Sniper Photo - Louisville Commercial, Event and Portrait Photographer

My cover photo shoot for Jazzed Magazine

2012-01-31T09:30:00.000-05:00

About a month ago, I was contacted by a writer. He wanted to hire me to shoot photos for his upcoming article on jazz musician and educator Jamey Aebersold. I always love shooting musicians, so this was a no brainer. I went to Jamey's home and was instantly blown away by his larger than life personality! We went into his basement which was a practice area / personal collection of all things jazz. I am happy with the pics and always "jazzed" when they are shared with tons of people!

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

Jazz musician Jamey Aebersold for JAZZed Magazine

2012-01-10T09:26:00.000-05:00

JAZZed Magazine contacted me to photograph a jazz legend, saxophone player Jamey Aebersold. I met Jamey at his studio in New Albany, Indiana. I set up a few Nikon SB800's and started chatting with my soon to be subject. I asked him if he would play one of his saxophones during the photo shoot. He explained to me that he needed to wet the reed of his sax first. While doing this, he busted out the upright bass and began to play. After the reed was ready, he belted out a few tunes on the alto. Next, he jumped over to the piano and started playing. Jokingly, I asked if he played the banjo. He instantly pulled one out of some secret musical cache and started picking.
What an interesting guy. Glad I had the opportunity to shoot him.

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

New Years Eve at Belterra Casino - Sniper Photo

2012-01-05T09:04:00.000-05:00

A few weeks before New Years Eve, I was contacted by the Marketing Department at Belterra Casino. They were hosting a HUGE NYE celebration at their property and needed some photojournalistic coverage of the whole day's events. We started shooting at 4:30pm and shot until way into the New Year. The entire staff at Belterra was nothing short of amazing to work with.
The theme for the event was inspired by the Latin / Cuban culture. All details of the event were designed with this theme in mind. Dancers worked the crowd throughout the night. Various musical performances played throughout the many areas of the property. The headlining act was Tito Puente' Jr. and his Orchestra. Talk about energy!

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

Ever drop a Nikon D700 and 24-70 F2.8 from 40 feet?

2011-12-02T10:35:00.000-05:00

Have you ever dropped a Nikon D700 camera body and Nikon 24-70 F2.8 lens from 40 feet right onto pavement?

I HAVE!

I was shooting some low level aerial photos for a home builder and dropped my camera from around 40'. It hit the pavement on the side of the camera and lens. I ran over and grabbed the camera body, now separated from the lens. The damn thing was still powered on! Sure the sensor was broken. Sure the magnesium alloy body was shattered on one side, but the thing was still powered on.
The lens was toast! It shattered the entire front element and bent the barrel of the lens body.

HERE ARE A FEW PICS!

My insurance company wanted me to drop it off at the local camera repair shop to see if it was repairable. I kinda laughed, but dropped it off anyway.
Here is a copy of the repair estimate. Keep in mind this was ONLY for the camera body, not the lens.

IF YOU DROP A D700 FROM 40', IT WILL COST YOU OVER $5000 TO FIX IT!

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

Photo shoot with GWAR at the Vogue in Indianapolis

2011-11-04T10:17:00.001-04:00

This past Sunday, I went to Indianapolis to shoot the band GWAR! If you have never heard of them, you are missing out. The stage show is filled with tons of monsters that all spew blood and gook all over the audience! It really is a great stage show. I snapped a bunch of candid shots before the show as well as shots during the show and backstage.
Last night, I found out that the band discovered their guitarist Cory Smoot dead on their tour bus. Sad news. Our condolences go out to his band mates, friends and family.

Here is my goofball assistant, Britt, posing with the lead singer! I think she found a new boyfriend!

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

Low level ariel photography - WigWam Village - Cave City, KY

2011-10-03T11:06:00.000-04:00

I had a client that needed some low level ariel photography for a project they were working on, so I did a little research and found a 40' tall carbon fiber pole made just for this. I purchased the pole and quite a few adapters and such. On a recent trip to Cave City, I decided to break it out for a test run at the famous roadside attraction, Wigwam Village. I extended the pole about half way and connected my Nikon D700 and 24-70 F2.8 lens. I also had a 7" HD monitor that I would use to view what the camera was seeing. With a long HDMI cable, I connected the LIVE VIEW of my D700 to the HD monitor.
Below are a few pics of the process that my buddy Michael Stepp snapped. The last 3 images are pics that I took from the rig. I only had it extended to the 20' mark since this was a test. You will see Michael in one of the aerial shots!

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

My Day With Hot Chelle Ray!

2011-09-19T11:19:00.000-04:00

I was hired to shoot a band by the name of Hot Chelle Ray. I was told to hang out with the guys for the afternoon before their concert at the Palace Theater in Louisville, Kentucky. We started off in the guys dressing room at the Palace. Snapped a few candid shots of the guys relaxing before their soundcheck and such. After the dressing room, we went back to the tour bus. These guys had a pretty awesome bus! We joked around and shot a few more photos before hitting the stage for soundcheck. Once everything was dialed in, headed back to the tour bus until it was time to take the stage.
These guys put on one hell of a show. Glad I had the chance to hang out with them. Anyone that can work the word "Galifianakis" into a song is A-OK with me!

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

Evil Dead: The Musical comes to Louisville!

2011-09-07T09:30:00.000-04:00

When asked to snap photos for the promo material for Evil Dead the Musical, I just had to say HELL YES! I went and saw this last time it was in town. Best show ever! Here is a little info about the show from their website:

EVIL DEAD:THE MUSICAL had it's Louisville debut at The Alley Theatre in October of 2009. The show, produced by Jake Wheat and Joey Arena and directed by Joey Arena ran for 4 weeks, enjoyed rave reviews and sold out houses of thrilled (and sometime bloodied) audiences.

And now, in October of 2011, we're back!

Arena, one of the original designers and directors of The Baxter Avenue Morgue haunted attraction, returns to this production as director along with original choreographer Valerie Hopkins, formerly of the Louisville Ballet and award winning set designer Ben Rodman. Joining them this year as musical director is John Austin Clark of Bourbon Baroque.

Along with an amazing cast, MORE BLOOD, a larger SplatterZone, and even bigger and better effects than we delivered last time we have a few other surprises in store.. including new merchandise, give aways from The Danger Run, The Blind Pig and more, as well as a FULL BAR with a signature cocktail :)

Buy your tickets now, I'm sure it will sell out for the entire run.

Here are a few of the photos I snapped for their posters etc...

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

Louisville Zombie Attack 2011 - Zombie Walk

2011-09-02T10:14:00.001-04:00

Once again, zombies invaded Louisville, Kentucky on August 29th, 2011 at 8:29pm. This is the 8th annual Zombie Attack. It all started as a way for a group of friends to celebrate their Birthdays together. Now, It has grown to an event consisting of a few thousand people. Bardstown Rd. in the Highlands area of Louisville is GROUND ZERO every year. The rooftops along the zombie walk route were littered with frat boys armed with water balloons. I guess they were trying to wash away some of the zombie blood? There were also a few religious fanatics along the route trying to preach to thousands of zombies. Groups of zombies would chant things like "Jesus was a zombie" and move on...

To view and download pics from the 2011 Zombie Walk, click the link below!
Sniper Photo Archives

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

Band photo shoot - Three on the Tree

2011-09-02T09:32:00.000-04:00

I was contacted by a magazine to do a photo shoot on a band by the name of Three on the Tree. The lead singer of the band is a CPA by day and has a band by night. The magazine story was about his double role as cpa and singer. Here are a few pics from the studio shoot. These knuckleheads were a blast to shoot with!
Look these guys up on Facebook and drop by one of their upcoming shows!
Three on the Tree Facebook Page!

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

It's Halloween time at the Baxter Morgue!

2011-08-31T10:25:00.000-04:00

A few days ago I snapped some promo photos for the Baxter Ave. Morgue. It's always fun shooting in this place! When you are walking around from set to set, the haunts and gags pop out at you! To have the house lights on so we can see to move around, the haunted house effects also need to be on. This keeps things interesting!
For this shoot, we wanted to do something quick and easy. I used 2 Nikon strobes with CLS. I had my assistant Britt hold one and my buddy Michael hold the other. After placing my "lightstands" I dialed the flash power in from the back of my camera and started shooting. We shot 5 people in 3 locations in under 30 minutes. Quick and easy!

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

2011 Homearama home by Meridian Construction at Norton Commons - Sniper Photo

2011-07-25T09:26:00.000-04:00

I have let this blog go unchanged for too long. We have been so busy, we forgot to blog some of our commercial shoots! This week, I am going to update the blog with some of our shoots from the past few months.
The photos below are of a gorgeous new home built for the 2011 Homearama show in Norton Commons. Dave Weis of Meridian Construction was the builder of this home. We have shot a number of Dave's homes in the past. This one is fantastic. As far as Louisville custom homebuilders go, Meridian Construction is on top. Click here to visit their new website. We also built a snazzy HD slideshow for Meridian to use in their marketing. It's below the photos, give it a look!

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

Midwest Metals photo shoot - Louisville, Ky commercial photographer

2011-06-07T08:44:00.000-04:00

I have been neglecting my Sniper Photo blog LONG ENOUGH! Time to start posting some of the jobs we do under the Sniper Photo brand.
Midwest Metals is in the process of revamping their website and needed some new images of the facility as well as some staff shots. We actually set up a mobile studio to snap headshots of the entire staff.
After those were completed, we toured the facility and snapped shots that they needed for the new site.

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky commercial photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

Louisville commercial photography - ConWay Trucking photo shoot

2011-05-11T10:26:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I was contracted by an ad agency to shoot some photos for a client of theirs, ConWay Trucking. We started the shoot off at the ConWay Trucking facility and ended at the Mid America Trucking Show. I was given a list of shots that the client wanted for their website and I went to work making sure I got them as well as any I thought would work. It was a great team to work with.

