Janae’s Bountiful Temple Wedding Sneak Peek

I just photographed Janae’s wedding at the Bountiful Utah LDS temple. Being late spring/early summer, we had some awesome storm clouds. That meant that with the right lighting, I could create dramatic images with this awesome sky. It was an exciting day to be out photographing a wedding. And here are some early images for you all to see.

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Even if you don’t know this couple, you can tell that they are great together. They were happy to be with each other and were very photogenic. It made for some amazing images. As you can see from these early previews, the wedding was phenomenal. I can’t wait to finish this album design.Cox_JRichey-W-1191-edge

I love the romance and feeling in these images and can imagine any of these as beautiful wall prints.Cox_JRichey-W-1237-edge Cox_JRichey-W-1241-bw-edge

The actual wedding album design takes a while because of the level of quality that I produce. Nevertheless when it is done, I will post about it here too. But in the meantime, you can check out this couple’s bridals shoot that included the groom. Just a few days before the wedding, the bride flew into town and we squeezed in a quick shoot that I posted here on my blog.

So if you are getting married, you need to come in and see my work first hand. I have posts that talk about my wedding albums, but it still doesn’t do justice to seeing them first hand. Give me a call and let’s talk about your big day. 801-728-3317

And until next time, America.

Ben & Marisa’s Wedding at the Salt Lake Temple in Winter

One of my favorite things about photographing a wedding is delivering the final album to the couple. A wedding requires a lot of prep time, a jam-packed day and night of shooting the event artistically, and then quite a bit of time afterwards to design and produce one of my award-winning albums. During this entire process, I am thinking about how the end product will look, I’m designing it all, and when I finally see it finished, I can’t wait for the wedding couple to see it and enjoy it. Delivering it personally is part of my pay artistically. I love delivering albums!

Ben and Marisa’s album was gorgeous and looked extra beautiful with its custom metal cover. It’s hard to describe how pretty it is online, but here are some of their images. It was a cold day but the images look warm, romantic, and beautiful.

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And here some of my favorite pages from their book to share. Keep in mind that these are double page spreads, folded down the middle, with each half measuring about 10×13 inches. That makes for an impressive and large spread when laid open.

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This couple has been so great to work with and they are a great couple together. You can really see their love and excitement in these images, and it made photographing their wedding a joy.

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I’m one of the few Master/Craftsman photographers based in Utah, and do a lot of weddings of all faiths. However some years most of my weddings I photograph are Mormon weddings at the LDS temple in Salt Lake City, like this one. It’s a gorgeous place to shoot and I love it when there’s drama in the sky and bad weather. It makes for some memorable images. In fact the first wedding I photographed almost 20 years ago, I shot here at the Salt Lake temple on a very snowy day.

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If you follow my blog, you may remember this couple’s engagement and bridal portraits, which you can see here. They too are gorgeous and fun.

And if you haven’t seen my awesome wedding albums, then check them out in this short video…

Well if you’re getting married, give me a call. I can do your wedding, or just bridals or engagements or even everything together. No matter what you hire me to do, you’ll know you’ll get the best portraits possible. 801-728-3317.

Until next time, America.

Abby’s Studio Shoot

I recently photographed Abby in my studio for my recent lighting video tutorials for photographers. Abby is a talented architectural and interior designer, and was at my studio because I was working on some interior images for her and designing un updated website for her business. (I think it would be a good idea to post about her business on my blog actually. I will do that!)

So I needed a studio model for my tutorial and talked her into doing a quick shoot when we were done. The shoot went great and the images look beautiful.

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As you can see, Abby is a great model. She’s beautiful and fun to shoot, and did well and showed a lot of personality in front of the camera. All of the images looked great, and it was hard to pick any favorites. I especially liked this series of three images below.

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These video tutorials were created because as I’ve taught and spoke around the country, I’ve found that most photographers admit to having personal difficulties when they light either inside or outside. One or the other seems to be harder, so this video series is to help give photographers a specific system that works everywhere. It shows that lighting inside is no different than lighting outside. The system shows that in all instances, you should light people specifically and beautifully, and always control exposure, lighting, and color balance. When done right, images straight out of the camera do not need retouching or correction. So if you want to spend time on the computer, it can be creative work and not corrective work.

