Baby Gavin

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Children, Babies, MaternityPosted on No Comments

Here are the photographs I did of little baby Gavin, during his first week.  We started out the session with him crying and hollering.  I loved the tense look in the eyes and toes.

But we helped him settle down and got these great images of him.

Some perspective images showing how little his hand is.

A few close-ups of him sleeping.

And then I ended the session with a group portrait of baby Gavin with his older brother and sister.

What a fun shoot.  And I really  love photographing kids.  They are so cute and genuine.  And I know that when they are older, they will love looking back on their childhood with the help of these great portraits.

Keri’s New Portraits

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Commercial & Headshots, WomenPosted on No Comments

Keri needed a business portrait so we did a fun shoot.  I started off with the business portrait that she could use for her website, business cards, etc.

And then we did some fun fashion portraits while she was here.  I thought it’d be fun to use some very specular light and over-expose the image for a very hip and fresh look.

I absolutely love all of these images!  Keri was so fun to work with and we had a great time creating these photographs.  At the end, we messed her hair up and did these images as a closing thought — which were some of my favorite images.

I loved how these images look!  Keri was a stunning model and was a joy to light and photograph.  We really had a great time during this shoot and I loved her eyes and expressions too.  I hope to do more photographs of her soon.

If you need some new business portraits or would like some fashion portraits for fun, give me a call.  In the meantime, check out more of my work on my website at BryCox.com.

Laura, Flavia, AltaMODA, and Fashion Bridals!

by BryCox (Admin)Bridal Portraits, Bry Cox Photography Blog, Wedding Day, Albums, WomenPosted on One Comment

I created some amazing photographs of a good friend of mine, Laura, as she modeled some gorgeous gowns from AltaMODA, my favorite and only couture bridal shop in Salt Lake.

Laura’s hair and make-up was expertly done by Flavia of VersaArtistry.com.  All of these images were created right here at my indoor studio, using some of my new sets that I’ve been building.

I’m finding that there is a huge and growing trend for indoor studio portraits lately, and I think that it has to do with the fact that there are so many new and well-meaning photographers (without studios, credentials, or business licenses) all doing exactly the same thing in exactly the same locations — and throwing the same kitschy computer effects on all of their images.

This phenomenon is causing clients to ask me for images that don’t look like they were created by just anyone with a camera and computer, but rather they are looking for images that are both funky and classy at the same time — images that are both stylized and flattering at the same time, without excuses.  People are asking not only for artistic, creative, and unique photographs, but they want to look great in every single image — that they always look amazing!

I’m finding a growing response to photographic credentials, as well as more requests for indoor studio work.  These new requests have led me to redo my indoor camera area with more options and to create some fantastic new sets which I’m very excited about.

So though people are still asking for appointments in my outdoor garden, they are also asking for indoor studio portraits.  Many are wanting a mix of both indoor and outdoor, especially during these past few weeks of uncertain Utah spring weather.  With all of the time and money to get their hair and makeup done and to get a fantastic dress, they want to know that an appointment will not be moved due to rain, wind, or anything else.  The indoor camera sets are solving that.

So as you look at these images, note the gorgeous dresses, the fantastic hair and makeup, the great model, and also the fact that these images are not retouched and have no computer effects applied.

These images are straight photography!  The fun colors, dramatic lighting, flattering and interesting poses — all in-camera!  When you have a great photograph, there isn’t the need to kitsch it up with computer effects.

So if you are getting married and would love fun, fashionable images where you look amazing in every image, then give me a call at 801-728-3317.  I’m happy to photograph your entire wedding or just some bridals, depending on your budget.

And to see more of my heirloom line of portraits, visit my website at BryCox.com.

“Impressions of China” Art Book in Final Proofing Stage

by BryCox (Admin)Art Images, Bry Cox Photography BlogPosted on One Comment

My book, “Impressions of China,” is in its final proofing stage! I have received the artist proof from the printer and have been checking every detail before the final copies are printed and bound.