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

Dauenhauer Plumbing photo shoot

2011-03-31T10:31:00.000-04:00

Last week I was contracted to snap a few in the field shots of plumbers in action for the new Dauenhauer Plumbing website. Not once did I see the stereo typical "plumber's crack".
We started out in my studio and snapped a few shots to be used in the vavigation of the website. Next, we headed to a home. We snapped a few shots of a plumber working on the kitchen sink as well as a few of a plumber working on the hot water heater.
I used an sb800 under the sink and an sb900 with a shoot through umbrella to the right of the plumber.
For the water heater shots, I had my assistant hold an sb800 behind the water heater, and hit the plumber in the face with a bare sb900.

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

Louisville homebuilder photo shoot - Meridian Construction

2011-01-05T12:28:00.001-05:00

Recently, I started shooting photos for one of Louisville's great custom home builders, Meridian Construction. I've know Dave for years now and jumped at the chance when he wanted to contract me to shoot his new houses he was building over in Norton Commons.
He was wanting stills as well as a snazzy slideshow to put up on his website. I think this video turned out pretty great considering I'm not a video guy!
I shot both interior and exterior shots as well as a few time lapse video clips.
Most of the still shots are HDR. For you non-photo nerds, that's High Dynamic Range photography.
Photographing interiors of houses and homes poses a challenge. How do you expose for everything in the room? HDR is your best answer for this, in my opinion anyway...

Looking for a Louisville, Kentucky photographer for your next project or event? Click here to visit our main website.

Icing Crafters cupcake icing studio shoot

2011-01-03T11:04:00.000-05:00

Last week I snapped some delicious shots for a local company looking to take their cupcake icing to the next level. Icing Crafters has whipped up some snazzy flavors, not your boring same old stuff here!

Strawberry Balsamic, Guava, Chai, Cucumber Mint and Mojito just to name a few.

After the shoot, they told me to keep all the cupcakes! Just what a fat guy needs...

Portraits of a piano player, Benjamin Belew

2010-11-23T10:20:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago, I was contracted to snap some promo shots for a composer and pianist, Benjamin Belew.

We started the shoot in my studio and ended up an hour from Louisville in a very tiny church out in the middle of the country. Benjamin spends ever waking minute sitting at the grand piano located in this tiny church. Here, he practices, composes and sleeps. Sometimes he falls asleep while practicing way into the night.

I thought the studio portion of our shoot would be an average run of the mill studio headshot shoot. BOY WAS I WRONG! Benjamin did not want ANY "Normal" boring headshots.

When we arrived at the church, I told him to just play. I'm glad that I did. Benjamin is an amazing pianist. I'm glad I got to listen to him.

I let him do his thing, he let me do mine.

Here are some shots from our shoot.

Visit Benjamin's website to find out what is happening with him. http://www.mephistoape.com/about/the-real-benjamin-belew-well-maybe/

Dos Equis at the Breeders Cup

2010-11-06T11:18:00.000-04:00

About a week before the Breeders Cup race, I received a phone call from an agency in New York. They asked me if I was available to shoot a Dos Equis event at the starting line of the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs that was to include a carnival style side show. SIDESHOW ACT AT CHURCHILL DOWNS! FOR SURE!

As part of he Most Interesting Show in the World, Dos Equis has traveled to many fun locations as part of their marketing tour.

Louisville Band Photographer - SixFingerSpread

2010-10-28T22:55:00.003-04:00

This is the second time Ben has used me for promo shots for his various music projects. Good thing he is a great guy and I like shooting with him!

Anyway, he has a new project with another musician out of Chicago. They were in need of a few images of them to place on the inside of their new upcoming cd.

I took them to the Little Chef Diner over in New Albany Indiana. It's a super nifty old Valentine Diner.

Here are a few shots from this shoot.

Check them out on Facebook!
Give them a listen, CLICK HERE!

Machine shop magazine photo shoot

2010-10-15T13:55:00.000-04:00

I was hired to do a photo shoot for a sheet metal fabrication shop in Louisville, KY. They needed 6-12 finished shots to choose from of various parts of a fabrication process for use with an article that will run in a trade magazine. The machine I was shooting was a one of a kind, state of the art metal punch. It could take a sheet of metal in and cut, stamp and pinch roll all at the same time.
Big news if you are into sheet metal fabrication!
Instead of just shooting the machine doing it's thing, I decided to include an operator and spice things up with some off camera flash. I used 2 Nikon sb800's and a Nikon sb900 triggered with Cyber Syncs. I think it added a little drama to an otherwise bland scene.

Louisville Commercial and corporate photographer for hire.

The water logged Alien Bee zombie lights!

2010-10-01T16:08:00.000-04:00

A few days ago, I set off to snap a senior portrait session at a football field. The guy I was shooting is a football player, so it seemed like a fantastic idea. We had keys and permission to use the field.

I packed up my trusty Alien Bee 800's as well as a battery pack to power them, some grids and the rest of my camera gear and headed to the field.

When we arrived, I quickly found the shot I wanted. I would place him in front of the score board right at sunset. I set my lights up and popped off a couple test shots.

I wanted to get everything in place so I would not be rushed at sunset. I wanted that nice cobalt blue sky that last about 10 minutes.

After everything was set up, we headed to the other end zone to grab some natural light shots.

AS SOON AS WE GOT TO THE OTHER END OF THE FIELD, THE SPRINKLERS CAME ON!

The sprinklers fire in zones, about 1/4 of the field at a time. It was my lucky day! The sprinklers shot water DIRECTLY into the body of both Alien Bee 800's. They also scored a direct hit right into my camera bag that was packed full of Nikon lenses and flashes as well as another D700 body.

By the time we got down to the equipment, I had to DUMP water out of the body of each light.

My equipment bags were also soaked.

The strobes and remote triggers got the worst of it though...

I turned the lights on and hoped for the best. One of them just kept firing like crazy, POP POP POP POP! The other one did nothing. They were dead!

I pulled out My SB900 and SB800 and set up a different shot. My triggers were fried, so I used a super long TTL cord to fire the flash. Here are a few of the shots.

When I got back home, it was damage control time. Plugged everything up, still dead. I pulled out some jumbo Ziplock bags and 10 pounds of rice. I popped the 2 Alien Bee 800's into a bag with about 9 pounds of the rice and tossed the triggers into a smaller Ziplock bag with the rest of the rice.

When I was finished, I logged on to the Paul Buff website and ordered up another pair of 800's. I had them overnighted, they arrived today. I pulled the water logged strobes out of their rice nap and plugged them in.

GUESS WHAT?! THEY FRIGGIN' WORK PERFECTLY!

Now I have 6 of them. Guess I will have a nice, shiny set for the studio and keep the zombie strobes in my truck for on-location shoots!

Behind the scenes: Pierre Von Peanuthead

2010-09-23T19:24:00.000-04:00

Here are a few behind the scenes pics from a recent photo shoot with Pierre Von Peanuthead.
Thanks for the exclusive "behind the scenes" shot Britt!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pics from my homemade kite camera rig over Sunset Beach, NC.

2010-09-17T09:20:00.000-04:00

Over the past few years I have built a few KAP, Kite Aerial Photography, rigs.

This version has got to be my favorite though. I build the main frame out of 2 double gang electrical boxes and a bunch of spare rc servos and parts. I can pan, tilt and hit the shutter button on the camera. Watch the included video below to see how this thing works!

I am using a panasonic camera with a great Leica lens. Great pics for such a small camera.

The kite used to send the camera aloft is a 14' delta with a 100' ribbon tail for stability.

I use 1000' of #500 test kite line.

Here are a few of the 400 pics I snapped while flying above Sunset Beach, NC. You can actually see Ocean Isle from a few of the pics as well. It's the next island over.

Pinup girl photo shoot at the carnival!

2010-09-09T14:02:00.000-04:00

This shoot was just too much fun NOT to share here on my Sniper Photo blog! I normally only post my pinup stuff to my Boudoir Louisville website, but what the heck...

Since we had such a good time the first go around, I just had to make another trip to the Kentucky State Fair's midway for a few more pinup shots! This time, I took a past client as well as my hair and makeup artist, Scooter.

Turns out, there is a ride called the "Scooter"! Needless to say, he got a little excited!

We started off shooting on the Bumper Cars, then made our way over to the balloon dart pop game thing. After, we had to hit up the funhouse and ferris wheel.

While shooting in the funhouse, I told Christy that I was going to shoot her and edit the pic to look like she was upside down. She proceeds to just flip herself upside down!

Gotta love her...

Want to book your very own Boudoir or Pinup photo shoot, visit Boudoir Louisville for more details.

My super-lame joke during a photo shoot with video proof!

2010-09-01T09:38:00.000-04:00

Last week, the Kentucky State Fair was in town. I was hired to snap a BIG group shot of all the midway workers right before the fair opened. I requested that they have a step ladder for me to use so I didn't have to lug one around with me.

It came time for the shoot, I drove my truck right onto the Midway, hopped out, climbed a ladder and snapped a few dozen pics. The whole thing took less than 10 minutes start to finish.

Wait until you hear the EXTREMELY bad joke I made while shooting. Luckily, my assistant Britt shot a video clip in hopes that I would fall off the ladder. Despite me climbing a 10' oil and grease covered ladder rated for 225 pounds, I didn't fall. There was a close call when I leaned over the side of the ladder for better framing and got the damn thing up on 2 legs. The carnival workers were impressed with my graceful recovery.

Pinup girl photo shoot on the Midway!

2010-08-24T22:09:00.000-04:00

I had a very fun and entertaining pinup girl photo shoot over at my other photo business the other day, thought I would share it on my Sniper Photo blog as well.

For the past few years, every time I would walk down the Midway of the Kentucky State Fair I would think to myself "I REALLY NEED TO SHOOT SOME PINUP GIRLS OUT HERE"!

About a week ago, I made a contact with the company that provides the midway and carnival rides. I told her what I was up too and that I was shooting a spread for Retro Lovely Magazine, a fantastic pinup girl magazine by the way...

I wanted to do the shoot at night which was a big problem. You can't really shoot retro pinup shots with a bunch of people walking around in the background. This left one night to shoot, the night before the midway was to open.

My contact made sure the crew set the 1950's Tilt-a-Whirl up for me. This was the ride I was most interested in shooting.

