ogden

Janet’s Vacation Family Portraits at Texas Lake House, Part 1

It’s family portrait season, and I wanted to share this beautiful and extensive family shoot. I was flown to Texas to photograph this wonderful family while they would all be together on vacation at a gorgeous lake house. I’ve done a lot of work for this family over the years, and I loved seeing them all again to create these wonderful art pieces.

Here’s a video showing their wall canvas and family album. It’s best viewed full screen and in HD. 🙂

Here’s a shot of Janet’s gorgeous album, black leather with a black leather briefcase to hold, carry, and protect the album.

Kids seem to grow the fastest between family portraits, and these kids were no different. All of the children had changed, and were so adorable and fun to work with. This image below was our favorite big group where everyone looked their best.

This Texas lake made for a wonderful backdrop.

And as you can see in the video, I spent time photographing each family, creating various groupings and ideas and even made some into paintings. Here are some of those.

After each family, I focused on couple and individual children’s portraits too, getting great expressions and capturing personality in each child.

When I was done with one family, they’d go off to play and enjoy their vacation, and I’d begin again with another family.

This beautiful little girl was getting baptized, so we created these images in her white dress to commemorate this time in her young life. I really love these images and her beautiful expressions and poses in them.

And finally, I created this trio of her funning to capture her youthfulness.

I’ll share more from this extensive shoot soon. But in the meantime, if you’d like some family portraits, give me a call at 801-728-3317. Let’s talk about your dream portrait and get something scheduled before the weather gets cold.

And until next time, America.

Cox Fall Portrait Event – Special Salt Lake & Ogden Canyon Dates

Fall is here and the leaves come and go so quickly. This year I’m doing some special dates for families in two different canyons, Salt Lake and Ogden areas. And because I’ll be shooting in the same area each day, the location fee will be drastically reduced. Plus get free Christmas cards with your wall portrait purchase too.

It’s a great time to get a wonderful location shoot in the Utah leaves. We can photograph just your kids, your family, a little of both, or even block out time for your larger extended family where I can also shoot smaller individual families too.

I make family portraits painless. I work quickly, get your kids to smile and look wonderful, and we’ll get lots of variety too so you’ll have great images to pick from.

  • Salt Lake canyon on Saturday October, 14th.
  • Ogden area canyon on Friday October 20th.

Limited time slots at each location. Call me at 801-728-3317 to schedule the best time for you.

brycox_fall_portraits_utah_02

I specialize in emotionally powerful wall art, the best heirloom canvas portraits, paintings, and other gorgeous pieces that change the feeling in your home.

brycox_fall_portraits_utah_01
brycox_fall_portraits_utah_03

Let’s photograph your family or kids in the beautiful Utah fall leaves, and make up some custom wall art for your home for the holidays. Call me at 801-728-3317.

And until next time, America.

Amber’s Spring Engagement Shoot, Outdoor & Studio

I’ve been really excited to share the engagement shoot of these two. They are great together and make a wonderful couple. A few weeks ago in early spring we did this incredible shoot for their engagements. We did a mix of studio and outdoor portraits. And later I’ll have to share images from their wedding reception this weekend at the beautiful Jeremy Ranch Golf and Country Club because it was all just magical. But first, we need to see these from their engagement shoot.

This first photograph was one of the top favorites, and part of their wedding invitation design.

And this painting was finished as a canvas for their reception display, and will go above their fireplace in their home. 

I love these paintings. You really have to see them in person to see how wonderful they are. But here’s a shot of it displayed at their Utah wedding reception.

I love these outdoor photos. The gorgeous colors and dramatic sky really pop with master lighting techniques on location. And you can see how great these two are together. Their expressions say it all.

This next image with mixed lighting creating the dynamic shadow lines, was one of the top picks and part of the invitation design. 

And here are few more favorites from the studio, with a change of clothes and lighting styles for more variety.

This trio was one of my favorite things from the shoot. 

