Well it's that time again when the carnival crews have their balls and present the tableau to the members.  The theme they select is very important because it is their theme for the year.  All of the Mardi Gras floats will be designed around this theme as well.  The costumes, the decor and the throws will be designed around their theme.

When the king and queen are presented it's a standing ovation for the entire room for the respect of their leaders.  Even though Mardi Gras is a ton of fun and we have parties to celebrate every aspect, we take our carnival clubs pretty seriously.  Generation after generation we celebrate the traditions passed down to us without ever losing the integrity of how the carnival crew was found.

The next time you are screaming..."Hey throw me something Mr.!!!", pay attention to their theme and all of it's glory. Catch those beads and take home a small piece of history for which the crew presented to you.

My first love in the creative field is music.  I have been playing percussion since high school.  I still cannot live a day without music being played.  It represents my mood, inspiration and creativity.  When I get the opportunity to capture images for bands I get super excited!  I understand that "COOL" factor they want.  Like all commercial styled sessions we talk extensively on what they have in mind and how I think we should accomplish there goals.  Some goals are too much and I have to bring my #SimpleCleanBeautiful theme into action.  I love images that look like it could be in a magazine or your album cover.
​This is the Phunky Monkeys!

The cool factor is how you look at the image.  Do you notice anything within the black background?  Look at it from a different angle on your screen.  Can you see the members faintly larger in the background?  Cool huh!  
​In order to create the group shot above it all starts like these...

I have a Youtube vlog going up soon about the behind the scenes of this photo shoot.  I'll post the link soon but you should go Subscribe to my channel and hit the notification bell to know when it's live!

Well it's wedding season here in New Orleans and I am getting a ton of request.  One of the aspects of designing your wedding is making sure you can hire the vendors you want to work with.  I know if you are a new bride and don't know anyone in the city for floral, photography, venues etc...then you are shopping kinda blindly.  If you can get referrals from people you like it will help you narrow down your options.

If you do know the photographer you want you should seriously call him or her at the same time you are contacting churches and reception venue to have.s.  I recently had 2 brides that were either past clients or old friends that I Wasn't available for.   ARGH! This hurts my soul!!!!!!!!!
When we tell our customers welcome to the GK family, we mean it!  After years of knowing someone it feels like telling your cousin you aren't available for their event.  

My suggestion to you as the shopping bride is to call your favorite photographer 1st for availability with a couple of dates you are thinking so when you go to the church and the reception venue you will have a better mindset of creating the wedding you know you really want have.    Trust me.  Your photographer will make or break your wedding memories.    :(  ​​ Get the date that works for all your favorite vendors and have fun enjoying the magical wedding you always wanted to have. 

When we arrived at the Audubon Clubhouse for her reception I walked outside to see what options I might have for the end of the night imagery.  I was a little concerned because MAN IT WAS DARK! The Oak Trees were illuminated by spotlights and I wasn't sure if I could use them with my bride and groom.  This style of uplighting is great for accenting texture of the structure being lit.  

The reception was in it's last 30 minutes when I finally decided to bring them outside.  I was pleasantly surprised to see how the spotlight didn't BLOW THEM AWAY!  I was really afraid of exposing for the bright spotlight because it would leave the trees in pitch darkness.  I used my creative brain and figured it all out.  I always enjoy creating a new image from ground up. The first time created is always the most impressive.  :)

​Stay Focused on Your Dreams-    GK

I have a very busy weekend so yesterday I created a video where I talk to my SUBS!  This coming week I'll be talking about "Seeing the Light" and how you can create moods in your imagery or videos.  Light is everything so join us on Youtube for a fun exercise and learn how to "See the Light!" 