Ever been to the State Fair in Louisville Kentucky? Well, it's normally 95+ degrees outside with around 80% humidity. Last night was around 78 degrees with no humidity! How awesome was that? For a fat guy, PRETTY DAMN AWESOME!

We started out on the Tilt-a-Whirl, then made our way to the ferris wheel and carousel. Brittany Jean and Catherine Jones had way too much fun on the Tilt-a-Wirl by the way.

We shot a fun behind the scenes video that I still need to slap together. I'll get it posted very soon.

Stay tuned for more!

Want to book your very own Boudoir or Pinup photo shoot, visit Boudoir Louisville for more details.

Adam and his fancy truck!

2010-07-30T12:17:00.001-04:00

Adam is a good friend of mine. When I was looking for a great hotrod to use in one of my Pinup photoshoots, he was Johnny-on-the-spot! He's got an old Chevy truck that he has redone that worked out great for what I was needing.Visit BoudoirLouisville.com to check out some of the pinups from that photo set.Anyway, whenever I would use Adam's truck, I always made him jump in for a few goofy shots.This last time, the shots came out pretty cool!Enjoy Adam and his beard!

Flaming Lips come to Louisville for Forecastle

2010-07-14T22:19:00.006-04:00

I remember going to see the Flaming Lips back in the early 90's. WOW, things have changed. They blew into Louisville to headline the Forecastle Music Fest in Downtown Louisville.

I've shot a bunch of concerts, NEVER anything like this. The first 3 songs had so much going on it was hard to concentrate on what to shoot!

The crowd was pumped and could not wait for the Flaming Lips to take the stage!

Band members climbed through a secret door that was cut out of the LED wall and made their way down a ramp to the stage. Lead singer Wayne Coyne was under the ramp getting ready to inflate his giant hampster ball.

Yup, that's right! Wayne Coyne rolled onto stage in a giant inflatable hampster ball!

Wayne proceeded to roll around the audience for a few minutes before returning to the stage.

As soon as the Flaming Lips started to play, stage hands inflated hundreds of multicolored balls and launched them into the audience. Wayne joined in the fun.

30 or so people dress head to toe in orange to match the stage came out to dance.

The entire 3 song opener was a constant shower of confetti and streamers. Stage hands blew confetti all over the stage and crowd while lead singer Wayne Coyne blasted streamers out of a little hand held cannon.

This was BY FAR the wackiest concert I have ever shot. I was standing RIGHT under Wayne for the first 3 songs. At one point, I was shooting with my 70-200mm lens and hit the lead singer in the leg! He looked down and laughed! Good stuff...

Devo whips it into Louisville!

2010-07-14T20:35:00.000-04:00

DEVO! Remember those guys? They actually have a new album out, and it is actually REALLY good!

Devo played the Forecastle Fest Saturday evening in Louisville Kentucky. They played all the favorites as well as a bunch of stuff from their new album.

I also included a pic of a super-mega-Devo-fan for your viewing pleasure.

She & Him with Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward

2010-07-14T11:07:00.001-04:00

I have heard of Zooey Deschanel, and I've heard of She & Him...

I never made the conection until I was standing in front of the stage at this year's Forecastle Music Fest in Louisville Kentucky.

Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward played a fantastic set Saturday evening.

Smashing Pumpkins play Forecastle

2010-07-13T21:47:00.001-04:00

Smashing Pumpkins headlined the Forecastle Music Fest Saturday night in Louisville Kentucky. It's been some time since I last saw the Pumpkins. I was surprised to see all new members, except Billy Corgan. I will say, the new bass player is way better to look at...

Spoon plays Forecastle

2010-07-13T17:57:00.000-04:00

I've been a fan of the band Spoon for a few years now, but this was my first time seeing them perform live. They put on one hell of a show. I'll be sure to catch them if they ever come back to the area.

Cake - Great show during Forecastle

2010-07-11T21:23:00.003-04:00

I LOVE ME SOME CAKE! And no, not just because I'm a fat guy. I'm talking about THE BAND Cake!

Cake played the Forecastle Festival in Louisville Kentucky Saturday afternoon. As always, they put on one hell of a show. Lead singer John McCrea always entertains the crowd. They played favorites such as "The Distance", "Never There" and "Short Skirt/Long Jacket". At one point they even played "War Pigs" by Black Sabbath!

Widespread Panic play Louisville's Forecastle Festival

2010-07-11T15:02:00.002-04:00

Friday night's headliner for the Forecastle Music Festival was Widespread Panic. After performing two nights for last years Forecastle, the crowd wanted them back for a second year. As always, Widespread Panic did not disappoint. As a photographer, I am credentialed to shoot the first 2-3 songs depending upon the band. For Widespread, I got 3 songs. With them, that's about 30 minutes of standing in front of the stage. Gotta love a Jam Band!

Drive By Truckers play Forecastle

2010-07-11T11:43:00.001-04:00

Friday night I snapped some shots of Drive By Truckers as part of the Forecastle Festival in Louisville Kentucky. Below are a few of my favorites of Patterson Hood and the rest of the gang.

Commercial photo shoot for Patriot Fight Gear

2010-07-05T10:53:00.001-04:00

Last week I snapped a few studio shots for Patriot Fight Gear. They are in the process of revamping their website and needed some new images. They wanted a few super clean images shot on a white background so that the web designer could cut them out of the background to use as web graphics.If you are looking for a commercial photographer in the Louisville area to help improve your brand, please visit our main website by clicking here.

Quinceañera photo shoot

2010-06-25T08:42:00.000-04:00

A few days ago I shot a studio session for a girl's Quinceañera. She was having her party here in Louisville and needed to find a Louisville Photographer to snap some "model - high fashion" type shots. I created a collage of her favorite shots that she will display at her Quinceañera.
She was great to shoot with, very fun!

So I'm sure your next question is "What is a Quinceañera"?

The Quince, Quinceñera, or Quince años (English: "fifteen years"), is a coming of age ceremony held in some Latin American cultures on a girl's fifteenth birthday, comparable to a Sweet Sixteen celebration.

Planning begins up to a year in advance, and requires the resoures of several members of the family and friends. The family priest will perform a Quinceañera ceremony in church. The girl's baptismal godparents will oversee the spiritual celebration, and her many friends and relatives will attend to see the recognition she will receive as she makes the transition from girl to young lady in everyone's eyes.

Quinceañera are comparable in scope and grandeur to weddings, and the party atmosphere that follows the somewhat more subdued religious atmosphere. There is a significant dress, just as with a wedding, and can be just as expensive and unique as a wedding gown. Flowers and decorations are selected to match the color scheme of the festivities, a reception is held at which guests will be served a grand meal and there will be much dancing and merriment for all in attendance. Often, a live band or DJ are hired for the evening and the atmosphere is energetic and fun. A traditional shoe ceremony is also included.

Street Mindz Entertainment Studio Photo Shoot

2010-06-11T11:59:00.004-04:00

The guys over at Street Mindz entertainment needed another round of photos to use in press materials, posters etc...
This is the 3rd time I have shot with these guys, can't say enough good things about them. We always have a great time during the shoots.
This session, Fiya returned to the studio. This was my 3rd shoot with him as well. Fiya brought performers Phil and Tone with him as well.
The guys set up a webcam and streamed the whole photo shoot LIVE for their fans. During the streaming video, fans could chime in with questions etc...
Kept us all on our toes!
Here are a few shots from the shoot.

CLICK HERE to watch a recording of the live video stream from the shoot!

Not your ordinary First Communion photos

2010-06-03T22:15:00.004-04:00

Here at Sniper Photo, we try to keep everything interesting.
Whether it's a senior portrait, family portrait or even a first communion portrait, we try to make things interesting.
It's difficult to keep kids attention while shooting in-studio. This little girl REALLY wanted to climb around on the motorcycle that I had in my studio for a prop. Her Mom told her that if she posed for some serious shots, she could go crazy on the motorcycle.
As soon as the last portrait was snapped, she jumped on the Honda and started to ham it up!
Gotta love this kid.

Pinstriper Shane Syx at Beatersville

2010-06-01T13:53:00.005-04:00

Sunday at Beatersville I ran into Pinstriper Shane Syx. He worked with Ed "Big Daddy" Roth back in the day. He also has done tons of work at the Ed Roth museum over the years.
I decided I really wanted him to pinstripe one of my lens hoods. Here are a few pics of the process.

Check out my interview in Blow The Scene!

2010-05-28T10:09:00.006-04:00

The folks over at Blow The Scene just posted an interview they did of me this past week.
Shoot over to their website and give it a quick read. What else do you have to do right now?

CLICK HERE TO READ MY INTERVIEW! With all the text, it's easier to read the interview over at their website.

RYAN ARMBRUST – MASTER OF LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

By t.j. + Published Thursday, May 27th, 2010 at 7:37 pm

Hi Ryan! Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a self-taught, Louisville Kentucky based editorial photographer and a bit of a “Good-Time” Charlie. I collect Pez and Mr. Potato Heads. I actually have a whole room dedicated to my toy collection! I have a huge Rat Fink tattoo on my arm. Oh yeah, and I like to shoot people!

What is your favorite style of photography?

I would have to say classic pinup is my favorite genre of photography. Concert Photography is a close second. Explain what makes you an expert in the “Lifestyle Portrait” compared to other photojournalists. I have a studio, but shooting portraits of kids and families is just such a waist in that type of setting. I always try to snap my portraits on location. I mean, if a client wants studio portraits, I’ll do it. But be warned, I’m going to make you do some really stupid stuff to make it interesting!

Normally, I’ll figure out if there is a place that has some sort of special meaning to the client. I’ve snapped family portraits on the steps of 200 year old family farm houses, an ice cream shop that had been in the family for 70 years and an ice hockey rink. I also really like to shoot people in abandoned buildings. I love the look of a polished subject that has been dropped into a chaotic scene like an abandoned building.

What are you packing…photographic equipment wise?

I’m a Nikon man! I’m shooting with a pair of D700’s and a D300. All of my lights are Alien Bee. I’m also a full-on Apple Fanboy! I kinda hate to even touch a PC.

