E-Motion by Kim & Joey!

Yup...this is one of those ironic shoots that ends up on my blog. It was inspired by this Norman Rockwell painting/picture...and this video by Charlie Winston .

I think this was the hardest shoot for any of my participants (I think that's the best word for anyone volunteering to be in any of my personal projects). Kim & Joey have a pretty peaceful relationship, so they really stepped out of their comfort zone...but they did an awesome job! Additionally, I have over 5 years of work experience in the Domestic Violence field...so at times, I felt a little out of place.

Thanks to Daisy (Hairstylist) of Oscar & Lula's

Enjoy...but not too much!

See, they do really love each other!

Photogs: If you've been reading my blog for the past 3 months or so, you've noticed there's a lot of movement in my work. I guess I'm super intrigued by the energy given off when people are moving. As people, we naturally move a lot...that's why we have legs, arms, muscles, etc...

Even if we're in a situation where we have to be still, we people find a way to be doing something (i.e. on the cell phone in your car...tapping your feet in that boring staff meeting...bobbing your head in your work cubicle...). So for me, at the present moment, it's fitting for me to catch people in motion...doing things that may be real...yes, I actually have seen a woman & man fight outside...on several occasions...except it usually involved a car...not a scooter...

Micah Lifestyle!

Another cool shoot...thanks to Micah...who by the way, is a friend of Mark Hubbard - the center of my Social Life.

Photogs: This shoot was full of much experimentation...some were real failures...like taping my camera to Micah's board while he chased his board...if you saw this picture, you'd have no clue what the heck was going on! But that's how it goes...you win some, you lose some...here's a few winners!

Enjoy!

From Chi-Town to Florida!

I was thinking about this drawing...and then I realized that this thing is an artifact! It was drawn during Easter Sunday...1993...94ish! This drawing for some reason is really special to me...I've kept it through high school (it was my folder decor)...it survived college...and even went to work with me for 5 or so years! My cousin, Camilo, drew this while were in church. Our aunt Michelle dragged us to church on Easter (I was up in Chicago visiting during Spring Break)...and I remember this might have been only the 2nd or 3rd time that Camilo, my other cousin, Pablo, and I were together at the same time (it's so rare that all 3 of us are together at one moment???). During the church service, Camilo started to draw my name...and then he gave it to me...just like that. For whatever reason, this drawing has followed me around...but unfortunately, I haven't been a good cousin...I haven't talked to Camilo in a few years...shame on me...I think I'm going to send him a letter.

Check out this blog Camilo Cumpian and an old website. Pablo...if you read this...did you start Camilo's blog?

Enjoy my cousin's Easter Sunday art work...no, we were not listening to the Pastor...sorry Michelle?

Here's the back of the drawing...I guess this is what the sermon was about...

Marilyn Monroe Soiree at the MOCA!

Saturday night, MOCA had an event to celebrate the Marilyn Monroe exhibit. The event was a fundraiser for the MOCA's educational programs. I was given the honor to photograph the event...which I thank the MOCA for asking me...and it also keeps me in par with my goal to do some type of charitable event every other month!

The night was fun...and exciting...I think everyone smiled when they saw the food! Music was great as well. Trae Gurley kept the dance floor moving! And I got to meet some awesome people like Emily from Studio Orange...she does great work!

Thank you MOCA for the good time...thank you Rebecca!

Click here to visit the online gallery...you will need a password...it's on the card I handed out that night...

Enjoy!

Photogs: Lighting...the old fashion way...on camera lighting...that was the only way to capture the night. I shot with my Nikon SB 800...everything manual...and no diffusers tonite. I didn't feel like dealing with that one piece of tupperware that you put on your flash unit (you know which one I'm talking about)...way too cumbersome and protruding...especially when there's a few hundred people!

Erin & Matt's Wedding!

This past weekend was super busy...and I wrapped it up with Erin & Matt's wedding! They had an awesome Sunday wedding at the Garden Club of Jacksonville that incorporated a few Jewish traditions. And as you can tell from the montage below, everyone was living it up and having a good time!

Hair & Make-up: Beauty Lounge: 904-387-7850

Wedding Planner: Tanya of Southern Charm Event Planning

Florist: Susan of A Fantasy in Flowers

And as more often than not...thank you again to my friend, Jerome, for assisting!

Enjoy!

