Donnan Photo » Portrait

Paint

Andy — Mon, 24 May 2010 16:31:19 +0000

Photoshoot for the YMCA and their crazy summer camp staff. This was a blast to photograph. You can see the rest of them here: prints.donnanphoto.com.

Emily & Jonathan – Engaged in Evans Photoshoot

Testing: Tilt-Shift Lens

Andy — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:07:38 +0000

I’d like to consider myself not too terribly trendy when it comes to photography, but I’ve always admired the look achieved when shooting with a tilt-shift lens. Whether that’s landscape, cityscape or portraiture, there’s a unique look when this type of lens is used. Being manual focus and with lots of twisty knobs, I wasn’t sure if I’d like it or not. Anyway, here’s my first little dabble with the 24mm tilt-shift lens. I like it.

Josh

Cars downtown

Finally, Kress. My favorite building downtown.

The coffee-stained images were taken this morning and the portrait of Josh and his plant were taken this afternoon. Have a great weekend everyone!

From the studio… Erin

Andy — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:10:31 +0000

Erin’s swooshy dress made this photoshoot go from “well that’s nice to… oh my that’s fantastic”. Thank you Erin for spinning around in circles in high heels with the big fan on in an already cold studio. Not once did she fall over.

I really enjoy shooting on location, but there’s something to be said about shooting in a studio that I just can’t put to words right now. I immensely enjoy both.

From the studio… Anna-Lee & Maggie

Andy — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:46:41 +0000

So I’m very thankful for having access to a nice studio in town. I’m very glad I know somewhat how to operate a flash, inside of a softbox with one of those fancy Pocketwizard radio triggers. Once you learn the gear… and keep it simple, you can direct your efforts into making the subjects comfortable in front of the camera. Meet Anna-Lee & Maggie. They were great to photograph. I never thought I’d enjoy shooting inside a studio, but here’s my take on what portraits should look like.

A new branch… featuring Brittany

Andy — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:13:17 +0000

Hello loyal blog viewers/readers, let’s talk. I really really really love making photographs at weddings. It’s such a rush and a blessing to photograph for a bride & groom on their special day. All the pressure to pull off the shots, capture the moments and seamlessly blend it all together, in a timely fashion and deliver the end product of a disc, prints or an album. It’s this wild dance of art, communication, and being constantly faced with less-than-ideal photographic conditions that for some reason I love every minute of it. I could go on and on about why I like this stuff so much, but I think you get the drift.

First, a big thank you to Jen (makeup), LJ, David, Brent, Jason and the models: Brittany, Anna Lee, Kaitlyn, Maggie, Erin and Kelly. Without you guys I’d just have random photographs of white walls and vintage chairs. That’s fine if you like that sort of thing, but for me, people make the photo.

For quite some time now I’ve had a desire to explore photography on a different branch. What if I photographed outside the constraints of a wedding? It’s an interesting thought which I’ve finally acted on. Jen and I rounded up some of her friends for an all afternoon/evening photoshoot. Allow me to show you what I came up with earlier this week. Over a span of 6 hours we managed to fit in 6 models, two locations, three pizzas and a two liter of coke.

There are loads more to share, but I will make a new entry for the photographs I shot in the studio. If you or someone else you know would like a truly unique portrait session, let’s talk. I’m currently offering a referral incentive to any high-school seniors looking to have their portrait made that expresses their unique personality and style.

Some of my helpers: Jen, LJ & David

Jen did a great job with her makeup and Brittany did a great job clapping, laughing and looking serious.

Fantastic location, fantastic model, fantastic props, fantastic everything.

Kiddos being kiddos

Andy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:32:18 +0000

I realized the other week that I should probably begin shooting things besides 99.9999% weddings. On a cold Saturday in Lincolnton, Eliza and myself took portraits for two families that dared to brave the cold. Here’s the cute kids below.

photo by: Eliza

Photo by: Andy

Photo by: Andy? ( I think? )

Photo by: Andy

They were a sweet bunch to work with ( aka chase around ) and I look forward to booking more mini-sessions for anyone else who’s interested in a portrait session. Contact us for availability and package options.