I am very excited by the look and quality of the images in this proof edition, love the presentation of one image per page. The entire book is 185 pages, and cost me a bit more to produce because it is printed in full color — all 185 pages! It contains images and street portraits that I created while traveling throughout China on two different speaking engagements last summer.

The book has been designed to match the look and layout of my earlier book, “Impressions of Italia” so that the two books can be a set, whether displayed on a coffee table or bookshelf.

If you’ve been following my blog, then you’ve seen some of the images that will be in the book already, like the two photographs below that I recently won some awards with, including Master Photographer of the Year!

I would love all of you to have an early copy of this book, and have decided to sell the first set of these for my material costs only, $75!

I will also include a gift certificate for the same amount that you can use on your next portrait session or order, so it’s like getting one or the other for free! If you’d like to be on the list and get one of the early copies for only my material printing costs, plus a gift certificate for $75, then let me know by sending me an email at web@brycox.com, or visit my website at www.brycox.com and click on CONTACT to get ahold of me. Make sure to put in your name and contact info in the email so that I can get a hold of you.

Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand, Live at Sandy Amphitheater (June 4, 2010)

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Commercial & HeadshotsPosted on No Comments

Last night was the Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand show at the Sandy Amphitheater.  Here are some of the images I did that night.  I decided to try a completely different camera than I’d normally use at a concert, and had a great time creatively!  I always love to photograph concerts because of the motion, the energy, and the merging of artistic forms.

The image has to be caught right when it happens, because there’s no going back or setting up the shot.  Things need to be properly framed, composed, and exposed correctly — and quickly without mistake.  It’s always a fun challenge that makes me just excited thinking about it.

I’m proud to say that all of these images are straight out photographs — no cropping or retouching!  Check them out and let me know what you think.

These shows are always so full of energy!  The band members are all impeccable musicians and so fun to watch as they move on the stage.
I especially like these next few in motion, with all the colors of the stage lights.

What a great show!  It is always fun to see these guys live and I encourage everyone to catch them when they hit a town near you.

To see more of my images, or to contact me about photographing your event, visit my website at BryCox.com.

Magazine Articles

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Photography Workshops, Published, WomenPosted on No Comments

I just finished writing a magazine article for the US magazine, Professional Photographer on fashion posing, and am also writing an article for a Chinese magazine on weddings!

For the US article, they asked me to talk about breaking the rules of posing, and creating images where people don’t look stiff.    That article and magazine will be coming out in a couple months, and gets mailed to all professional photographers automatically.  It will also be on newsstands and I’ll let you all know when my issue is out for anyone else who wants to pick it up.
The biggest thing about a fun style of posing is making people look great, while at the same time making people look comfortable, natural, and real.  Care has to be taken on every detail, but the look is that things happened naturally.

The reason this is a hot topic, is because most photographers don’t understand posing, but want to create fun images.  However, just breaking the rules for the sake of breaking them (while not understanding them) really means awkward images where people don’t look their best, and many times even look heavy.  These photographers then cover the image over with computer effects so that the image looks fun or funky, but yet the person still looks awkward.

Creating sub-par images and masking them with computer effects should never be the result of a professional photographer.  Every portrait session should be about making people look amazing, no excuses!  And it should be done in the camera and not the computer.

This means then, understanding classic posing very well, and being aware of every detail in an image, but also being able to back off and let someone’s personality come into the pose for a spectacular, unique, and creative look.

For this article, I wanted some amazing images to go along with it, and chose some of these fashion images of Liz, because each of the poses from her photo shoot were spectacular, different, sexy, and showed her personality.

I turned in some other images as well, and we’ll all just have to wait and see how the article gets laid out in its final form.