Photogs: I lit the reception hall with 3 Nikon strobes mounted on light stands. When I light up a venue, it always depends on how the room is set up (you want your lights out of the way)...typically I shoot with 2 strobes on stands...but this place is pretty big! So Jerome and I created a "triangle like" lighting scheme. Each strobe was pointed at a 45 degree angle towards the center of the room. Now it's up to you to capture people partying and having fun!

Ashley & David!

Meet Ashley & David! We met in St. Augustine and hung-out for a few...can't wait until their wedding in May! These 2 were awesome. They know how to rock out in front of the camera! Photogs...this is a perfect example of me having about 15 concepts...and then giving your subjects enough room to be themselves while achieving your conceptual goals! With that said...make sure your "clients" like your concepts...if not, save the concept for your friends...or a model...???

Enjoy!

Thanks Jerome for helping out again!

Bruce Gilden...what do you think?

I saw this video today...and until today, I have never heard of this photographer...Bruce Gilden. As I was watching this video and Bruce's approach...I almost fell out of my seat. I thought that one lady, at the beginning of the video, was going to have a heart attack! Regardless, when I was done watching it, I wasn't sure how to digest this thing. As the night progressed...I realized something - this man takes his trade VERY SERIOUS...and that I do respect.

It's kind of funny, because if I tried to pull off something like this, it would be totally unethical...but when I watch him do it...it seems fine...and I'm ok with it. He's doing it from some where deep within...he's trying to find something there...so I guess that's not so unethical. Goes to show how ethics are sometimes...just depends on your perspective...where you're coming from. Check out this video...what do you think?

By the way...google Bruce Gilden...get some info on him...pretty cool...

Retro shoot video!!!

Mark Hubbard cut this video from our shoot this past Sunday. This will blow you away! Thanks Hubbard...absolutely, ridiculously, awesome!!!

Enjoy everyone...

50's from Mark Hubbard on Vimeo.

Fun Retro Shoot!

Today was a total blast! For the past 4 months, I've been thinking about this shoot...and about a month ago I started putting the pieces together...and here's super minor teaser (because I'm saving the best for another time...for The Clothing Warehouse - who provided the clothing...thank you Kim and Jim)!

This shoot was a massive undertaking...like I said, the concept came up a while back...but the action started about a month ago. Unfortunately, this past week, things started to NOT go as planned. Due to a schedule conflict, I lost my vintage car...and a few other's were unable to attend. So I had to scramble to put the pieces back together...and little persistence paid off!

First I want to give a super thank you to the Northeast Florida Antique Auto Club for responding to my e-mail. Within 24 hours (this past Friday) I had a car...in fact, I had 2 cars! Thank you Judy and Ralph!!! Secondly, I want to thank Johnny Angel's Diner for letting us in their diner...Owner, Salem, gave his blessing about a month ago!

Thirdly, I want to thank the talent, the stylists, and my assistants...some came with little notice...some committed a month ago!

Credit goes to:

Michal May (Make-up Artist) - 786-390-0066

Sonia Garza (Hair Stylist)

Danielle Dyer Tyler (Wardrobe Stylist)

Jerome Esperar (my good friend and assistant)

Katelyn Vonfeldt (fellow photog and assistant)

Mark Hubbard (good friend and videographer)

The wonderful "models" are:

Calder Yates

Eric Main

Sandy Haltiwanger

Catherine Faulk

Adam Wittekind

Jack Twachtman

Everyone did a great job...thank you for your commitment, your patience, and your sense of humor!!! Enjoy!

The Crew!

Crystal!

I got a hang-out with Crystal Floyd...an artist...but not the snobby kind...she's so down to earth (she has a real sweet spirit). We shot for a little over an hour...at 229 Hogan St. These shots below are in 229's retro elevator...it looks like it belongs in one of those art deco buildings in Miami. Thanks Crystal!

Oh...here's a little experimental thing...it views like a trailer...sort of leaves you hanging...sorry...perhaps I will do a full featured version...hmmm....

Crystal... from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday, Emily!

Emily's b-day celebration at the Underbelly!

Art Walk (Things you learn...)

Last night I went to the Art Walk and realized that the world is really smaller than that old saying or song, "It's a small world." Let me explain. First, I met Mark Hubbard over 2 years ago while taking video production courses at FSCJ. Through our friendship, I've met a good deal of his friends...one being Super Curtis. Second, about 3 months ago, I met Matt from Burro Bags.

