TNG Photography Blog

Emily and her harp

July 16, 2015 admin
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It has been a few months since I last blogged and I do apologize but I’m back on the blogging train so don’t worry! For this post, I would like to feature the lovely Emily Barnes.There really is something to be said about hearing any kind of instrument live but the way Emily plays her harp is really something special. Even on a high quality set of speakers, nothing beats hearing a musician play their instrument live. The sound of Emily’s harp fills the room with clarity and the sound almost surrounds you. Her harp is a beautiful instrument and the sound she creates with it is incredible.

Emily is a Las Vegas harpist and you can learn more about her by reading the interview below and by checking out her website: http://www.harpbyemily.com/

Enjoy the interview and her portraits!
- Tell a little bit about what you do
I’m a harpist in Las Vegas, NV. I play at weddings and events throughout the Vegas valley, as well as symphony and chamber music performances. Every day is different, but a typical day always includes practicing, usually a rehearsal with other musicians, and often a wedding or other performance event. More unique occasions might be working with a composer on a new piece of music for harp, assisting in a recording, or playing in a show on the strip.
- What inspired you to start doing what you do?
Believe it or not, my inspiration came from the Excalibur casino when I was five years old. My Mom took me to the grand opening, and they had a harpist playing and singing. We never did find out who the harpist was, but she piqued my interest enough that I eventually started taking lessons. Over the years I have had the good fortune to study with excellent harpists, and their support and motivation has led me to where I am now.
- What do you feel is the biggest appeal of what you do?
The harp is such a beautiful instrument, I think it really takes center stage as the main appeal. It has a way of captivating people’s attention before the music even starts. People tell me all the time that they had never seen a harp up close before, and I love being able to show them around the instrument—all the mechanisms and how it functions. In addition to looking lovely, it produces a gorgeous sound, which definitely plays a role in its appeal. I love watching people’s heads turn as they realize I’m playing Stairway to Heaven on the harp.

What sets you apart from your competition?

I played at my first wedding in Las Vegas when I was 11 years old and have been actively freelancing since then. There are few locations in the city that I am not familiar with, but more importantly I have a great sense for what the customer is looking for. In addition to my experience as a gig harpist, I studied classical harp at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. This unique combination of a classical background mixed with practical experience makes me a versatile harpist, always able to meet the request of clients.
- What do your customers expect from you?
Beautiful music! I provide a song request form for clients to use if they have specific songs or themes in mind. Otherwise, my typical song list is a mix of familiar classical and pop tunes. I always dress to fit the occasion, usually in a long gown but sometimes a specific outfit is requested. It takes about 15 minutes to set up the harp, so with that in mind I arrive at least 30 minutes early to account for any unforeseen obstacles. All in all, my clients can always expect a very professional experience, complete with beautiful music and a beautiful instrument.
- What are you most proud of with what you do?
I love working with brides to plan the music for their wedding. It’s a wonderful experience for me to play a part in such a special occasion, and as a former bride, I do my best to make the music planning as easy as possible.

Thanks for reading! If you’re curious about event rates, harp lessons, or other harp related inquiries, please contact me at harp.by.emily@gmail.com or visit my website www.harpbyemily.com.

http://www.TNGphoto.com
Senior photography is meant to showcase your uniqueness

March 24, 2015 admin
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Meet Becca. Becca is an artist who found my Las Vegas senior photography website. She said she wanted me to photograph her senior portraits because my work “looked different” and “more artistic” than other photographers she had seen. These are great compliments for me and I receive them quite often. Since Becca is an artist and from Colorado, she said she did not want a typical location for her portraits. In Colorado, the scenery there is stunning but she said she was used to seeing greenery and mountains and things like that in senior portraits taken there. Being an artist, I suggested we go down to the Las Vegas Arts District since that would be more her style. She was thrilled with the idea and she admires graffiti artwork and spray painting so the choice was a good one. She also had her own mural we showcased in her backyard!

It was really a lot of fun being out in the Arts District. At one point, we passed by a metal shop that had the rolling door up. I saw a worker putting together a very large metal whisk that was obviously going to be on a sign somewhere. Note: I think it’s now on a store in Boulder City.

