Your Powers Combined…

Man, what an exciting week!

First off…let’s hear a round of applause for me updating the blog in under a month! Wooooo!

Remember me saying I was going to revamp my style a bit? It’s here…and I love it.

This is by far the highlight of my week though…

Just a few days ago I was notified that I had been nominated for something called “The A*List,” I had no idea what it was so I figured I should go check. Well, turns out that the city gets to vote on who they think is the best of the best…pretty cool. I’m in the portrait photography category.

So I spread the word around thinking I might do alright, but that there were a ton of great photographers in this city.

Here’s where I have to gush a little bit…you all (clients, followers, friends, family, fans, etc…) are incredible. In a few short days your votes have taken me from the bottom rung all the way to 1st place. Knowing that you all support me so much is a truly incredible feeling! I’m not a clever enough writer to be able to say it any better than that.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, or just haven’t voted yet…go check it out. Voting ends on the 27th, so there is still a long way to go but with your help I know I can stay on top!

Let’s talk more about photos though, and the lovely Jessica Crider…

If you’ve ever worked with me before, you know that I’m a bit spontaneous. This time my spontenaity got me, Jessica and her boyfriend Jordan all soaking wet. All because I decided on a whim that we needed to shoot in a lake. Yes, in the lake.

This wasn’t so much of a problem for Jessica (except for her aversion to mud) as it was for me and her boyfriend (my assistant for the day), she had plenty of swimsuits. Jordan and I both came without something to swim in. It’s so great when people are able to go with the flow though, I love it. Jordan didn’t even flinch when I asked him to get in the water and hold a reflector for me. He waded in jeans and all just to help out, and that made all the difference in the shots. I couldn’t have gotten them any other way.

Thank you to both of you for catering to me. I know you agree that the ends justified the means.

I also had some time last week to sit down and finish going over my second shoot with the ever-beautiful Randee Jean.

I don’t know what it is…I think she understands what I’m looking for before I do. Either that or I’m just that good at communicating what I want (don’t laugh too hard).

A big part of what takes me so long to go through her shots is that I can’t decide which ones I like the most…there are too many!

All of these photos were shot at the same studio where the workshop I mentioned in my last post will be held. I love the location because of how versatile it is. There’s a ton of space and it’s right in the middle of downtown so I can just walk outside if nothing indoors fits the look. How could I complain?

I firmly believe that the location can make or break a shot. I know that looking at beautiful people can make us critical of ourselves. Beautiful locations do something different though…they allow us to imagine ourselves there, I feel like they give the audience a kind of freedom. I wonder if it’s possible to shoot models in a way that eases individual insecurities while granting that feeling of freedom and empowerment.

Alright friends, it’s time for me to wrap up. A big thanks again to everyone that has supported me so far. Even if you choose not to go vote for me, the fact that you are here reading and looking at my work is enough!

Labor day is knocking on the door so, please have a safe and relaxing weekend.

-David

Erica and Kyle – Engagement Session

If there is one thing I love more than taking photos, it’s taking photos of friends. I know it sounds really cheesy, but it’s true. Maybe it’s just because I know fun people. Erica and Kyle are no exception.

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Roots N’ Blues N’ BBQ – 2008

Well readers, it is just after 11pm the Sunday after Columbia’s second annual Roots N’ Blues N’ BBQ festival, and like last year (before this blog was alive) I was in the thick of it. I had a blast, they put barriers up this year so us lowly photographers didn’t get trampled (thank you). As of this moment my lovely computer is putting the finishing touches on the 1,700 images I took over the 2-day festival. I’ve been giving it some thought, and I think it will be easiest to split up the images I want to show you by artist, rather than kill your internet connections with one huge post full of images.

There are a few that don’t fit that category though, like my hot air balloon ride over the city. So I’ll show you that now.

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Time for a nap.

Well folks, just wanted to hop on here real quick and tell you that I I just finished principal photography for a new ad campaign today. We shot the TV spots, recorded the radio, and nailed the print pieces all in the last two days.

Tomorrow and Friday I’ll be out overseeing the editing of the TV spots and we should have one of them ready to rock and on air by September. I’m really excited to tell you all more about it, but I can’t yet. I can say that we had a tremendous group of people working on it and everyone did an amazing job.

I’m exhausted and I’m not sure I can keep writing without revealing something I shouldn’t, so until I know I am allowed to say more we will all have to sit with baited breath.

Stay tuned.

Reagan and Dan

I have never met a more laid back couple in my life.

Reagan and Dan have been the ideal bridal client every step of the way. They searched for a photographer that matched what they liked (glad it was me) and let me do what I do best…run around like a madman and take thousands of images.

At the beginning of the day I split up my photo-squad and sent my assistant Hector over to take shots of Dan while he was getting ready.

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Portraits With Ashley

Ashley came in for her second session with me last Saturday, stunning me with another breathtaking shoot.

She likes to be humble and say that she doesn’t know what she’s doing. That may be true and if it is, the girl is a natural. Any of you photographers out there reading this… Get a hold of her, not only could she use the experience but you know you need her face in your book. End of story.

I will post some more as I get her approval.

Until then, ciao my audience.

David Bickley, Professional Photographer

More Publicity

Pablo Vicente is quite a photographer, and has decided to put me up on his blog. I’m definitely grateful for the press. His blog is very cool and has a lot of resources that I’m sure would come in handy for some of you.

Check it out.
http://digitalpixels.net/

Busy Busy Bee

Lots of cool stuff in the pipes folks. Since the launch of the new site several things have happened.

1.) A local college has asked me to come speak at a fashion design class about fashion photography and the fashion industry.

2.) I will be speaking at two middle schools about my career as a professional photographer and designer.

3.) Two of the free photography sessions I was offering were donated to the Missouri Heart Gallery to help foster children find a home (unfortunately I will not be able to show you those photographs, but I will post the gallery tour schedule so you can attend if you like).

4.) The fine folks at Bludomain.com asked to interview me for my new portfolio at www.davidbickley.com. The interview hasn’t been posted yet but I will post a link to that as well so you can all revel in my dorkiness.

5.) Two projects that I worked on at my former agency won Silver Addy’s (an advertising award). One of them was my very first project for that agency (The logo for a company called Purple Tree Technologies, I am also responsible for the web design for that company). One client that I did some web programming work for, took best in show for their trade publication campaign. Kudos to the whole team for their hard work.

6.) My current agency also won two Addy’s, one silver and one gold.

7.) I also gave this blog a face-lift. I will be trying to rotate it out every few months.

Cool stuff all around.

I am a man with plans, and there will be plenty more to announce soon.

Until then, take care.

David Bickley, Professional Photographer

Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Live

Chances are if you are a frequent visitor here, you will have already noticed the new section of the site. For those that didn’t, you will find that www.davidbickley.com no longer takes you to this blog, but now leads to a site where you can view a brand new portfolio section of my photographic web presence.

There is still some work to be done, but I plan to have this site in it’s final iteration by the weekend.

Thank you all for your patience and support while this has been underway. It has been an experience for sure.

- David Bickley, Professional Photographer

Crazy Photo Weekend

Let’s just jump right into the photos, eh?

This is Ashley, a young woman with a ton of potential who has taken part of the offer I posted about last week. She doesn’t have a ton of modeling experience, but as I’m sure you’ll all agree…you can’t tell.

More after the jump.

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