To Be or Not To Be…..

…a commercial photographer. That is the question. I literally got a taste of it this weekend when I took a break from my Master’s project and did some freelance work.  Not Im not sure what the future holds for me, but I certainly hope it has a lot to do with making images. I love photography, and honestly, It doesn’t matter the format; journalistic, food, portraiture, I love it all.  Here are a few images that I took this weekend. A quick and fast edit.  Let me know what you think!!

First Take: Picture Girl

Jai Lacole, also known as ‘PG’ for Picture Girl, grew up on the West Side of St. Louis where drugs, homicide and crime were always at an all time high. Her thirst to be more alive than half the broken down lives of her neighborhood thrust her to Columbia, MO for college. A double major in sociology and photography at the University of Missouri,  PG’s body art is not only a personal trademark, but also is her connection to her past and a constant reminder of the many obstacles she has conquered.  I did my personality profile on PG and will have a video of the behind the scenes of the shoot coming soon as well as the video for the project. Stay tuned.

Studio Bug: Ques!!!

Enthusiasm. Something every man of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. has.  I finally got an opportunity to work with he brothers of Epsilon Delta Chapter at the University of Missouri. Among other things, the ‘bruhs’ had just gotten fresh ‘hits’ or brands. The significance of branding in Black Greek Letter Organizations allegedly stretches all the way back to the 1900s where members practiced the bodily scarring method to empower the members, signifying the lifetime commitment among other ritualistic beliefs the members held close.

What the??

WordPress/Godaddy= 1. Jarrad= 0. This is how I feel after a day of fiddling with wordpress templates. I think I just may get this new blog set up if I work hard enough. Keep me in your prayers. I need to get this together! You will see what its for VERY SOON.

Harper…Uncle Jarrad

Im an uncle. Yes, Im the oldest and no, Harper isnt my brother or sisters son. He’s my best friend Jennotta’s son. I couldn’t have laid eyes on a more beautiful baby boy.  At least until my son is born.  Here is Skye holding Harper close in the living room in St. Louis, MO this Labor Day weekend.  I had a great time back home and will be coming back this upcoming weekend to celebrate my 25th birthday. Here are some shots from the weekend.

Hey Mrs. DJ’s

KCOU is the University of Missouri’s only student run radio station that gives students the chance to be the Dj of their own show. However, instead of conforming to the expected Rock music of KCOU, DJ D-LUX (Danielle Caldwell, left) and DJ SO Sassy (Aris Williams, right) decided to create a show with all R&B selections! Everything from old school to new school is played every Thursday night from 10pm-midnight.  Tune into 88.1 fm or stream online at KCOU.FM!!!

Q’t Pie

Yea, this Quiet single mode on the Nikon D300s is super sexy! Huh? Oh yea, they’re cute too. Hey ladies.   But seriously, the sound it makes is really nice. It takes the mechanical out of the sound that can easily interrupt any silent room when a photographer shoots. Dont get me wrong, its not a sound blimp or anything, but it an interesting way to mute the sound. Trying to keep shooting a picture a day even though my day is no longer governed by the rules of photo assignments.