Here’s the order I’ve been working on today. It’s for Dan, a missionary who’s getting ready to head out to Colombia, South America for two years. Below is the composite I created for him. I love how it shows different personalities and feelings, and will be a great piece for his family to enjoy at while he’s gone.
Composite
And here is a treo I created for him too. Three images of Dan in his suit and his scriptures.
Treo
A couple years ago I photographed Dan’s brother for his missionary portraits, and now Dan is going out for his mission. It is a great thing that he’s doing and I wish him much success.
I recently photographed Keith Stubbs, a great local stand-up comedian and radio DJ for 101.5 The Eagle. He wanted images that are hip and different that he can use for press releases, gig posters, and his new website. He came to me because of my credentials and the fact that I have the fashion and magazine style he was looking for.
We had a great session, and it was a lot of fun. Here are some of my favorite images.
BryCox – Keith Stubbs (trio 1)
This trio is incredibly interesting to me and really shows his personality.
BryCox – Keith Stubbs (trio 2)
This trio is just cool. I love the feel, the colors, and personality in each image and how the images all work together.
BryCox – Keith Stubbs (trio 3)
Here’s a trio showing Keith laughing with a mic in his hand. This to me, represents him on stage performing and have a good time doing it.
I wish Keith luck with these new images. I love them and know that he is very excited about them too. If any of you reading this, need some new photographs for press or just for fun, let me know. I’d love to create something like this for you.
I just flew back from Phoenix and am glad to be home. I love flying and traveling because I tend to be more introspective than usual, being away from my daily routine. But now I’m home, and glad to be able to work again and get stuff done.
My trip started out a few days early by seeing my friend Collin and doing some work for him. He is an amazing cosmetic dentist and I do a lot of the ‘after’ portraits for him after he fixes someone’s teeth. I started off by photographing his staff, his office and then doing some fashion images for his upcoming brochure.
The next day I photographed his family and his little kids at their Ahwatukee home. He has such a beautiful family and has adorable and cute little kids. It had been two years since I’d last photographed them, so the kids had forgotten me. It was fun to win them over, all over again.
I haven’t made my studio picks yet, but here’s a sample of images from the family session.
BryCox – Collins Family
Here’s their family above,…
BryCox – Little Leyton
…their little boy, Leyton, who is amazingly smart,…
BryCox – Little Emi
…and their little girl who has the cutest laugh.
PPA
After seeing Collin for a few days, I headed off to the national photography convention for the next few days, called the PPA convention.
9000 photographers from all over the country as well as many other countries were in attendance. This is where photographers go to see the newest and greatest changes in the industry. Last year I spoke at PPA, and this year I received a free pass because of an award that I’d won. I also received a second award that I’m very proud of: a ‘Loan’ for my image of Joe McQueen. The Loan Print is the highest award a photographer can win, and the image will now go in the PPA Loan Book art book.
Last PPA I released my second book for photographers and this year I received a great compliment from a great photographer, Clay Blackmore, an industry legend.
While passing in a hall, he said, “Bry, your book is the best book on photography I’ve ever read.” I asked if he wouldn’t mind writing me a testimonial and he said, “That’s your testimonial. Write that down…the best book on photography I’ve ever read!” That really made my day to say the least.
I also love seeing all my photographer friends from all over the country. I should have taken more photos with everyone, but here are a few from the last couple days. A quick note: photographers where their credentials around their neck at events like this. It’s a way to quickly tell what rank everyone is.
PPA 2009 – Lori Nordstrom
My good friend Lori Nordstrom just came out with a new line of fashion camera neck straps that are very cool. I got one of course.
PPA 2009 – Jackie Palmer
Jackie Palmer assisted me at one of my workshops a few years ago and is now a good friend of mine.
PPA 2009 – Awards Ceremony
And here is a group of photographers in my MasterWorks group just after the awards ceremony where Karen received some new credentials.
If any photographers see this, I want you to know that it was great seeing you all. Seeing my friends at these events is what really makes these gigs fun for me. Take care and I’ll see you all at the next event.
It’s the time of year when we all look back on the past year as well as looking forward to the coming year to make plans and also wonder what’s to come.
In that line of thought, I own a lot of poetry books and love to read them, mostly because of the influence of my mom who was a renown author back in the day. My favorite poetry books I bought used after a lot of searching through an enormous used book store in Salt Lake called Sam Weller’s.
