Dancing In The Moonlight

Dancing In The Moonlight
Originally uploaded by jonnyups.

This weekend I shot a wedding. In the past, I have said that I hate shooting weddings. I mean, the money is good, and I am capable of doing it. I just don't like the idea of a persons BIG DAY resting on my shoulders.

Anyways, I was definitely excited about this wedding. I had a couple opportunities to meet the bride before the wedding, and I knew she was awesome and laid back. She had explained how the wedding would run, including a Clydesdale-drawn carriage. All picture perfect.

There's something about doing photography for a living that seems perfect and glamorous. Like any job, that's not the case. Photography is an art, and forcing yourself to turn your creativity on is harder than you'd think. Don't get me wrong, for the most part this all seems to come naturally. There is just the expectation that you're always going to be in "photo-mode" which isn't always the case. There are days I look at my camera and think, "Yeah, I'm not going to pick that up today because we both need a break."

The above photo was one of those moments where I just new a photo had to be taken. I hate to disappoint, but this was not a natural moment. It was definitely staged. Conditions weren't exactly ideal, mostly because it was pitch black outside. But the lights on the gazebo called my name all night and I had to try and get this shot. Hope you enjoy. This also launches the start of a new joint-venture with my buddy Dave.

NotBadPhotography.com (NBP)

If you have any special photography needs, drop us a line. We'll be glad to help. That said, head on over there!

4 Days On Tour...

I am back from my week of shows with We Shot The Moon and the band was kind enough to turn my photos into a musical montage. Every photo in this video is mine (except the last one of course), so please enjoy and check out this amazing band.

Check out this video: JonnyUps - Band Photographer



Thanks to the boyzzz in the band for letting me invade their home (van) for a week.

Tuesday Morning

Tuesday Morning
Originally uploaded by jonnyups.

Today I start my week long journey with We Shot The Moon on the
California leg of their tour. I'm currently sitting on the porch of
singer Jonathan Jones' house in Cardiff, CA and as you can see, the view
is rather beautiful.

Sitting here got me thinking. Thinking about how small I am, about how
my life is a tiny spec of a blip in the big picture. Not in a depressing
sort of way, but in more of a refreshing way. I like these moments, it
allows me to finally slow my mind enough to enjoy life.

A car passes by every 5 seconds or so, and each car carries a different
life and a new story. I get to hear the music each person likes to
listen to, or a quick 2 second glimpse of ther cell phone conversation.
I find out if their a daredevil on a Harley, or a soccer-mom in their
oversized SUV.

Yes, this is the life. Sitting here, letting the rest of the world rush
to their next meeting, or to their doctors appointment while I sit here
and enjoy this creation.

Well, time to go. I need to eat breakfast, run to the bank, brush my
teeth, and hit the road. This relaxing moment was bound to end soon.
--
-jon

Bodega Bay, CA

Bodega Bay, CA
Originally uploaded by jonnyups.

Literally the edge of the world. One of the most beautiful places I have
ever seen in real life. The wind roars past your ears and the waves seem
so small as they pound against the jagges rocks hundreds of feet below.
Its so strange to see a seagull from the top, and vultures wildly
soaring by with their 6 foot wingspan. This place is beauty at its
finest.
--
-jon