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Though I may speak and shoot images all over the US, I’m a Utah based photographer and my studio is about 30 minutes outside of Salt Lake, out in the quiet country. Here I have both indoor and outdoor options. I have a half acre of trees where I can shoot outside, but also a beautiful studio inside. This means I can photograph people in a variety of locations without travel fees.

However, sometimes when people don’t want studio images. This is based on the awful images created in grocery store or mall studios, or even the 1990’s type studio images. But a studio used in the right way means getting some very modern images with some very specific and controlled lighting. It’s not uncommon for clients to come to me for some outdoor portraits but then choose the indoor studio images are their top favorites.

So if you need some awesome images, give me a call. Maybe you need a portrait for your website or business, or you would like some fashion images or some portfolio work, or just some updated family portraits. If so, give me a call. It’s a great time to get in for either an outdoor or indoor session. 801-728-3317.

And until next time, America.

Kendra Lowe Featured on Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s Blog

My friend Kendra Lowe is featured today on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir blog. The opening photo is the image I created for her, to be used in exactly this way, for musical bios and write-ups.

It’s quite an honor for her to be featured by the choir, as it is world-famous. Founded in 1947, it is a 360-member, all-volunteer choir, part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Called “America’s Choir” by President Ronald Reagan, the choir is completely self-funded, recording albums for support.

Kendra has performed with the Choir before, and on June 24, 2014 Kendra will accompany David Archuleta for a worldwide live Facebook chat.

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Kendra is a good friend of mine and a great musician. She’s a full time composer, arranger, and performer, and she plays multiple instruments like the piano, banjo, and violin exceptionally well. She has perfect pitch, she performed with the Utah Symphony at age 6, was the Assistant Executive Director of Utah’s Stadium of Fire show, toured with David Archuleta (of American Idol fame), and is a constant studio musician.

We really had a great time during this photo shoot and the image above is one of my favorites from the shoot. In fact, I actually posted about this shoot on my blog at the time and you can see it here, but here are some of my other favorites.

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If you need something more than the normal photograph, and instead desire some iconic images that also tell a story of who you are, then give me a call. I’d love to create something wonderful for you. 801-728-3317.

And until next time, America.

 

 

 

Concert Photos of Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand, Sandy Amphitheater

This week I photographed Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand at their Utah summer concert at the Sandy Amphitheater. I’ve created images for them for years, and I always look forward to this show in particular. It’s outdoors with a mix of chair and lawn seating, and the feel of the place is great for the show Ryan and his band put on. There is always a lot of energy here at this show, and I work to capture that energy and emotion in the images.

As a musician myself, I’ve always loved concerts and I think that makes it especially fun to photograph them. I work hard to create images that do more than just capture the night for the band, the images should also make a viewer feel like they are there. That means images need to be timed to catch the right split-second motion, must show attitude, but must also be technically great with color, exposures (during rapidly changing lighting), and have a good, artistic composition –– and I have to do it all while being sneaky so that I’m not obtrusive to the audience’s experience. That’s always the challenge of photographing a concert, and I think these images do that. See what you think.

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Ryan is a songwriter, and all of his music is original. His shows have a bluegrass/rock flavor, with a set list of up tempo and loud songs mixed with more mellow ballads. If you’ve never been to one of his shows, you really should check them out.

And if you are a band and need great images on stage, in studio or even on location, and want images that look great no matter what, than give me a call at 801-728-3317. You can also check out my portfolio website at BryCox.com.

Until next time, America.

Janae’s Wedding is Today, See her Pre-Wedding Images

Today is Janae’s wedding here in Utah at the Bountiful LDS temple. She lives out of state and flew in just the other day. So when she arrived we quickly squeezed in a bridal and pre-wedding shoot with her groom, here at the studio. Here are some of the favorites from the shoot.

Cox_JRichey-B-637This image above is their larger image for the wedding display. There is a lot of personality in this portrait and I love the stance, the smile, and the lighting really makes her glow.

And this trio of the couple together is so exciting and romantic. The couple was so good together, that it makes me excited to photograph their wedding. Everything is printed, coated, and framed, and these will be ready for display at the wedding reception. I know the wedding will be beautiful and I’ll post some images from the wedding soon.

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If you are getting married, now is a great time to get in for a bridal shoot or pre-wedding couple portraits. The weather is great and not too hot yet, the studio gardens are in full bloom, and the there is a lot of variety that we can create inside in the studio as well — all in the same location without any travel fees. Call me at 801-728-3317.

