How in the heck did the holidays get here so darn fast.  Seriously though?  How?
​I feel like we just had Halloween and BOOM...Thanksgiving is this week! WHAAAAT is going on.  I don't know about you but the time change has kicked my butt this year.  I don't remember a time in my life when it took me so long to adjust.  Can we please vote to do away with the time change.  Not all states conform to it you know? The time change actually messes me up pretty badly with my business.  When the sun goes down at 8 pm, I'm out shooting till then.  Now with time ending at 5 30 pm, it's much harder for my clients to schedule any sessions after work. 
I don't know about you but when 7:30 pm hits now I feel like I could hit the bed.  

​My Fav of the week.  This little cutie!

I have to say...I attract the coolest couples for my wedding photography.  This is Christa and Jon.  Walking around the French Quarter with them was fun for all of us.  The day was perfect weather and the sites all around us did not let us down.  The unique colors and textures downtown New Orleans offers simply never gets old. 

I recently created my hashtag that accompanies my images and represents my brand completely called #SimpleCleanBeautiful
To see more images from this session
click below.

Shrimp and grits are a New Orleans staple but why?  What makes this simple dish so delectable? The fact that two simple components coming together can be such an amazing experience together.   Grits by themselves are good. Shrimp by themselves are also good.  The marriage of the two together with the proper seasoning can be quite delish!  This is what New Orleanians are known for! We take a simple experience and help make it amazing.

Take my job for example.  A wedding can be a bit simple and boring for friends and family. The only good part of the wedding could be the free booze and food, but when your photographer, band, hostess and 2nd line band deliver their best performance, you reap all the benefits of one amazing experience. This is the real reason why you hire the best vendors who enjoy working together. We know what it takes to deliver the goods on demand!  Doing your job and loving your job is a drastic difference in performance.

I will never forget my buddy John Michael telling me this job is a professional performance. Hey are just the photographers right???? Hell no!  We make or break the experience of the event.  I heard his words and could totally relate to what he meant. Some people like being in the shadows but I enjoy the stage. I enjoy the opportunity for helping your event be memorable and fun because I know how to party. I know how to help the crowd get into the fun. I know my encouragement will relax and enhance the experience for everyone there so let's rock!

Lets's be like the shrimp and grits and create something amazing together! Regular people coming together with the right spices will create an experience you won't forget.  
When you hire me you aren't just getting my talent and my experience, you're getting my desire for you to have the best experience possible.  This is what I do. I love being a vital role in your event so you enjoy the best experience possible.  We are each other's shrimp and grits.  

You would think after two decades I wouldn't be struggling for the hustle but it's actually everyday all day long!  I had to make this video describing me thoughts on why I believe the hustle is worth the struggle.  Anything you have a burning drive to accomplish makes you prepared for the struggles that come with it.  If you are almost ready to quit or your frustration is becoming too much...watch the video.

Julia and Mark have been a cute couple for many years and their wedding day showed the world their bond.    Ok, I know that sounds sappy, but seriously that are fun, beautiful, down to Earth and just one heck of a family. I was so excited to capture their wedding because I just knew it would be a blast.  When you have the Bucktown Allstars as your band YOU WILL NOT LEAVE THE DANCE FLOOR!!!    

​

If you have an event at Marche', you'll be speaking with my friend Stephanie.  She and her staff create a fantastic downtown New Orleans experience for you and your guest. This bride's name is Julia.  It has a tad bit of irony that my oldest daughter is named Julia so I had times of pretending my Julia was the bride in front of me.  Both girls are beautiful brunettes with smiles that illuminate a room.

When Julia wanted her bridal portraits at Marche' I was soooo excited.  I always LOVE working at Marche' with Stephanie. The main ballroom has the most amazing window light coming in from all sides. I have been sitting on these images for a little bit because you cannot show off bridal images before the wedding, so as you can imagine I'm super excited to hit the POST NOW button.  Enjoy!

My hashtag is #SimpleCleanBeautiful and these images are the best representation of my style. I love simple posing that looks natural with background selections that compliment my subject and enhance the mood I'm capturing.  

I love using items within the setting to give me depth of field or mood for the image.  The following image was captured by closing the doors just enough to shoot through the crack of the doors which framed Julia.

The next 2 images are the perfect example of exposing for the sky compared to exposing for your subject. Notice how image 1) shows the golden sun putting Julia into shadow while illuminating her profile perfectly. Image 2) shows Julia exposed for full detail while allowing the sky to NOT be the subject matter, yet still complimenting her profile perfectly.

If you are on the fence about having a bridal session you should remember these images could be you if I'm your photographer.   (shameless plug)    :)

I dropped to the floor to get a lower angle and this image happened!  I think I barely had the camera up to my face when I snapped the image.  If you as the photographer are in the moment with your clients, you'll find yourself capturing images like these.  To a seasoned pro photographer you may just think this a decent snap shot.  I happen to think it's glorious because being non-perfect is what allows me to capture the movement in front of me.  Would I enter this in PPA print competition....NO. Do I think the bride and her sister will always remember that feeling when the image happened...ABSOLUTELY! 

