Branding YOURSELF is the new fad.

I remember when branding was simply a way to promote your business. You made a logo, you had a slogan, and you took out an advertisment. Now, especially with the evolution of social media, the world of advertising has changed. More and more people are learning that their business and themselves are ONE and when you promote yourself and not just your business, people are able to relate to your business in a new way. People, not companies are what make things happen and it amazes and inspires me how things are changing in this new direction.

One of my latest shoots was with a friend and fellow web designer who seems to be ahead of the curve when it comes to self-promotion and dynamic branding. We spent some time talking about his business, his goals, his brand, and himself so that the photos I shot would really capture who he is and what he does. In my opinion, the more a person can see a relatable side to your business – an “organic” side if you will – the more likely they are to feel comfortable and natural doing business with you. This is one fad that I hope becomes the new standard for businesses everywhere.

Front Cover!

If you’ve picked up an issue of the Wacoan this for February, you probably didn’t know it, but that photo on the front cover was one of ours from  the Roost Interior Design shoot a few months ago!

The Wacoan featured a full spread on the Chandler’s home and instead of re-shooting the entire kitchen, they chose to use our photos. This was definitely a big honor for us and it was really cool to see the Chandler’s in the spread. If you haven’t already, pick up a copy while they are still out and give it a read.

I really enjoy shoots like these because they add variety and allow us to shoot something unique. It’s also really cool to see the before and after photos to really get a feel for what a drastic change the remodel made.

Also, if your home has been recently remodeled or you are looking to remodel, we’d love to talk to you about our interior design shoot package.

Kim & Derrick Engagement

Kim and Derrick are quite a fun couple and that really translated into their film (okay it’s not really film). We spent about an hour at UMHB shooting around campus and then trekked to a “secret location” in Belton. As you can see, our secret location had quite the view. Still, the view was hard-pressed to outshine the couple.

This was our first shoot with them and we are definitely looking forward to their wedding coming up next summer. They both have great style and their wedding is sure to exemplify that style.

On a side note, this was our first professional shoot with our new camera, a Canon 7d. It definitely exceeded my expectations. I can’t wait to shoot a wedding with this camera! Of course, its not about the tools, it’s about the person using them. If anyone is wondering, all of the really awesome photos from this shoot were taken by my wife Ash.

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Interior Shoot with Roost Interior Designs

Since I’m in the people picture taking business, I normally wouldn’t think that shooting interiors would be quite as fun. However, I was proved wrong just the other day when I shot this AMAZING kitchen remodel with Leslie from Roost Interior Designs. As you can see, her attention to detail is spectacular. Apparently interior design is only one of her many gifts. She also has a great eye for photographs and a desire to make things fun. We had a great time shooting the kitchen and also shooting the family to show just how functional, fun, and useable this space is. I uploaded lots of photos because you have to see them all to really get a feel for this awesome design. Thanks to Meredith and her family for opening their home and being such willing subjects for the photos!

Of course it didn’t hurt that the kitchen looked strikingly similar to my own dream kitchen – I mean, how can you beat those green subway tiles?!

Amazing Austin Wedding!

I hate that it’s taken me so long to post this: especially since it was such a beautiful wedding.

Steve & Jackie are such an awesome couple. If I had to describe them in just one word, that word would be: FUN!

And we certainly did have fun on the day of their wedding. It was a blast and everything looked so amazing, especially the couple. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer day either. Here’s some of the highlights:

It’s Official!

Dru and Tiff are officially hitched!

As I’ve said many times before, it’s such an honor to get to photograph someone’s wedding, but even more so when those people are your best friends! Now with their whole lives in front of them, they are up and moving out of town

Even though we will miss them both, we wish them the best and pray that God clears the path before them as the go out into the ministry field… again!

Dru and Tiff were the first couple we photographed when we started our business so they got to be the guinea pigs. Needless to say everything turned out very well and now they are established in being photographed by us. We hope that we will get to see them and maybe even photograph them later down the road (maybe when they have some kids to show off!)

So to Dru & Tiffany, cheers and congratulations!!

-Nate & Ash

Introducing: Jason & Janet Rose!

Congradulations on your marriage guys! Not to mention having the most enjoyable wedding I have ever been to - besides my own, of course

Jason & Janet really know how to have a great time and that’s exactly what we did. Though the day was long, there was no other place we would have rather been. Everything was so much fun and so well planned; I have never seen a bride so happy and stress free on her wedding day so it was obvious to me that Jason and Janet belong together. It was such a joy to meet both families and have a chance to get to know all of these amazing people who came. Ash and I were so happy for the couple and we wish them both all the best in life!

Congrats guys, and enjoy the photos!

-Nate & Ash

A Captured Life… Captured!

Ash and I recently were honored to do a photoshoot with the photographer who shot our wedding! Her family is so wonderful and we had a great time downtown (despite the Texas heat.)

Jennifer Thebault of A Captured Life Photography here in Waco has run a successful photography business for years now so needless to say we had the bar set pretty high. Nevertheless, we had a blast and really enjoyed hanging out with her family!

I guess you could compare photographing an established photographer to cooking for a gormet chef. So, we mentally prepared to bring out our best recipies. Though, in retrospect, we really just enjoyed the process of cooking up good ideas for this photoshoot and letting them just be themselves. After all - that’s what its all about.

Jason & Janet

  

Jason & Janet-61, originally uploaded by Organic Photos.

These guys were awesome! It takes some willpower to get out in 100 degree heat and run around for a photographer. But, they proved it can be done and great photos can result! We had so much fun and made good use of our time; hitting 4 different locations in under 2 hours! We were all a bit tired after the shoot, but it was well worth the effort.

Couples are one of my favorite groups to do shoots with. Once a couple warms up to the camera, they are really able to be themselves. I truly believe that when you get to be yourself in a photoshoot, that’s when the best photos come out. No pose could ever match the pure simplistic joy of an unforced smile, random laugh, or candid kiss.

I hope everyone stays safe and enjoys this Fourth of July holiday. If you are enjoying it outside, make sure you pack plenty of water. It’s gonna be a hot one tomorrow!

-Nate

On the 8th day…

 

On the 8th day…, originally uploaded by Organic Photos.

God made macs…..  just to make the devil jealous!!

We desperately needed a new computer as my old one was on its last leg. We were very fortunate to get in on an amazing promotion apple is doing right now on these iMacs. Anyways, we have already seen a huge boost in the quality of our work. I can attribute this to actually being able to see the photo Im working on (thanks to a 24″ screen) but also that its just more fun to edit photos on a computer that is fast and works smoothly. This is my first macintosh computer and I can honestly say that Apple has me sold for life!

-Nate