Blog

"Nothing came easy. I was born with a need to explore every tool shop of my mind, and with long searching and hard work. I became devoted to my restlessness." — Gordon Parks

Gordon Parks, one of the photographers who first encouraged me to pursue photography, died today in New York.

Parks covered everything from fashion to politics to sports during his 20 years at Life, from 1948 to 1968.

Gordon Parks was an extraordinary photographer, and more importantly, a sensitive human being with an intense passion for helping others. In 1961, his photographs in LIFE of a poor, ailing Brazilian boy named Flavio da Silva inspired Americans to recognize the extreme poverty that exists in many areas of the globe.

Parks' photo essay about Flavio was among the first I viewed in my photojournalism classes at the University of Missouri. His photographs inspired me because they were full of empathy and compassion. Gordon Parks showed me that photography can truly make a difference in the world. His photographs quickly brought donations that saved Flavio and purchased a new home for him and his family.

There is a wonderful contest held each year that honors the compassionate legacy of Gordon Parks. Enter The Gordon Parks Competition.

Read the full articles about Gordon Parks from CNN.

Anderson Cooper's Memorial.

Andrew and I just returned from a fantastic shoot at Wofford College in South Carolina.

Spending a few days hanging out on a college campus is a fun change-of-pace from weddings. We enjoy getting to know students and always look forward to finding spontaneous moments happening around campus. Just like weddings, our education clients expect candid and storytelling photos. Here are a few shots from our experience at Wofford. Near the end of the shoot, I took a break and let several students push my golf cart up a hill after it ran out of batteries!

One of my best friends and his wife just had their first baby. When they emailed us with the good news, they also gave me one of the most incredible gifts: they named their son after me. It is an honor to know that I have a special connection with my friends and their son. Greg was the best man in Rachel's and my wedding, and I was the best man in his and Liz's wedding. Now, Greg and Liz are starting their family and we are thrilled to share in their joy!

Andrew was born at 8:15 a.m. on February 11 by Caesarian section, and weighed in at 7 lbs 13 oz. Rachel and I hope to see him on our next trip to St. Louis in April.

I've always been fascinated by how luxury brands communicate their identity in a highly-competitive marketplace. In particular, I enjoy watching how fashion designer Miuccia Prada continually distinguishes her company's brand identity by selling an experience rather than merely peddling products.

The only thing Miuccia Prada resists more than conformity is mass marketing. She famously told a London Times reporter that she despises advertising because it “requires mass banality.” So, when she decided to embark on her first televised ad campaign, she chose to create a singular film rather than a commonplace commercial.

Enlisting the talents of Blade Runner director, Sir Ridley Scott, and his daughter, Jordan, Prada created Thunder Perfect Mind, a cinematic ad that blurs the line between art and commerce.

The film features a young woman meandering through Berlin in cadence with an ancient poem set to a freeform jazz score. At key points in the film, coinciding with the poem, the young woman encounters herself in other female figures: the virgin, the mistress, the mother, the daughter.

The brand name, Prada, does not appear until the final seconds of the film. Even then, it is subtle, resting in the street like an afterthought.

Rather than resign herself to accepted advertising formulas, Prada invented something entirely new. The result is mesmerizing and memorable. This is not an advertisement, it is an experience. By drawing viewers into an evocative narrative that transcends the typical product-driven ad, Prada stands out in a saturated marketplace.



“In Prada we always like to have a different way with everything. We look to the trend and then ask how we could do it another way. That is the way to add value, so long as you do it intelligently.”

Mark and I just returned from my hometown of Charleston, S.C., where we met with florists and caterers. On top of planning our own wedding—coming up in August—we are beginning to make connections there to expand our referral network for LaCour. We simply love beautiful places, and Charleston's wedding locations are gorgeous. We are shooting a wedding there in November, and hope to do many more. Mark shot this photo at the mansion-lined waterfront known as The Battery, a Civil War battle site.

We are hoping to get most of our wedding planning finished by April, when the spring weddings get under way. LaCour is nearly booked solid this year, with a nice 3-week break in August for our wedding and honeymoon. It has been strange, and interesting, and fun being on the other side! Now we know exactly what all of our brides go through.