Enjoy and don’t forget to call me for your own customized senior portraits!

(702)809-9763

TNGseniors.com
Am I devoted or what?!

March 10, 2015 admin
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January 30th, 2015…my third son, Blake, was born!

Also on January 30th, 2015…a wedding was scheduled to be photographed. Here’s what happened:

As is with any wedding I photograph, the night before, I double and triple check all of my equipment. Lighting, modifiers, rain covers, stands, charged batteries, extra batteries, backup equipment, gas in the car, memory cards, etc. must all be in order. I also make sure all of my times are written down correctly. I know all the who, where, what, when, why, etc. Do I sound antsy? Usually at this point, I am. It makes it fun! Anyway, it was late and my wife had been having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions on January 29th. We knew the new baby would be arriving soon.

Now around 1:30am, I go to bed and my wife says, “These contractions are getting kind of uncomfortable.”

It had been a rough pregnancy for her the last nine months so me being tired and also accustomed to her telling me of her discomfort, I wasn’t really alarmed. I said, “Can you compare it to anything?”

She responded, “Umm….like when I was in labor with Alex.” [our second son]

“Well then we gotta go to the hospital!” Needless to say I was a bit jolted.

This being the only of Kendra’s pregnancies that was not an induced labor, she was unfamiliar with this part of the experience, “Ok…fine…let me do my hair first.”

While she worked on her hair, I decided a nice shower would be a good idea as well. I hopped into the shower in hopes that it would refresh me enough for the next day. I knew I wasn’t getting any sleep so I needed the boost!

We woke Owen and Alex up, drove them to grandma’s house and off to St. Rose we went. They checked us in and we were finally in a room to ourselves. All I could think in my dreary, unrested self was, “Please let this baby get here before 10am. Please let this baby get here before 10am…” I had to be at my clients’ wedding at about 10:30. Kendra and I had months in advance agreed that if the baby were to be born on a day where I had a wedding, since they cannot be rescheduled like a senior portrait or a family portrait, I would still attend to my duties. Still, I would of course prefer to be at the birth of my son.

9:50am: two pushes and we officially became a family of five! I walked over to the heat lamp where they were making sure Blake was ok, I walked back to my wife to check on her, looked at Blake one more time and then picked up my camera bag and said, “I have to go now. I’ll be back when I can. Love you, babe.” I then thanked the doctor and a few close family members who were there with us and drove in the rain to my wedding!

What a day, what a day… 🙂
The Pumpkin Patch – The Journey to Entertaining Toddlers On a Saturday

October 21, 2014 admin
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Allow me to show you (or possibly bore you) a few simple snapshots of my two boys. Owen is almost 3 and Alex is almost 2. It’s quite a challenge, I’ve found, to round up two little boys to go do just about anything. Now that our third boy is due here in February, I’m unconvinced that going anywhere with three boys will be a highly anticipated event. Maybe more likely to be something comparable to trying to row a canoe through a river filled with old clunky t.v.’s or maybe trying to convince five of your neighbors to buy a Kirby vacuum so that the one you just bought is free. A hopeless endeavor it will be, I’m sure. At least at first. Anyway, for now, I’m trying my hardest to catch up on as much [slightly] uninterrupted sleep as possible between now and when our new baby arrives.

I’ve gotten accustomed to how to deal with my two boys in public, even though I said it was challenging. They are usually well behaved and are good listeners. Alex (the younger boy who looks nothing like me) really adores Owen (the older boy who looks EXACTLY like me) and always wants to be doing whatever Owen is up to. We recently went on over to the pumpkin patch on Stephanie and American Pacific in Henderson (of course). They were excited after their initial confusion subsided as to where in the world we were. Owen braved the tallest slide right off the bat. He loved it!

Alex followed his brother and worked up his courage to go down the slide. He did NOT love it like Owen did. Maybe we’re terrible parents for allowing our kids to go down these things?

Owen and his mom hopped onto this little spinning bathtub from hell ride and again, Owen loved it.