And until next time, America.

Fun Spring Portraits of Heather on Location

Photographers love overcast days, because it means they can shoot “naturally,” not doing anything to add or control lighting or even thinking about it sadly. It’s a lazy way to work, and the results are flat and dull images that require layers of “filters” to give them any type of punch or contrast. So for my recent lighting video tutorials for photographers, I photographed Heather on location on an overcast day to share with photographers how to control lighting in any scenario, even on these days with natural dull, overcast light. I like images to pop, to have vibrant colors and have depth in the contrast, but it should be done in the camera and with lighting controlled on the scene.

Interestingly, we where shooting in an area of Salt Lake City that is popular with photographers, and the place was almost over-run with photo shoots everywhere. Photographers were waiting in line to shoot in the same spots, and nowhere did I see anyone controlling their lighting. Every photographer I watched was using the natural dull light of the day, or were using an on-camera flash incorrectly. So it seemed apropos to be doing the exact opposite as everyone else, as part of my master lighting tutorial series.

Heather was such a great model. She moved naturally and gracefully, and had a way of always giving a real expressions throughout the shoot. We had a lot of fun laughing throughout the shoot and it was a blast.

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I really like this dress of Heather’s too. The color popped against the low-key colors of the area, plus the retro look was a lot of fun, and she made it look great.

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I also really like that in the images, the place looks empty. We had to find the right angles as well as time images in such a way as to avoid getting people in the shots, because really there were people on all sides of us. However, you would never know it from the images. The place looks empty, and Heather’s looks and expressions were never distracted.© BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox

If you know a photographer, send them to my lighting tutorials. And if you’d like some new portraits, spring is ending and warm weather is here. The studio gardens here at my place are in full bloom and now is the best time to get in for some new portraits. Call me at 801-728-3317 and let’s block some time off to shoot you some great images.

And until next time, America.

Stephanie’s Studio Shoot

Photographers usually have difficulty in lighting either inside or outside. One tends to be easier and the other is harder. So for my recent lighting video tutorials for photographers, I photographed Stephanie here in the studio, showing that lighting inside is no different than lighting outside. In all instances, you should light people specifically and beautifully, and always control exposure, lighting, and color balance. When done right, images straight out of the camera do not need retouching or correction. So if you want to spend time on the computer, it can be creative work and not corrective work.

With that in mind, here are the images I created during Stephanie’s shoot. I really love this first one, the colors, the textures, the look and expression — everything draws you in. For the creative work, I turned it into one of my signature texture pieces. They are fun to create and no two are ever the same.

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Here is another one of my signature textured pieces, but this one is a different outfit and of her smiling. I think she really glows in this, and I really love the light on her hair, which has a soft flow to it.BCox_LightingDemo_02

And with a change of outfits, this trio below is awesome. I love the different moods and expressions, and the different ways of leaning really helps this entire piece balance well.

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Though I do work all over the US, I’m a Utah based photographer and my studio is about 30 minutes outside of Salt Lake, out in the quiet country. Here I have a half acre of trees where I can shoot outside, but also a beautiful studio inside so people can have options without travel fees.

Sometimes when people hear “studio,” they think of a boring 1990’s type image. But as you can see from these images, my studio portraits are far from boring.

So if you need some awesome images, give me a call. Maybe you need some fashion images or some portfolio work, or just some updated family portraits. Well warm weather is here and it’s a great time to get in and avoid the summer rush. 801-728-3317.

And until next time, America.

McKenzie Fashion Shoot On Location

McKenzie is a joy to photograph, so for my recent lighting video tutorials for photographers, we went out and did a shoot in the hardest of situations — on location, no shade, broad daylight, multiple flashes, and all settings on manual for camera and flashes. The goal was to show photographers how to create amazing images under any circumstances without excuse, and with perfect lighting using any type of gear. The exposure, lighting, and color balance should all be done deliberately and should not have to be adjusted afterwards with software and people’s eyes should pop without any retouching.

We did the shoot cold too, not scouting the locations or picking the angles prior to the shoot. Everything we shot was organic and real, and you see how I do everything. We found the spots by simply driving out to an area with no possibility of shade, then we pulled over and began to shoot. Here are some of my favorite images of beautiful McKenzie.

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Being a Utah based photographer near Salt Lake City, there is a plethora of cool locations to shoot if you know how to use them and make them work dramatically in the image. They don’t have to be the same spots that everyone else uses.

