embrace

Embrace
October 2008

My iTunes: Molto Voglio, Molto Spero from Handel's Rinaldo

This next week is going to be VERY full of work. Thankfully (perhaps), I don't have any shows or rehearsals this week, so I'll have extra time to get things done. I've nearly four things off this week's to-do list, one of which was finish editing the pictures for Mark and Renee's photoshoot. I'm going to see them this weekend, so my goal was to get them the pictures then. I think I have achieved my goal. I thought I'd share one last picture that is one of my favorite from the shoot. Thanks for asking me to do the shoot, Mark and Renee! I had a great time with you guys and I hope you'll be happy with the pictures!

Before getting back to my to-do list, I want to share a shot of me and Tiziana Caruso, the soprano from the Baltimore Opera Production of Aida that we just finished. I miss hearing her sing already. I wish that any time I wore body paint, tribal paint, and a red-and-black mohawk wig, I could hear her sing. I think I'd do it at least twice a week. She has the most beautiful voice, is a wonderful actress, and a very sweet person as well. The Washington Post had a great review, and in my opinion was quite accurate. This shot was from the cast party last night after our closing show. Si sono celeste, Tiziana! Spero che ci incontriamo di nuovo! Grazie e ciao!

holding hands

Holding Hands
October 2008

My iTunes: Calmes Dans Le Demi-jour (En Sourdine) by Dawn Upshaw

Another shot from Saturday's shoot with Mark and Renee. As many of my regular visitors know, I love to take pictures of people against brick, especially shots like this!

My weekend of grad school visits is finally over, and thank goodness I have today to recover. Or rather, I have today to try desperately to be productive. My goal is to get my paper from 12 pages to 20 pages this afternoon. I should get started with that...

happy days

Happy Days

October 2008

My iTunes: Il barcaiolo by Cecilia Bartoli

I know it's a second black and white shot in a row, but I really love this one. I'm not sure exactly what I love about it. It sort of reminds me of something from the Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett because of the old gate.

As we were thinking of where to start shooting, Renee mentioned an old Quaker cemetery that was a few minutes walk away. We laughed for a bit at the thought of doing an engagement-type shoot at a cemetery, but turned it around and said that instead of associating the spot with death and decay, we could associate it with timelessness and legacies.

I don't want to detract from the shots of Mark and Renee, but a few people have asked whether I have pictures of me in my costume for Aida. I didn't, until last night. I thought I'd share these two:


I'm quite recognizable, right? I've decided to embrace the look, body paint, tribal paint, red-and-black mohawk, crazy costume, and all. When else will I get a chance to look this ridiculous? But let me tell you, getting all that off takes forever. I think I'll be finding body paint in my ears for weeks to come...

mark & renee

Mark & Renee
October 2008

Meet Mark & Renee, two more of my photographic victims. We had a lovely shoot this morning and this is one of my favorite shots. It was hard to decide whether to post the color version, the black and white version, and the "Troy" version (I love TRA!). I settled on this one, I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Mark and Renee are friends of mine and have been married for several years, but never had engagement portraits done. Well, now they will have some! I'm excited to share the rest once I edit them! Tonight is opening night for Aida so I will probably spend most of my non-stage time editing today's shoot.

a quick preview: take #2

A Quick Preview: Take #2
October 2008

My iTunes: You Opened Up My Eyes by Martyn Layzell

I still don't want to give too much away, because the bride still hasn't see the pictures (unless she's seeing them here!), but I had to post another for today.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Totally Rad Actions? Literally cut my editing time for Saturday's shots at least in half. Maybe more. I like the title of the one I used for this: "Old Skool."

Tomorrow's rehearsal is the piano dress, and the first time we wear the full costumes and the body paint. We'll see how it goes...

a quick preview

A Quick Preview
October 2008

My iTunes: Marchia trionfale from Verdi's Aida

Today I met with the bride and groom whose wedding I'll be shooting in November. I was very excited to meet them, and now I'm even more excited to shoot their wedding! Since the walk-through of the church went so quickly, we spent a little time doing a practice shoot in the field by the church. I had a long rehearsal this afternoon, so I got to spend some time editing the shots right away. I don't want to give away too much since the bride hasn't seen them yet, but I wanted to share this one as a teaser...