I was thinking about what shoot would be good to post for Christmas, and it hit me. It was obvious, the “Girls’ Christmas Pajama Party.” 🙂
These friends of mine had a fun pajama party together, and had me over to create some photographs. We hammed it up with a lot of fun photos and a pillow fight. 
Luckily they suggested we end the shoot with a picture of me. It saved me from having to suggest it. 😉
Merry Christmas, everyone! And until next time, America.
I was wondering what to send out to everyone as part of a Christmas message, and it hit me. Why not something more personal like me and my sister playing some Christmas music?
Every year, my friends and I have a dinner together and host an acoustic night. We invite a small group over, I bring in some sound gear, and perform along with a few others. So this year, I recorded my numbers to share with you all.
This first one is me singing with my sister, ‘O Holy Night.’ We winged this for the first time together as we performed. I printed off some words and chords, and we talked it through before going on (I’ll sing first, then harmony together on chorus, then a harmonica break, then harmony together on verse and chorus once more through). I really liked how it sounded.
For my second number, I got out my tenor sax to play and sing one of my all time favorite jazz and Christmas numbers, ‘Christmas Time is Here.’ It’s a Vince Guaraldi chart written for Charlie Brown.
A few things I have always loved about the original 1965 Charlie Brown Christmas program were the very things CBS hated about it. First, Linus quotes Luke 2, and in a wonderfully moving way too. CBS thought that was just inappropriate. Second, I love all the great jazz music throughout, which CBS considered bar music not to be mixed with a cartoon. And finally, actual children were used to voice the characters which CBS disapproved of, thinking adults should have recorded everything I suppose in an awful baby talk. Thankfully CBS lost, and Charles Schulz got his way, partly because it was too late to change anything. It was an immediate success and became one of the highest rated and most adored Christmas programs ever.
I love watching it and am moved by it still to this day.
(Video note: my camera feed died part the way though, so I did a freeze frame, but the sound continues.)
As a plug for my sister, she recently crossed 1 million spins on Pandora. 🙂 If you’d like to hear more of her music or to get some of her CDs, visit MusicByElise.com
Thank you for listening. I hope you enjoyed these. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Now that my new Christmas cards are printed and ready to go in people’s orders, I can share the new photo and design. It was all created digitally starting first with a self portrait shot here in my studio (fired by remote using my hidden hand). The original background I created was all shades of white snowflakes, but I decided I needed a bit more color and punch, and changed it to this current blue background.
And because the background was made from scratch and took some time to make, I also used it for a recent commercial shoot for Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand shown in the previous post. Anyway, here is the final portrait and design.
For the printed cards, the text, ‘Merry Christmas’ is stamped into the card in reflective gold foil. I really love how they turned out, and they’re on a very nice watercolor paper too so they have a great feel. I’m excited for clients and friends to start getting these cards.
And you’ll notice too if you go to my main website front page, that the opening image is also this new portrait wishing visitors a Merry Christmas.
And here is how I adapted the image and design for my various Facebook page banners showing that with one commercial photo, there are many uses.
If you need a great commercial image or portrait for your company, give me a call at 801-728-3317. Being winter in Utah, it’s a great time for studio work which is perfect for high-end commercial shoots.
And of course I hope everyone has a wonderful and Merry Christmas.
Until next time, America.
Merry Christmas, everyone! This year I re-used my previous card because it took so much work to create it originally. It’s a group portrait of me, taken at my company Christmas party.
Children especially have told me that they like my cards and can’t figure out how I can be in so many places at once. To see how it was made, check out my original post that explains all of the time-consuming details.
I love that this holiday is about people taking the time to go out and specifically shop for others. It’s a great time for selflessness, and a time to remember the reason for the Savior. I hope all of you have a joyous season with family and loved ones. Merry Christmas!!
And until next time, America.
For many years I’ve done group portraits as my company Christmas card, always a group of just me as if it’s taken at my own company’s Christmas party. And because I personally see each job through from beginning to end, I wear a few different hats and the card has become a growing joke, getting better each year. Well here is my card and how I created it.
Clients, especially children that come in are always asking me how I shoot my group photos of myself, so I decided to share with you my process.
First I mapped out the entire shot, and decided on which images I’d need, where the various people would be positioned throughout the image. I needed depth, but didn’t want anyone in front of anyone else. I even have three people tied together with garland, all handing each other the same strand. It all has to look real and work. Each person had to be working together naturally, and that meant thinking about how the angles and lighting should be.
Once it was mapped out, I began photographing the pieces. I started with my studio/home. I needed to use open area of the front and didn’t want it covered with the cedar fence and line of trees in front. So I used a wide angle up close to get the entire home in the shot without the fence and trees you’d see from the street. This gives me the best angle on the place but causes bending on the vertical lines, that I will fix later.
Next I photographed my folks’s tree in their home. My mom always puts together the best tree.