Meeting these two people has probably been the most unique experience ever...and has introduced me a whole new host of friends! Words are too hard to explain...but for example: I'm talking to Crystal that I met earlier this week via a pretty long string of people...she says, "I'll ask my roommate Roy." I say, "Roy who?" She says, "Roy B." I say, "Really...he's your roommate! I asked him already. So you know Hubbard and the crew..." Crystal, "Yes....." Now repeat conversations similar to this...and that sums up last night...and heck, the last month!

Here's a diagram that poorly displays how everyone is connected...and I left a few people out simply b/c my brain can only retain so much info...and I'm sure more of these lines could connect, but then that could cause you to go cross-eyed?

By the way...it's Matthew Abercrombie...not Abercombie???

Innocent bystanders who showed up at 229 Hogan St. And art work by Crystal!

Skyler...again!

Yesterday...out of nowhere, I decided to see if I could pull together a little shoot...a shoot revolving around basketball. Somehow, with little time, I got my neighbor Skyler...and friend Jerome to come out. Skyler, as you may already know (if you follow my blog), is an avid fan of basketball...even to the extent that late last night he called me to tell me that alma mater, Valparaiso University was playing on TV! Jerome is my trusty friend...and helpful hand!

We shot in Brooklyn...a real small part of town near Riverside...it's definitely not a place for the weak-hearted. I found this basketball court while driving around scouting for a shoot next week. Sometimes, I take alternative routes to see if I can find something new...I'll keep the location in mind...maybe even write it down...and then one day I find the perfect opportunity to use that location.

Here's a few pics...and for once, no running shots...these are pretty stationary (no...not talking about paper)...enjoy!

5 minutes with Blue Franswa...

During this Sunday's Composition 101 "thingy" at the very generous Michal May abode, I charged everyone to pair-up and give each other 15 minutes to do portraits with their partner...happen to be Blue Franswa was setting up for a shoot and he was using Michal May's (Make-up artist) abode as home base...so I took him out for about 5 minutes to shoot a few portraits...to follow suit with the rest of the group...

Here's our 5 minute session...

Because this education piece was focusing on composition, I asked everyone not to bring any lights...hence, I had no lights...so if you are wondering, I'm shooting at a high ISO...any where between 800-2000 ISO...max shutter speed was 1/200th of a second...and I used whatever light was available...which made for tricky color balance issues on a few shots...ah...and as usual...I'm wide open - f1.8...

Enjoy!

Motion...by Curtis...

I could make this blog entry like 5 blog posts...but I won't...or at least I'll try to condense it.

First...I know it might be kind of ironic (especially after watching this video) that I'm a wedding and family photographer. But it shouldn't be. I'm married...I have kids...hence, I have family...so weddings and family work is right up my alley! But I do see where the irony comes in...so let me explain a little about me...I'm a little radical...I've always been. It's part of my genetic make-up...and the environment I grew-up in. Let's just say that if I didn't have this little rebel side to me, I would still be sitting in my old office from 9 to 5...and I would have never picked up a camera...ever!

Second...photoshoots are not so glamorous. It's a lot of work...and not every shot is golden...especially when you're dealing with running, flipping, and flying people. Plus, I laid down on the ground in that nasty tunnel like underpass (yes, Jax natives, that's Myrtle Ave.)...gross!

Third...focusing on fast moving objects is not an easy task for cameras...especially when it's dark! There's various techniques...but when people are moving real fast...I'm not so sure. So this is what I do...I have the subject stand in the place they will be jumping or running through...or by. Then I manually focus on them. And then I stay as still as possible. I wait...and then the subject runs, jumps, grabs walls...or whatever crazy thing we can come up with. Sometimes the subject hits the spot perfect...sometimes they don't...sometimes my flash doesn't recycle quick enough, hence why some shots were dark...blah...it happens...

Fourth...a quote I found on twitter: "Creativity is allowing oneself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." ~ Scott Adams

Fifth...enjoy this video/slideshow...turn your speakers down...just warning you...I didn't think Beethoven or Jack Johnson were the right fit for this one...sorry....loud music instead...that's the rebel in me...

Thanks Curtis...this is definitely one of my coolest shoots to date!

Untitled from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Curtis...the stuntman!