“Internationally Published Photojournalist” is one hell of an awesome title. What are some of the overseas publications you’ve been published in?

Oddly enough, my very first “Big Time” publication was in a model railroad magazine. I snapped a bunch of pics of a guy’s train layout and ended up getting the cover as well as 20-ish pics inside. My latest project was a book titled “Churchill Downs, Americas Most Historic Racetrack” by author Kimberly Gatto. Both cover images are shots I captured at the Kentucky Derby a few years ago. I also have over 30 pics inside the book. This interview can’t go any farther without hearing about your works for horse racing.

Your imagery from the Churchill Downs is awesome! What race events have you done work for?

Since I live in Louisville, I kinda HAVE to shoot the Kentucky Derby. I’ve shot the Derby every year for the past 7 years. My coverage starts a few weeks before Derby on the “backside” of the track shooting morning workouts at sunrise every day. The day before the Kentucky Derby, The Kentucky Oaks race is ran. This has gotten to be about as big as the Derby it seems. My 2 weeks of coverage concludes with the Running of the Kentucky Derby. It’s a pretty intense feeling to be kneeling on the racetrack 20 feet from the horses when they run past. The ground shakes! I hope to cover The Breeders Cup as well.

Are you works for Churchill Downs published anywhere we can find them?

Sure! Churchill Downs, Americas Most Historic Racetrack just hit bookstores this past month. Author Kimberly Gatto contacted me about using a few of my Derby shots for the book. I sent her to the “Archive” section of my website so she could look through all of my Churchill Downs shots. I ended up with the majority of the images in the book, including the cover! I also have images published in various local newspapers and magazines. If you are sitting in your cubical, bored to death at work one day, visit my website. http://www.sniperphotography.com to view more of my Derby pics.

What was it like covering the Kentucky Derby Infield? I’ve heard it’s a wild party.

WOW! Where else can you watch grown men run across the roofs of port-o-pots while the crowd tries to knock them off by throwing beer bottles at them while people mud wrestle while girls flash the crowd?! Seriously! I think Louisville’s Hunter S. Thompson said it best “That whole thing will be jammed with people; fifty thousand or so, and most of them staggering drunk. It’s a fantastic scene–thousands of people fainting, crying, copulating, trampling each other, and fighting with broken whiskey bottles.”

Every InField story starts out with “This guy was so drunk…”. This year was great for drunk watching. I was assigned the InField by our local newspaper, The Courier Journal. 5″ of rain was in the weather forecast for Derby Day! In the past, whenever it rains people tend to make even BIGGER asses of themselves. This year was no exception. I HAVE THE PICS TO PROVE IT!

Tell me about it! The action shot you caught of a fight there is bad ass.

Tell us about your background and experience with the Kentucky Cancer Program & Brown Cancer Center’s Faces of Cancer project.

Unfortunately, I know first hand about the Faces of Cancer. 3 years ago I was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Since then I managed to make cancer my Bitch! I was approached as a photographer to snap the photos for the Brown Cancer Center’s project BEFORE they knew I was a fellow cancer survivor. I think the fact that everyone I was shooting knew I had been through the same thing as them helped me get great photos of each person. It was a fantastic project, and I’m glad I was a part of it.

I’m sure I speak for everyone reading this when I say, “You are an inspiration.” Beating cancer is no small feat, and giving back after makes you nothing less than a hero in this reader’s eyes. Sincerely, Thank You.

On a lighter note, here at BlowTheScene.com, we are obsessed with music…as I’m sure you can tell. You have done some awesome live photography work for bands such as “AC/DC” and “Bare Naked Ladies.” How do you get such great shots in the middle of a massively packed concert venue?

It’s simple! I am 6′4″ tall and 360 pounds! Crowds aren’t a problem. What IS a problem are the security folks. I normally set things up with the promoter before the show. Some artists require that you be on assignment in order to shoot the show. I do a lot of freelance work for the local newspaper and get sent out to concerts from time to time. I also try to establish good relationships with the venues. Not being an ass and staying in the background helps with this.

Dude, you get those shots freelancing without a press pass? That’s impressive.

Ok, personal favorite. Looking through your works, I came upon a fantastic Halloween set. Please tell us about shooting at the Baxter Morgue. Do you like creating “creepy” imagery?

Ah yes! That was a very fun shoot! The Baxter Ave. Morgue is right across the street from my studio in Louisville Kentucky. I shot the morgue on assignment for the local newspaper. The whole time I was there I was thinking about how I wanted to do a model shoot there! Halloween week, I contacted the owner. He gave us full run of the place during the day before it opened. I set up my lighting in a few areas a grabbed some shots. The interesting part was that in order to have the house lighting effects on for the shots, we also had to have all the haunts turned on as well. Every time we would hit a pressure switch or trip a motion sensor, stuff jumped out and scared the hell out of the models and my crew!

Let’s talk Pin-Ups. What is BoudoirLouisville.com?

Boudoir Louisville started out as my fun little side project. I wanted to re-create some of the great 50’s pinup images. I set up a few shoots with friends and started blogging about the shoots. I INSTANTLY started receiving inquiries. I decided to split the pinup and boudoir stuff from my main Sniper Photo website. Then I opened a 1300 square foot studio in the hipster “Highlands” area of Louisville Kentucky. I started Boudoir Louisville 18 months ago and have been busy snapping pinups ever since. We shot over 40 girls in the month of November! It really does make a great Christmas gift! Actually, there really is not a bad time to receive a book full of pinup pics…

How do you choose the props and outfits for your pin-up and boudoir scenes?

Since the girls are all such different sizes, I leave the clothing up to them. Have you ever tried shopping for women’s clothing? WAY to confusing… For props, I hit the local antique malls and such. All of my props are antique, none of those crappy knock-offs!

Probably best for the models to feel comfortable in their own choices for posing. Do you have to be an accomplished model to have a Boudoir or Pin-Up shoot with you, or can anyone be a classically sexy model?

The majority of girls booking sessions with Boudoir Louisville are not models. Most of my boudoir and pinup clients are looking for a unique gift to give to their special someone. What’s more unique than a coffee table book of pinup photos of yourself?!

Being a pinup photographer, I do shoot professional pinup models as well. A few months ago I shot a set with Go Go Amy and Bettina May. They were in town touring with their “Pretty Things Peepshow”. Last week I shot Catherine Jones at a great retro Drive In movie theater. Dita Von Teese and Bernie Dexter, if you gals are reading this, give me a call!

What has been your most memorable Pin-Up shoot to date?

I had an interesting shoot with Mini Gaga a few weeks ago. She travels the country with a Lady Gaga stage act. She was also the lead singer of Mini Kiss. That was definitely memorable.

Do you accept booking for other private events? How can we book you for a shoot?

For sure! To book a boudoir or pinup session, visit BoudoirLouisville.com

To book an event, concert, press photos or portraits, visit SniperPhotography.com

You shoot children!!! Bahaha. With cameras, duh. What’s your favorite thing about photographing kids?

Kids are honest! They are not trying to be anything or anyone different than who they REALLY are.

What is the funniest thing a kiddie has done during one of your shoots?

For some sick reason, I always like when kids start fighting. Always photo-gold!

Haha. Good old sibling rivalry. Is there anything coming up for you that we should keep an eye out for?

I kinda just make all of this up as I go! I do have a bunch of layouts that should be hitting various pinup magazines in the coming months though.

With the quality of your work, that’s not a small thing man. Where can our readers find your work when it comes up?

http://www.sniperphotography.com
http://www.sniperphotoblog.com
http://www.boudoirlouisville.com
http://www.louisvillebombshell.com
http://www.pinupgirlpics.com

Now that’s a link list! Lol. Make some shout-outs man! Spread the love.

The gang at Pinup Lifestyle, http://www.pinuplifestyle.com/

Lisa Hornung at the Velocity.

My Pinup crew, Scooter, Britt and Tina Models Catherine Jones and Neisha Marie for putting up with my wacky ideas.

Author, Kimberly Gatto

Thank You Ryan Armbrust for this awesome interview, and keep up the great work!

Interview by Timothy Bonner

Pinups at the Drive In

2010-05-21T13:09:00.001-04:00

About a year ago I decided that I wanted to try to pull off a classic pinup shoot with a hotrod and a pinup model at a drive in movie theater. Over the past few weeks, I put together the cast of goofs that would make it all happen.
Friends Brandon and Vicki had an awesome 1953 Buick Special. Now I just needed the pinup model. Enter Catherine Jones.
I've shot with her a few times in the past and was always happy with our shots.
We set the date and waited. The day of the shoot was chocked full of clouds and rain ALL DAY LONG. When it came time to shoot, it looked like the rain had stopped. I set up all my gear, snapped a dozen or so pics and it started to rain. We got all my gear covered and made sure Catherine got out of the rain. Pinup hair and makeup doesn't do well in the rain.
After 30 minutes or so, we got a break in the rain. We finished the set we were shooting just as it started to rain again.
Catherine retreated to my truck for a quick hair and makeup change as well as a new outfit. As soon as the rain stopped, we changed up locations.
Set all the gear up at the new spot, then it started to rain AGAIN!
During this rain, Brandon showed off the FLAME THROWERS on his '53 Buick Special.
That's right, this car belches fire out of the tailpipes!
The rain stopped again and we snapped what are my favorite shots from the night.
I really wanted to shoot some pinups with the drive in movie screen as the backdrop with the sunset over the screen, but due to the rain we missed sunset altogether.
Oh well, Catherine was great as always and we ended up with some great shots.

Video coming soon...

Brown Cancer Center - Faces of Cancer

2010-05-07T10:29:00.005-04:00

A few months ago I signed on as the photographer for the Kentucky Cancer Program & Brown Cancer Center's Faces of Cancer project. As many of you know, I had stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma 2 years ago.
The images from this project are being used as a gallery display in the new Brown Cancer Center building and also as a book.
I think they will also be using them as marketing material...
Every year, Brown Cancer Center throws a party for Cancer Survivors and their families on Pegasus Parade Day.
This year I was recognized for my contribution to the project as the photographer. The presented me with a brick that was engraved with my name that was to be placed in a garden outside the Brown Cancer Center building. Pretty cool!
It was a great project to be a part of. I snapped shots of 20 people, all who had beaten cancer. It was great meeting everyone and comparing stories.