Then back at the studio I photographed each remaining part on my fashion gray background so that they could be extracted easier. Extractions are not easy nor fast, but a solid gray background makes it easier at least.
To fit a large ladder in the studio on gray, I chose my smallest ladder, and doubled the size of the legs digitally, adjusting too for the perspective of the steps. I then photographed each version of myself, imagining where each would be positioned in the final image, but used the same step on the ladder to stand so that I’d fit in the studio shot.
Each photograph was fired with a remote that I am hiding in one of my hands. For instance, in the shovel image, I’m holding the remote up against the shovel’s handle. Once I’m in position, I fire the shot. After each shot, I change clothes, set up the next image, and shoot again.
After all the camera work, the digital work begins. I started with the individual versions of me, each extracted off the gray background and placed in the shot where they were mapped out. The ladder was also extended taller, being key to making sure all the other people were in the right spots and in proper perspective.
Slowly the group began to grow, and the star was added in the hand on top.
Then I extracted the tree off the living room background and prepped it.
The tree was brought in and more details were brought together.
Then to the background. I corrected the vertical lines, and the image was cropped to fit the final piece.
I then created snow from scratch and added it throughout, fading out the home as well for a misty look and to keep the background from being too busy and competing visually with the foreground.
The background was added to the crowd, and more details were added like sparkles on the Christmas tree’s lights.
Once the background was in, people needed to be moved slightly on the right side to work better with the background. Once they were in place, shadows were drawn in so that each person and object cast a shadow that matched the lighting from the sun behind. Each point of contact with the snow was then painted up close so as to “drop” everyone into the snow so they didn’t look like they were on top. That, along with creating custom shadows, help give the final piece a more 3D look and not a flat, fake look. There’s much more I could do to make it look real, but a little of that fake look will help with the comedy effect.
The star was also given a nice sparkle. More snow was added around the edges to create a natural white vignette to keep the focus inside the image, and the tree’s trunk was finished as well.
Finally, I used one of my custom edges to finish the piece, added the text, and the legend of who everyone is at the bottom. And the finishing touch as always, is adding my signature, in this case in the bottom left.
So what’s your guess on how long it took to complete this project? All in all, it took about 23 hours including both the camera and digital designing time, and that doesn’t count working with the printer and mailing company to get it all out to each of you. Hopefully when it comes, it brings a smile to your face. If your address has changed, let me know so that I can update it for the next mailing I send out.
I hope all of you have a joyous season with family and loved ones. Merry Christmas!!
And until next time, America.
I’ve had so many great family portraits to create and deliver for Christmas, but here is one of my favorites. I’ll post more shoots after Christmas.
I’ve photographed Shauna and her family many times over the years, and they are all so fun and great to work with. For this shoot we decided to do a different location because she works downtown for KUTV, we thought it would make a great location for her updated family portrait.
I really love this grouping, with everyone leaning in, relaxed and smiling. The framing with the gold door gives the image even more warmth and interest.
Though you can’t tell in the photo, it was actually a very cold, winter night when we created these. Everyone’s jackets are just out of the frame for easy reach between setups. But with the beautiful and warm lighting, relaxed groupings, and happy faces, you’d never know it was that cold. It looks like a nice warm day.
We also did some individuals to create this nice trio for the wall.
I love creating family portraits for people. It’s very fulfilling to create something that has emotional value and that is going to be a cherished art piece on the wall. It’s also fun to photograph the same families over the years and see kids grow and change, and Shauna’s family is extra special.
If it’s time for some updated Christmas portraits for your family, the holiday break is a great time to get in. Families are in town, people are together, and the big rush at the studio is past. Give me a call and let’s get your family together and create for something great for your walls. 801-728-3317
And until next time, America.
My Christmas Card is out and in the mail. If you haven’t seen my past Christmas cards, for the last few years they’ve all been group portraits of me, but in the studio. My idea is that it’s a funny company group photo from my own Christmas party. My clients know that because of the custom work that I do, I personally see each job through from beginning to end, which also means that I wear a few different hats. The card is a growing joke, and each time I’ve done it a little better. But this time I really wanted to out-do myself!
Clients, especially children that come in are always asking me how I shoot my group photos of myself, so I decided to share with you my process.
First I mapped out the entire shot, and decided on which images I’d need, where the various people would be positioned throughout the image. I needed depth, but didn’t want anyone in front of anyone else. I even have three people tied together with garland, all handing each other the same strand. It all has to look real and work. Each person had to be working together naturally, and that meant thinking about how the angles and lighting should be.
Once it was mapped out, I began photographing the pieces. I started with my studio/home. I needed to use open area of the front and didn’t want it covered with the cedar fence and line of trees in front. So I used a wide angle up close to get the entire home in the shot without the fence and trees you’d see from the street. This gives me the best angle on the place but causes bending on the vertical lines, that I will fix later.
