Being a graduate of the Hallmark Institute of Photography is no small matter. Its not an easy school to get into and its even harder to get out. No one goes through unscathed. Having been a graduate of 2 years I still find myself in awe of images the students create year in and out. I often find myself scrolling through an eternity of bookmarks just to get a look at “where they are now.” So many talented photographers, so much inspiration and so much curiosity piqued my interest to meet some of them, chat with them and maybe even learn a thing or two from them…and then the idea hit me like a ton of bricks….

PHOTOGRAPH THEM!

but don’t just photograph them… Study their work, their style, their lighting and photograph them in their style yet still infusing your own vision. Wow! That’s a challenge because there are so many Uber-talented photographers with so many unique styles who have graduated from Hallmark, but unless we challenge ourselves there can be no growth, right? So Hallmark Redux was born.

I plan to photograph every willing Hallmark graduate (still working as a photographer) in the South East United States. This will involve a lot of traveling, a lot of planning, a lot of studying and a lot of fun. I’m excited to take this on and I know the rewards will be many. I will be sharing what I’ve learned along the way about the business of photography, the technical tips and tricks, and any life lessons I’ve learned from my fellow alumni. It’s going to be an interesting ride. So come along. You’re invited.

Tennessee Alumni are on deck. At the top of the order…

Sara Renee Murray (2009) – www.sararenee.com
Lexey Hall (2008) – www.lexeyhall.com
Michael Bretz (2009) – www.mrbimg.com
Tracye Taylor (2001) – www.tracyesphotography.com
Daniel Meigs (2006) – www.danielmeigs.com
Crystal Martin (2005) – www.crystalmartinphoto.com
Felicia Franklin (2008) – www.feliciafranklin.com
Mark Denman (2008, 2009 Hon ) – www.markdenmanphotography.com Yes, a self-portrait series

I’m still considering East Texas, Oklahoma and the Virginias. We’ll see!

If you are unique, and I know you are, become a Mark Denman Photography Senior Model. Find out how here Nashville Senior Photographer

When photographing children it doesn’t take long before they lose interest. After all there are some many “other” wonderful things to explore. You can’t really ask children to pose. Its not a concept they understand very well. Emmaline, however, was a trooper. She hung in there smiling and giggling along the way. Then of course it was time to swing. I was okay with that. Sometimes the best images are not what you imagine for the camera but when they are simply being themselves…unaware and carefree.

Meet Emmaline.

Just a little something extra from Inga’s and Shannon’s engagement session. Hope you like it.

Recent I attended the Wedding Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) convention in Las Vegas. I had a amazing time.  I learned a lot of good things that I know will help me continue to move my business to the next level and provide a higher quality of service to my clients. I was also happy to run into some friends of mine from school there as well. Being my second year attending this event, I knew what I wanted my focus to be and I think I accomplished that. I’m excited to start putting into action the things I learned.  I think its so important as a photographer to continue to educate yourself.  In photography there is always room to grow and improve your craft.  My clients will love me for it.

Vegas as a city is very interesting to me. It’s not for everyone and I think I fit in that “everyone” group, but it does have a buzz about it.  You either love  it or you don’t.  Anyway, here are a few images I took while I was there.

Got off the plane…

Made it to my room at the MGM Grand.  They upgraded me to the “Grande Poobah” suite ( Not sure if that was the name but I felt like the Grande Poobah!)

I had an amazing view of the Vegas Strip every morning.

Another view from my window of the New York New York. ( I stayed there last year.)

Arrived at WPPI…

Listened to and learned from some amazing speakers…

Socialized with many talented photographers.

Missed my little girl an awful lot :0(.  Got a really big hug when I made it home.

Inga and Shannon are getting married and while being in love is an obvious prerequisite to saying I do, sometimes what catches my attention is not how much two people love each other but how much they like each other. It was so much fun to see how they laugh together and poke fun at each other and joke with each other. They really enjoy being together and I enjoyed being with them on this day. When I first met Inga and Shannon she mentioned that their wedding theme is “Classic Black Hollywood” I thought, “Oooh! I’ve never shot a wedding that has a theme. This is going to be interesting…” and if the wedding is anything like the engagement session, its going to be hot, people!

We started out in an old movie theater in Shelbyville, TN and made our way to Inga’s old high school theatre and came away with some fabulous shots. Take a look.

Everybody knows somebody named Joe. Think about it! You could walk up to a total stranger and say “Hey! How’s Joe?” and they’ll know who you are talking about (They think they’ll know , anyway) We’ll, the Joe I know is about as cool as they come. Joe’s got the ability to find humor in every situation and have you in stitches. So when he asked me to be their wedding photographer, I was more than happy. Margo was lovely. She had a beautiful dress and a smile that made every little stone or sequin sparkle. This was a fun and emotional wedding and I’m glad I was asked to be a part of it.

A huge thanks to my trusted second photographer Sionnie LaFollette once again for getting some amazing shots.

A great engagement session post is coming.  Stay tuned!

Here’s a little sneak peek at Margo and Joe’s wedding.  Wanna see more?  Well, you’ll have to wait…but not long!!!

“Sweet Baton Rouge, my Baton Rouge.” Its a place with so much culture and history. I was born and raised there.

I love it.

I went home for Thanksgiving and thought I would (to some degree) document in pictures my hometown. I want to share with my daughter a little something about me. I wish cameras were more available when my parents were growing up. I would love to see how things were in their time. This was a very fun and sad venture. Some of the places I visited I could see myself there again so many years ago. I could smell my kindergarten classroom and feel the cool air inside of Winbush’s corner store across from my elementary school. I could see myself, a little kid, running across the school grounds at recess. It brought back some really wonderful memories. Some I wish I could relive for just a day. Oh well. I have some great stories to tell her when she’s older.

This is just the beginning. I hope to add to this collection of images each time I go back. I’ll also continue documenting Gloucester, UK, my wife’s hometown. Stay tuned for some of those images.