Alex was a little too small for that ride but looked on feeling as a victim of great injustice. Yes, Alex, the system just doesn’t work buddy…

Luckily for me though, my little guys (some would say monsters) are happy and healthy. They sometimes annoy me up the wall just like all kids do to their parents and I constantly feel inadequate for the job but they’re happy. I must be doing at least 2/10 things right some of the time, right?
Family Photo Survival Guide: Tips For the Trenches

September 26, 2014 admin
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A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to create a new family portrait of my mentor. It was a lot of fun and we got great a lot of beautiful images of his family. Afterwards I said to him, “Thank you for letting me do this for you. I had fun and hope it wasn’t too stressful for you all!”

I was more or less joking a little bit and he replied, “It’s always stressful getting a family portrait, but once it’s over, life is back to normal. Thank you for doing it!”

This got me thinking a little bit. My mentor, who was a professional portrait photographer in Las Vegas for over 30 years, said it is “always stressful getting a family portrait” created. If in 30 years he could not reconcile the experience to not be stressful, have I been fooling myself? Is getting a family portrait always a fate worse than death for most people? The answer is no! I have photographed many families who anticipated the experience to be unpleasant and they later complimented me saying it was “not painful” or it was “so much fun!” This experience is what has driven me to write these few tips for preparing to have a more fun experience while getting your family portraits done this year!

1) Prepare. Prepare. Prepare.

Really, I can’t stress this one enough. Planning your clothing choices shouldn’t be left to the day of your session. When I photograph families, we discuss clothing choices in detail to make sure everyone is prepared. (Check out this previous post for a few clothing tips!) The families that prepare properly for the clothing always have a higher quality portrait than those who don’t. If you are going to shop for new clothes, try to buy them a few days or even a week in advance to your session. One less thing on your mind will definitely take weight off your shoulders on your session day. Call your photographer and get their input while shopping if you have any questions.

2. Keep the Peace.

Coordinating schedules, making sure kids are well groomed and don’t have chocolate on their faces, getting your make up on and loading everyone into the car, etc. is a stressful reality of parenthood, adult life and getting set for a new family portrait. It might not always be possible, but I recommend trying your best to keep a calm demeanor through it all. The saying “if mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy” is quite true. The energy of the family is largely dictated by the mother’s mood and the father’s mood. If parents are stressed, annoyed, angry, or anything along those lines, it transfers over the rest of the family. As a pro, I can’t tell you how much more difficult this makes my work out to be. I’m thinking this: “They are paying me for the portraits of their dreams–how am I going to do that when everyone is so upset?” In the past, I’ve still gotten incredible results because of my own directional and communication skills that was able to change the state of thinking of the subjects but really, it is just such a nicer experience for everyone if a little patience and calmness is observed. You won’t regret it.

3. Feed the Family. Especially the Kids.

Eat a good meal or even just a snack before the session. Don’t eat until you’re stuffed or anything along those lines (it might make you uncomfortable during the session) but eat something that will keep you from being lethargic or grumpy. Kids almost always photograph better after they have had a snack. It is also a good idea to bring a few bottles of water and non-messy snacks along with you to the session to further hold kids over until the next meal.

4. Trust the Photographer (Me).

I know it isn’t everyone’s favorite thing in the world to be photographed. I understand, I really do! I also know that you might be a little (or very) nervous. This is normal, don’t worry. Unless you are a professional super model, I’m guessing you are going to need some direction. Please understand that not every pose is going to feel super comfortable. Actually, most people look terrible in a portrait if they are sitting how they normally are when they watch t.v. or stand how they do when they are in line at Cafe Rio. It might not feel wonderful but remember, from the camera/my viewpoint, I must flatter each and every subject as best I possibly can. That means tipping heads, leaning bodies, bending legs, positioning hands and hair, all while making sure everyone looks slim, the clothing choices are clustered together the best way, paying attention to what lighting will work best….there’s a lot to consider! What’s most important is that YOU LOOK YOUR BEST. That’s my job and I do it well. It might not be how you normally stand or sit but for the portrait, it will all make sense when you see it. Trust me.