People who are confident in their skin don't ask this question!  Motivational speakers are great but if you don't know how to make the real changes you'll never become the person you want to be!  So lets go there shall we?

I want you to forget all the baby reasons why you hate your life and think you aren't good enough.  Stop blaming your upbringing, your parents, your hardship, etc. You have the one thing most people take for granted...YOUR LIFE YOUR BREATH! 

Do you know how much negativity was actually against me in my photography dream adventure.   I call it an adventure because the ride hasn't stopped yet.  People you look up to as mentors don't always have the perfect life and neither do you.  Why compare yourself to others when nobody on this planet will ever be completely YOU!

I know thats deep but you have to think way beyond your thought process of where you are right now.  All social media clicks can go away in an instance and you will still be the person your are right now until you make a change.

So what's the change you need?  Well I'm glad you asked!  Put your phone down, don't watch the news, don't call your mom, don't go to a friends house....just don't do what you would normally do in a day and try something different.  I want you to live just 1 day for yourself.  You would be surprised what you would do when you take a day for yourself.  Would you go to that drive through?  Would you buy that coffee if you stuck to the cash actually on you? I think people don't know who they are... yet they are trying so hard to be like everyone else.  

Your view of what a successful life is can either be right on point or wack as hell!!!!
 If you are a photographer like me than you understand the power of a sunrise or sunset that blows you away. A sunrise displays all the colors coming together creating one experience we can all share. 

Grab your camera and take pictures of the images in front of you and share with the next generation that same question.  If an alien came to Earth how would you explain the human race?  I truly hope your answer has changed from mine 20 years ago. Technology shouldn't be the only thing evolving and getting better...you should be as well!     Just Sayin...

Does your list everyday seem to grow more and more?  Are you getting them down or is the pile so high you can't see your feet anymore?  I had to make a video describing the hustle it takes to make it as a creator these days.  We are easily living in the most SPOILED ERA EVER!!!   You do realize that the smart phone we carry have more processing power than the space shuttle that landed on the moon?

If you are exhausted with the excuses people have for not being successful then you'll love this video.  Enjoy!

I was told recently that "Your mood greatly affects the outcome of your creativity!"  Basically you crate better when you are in a good mood, unless you are an angry artist and that's your thing.  :)  This world we live in can really be a Debbie Downer when it comes to all the negative news on TV and social media.  We have such an amazing powerful tool in out hands called smart phones and a lot of times it is highly misused.  
I was looking at my S.E.O report from last month and the pie charts have finally changed showing cell phone searching my business is greater than desktop.  I'm actually surprised it took this long but it has happened.

We all are connected in ways that could be such a positive experience yet many still focus on the negative ways to live.  The news still follows the golden rule of, "If it bleeds it leads!"   I think it's time for a change in media.  I also believe you cannot have a voice about a topic until you are an active participant.  Meaning; most people complaining about the wall we are building for our borders have NEVER LEFT OUR COUNTRY AND RETURNED!  Go to Canada and see how they operate their borders.  It's just an example you get where I'm coming from.

I have a Youtube channel called "Focused with GK" and I'm practicing what I preach.  I choose to give a positive outlook on life while being creative for someone else in the world to look up to.  Someone needs you right now.  Someone is having a crappy day because nothing makes sense anymore. The best way to stay in a slump or a bad mood is to hang around people who love the same company.  STOP!  Stop thinking you are never going to get your life better, change the way your life is or just turn the corner of the problem you are having right now.  Life does offer something we need to all embrace quicker and quicker...it's called change!

Changing how your bedroom decor looks will help you enjoy your time in that room more.  Cleaning your house allows you to appreciate your home rather than wishing to move.  Start with the small changes you need for yourself before expecting the people around you to change for you.  When you close your eyes at night you are living with your decisions whether they were good or bad for the day.  If you know what I'm talking about then today you needed me.

I have a voice because I choose to take the lead and experience all the things this thing called life has to offer. I am a photographer who loves the human connection more than anything.  I love making you smile, capturing your victories and celebrating your new changes in life.  I usually get the phone call for weddings, newborns, special events etc.  All of these events are important to you and your evolving life you are experiencing. 
Yes, I just take pictures for a living...or do I?

Join me on my Youtube channel so we can add positive value to the newer generation of creators.  I truly believe people who have big dreams for themselves should be motivated not squelched.  When I asked my mom and dad about my photography business ideas they told me to go for it!  With that positive push and the offer on the table that I could always come back home, was all I needed to believe in myself, only blame myself for failure and celebrate all the efforts I planned to accomplish. I'm still working on my dreams because they just keep expanding. My parents love and support was the only fire I needed and today I'm telling you it's time you experienced the same.  

Whatever it is you want to change in your life, I'm giving you permission to take care of YOU. Those who support you will always be there for you...the others were never meant to be in your life anyway.  when you ride a commercial airliner they will tell you in case of an emergency, face masks will drop down for oxygen.  The stewardess will  tell you to take care of yourself FIRST in order for you to be able to take care of the people next to you.  Put that mask on yourself and take the deepest breath possible and lets get this thing!

OK, I have to get back to developing the 2 weddings I photographed recently.  

​