Changes are a comin’

This is a super short insert to just be forthcoming that my site is about to go for some cosmetic surgery. I feel like it is too busy at the moment so I intend to simplify the content here to hopefully create at much more user friendly experience. I hope that is is something that those of us in society that are over stimulated already can easily navigate and at the same time express my work and art in a way that is genuine to itself and to myself.

I also want to remind you, if your reading this, that any image I post here or our IGs are available for print. I am currently contemplating the purchase of a printer ( again ) to make prints readily available but will need to see if there is a desire for that from, well anyone but myself. I say this jokingly as I have been lucky enough to produce and sell 4 prints already this year. This seems so small but its such an accomplishment to me. I want my work to be seen, to be held but more importantly to be experienced. I want conversations started about my work. I want to be excited again. I want to shoot all the film, make all the prints, and do those things with and for you.

So, thank you for being here. Let me know either here or over at www.throatpunchpros.com what you want so see from me/ us.

We also are available for assignment work. Want a custom, one of a kind, one run print- we can do that to. Let’s talk about it.

J

Create When it hurts

Create when it hurts

This is Jeremy and I just wanted to write before the year ends, before the decade takes its final trip around the clock and remind you how amazing your work is. As creators it is very easy to get in these doubt filled corners of our mind while we try to please our clients, ourselves and all while trying to be true to our medium or art. That’s what art is though right? True expression of feelings, and ideas. Finding the way to make something that without you, never would exsist. Without your take on whatever the art is, it would simply still be a frame unexposed, a canvas left holding to itself in the cellophane wrapping, or the lyrics to a song that could influence someone else. 

Think about that for a minute. Who inspires you? Write it down. Now also write down why you are inspired by this. Now imagine how it has effected your life. You owe it to yourself and the world to share your experience as well. Make that thing that scares you to sleep loss. Make the thing that hurts because through pain is healing. You don’t have to share it with the masses but what if, just what if someone sees it and needs it? What if you become that light to someone else who is stumbling through their darkness. 

This may be the last blog entry of the year as many of you know my wonderful wife, Natasha was recently diagnosed with ovarian as well as uterine cancer. She has had 2 surgeries and begins chemo in a few weeks. She allowed myself and Wes to capture something very difficult, very personal, and very tender this week so that will have my attention over the holidays. I wrote this short insert because that’s what she did for me this week. Unknowingly , she inspired, she gave me courage, she reminded me how truly strong and wonderful she is. I hope any of my work has somehow inspired you this calendar year at least on some level. If I can say that happened, then 2019 was a success. I’m coming for 2020 and all the feels. Love each and everyone of you for the support and love. 

Jeremy

Why do I create at all..

I often read other posts, and watch videos discussing the creative mind, and even though I rarely consider myself creative, I do create therefore a creator of sorts I must be. So the question is why do I make the things I make and take the chances I take? I am asking you as much as I am telling you. Maybe if I consider the things I took images of in the beginning it would make sure sense. So lets go back

In the beginning of my then hobby, I was working on a delivery truck and traveling all over and while doing so would notice amazing things along the drive/ride. Then cell phones where nowhere near what we carry in our pockets on a daily basis so I thought it would be interesting if I brought a camera along with me to capture this and that through out my days.  From solo trees on hillsides to water wheels, abandoned silos, and my favorite - an abandoned basketball goal in a field. The only common denominator they share is where they were. Every image I took was outside. Every single ONE.  This is still very prominent in the work I create and the work I long to create.  I love to evoke a feeling of wonder and what could be more wondrous than the world we live in? Every detail a creation in itself, and inspiring me to create the work that I am truly moved by. I have some ways to go to create the brand that allows me to pursue only sessions that I can be excited about. I still have so so many locations local me to capture and I’m ready to go. Who is going with? 

If you follow me at all you may have noticed this theme in my work. Not all of my work of course. Weddings are often indoors and in church’s but I am putting this out in the world. I only want to shoot outdoor weddings, preferably in locations that can inspire me and the adventurous elopement would be my overall #1 thing to capture, but I need to find my way in that market. Help a fella out lol

My inspiration today actually comes from a very good friend of mine. A lady who’s work I admire but not as much as I do her character. We share a lot of the same passions but I think our love for the outdoors is one of our strongest bonds. She posted images yesterday from my favorite place and creativity took over from there. Go give her a follow and tell her I sent you. She’s on all the social media’s but IG is easiest @_katysergent . Even as of writing this or finishing it up if I’m honest, my family and I are in Bryson City, NC. Today for my belated 40th birthday present, we rafted the Nantahala River. Chaco’s strapped, sunglasses glued to my face, and my favorite North Face hat and off we went. I am even setting here after our day of adventure, starring at a beautiful mountain top range just outside the window and I know this is the fuel for my work. This is where it starts and where it shall remain. Among the trees, fields, and streams we are very lucky to call home.

J

”In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks” - John Muir

Your camera DOES matter!

What if I told you that the equipment you choose to wield actually has a direct impact on your final result? What if I told you there are tools that fit the user better than the one fits all concept? All the haters go ahead and jump to the comments and leave your opinion there. 