Check out my Billboards around town!

2010-05-06T09:35:00.005-04:00

Last year I was contracted by an ad firm out of Dallas Tx. that handles all of the PR for Churchill Downs. They needed a photographer to shoot a bunch of models at various locations around the track having a good time. The pics were to be used for the Spring Meet. Over the past few weeks I have noticed large half and full page ads in The Velocity, Leo and Courier Journal. All of the ads feature my images from that shoot!
Yesterday my assistant Brit was driving down I65 and noticed a HUGE billboard from this same ad campaign. I jumped in my truck, camera in hand, and went to snap a pic.
Let me know if you notice any others around town.

Here it is, click it to see it larger.

Parlor Tricks play 3rd St. Dive Derby Eve 2010

2010-05-05T17:15:00.003-04:00

Derby Eve in the middle of my running around Louisville like a crazy man I ran into Verity and Jeremy, 2/3rds of Parlor Tricks. They were getting ready to start a Derby Eve show at 3rd St. Dive. I would have MUCH rather stayed for their show, but I had a few assignments to knock out first.
I managed to return halfway through their very last song. Managed to grab a few decent shots I think.

Parlor Tricks is a 3-piece Louisville Rock/Punk/Psychobilly project. Featuring Ms. Verity Vice on Upright Bass, Mr. King on Vox and Guitar and Mr. Jack Duvall on skins. Loud, fast, rock, roll and everything in between.
Started in 2007, played our first shows in 2008, changed things around 2009, rocking & rolling into 2010...

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE REST OF THE PICS!

Started in 2007, played our first shows in 2008, changed things around 2009, rocking & rolling into 2010...

2010 Kentucky Oaks

2010-05-03T10:29:00.003-04:00

The $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (G1) is the premier race in the country for 3-year-old fillies, and is the female counterpart to the Kentucky Derby. A full field of 14 went to post in this 1 1/8 mile main track feature at Churchill Downs before a record crowd of 116,046, topping the previous mark of 111,243 set back in 2005. As expected, Blind Luck was sent off as the 6-5 favorite. Challenging her, 5-1 second choice Amen Hallelujah and 8-1 third choice It's Tea Time.

9-1 Tidal Pool was sent to the front first time past the stands by jockey Calvin Borel, and she set early fractions of 23.95, 48.15, and 1:12.50 while saving ground down on the rail. 22-1 Ailalea stalked her in second while jockey Rafael Bejarano kept favorite Blind Luck at the back of the field, 10 lengths off the pace down the backstretch. Turning for home, Ailalea tired while Blind Luck switched to the outside for running room. 13-1 Evening Jewel, who was fourth early, came through to pass Tidal Pool at the 3/16 to gain a short lead through 1 mile in 1:37.48, but Blind Luck was gaining with every stride. The pair hit the line together in 1:50.70. The photo determined that Blind Luck got up by a nose for the win, and it was another 2 3/4 lengths back from Evening Jewel to Tidal Pool third.

2010 Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade

2010-05-03T10:15:00.005-04:00

The Pegasus Parade is the oldest Kentucky Derby Festival event. It is a parade down Broadway from Campbell to 9th Street held annually on the Thursday before the Kentucky Derby. The Pegasus Parade features colorful floats, marching bands, giant inflatable cartoon characters, equestrians, and celebrities.

I always love shooting the parade. My favorite parade character was there again this year, The wacky Shriner Dancing Sword Guy!

TO SEE THE REST OF MY KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL PEGASUS PARADE PICS, CLICK HERE!

2010 Kentucky Derby Infield

2010-05-02T15:59:00.004-04:00

The infield is sort of the underbelly of the Kentucky Derby. This is where you have to park in somebody's front yard and then hike a few hundred miles just to get to the gate. The infield is where you see some of the drunkest people you have ever, or will ever, encounter. There is not one person that does not return from a Derby infield without at least one story that starts with, "There was this one guy that was so drunk"

If you do not have a story like this, watch out, because it means you probably were that guy.

"That whole thing will be jammed with people; fifty thousand or so, and most of them staggering drunk. It's a fantastic scene--thousands of people fainting, crying, copulating, trampling each other, and fighting with broken whiskey bottles."

-Native son Hunter S. Thompson

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE REST OF MY PICS FROM THE 2010 KENTUCKY DERBY INFIELD!

Kentucky Derby 136

2010-05-02T12:21:00.004-04:00

Kentucky Derby 136 was a huge mud pit! It rained pretty much the entire day. 5" of rain was forecasted to fall, lucky for me only a portion of that fell.
The crowd of 155,804 braved heavy early morning rain and sporadic showers throughout the day to see WinStar Farm LLC’s Super Saver gallop to a historic victory the 136th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.
WinStar Farm's homebred SUPER SAVER (Maria's Mon) benefited from a classic Calvin Borel ride to give trainer Todd Pletcher his first Kentucky Derby (G1) win at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Saving ground along the rail all the way around, the bay colt ran the 1 1/4-mile classic over a sloppy, sealed track in 2:04 2/5. "It never gets old," said an emotional Borel, who became the first jockey to win three Derbies in four years.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE REST OF MY PICS FROM THE 136th RUNNING OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY!

Lil' Gaga visits my studio!

2010-04-26T11:23:00.002-04:00

Maxie, otherwise know as Lil' Gaga, was in Louisville for a perfomance at 4th St. Live this past weekend. Before her performance, she visited us in the studio to update her promo photos.

In 2005 Maxie began performing as a musical tribute artist. She traveled the country being the lead singer of the band MiniKiss. In 2008 Maxie joined the cast of the show "Little Legends" in Las Vegas as headlining performer. "Little Legends" played at The Harmon Theater, a part of the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and was the world's only tribute show headlined entirely by Little People. Maxie performed as "Mini Madonna", "Mini Bette Midler", and "Mini Shania Twain" just to name a few. In television, she has appeared on various shows for MTV2, FOX, and UPN. And most recently, Maxie appeared on the "Maury" Show as "Lil GAGA" (Lady Gaga) performing the #1 hit "Just Dance".

Like Lady Gaga, Maxie views performing as not just about the music, but about the whole package! "Attitude is everything! I love how Gaga incorporates fashion, theatrics, and art all into her performance...She is not only an entertainer but a true innovative artist who has worked hard to make it to where she is in the music industry today", says Maxie.

While performing is Maxie's first love, she is also dedicated to her education. She is currently a student at Coastal Carolina University where she is a Psychology major. She has classes during the beginning of the week and reserves the weekends for her entertainment work time. She flies around the country performing as "Lil Gaga", "Mini Katy Perry", etc. "What better way to support myself through college than to do what I've always loved to do?" says Maxie.

The first book review is out!

2010-04-26T09:44:00.003-04:00

The first review was just published for the Churchill Downs book that is featuring my photography. Both images on the front cover, a few on the back cover and 30 or so inside the book are mine!

Here is the review from Horse-Races.net. 5 out of 5, not too shabby!

Click here to order a copy!

Churchill Downs: America's Most Historic Racetrack
By Kimberly Gatto
History Press, March 2010, 144 pages paperback

Churchill Downs in Louisville is an internationally recognized landmark of American horse racing. Home of the Kentucky Derby since the famous race's inception in 1875, the Twin Spires serve as a reminder to every participant in the sport of the ultimate goal: to breed, own, train, ride, or just have a winning bet on a horse that wears the garland of roses on the first Saturday in May. In her latest book, popular equestrian author Kimberly Gatto writes about the interesting and tumultuous history of the legendary racing facility.

Gatto starts off with the early history of racing in Kentucky, before Churchill and Keeneland, covering the 4-mile-heats and match races that were popular in those days. Initially contested over city streets, they were later moved to purpose-built tracks such as Oakland and Woodlawn for the safety of spectators and participants. It is no surprise that Kentucky was already a hotbed of Thoroughbred racing and breeding, which set the stage for Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.'s big gamble. He founded the Louisville Jockey Club and the track that would eventually be called Churchill Downs, using a trip to England for inspiration.

Rather than continue with the 4 mile heats, Clark used the success of the Epsom Derby, the Epsom Oaks, and the St. Leger as his inspiration to bring the idea of classic races, relatively short races for 3-year-olds, home to America. Today they still run the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, while his version of the St. Leger, the Clark Stakes, is now the Clark Handicap and allows older horses. Although they were originally run at a distance of 12-furlongs, the same as the English originals, the Derby and Oaks distances were eventually shortened due to pressure from horsemen who threatened to boycott the race. As well, Gatto did not forget to pay tribute to an often-forgotten part of racing history, the African-American jockeys and trainers who dominated the sport in the early years of the Kentucky Derby.

Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby may not be around today if not for Colonel Matt Winn, who saved the track from bankruptcy and then worked to promote the track and the race to national prominence, even during the Depression and through wartime travel restrictions. Parimutuel wagering had been introduced by Clark and was quickly removed after protests from local bookmakers, but when the city of Louisville banned bookmaking, the quick-thinking Winn took the machines out of storage and back into service. He also dropped the minimum bet from $5 to $2 to encourage participation from more people, a tradition which, like the Derby, continues to this day.

In the ensuing chapters, Gatto runs through the famous races that made each decade of Churchill Downs special. Triple Crown winners got special recognition, as expected, as well as certain winners of the Kentucky Oaks and other stakes races. She also shows which innovations were introduced, such as the automatic starting gate, film patrol, and live television coverage. The 1960's saw the opening of the Kentucky Derby Museum and the first and only disqualification in Derby history, when Dancer's Image was taken down after failing a drug test for bute which was later made legal. The 1970's saw the last three Triple Crown winners, including Secretariat's Derby in a track record 1:59.40 which still stands, as well as the centennial running in 1974 with over 163,000 fans in attendance. The 1980's saw two fillies, Genuine Risk and Winning Colors, wear the famous roses, but also saw the biggest renovation in the track's history, which included the installation of a new paddock, a new home for the Kentucky Derby Museum, and the Matt Winn Turf Course. The latter set the stage for 6 runnings of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, a record that will be extended to 7 this year. The final chapter, covering the new millennium, deals with such events as the retirement of Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day, the frustration of the Triple Crown near-misses of War Emblem, Funny Cide, and Smarty Jones, but more importantly, the tragedies of 2006 Derby winner Barbaro and 2008 runner-up Eight Belles.