5. Repeat After Me, ‘This is More Than a Picture”

What do I mean by that exactly? Don’t I take pictures for a living? No. I create portraits for a living. There’s a difference! A picture is something less important; something fleeting and temporary. It is on your Twitter newsfeed one day and gone the next, banished to the badlands of the internet. These are pictures you pass by in advertisements, social media, and the selfies you see see on a daily basis. They are just filler. A portrait is something else. It is special. It is both genealogical documentation as well custom photographic art for your decor. It grows in value day after day and becomes one of your most treasured possessions. In regards to a family portrait, it represents the feelings you have for each other, the struggles you have overcome, the personality traits you all have and the hard work that is put into the family by each family member. Shouldn’t it be more than a picture? I always think in the long term when it comes to your family portrait–it has to be something you absolutely love and it has to become something your future family members who inherit it are going to love. I put a lot of pressure on myself, don’t I?

6. Be Thankful.

Be thankful you live in a time where we can create photographic art. Be grateful that you can give this gift to you and your kids. Be happy that it is going to look out of this world! Just be happy. 🙂

I hope that was helpful to you. Please give me a call at (702)809-9763 and let’s plan your next family photo! Oh! Also, my NEW website is up! Check it out here: TNGphoto.com
“What goes on in that family photographer brain of yours, Nate?”

September 19, 2014 admin
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It almost feels like fall will never get here. Here is is, mid-September and the thermometer still says over 100. It’s interesting to think that in other parts of the country, people are readying for cooler weather, snow and bundling up indoors. Here in Vegas, we’re getting excited for the opposite– to go outside again without dreading it! I find myself wondering about random things like this all the time when I finally have a free second in my day. In my personal reflection I try to have on a daily basis, I’ll wonder:

– “Hundred of years ago, no one never knew how fun a roller coaster can be.”

– “…or ice cream.”

“…or Charmin Ultra Soft Toilet Paper.”

The list goes on and on. But while my “me time” thinking is probably not the most complex thought process around, I do like to sit and think and wonder. In particular, I often try to identify weak areas of my life that I can strengthen somehow. I look at all areas of my life that I can think of and focus on improvement. It’s hard to do this at times because I think we all secretly like to hope that there is no room for improvement and if anything in life isn’t right, there’s no possible way we ourselves are to blame. Unfortunately, anyone who believes this is fooling themselves enormously.

“So, Nate, how does all of this self help preaching relate to your photography?”

I think all I’m doing is attempting to explain a little bit how I think. I do love to joke around, laugh, find humor in the world, etc. but when I’m alone, I enjoy thinking and analyzing my day. It’s just how my mind works for whatever reason. Now, onto the photography aspect of all of this! I have a very systematic though process that goes into my work. Here are a few inner workings of my Las Vegas photographer brain when it comes to family portrait. 🙂

THE FAMILY PORTRAIT THOUGHT PROCESS:

When I photograph a family, I first find the motivation behind the portrait. Is it to replace a previous portrait? Has the family never had a family portrait before? Is someone in the portrait sick or terminally ill? See, it’s so much more than just a picture that you pass by on Facebook or Instagram in a few seconds. This is the most meaningful portrait I create! This is something that gets passed down generations (eventually) but before that, it becomes a decorative work of art for the family’s home. IT MUST LOOK TOP NOTCH! My approach to the family portrait is that every single person in the image must look fantastic. When I create it I have to ask myself, “If I took everyone out of the image except for the mom, would she look good? If I took everyone out of the image except for the dad, would he look good? etc.” This is an important factor for me to consider when creating a meaningful family portrait.

On top of all that, there’s the clothing. Now, I really have no control what people wear but I do make it known what I think would be best for them to wear! Is it necessary for everyone to match? No, of course not. Some people hate the look of everyone in the same clothing while others love it. What is essential, however, is keeping the clothes all a similar tonality. For example, browns, greens, dark reds, and other earth tones coordinate wonderfully together. Throw in one person in a white t-shirt and now the portrait has lost something. It has lost its finesse and color harmony. That white shirt is now the dominant thing for your eyes to see and steals attention away from the family’s faces (which is most important above all else). Here’s an example:

Now, it’s not the end of the world that the man here wore a white shirt but take notice how much the bright white grabs your attention from the faces. It’s the little things that make BIG differences!

