Hail Mary!

So why is this blog post title closely associated with the Catholic faith paired with a photo that is obviously from a Jewish wedding? The irony is not lost on me. Read on...

I am just shy of six feet tall. Unfortunately, so are most other people. This is a particular problem on a crowded dance floor during the traditional Jewish chair dance called the "Hora".

When I find myself in this situation, I borrow a trick from my sports photography days. I use a technique called the "Hail Mary," which is when you hold the camera over your head and shoot "blind."

With the advent of digital photography, this technique became much easier because you receive instant feedback. Back in the film days, I used to pray the "Hail Mary" that my shot was framed up correctly, sharp and properly exposed.

This technique is about instinct and familiarity with your equipment -- and luck, of course! You must feel comfortable and confident enough in your own photographic abilities to risk a key storytelling image to the photographic equivalent of a calculated guess.

To perfect this technique, it is important to use a wide-angle lens (with a naturally deeper depth-of-field) and to increase your aperture one to two stops (shoot at about f4.5). Pre-focus the camera on the subject before lifting it over your head, and then aim the lens at a slightly lower angle than you would expect.

The prayer helps too.

Such Great Heights

We're in South Carolina this week on an advertising shoot at Wofford College. Here's a glimpse into our early mornings on campus. Andrew had fun riding around in the "lift," creating amazing images from his unique, bird's-eye vantage point. This is an incredible job, and it often feels more like play than work!

Baggage

Erin and I are in Miami for a wedding this weekend at the gorgeous Vizcaya Museum. We typically fly Delta, but this trip decided to try American Airlines and they lost our baggage. We always carry on all of our essential camera equipment and check our clothes. Fortunately they found our bag and delivered it this evening. But not before we took the opportunity to go on a quick shopping spree in Coconut Grove to cover us for the rehearsal dinner tonight!

Sold Out

Our workshop, The Business of Storytelling has sold out!! We are super excited about this opportunity to share our vision and business process with everyone. The week in February is going to be a great experience! If you would like to get on our waiting list, please email us. And if you'd like to attend a workshop in the future, please let us know. Since this workshop sold out so quickly, we will more than likely look for dates on our calendar that will work next year for another workshop. If you're interested in attending, feel free to let us know what dates work for you. And for those who will be attending in February - we can't wait!!!

Simple Photo Minute

We're thrilled to announce that LaCour is featured this week on the Simple Photo Minute. Erin hosts the video podcast and shares details about how we came up with the idea of LaCour magazine, the impact the magazine has had on our business and how to create a magazine yourself! Our friend, Dane Sanders, started the Simple Photo Minute - a weekly video podcast - with the mission to help photographers simplify their businesses.

Click Here to read Dane's kind words about us and to view our podcast. Please leave us a comment about how you liked the podcast and if you'd like to see more from us!

Thanks Joe!

I had the privilege of assisting Joe Buissink on a wedding this weekend in Atlanta and I was awed by his humility and gentleness. Joe’s incredible rapport with people is inspiring, and his beautiful photographs reflect a sincere love for his subjects and a willingness to seek out beauty in quiet, subtle moments.

Joe, here’s a quote for you, from someone whose work we both admire. Thank you for reminding me to be patient with myself and with the moment. Your encouragement and support are invaluable.

"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera."

— Dorothea Lange

PS: Caught you chimping in the crazy red chair :)

Letter to our other half

Dear Andrew and Rachel,

For the past three years the four of us have spent nearly every day together, building a business and building a friendship. We have seen each other at our best and at our worst. Through it all, the two of you have remained a constant source of strength and happiness to us.

Right now you are in North Carolina celebrating your sixth wedding anniversary, while we are just starting out on our first year of marriage. While most people do not consider six years a milestone, in this day and age, the two of us believe it is. We have watched you continue to grow as husband and wife over the years. It takes a strong, special couple to triumph over the obstacles thrown in your path. But you have done it with humility and grace.

You are an inspiration to us, and we raise a glass to you today in congratulations and love. We are able to enter this new world of marriage with optimism because of you. We can't wait to see what the next six years will bring you. You deserve every happiness that comes your way.

With love,

Mountain Light

We are in North Carolina this weekend for a beautiful, outdoor wedding. Yesterday was a clear, crisp Fall day, much like our own wedding day six years ago! It was incredibly meaningful for us to photograph a wedding on our own anniversary, just 30 minutes from where we were married in the Blue Ridge Mountains on September 30, 2000. Thank you to Michelle and David, and their families, for sharing the occasion with us. With characteristic Southern hospitality, they greeted us on Saturday morning with an anniversary gift basket, complete with a wonderful bottle of wine.

North Carolina holds many special memories for us, as Andrew's grandparents built a home in the Blue Ridge Mountains and retired here. I couldn't resist posting a favorite quote from North Carolina native son (and esteemed journalist), Charles Kuralt:

"In the South, the breeze blows softer...neighbors are friendlier, nosier and more talkative...this is a different place. Our way of thinking is different, as are our ways of seeing, laughing, singing, eating, meeting and parting. Our walk is different, as the old song goes, our talk and our names. Nothing about us is quite the same as in the country to the north and west. What we carry in our memories is different too, and that may explain everything else."