Gatto includes 6 appendices, listing Churchill Downs' track presidents since 1875, track records, winners of the Derby, Oaks, and Clark, and the winners of every Breeders' Cup race run at the track. The text is interspersed with many black-and-white photos, some of memorabilia from the owner's personal collection such as Derby programs, admission tickets, and betting tickets, and of the famous horses and people that form an integral part of Churchill Downs history. A color section is included in the center of the book with 32 photographs. Locally based photographers Allison Pareis and Ryan Armbrust supplied many of the excellent photographs included in this book.

Fans of American racing history will thoroughly enjoy Gatto's work, an entertaining and informative account of the history of undoubtedly "America's Most Historic Racetrack", and the race that gave it that title. The reader will understand what makes Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby special, and appreciate that if not for Colonels Meriwether Lewis Clark and Matt Winn, we may not be celebrating the 136th running of the Derby or the 7th time as Breeders' Cup host. A portion of the proceeds from the book will go to Old Friends Equine, a Kentucky-based retirement farm for Thoroughbreds.

Churchill Downs: America's Most Historic Racetrack has a list price of $19.99 and can be purchased for $14.39 from Amazon.com.

Rating: 5/5

Balloon Glimmer - Downtown Louisville - Kentucky Derby Festival

2010-04-23T09:07:00.004-04:00

Thursday night was the Balloon Glimmer on the Great Lawn of Waterfront Park in Louisville Kentucky.
The Glimmer is a "mini-glow," which kicks-off a weekend full of ballooning events. Balloons will light up on the Great Lawn of Waterfront Park for opening night of the Derby Festival Chow Wagon. This very well could be the ONLY Hot Air Balloon event that happens this year. Storms are settling in over Louisville and will linger all weekend. Balloons hate wind!

Kentucky Derby Canvas Print for sale!

2010-04-21T14:13:00.002-04:00

If you have been to my studio, you have seen this large Kentucky Derby Canvas print.
I am selling this print to open up wall space for a few new pieces to be shown in the studio.
It is the entire Field, including Big Brown and Eight Belles, rounding the first turn at Churchill Downs for the 134th Kentucky Derby.

The images has been printed on heavy weight canvas and stretched over a wooden frame. Ready to hang on your wall.
Canvas measures 48"x32".

Sale price, $400.

Message me for more info.

Thunder Over Louisville - 2010

2010-04-20T09:53:00.003-04:00

This year, I snapped pics of Thunder Over Louisville from the center of the Kennedy I65 Bridge. The bridge was closed for traffic around 8:30pm. As soon as it was closed, Indiana State Troopers escorted folks out there.

Now in its 21st year, Thunder Over Louisville continues to deliver a pyrotechnics spectacular like no other. Created as the Opening Ceremonies of the Kentucky Derby Festival, it offers an explosive kick-off to two entire weeks of celebration in Louisville, Kentucky and Southern Indiana. With an estimated average attendance of 700,000 people, it has become the largest annual event in its region.
The show continues to be the largest annual pyrotechnics display in North America thanks to the artistry of Zambelli Internationale and the production of Visual Presentations.

Staging the pyrotechnic spectacular of Thunder each year for the Derby Festival is the First Family of Fireworks. Zambelli Fireworks Internationale first became involved with Thunder Over Louisville in 1991. The annual show is larger than the opening and closing ceremonies of the Atlanta and Barcelona Olympics combined. According to the Zambelli's it is unchallenged as the largest annual pyrotechnic production in North America.

To assemble a show the size of Thunder, Zambelli Internationale utilizes eight tractor trailers filled with nearly 60 tons of fireworks shells. The physical set-up includes 250 tons of launching tubes, some as high as 10 feet with a diameter of 1 and 1/2 feet. Two million pounds of sand will pack the firing tubes on 1,800 feet of barges. Almost 700 miles of wire cable connecting 20 firing boards are tied to the command post for synchronization to the music. This is the largest show the Zambellis perform each year and the Zambellis are the largest fireworks family in the world.

The magic of Thunder is in the formula of the show says Wayne Hettinger, Show Director and owner of Visual Presentations. "Each year, people think we make the show longer to be the largest show and that's just not the case. The secret with Thunder has been to pack as much firepower into 28 minutes as possible and produce a series of 'finales'." Hettinger has it down to a science working with the team from Zambelli to create a heart-stopping, eye-popping show.

"It all starts with the music", continues Hettinger. "We work to lay out a soundtrack that most everyone will be able to relate to a couple of songs. This enables people to bring their own experience with these songs and project them into the show they're watching. It's very gratifying to see people start to move and react to their favorite cuts of the soundtrack and it gives Zambelli the foundation on which to build the show."

AC/DC plays Freedom Hall in Louisville Kentucky

2010-04-14T09:13:00.002-04:00

Tuesday night I was sent to the AC/DC concert at Freedom Hall by the Velocity.
I was one of only two photographers shooting the show, so that was pretty awesome. I was posted up right next to the catwalk that reached out into the audience. Whenever Angus Young and Brian Johnson strutted their stuff down the catwalk, I was about 2 feet away.
These guys put on one hell of a show.
For more pics, please visit the Velocity / Metromix website.

Louisville Portrait Photographer - Anniversary pics!

2010-03-17T14:16:00.003-04:00

About a year ago I snapped some promo shots for Ben's band Mungus. When it was time for him and his lovely bride to celebrate their one year wedding anniversary, he remembered me and set up a shoot.
Ben popped the big question under the chandelier that hangs over the sidewalk outside the 21C Hotel and Proof Lounge. They wanted to capture a few fun shots in this same location. We walked down Main street in Downtown Louisville snapping pics until the sun set. Then it was time to set up a few strobes and grab the shots they wanted.

Barenaked Ladies visit Louisville

2010-03-09T08:42:00.006-05:00

Barenaked Ladies stopped by the Hard Rock at 4th St. Live in Louisville Kentucky a few weeks ago as part of a promo tour for their new upcoming album "All in Good Time". They are playing a bunch of small venues before kicking off a headlining tour in a few months. The guys are great to shoot. I arrived right before the sound check. Got to hear a bunch of stuff from the new album. During the sound check, there were maybe 10 people in the room.

Behind the Scenes of the Velocity Party Crasher

2010-02-25T08:40:00.006-05:00

As many of you know, I also do a little bit of freelance work for the Velocity. We hit the local clubs and concerts to capture the wackiness that is Louisville nightlife. This week, the Velocity ran a "Behind the Scenes" story on myself and Amber Sigmund. Below is the story written by Joe Lord.

Making the Scene
The story of the Party Crasher and how it became a Louisville pop-culture phenomenon
Joseph Lord
Velocity
February 23, 2010

Amber Sigman is lurking through this dim nightclub. She's scanning the room for easy marks, wandering from one end to the other through the steadily expanding crowd. She's stopping to chat with strangers in secluded booths, well-dressed men and women sipping bottle-service Grey Goose. She's chatting with the bartender clad in a black bikini dancing atop her work station.

Sigman settles on Kim Bernett, a 29-year-old sitting with a small group of pals at the entrance to the Fourth Street Live nightclub Hotel. Sigman and Bernett exchange niceties, shouting into each others' ears as Black Eyed Peas' “I Gotta Feeling” blares. In seconds, Bernett has grabbed a friend and is posing, smiling broadly as this stranger snaps photos.

Sigman is not exactly a stranger.

Bernett doesn't know, or care, that Sigman comes from California, studied cultural anthropology and photojournalism and is 33. Bernett does know that Sigman is the Party Crasher, and that's all the information she needs to allow her picture to be taken. That, and the knowledge that in a couple of days, her photo will be published on Metromix.com and will maybe, just maybe, end up in print in this magazine.

“I love it,” Bernett later shouted over the music. “The Party Crasher captures Louisville's nightlife. Besides, I love getting my picture taken!”

Forgive us for getting meta for a moment. The Party Crasher debuted in Velocity's first issue in December 2003 and swiftly became one of the magazine's most popular — and divisive — features. Each weekend, clubgoers seek out Party Crasher photographers, sometimes by flashing, groping and/or kissing to get attention. (Note: Party Crasher photographers don't necessarily seek out this behavior — but people think they do.) The photo galleries published on Metromix.com generate millions of pageviews each year, ostensibly from cubicle-dwellers vicariously experiencing the city's nightlife scene by gawking at photos at work.

As you could expect, the Party Crasher is not universally beloved.

Over the six-plus years Velocity and the Party Crasher have been in existence, detractors have argued that the images of drunken young folks and sparsely dressed women are a demeaning and inaccurate depiction of Kentuckiana nightlife. When critics trash Velocity for lacking substance, the Party Crasher is always cited.

“The vapidity in every episode of ‘Southern Belles: Louisville' left me with the intense regret of not having given myself roofies before pressing play,” Zach Everson of Louisville.com wrote in September. “And Velocity's the Party Crasher section brings back that feeling every week.”

In the club

So not everyone loves the Party Crasher. But clearly, some people do, given the number of pageviews and the reaction of people like Bernett.

Based loosely on the old newspaper society page, the idea behind the Party Crasher was to spotlight the Louisville nightlife scene and the 20- and 30-somethings who populate it. Which, conveniently, is Velocity's target audience.

A single weekly photo gallery in the pages of the magazine quickly became two. When the online Party Crasher became a hit, Velocity enlisted a small army of freelance photographers to fan out across the community shooting anywhere from six to 10 events over the course of the weekend. Although nightclubs like Hotel and Electric Cowboy are popular destinations, the Party Crasher also hits concerts, festivals, gallery openings, private parties (when invited) and, of course, the Kentucky Derby.

