Outdoor Family Painting & Portraits in a Field

I love photographing families and creating unique pieces of art for them, and my painting line is definitely unique. Starting with a photo for reference, this painting is created from scratch with no computer filters or quick effects. They are stunning to look at in person, but are hard to describe online, so I created this animation showing some of the steps of how this painting came together over time. It starts out very rough and abstract, and slowly comes together. When I finish the piece, I like to leave a lot of the rough, abstract brush strokes around the edges and throughout the background. It gives it a very etherial look, and makes it hard to mistake it for a photograph. However the faces are always very detailed.

Bry-Cox-Painting

Here’s the final painting.

© BryCox.com, Bry Cox

These paintings are available in a variety of sizes starting at 20 inches, and are perfect for outdoor fall family portraits. Right now is my fall family portrait special. All the details are on the past blog post, but here’s a link. It’s a great time to get in for a shoot while the weather is great, and before the Christmas rush.© BryCox.com, Bry Cox

And aside from shooting for a painting, together we’ll create some great images of your family during the shoot. I have great options for outdoor portraits at my studio, but this image was created on location at a spot near this family’s home. This family was so nice and fun to work with. The weather was actually very hot during this session, and for most photographers that would mean bright, washed out skies and blotchy sun marks on the skin which means most photographers would probably make the image black and white to hide their problems. But light is my specialty, and I set up some powerful and direct lighting to bring add dimension the family, while at the same time darkening the sky. The result is a beautiful family with warm, beautiful skin tones, lots of spacial dimension, a gorgeous sky with dramatic clouds, and a field full of warm vivid colors.

© BryCox.com, Bry Cox

After the family portrait, I like to focus on the kids. These kids were very smart and funny. I was amazed at the advanced subjects they were studying in school. And I really like the real and natural expressions in each of these images.© BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox

Being a Utah based photographer, we have so many options for outdoor locations, especially in the fall. So whether you want a family painting, photographic portrait, or want to shoot inside the studio or outdoors, I know you’ll love what I create for you. Fall is here and it’s a great time to get in. Beat the rush and call me today for the best dates and availability: 801-728-3317

Check out the details of the fall family special, and feel free to check out my main portfolio website for more samples, BryCox.com.

Until next time, America.

Janae’s Wedding Album Is Gorgeous, Bountiful LDS Temple

Janae & Jason’s wedding album is finished and I am boxing it up to ship out to them. It looks so amazing that I had to share it here. You may remember the sneak peek from their wedding, well here is the final product, their finished album and briefcase. I shot this video today before shipping it out so you could see what it looks like.

I love photographing weddings. They are romantic and inspiring, and I love putting my heart and soul into every detail, and creating wonderful finished products that future grandchildren will fight over.

This wedding was on a stormy spring day, which meant with the right use of lighting, I was able to capture this amazing sky in their background for really dramatic images.

BryCox_Janae_10BryCox_Janae_12

There is a lot that happens on a wedding day, and that means there is a lot to photograph. So here is a video showing the entire day.

If you are getting married, give me a call and come in and hold one of my albums in your hands. See the beauty and clarity of every page, and why you will look amazing in a Bry Cox portrait.

801-728-3317

And until next time, America.

Sneak Peek of Michelle’s Wedding at the Old Rock Church

This weekend I photographed Michelle and Tysen’s wedding at the Old Rock Church up in Cache Valley, outside of Logan Utah. It was a gorgeous location, a beautiful day, and being such a great couple meant for lots of beautiful images all day long. Here is a sneak peek of some of my early favorites.
Cox_MThorne-W-1182
Cox_MThorne-W-1171
Cox_MThorne-W-1100-Edge

They put on a beautiful wedding. I loved the extra touches like having a live band to dance to, croquet and bocce ball set up for the guests, and lots of great food.

Cox_MThorne-W-1558

I can’t wait to work on this album and go through these images even more. I’ll post their wedding album design up here when I get it done.

If you’re getting married, give me a call at 801-728-3317. See how my unique photographic style can really capture the feelings and emotions of you and your day. See why I have trademarked my studio’s name as “Celebrity Style Imaging.”

Until next time, America.

New Baby Isabelle’s Portraits

I always get excited when someone calls me to photograph their new baby, especially when the baby is brand new. Baby Isabelle came in for her first photo shoot during her first couple weeks, and she was a joy to photograph. She was so expressive and so pretty, that it was hard to pick our top favorites.

This first portrait is definitely a favorite because I love creating images like this, of a mom holding her new baby. However these images are the hardest to create on a first baby shoot. But looking at this image, you’d never know how hard these are to do because this looks stunning and effortless. I love that both are looking at each other and interacting, and the emotion in it is wonderful.

BryCox_Isabelle_01

Next is a trio that captures the essence of everything I want in a newborn’s first photo shoot. It shows how little and cute Isabelle is, how pretty her eyes and expressions are, and how tiny her hands and feet are. It is something that will look gorgeous on the wall and for years to come, will bring joy when the family looks at it. Babies change and grow so fast, that it’s fun to see how tiny and little they once were, and to have some perspective with the loving hands of mom in the image as well.

BryCox_Isabelle_02

I really appreciate the opportunity to meet and photograph baby Isabelle. If you are expecting or would love some new baby portraits that are artistic and beautiful and completely different from everything else out there, then give me a call. I’d love to create something amazing for you. 801-728-3317

And 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.