I hope you can see how great these two are together. I’m honored to have been a part of their wedding and wish them decades of future happiness together. And don’t worry, I will for sure post some of their wedding reception images too. You’ll want to see them, but I do have a bunch of other fun shoots that I want to share with you first.

In the meantime, if you’re getting married there is no better wedding investment than your photographs. Of all the things you spend on, well-made photographs are the only thing you keep after the wedding. So give me a call and let’s talk about creating your dream portraits, 801-728-3317.

And until next time, America.

Nate and Kaylie’s Gorgeous Finished Wedding Album

I’m excited to introduce a new line of wedding albums, and Nate and Kaylie are the first to receive it. Adding this to my other line, new clients will more options in terms of shooting time and price on their wedding day. And this book looks gorgeous and it’s beautiful to hold.

Nate and Kaylie had such a beautiful wedding and they were such a photographic couple that I’ve been excited to share more of their images. You may have seen an early sneak peek of a few favorites in an earlier post, but here is their final album, each page shown in this video.

Here is how the album looks, and the presentation box it comes in, including the clear magnetic cover. It makes for a great display when you’re not looking through the book, as well as giving you something to protect your album.

Nate and his wife also performed at their wedding. They’re both accomplished musicians with a group that tours all over the world. Their band rocked out at the reception, and I got this short video clip of Nate rapping. It’s worth seeing.

If you’d like to talk more about wedding photography, give me a call. I love weddings and I’d love to create something amazing for you from your special day, 801-728-3317. And of course check out my main portfolio site with lots of samples and info too at BryCox.com.

And until next time, America.

Sneak Peek of Jared and Paige’s Wedding Held at Hub 801 Events

Jared and Paige are so great together and I loved being a part of their wedding as their photographer. And I’ve been excited to get some of my early favs up on my blog. Their wedding was at the Hub 801 event center in Ogden, Utah. It’s a cool 1940’s building that used to be the Coca-Cola bottling hall.

This first photo was right after their ceremony and before their wedding dinner. The sun was setting outside, so I stole them away for a quick sunset shot.

brycox_jared-paige_wedding_hub801_06

Inside, the venue’s character made a great backdrop for their wedding photos. Exposed brick and cool furniture added a nice vibe, along with Paige’s gorgeous hair and dress. And I love how happy these two look together.
brycox_jared-paige_wedding_hub801_01

brycox_jared-paige_wedding_hub801_02

brycox_jared-paige_wedding_hub801_03

brycox_jared-paige_wedding_hub801_04

brycox_jared-paige_wedding_hub801_07

This is a gorgeous wedding and there’s much more I can share. I should share their wedding album design once I finish that. But in the meantime, if you’re getting married, let me create some amazing images for you. Usually I’ll do your engagement shoot (for your announcements), bridal portraits (of the bride alone in her dress), and your wedding day for one of my award-winning albums. But we can also customize things and just do one shoot or another if you need.

Give me a call and let’s talk more about what you’d like, 801-728-3317.

And until next time, America.

Nate & Kaylie’s Wedding Sneak Preview

This week I photographed a beautiful wedding for Nate and Kaylie. Here are just some early previews of some of my favorite images.

It was a beautiful afternoon at the Salt Lake LDS Temple in Utah. I wanted to show the vivid colors of Nate’s custom suit, the details Kaylie’s beautiful dress, while also getting the deep blue sky and the temple to all show. So with some custom lighting techniques, the colors of the day all come together beautifully in these images. And you can see how happy they look together.

BryCox_SaltLakeTemple_Ogden01 BryCox_SaltLakeTemple_Ogden02 BryCox_SaltLakeTemple_Ogden03 BryCox_SaltLakeTemple_Ogden04

Their reception was held at the Copper Nickel in downtown Ogden, Utah. It was right in the heart of the historic area, where there are wonderful brick alleys and cool spots to shoot. I pulled them away from the reception for a few fun photos in the area.