Taking pictures of club kids isn't exactly what Sigman saw herself doing when she enrolled in Western Kentucky University's lauded photojournalism program. Sigman wanted to do documentary-style photography — photo essays that would spotlight social issues. Maybe a little travel photography, too.

Instead, Sigman is at the foot of Hotel's bar. She is pointing her camera up at Kylie Rhew, the lingerie-clad bartender who is dancing atop it. It's the club's monthly Guilty Pleasures party, which has been ratcheted up with a Valentine's Day theme.

“I'm usually the most-clothed woman in there,” Sigman mused. “I have a pretty fun job. Sometimes I feel a little paparazziish, especially around Derby time, but that's just part of the job.”

Besides, she said, Party Crasher has forced her to improve her camera skills — she's better with a flash these days.

Sigman began shooting Party Crasher in 2008. She said she prefers shooting concerts, but she doesn't turn down an assignment. If it means hanging out on Fourth Street Live — not exactly her social scene — so be it. Fourth Street Live has an upside. While people she encounters at other venues sometimes ask her not to take their photo, that rarely happens on Fourth Street.

(One tip: If you don't want to be in the Party Crasher, just say so; there's no need to jam your hand over Sigman's lens, à la Alec Baldwin.)

The over-friendly types can be annoying in their own way, too. While Sigman was shooting photos at Hotel, a man she approached for a picture gleefully kissed the diminutive photographer on the cheek.

“That'll happen sometimes,” she said.

Initially, Sigman had internal conflicts about shooting the sparsely dressed servers at some of Louisville's nightclubs, but she made peace with it. That's journalism, she argues.

“These women are out there dressed like that,” Sigman said. “They're young, and they're beautiful. It's part of life. Do I think there should always be half-naked photos in the Party Crasher? No, but, obviously, sex sells.”

(Side note: Sigman's photos from Hotel were among the most viewed on Metromix within days of being posted on the site.)

For the clubs, the Party Crasher means free publicity and support to the notion that they are a vibrant place to be, said Ellen Hagans, sales manager at Hotel.

The club's servers and bartenders, she added, have never expressed reservations about seeing images of themselves cavorting in the pages of Velocity or on Metromix.com, both of which are easily accessed by their friends, family and, on occasion, co-workers at their less sexy daytime jobs.

“I'm pretty sure they all love having their pictures in there,” Hagans said.

Hagans said the presence of Sigman and her camera-wielding cohorts contributes to the vibe of the club. When someone goes all out to dress up for a night at Hotel, a picture in the Party Crasher helps validate the hard work that goes into looking good. “Everyone gets really excited when they're here,” she said.

Flashers, fratboys and fights

Like Sigman, Mike Dossett said he likes to take a break from the nightclub scene from time to time and shoot, say, a rock concert. But for better or worse, his specialty is shooting clubs like the Electric Cowboy, a decidedly non-pretentious honky-tonk on Dixie Highway that Dossett helped put on the map with his over-the-top Party Crasher photos.

He's even developed some Party Crasher regulars at the Electric Cowboy, in particular a pair of sisters with an affinity for, um, cheekily presenting their backsides to Dossett whenever he comes around. He has shot the sisters in the same pose a half-dozen times — their bottoms facing the camera, faces impishly peering over their shoulders.

“It just came to be a thing,” he said.

But he's seen wilder. Flashers, fights and other NSFW incidents. These happen frequently, he said.

Occasionally, Dossett will snap a seemingly harmless photo of a darkened dance floor, only to find out later, when he is editing his pictures, that a dancer was flashing him. For obvious reasons, those pics don't get published.

For his part, Dossett said he prefers to shoot “more reserved” events and more laid-back nightclubs such as Prime Lounge in downtown Louisville. The retired government worker said he rarely encounters people who don't want to be photographed, and when they do, they sometimes cite as a reason the images of girls and boys behaving badly in the pages of the Party Crasher.

“Most folks are more than happy to be photographed, but it does happen,” he said. “I think Velocity gets a little of a bad rap for publishing things that aren't, um, mainstream. If you look at Velocity, it's a small piece (of the magazine).”

Ryan Armbrust has also seen crazy scenes since he began shooting Party Crashers last spring, but this particular Saturday night on Baxter Avenue began rather tamely.

Armbrust begins his night at 11 p.m. at O'Shea's Irish Pub, where a packed house is watching the Kentucky Wildcats basketball game on TV and occupying every table and booth in the building.

He notices that local scenester Russ Renbarger, of Facebook and “Southern Belles: Louisville” fame, is a part of a small birthday party occupying a booth near the front of the bar. The subject of a Velocity cover story about his life as an aspiring fameball, Renbarger and his crew were more than happy to accommodate Armbrust.

Armbrust has a new-found appreciation for Louisville's nightlife. He sees many of the same faces each weekend — regulars at Hotel, Angels Rockbar and Phoenix Hill Tavern, where he used to tend bar. Clubgoers tend to be “territorial,” he said, and that's a useful time-saver for a late-night assignment with an 8 a.m. deadline. “It's getting to the point where I'll only have to get names for, like, five of the pictures,” he said later.

Socializing is a big part of the Party Crasher experience, Armbrust said.

People are more at ease when he is relaxed and mingling, and it makes for better photos. He's a big guy and doesn't worry about people getting upset that he's taken their picture. (The mix of booze and testosterone can create tension; on at least one occasion, a man angrily confronted a Party Crasher photographer attempting to take his girlfriend's photo.) More innocently, Armbrust has had his face smooshed into fake breasts during a drag show, and he's seen his share of fratboy fights and drunken nudity.

“That's a common thing, especially around Derby,” said Armbrust, who by day runs Sniper Photography, a studio where he specializes in pinup photos for women who want to surprise their husbands, boyfriends and (sometimes) girlfriends.

After a crowded but tame shoot at O'Shea's, Armbrust walked across Baxter Avenue to Wick's Pizza. Inside, the eccentric DJ Deuce Leader was spinning records for Valentine's weekend revelers, some of them dancing in lingerie.

Two women — identifying themselves only as “Vivian” and “Janey” — began kissing. Armbrust's strategy in weird situations such as this — “It was like David Lynch meets John Waters” — is to be a good sport and shoot the photo, even if it doesn't make it into the magazine or online.

“It is what it is,” he said.

My photos featured in Churchill Downs book.

2010-02-17T16:24:00.006-05:00

Very exciting news! About 6 months or so ago I was contacted by The History Press, a publishing company. They were searching for images to use in an upcoming book they were set to publish by author Kim Gatto titled Churchill Downs, America's Most Historic Racetrack. The Forward of the book was written by Seattle Slew's Jockey Jean Cruguet. They bought usage rights for the two photos on the front cover as well as 4 images on the back cover and dozens to be included inside the book.
They also hired me to snap a few images at Churchill downs that I did not already have in my portfolio.
Anyway, flash forward to this week.
Today I was sent the book covers. Both cover shots are mine as well as 4 on the back.
The book is being released April 18th, which is actually my Birthday, during the grand re-opening of the Kentucky Derby Museum!
The Derby Museum has been shut down for some time now due to a nasty flood awhile back.
Pretty excited. Perfect timing as well, right before Kentucky Derby Season.
A portion of the book proceeds will be donated to Old Friends Equine, A Kentucky-based retirement farm for thoroughbreds.

Pinup Models Go Go Amy and Bettina May drop by the studio

2010-02-13T11:06:00.001-05:00

Friday afternoon, Bettina May and Go Go Amy dropped by the Boudoir Louisville / Sniper Photo studio for a pinup session. They were in town as part of their tour for The Pretty Things Peepshow, a traveling burlesque and sideshow, that Go Go Amy founded.
Rachel French from Venomous Designs loaned us a bunch of her great corsets for the shoot.
We snapped so many awesome pinup shots! They were a DREAM to work with. Every time I snapped a pic, they TOTALLY changed poses and facial expressions. This allowed me to get tons of great pics of both of them.
I will be posted a few sets from our shoot next week. For now, all you get are a few behind the scenes pics. Enjoy!

Fast girl and a pretty bike!

2010-02-03T14:51:00.002-05:00

For the past few months, I have been posting all of my pinup and boudoir sessions to my Boudoir Louisville blog and not to my Sniper Photo blog. Figured I would keep the two separate. The pinups I snapped last night are just too cool to post to ONE blog, so here ya go...

Last night I snapped a bunch of great pinups with Catherine Jones. She had the perfect wardrobe to shoot pinup! Not to mention, her facial expressions were pretty rockin' as well. I needed a special prop for this shoot, so I turned to a buddy of mine. Sonny had this great old Honda motorcycle, called a MINI DREAM, that I just had to shoot with. The bike arrived to my building, and after a short ride in my cargo elevator it was sitting in my studio.

Be sure to look for the Boudoir session pics of Catherine in a few days.

Wanna be Boudoir Louisville's next Pinup Girl? Click the pics below to visit our main website.

Phil Lempert - Supermarket Guru makes a trip to Louisville

2010-02-01T08:27:00.003-05:00

Last week I was hired by a Montana marketing firm to cover an event at a local grocery store.
Local school kids were led around the store by Phil Lempert. He explained what foods were good, and which were not so good.

Known as The Supermarket Guru ® , Lempert is a distinguished author and speaker who alerts customers and business leaders to impending corporate and consumer trends, and empowers them to make educated purchasing and marketing decisions.

As one of America’s leading consumer trend-watchers and analysts, Phil Lempert is recognized on television, radio and in print. He is the food trends editor and correspondent for NBC News’ Today show, where he reports on consumer trends, food safety and money-saving tips, as well as showcases new products. He makes monthly appearances on ABC’s The View , and has appeared numerous times on The Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, CNN, CNBC, Discovery Health and MSNBC, as well as on local television morning and news programs throughout the country.

Apple's new iPad!

