Tampa Photography Blog

Sierra said all she wanted for her 9^th birthday was to have a glamour party.

Wish granted.

Thanks to Collective Creations, Sierra and six of her closest friends painted their fingers and toes, received professional hair styling and played “dress up” with boas, jewelry, dresses, hats and high heels.

They feasted on pizza and birthday cake and giggled until their bellies hurt.

Sierra is a wonderful, charismatic girl who has impeccable manners and a kind heart. She deserves nothing but the best on this birthday and all the ones to come! Thanks for inviting me into your home to photograph your day, Sierra!

I don’t photograph weddings every weekend. I do a few here and a few there. But when I get to do them, it makes my job so much more enjoyable to see a happy, stress-free couple that remembers what the day is all about…love.

Angela and Brad fit this description to a tee. From the time I shot their engagement portraits in December, I knew they were different. I expected there to be a little stress since the wedding was a mere four months away but they both had a calm aura about them. We walked around River Hills Park in Tampa, shot photos, played on the playground, watched ducks waddle and saw a beautiful sunset. It was one of the calmest photo shoots I’ve been on and it’s all because of Angela and Brad.

Their wedding was no different. From photographing Angela getting ready with her best friends to their peaceful ceremony to the colorful Hawaiian reception, they kept their cool and simply enjoyed the day.

Not only was their reception intimate but it was also one of the more unique events I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. It was a Hawaiian luau hosted by The Exotic Plumeria in Seffner, Florida, complete with leis for guests, dancing and traditions unlike anywhere else. Angela was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and the bride and groom both dreamed of a Hawaiian wedding here in Tampa Bay so it seemed a good fit.

The music and video was provided by the team at Celebrations of Tampa Bay and the wedding rings were designed by Spath Jewelers. The bride’s hair was styled by Synergy in Brandon, Florida and Alan Bunch at the Exotic Plumeria took care of all the catering and the performers.

Congratulations and best wishes to Angela and Brad!

The event called “Lush” at The Don Cesar in St. Petersburg is named for the feeling you get when you walk through the courtyard.

It’s an elegant and extravagant event centered around food and drinks. Once you pay for a ticket, you can sample as much as they can offer. And like all Loews Hotels events, they do everything right.

From wine to scotch (from Southern Wine and Spirits) and sushi to chocolate mousse, every guest can find something worth trying. Loews Hotels gathered some of their finest chefs from The Don Cesar and Loews Miami Beach Hotel to participate. These chefs managed to cook up culinary delights all night and I don’t think anyone left unhappy.

The Don also provided musical entertainment from ­­­Lamar Tremain and a fashion show by local designer Ivanka Ska with some outrageous and breathtaking designs.

I think I enjoyed this photo shoot so much because it gave me a chance to create food photography again. It’s been ages (it seems) that I have focused on food. I, of course, photographed the models, guests and chefs but food that is prepared by culinary masters is a visual treat for artists like myself.

One of the reasons I love the new photo exhibition at the Tate Modern in London is that the photos are a wonderful mix of very literal imagery and some that are more suggestive and subtle.

The exhibit titled “Exposed” showcases photographs from various artists that focus on the idea of voyeurism. Some are more subtle like the Harry Callahan photo (1984) of the backside of a woman standing on a street corner. The way it’s shot, it seems as though maybe the photographer is a safe distance behind her, using a long lens and trying to fill the frame with her body.

A more obvious interpretation of the voyeurism theme is seen in Shizuka Yokomizo’s photos from her “Dear Stranger” body of work from 1999. She wrote to strangers asking them to stand in their window at a specific time and date so she could photograph them outside their homes. It sounds creepy to me but apparently enough people did it for her to make a series out of it.

I visited the Tate Modern in London in 2006 while traveling with a dear friend of mine through England and Ireland. I loved the museum and have always held a fascination with modern art. Even if I don’t understand it completely, I’ve always been drawn to it.

Photography exhibits catch my eye first, naturally. Seeing someone else’s work in exhibit form is a special privilege and I don’t take it lightly. I know how much time, effort and talent goes into one show so I’m grateful there are museums out there like the Tate Modern that allow for such artistic freedom.

*Top photo by Harry Callahan; Bottom photo by Shizuka Yokomizo.*

I had the pleasure of photographing the 13^th Annual Latinos Unidos Luncheon hosted by The City of Tampa’s Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council at the Tampa Convention Center. Proceeds from the conference and the luncheon helped to fund the scholarship endowment at the University of Tampa. (There are also endowments at the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College.)

I love being a part of organizations that help other kids go to college. I was blessed enough (years ago) to receive a few scholarships from Tampa organizations and HCC plus my parents were kind enough to pay my tuition at the University of Florida. I understand not everyone has opportunities like these.

The keynote speaker was City of Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and prominent guests included UT president Dr. Ronald Vaughn, USF President Dr. Judy Genshaft and HCC President Dr. Gwendolyn Stephenson. More than 400 Tampa business owners and community members attended the conference and luncheon.

UT hosted a private reception the night before and as always, UT proved to be a wonderful place to host a function. Donors, business owners and guests were invited to celebrate some of the accomplishments of the Hispanic Advisory Council. Council member Maritza Roviro Forino lead the event and honored UT trustee Dr. O. Rex Damron, President of the Krewe of Sant 'Yago Education Foundation.

Thanks to all who help give kids opportunities they didn’t know they could have.

If you don't have a professional head shot of yourself, this event is a great way to purchase one at a discounted price. For group sessions, the cost is only $75 per person and you receive FIVE final high-resolution images to keep and use for your marketing or social networking purposes.

A professional head shot is one that is taken by a photographer with studio lighting and preferably a clean backdrop. With all the money we invest in our business, a $75 head shot should be an easy decision. If you don't need a head shot for your business, maybe you know someone who does. I appreciate clients who spread the word of my business so I try to reward them as often as possible! We hope to se e you on Wednesday!

What: Head shots

When: April 21, 2010; 3-4:30 p.m.

Where: Prudential Tropical Realty office, 20537 Amberfield Dr., Land O' Lakes, FL 34638

How much: $75 due at the time of the session

Investment: Each client receives five retouched, high-resolution images to keep and use for personal or business purposes.

Booking: Jessica Leigh 813.468.0075