I am very interested in shooting high-school senior portraits. The first five to contact me ( andy@donnanphotography.com ) to book a senior portrait session will receive 15% off coupon toward any print or product. Guys with cool cars or girls with cool styles, let’s come up with a concept for your daughter or son, and make a photograph for your family and friends.

HO HO HO – Session

Andy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:36:45 +0000

Otis, Mike & Kat - Cullohwee, North Carolina

It’s the holidays again and this year I’m doing something special for them. From now until Christmas, you can gift or book a Ho-Ho-Ho Session for $150.
Holiday Session – Every session includes one hour shoot time, online proofing and ordering, the top 20 images on cd and a special discounted price list for ordering.
Photoshoots may take place any day of the week! In order to receive prints by Christmas, photoshoots must take place by December 10th (I can’t budge on the cutoff date for prints, sorry). Discounts are available for loose prints, accordion mini-books, float and gallery wraps. December is a busy month for us, so the earlier you book the better

Their theme: Christmas morning PJ's

The happy family

Julie’s Graduation Portraits

Andy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:06:02 +0000

Julie was a great sport for these graduation portraits. You might be wondering, she looks a bit old for high school, or college even. Hey, she survived med school! I think that’s a pretty awesome reason for a photoshoot myself. Anyway, here’s a few of the photos I liked the most. Yes I asked her to show off her guns. It was a good laugh and a great way to break up the picture taking some.

something different

Andy — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:41:24 +0000

Yesterday a friend of mine, Rachel was available for a smallÂ photo-shootÂ to test out some new and different-to-me equipment. It was a quick setup with just a softbox camera right that was a bit higher than her, pointing down a bit. We’re shooting from a dock out into the Savannah River. It was really really hot and humid. I complained a lot.

The only post processing done was color and contrast and a slight straighten of the horizon. After I got the hang of posing her, we started to have some fun and got some good photos. It then got dark.Â

I normally don’t do this, but here’s a side-by-side comparison of the photo first in black/white and then in color.Â I’ve added another photo that shows more detail in the figure. The detail of the photo when viewed in high-res is really quite impressive.

high tech lights

Andy — Sat, 03 May 2008 05:09:19 +0000

No one ever said lighting ever needed to be elaborate or difficult. Nor does it need to be expensive. A few of us were goofing off this evening after watching Rambo 1. I’m excited to say that the new place has plenty of space for a decent sized studio. All that’s left are a few runs to home depot and the delivery of some seamless. I guess I’ll have to clean up too.

potential

Emaline at 6mo

Andy — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:15:53 +0000

Wow, what a treat I tell ya. Emaline is getting the 3,6,9,12 month treatment of photography. It has been a real joy to capture her first year in a series of photoshoots. Check out her family photoshoot at 3 mo old here. She has the coolest looking eyes!

Last weekend we hit the jackpot in this field of wildflowers…

Ashley & Brad: Rockstar Wedding

riverwalkin

Andy — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 05:14:25 +0000

It seems that everyone in this town likes to add a ‘in’ or a ‘s’ to anything they are either speaking about, or anything they’re about to go to. Last week we went Riverwalkin. Music on websites, yay or nay? I turned it off, at least on the home page. Sorry if I interrupted anyone’s music.

No related posts.

some sisters

Andy — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:27:45 +0000

Since I don’t really have searches enabled on my website, I don’t remember if I posted any of these yet. A few sisters were all in town for the holidays, and I was asked to photograph them together. Not my sisters, if anything previously was confusing you there.

sarah’s portrait

ash-vegas portrait

Andy — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 07:18:15 +0000

Meet Katy…

So. I’ll change it up some with this one. While I was in Asheville, NC my cousin and I ventured downtown to chat with the bums, wander around multiple shady alleyways, and take way too many left and right turns. Breaking all the rules ( I guess ) I thought it would be nifty to shoot with the 50mm f/1.8 lens from Canon. I may have a broken lens, because I swear I focused properly. Anyway, she’s a bit soft, but I really like several photos from our time out.

wes/sarah

Andy — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 00:50:24 +0000

there are sorta like out-takes, out because we’re going to shoot again, once we all have some free time

maybe by posting this they’ll start their blog back up. Hop on it kids.

sarah’s portrait