The artist in me gets inspiration and clarity from these books and I’ve been reading them even more intently over the last few days.
Here’s one poem in particular, called Survival by Margaret Moore Meuttman asking what will be remembered in 1000 years. Here’s just a piece — the last stanza:
Perhaps a prayer, perhaps a song,
Fashioned of love and tears,
But only beauty,…only truth
Will last a thousand years.
I love that last line, “only beauty, only truth will last a thousand years.” It’s hard to describe how much work goes into creating just one image, even though I work hard to make it look easy. Nevertheless, an enormous amount of time, talent, and love goes into every project so that you can enjoy your custom portraits now, for years to come, and also by future generations.
Over the holidays, many clients called me later to thank me again for their orders. That really meant a lot to me. I also want to thank you all again for hiring me as your personal family artist in 2008. I love what I do and appreciate that fact that you all love what I create.
I am so proud of the work I was able to do this year. I feel it was my best work ever, and I know I will create even more spectacular images for you all in 2009.
See you all soon!
Bry Cox - Mountain Tops
Because of the introspective nature of this blog entry, I thought it appropriate to post this image I created of the Salt Lake Temple, titled, “Mountain Tops.” The title is a reference to the Old Testament use of mountains as a symbol of the temple — thus the phrase, “Mountains of the Lord.”
Well that’s it for now. Until next time, America!
— Bry
Christmas is approaching! In my own shopping looking for presents this year, I’ve had a hard time finding anything of quality that I want to spend money on. Knowing that many people probably feel the same way, I’ve decided that since my portrait order queue is full and it’s too late to order anything in the way of portraits (unless it’s a smaller order from a past photo session and for a frame size that I already have in stock), I thought I’d add some value to some of my art pieces that are already my best sellers.
So through the holidays (up through December 31st), the following images will be on sale at BryCoxArt.com. No promo code is needed, just go to the site, browse around, and see what you like.
These images can also be finished in a custom size for you, sometimes in a less expensive version that isn’t on canvas. For those options, you need to call me. But the most common options are in the online store.
My best selling image, “Snowfall, Salt Lake City,” is an open edition print making it an incredible value and priced much lower than the custom prints. Normally it’s only $49, but right now it’s $29!
Custom canvases of “The Widow’s Window” and “Direction” are $539 right now.
I have also introduced a new size to the image, “Balance,” making it very affordable at $98 which includes framing.
Finally, my art book, “Impressions of Italia” has been marked down from $130 to $89!
Bry Cox - Mountains
Bry Cox - Snowfall
Bry Cox - Balance
Bry Cox - Direction
Bry Cox - Impressions of Italia
Bry Cox - Widows Window
Orders made in the next few days will be available for Christmas! Browse around and see what you like and take advantage of the discounts going through December 31st at BryCoxArt.com. Again, let me know quickly, and I can get it to you for Christmas!
Merry Christmas everyone! Until next time, America!
— Bry
I have been finishing some fantastic family portrait paintings for Christmas. This is one below that I’m working on right now. It is of my friend, Ryan Shupe’s family. I start by creating a photograph that is lively and has the emotion that I want. I then use that scene as a reference to paint from so that the perspectives are correct and realistic.
Ry
However, as you can see, I like these paintings to be abstract and surreal. I want them to feel dream-like and portray even more emotion, so that the image connects with the family. These are real works of art and look amazing when they are finished and hanging in your home as stretched canvases.
Another family portrait painting that I just finished is this one below.
Jason
While Ry’s family was created in the outdoor garden of my studio, this family family portrait was created in their own backyard. You may recognize this cute little girl in red from the portraits in this earlier blog entry. Both sets of images, the family portraits and the child portraits were created on the same night here in their backyard.
The net just doesn’t do these justice. You really have to see these large and up close to appreciate the magnitude and impact of the images, as well as to see and appreciate the detail work. So in order to show at least the detail work, I created this close-up view of the tops of the first set of trees on the left so that you can see the brush strokes and treatments at least somewhat.
Close-up
There are many stages in creating pieces like this, and they take quite a bit of time, obviously. But of all the products and pieces I offer, I LOVE seeing these paintings when they are finished and hanging in someone’s home. They look absolutely stunning!
If you’d like something like this of your own family, please let me know quickly as Christmas is approaching fast! 🙂
Here’s one of the Christmas orders I’m working on today. It’s of these two beautiful little sisters, Eva & Saddie. I first designed up this treo below using the colors from the background and dresses. It’s a cute series showing each girl individually and then together.
