Being asked to photograph Taylor was really an honor and something I will never forget!
Here are some shots from her Friday April 19th concert at Philips Arena, in Atlanta, GA.
Author Archives: laurenamie
Spending time with Vivian.
Ever since a friend introduced me to Vivian, I’ve been captivated by her.
She was born in New York City, but lived in France and Chicago before returning to NYC in 1951. When Vivian wasn’t caring for children as a nanny, she was wandering the city streets shooting roll after roll of film. You can read more about her life here
She’s fascinating to me. I can’t imagine shooting my entire life and never sharing my work with anyone.
HAWKtoberfest
Last Saturday night, the Atlanta Hawks celebrated the local Atlanta craft brew community at the Hawks vs. Magic game, featuring brews from 8 different Atlanta and Georgia breweries, as well as beer infused treats and German style concessions. We had a great turn out and I think everyone had an awesome time!
Employee 3on3
One of the perks to working for an NBA team is the chance to play 3 on 3 on the court. This would be cool…. if I played basketball. So, let’s rephrase. One of the perks to working for an NBA team is the chance to PHOTOGRAPH folks playing 3 on 3 on the court. Check out my favorite shots from our company event!
Say hello to my new baby.
Most of you know I am a big fan of renting camera equipment – I’ve talked about it in multiple postings before. I think renting is one of the smartest things you can do as a photographer – but lately, I started wondering if I was going about this all wrong. I found myself in a bad position often – asked to shoot something amazing- but not having the gear on the spot to do a great job. That’s where renting can be tricky. You’re at the mercy of the store, the availability and your wallet. If I am going to grow my business and my craft, I have to be ready at all times for whatever opportunities come my way.
Say hello to my new baby! the Canon 24-105mm 4L! I shopped around online until I found the best deal on Amazon. I honestly never thought I could afford an L series lens, but this is definitely the most value for the money. The range is great for general shooting. At 24, I can capture the atmosphere at any event. At 105 I can stand back and get in the action without being on top of my subjects.
Aint she pretty?
WinterJam2013
I was recently give the opportunity to shoot my first concert – WinterJam2013. It was a great experience – one that I’ll be more ready for next time. I shot with my own rig – and a rented 70-200 lens. I really wish I had also rented a high quality, wide angle lens with a slight zoom. My favorite 24-105 4L would have been perfect – but I worked with what I had and I really like these shots! Maybe I’ve found my niche?
Coolest Gift.
A friend gave me the coolest gift for Christmas.
I’ll admit, when I first opened it – I was in disbelief. A Canon 70-200mm 2.8 lens? But wait, it was way too light, I thought. And why is the end cap screwing off? Then I realized what it was. A lens mug! What an awesome gift! Every time I see it I laugh at the fact that I thought it was a real lens.
I recently rented a “real” 70-200 lens and I compared the two side by side. They are literally identical. 
I love my lens mug!
WWE
WWE was back at Philips Arena – and so was I. Here are shots I took from Monday Night Raw!
The Miz is my favorite. FYI.
A New Friend
I had the opportunity to meet and photograph TI last month and all I can say is…. he’s pretty much the nicest guy ever! Here are some shots from the night he was a Hawks color commentator and a halftime performer.
silly kit lens.
I learned a lesson recently: it’s not about the equipment – it’s about the photographer.
My friend and coworker Luke said something to that effect to me not too long ago. We were discussing the photographers that sit on the hardwoods at the game. Their lenses are incredible – they are fixed upon the highest quality bodies. Their glass is the best, of the best. Ofcourse I have to remind myself – that equipment probably isn’t even theirs. It belongs to their employer. Yet still, I am naturally jealous.
Once you’ve used high quality glass, you have to have it… all the time. It’s definitely an addiction. Ever since I tried the gorgeous Canon 24mm 1.4L or the 24-70mm 2.8 L II, I’ve been completely in love. How could I ever justify shooting with my silly 18-55mm kit lens again?
Then a friend called. It was a Sunday. She asked me to come over and shoot photos of her 2 year old daughter. I panicked inside – what would I shoot these photos with? My lens rental place was closed, and all I had was my silly kit lens. I thought to myself – these photos will turn out horrible.
Low and behold, the photos turned out beautifully. I sat back that afternoon and thought to myself, Luke was right. It’s not about the lenses. It’s about my eye for photography and making the most of everything – my subject, the lighting, the background and props. I cannot lean so heavily on my equipment to do the work for me.