This year closes out in 2018 as the year of growth.  Not all growth comes from money, yet personal growth is way more important.  If you aren't happy with your life then all of the better aspects of yourself is most likely lacking.  You know that feeling when you are "ON" for everyone else like nothing is wrong, but things are very different in your mind.  I get it it trust me.  Being the best version of yourself ALL THE TIME is easier said than done. If you look at me and my presence online you would swear I own 2 yachts, a house in Bermuda and every aspect of my happiness is lived every single day. 
Truth be told, I have many days of self doubt even with so much success.  I am 47 years old working in a young industry.  Trust me when I tell you feeling like the odd man out sometimes takes over my thoughts.  This creates self doubt, negative self esteem and no drive to move forward.

I'm only sharing this with you because I know someone reading this NEEDED to hear this today.    Life is the real deal.  We are given adversity because we only grow as a human by solving the problems we are having and finding peace on the other side.  I could honestly give a seminar on this topic.  

At this moment in time, I am all over the social media world.  I love my Youtube channel and the positive people I surround myself with.  I'm on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Blog site, and the list will continue I'm sure. Each platform has it's own purpose.  I love the diversity.  I love the opportunity to "SHOW UP" in this industry in uniquely different ways.   You may be telling yourself, whoa...I don't have time for all that stuff!  There is nothing wrong with knowing your limits.  I love my industry but most importantly I love what the industry is moving towards.  

You may see the division from all of the socials listed, but at the same time it brings us all together.  I follow people on Youtube who are all over the world.  Do you know what the common thread is? We are all human going through the same stuff with life!

Where am I going with this?  You are human.  You are not perfect.  Most importantly, the people you compare yourself to online aren't perfect either. I want you to invest in yourself this year! You will gain more real friends in your life when you are happy with YOU!
​Cheers to 2019! This is the year humans grow with each other instead of against each other!   -GK

I am presently working on a video for my Youtube channel that explains how my engagement sessions truly evolve.  I am not a big fan of posing couples on my engagement sessions.  I am more interested in the REACTIVE process to how we work together.  When you hire your wedding photographer, you are hiring a personality that will always be attached to your wedding memories.  This is how important I see weddings in my head.  I attract couples who are fun, down to Earth people who want to soak up every ounce of their wedding experience through laughter.
Let's face it...I'm a fun guy!  I am that seasoned pro who still captures every job as if it was my first.  I will always remember that feeling of importance because it never leaves my soul.  Just ask Elizabeth if I still get nervous before weddings and she will tell you...YEP!  

FACT: I am a Photographic Crafstman, PPA Certified and I love teaching the technical stuff to other pro photographers.

TRUTH:  I never talk about my awards or comas after my name because it just isn't who I am or what I'm about.

When I was heavily involved with PPA (Professional Photographers of America) I was teaching photographers all around the country on the technical things but usually ended up in conversation about the human experiences. I am truly honored to have been the teacher and the student because I understand both sides.  I use all the knowledge I have every time I pick up my camera. The search for the perfect shot to share with the world becomes addictive. 

Photography to me is so much greater than just taking a picture the technical way. I believe my camera is the tool I use everyday while working with people to tell their stories.  Wedding photography has always been my favorite.  I think I'm in love with the importance of the job while capturing such an important day in your life.  The relationship we both share makes it a blessing to also photograph your future family as well.  

Elizabeth and I have been married for 19 years now.  I can easily tell you the most important aspect of a marriage is "Laughter."  You are probably thinking, huh?
Money is a tangible object we need for all the other tangible items in our lives such as, home, job, school, electricity, vehicles, etc.
It's what you cannot see that actually keeps you powering through this thing called life.  If you are still laughing with your spouse after many years like Elizabeth and I, then you understand perfectly.  I love pulling out the laughter within my couples for their engagement session because we shouldn't take life too seriously. 
​

I still get excited when I see couples laugh at each other.  There is a genuine emotion that exudes from the eyes when love is real.  Can you see it in the images posted?
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It's only days away until your reset button for the New Year is pressed.  How are you getting ready for it?  Do you have any ideas you would like to implement for your life or business?  Do you want nothing to change and live life as you are?
Any of the answers are completely fine because they pertain to you and you only!

I find the end of the year to be both scary and exciting.  I would love to hear your thoughts?