Next I photographed my folks’s tree in their home. My mom always puts together the best tree.
Then back at the studio I photographed each remaining part on my fashion gray background so that they could be extracted off the background easier. Extractions are not easy nor fast, but a solid gray background makes it easier at least.
To fit a large ladder in the studio on gray, I chose my smallest ladder, and doubled the size of the legs digitally, adjusting too for the perspective of the steps. I then photographed each version of myself, imagining where each would be positioned in the final image, but used the same step on the ladder to stand so that I’d fit in the studio shot.Each photograph was fired with a remote that I am holding with one of my hands. For instance, in the shovel image, I’m holding the remote up against the shovel’s handle. Once I’m in position, I fire the shot. After each shot, I change clothes, set up the next image, and shoot again.
After all the camera work, the digital work begins. I started with the individual versions of me, each extracted off the gray background and placed in the shot where they were mapped out. The ladder was also extended taller, being key to making sure all the other people were in the right spots and in proper perspective.
Slowly the group began to grow, and the star was added in the hand on top.
Then I extracted the tree off the living room background and prepped it.
The tree was brought in and more details were brought together.
Then to the background. I corrected the vertical lines, and the image was cropped to fit the final piece.
I then created snow from scratch and added it throughout, fading out the home as well for a misty look and to keep the background from being too busy and competing visually with the foreground.
The background was added to the crowd, and more details were added like sparkles on the Christmas tree’s lights.
Once the background was in, people needed to be moved slightly on the right side to work better with the background. Once they were in place, shadows were drawn in so that each person and object cast a shadow that matched the lighting from the sun behind. Each point of contact with the snow was then painted up close so as to “drop” everyone into the snow so they didn’t look like they were on top. That, along with the shadows, help give the final piece a more 3D look and not a flat, fake look. There’s much more I could do to make it look real, but a little of that fake look will help with the comedy effect.
The star was also given a nice sparkle. More snow was added around the edges to create a natural white vignette to keep the focus inside the image, and the tree’s trunk was finished as well.
Finally, I used one of my custom edges to finish the piece, added the text, and the legend of who everyone is at the bottom. And the finishing touch as always, is adding my signature, in this case in the bottom left.
So what’s your guess on how long it took to complete this project? All in all, it took about 23 hours including both the camera and digital designing time, and that doesn’t count working with the printer and mailing company to get it all out to each of you. Hopefully when it comes, it brings a smile to your face. If your address has changed, let me know so that I can update it for the next mailing I send out.
I hope all of you have a joyous season with family and loved ones. Merry Christmas!!
And until next time, America.
Every year at this time, I design, layout, and print about 20,000 Christmas audio CDs for a client and friend, James Conlee. I always make sure that I get some copies to give to all my current clients in their Christmas orders. This year’s album is called Choirs of Angels.
With every order between now and Christmas, you’ll get your own copy (while supplies last).
This is a project amongst friends. I do the layout, design and packaging, the album is produced by one of my best friends, James Conlee, and the artwork/painting is by another friend of ours, James Christensen, a famous painter whose work can be seen and purchased through Greenwich Workshops.
This year, his painting used for the cover is “Evening Angels,” which is incredibly colorful and intricate. His paintings are always incredibly captivating and really makes the entire project extra wonderful.
I design all of the CDs that James Conlee produces, and I think that this is the 14th CD I’ve designed for him. The music for this particular project was recorded with the Prague Symphony Orchestra and with The Madeleine Choir of Salt Lake City.
So for all my holiday clients that are ordering this time of year, whether you get a large collection of various wall portraits or even just reorder one small 8×10 print, I am giving you a FREE Christmas CD! The cover painting is phenomenal, the music is phenomenal, and the whole production is worth owning! In fact, if you’re a current client and don’t have anything to order right now, still call me and stop by and I’ll make sure you get a copy too.
We are getting close to Christmas and there’s still time to get in if you’d like something wonderful. Some things can still be made up for Christmas if you call and get in quickly, 801-728-3317. And remember, I’ll include a Christmas CD with your order.
And until next time, America.
Christmas is a great time for creating family portraits because it’s one of the rare times that families are all together. For lots of reasons, snow is really difficult to shoot in, but when done right it makes a great backdrop and can set a mood of warmth and love.
Here is the Lowe family that I photographed during their vacation outside their cabin in the Utah mountains, one of the rare times they were all together because they are a family of traveling world-class musicians (9Lowes.com).
Being a family of performers, they are also very fun with each other and somehow the idea of a crazy photo came up, so we created this one as well.
If your family is going to be together for the holidays and you would like me to come create an updated family portrait, then give me a call, 801-728-3317. It could be outside or even inside your home. Call me and we can talk about options.
And until next time, America.