BryCox_SaltLakeTemple_Ogden06BryCox_SaltLakeTemple_Ogden05
Their wedding will make a great album. And I hope these two and their family enjoy these images for many years to come.

If you’re getting married and would like me to create some wonderful images for you, whether it be engagement photos, bridal photos, the actual wedding day coverage, or some combination of all of them, then give me a call. 801-728-3317

And until next time, America.

Marisa’s Engagement and Bridals

I recently photographed Marisa’s wedding and thought about posting her engagements and bridals here to celebrate her wedding day, but I didn’t want her fiancé Ben to accidentaly see the bridals before the ceremony. So I am now sharing these images and am excited for you all to see them. I’m starting with some of her bridal images. Because it was a cold fall day, we started inside in the warm studio to create these.

Cox_Marisa01

Marisa looks so elegant and beautiful in these images. There were so many great images, it was hard to pick some favorites, but these were some of them.Cox_Marisa02 Cox_Marisa03

At one point, the rain seemed to stop so we hurried outside and shot a bit in the leaves. This dancing trio is a collection of some of our favorite images outside before the rain started up again.

Cox_Marisa04

And here are some of Marisa and Ben’s engagements. We did a mix session with multiple studio backgrounds and lighting setups as well as some outdoor images as well in the studio gardens.Cox_Marisa05 Cox_Marisa06 Cox_Marisa07

These two were so fun to photograph and are such a great couple. We were laughing most of the time when we weren’t shooting. I think they look great together and I am excited that they found each other.

Cox_Marisa08

I really love how these images turned out. They had a great variety of images and the display of images at the wedding reception looked amazing. Cox_Marisa10

And to close, here is a sneak peek of the wedding day. Though the album will take some time to design, this is one of my favorites from the day. I will for sure share their entire wedding album once it is ready.

Cox_Marisa-W

If you are getting married now is the time to give me a call and reserve your day as it is that time of year when brides are booking dates. Or feel free to just call me and ask any questions you may have. 801-728-3317

And until next time, America.

How I Created My New Christmas Card, A Self Group Portrait

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!

Cox-Christmas-2013-Card-Design-2-final

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.

Cox_Christmas2013-104

Next I photographed my folks’s tree in their home. My mom always puts together the best tree.Cox_Christmas2013-114

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.Cox_Christmas2013-groupEach 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.

Cox_Christmas2013-198-2

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.

Cox-Christmas-2013-Card-Design-1b

Slowly the group began to grow, and the star was added in the hand on top.Cox-Christmas-2013-Card-Design-1c

Then I extracted the tree off the living room background and prepped it.

Cox-Christmas-2013-Card-Design-1a

The tree was brought in and more details were brought together.Cox-Christmas-2013-Card-Design-1d

 

Then to the background. I corrected the vertical lines, and the image was cropped to fit the final piece.Cox-Christmas-2013-Card-Design-1e

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.Cox-Christmas-2013-Card-Design-1f

The background was added to the crowd, and more details were added like sparkles on the Christmas tree’s lights.Cox-Christmas-2013-Card-Design-1g

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.

Cox-Christmas-2013-Card-Design-2h

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.

Cox-Christmas-2013-Card-Design-2-final

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.

November Family Portrait Special

November is here, and it’s time for family portraits! Most people mean to do them and then forget until December hits, then they are trying to get in, rush their Christmas cards and orders to have everything back in time.

Well beat the rush, schedule right now, and get a free session at the studio, outside or inside ($200 value) and 25 free folding Christmas cards and envelopes ($95 value), when you purchase any size wall portrait or framed wall collage (which range in price from $290 and up).

Be rewarded with discounts and free cards by coming in now, and relax when December hits knowing that your cards are ready go and your gifts for family are done.

BryCox-November-Family-Special-700p

Portraits make great gifts for your family and loved ones, and we can even do some location images too if you’d like. Sessions at the studio inside or out are free with this promotion, but location shoots are also possible for $200 off. Give me a call to schedule your time at 801-728-3317.