If you just happen to still be reading here is why I feel this way. Ok lets keep it simple.  You want to shoot some images of insects, so to do this you either need a macro lens or extension tube right? Or if you want to take photos of the moon you will need a zoom lens. What if I told you the same is true about cameras? Do I believe we can pick up any camera and make something memorable, absolutely yes, but having the camera that works the best FOR YOU will make your hit rate much higher on average.  You wont just grab any pair of shoes off of the shelf and hope they are comfortable and fit? So why do the same thing with a camera? Something that you could very well be holding and handling for hours. Wouldn’t it make more sense if that object felt great in your hand?  I am also a firm believer in making a camera work for you but if you can have a camera that you can operate seamlessly, will this not result in more confidence in the user, and thus that confidence projected to your client?  Don’t get me wrong there is no 1 camera for all. Wedding professionals, and sports shooters have different needs thus different tools are required. 

Ok now to play my own “devils advocate”, because I have said this many times in the past, the camera is simply a tool. And in the simplest form ,means I should be able to take any camera and make it work to my vision in theory but nothing is that simple. A painter doesn’t just grab a roller and paint a Mona Lisa. I know this is a very extreme example but I am willing to bet you knew exactly what I meant the second you read that sentence.  Having said that if you have read any of the past inserts or follow me on social media you understand my fascination with all things Film. I love how simple it is, and how genuine every frame developed becomes. We can shoot and pray in the digital realm but not while shooting film if we want the best results. Shooting film is methodical, or romantic in a sense to me but would I pick up one of my film cameras to shoot sports, absolutely not.   

I am  not writing this to convince you to sell everything you own and start over, not by any means. I have came to a crossroads in my approach to my work and the equipment I use. I adore holding and shooting all things FujiFilm and have for a few years now. Even writing this I am sleepless contemplating my choices. I have considered staying with Fuji and adding a newer camera body but I am at a point where my final images aren’t meeting my vision while shooting Fuji and that hurts to say out loud.  So the past 2 weeks I have tried several cameras to see what feels right in my hand, but more importantly what produces a final image like the one playing in my mind. I have shot a Canon 5diii and coming from a Canon background I thought this might be the correct choice especially since we are adding video to our services. I shot it for a few days but came away unimpressed. Don’t get me wrong, it is an amazing camera with amazing image quality but it wasn’t “RIGHT” for me. I also shot a Nikon d810 and I had never even pressed a shutter on a Nikon camera before but  I wanted to rule out all options to make sure it wasn’t just me, and not my camera being the issue. To my utter surprise, the RAW images from this camera were stunning. Not in comparison to anything else but in line with my vision for my work. Loving my Ricoh GRii files so much I even considered the new Pentax FF line but I think the only Pentax for me is my 645n and 120 film :)

The only other viable option to me and my rationale ( which can be questioned regularly lol ) was another Sony mirrorless body. I have owned the a7ii prior and did enjoy it very much but was lucky to stumble across a YouTube video comparing the new Nikon Z6 and Sony A7iii and they were gracious enough to include raw files. I was quick to download them both and edit the way I love to edit and to see how it pans out. To my surprise the Nikon files were my favorite once again. The Sony was not far behind but I found the dynamic range much more suited to my shooting style from the Nikon camera for a second time. This and the fact that I love shooting off camera flash  once again has me leaning toward a Nikon setup. So at the end of the day especially if you are new to photography and wanting to learn more, find a camera that feels right in your hand, offers the features you need ( Not always want )and you can bend to meet your artistic vision. I would love to know your opinion but more importantly I would love to hear what works best for you!

Lastly here is a link to his video mentioned above to not get lost in my thought process. VIDEO

#nikon, #d810 #d750

Checking out and stepping up

As of writing this, we have been home from a much-needed camping trip to Hot Springs, NC. We were lucky enough to have Wes, Whitney, and Acston  ( no way I spelled that right lol) join us for some campsite shenanigans. We had cameras out everywhere acting a fool and just kicking back. It was just what I needed to regroup and come back swinging. We came home Sunday, and I immediately showered and got dressed for a session on the ever enchanting Carvers Gap. That session we danced among the trees and into the creeks below as the sun peeked thru the trees tops toward us. That alone would be enough to write about, but the following day I was off to another session. This time I asked my clients to join me at The Beauty Spot, and seeing as how they trust me and have never been, they agreed. I am so glad they did. The sun was still higher than I preferred but you work with what you have and that's one of my favorite parts of photography. The ever-changing light, scenery, and weather make every session special. This led to me shooting directly into the sun for the first 15 minutes which created images a little lighter than usual, but then we found our way into the shade and tall grass. We ended with silhouettes against a magnificent blue sky. Man, I LOVE MY JOB. Its currently after 11 pm on Friday the 13th, and we are mostly packed up for another adventure. I will have cameras in tow as always and phone on standby to book that next session, although squeezing them in is starting to get interesting with Fall fast approaching! I don,t need sleep though, so let's shoot! Below I will simply leave a few images from the sessions mentioned above. Follow me on Instagram HERE and our new Company HERE to see more and to catch some BTS footage too. Until the keys click for the next entry, thanks for being here.-J

The wind was working against, and also for us at times.

The wind was working against, and also for us at times.

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