My Vegas is Showing!

"It's been a long time since I left you with a dope beat to step to" (well, more like a dope blog posting for you to read, but you get the idea). I was listening to Aaliyah, but anyway...

I'm back and what a great time it was to be around such talented photographers from across the country. This is why I LOVE my profession/craft/job! Let's just say if you were in Las Vegas last week and happened to be getting married (I can't see why not. I mean, it is Vegas), you would have had your pick of photographers. Three days of trade shows, seminars and parties in Vegas was amazing. Next year it's going to start on Feb. 14th. Many photographers may not make it until the 15th because of Valentine's day obligations, but it will still be a "full house." Here is a look at a few photographers that inspire me to do what I do; they keep me focused.

They say three is a crowd, but to stand with these men is an exception. Mike colon and Jon Barber. Mike recently shot the R&B singer Usher's wedding last summer. He is also one of the top wedding photographers in the world.

The amazingly talented Shawn Reeder. Shawn just launched a royalty free music site for photographers. I don't know where he finds the time to get it all done, but it is awesome.
The newly wed Ross Oscar Knight and his beautiful wife from Atlanta along with Chris Torres of 6 Of Four Creations. Chris just shot The Knight's wedding.
My man Phillip Lloyd from Tampa. I hope (it is my plan) to have the opportunity to shoot a wedding with him this season.
Everybody knows Joe Photo. No intro needed on this dude. I'll always remind him that his roots are from Baltimore. Sorry Joe I had to put it out there (lol).
Jasmine Star One of the hottest wedding photographers around; she's got "Rock Star" status. I was introduced to her in LA back in October. If you get a chance check out her blog. Jasmine has only been shooting weddings for about 2 years;her work is amazing. I didn't get a chance to grab a photo with everyone, but I will mention them. Of course there's Ben Chrisman, WPJA Number#1 wedding photographer for 2008. I am proud that I can call him a friend. Denis Reggie, the father of wedding photojournalism. My good friend Travis Broxton ,he's featured in this months Rangefinder magazine. Arnold Johnson, my partner from Washington D.C. Why we don't have a photograph together? My road buddy Carla Teneyck. She's at every event. Last but certain not least my good friend Sara France. Checkout her new product the Gobee Bag. If you get the chance to check it out, let her know you heard it here first! Sara, I will be looking for a sponsor next year. Just wanted to put that out there.

I am glad to be back. I am ready for the season. Stay tuned...

Photographer turned Photographee

Here are a few shot I stumbled across of me while cleaning my inbox. These where taken by my man Ben Chrisman. Ben lives in San Francisco but works everywhere. We ran into each other in the Dominican Republic. He was shooting a wedding also.

Vegas Baby!

It's that time of year again.  I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of my friends from around the country at Wppi(Wedding &Portrait Photographers International Trade Show).  To be with thousands of photographers in Las Vegas is crazy.  Everyone networking and learning each other's technical approach to weddings and portraits along with checking out the latest gear.  For those photographers out there that have not gone before, I say try to make time to attend.  You won't believe your eyes.

Wedding Photojournalist Association

      I'm happy to say that this is my third year as an active member of the WPJA( wedding photojournalist association).  I can truly say that my website and WPJA  has helped me receive clients from across the country.  It  is also an honor to be among some of the world's best wedding photographers.   Cheers to you WPJA.

Happy Valentines day

It doesn't matter whether your love is near or far.  Just know that you are always in their heart. 

The first wedding photographer seminar

Hey everyone,

A wedding photographer seminar is in the works. Subject matter will include photographing in natural light, thinking out of the box shooting and being prepared for the unexpected. On location shooting will be a part of the seminar to demonstrate what we discussed. Location and price TBD. If you are interested feel free to contact me at the email listed. An informational DVD with my man Neal from Bluesky Films is also in the works. This DVD will help anyone that may be struggling with creativity, real time moments, portraits, etc.

My email: mclark@michaelclarkphotographers.com

My gear bag

A lot of my photographer friends have asked what do I have in my gear bag. Well I'm going to reveal the secret to my images. First of all I'm a devoted Nikon photographer. I have been since High school. Many moons ago. My gear bag consist of:

Ipod 30GB full of music for my zone.

Nikon D3 camera body

Nikon D200 camera body

Nikon 70-200mm 2.8

Nikon 85mm 1.4

Nikon 50mm 1.4

Nikon 60mm macro 2.8

Nikon 24mm 2.8

Nikon 10.5mm wide angle 2.8

4 Nikon sb800 flash units

Pocket wizards

Apple Macbook pro labtop

Apple G5

Apple 30in monitor

Apple 20in monitor

Kingston 4&8GB compactflash cards

Lacie external hard drives

Well that's all folks.

I all most forgot the most important thing:

GOD.

My new d3 and my new cars

Here is a couple of shots of my new cars from the car show taken with the D3. It's amazing how this camera works in low light.

OK, I was just kidding about the cars. Maybe one day.

Nikon Saves the Day

I just receive my late Christmas gift to me. My very own Nikon D3 full frame digital camera. Let's just say that the fireworks have just begun. I haven't had the chance to take her for a test drive yet. I've been shooting around the house. Even pictures of nothing look great. I'm so so happy that Nikon came out with this full frame camera. That was the only thing I missed from my film camera's. I'm already planning to get may second D3 in April.

Donta & Christina Engagement

I had a great time with these two. They are so full of love that they made my job easy. Their wedding is scheduled for March 15th. If all goes well, they may be selected for the show "Who's Wedding Is It Anyway". Vicki Johnson of Holy Matimony ( who is a featured event planner for the show) called me up to ask if I had any couples getting married in March. I told her about these two. I think they would be perfect for the show. I will be leaving for the WPPI Convention in Las Vegas right after the wedding. I will be posting images from their wedding and Vegas as soon as I get back.

All I Want For christmas is My
This is the new Nikon D3. Shaun Anthony stop by the studio to show me his 20 minutes after he receive it. Here is a shot we took at 6400 ISO. One word. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! We were so excited that it didn't matter what the subject matter was. We just wanted to see what she could do. What a test drive. Things are looking up in 2008.

The end of a LONG season

Well I'm down to the last 2 weddings. I must say this has been a very busy season. I've worked from Baltimore, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington D.C., Virgina, Dominican Republic, British West Indies, and Saint Thomas, U.S.V.I. I have also travel to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Chicago. All within the last 12 months. Each wedding was exciting and new. Some times I can't believe it's my job to capture memories that will be in the lives of my clients forever.

I will be putting together some of my favorite images from all the wonderful weddings of 2007 for everyone view. Good luck to all the couples and anyone that we may or may not have photographed this year. It has truly been amazing!!!! I'm looking forward to all the new couples of 2008. I'm ready. Weddings, Weddings, and more Weddings.

Hillary & David 9/16/07

"





Sorry for the delay. I'm back. OK, I've been back for awhile. I just haven't had a chance to post. Here are the highlights from the last couple of weeks.

Pictage Partnercon in LA

Whew! I'm back and so full of information that my brain is about to explode. If you are a member of the Pictage community and have never treated yourself to a conference, you have no idea what you are missing. Amongst all of the new ideas coming down the pike for Pictage, the opportunity to network with some of this country's best photographers is mind blowing. I've made new friends and played catch up with some old ones. Man, did we have fun! Thanks to Kiss Wedding Books and Showit, we partied hard! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again at the next conference and Photo Plus in NY.