I met Curtis about a year ago during the making of a short film...but I saw him first in this short film. Unfortunately, it took me about a year to figure out that I need to photograph this guy. I called Curtis...left him a message...and thank God he got back to me!

I love personal projects like this. Fortunately for me, I've always been about doing personal projects...and then Chase Jarvis & Amanda Sosa Stone reinforced the importance of doing these types of shoots! They really push your creativity and problem solving skills! Additionally, you get to experiment with light, flying bodies, and water puddles! Again, like Steven, Curtis was a good sport...he must have did about 50 flips today!!!

To all of my "past clients," I hope you enjoy these pictures. I know...they're a little different than wedding and family sessions...I hope you don't mind? To my fellow photogs who visit my blog...go do a shoot for you! Push yourself...experiment...do something out of your norm!

All shots were take with 2 nikon flash units...one with a portable soft box...the other bare.

I'm a minimalist...I don't have expensive studio lights...or those fancy transmitters. I firmly believe in exhausting the possibilities with my current gear before upgrading...once my gear causes serious limitations and is holding me back from achieving something, then I'll consider upgrading...in the mean time, the minimalist way is suffice...and lighter! This was all written so that you don't feel limited by your equipment..like Nike says, "Just do it!"

Carmen, Rafael, Jetti, & River!

This is probably the most diverse montage I have created yet! Today I got to hang-out with Carmen and her family. (Carmen is the Executive Director for the Riverside Avondale Preservation). I met Carmen a few weeks ago during RAP 180 at the Underbelly. She's super cool...and so is her entire family! As you can tell from the montage, we had a lot of fun...and some serious spontaneity!

Ahhh...and because this popped-up during a conversation with Rafael...Carmen's husband...I'd like to share this bit of info with everyone. As a photographer, I have to back-up all of my files in various places. Backing up on extra hard drives is cool and necessary...but we have to take it step further...we have to get our files saved outside of our houses (b/c of theft or fire)...so I save my files in the cloud! Yes...I additionally back-up my files with Backblaze. I use Backblaze because they back-up external hardrives (not all companies do) & because it cost about $60 for a full year of unlimited storage! The con of using Backblaze is it's speed...it takes quite it bit of time...like months to back-up 500 gigs...but once you get caught up...it's pretty fast! That was my lesson for the day...I hope you enjoy the montage!

Anomaly!

Today I had the opportunity to hang-out at Anomaly (& the Underbelly) in 5 Points...and as with all of my shoots, I had a good time! This place is real cool...mellow...but "fun & funky" as co-owner, Emily puts it. Emily opened shop in 2004 upon returning home from L.A (where she was a designer for a clothing company). Anomaly carries quite a bit of local products (clothing, jewelry, etc...). They also carry small label wears and vintage shoes!

About 3 weeks ago with the help of Shea (co-owner), Emily opened the Underbelly...a cozy little bar adjoined to the shop in the back...it's a must go...so go! Shea has a background in art...she once owned a local art gallery...so when you visit the Underbelly it's like a cozy art gallery...where you can chill and have a few drinks...wine or beer!

Here's a few shots from the day...check out the pics...and then tomorrow go visit Emily & Shea...experience the cool vibes!

Anomaly opens at 10am...the Underbelly opens at 3pm (but not on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday).

Thanks Emily & Shea, for the vegan grub and beverage!

Anomaly

Underbelly's

Composition...basic photography aesthetics...

Last month I met with 12 up&comers and hobbyists to help them take control of their cameras...and it was a load of FUN! This month, I'm offering another "thingy" that shall go unnamed... This time around, we'll focus on composition. We learned about exposure...and how to do it manually last time around...so now we're free to move onto Composition...the Aesthetics of photography.

The date for this month's Composition "thingy" will be on February 21st. Like the last time, it will be VERY hands-on...and perhaps a bit exciting! I'm opening this up to 12 participants...but I already have 7 participants confirmed...so I only have 5 available spots!

If you want more info...or would like to attend, contact me at ezra@ezramarcos.com or 904-338-3901.

And yes, there is NO charge...just like last time...

