Ho, ho, woof! Santa came to the K9 Center of East Tennesee and the owners got to have studio quality photos of their best friends with the Jolly Old Elf. Whether you just need a smile seeing pictures of happy dogs or want to know how the studio can come to a facility, read this post!

A new puppy for a photographer means some pet photography - but when the pup is only 7 weeks old and still a baby, why not shoot it as a newborn photo session?

Inspired by the Southern Gothic literature of Flannery O’Connor and the disturbing tableaux of Gregory Crewdson, I used a wonderful model, the old cabins of Elkmont, and tourists willing to play a corpse to tell the tale of Gentleman Jack. The deep woods in the South hold many secrets - be safe lest you become one!

The human form is a beautiful thing and has been celebrated in art for centuries. I am fortunate that Jack is willing to engage in some male fine art nudes that we shot in an abandoned cabin in the woods. Nothing obscene but do understand there is nudity and viewer discretion is advised.

“Oh, the weather inside ain’t frightful / In fact it’s purely delightful! / And as long the AC will go - Let it blow, let it blow, let it blow!” It may be summertime but in a studio it can be a snowy day on a frozen lake. Our champion skater, Zoey, performed beautifully in this studio portrait session. What scene can I make for you?

Family sessions in the Smokies can be fun, even if the sun wants to play peek-a-boo behind clouds and other visitors are walking into shots. While it has those challenges, the key is a good attitude and the objective of having fun. Okay, and promising the kids food afterwards!

“One time around the block, two times around the clock, three times don’t cross the little lady.” Big, cheesy grins are for cellphone pics and Grandma. Childhood is a serious thing so something of like mood is perfectly fine for children. Studio portraiture is not simply “smile for the camera” - it is meant to evoke moods and be timeless.

Sometimes time and care is needed to produce a good professional headshot. And sometimes a business has a large number of employees needing a headshot where everyone is spread out over a geographic region but are coming together for a meeting. That is an opportune time to get the job done - and it can be done efficiently! Here’s to the fine “men in black” of the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville and getting their headshots updated.

Courtney started with maternity portraits and now here is the finished product - she and her beautiful daughter, Ruby! People want to see pictures of themselves with their parents so they can study them for clues about themselves. A well-done portrait is that gift to them - and even their children!

While I consider all of my subjects to be people of stature and importance, it is not often I am given the opportunity to create a portrait for a man who has both seen history and played an active role in it. My study of Justin Cardinal Rigali, one of the loveliest prelates of the Catholic Church.

2100+ miles from Georgia to Maine - that is the Appalachian Trail and here are some of the faces hiking it now. Knowing that a friend would be passing through the Smokies on his way to Maine, I arranged to meet up with him and do a little trail magic. Instead of just the usual food and drink, I also did portraits of the hikers that stopped at Indian Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Come see their faces and get to know their trail names in this post.

When so many women do the same style of maternity over and over again, it thrills me when I can photograph a woman like Jasmine - she brought glamor and fashion to her big belly session! More importantly, she brought a great attitude and therein lies the success to a maternity shoot.

We hear the word “family” and immediately thing, “We belong . . .” This past autumn I photographed Megan and Craig’s extended family in the Smokies and got to meet some very fine people. Look at these faces! Trips to the Smokies with your family is the perfect time to do a family session and have something to cherish the notion of belonging to those who love you.

I recently hosted Picture Day at Eagle Karate in West Knox. Sports pictures don’t have to be boring and a studio can be set up easily. Consider having a Picture Day for your team or studio!

Fall is a welcome season and with it comes the fall family session. The lovely Cowen family joined me for a delightful session in the sun - check out their images and even some video and aerial photography!

Katie’s maternity session took place in a creek near the Hiwassee River. A beautiful outdoor setting only emphasizes the beauty of an expectant mother! Pregnancy is an exciting time and a maternity photo session captures the glow that building a human brings!

Want to see an unusual and fun maternity session? I love women like Kayla who has a vibrant and unique personality that is reflected in her nautical-themed pinup session. She and Shea are going to be parents of twin baby boys - identical! - and allowed themselves to have some fun with welcoming their sons!

I was happy to hear that a friend and colleague had accepted a new position as CEO of a worthwhile non-profit, and happy that I could produce some headshots and business portraits for him to use. In my regular “People of Note” postings, meet John Deinhart and learn more about the help he is bringing to the children of Central America and the Caribbean at NPH USA.

I am thrilled when former wedding clients call me up to say, “Guess what - we’re going to have a baby!” When Danielle told me, I was so happy for her and Drew. To start documenting this journey in life, she wanted a special way of announcing the pregnancy - and we did it using a cinemagraph. A cinemagraph? It’s a moving picture for social media, just like photos in Harry Potter! Read more and see their announcement come to life!