Here’s an example of some outdoor portraits I did of my sister’s family. See more from her shoot by viewing yesterday’s post here.

Cox_J-F-1505b

Until next time, America.

My Sister’s Family in the Leaves

It is already November, which means it’s time to get family portraits before the Christmas rush. In fact, if you want outdoor, fall portraits, we need to get them shot pronto as the leaves are almost gone in most areas and the weather is getting cold, plus all November orders get 25 free Christmas cards with every wall print!

These images below are of my sister’s family. We just shot these on a very cold, stormy night near their home. The rain had passed over this spot and the sun was almost completely set. We had to hurry, and here’s what we got.

Cox_J-F-1505b

We started on this bridge, using the canyon and fall leaves as a backdrop. We hustled to get set up, and then I worked my kid-magic with my nephew and got him smiling right off the bat. We then moved to this rock nearby for a sitting grouping.

Cox_J-F-1525b

We finished the shoot off with some cute standing and walking portraits which accentuate how little their boy really is. I hope that later in life, these images remind him of being that size, being with his parents, and being swung by the arms.

Cox_J-F-1537

Finally, I took my favorite interaction walking image, and created this painting.

Cox_J-F-1530-Painting2

It was a fun night and I am so pleased with these portraits. I can’t wait to get their finished sizes worked up so they can be hanging in their home.

There is always a rush as Christmas approaches. Portraits are one of the best things we can get or give each other, and right now really is the best time to get in and beat the rush. Plus, all November orders get 25 FREE Christmas cards with every wall print. Call now for the best availability. 801-728-3317.

Until next time, America.

Rachelle’s Bridals and First View Portraits

I am so glad to have been the photographer for Rachelle’s wedding events. She is so beautiful and full of life that her images just glow. This is her bridal shoot which also included some portraits with her groom, and so we started off the shoot as a first view – where the groom sees her in her gown for the first time. His reaction is golden!

I took the entire shoot and created this slideshow for their wedding reception, and thought it’d be fun to share it on my blog too.

And here are some of the images from the shoot.

Cox_RSnow_B-798-2Cox_RSnow_B-543-2

Bridal portraits are taken before the wedding so that images can be created for display at the wedding reception, and to create the type of images that you normally don’t have time for on a wedding day. Cox_RSnow_B-813-bwI love the lines framing the bride and the lighting shaping her and drawing you into where she is standing.

Cox_RSnow_B-638-2

And here is one from outside, using the blue sky and shadows to frame and create interest around the couple.Cox_RSnow_B-755

Rachelle is a dancer, so you’ll notice the dancing images of her in the video above. The entire shoot was a blast despite the sweltering heat that day. But it made for some beautiful blue skies and directional lighting.

If you are a new bride, give me a call. I’d love to work with you and create some fantastic photographs for you. 801-728-3317

And until next time, America.

Doug & Anna’s Family Portraits

Years ago I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding for one of my good friends. Just recently I was able to photograph his family and see how much his cute kids had grown. We shot everything here at the studio, outdoor in the studio gardens.

Cox_DBassett-F-116---18x24

These little girls were so fun and adorable. We took some time during the session to create individual portraits of each girl and some groupings of them together as well. One of those groupings I used to created this painting.

Cox_DBassett-F-202-painting-700p

While the painting may portray more of a feeling of being young together, this next grouping shows all their smiling faces.

Cox_DBassett-F-128

I also really liked this trio of all three girls.

Cox_DBassett-F-8x20AnnaMarie_oooAnd here are of the favorites of each girl, printed as individual images so that they can be either hung together in a grouping, or later spread out around the house.

Cox_DBassett-F-185Cox_DBassett-F-174Cox_DBassett-F-153

It was so fun to see these guys again and to create these family heirlooms. I really love to photograph families and kids and would love to photograph YOUR family. Now is a great time to get in. Give me a call at 801-728-3317.

And until next time, America.