BCox_LightingDemo_05

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.

BCox_LightingDemo_04

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.

BCox_LightingDemo_06

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.

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.

Cox_JRichey-8x20-ooo-AnnaMarie

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.

© BryCox.com, Bry Cox

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.

© BryCox.com, Bry Cox

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.

BCox_LightingDemo_03

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.

BCox_LightingDemo_01

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.

BCox_McKenzie_03

BCox_McKenzie_01
BCox_McKenzie_02
BCox_McKenzie_04

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.

Caribbean Art Images Created Mostly with Point-And-Shoot Camera

I recently went on a cruise with some friends to get away from the cold weather, create some unique art prints, and recharge my creative spirits. One of the things I found fun was to create as many art images as I could with just my small point-and-shoot camera on manual. Now that I’m home, I thought I’d post some of my favorite images.

BryCox-Caribbean

This first image is a multi-image panorama created at the Bahama port at sunrise.

© BryCox.com, Bry Cox

Looking down off my room’s balcony into the water of the Bahamas.© BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox

© BryCox.com, Bry Cox These images were created in the St. Thomas area.© BryCox.com, Bry Cox

I really like photographing people and faces, even if they are strangers I meet when I travel. This man had such an interesting look to me. I went over and talked with him for a bit while on the island of St. John. He plays in a reggae band. I made sure to position myself with the blue water behind him before creating this image of him. I loved the look in his eye and the stark contrast of colors framed with the deep blue water.

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

Then we stopped in Puerto Rico. There is an old fort there with a lighthouse, and most of my images from this island were created there.
© BryCox.com, Bry Cox© BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox© BryCox.com, Bry Cox© BryCox.com, Bry Cox© BryCox.com, Bry Cox© BryCox.com, Bry Cox
© BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox

© BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox The last stop was Grand Turks. It had one of the prettiest beaches. It was a very small island, only 1 mile wide and 7 miles long. The port is at one end, and I paid a local guy to drive me to the other end to photograph a lighthouse. I love searching out and photographing lighthouses when out of town. © BryCox.com, Bry Cox

The lighthouse was not the typical lighthouse, set on a rocky ledge. It was set back quite a ways and surrounded by odd buildings, trees and wild donkeys. With the time of day also not being ideal, I decided to photograph this lighthouse in high-contrast black and white. I also shot some with a shift-lens to blur out areas I didn’t like in the image.© BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox© BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry CoxHere is a pirate statue that guards the door of a building right next to the lighthouse.© BryCox.com, Bry Cox

By then it was time to get back on ship. This is a look towards our boat on the right, from the Grand Turk docks. The sun was setting so I hurried on board to photograph the sunset from the boat.© BryCox.com, Bry Cox © BryCox.com, Bry Cox Once on board, I hustled up to the top deck to finish photographing the sunset.
© BryCox.com, Bry CoxAnd one last image of this man undocking our ship, shot through the guard rail, creating a cool ‘Z’ shape in white.© BryCox.com, Bry CoxIt was a great and relaxing trip, but it is good to be home. Let me know what some of your favorite images are. I’m curious what others like. I will add some to my art site soon, once I narrow them down a bit.

Until next time, America.

Sari’s Wedding Album, Timpanogas LDS Temple

Sari’s album is all finished and I’m so excited for her to see it! Here are some of the album design pages from her book. Each of these images below is a double-page album spread, that is printed without a seam, and mounted and coated in the book. Below these images is a short video explaining how the book looks, and even shows this actual book.

Cox_Sari_05Sari is one of my close, dear friends from years ago, and we had a blast shooting at the temple. It was so fun seeing her get married, and her and her husband make a great couple. The weather that day at the Timpanogos LDS temple was gorgeous, and I love how beautiful she looks in all of her images.

Cox_Sari_06

These two images are big photographs in the book and are each double-page spreads. They look amazing in the book.Cox_Sari_07

Cox_Sari_09

Cox_Sari_10

Cox_Sari_11

Sari was a joy to photograph. She is beautiful, fun, and very photogenic and her dress was gorgeous. These images are just some of the highlights from the first half of the book at the temple, and second half of the book that covers the reception at her home was beautiful as well. Her yard looked amazing and made for a great backdrop. Here’s one double-page spread from her home.

Cox_Sari_16

I created a video today talking about my albums because they are hard to portray on the web, and I used Sari’s book as my first sample. 🙂

Below is Sari’s entire design, set to the music of my sister as a slideshow. 

If you are getting married, give me a call and let’s talk about your big day, 801-728-3317. You can also see more wedding album designs on my main website at BryCox.com.

And until next time, America.

Video About My Custom Wedding Albums

Today I took some time to record a video about my wedding albums. They are so unique and so beautiful and gorgeous, that people really do have to see them to fully appreciate them. But people are busy and some of my clients live in other states, so today I set up the video camera and some lights and shot some video of me talking about and showing some of my albums.

See what you think.

If you’d like to see more weddings, you can look both here on my blog, as well as on my main website, BryCox.com.

If you’re getting married, give me a call and let’s talk more about your wedding details and meet if possible so you can look through some of my wedding albums firsthand. My number is 801-728-3317

And until next time, America.