Let Them Eat Cake!

Recently I had the opportunity to spend a whole day photographing cakes and other wedding treats. Southern Bride and Groom asked me to photograph some of the best area bakers work at the King’s Daughter’s Inn in Durham, North Carolina. The incredible setting really led the way for our shoot! Donna Parks, Jenna Parks Olender, Tracy Adams and I had so much fun wandering the Inn to look for the perfect room for each cake. Each and every room is decorated completely differently and all with incredible style! If only I could channel some of this into my own home. And after a long day shooting the cakes we were able to taste some as well. In particular, the kids and I really enjoyed the cupcakes! Thanks to everyone who participated in the shoot.

Anatomy of a Headshot

One of the best things about being in business for a long time is getting to photograph clients multiple times. It always feels like seeing an old friend. I love catching up! I had last photographed Tatyana Stewart Feeney when I shot her wedding back in 2001 at La Rez in Chapel Hill. After the wedding she moved to Ireland with her husband, Niall. They have two children and almost always make their way back to Chapel Hill to visit with friends and family each summer. Tatyana is an illustrator and has been getting quite busy in her work. So she needed a great head shot. She is a self-described shy person and was not really looking forward to being photographed. Almost everyone confesses to me that they are dreading their photo shoot and that they don’t take good photos. I always reply, “Well, you just haven’t met the right photographer.” It is my job to see your best angles, find the best light and to make you feel comfortable so your personality shines through. Not to mention I truly believe everyone has many beautiful things about them. It is my mission to find those qualities and bring them out in images. For Tatyana, she has such a wonderful smile and gorgeous hazel eyes.

To get ready for the shoot I always ask what kind of photograph they are hoping for. Tatyana said she wanted it to look very natural, almost as if it were just a snapshot taken at a family event. She wanted it to be outside rather than in the studio. I asked her to bring several outfits. I figure since you are taking the time to do this we may as well end up with several different looks to use for various occasions. That way you will not have to take another headshot for many more years. Above is the first outfit. In the beginning of a shoot I ask my clients view the images on a large screen television so I can get used to what they like and dislike. Most people have a “best side” and do not even know it!

Then we switched to a different outfit and went by the hydrangea bush.

And, finally, she tried on one last outfit and we headed for the shade. This whole process took less than an hour. I truly hope that people actually enjoy their photo session and that these are images that they will be proud of for a long time. Thanks for coming, Tatyana, and congratulations on ten years of marriage!!! I would love to meet Juliette and Fion next time around!

Are you in need of a great headshot? You can sign up for a KPO Photo Headshot here.

William Travis Jewelry | A Business Story

Recently I photographed Travis Kukovich, who is an amazing jeweler. His store, William Travis Jewelry, is located at University Square in Chapel Hill. He came from a long line of metalsmiths in his native Kansas. I have known him for almost twenty years as one of my closest friends is his wife, Prity. When I first met him he was working at Jewelsmith in Durham. That seems so long ago! He has owned William Travis Jewelry for over ten years now and continues to make amazing wearable art.

We got together for a BUSINESS STORY as he has several big events and happenings coming up and needed publicity images. He had been trying to get some good photos of himself at the store all week but after many unsuccessful tries he called me to schedule a shoot. As he put it, “I always seem to look so good in your photos!” Thanks, Travis!

One event is The Art of the Scarab in which he collected various North Carolina species of scarabs (or beetles) and created one of a kind pieces. The proceeds of sale of these pieces will go to the North Carolina Museum of Art.

He is also going to be featured in the next issue of JCK Magazine. This magazine is to a jeweler what the New England Journal of Medicine is to a doctor. It is the industry standard. Their show is held annually in Las Vegas, NV and is the largest jewelry show in the country. He spoke to them about how to shop the show. He came up with a great idea for his photo. He saw himself in front of a wide range of jewelry to create a visual metaphor that shopping the show is akin to a cleverly played game of poker. We had two versions. Then we also just took some great photos of him with his most prized possessions, his family.

Barbara Clark | A Business Story

Recently a good friend and wedding industry colleague asked me to photograph her. Barbara Clark is the owner of An Elegant Affair. I was very honored as Barbara knows so many talented area photographers, but she chose me. We asked make-up artist, Pam Hung, to work with us, too.

Barbara liked her current head shot but it was photographed quite a few years back, so she wanted to update it. It is very important for all business owners to have a current image of themselves that they really like and that captures the best of everything about them. Since Barbara’s clients trust her with the important details of making their wedding day run smoothly I thought her image should convey not only Barbara’s beauty, but also how confident and friendly she is.

My favorite image is on the left. I think that color green looks stunning on Barbara! However, I always want my head shot clients to leave with at least 3 images that they can use for different purposes. Barbara has various public speaking engagements each year, as well as running her wedding planning business, so she has a need for different looks.

And here we are at the end of our shoot! From left to right are Kristin Prelipp Oguntoyinbo, Pam Hung and Barbara Clark. The ladies were nice enough to hang around for a lasagna lunch. So the whole event was a wonderful day to catch up. Barbara has inspired me to get my own head shot redone soon! Thanks for everything, Barbara and Pam!

Invest in Pets | Business Story

The UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School hosted the 4th Annual Alternative Investments Conference on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. The speakers included Lee Ainslie, the founder of Maverick Capital Management as well as Glenn Hutchings, the Co-Founder of Silver Lake. The Conference was concluded by a spirited panel discussion led by David Dupree of the Halifax Group.

YOU CAN SEE THIS BUSINESS STORY ON-LINE AT:

http://www.kpophoto.com/kenan_investment/

The event was held at the beautiful Carolina Club.

Lee Ainslie of Maverick Capital Management. Mr. Ainslie got his start at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

The conference was very well attended.

Glenn Hutchins of Silver Lake. Mr. Hutchins served President Clinton in both the transition and the White House as a Special Advisor on economic and healthcare policy.

The panel from left to right are David Dupree, Joe Vet, Jon King and Jim Dunn. Notice that Jim Dunn of Wake Forest University is wearing a Tarheel tie. Apparently he lost in a bet and had to wear it!

And these are the folks that put on this very well run event, the Private Equity/ Venture Capital Club! Thank you, Elizabeth, Brad, Erin, Jayson and all the others!