The Chinese magazine asked me to talk about how weddings are photographed here in America.  Weddings are not only different in our two countries, but they are photographed completely differently.  My article for them, will hopefully give insight and ideas to Chinese photographers as well as satisfy curiosity.  I talk about equipment, approach, and reasons things are done as they are here, compared to how they are done there.

This article will be published in the same month as the US article, but will only be available in China.  The entire article will be translated and written in Chinese too, so I won’t even be able to read the copy they send me.  I just hope the concepts translate as I hope.

To see more of my images, browse my website at BryCox.com.

Cape Cod & the Lighthouse

by BryCox (Admin)Art Images, Bry Cox Photography Blog, Photography Workshops, ThoughtsPosted on 2 Comments

I just finished a job in Hyannis, MA on Cape Cod, and afterward decided to take a bit of time to myself to photograph a nearby lighthouse.  I don’t know what it is exactly that is so attractive about lighthouses, but I love to photograph them.  It is always so serene to be in these places.

I drove to the top of the Cape to a small town called Provincetown.  On the edge of town there’s a jetty.  I hiked across the jetty to photograph this lighthouse that was way out on a little piece of land.

Once on the other side, I hiked around in the brush to get just the right spot, where the sun would only be lighting the side of the lighthouse — creating some depth.  This was one of my favorites.

Then I decided to create some self-portraits because I have realized that when I go to fun and beautiful places that I only get great photographs of my surroundings, but never of me.  At some point in life I’m sure I will want to look back and see photographs of me on one of my adventures.

So I set up my tripod with a radio shutter release and went to get in the photo when I could hear the camera snapping photographs randomly and without my control.  I ran to the camera to stop it and as a result of my camera’s mishap, I got these two images which I really like.

The movement gives them a certain interest and life, which makes them more interesting than me just standing there next to the lighthouse.

After I got the release working I took some more on purpose, but kept the idea of movement in the images.  The running images made me think of Richard Avedon’s self-portraits that he did while in 1950’s Paris with the Eiffel Tower.  I used that inspiration and created this set of images.

It was so quiet and serene out on that little piece of land.  I tend to be more introspective when I’m out of town, and especially when I’m in a beautiful place creating a photograph just for me.

There’s something about just relaxing and getting away from the distractions of life, and just looking at light, and being creative … and just thinking.  It took me about four hours total to cross the jetty, take some photographs, and hike back to land.  A very fulfilling night!

On the walk back, I took this image, looking back towards the lighthouse.

And here is the jetty looking back towards Provincetown.  I wanted to get across before sundown while there was still light to see, and I just made it.

When I got back, I saw a quaint hotel right on the beach and I booked a room.  It didn’t have a restaurant, so I headed into town for dinner, but missed everything.  All the restaurants were closed.  I went to bed on a few candy bars, but felt very fulfilled!

My Sister’s Wedding at the Salt Lake Temple & JSMB

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Wedding Day, AlbumsPosted on No Comments

My sister’s wedding album is all designed and is now off being bound right now.  I should get it back to present to her very soon, but in the meantime, here’s some previews.

This is one of the two-page spreads from the album.  I design so that the images go across the middle of the page, which gives me some fantastic use of space.

I love the mood in these images.  Having the temple in the background and the couple silhouetted in the window is just so beautiful!

And this two-page spread is serene and romantic.  Images of each of them alone, lit by the setting sun, then a couple portrait of the two of them in the same place, leaning up against the Salt Lake Temple, and then on the opposite page a distant image of them farther away from the temple as juxtaposition.

I like circles, especially when it has to to with temple weddings, because in ancient Hebrew, the circle is a symbol for light and eternity — which is true in our modern culture as well.  Framing these two on the left page with circles is a fun way to tie in some powerful symbolism into their heirloom album in a really artistic way.

If you’d to preview the entire wedding and design, check out this slideshow! (click here).  It will open in a new window and will begin playing as soon as it loads, which may take a moment depending on your internet connection.