A little background to this shot. First...it was shot on a Nikon D40...so never blame your camera for bad pictures...an artist never blames his tools. This shot was taken in the Redwoods National Park...uh...the BIG trees were behind me...but these interested me more. I first took this shot without a tripod...at a slow shutter speed. When we (family) got back to the hotel...about an hour away, I looked at the shot on the camera display screen and I was a bit nervous that it was out of focus. But because I loved the aesthetic of this shot, I woke-up early the next morning...and drove back to that spot by myself...this time I brought my tripod. I took the shot...drove back to the hotel...and again, I was concerned that the shot was out of focus. When I got back to Florida, I showed the shot to my professor (by the way, when I took this shot, I had only been taking pictures for about 3 months...I was just getting started!)...anyway, I showed the shot to my professor...and he told me it wasn't out of focus...on the other hand he praised me on this shot like you have no clue! There's multiple lessons here...take your tripod when your doing landscape photography...do what you have to do to get the shot...pay attention to details...and have a good mentor!

Lifestyle?

This is a pretty long post...if you don't feel like reading it...scroll down and watch the video. If you got time...read away!

Lately I've had a few photographers ask me how I do my shoots...or more specifically, how do I do LIFESTYLE photo shoots...how do I get my "clients" to do the things you see in my images?

First, I think we need to all ask Bruce Weber or Ben Watts this question. To me, those are the masters of lifestyle photography...my work is novice in comparison! But to answer your question, I think it comes from my background in Social Work.

In Social Work, for any progress to be made, you have to establish rapport. If you have rapport, then you have TRUST...and TRUST is the key factor! This is especially true in photography in general. When your working with families or couples...or in other words, "normal" people (I also do lifestyle shoots with models or actors...and those are much "easier" or simple) you have to gain their trust...they have to know that having them play with their kids on the grass is going to look fantastic! So RAPPORT is king in this issue!

But you have to have concepts. See, a lot of photographers come to shoots with poses in mind...for me, it's CONCEPTS. These concepts come from real life experiences, music videos, movies/documentaries, photojournalism, and looking at other lifestyle photographer's work...(yes, like most, I do that too... just add your own twist). So when I show up to a shoot, I have a little paper in my pocket that reads, "running shot" or "taking pictures of each other" or "flirting on bench" or "chasing bus" or "baking cookies with daughter." I'll have like 20 or so concepts...but I also keep my mind open for other possibilities that might pop-up on the field...I kind of keep it free-form.

Let me start another paragraph...it might make it easier to read. And then, while I'm shooting, I keep my eyes in the view finder trying to capture a real moment! So, if I say to a couple, "embrace and flirt"...I know I have to be patient. The first click isn't going to be the money shot...I wait...and wait...click, click...and then all of the sudden they start laughing...giggling... and kissing...it's all spontaneous and ORGANIC - it's THEM! These are the keepers! This is also something we use in Social Work...it's called silence. If you're a parent...try it on your kid. When they've done something wrong...and you question them...and they don't respond quick enough...and then you usually jump in and give some sort of a lecture...well, don't do that...be silent...let it get uncomfortable...and watch...the truth will come out...or they'll put their foot in their mouth...and if that doesn't work...you have one STUBBORN kid! Point is, give your "client" space...back off...and watch the sparks. It's way better than telling them to move their head or arm a little...(at least I think so)...

Here's a shoot I posted a few days ago...THE ENTIRE SHOOT...Motion by Steven. Most of the images are in their natural state (SOOC)...you'll be able to tell which one's made the cut...the first cut, at least.

This shoot will give you an idea of me actually inputting my concepts...and trying them...and trying them. And you'll see...some of them are complete failures...and only a few are keepers! Oh...and before I forget, I think Lifestyle photography, in general, likes a 50mm or 35mm lens...sometimes being too wide (i.e. 17mm) takes the attention away from the subject...but then again, it depends what type of Lifestyle you are incorporating in your shot...enjoy!

Motion...by Steven from ezra ayala on Vimeo.

Music by Beastie Boys - "Sabotage"

And by the way, that was 540 pictures...I hope I didn't hurt your eyes!

Business Cards by greenerprinter!

A few months ago I was searching for a new company to print my cards...and I knew right away that I wanted cards that were eco-friendly...but I also wanted cards that were unique...visually unique. Well, after searching high & low, I found Greenerprinter!

My cards are made from recycled paper...and the facility where these cards are made in a manner that is very conscious of the environment...and that's important to me! Additionally, their customer service is excellent. Let me explain...on my second batch of cards that I ordered, there was a mistake on the cards...a smear mark...on every card...in the same spot. I figured it was the printing machine...but the culprit was me! A layer in photoshop didn't flatten so smoothly...and I didn't catch the error in the proof Greenerprinter sent me...so my bad. Well, Greenerprinter allowed me to reorder my cards (the corrected version) free of cost! That tells you about the company's character...but with that said, I wouldn't take advantage of their kindness...they could have charged me for MY carelessness.

