Different Approach
I just finished up prom season here in East Tennesee and moved right into wedding season. I'm writing this as a part confession, part growth. I will start with the confessing. I hate prom season. I did in the past is a better way to word that. I found myself feeling that prom season was something I was expected to do but often found myself feeling constrained by it. Young adults dressing up in clothing they would usually not wear, wearing flowers that make their movement cumbersome, and some of them are together but others are not. The latter also present's it's own issues in posing and making them comfortable. I don't feel that I charge enough for the service I offer but I also know these prom photos may turn into senior portrait session's and I can't get enough of those! So this year I made a point to myself. I made it a goal to find a better way to shoot prom. I promised myself, that I would provide something different for my clients, and I'm glad to say I crushed that goal like a boss. What did I do differently you may ask?
Ok so if you have ever read any of my blogs, or any of my Instagram post's ( come on are you still not following me? Really? Go on then. www.instagram.com/jeremy.gouge ) you may know that I love portraiture. I love all lighting and finding the light in every situation. So I took some time to myself and decided that prom pictures are simply high fashion portraits. Then it clicked! Approach these sessions like I would a fashion session. I didn't concentrate on the clothing the same way but I wanted to shoot every couple as I would a model. I took this approach to every prom session I booked, and hope every gallery expressed my new method. I hope this new technique was evident in the final products. I hope that we made Prom memorable and unique. I had the extreme pleasure of working with new people, returning clients, and made future clients as well. One client was eager to book again, the moment she saw the first sneak peak. This is what makes what I do worth every second. I'm not flooding this post with images, flip back to my Prom Season is bringing heat blog or my IG ( because you actually went and followed me right? ) to get a glimpse at those. I'm simply writing this to remind anyone else that reads it, there is always another way, a different approach, but always stay true to who you are. I hope everyone has an amazing Holiday Weekend.
J
Buffalo Mountain and across the Blue Ridge Parkway
Hiking and Driving. Buffalo Mountain to The Blue Ridge Parkway with the Fujifilm Xpro2 in hand!
Some long exposure with the Fuji Xpro 2 and 16mm lens!
I love everything outdoors. I also love where I live, so I thought I would take some time and write about one of my favorite local hikes. By local this time, I mean in the city where I live. So if you are in or coming to Johnson City, TN anytime and want to experience some of our areas views, and hikes then Buffalo Mountain is a great place to start. Its located near ETSU and close to Interstate 26 so very accessible. The signage is pretty good once you get to the trail heads but GPS may be used to ease the navigation.
I plan to do some short blogs highlighting my community and its outdoor lifestyle over the summer so if your reading this and have a certain area in mind that you would like to know more about, comment below and I will add it to the list!
Ive taken photos of this tree more than any other tree and it still catches my attention on the drive in. ( Obviously )
I have been to and waked Buffalo a few times. Some days with my family, some days with just the kids, some days just myself, and every time I leave satisfied! This time in particular though things were different. I went walking to clear my head, to pray and have a conversation and found everything I needed. I also took a path I had never seen before and do not recommend said path. Stay on the marked paths for your safety and that of nature as well please.
I wont ramble any further but will leave you with photos from my hike, followed by a few I grabbed on our drive in North Carolina, over the Blue Ridge Parkway as well. Thanks for reading! Get Outside!
Devils Bathtub
The journey begins here!
I have talked about how much I love to travel, and venture into nature. Atlas and I ventured the this marvel by ourselves 2 years ago and ever since I have wanted to take the entire family back to see it for themselves. Pictures and stories don't come close to depicting the wonder that this place holds and the beauty it embraces. The water is so clear in some photos its hard to even realize your looking at water and not glass. It flows down the valley, carved away with splendor.
The Bathtub is absolutely breathtaking and thought provoking but the walk to and from is just as amazing in itself. From the multiple crossing through the tail waters that flow from the tub, to the amazing sights of nature all around. The roots of the trees seem to reach out to welcome you and the salamanders are rich if you take the time to look. Below are a few images of just those things.
Alive!
Nature was alive all around us!
We took our pup Cinder with us and although it was tricky at times he did a fantastic job. We passed a multitude of people coming and going but once we made it to the end of the walk in, there were only a few people there to impede the view and for that I was beyond grateful. We watched as a few people waded and tested the temperature to see if they had what it takes to make the plunge and before we left, 2 of our 3 boys did just that! I found footing above the pool and gave them the countdown and in they went. It was epic. Cold, it was very cold they both kept saying but with giant smiles on their faces. It will be something I remember always and through my images, hopefully they will as well!. I leave you with the option to follow the link below to see our trip in full but I didn't shoot near as much as I probably should have but sometimes I cant help but to lay the Fuji Xpro2 down and see all I can see and just be still