Andrew Bryant Photography Blog

Questions and Answers | for Photographers

Friday, March 5, 2010 | News

For those of you reading this in your RSS feeder, you may want to hop over to the actual blog (www.andrewbryantphotography.net) to view the video... oh, and please ask questions of us so that we can help your business grow!! After all, that's what it's all about, right?!?

Thirst Relief Presentation | for photographers

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 | News

In July of last year I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Tanzania with 16 other photographers to help raise awareness for Thirst Relief International. The trip was sponsored by Grace Ormonde (the editor of the gorgeous Wedding Style Magazine) and co-lead by celebrity wedding photographer Mike Colon and Thirst Relief president Jim Davis Hicks Those few weeks have been life-changing in the way that I view basic everyday needs, how truly blessed we are in the states, and what a difference we can make with only five dollars! On March 9th, there will be a presentation for all photographers at this year's WPPI (a convention for Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) which will explain more in depth about our time in Tanzania and will provide opportunity for others to get involved and make a difference. So if you're a photographer who is headed out to WPPI, please stop by and check out the presentation. Oh, and please say hello as I'd love to meet you!

video credit :: Genesis Films

*** Update ***

There will be instructional DVD's (packed with over 3 hours of information) available for sale. These DVD's are a wealth of information for any photographer in the wedding industry... yours truly may even have a bit of info to share. :) All proceeds go directly to Thirst Relief International.

Inspiration for a photographer...

Thursday, February 18, 2010 | Personal

Every now and again I'm asked what inspires me as a photographer and when in the moment I always attempt to give a really artistic answer... like the blades of grass with the morning dew still on it. Alright, so dew on grass blades isn't the most awe-inspiring thing I've ever seen and doesn't really give me vision for how I photograph, but here are a few things that tend to get my mind in the "creative mode" if you will... and if you're not a photographer and don't really care about "inspiration", well... thanks for amusing me.

Music, music, and more music. I'm somewhat of a music nerd, although I don't have vinyl records around so that disqualifies me as a true music purist. I love going to concerts when I can get out and catch a good show 'cause each show is entirely different in how they interact with the audience, how "gritty" their sound is, to how simple their lighting is set up. I just enjoy the entire experience. While I'm not always able to physically see a show, I have an extensive music library that I keep on rotation and I thought I'd share a few with you...

1. John Mayer. Even though this guy has had incredible success and many say that he's "sold out", the guy is just a phenomenal song writer and can play the guitar unlike any other musician. By the way, John if you come across this and ever get engaged... call the studio... we'll chat.
2. Melody Gardot. My wife and I heard her album while enjoying a relaxing date night at a Borders in San Diego. I never really care about who's playing on the speaker as the staff usually chooses rather average music, but I am so glad I asked... this is an incredible album that every couple should have in their music library!
3. Paper Route. One word... innovative. These guys happened to be in town several months back and I didn't catch their show and have been kicking myself ever since. Every one of their albums takes a few listens before I really appreciate all that is packed in the disk. A must buy if you're looking for something different and creative.

Believe it or not, furniture is another thing that inspires me. Very few things can dictate the overall feel/vibe of a room like a choice selection of furniture. While the photos below are not actually in our home, I'll admit that I sometimes think about how I would furnish another studio space (that I would have for the heck of it... not necessarily for photography).

By the way, all the home furnishings (pictured below) are from the site Uncrate... such a cool site that describes themselves as, "the buyers guide for men." Heck yeah, almost everything on this site is a bit different/unusual, but that's what makes it so great.

4. The Roost Aluminum Antler Lamp. I'm not sure if you've ever seen those design shows where the designer says, "let's bring the outside in,"... yeah, these lamps are the most unique way of doing just that!
5. The Herman Miller Eames chair Just about any piece of furniture that Herman Miller produces is an inspiration. Everything from the warm tones to the subtle shape complete the look. (I sound like a designer, right?!?)
6. The Matera Collection While this room looks nothing like our master bedroom, I love the minimalist design and feel to the room. Not necessarily the warmest room I've ever seen, but I love how simple it is.
7. Nespresso Espresso Machine. What more do I need to say... can't live without a good cup 'o espresso!