I guess everyone needs to be brought back down to earth every once in a while. Thanks Luke.
Cutest Lil Reindeer.
This lil Reindeer makes my job so easy!
Russell Engagement Photos
Another beautiful day at Piedmont Park! Thanks Pari and Matt -you made this so easy for me. Special thanks to Lindsay… you’re an excellent dog walker.
KK on Krog.
After much anticipation, these photos are now published! I’m proud of this work. The model is KK, one of my best friends.
A true beauty inside and out.
Yes, she stopped traffic.
HELL IN A CELL!
Here are some fun shots I snapped at WWE’s Hell in a Cell at Philips Arena last weekend.
It was a crazy show and really fun crowd! I’d be a liar if I didn’t say my favorite character is The Miz. I’m a huge MTV Real World fan.
On the Hardwoods
Robert Capa, famous war photographer once said, ” If your pictures aren’t good enough – you’re not close enough.” Robert was right – you have to get close. Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to get very close to the action at Philips Arena. I sat on the hardwood.
Does it get any cooler than that?
Here are a few of my shots – they’re largely untouched, so please forgive. I just couldn’t wait to post them.
Chernobyl.
I was completely blown away recently.
While helping out on set at a shoot, my friend and photographer Greg Miller showed me photos from his trip to the Chernobly Nucleaur Power Plant in Ukraine. I would be an absolute liar if I told you that these weren’t the most amazing photos I’ve ever seen.
Each photograph comes alive in front your eyes. He photographed everything from the empty, trashed buildings to the people who still live in the arena – or lived through the disaster. Not only is each photograph composed so beautifully – but the lighting is incredible and honest.
His photography reminded me of Life After People. Ever seen it on the History Channel? I think I’ve seen every episode – it’s facinating. Greg’s photographs of the untouched, empty buildings and desolate areas reminds me of the evolution of life after people, documented on that show.
You can see all of Greg’s Chernobyl photography on his website: http://www.gregorymillerphotography.com/#/Projects/Liquidators of Chernobyl/1
(Click on Projects)
Biscuit.
Known all around Atlanta as “biscuit” (thanks to a certain AJC columnist!), baby Maya was a lot of fun to photograph this past summer. She’s growing up so fast!
Sweet Tea & His Lady.
I’ve always said Engagement Shoots are my favorite type of photoshoots. I think it’s because of the genuine joy and happiness that is visible in each couple I shoot. It’s a very refreshing thing to be around – and Keith & Amanda were no exception. They were so loving and easy going on this shoot. I also had the pleasure of photographing their wedding this past weekend. Here are a few of the engagement shoot photos – and wedding photos to come in the future.
The Subject is Hair.
As a portrait photographer, my focus is naturally the face. I am always most aware of what the face is doing, how its positioned and how it’s being portrayed. So when Godiva Salon asked me to come in and shoot a “hair model” – I had to train myself not to focus on her face as much as her hair. It was something very foreign and new for me. The hair came first. Hmmm.
Here are three of my favorites.
Lobstaaaa
We couldn’t stay away from New England any longer…Lobster for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Need I say more????
Check out photos from our most recent roadtrip. We started in Boston, then went to Ogunquit ME, Kennebunkport, Biddeford, then back to Mass and on to Provincetown, South Yarmouth and Martha’s Vineyard.
Provincetown will always be my favorite Cape Cod town. Of the new places we visited, Martha s Vineyard was my favorite.
It lived up to the hype.
Lewis Hine
Lately, I’ve needed some extra inspiration.
I came across a book called “50 Photographers You Should Know.” The title was promising and it cost me $5.99 used. Why not!
I read half of the book this past weekend on a flight to Ft. Lauderdale. The book started off slow, featuring photographers whose works were unimpressive. I found that the photos of photographers from the mid-1800s were blurry and murky.
It wasn’t until I reached Lewis Hine’s page that I perked up.
Lewis Hine was my kind of photographer. He was a photojournalist. He dedicated his life to photographing suffering and social injustices. A vast majority of his subjects were people. He photographed them straight on – no fancy angles or distortions.
He was very honest.
The photo above is one of Hine’s more famous photos from his work documenting child labor in American Industry. I love the focus and depth of this photograph. Hine was particularly talented in isolating his subjects.