I’m so excited for my sister to get her finished book.  It was a spectacular and emotional wedding, not to mention that its a real honor to be able to photograph someone in my family and to be apart of the wedding in such a unique way — a way that provides them with a beautiful and artistic heirloom for the rest of their lives.

Happy Mother’s Day

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Family, ThoughtsPosted on No Comments

Today is Mother’s Day!  I just got back from speaking in Texas, and have a lot of wonderful photo shoots to post and talk about — some fantastic and glamourous images I created here at my studio before I left, as well as work I did in Texas.

However, in looking them over and trying to decide what to post about today, I decided that I’d rather post a family portrait in honor of Mother’s Day.

This is the latest photograph of my family, and I created it at my sister’s wedding.  I set it all up, stepped in, and fired it with a remote that’s in my other hand.  It shows my folks, my sister, her new husband, and my grandma — it’s a portrait of the three women in my family.

I love that we as a nation, have a special day set apart just to honor the women and mothers in our families.  It’s a great day to show the love and respect that we all have for them.

There are many great lessons that I’ve learned from my mom, more than I could possibly list here.  Because this is a public blog, I don’t want to get too personal, but I’ll just list a few things that have to do with my business.

It’s because of her that I have a love of beauty and of working in my garden and yard (which is on my to-do list tomorrow).  She’s been my champion and my photographic critic, and is one of the reasons I’m an artist today.

Throughout the years, my mom has always encouraged me to do better, she’s helped me raise my level of quality, and has always helped me troubleshoot problems in my business so that I could go further.  She’s helped edit my books and magazine articles and has helped me become better at words and writing.

And it’s because of her and my upbringing that I have a love and respect for women.  Many people have noted over the years that I photograph women in a respectful and attractive way, without objectifying.  I owe this to my mom.  It has always been my goal for complete strangers to be able to look at one of my portraits and feel like they know who the person is inside in some way.  That I think, is a different and higher level of attractiveness.

My folks have taught me integrity, honesty, and a love for others, and I know that it’s because of them that I am who I am today.

So even though I’ve wished my Mom this many times today, I just wanted to say publicly, Happy Mother’s Day!

Master Photographer of the Year Award

by BryCox (Admin)Art Images, Awards, Bry Cox Photography BlogPosted on One Comment

This week I won EIGHT AWARDS, including ‘Master Photographer of the Year!‘  I also won TWO Kodak Gallery Awards, a Judges Choice Award, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place, and the Court of Honor!

Each year photographers are allowed to enter four images, and here were my four entries:

It was an exciting night, but I was actually out of town during the entire awards ceremony, speaking in Georgia at their annual professional photographers convention.  However, I was keeping tabs on the Utah convention by phone, trying to see how I did.  When the news came in, it was even better than I had expected.  I not only won the big award of the night (Master Photographer of the Year), but a number of other great awards as well!

The level of competition is very difficult in the Masters, as I compete against the absolute best of the best.  I am always trying to raise the level of quality that I offer my clients each year, and to do a better and better job in every way possible.  As expectations and competition in the industry continues to rise, I hope that clients see these awards as a sign that my quality and commitment to great portraiture also rises each year.

Now these images will go on to regionals and then nationals.  I’ll keep you all posted on how they do.

Adding a Lost Son

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Children, Babies, Maternity, FamilyPosted on One Comment

I just finished a project for a family who lost their young boy.  Sadly, he passed away, and the family wanted me to create a new family portrait, and digitally add in their boy.  They brought me this photograph that was taken by a team photographer.  They got written permission from that photographer for me to use it, and I matched the lighting angle, style, and color balance, in creating a new portrait of the family.

I then carefully cut the young boy out of this photo and added him into the family’s new portrait.

Though it’s hard to see on the web, I painted in a lot of detail work like shadowing and other small details that only the mind sees on a subconscious level — these little details make it look as though the boy was photographed with the rest of the group.