Eva & Saddie
The design of that treo went quickly, and I had time to finish this composite too. Looking at them now, I love both designs. This composite really showcases these kids and shows off their happy personalities and inner sparkle. I really like the flow of the design as well.
Eva & Saddie
I have a lot of really cool orders I’m working on, and may put a few more up later tonight or maybe even tomorrow so that you all can see them.
I finished Trish’s wedding album the other night, and am really excited for her to come see the design work. The wedding was held in the White Chapel, across the street from the State Capitol building in Salt Lake City. All week leading up to the wedding, the weather was crazy and it looked like it was going to rain on the wedding day too. And there was a little rain in the morning, but the weather couldn’t have turned out better! I love using weather to create mood in an image and this was a great day for that!
Trish
The reception was then held just down the street at the historic McCune Mansion. That is such a great location and made for great architecture inside and out to accent the photographs as well as the events of the day.
Below is an album page layout showing two pages up (as if the book was opened to this spread). This segment shows us out in front of the chapel and then segues to the McCune Mansion with the couple walking down the street. I have the entire album uploaded as a slideshow for you to see here.
Trish
This next design spread shows the reception near the end, cutting the cake and dancing. I loved the color and design of the cake and used it as a background behind the other photographs. It gave this spread just the right accent.
I don’t photograph kids with cheesy props, but rather focus on their personality, letting them tell me who they are and what expressions they want to give me.
I love being able see kids grow and change over the years. The order I’m working on right now is of little Addison. I first photographed her when she was first born. Here she is one week old (on the left) and then later at six months old (on the right). I have a continuous album just for these types of sessions that show your baby growing up over time.
Addison 1
So now for Christmas I created some more images of her at her home. This one is of her in her backyard. I love the expression on her face, not to mention the cute little red coat, hat and purse. Hopefully you notice how well the images are lit and composed, which is not only difficult for adults, but especially for children who are constantly on the move!
Addison 2
Later, she changed outfits and I created the next two images of her in her bedroom.
Addison 3
She is such a cute and beautiful little girl, and so expressive! I love this one below too, with her hiding behind her crib. This image is also toned with a little selective color.
Addison 4
Well, that is it for now. I need to get back to more Christmas orders. If you need anything for Christmas, now is the time to call!
I have another wedding album up online, and it is magical! Courtney came in today to see her final wedding album design. I love absolutely this! The wedding was held at the Salt Lake Temple in Utah with the reception at the Bungalow in American Fork.
By the way, the slideshow shows the album as an open book, with two pages showing at a time, like the image above which came from her design.
I absolutely love this album. The couple is so happy and their love really shows. I’m very proud of my work here; the images are fantastic. I love the colors, the soft lighting, the ambiance, and the entire feeling of the day and album….not to mention that Courtney looks fantastic. To see some of her bridals, refer back to this blog entry.
Come in to the studio to see this design close-up, or if you’d like me to do a wedding for you, or even just some bridal portraits, then give me a call.
Today Erica came in to preview her Engagement portraits. We did the photo session last week during the big rain storm. Though I had to reschedule some family portraits because of the rain, I LOVE using the rain and weather to add mood to engagement portraits.
We got soaked, but the images look great. You can see the rain falling in the air in some of them, and I love the look and feel of the air, sky, and the wet ground too. Here’s a square wall composite from the session — such a beautiful grouping!
Erica Composite Design
I also created a painted canvas portrait for the client using one of the photographs as a reference. I chose this particular image for this because I love the story-telling in just their legs. Here is a preview of how it will look when it is finished.
Erica
Her bridals are coming up soon, and I am very excited now for that session. She is very photogenic and we will create some amazing images, I know.
I just finished and a new wedding album design for Ashley & Brett. Here are some of the images from the album.
It was an incredible wedding and I really love the album design. The bride came in today to see the finished design with her family, and absolutely loved it!
The wedding was held at the Logan, Utah temple and the reception was in the bride’s yard.
BryCox – Ashley & Brett
I love this image below. I used one of my special techniques to create this black & white which is toned warm and cool — warm in the highlights and cool in the shadows.
BryCox – Ashley & Brett
To see the entire album, check out the wedding album design as a slideshow. Remember that the design shows two pages up at a time, as if the book were open. Check it out and enjoy!
To see some of her fantastic sunset bridals, refer back to this blog entry.
