner. (For all you photogs who have a spouse that make good money...or for that single dude living in some $300 studio apartment consuming PB&J, Ramen, & PBR...consider yourself blessed).

Now about cameras...you need something good...and the lenses need to be good too...or else you nullify your camera.

If you are shooting consumer work (weddings, families, seniors, etc...) then I think you can get away with a D90 and higher. If you're making some good money, then I say jump to a D700. It's full frame...the ISO is pretty kick ass. Now if you're not rocking big $, then a D90 is suffice...the ISO performance is legit. I prefer a D300s because all the "buttons" are right at your finger tips. My good friend, Jerome, would say the D7000 is better than the D300s...and he might be right...but having the ability to change your ISO, White Balance, etc... at your finger tips is crucial...especially when your shooting events, weddings, and candid family images.

Now if you are shooting commercial work, then you need to be shooting a D700 or higher. Yes, I'm a hypocrite for saying this...I don't use a D700 or higher...but I am that guy that is married with 3 children...and I'm the only breadwinner in the family. Additionally, I make the most of my equipment...and ultimately, for my style of shooting, my models (subjects) make the photo...they bring the energy to the image. Your ability to establish rapport with your model can make a mediocre camera make super awesome images! But use a really good camera regardless. The really good camera can help you through some really adverse situations. Trust me...you want to make your job easier...efficient...and professional...and so does your client!

If you're taking money from people to shoot, then you need to be spending about $1600 or more on your camera...and you better be rocking at least 2 cameras! If you're are shooting commercial work, expect to pay over $5000 for a pair. And don't forget to get good lenses...nothing cheapy...and 95% of the time, I'd stay with Nikon lenses.

[Segue] If you're a Canon shooter...then I'd think a 5D or higher should be suffice. For commercial work, I'd go 5DMII or higher. Sorry that I don't have much more info...but I'm a Nikon shooter.....

If your shooting anything else...you are on your own! I hear Sony makes a pretty good product...and if you are using a Hassleblad, then I'm wondering why you are reading my blog...hmmm?

Oh..read this.

Oh...read this too: In no way am I saying you can't start a business while you are married and have kids...and are the only breadwinner. I'm just saying that it's much easier to start a business when your single...or have a spouse that's making a routine pay check. Starting a business takes a lot of time and money...and when you're married and have children, that time gets compromised...and money (that's another story)...

Revisiting Reylius...

I get a really strong feeling from these images...had to revisit them...

Jacksonville, FL

Reylius.

Goals...

Last year I decided to jot down some goals...I decided to break away from the Gary Fong "goal-less" Buddhist ways. It was pretty cool to look back and see what I have accomplished...and I wasn't disappointed with my shortcomings either - those are lessons learned...nothing lost...sort of?

√Hire Amanda Sosa Stone - everyone should!

√Create Commercial Portfolio book

√Travel to Chicago!

√Purchase 50mm 1.4 & 35mm 1.8 lens - this was crucial!

√Get work published 5 times

√Network better - yes, I think I have Social Anxiety around complete strangers...?

√Move to Oregon! Yup, that was a goal...can't believe it happened...the power of thought!

My 2011 goals are written down...I read them once or twice a week...that helps me stay focused. This years' goals are bit more detailed...I have a list of about 30 people I want to meet...amongst many other awesome goals!

Here's a few images from this past year that are for my latest promo campaign...enjoy!