Soooo, that's just a taste of what "inspires" me as an artist and photographer. I believe there are many things that we can find inspiration in (no matter what occupation you have). So I'm interested to hear what you have to say... what's the one thing that inspires you??? Leave a comment below (and if you can link to it, all the better!)... I'd love to hear.

Back at 'em...

Thursday, February 11, 2010 | Personal

For the past month I've placed the blog on hold so that I could dedicate a substantial amount of time to Courtney and Stafford. I'm almost certain that it's been one of the most rewarding decisions I've made in some time. After revisiting the blog I now realize how much time and effort goes into creating new entries and trying to keep y'all up to date (all for good reason though!). I know it may seem like we fell off the face of the earth for the past month or so, but there have been some incredible changes to the business overall, and many of them are on the verge of materializing... I know, vague and obscure, right?!? Well, one of the small details that I'm allowed to divulge at the moment is that we'll be traveling a bit more for work... more trips to New York, Miami, Chicago, and potentially L.A.

Between the gallons of morning coffee and midnight feedings (for Stafford, not me!) I've had some time to revamp our business model and pray about where I can be used most with my skill-set and I'm ecstatic about where the Lord is taking us. We've been blessed to book quite a few weddings for the year (thanks to ShootQ for helping to automate the process for us!) and in the midst of it, enjoy being with family while in town. While taking a bit of time off from work (aside from the minor day to day tasks) I've had some wonderful opportunities to meet with other professionals in the wedding industry and catch up on life. One of the main topics that has arisen from these conversations is that we find (as photographers) it's fairly easy to get wrapped up in who's charging what, where your collegue's next "destination" is, and what software will help you get the edge up on your business (nice 'lil plug for Apple). All that's well and good, but more often than not what I've found to be most beneficial is taking a step back, genuinely looking at what matters most in your life, and re-prioritizing (and if you're a believer, seeking the Lord's wisdom in all aspects). By no means do I have "life" figured out, but I would encourage you to do what you can to get out of your normal routine and sincerely pray and re-prioritize things in life. It's a breath of fresh air!

Speaking of fresh air, I think Stafford just polluted it, so I'm off to the rescue... in the meantime, here's a photo of the little stinker. :)

Thoughts of a father

Thursday, January 7, 2010 | Personal

There are many things that I'm learning about being a father and I know I have a huge learning curve ahead of me, but I welcome every moment that I'm given with my new family. It's incredible to see the love between a mother and son. I find myself just sitting back in amazement while watching Courtney calm our son when he's upset... it's like she knows things about the little guy that no one else could ever know. I understand that I'm not the first one to the ball-game as there are countless fathers out there, but here are some other revelations I've had in the few days of fatherhood...

.: I finally understand what my dad meant when he said that he'd "give his right arm for me"

.: Items that once used to be important to me now pale in comparison to the love I have for family.

.: Prayers have a whole new purpose and perspective

.: Sleep is precious, but it's amazing what we can accomplish together as a team

.: I have a new perspective of the Lord and his precious gift of salvation to each one of us that believe

.: What a blessing true friends are in life

.: After washing my hands 40+ times in a day, hand lotion becomes a necessity during dry winter months

.: Photographs hold new meaning and purpose

.: Accepting the fact that our house will soon be filled with more items for Stafford than we had planned

.: Never thought that I'd come to the place in my life where I became excited over the number of "poops and pees" in a day (for Stafford, of course!!!)

.: Do they make swaddling cloths for adults? 'Cause it looks like a great way to spend an afternoon on a frigid day.

.: I've officially joined the "slow driver" club whenever we're transporting the little guy

.: I never thought I could love something or someone so much as I do our little man... so incredibly blessed!

Thanks for letting me think out loud and share with you. It's been a roller-coaster of emotion the last few days, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Well I know many of you are waiting for more photos rather than listen to my ramblings, so without further delay, here's a few more. :)

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