I say this a lot, but I love photographing families and children. It is so fun to capture and create art pieces that preserve the ages, emotions, and feelings of a family at a particular time in life. And this family was a blast to work with, and the kids were so adorable and fun. It was a great shoot and I wanted to share it.
First, one of my favorite family paintings I’ve created in a long time. For those unfamiliar with my process, I start out creating a photograph, in this case in my outdoor studio gardens, and from there I use it to create a painting. And this one is so amazing. I’m going to have to make one up for my studio as a sample. It has such great emotion, the family walking together, the children’s cute faces looking up, and the great textures throughout. This is going to look amazing when it’s hanging in their home.
And here is their family grouping in the leaves. Everyone looks so good, and the children’s faces just shine.
And to create a nice wall grouping in their home, to go on either side of the above family group are two squares, one of each child that will be framed the same.
I love how she is sitting so cute and feminine, keeping her hands so perfect…
…and he is sitting like a little man, with his knee up and shoulders out. 
Finishing up the session is this final couple portrait of Paul and Mandi.
I had a ball with this family and am loving working on their order right now. I can’t wait to deliver it all and see it hanging in their home.
November is a great time to get in and get family portraits for Christmas, cards, and family gifts. Check out the November special right now and call now for the best availability.
And until next time, America.
Every year at this time, I design, layout, and print about 20,000 Christmas audio CDs for a client and friend, James Conlee. I always make sure that I get some copies for myself that I can give to all my current clients and friends. This year’s album is especially beautiful and I’m excited for you all to see and hear it.
With every order between now and Christmas, you’ll get your own copy (while supplies last).
This produced every year by one of my best friends, James Conlee who produces and oversees the entire album. In fact it is a joint project of friends in many ways because the cover painting is by another friend of ours, James Christensen (a famous painter with Greenwich Workshops).
This year, his painting used for the cover is “Cecelia,” which is incredibly colorful and beautiful. I love the different uses of various types of brush strokes, the various hues, and the beauty of the entire piece, though James Christensen’s paintings are always incredibly captivating. His artwork really makes this CD artwork wonderful.
I had a hard time cropping his image for a square cover, as the entire painting is so wonderful. I did however, use some tricks with the type over the painting to make it blend in more and seem more like gold leaf embedded into the canvas.
It’s a little known fact that I design all of the CDs that James Conlee produces, and I think that this is the 13th CD I’ve designed for him. The music for this particular project was recorded with the Prague Symphony Orchestra and with The Madeleine Choir of Salt Lake City.
So for all my holiday clients that are ordering this time of year, whether you get a large collection of various wall portraits or even just reorder one small 8×10 print, I am giving you a FREE 2012 Christmas CD! The cover painting is phenomenal, the music is phenomenal, and the whole production is worth owning! In fact, if you’re a current client and don’t have anything to order right now, still call me and stop by and I’ll make sure you get a copy as well.
We are getting close to Christmas as far as appointments go, so if you’d like some fantastic images of yourself or your family, now’s the time to get in the studio. Give me a call at 801-728-3317 to set thing up. And remember, I’ll include a Christmas CD with your order.
And feel free to check out my main website at BryCox.com, and until next time, America.
Every year at this time, I design, layout, and print about 20,000 Christmas audio CDs for a client. I always make sure that I get some copies for all my current clients and friends. This year’s album is all finished and back in my hands, and it’s so wonderful! I am excited for you all to get a copy.
This is Wasatch Christmas, a Christmas CD that is produced every year by one of my best friends, James Conlee. In fact it is a joint project of friends in many ways because the cover painting is by another friend of ours, James Christensen (a famous painter with Greenwich Workshops), and some of the tracks are by our other good friend, Ryan Shupe (Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand), as well as some tracks by James Conlee himself.
The name of the cover painting is, “Saint Nicholas of Myra.” James Christensen’s paintings are always so incredibly captivating. This particular painting I hadn’t seen until working on this project, but I love it. The colors, the details, the expression — everything just keeps me looking deep into this painting. It really made this CD artwork wonderful.
It’s a little known fact that I design all of the CDs that both James Conlee and Ryan Shupe produce, and I think that this is the 12th CD I’ve designed for James. Some can be seen right here (James Conlee – Sunday / Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand – Last Man Standing.)
So for all my holiday clients that are ordering this time of year, whether you get a large collection of various wall portraits or even just reorder one small 8×10 print, I am giving you a FREE Wasatch Christmas CD! The cover painting is phenomenal, the music is phenomenal, and the whole production is worth owning!
We are getting close to Christmas as far as appointments go, so if you’d like some fantastic images of yourself or your family, now’s the time to get in the studio. Give me a call at 801-728-3317 to set thing up. And remember, I’ll include a Christmas CD with your order.
And feel free to check out my main website at BryCox.com (or my blog if you’re reading this in a separate feed reader BryCox.com/blog).