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Who I work for

December 22nd, 2010

I met Maggie Ingram on a cold December night for a portrait shoot. We shook hands and went through the normal motions of getting to know each other. I asked her to bring her daughters with her, not only because she regularly sings with them, but because I wanted her to be surrounded by loved ones in hopes that she would be more comfortable. I started setting up a single light and sat Maggie in a chair with a hymnal. I asked if she had a favorite song she could sing for me while I tested the lighting.  She looked at her daughters and started into a beautiful hymn. Slowly Maggie began to clutch her hymnal and her eyes closed, her voice rose and soon, she was lost. To her, nobody else was in the room, nobody could hear her except for her God.  It was a moment in my life I will never forget. At no point have I ever felt more surrounded by the Lord. I could feel him all around me. I couldn’t help but shed a tear and by the time she opened her eyes and sang the last note, I had it.

Moments like this help me to forget about all earthly worries that weigh me down as a professional, a man, a husband, a father. Its a beautiful reminder of what life is all about: Living for God.

I used to keep my favorite verse on the front page of my website,  Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Faith seems to be something we don’t talk about in a professional setting.  Often, it is laughed upon and I say nothing to defend it. I am disappointed in myself for not keeping it there when I went through my rebranding, but my hopes are that I do a better job of keeping my faith on the forefront of my business in the new year.

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

I often find that I get depressed when looking at other photographers amazing work or see what exciting projects they are working on.  In the past this has eaten away at me and made me think less and less of myself. For the past year, I have prayed nightly that I can put my personal, business ambitions aside, and place it entirely in the hands of the Lord.  I want to work for Him.  By recalibrating my standards of success, from appeasing the industry to finding value in my family, friends, and the love of photography, I have found a richness I never anticipated.

I may not be as wise or gracious as Maggie, but I long to see my photography as my hymn and may it be glorifying to my Lord.

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Guest Blog Post – Kate Magee Joyce

November 22nd, 2010

In some ways, I guess you could say that my internship with Casey began three years ago. Casey and I both graduated from James Madison University.  We never met during college but I recall an article written about Casey challenging others to “Be the Change.”  I was inspired by Casey’s work as a photographer and respected his creative “eye”.  Casey’s incredible photos began to inspired my own creative approach.  I continued following his work even during my year and a half I spent in Kenya as a photojournalist.  Its during that time in Africa that I first heard of Casey’s internship and applied.

Fast forward to September: as the internship was approaching, I joined Casey to second shoot a wedding.  I had a two hour drive to get to the location and yes, the air conditioning was on full blast the whole drive to fight off sweaty palms.  This was a day of firsts for me: first time meeting Casey, first time shooting with him, first wedding shoot, and first day of new beginnings for me.  I had an idea in my mind what this internship would be like: running around like a crazy stereotypical intern…faxing off invoices, making Starbucks runs, carrying heavy equipment everywhere, and feeling like I could never add up.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  When I arrived at the wedding and met Casey, he greeted me with sincere kindness and excitement that I was joining him in shooting this wedding.  He encouraged my photography throughout the night and gave me tips when he would see a weakness of mine, without ever making me feel inadequate.  He never degraded me for not having as much knowledge about photography but rather built me up in the skills I do have.  I felt overwhelmed leaving the wedding but not because I felt like a failure or because of something he said; no, I felt overwhelmed because I realized how much this internship was going to help me.

A week later I moved down to Richmond, VA and began my internship.  From the first day until now it has been a whirlwind.  I was able to join Casey on four weddings and countless commercial shoots.  I greatly respect Casey as a photographer and a teacher.  He seized every moment to teach me more about photography whether it was when we were driving to a shoot or as he was photographing a client.  I learned so much about the technical skills of photography both in camera and post production.  I learned about running my own business and running it well.  By watching Casey interact with his clients, I learned a lot about carrying my joy of photography throughout the entire process, starting and ending with my clients.

Prior to this internship I was shooting most of my photos mostly based off of my “eye,” fully knowing I lacked a lot of knowledge about the technical workings of my camera.  Casey essentially broke down my photography skills both creatively and mechanically and rebuilt them.  He taught me how to make the most out of every setting and to not settle for the image your eye sees.  Once I got a handle on this skill my photography took off.  It was like I was seeing in a whole new way.  I still have my “eye” but the creative possibilities have exploded.  Just the other day I was on my way to a friend’s wedding when she called in a panic because her photographer never showed up to the hotel to get the precious shots of her getting ready with her bridesmaids, mother, and grandmother.  With the knowledge I’ve gained from Casey I was able to walk into that hotel room and confidently snap the memories that otherwise would have been lost forever.

Casey always made me feel like an important investment- someone he valued enough to share his knowledge with.  I don’t think I can properly explain through written word what this has done for my confidence as a photographer.  I have had many people in my life encourage my photography and my creative eye and I am so blessed to have had their encouragement.  Under Casey’s guidance I can honestly say I am now starting to believe it, and that is priceless.

*** Kate proved to be a vital part to my business and what I can offer to my clients and has since joined Casey Templeton Photography as an associate. You can view more of her amazing work on her website: http://www.katemagee.com

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A Visual Revival

September 30th, 2010

I rarely keep a camera by my side when I’m not working.  Some may find this a bit odd but I think it adds to my creativity. When walking around with a camera, I end up looking for things to photograph and the images often don’t come naturally. Without a camera, I freely start framing and seeing images.

I recently made the switch from the ol’ Blackberry to a Droid with a great camera app on it, FxCamera.  It has been a bit of a “visual rebirth” for me.  I have the best of both worlds now; no camera hanging off my shoulder with the pressure of finding a perfect picture,  but a quality micro camera that enables me to act on my creative whims and urges.

Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek:
“But there is another kind of seeing that involves a letting go. When I see this way I sway transfixed and emptied. The difference between the two ways of seeing is the difference between walking with and without a camera. When I walk with a camera I walk from shot to shot, reading the light on a calibrated meter. When I walk without a camera, my own shutter opens, and the moment’s light prints on my own silver gut. When I see this second way I am above all an unscrupulous observer.”

Here are a few images I grabbed while on a job in Nashville last week.

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A Few Recent Nuggets

September 2nd, 2010
Portrait for The New York Times of a UVA Darden School of Business student

Portrait for The New York Times of a UVA Darden School of Business student

Images for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Images for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

This kid is going to be a total stud when he grows up. Th cool kid for sure.

This kid is going to be a total stud when he grows up.

Fred Kahwajy, 99, the oldest living graduate of St. Benedict Catholic School in Richmond, Virginia.

Fred Kahwajy, 99, the oldest living graduate of St. Benedict Catholic School in Richmond, Virginia.

Surgical Team in Hampton Road, Virginia

Surgical Team in Hampton Road, Virginia

Lifestyle shoot of two sisters and their mother.

Lifestyle shoot of two sisters and their mother.

Caressa Cameron, 2010 Miss America

Caressa Cameron, 2010 Miss America

The Purple Heart

The Purple Heart

The Community Chalkboard and Podium: A Monument to The First Amendment

The Community Chalkboard and Podium in Charlottesville, Virginia: A Monument to The First Amendment

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