Because the last portrait of their son was in a team jersey, the entire family bought matching jerseys.  It was the perfect touch for both an emotional connection as well as making the image work aesthetically.

I then converted this to a custom black and white image, and finished it as a stretched canvas gallery wrap.

I also photographed the extended family and added him to this as well, matching the lighting on this group just as before.

And this last image was one of my favorites, a family line of the entire extended family as a long portrait, with each individual family grouped together.  This was finished this as a long 40 inch b&w portrait for the grandma’s home.

It was a real joy to deliver these images and not only see how great they looked on the wall, but to see how much the family loved them.  All of the extra time that I spent in the small details really paid off.  The work was impeccable and I know that these images will be cherished for generations.

I talk a lot about portraits being heirlooms, but this job really brought that home again to me.  It’s amazing how much a portrait is worth to us all, especially when someone passes away.  It was a real honor for me to do this artistic work for this family.  It makes me feel blessed to have the talents and business that I have so that I can do this for people and do it in a fantastic way too.

If you’d like to see more family groups, feel free to check out my website at BryCox.com.

Fashion Work in Miami

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Photography Workshops, Senior/Grads, WomenPosted on One Comment

I just got back from speaking and teaching at a photographic conference in Miami, Florida, where I was teaching the art of Fashion Portraiture.  My approach was to show photographers how to make women look amazing using custom lighting and posing that is specific to each woman’s face shape and body.  I also showed how to do this under varying lighting conditions: in the studio, out of the studio, with a windows, with reflectors, with portable lighting equipment, and even in direct sunlight on the beach.

The trick is to always create a spectacular portrait with complete control of light, and to do it under any lighting condition, and still have it custom for that person’s face shape and body.  Meaning great images anywhere…no excuses!

Here are some of the fashion portraits I created in Miami.

These first few images were created around the hotel using ‘other’ lighting techniques.  These ‘other’ techniques that I was showing was due to the fact that the original lighting equipment that was provided to me, DID NOT WORK!  But rather than waste time trying to dink around with the equipment, I went right into showing problem solving techniques, and how to still create stunning and correct lighting for the model in other ways.

These next two images are shown just as they were shot, with no effects!  I was showing a very high-key style of lighting using some special equipment, and exposing for the final image.

Here are just some black and whites done in a very sassy and fun way.

These two studio images I was showing the use of shadow, color tone, and angles to highlight the eyes.

A very pretty and young high-school senior.  A fashion approach works great with high school senior photography.

This is a model from the country of Malta.  She has very exotic looking eyes and lips, so all of my images of her seemed to be closer to really show those features.  I have a great one of her below of her on the beach.

If you notice in my photographic work, I ALWAYS light people so that their eyes pop, no matter the situation.  Eyes are key to a great and emotional image.


Some images of a different model in direct sunlight, using docks and boats as a background.  Busy backgrounds and sunlight are both very difficult.  Both together are even harder.  These images show that both of these can work really well if done right.

And then back in the studio…

And this next image shows just how fun it is to work with me.  🙂

And the Maltese Princess again, but out on the beach.  Later that day I showed photographers this image directly in the processing software, so they could see that this was shot straight…no adjustments at all!  This was shot in direct sunlight on the beach with external lighting, and everything was set up manually — no auto flash, no auto exposure, no auto anything!

It shows photographers that we all need to be a technician and be more exact in or work, and that pays off in extremely difficult lighting situations like this — Perfect, right out of the camera!  Being a technician means having the ability to forget the equipment and work better with the model for a more stunning and captivation expression.

And this was just a fun art image I created on the beach and then painted in front of everyone later that day using some specific tools that I sell to photographers.

Well there are way more images, but this blog entry is already long enough.  This event in Miami was called AfterDark.  It is an event that travels the country and I’ll be doing more for them in the future.  If you are interested in attending this or any other of my photographic workshops, please visit my workshop site, BryCoxWorkshops.com to see my upcoming schedule.