2010-01-28T00:03:00.003-05:00

Today, Steve Jobs and the Apple gang unveiled the new iPad.
I can not wait for this thing to shit. I will be ordering a pair of the damn things, one for me and another for the wife. She is a Kindle user, well, not for long!
People have mixed reviews about this new gadget. I think a lot of folks were thinking this would be a replacement for their laptops. This is NOT the case. There are a lot of nifty things the iPad can do. As a photographer, I am excited to run photo slideshows for clients on this thing.
And the price! Starting at $499! Awesome!

iPad Video
iPad Keynote

Rachel Alexandra named "Horse of the Year"

2010-01-19T16:03:00.002-05:00

When Rachel Alexandra was named Horse of the Year Monday night at the 39th Annual Eclipse Awards in Beverly Hills, it was hard to argue against it, but it would have been the same had Zenyatta taken the crown.
The two females turned the thoroughbred racing world on its head as they defied convention and soundly beat males. They both turned in dominant years in 2009.

Zenyatta, a 6-year-old mare, finished undefeated in 14 career starts and is the only filly or mare to have won the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic. She won four straight Grade 1 races in California in 2009.

Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness, the first 3-year-old filly to claim that title in 84 years. She also won the Haskell against males, and the Woodward Stakes against older males. It was the first time a filly had ever won the Woodward.

The final tally was 130 votes for Rachel Alexandra and 99 for Zenyatta.

Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta also won their respective classes with ease.

Rachel Alexandra was unanimously voted top 3-year-old filly with 232 votes. She was the only winner selected unanimously. Meanwhile, Zenyatta received 231 votes for best older mare of the year. Icon Project got one vote.

Summer Bird received 225 of the 232 votes. Fellow Birdstone son and winner of the Kentucky Derby, Mine That Bird, was second in the voting with four votes.

Gio Ponti, who won two Eclipse awards - top male turf horse and older male - was broken by Ocala's Gabriel Dixon.

The 4-year-old won four Grade 1 races in 2009, including the Arlington Million, Man O'War Stakes, Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap and Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap.

The Eclipse Awards are voted on and presented by the NTRA, Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers Association.
Text by Fred Hiers and Carlos E. Medina, Staff writer and correspondent
Photos by Ryan Armbrust - Sniper Photo
Published: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 1:24 p.m.

PPA - Imaging USA Photo Conference

2010-01-13T15:41:00.004-05:00

Just got back into Louisville from the PPA - Imaging USA Photo Conference in Nashville.

Imaging USA’s mission is to be the first major photographic event of the year that brings together the forward-thinking photographers and business leaders whose ideas spark innovation and change in the industry.

It is the longest running national photographic convention, expo, and image exhibition in the United States, drawing thousands of professionals from around the world. Dating back to 1880, when it began as the annual convention and tradeshow for Professional Photographers of America, the event is always growing and evolving.

Went to quite a few training classes, met lots of other photographers. The Boudoir Divas from San Diego spoke, had to go see them. They run a high end Boudoir business, average shoot price is $2000! Also went to a great lighting seminar taught by Tony Corbell and lots of marketing workshops. The marketing stuff put me to sleep, I'm pretty sure I could have taught THOSE classes!
There was also a huge trade show. Pretty much all the heavy hitters were in attendance. It was hard keeping my wallet in my jeans! I did beat a few vendors up on pricing and made a few purchases though.

Pinups with Laura Kirkpatrick

2009-12-31T00:19:00.001-05:00

Laura Kirkpatrick, runner up from Cycle 13 of America's Next Top Model, dropped by the Boudoir Louisville studio to snap a few pinups! She was fantastic to work with.
Tyra, I made you proud.

If you live in or around the Louisville area and want to book your very own Pinup and Boudoir session click the pics below to visit the Boudoir Louisville website. Hey, if we are good enough for Laura Kirkpatrick, we are good enough for you!

Photo shoot with Scooter

2009-12-17T22:56:00.003-05:00

Tonight I snapped a few shots of Scooter. As many of you know, he is my hair and makeup artist for all of my Boudoir and Pinup shoots.
To book a portrait session of your own, click the pics below.

Merry Christmas from Boudoir Louisville!

2009-12-17T11:48:00.001-05:00

Now that our Christmas season has come to a close, we just wanted to take a second to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
In the month of November, we booked and shot 34 boudoir and pinup session! We still have a few last minute sessions to shoot which will take us to over 40 shoots for this Christmas season! Big thanks to everyone.

Oh no, I shot a kid!

2009-12-11T11:05:00.002-05:00

Calm down, I didn't REALLY shoot a kid!
I did snap some pics of a super cute little girl though.

Click the pics to visit my main website for more info.

Boudoir detail shots

2009-12-08T11:37:00.001-05:00

Here are a few detail shots from a Boudoir Louisville shoot from last week. The client was great, but wants to keep this a secret, SHHHHHHHHH!

Click the pics below to visit our main website.

Churchill Downs model shoot

2009-12-04T14:27:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I received a call from an art director located in Dallas Texas. He wanted to hire me to snap a bunch of model shots around Churchill Downs for use in an ad campaign. We wandered around a few locations while snapping shots of the various models. We had a full crew in tow for the shoot. Models, Art Directors, Stylists, Corporate. Some of the folks flew in from Dallas for this shoot. All in all, it was a fun shoot.

Boudoir Louisville Pinup Party!

2009-11-15T23:32:00.002-05:00

What do you get when you add a cargo elevator full of lingerie, a group of girlfriends and a pin up photographer? A good damn time, that's what!
Last Thursday I had a group of gals book one of Boudoir Louisville's "Pin Up Parties". The idea is that a group of girls get together for a pin up and boudoir shoot TOGETHER! We snap mostly individual shots, but ALWAYS end up taking some wacky group shots as well. A lot of my clients really dig this idea. Who is better at making you laugh than one of your girlfriends?
Pin up parties are great for Bachelorette parties, Birthday parties etc... I even had a group book a party to celebrate a recent divorce! For more Pinup Party info, visit the Boudoir Louisville website. CLICK HERE NOW!

Louisville Bridal Boudoir - The perfect wedding gift

2009-11-10T16:02:00.003-05:00

Today I shot a great girl that wanted to give her Fiance' a book of sexy pictures. She is going to give this to him on their wedding night. I can't think of a better gift to receive!
Having your wedding in Louisville?
Boudoir Louisville specializes in Bridal Boudoir. Want to give your Fiance' something he will never forget?
Click the pics below to visit our main website for more info on booking YOUR Bridal Boudoir session.

Book deal!

2009-11-03T10:56:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I finalized one heck of a deal!
A major publishing company is putting a coffee table book together about the history of Churchill Downs. They are including 32 full color pages of my photos, including the cover! Retainer has been paid!
It was also mentioned that when the book hits the shelves I might be going to some of the signings with the author.

Halloween photo shoot at the Baxter Morgue

2009-10-30T08:59:00.003-04:00

After a trip through the Baxter Avenue Haunted Morgue I knew I just had to do a photo shoot in that place. There are so many scenes to shoot in, and with Halloween coming up this week it was the perfect time. We had full run of the place for the day. They actually turned the whole place on during our shoot. Each time we changed locations, something made someone scream!
If you have not been to the Morgue, get out there and go!

Missy's Birthday photo shoot

2009-10-28T10:03:00.003-04:00

Missy booked a photo shoot with me to celebrate her Birthday. We started off in the studio, then went outside for some artistic conceptual portraits.
Click the pics below for booking info and to se more of my work.

Sydney and Jake's wedding

2009-10-21T11:17:00.004-04:00

Last Saturday I shot a wedding at Bernheim Forrest for Sydney and Jake. The weather was great. Falls colors were not QUITE in full swing, but still looked awesome.

Model on the Slab!

2009-10-21T10:28:00.002-04:00

What do you get when you stick a model on an embalming table? Yup, creepy pictures of a pretty girl!

Baxter Avenue Morgue

2009-10-20T10:19:00.004-04:00

Saturday night I was sent to the Baxter Avenue Morgue by Velocity. When I got there, I was told that I had run of the house. I went through the morgue, camera in hand, 5 times. Each time someone got me. I was amazed at the fact that all 5 times were somewhat different. It was fun trying to shoot in total darkness. Also fun trying to keep my gear from knocking into everything! If you are around Louisville, go check it out.

SweetieCakes, a cupcake of a shoot!

2009-10-19T08:23:00.002-04:00

What's better than shooting delicious cupcakes for a local baker's website? That's right, NOTHING!
I did find it difficult to pack my face with cupcake goodness while snapping shots though...
If you need cupcakes for an upcoming event, drop by Deana's Facebook page and give her a shout.
CLICK HERE FOR CUPCAKE GOODNESS!

Brett Davis, Master Sommelier

2009-10-09T14:53:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I snapped a few studio shots for Brett Davis, Master Sommelier, to use for upcoming articles and such.
For you "dummies" out there, a Master Sommelier is a wine guru. That explains why he is drinking wine in the shots below.

Rose and Halo product shoot

2009-10-07T12:04:00.003-04:00

Today I did a quick studio shoot for Rose and Halo. I had 5 little girls in my studio for product shots. Needless to say, it was a handful.

Louisville Portrait Photographer - Eden's First Birthday Party!

2009-10-02T10:58:00.004-04:00

The other day I shot the cutest little girl's first Birthday party.
Before the party started, we went outside and snapped a few family portraits as well.
Click the pics below to visit my website for full booking info as well as my full portfolio.

Los Straightjackets!

2009-10-02T09:26:00.005-04:00

Last night I was moving some pics over to a new hard drive and remembered I had not posted any of the shots from the Los Straightjackets show from MONTHS ago. They opened for Southern Culture on the Skids at Headliners in Louisville Kentucky.

Yoga portraits

2009-09-30T09:05:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a Louisville based Yoga instructor that was in need of some new promotional images. She came into the studio and started running through various Yoga poses while I snapped away. She was a lot of fun! Here is one of the shots from that day.

Vanilla Ice visits Sully's Saloon in Louisville Kentucky

2009-09-26T11:04:00.003-04:00

Tonight, Vanilla Ice of ICE ICE BABY fame stopped by Sully's Saloon to help them celebrate their 5th Birthday. Vanilla was great. We bullshitted for a bit, he posed for some pics for me etc... He also walked up and down the bar pouring Jager shots into everyone's mouths while singing. It was an interesting night.
In this first pic I asked him if he had ever heard that Queen song, UNDER PRESSURE! He proceeded to choke me!