I designed the cards myself, but was heavily inspired by these...and the look on my website. The cards are 16pt...that's pretty thick...and they are the same width as a regular business card...but they are about 1/3 less in height...it gives the card that narrow look. The pricing on the card...well go to their website...it'll take like 2 minutes...you can check the prices there...I don't like talking about money...but they are very affordable...the overhead won't be a killer...honest!

Info about the picture:

Shot in my backyard...with my 90mm macro...at f3.2...1/1600 of second on the shutter speed.

That's my son's cup...really, he uses it!

Motion...by Steven.

So I admit...as of late, I've been having some sort of infatuation with movement...with Running!

I can't help it...I tried it once...and it was cool...but now it's like I'm trying to outdo myself?

This shoot was inspired by the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" starring Will Smith. If you haven't seen it...go see it...but most of you have probably already seen it. It's based on a true story...but it's been Hollywooded?

Thanks Steven for putting up with my running shots...I realize that you probably ran a few miles today on my account...I apologize...your lady will appreciate it! hahaha!

By the way...to all...Steven is an actor...I've worked with him on a few occasions...he's good people! And a little hint, hint to the photogs reading my blog...actors are the best for Lifestyle shoots...because they can play the role perfectly...they're used to acting...pretending...well, almost pretending...

Enjoy!

Haitian Relief Fundraiser...We Gave!!!

Hey everyone...today was BIG! As a Social Worker, I've helped a lot of people in a lot of ways...but I was supposed to...I was paid to do it (but not much)....but today was different.

When I left my Social Work job, I promised to myself and my wife that I would still help others...it's something I can't help but do. With the situation in Haiti, I figured I'd donate a few bucks...but that just wasn't enough for me. So I decided to do photo shoots by donation...and with the help of my good friend Tan...my photography buddy, Jerome...LaTavia from Fabulous Faces...one of "my" past brides Emily...and her mom...Emily at Anomaly...and Matt at Burro Bags (who helped spread the word massive)...and Carmen at RAP (who also spread the word)...Heather Canada, who posted the fundraiser on her blog (which brought Jennifer from Orlando!)...and many others for sending out invitations via Facebook...and all my twitter followers for retweeting...we did an awesome job!!! At the end of the day, we raised $1300!!!

Again...thanks to all who helped and gave...and thanks to my friend Matt Simons for shooting some video...we'll have a video up soon!

Here's a few fotos from the day...enjoy...

Burro Bags Massive Slide...show...

I'm going to do something I haven't done before...and that's share a lot...like nearly 200 photos from my recent shoot with Burro Bags! Let me preface...yes, Burro Bags will receive all 199 photos...no, not all are "photographically valuable" to my eyes...but, since there were so many people involved in this shoot, I want to give them some shots that I think might have VALUE to them...shots of them laughing...even though they were supposed to be serious...or shots of Matt riding across the Main Street bridge...even though the building behind him is poking out of his head...or shots of them laying on the ground trying our FAUX Bruce Weber shot...despite the horrible lighting. Now if you are wondering, when I submit these photos to Matt at Burro Bags, I will separate the images that I think are website and promo worthy...the others will be in another file...called "just for fun"....or "please don't put these on Facebook...unless you plan on NOT giving me credit."

In the near future, I'll post the strongest 20 or so on facebook...until then, enjoy...and yes, this is music from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack...K-Jee by MFBS (Mother Father Brother Sister). And one more thing, for a more important blog post, please scroll down and read the one below...thanks!

Flash Required to view this area.

Give!

Make-up Artist will be present! Come out everyone!

The latter part of last week I've been thinking how I can give to the people of Haiti...and I was really stumped. I personally don't have enough funds to make a significant impact...so I just kept thinking of what I could do...and a light bulb went off Friday night...and then I slept on it to make sure this was the right thing to do...and Saturday morning I woke-up knowing I had to do this.