I think this next photograph is my absolute favorite. I am sure you’ve seen it before.
Ok, lets start with the fact that Lewis had to climb up to the top of this unfinished Empire State Building just to take this photo! Nevermind the fact that the men sitting on this beam, 1,454 ft up in the air, seem cool as cucumbers. I really can’t get over this photograph.
It makes my palms sweat just looking at it. Heights are not my thing. Thank god they were Hine’s.
Godiva Salon Shoot
There’s always one photo that stands out more than the rest. Here are a few choice shots from my Godiva Salon shoot a few months ago. I shot photos of each hairstylist, the owner of the salon, Tony Promiscuo, and a group shot of the current staff. They are a wonderful group of talented artists.
Godiva Salon is located on Peachtree Rd. in Buckhead.
PPR
Of all the things I learned at the Showcase School of Photography, finding out about PPR was possibly the most impactful. I mean – renting camera equipment? Genius! I haven’t been in this industry as long as some, but I think that the concept is a game changer. It allows more photographers the ability to use the latest and greatest camera equipment – at a fraction of the cost of purchasing.
I blame PPR for my lens snobbery. I’ve rented 25-30 different lenses from PPR – both Canon and Nikon – over the past three years. It’s because of this resource, I’ve been able to play around and discover what my favorite lenses are.
I find myself frequently renting the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM for my portrait shoots. I really like the 2.8 aperture. I’m also a fan of the Canon EF 50mm f1.2L. I’m pretty much a fan of any lenses between 1.2-4.0 aperture and almost all lenses in the L Series.
Last but definitely not least, the staff at PPR is awesome! They’re super nice and knowledgeable about their equipment – since most are photographers themselves.
Check it out!
PPR Atlanta (http://www.ppratlanta.com/)
667 11th Street, N.W. Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 885-1885
First Timer?
Welcome to my site! Take a second and browse the past posts – click on “Older Posts” at the bottom of this page to view. I especially love the HOCKEY shots! Have fun!
Welcome to the world, Kai!
Meet Kai! He was only 3 weeks old when I shot these photos.
This shoot was so successful because I was working with two really cooperative parents (Thanks Sanj & Nushy!)
They were willing to change Kai’s positions and outfits many times….and they weren’t kidding about the projectile peeing – it happens!
Hope you enjoy.
St. Paul’s
Hello NYC!
A long weekend, one metro pass, subway map, rainboots and countless cups of Starbucks coffee. We were ready to take on Manhattan. My mom, who is an absolute blast to travel with, had it all mapped out. We went to Canal St., Little Italy, Chinatown, Chelsea, Upper West Side, Times Square, Herald Square, and Tribeca. But first, we started with Ground Zero.
The last and first time I’d traveled to this site was in 2003. The area was a mess back then. There were cranes, fences and no public access to the area, understandably. Since then, the 9/11 Memorial had been built, giving people all over the world a place to pay their respects to the men, women & children who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993.
We took the NQR train from Times Square to Fulton St, near the site of the attacks. We had intended on getting off at Church St, but thank goodness we didn’t, because we never would have found St. Paul’s Chapel.
Walking into St. Paul’s was very humbling. It was also chilling. At 2pm on a Friday afternoon, there were about 30 people inside the church. Most were just like me, silently going from one shrine to the next on the ground floor of the chapel. The memorials were adorned with photos, ribbons, clippings and messages for the “lost” victims. All but one of the pews had been removed, with the exception of George Washington’s box (yes, George Washington actually worshipped at St. Paul’s in the late 1700′s) Over the balcony hung a sign that read: To New York City and all of the Rescuers, Keep Your Heads Up, Oklahoma Loves You. (there’s a photo of this in the slideshow)
I can’t imagine the desperation that many felt as they poured into St. Paul’s and the surrounding area following the attacks – looking for their lost loved ones. St. Paul’s was not only a refuge site for recovery workers, but also considered a miraculous place because it did not perish with the Towers. It was one of the only neighboring buildings spared.
I went into the Memorial gift shop before we left the site. A few tourists gathered around a flat screen television to watch a short 9/11 documentary. As they listened and watched, I could see tears in their eyes. And the longer I stood there with them, the harder it was to fight back the tears myself. Every story was different, but with an end result of emptiness and sorrow.
Visiting this memorial reminds us of how fragile and unpredictable life can be.
RIP Margarget Seeliger.