I should mention too that these have almost no retouching or enhancements. In the tutorials I show the before and after of each image. The deep blue sky, the great skin tones, the sculpting shadows — everything is real and done in-camera. McKenzie moves really well too. She’s great and posing naturally and at giving real expressions. Together we make a great team!

If you need some awesome images for any reason, give me a call. Maybe you need some fashion images or some portfolio work, or just some updated images of your children. Warm weather is here and it’s a great time to get in and avoid the summer rush. 801-728-3317.

And until next time, America.

Taylor’s Senior Portraits

I loved photographing Taylor for her senior portraits. She is gorgeous, and fun, and a joy to be around. She is also one of the state’s top runners and is an accomplished singer/song-writer too. All of this made for a great shoot full of awesome images.

In wanting to show off her portraits, I thought it’d be fun to share with you some of the double-page spreads from her custom 10×10 album that I’m finishing up for her.

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It starts off with a set of my signature textured pieces (above), then later in the album we have this gorgeous collage (below). All of these were created here in the studio, and for the collage below I wanted it to have the look of a magazine ad for Nike. BryCox_Taylor-sr_04 BryCox_Taylor-sr_05

We mixed in some gorgeous head shots lit with a fashion flare (above) with some album-cover style images (below) with her and her guitar.BryCox_Taylor-sr_06She has won so many medals that I really wanted to show them off. That was the inspiration for the set of images below, where I loaded her arms up with them as well as hung them and laid them in behind her. I love how these turned out.

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I made this double-page spread a trio because I loved how all three of these images worked together.BryCox_Taylor-sr_09Well there is a sampling of her shoot and album. Of course there are even more great images that would take too much time to share here.

Thank you Taylor for the awesome shoot and for coming in, and congrats on your running accomplishments and new college. I hope you win a lot of awards with them too and continue writing songs and playing guitar.

And if you’re a high school senior and you’re graduating soon, it’s not too late to get in and get some amazing photos. I am a Utah based photographer that photographs clients all along the Wasatch front including Provo, Salt Lake City, Bountiful, Kaysville, Layton, and Ogden areas. But I also do a fair amount of work out-of-state too. I have a beautiful studio in Davis County with the ability to shoot inside and outside, but can also travel to exotic locations. I would love to create some images that capture who you are and say something about your personality. Give me a call at 801-728-3317.

And until next time, America.

 

Rachel’s Bride & Groom Portraits at Utah’s Grand America

This weekend I photographed Rachel’s wedding, but on a different day before her wedding we went to the Grand America (because her wedding dinner would be there) and created some incredible bridal portraits – some with the groom. The idea was to have these on display at her dinner, and then in her home after the wedding. Here are some of my favorites from the shoot.

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The Grand America is a AAA Five Diamond hotel, and every detail is regal. I have always loved creating images there. The setting is perfect for those romantic and beautifully classic portraits for your wall. When I mix this beautiful location with my exquisite lighting style and attention to detail, the results are breath-taking images that will stand the test of time and will continue to evoke emotion when viewing in years to come.

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I am so happy that this couple found each other and were married this weekend. Once their wedding album is designed, I’ll post it as well.

If you are an upcoming bride and love great portraits, knowing that photographic art is the only thing you keep from your wedding, then give me a call. I know how to make you look amazing in any location. I would love to meet with you and talk about why the images I create for you will be emotional, unique and different. 801-728-3317.

And until next time, America.

Preview of Images Created While Teaching Fashion Lighting/Posing in Texas

I’m in Texas right now, finishing up my big weeklong-workshop of the year. This event is always amazing and inspirational, and in many ways it reminds me of how much I love being a photographer who captures moments in people’s lives as well as a mentor to other photographers to help them learn and do better. I love seeing photographers in my workshop brighten up as new principles and concepts inspire them, and help them to try new things.

As we go through many parts of creating a portrait, from exquisite lighting, capturing true personality, to premiere product finishing, we go through all of these steps by creating actual images through real photo shoots. Here are some of the images I created during this week.© BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry CoxCox_Texas2014_003 © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox

And last night to close the event, we had a big shoot. I did some quick demos on lighting for the crowd, and created these images. These are un-retouched, have no color or exposure work. They are straight images, which is exciting.

© BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox

I’ll post more about this soon but for now, until next time, America.