So this is the deal. From 10am until it gets too dark, on Sunday, January the 24th, I'm booking 15 minute photo sessions in front of Anomaly (1021 Park Street - 5 Points). No appointment needed...I'm taking walk-ins! All you have to do is write a check to the Yele Foundation or UNICEF (any amount...just give!)...I'll have stamped envelopes already addressed to Yele or UNICEF...we'll put the check in the envelopes...and then give you the envelope...yes, we're using the honor system...you'll be responsible for mailing the check! During that process, we'll get your contact info so that we can deliver your images!

Pets are welcomed!

Please spread the word to everyone you know...tweet this, facebook it...e-mail it to all your friends...thanks!

Thanks Emily at Anomaly and Matt at Burro Bags!

Burro Bags LifeSteelo!

I can write a book about today's shoot...but since my last few posts have been kind of novel-some, I'll make this short. Check out Burro Bags...these guys make bags out of the vinyl from old billboards...and that's nice & green...thanks Matt, Chris, & company...that was fun...and kind of crazy!

And a little shout-out to Shantytown Pub located at 22 W. 6th Street...or 6th and Main St...thanks for letting us borrow your patio in the back...hmmm...I owe you Ian...

The Wedding Party's 1980s New Year Party!

So if you weren't at the Jacksonville Golf & Country Club hanging-out with the folks from the Wedding Party last night...then you were missing out!

Let me give you a brief synopsis of how things went down...

First, Jacksonville Golf & Country Club set things up real nice...and the food was wild...in a good way. It was fun food...food that was it's own smoke machine...food that was eaten out of egg shells...apples wrapped in bacon...asparagus that was fried in batter. Now, my vegan palate didn't permit me to partake...but it appeared everyone was enjoying the food...enjoying the taste...and enjoying the manner in which it was consumed!

And then we had some fun with this crazy backdrop...Karate Kid...and Mike D from the Beastie Boys showed up. Everyone was digging the props...especially those SUNGLASSES...and Heather Canada was sharing some love!

And then things got Real Hot! Jeff from Deland Entertainment taught everyone a few moves...and then he decided to entertain us...and some were entertained...I think that's someone holding up dollar bills? Shortly after, I caught some of the Wedding Party crew bustin' a move on the dance floor! Go Heather, Go Heather!

Here's a extra little treat...hope everyone enjoyed...and thank you to the The Wedding Party crew for letting me hang-out with you all!

Going Manual!

All Spaces Filled!

So I'm doing something crazy...or at least some may think. I'm going to give back...give freely...give b/c I love giving!

You ever wonder why your pictures just don't have that certain look...they never look like those pictures you see on those super-awesome photographer blogs? Well, there could be a number of reasons why your pictures don't have that pop...and one of those reasons may be that you are not in control of your camera.

So I'm offering a free something that I can't even give a title. Basically, I'm inviting 12 up & comers or hobbyists to hang-out with me on January 23rd. During this time I'll be guiding you on how to shoot manually...how to take control of your camera. We will be learning about aperture, ISO, shutter speed...and even color balance. I'll provide a person for us to be our guinea pig...woohoo!

After the little mini-session, where we will practice messing with our camera controls, we can go hang-out at Three Layers...ask any questions...or just chill!

To reserve your spot and get more info, contact me at ezra@ezramarcos.com

All Spaces Filled!

Me+Our Labor of Love=Goodness!

Last year...that sounds like a long time ago! Anyway...last year in November 2009...like 2 months ago, I got to help out Our Labor of Love.

I've said this before...and I'll say it again...I highly recommend 2nd or 3rd shooting every once in a while...yes, even if you are an established photographer. You can never learn enough. Every time I assist someone, I take something with me to one of my gigs...and it also teaches humility...so if you ever get kind of big headed and start treating your assistant/2nd shooter like a second class citizen...reflect on your time assisting...remember how well that person treated you...or how awful they treated you.

In my case, Jesse and Whit treated me very nicely. They let me do my thing...they didn't require that I shoot only at f5.6...or not to surpass 1000 ISO...or shoot with only one kind of lens. They were also courteous and prepared to offer me their memory cards (this makes getting images to the person you are assisting much easier). They even had enough Pocket Wizards to loan me one for the night...which was nice, b/c I don't use PWs. They were well prepared!

Thank you Jesse and Whit...I had a lot of fun hanging out with you two!

Brianna & Matt's Wedding at the Ribault Club. Enjoy!

This is the effect of Whit's lighting capabilities...it causes sporadic moments of light worshipping among the lady guests!

Is it effect or affect?