Oh blog, how I’ve neglected you so. . .
But I’m back! Baby is out, shoots are scheduled, and fall is in the air!
The fall is a perfect time to take pictures – you get pictures you’ll cherish, you can use one for a holiday card, and you can take care of your holiday shopping by giving pictures as gifts! Done, done, and done!
Just for inspiration, here are few of my favorite images from last year’s holiday shoots.
As promised, here are pictures of the new studio – up and running! For those of you who expressed concern, I am still in the TULA Arts Building on Bennett Street in Buckhead – I’m just now across the hall from the gallery.
view from front door
view around the corner
Pictures courtesy of Ryan Nabulsi, fantastic photographer and assistant extraordinaire.
Well folks, the third time’s a charm! Last weekend my husband took some pregnancy pictures of me (with the kids) in the studio. Now to give you some history, the first pregnancy shoot he did went terribly wrong. Even though I put a full-length mirror behind him, set up the shot, and gave him specific instructions to make sure I was covering myself in all the right places. . . well, he didn’t, and I wasn’t. This was in the ancient days of film, so I didn’t know I had been exposed until well after everyone who worked at my lab (and knew me so well they recognized my voice on the phone – we’re not talking anonymous CVS photo lab people). Obviously, I changed labs after that.
The second pregnancy shoot was less traumatic, since I decided to go with the more traditional white button down look. My son was only 17 months old when we did it, and the only way I could get him to come anywhere near my belly was to stick a goldfish in my bellybutton. The camera was on the wrong settings, so the first several shots (which I’m still convinced were the perfect ones!) didn’t work.
On to the most recent. Two kids, a husband with more photo experience, candy bribes in place, and we got it!
For those of you who know and love my assistant, Ariel, I am sad to say she is moving back to Virginia to continue her photography education there. But I am excited to announce my new assistant, Ryan Nabulsi! Ryan and I met last month when he was doing the video for my Art Relish interview. He so nicely cropped out my big pregnancy belly from the video – it was love at first sight!
SD: So Ryan, welcome to the team!
RN: Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to be part of an amazing gallery and studio!
SD: Tell us a little about yourself.
RN: I’m all over the place with my interests from hiking and camping to kids’ cartoons (I know more than anyone over the age of 10 should know about cartoons), but photography has been a constant fixation. I loved taking photographs but never thought it would be more than a hobby. I took photography classes at my undergraduate, Bates College in Lewiston, Maine where I studied philosophy and political science. I thought I was going to become a lawyer, but a chance trip to Japan at the end of my undergraduate career in 2006 changed my mind. I was able to travel and photograph all over Japan and came back dedicated to making my love for photography into my career. I graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with an M.F.A. in Photography in 2009 and have been teaching photography at The Showcase School of Photography ever since. I’ve been freelancing around Atlanta all the while searching for a professional studio or gallery to work in. I feel very fortunate to have this chance to work with you.
SD: I had no idea about the cartoons! And here I was, thinking you would have to study Dora and Sponge Bob to get in with the kids. Wow. So, aside from your peppy personality, scruffy teddy bear looks and cartoon knowledge, what do you think you bring to Snapdragon?
RN: Lots of photography experience. My shelves are filled with all types of cameras, film, and other photographic tools. Plus, an extra set of eyes and hands to help around the gallery and studio to give you more flexibility.
SD: And can you tell us one of the many ways you think being a part of Snapdragon Photography (and the Jennifer Schwartz Gallery, of course) will totally change your life?
RN: It will be great to finally be a part of a professional studio and gallery. I have a lot of education, technical skill and energy, but have been mainly working freelance. I know that this opportunity will totally transform how I understand photography, both as a job and as fine art.
SD: Yes, brace yourself for total transformation. But seriously, we are thrilled to have you and are excited for you to officially start with us next week.
But don’t worry, it’s just across the hall! The Jennifer Schwartz Gallery is expanding to use the entire existing suite, and Snapdragon got some amazing new digs of its own. The new studio and meeting space has gorgeous natural light, which will give a lot of flexibility for portraits. Natural lighting can create soft, beautiful images – perfect for newborns and just about anyone.
This is not quite the “before” picture, since the floors are new. It’s more like the “in progress” picture. The full transition should happen this week. More pictures to come!
Thanks to everyone who came out to support Ron and the Jennifer Schwartz Gallery on Saturday night!
Bring a friend – the more the merrier! For more info, visit the event’s web page:
Ron Hughes is the founder and former owner of Composition Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia. Composition was selected Best New Gallery in Atlanta in 2006, and rapidly developed a reputation for showcasing compelling and important photography from the region’s and the nation’s top emerging photographic artists. Composition Gallery also hosted the work of nationally and internationally renowned photographers including Sylvia Plachy, Kael Alford, Al Rockoff, and Kristen Ashburn.
In addition to his hands-on experience and knowledge of the Atlanta photography market, Ron will add to our staff a keen eye for portraiture and narrative photography, while expanding his curatorial skills to include a broader range of expression. We are pleased to welcome Ron and hope to build on his successes by making Jennifer Schwartz Gallery one of the region’s premiere venues for photographic art.
A few examples of praise for Composition Gallery and its artists:
“Small but significant”, this “hiply elegant space” fast became “as much a gathering spot for community events as it was a fine art gallery.” – Atlantan Magazine, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Creative Loafing
“Dan Chung is a master of lyrical perception in black and white.” – Atlanta Journal Constitution
“Ray Hardy’s portraiture gives us an unconventional haunting glimpse of the inner lives of the individuals he photographs.” – Atlanta Journal Constitution
Titus Brooks Heagins is “a fitting heir to the lineage of Diane Arbus”. – Creative Loafing
“Ansley West’s photographs remind us that the most casual subject matter can be made into memorable art” – Atlanta Journal Constitution
“All five of these photographers create work that could be described as poetic, subtle, and evocative” – Creative Loafing (Robin Perry Dana, Laura Griffin, Diane Kirkland, Mary Anne Mitchell, and Jeanie Elbaum)
Both the artist talk (on Thursday night) and opening party (on Saturday night) were great events. Kisa Kavass and Lori Vrba are two of the most approachable and inspirational photographers I have met. Here are a few pictures from the opening – a video of the artist talk is coming.
Ariel Moreland, Jennifer Schwartz, Lori Vrba, Kisa Kavass
Lori Vrba showing photographs from her portfolio to Pam Moxley