(By the way, when choosing colors to wear, consider what color your walls are in your home. Coordinating clothing to be harmonious with the walls in your home might add a special touch to your rooms.)

Another thing I think a lot about when creating a family portrait is whether it should be scenic, showcasing the family within a landscape or setting or whether the portrait should be more tightly cropped or more up close. These considerations are determined on the fly as well as in the planning stages before the session. For example, if a client absolutely knows they need a 30×40 mounted canvas in a frame above their mantle that’s in their parlor but the room is made to sit 4 or 5 people, having an extreme close up of faces might be the wrong decision for that location in their home and albeit somewhat creepy having gigantic faces that are 5 or 6 times life size to the actual people! Sometimes, a large portrait like this can benefit from including a beautiful setting that is special to the family or shows the family’s personality.

The last thing I’ll mention about the family portrait is that I do not view it as just another picture. It’s not a picture. We see pictures everyday in advertisements, text messages, snap chat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, e-mail, on TV, and the list goes on. Pictures, however well done or not, are usually intensely temporary, fleeting and forgotten. A portrait is made so the family can see, remember and reminisce over great moments that would otherwise be forgotten, ignored, or brushed aside. A family portrait (not picture) is both art and genealogical documentation. It is a captured memory as well as a statement of personality, achievement or artistic expression. It is not something I take lightly and never will as long as I am a professional photographer. The family portrait, most of all, displays the people who are the most important possessions in one’s life. It showcases their best qualities so that they can have constant reminders of who they are, where they come from, and why they work so intensely diligent everyday. It’s all there in the family portrait and it is a great privilege to do the work for families in town. It’s a lot of fun!

Please call (702)809-9763 before my calendar fills up too much this fall and winter to get your

own TNG family portrait. We’ll have a great time!
The Art of the Family

September 11, 2014 admin
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Families are already starting to roll in for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. The busiest time of year is about to get rolling for me and I say, bring ’em on, I’m ready! Here’s a recent family I photographed. Enjoy!

Oh ya! My yearly Portraits in the Leaves in Zion National Park is filling up fast! We can still take a few more families. Have a look at the information below and then visit this link if you’d like to go to ZION for a unique portrait in a mind blowing landscape!

Click here for more information.

Call (702)809-9763 or visit TNGphoto.com to see more family portraits and to plan your own special portrait.
Las Vegas and Boulder City Family Photos Are On the Rise

August 22, 2014 admin
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I am pretty sure by now that many people can tell that I love to showcase grand views and scenery in my family portraits. While yes, I do get up close shots of families, my style lends itself more towards showcasing scenery. I do this for a few reasons:
1. I like it.
2. I like it.
3. I like it.
4. Most photographers don’t do this well so it sets my work apart.
5. My clients usually order large wall portraits for their homes. The scenery ensures an added artistic touch to their decor.
Focusing on #5, I’d like to add that at larger wall portrait sizes, extreme close ups of faces are then 300% + larger than life size when printed! Now I don’t particularly mind it this way but the home’s style of decor really needs to be taken into consideration. If an extreme close up of a family is printed at a small 8×10, everything is fine. Now take that close up and make it bigger than the biggest t.v. in your house. Those are some ultra-mega-gargantuan faces looking back at you! Have you ever thought of it like this?

Here is a family I recently photographed in the middle of a hot summer day along with a beautiful view to go with this great family. They all braved the heat and together we achieved great results.

CALL (702)809-9763 TO SCHEDULE YOUR FAMILY PORTRAITS EARLY THIS YEAR.

IF YOU CAN GUESS WHICH MOVIE I SAW 3 TIMES IN THE THEATER, YOUR SESSION IS FREE!

1- GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

2- HOT ROD

3- RAT RACE

4- DARK KNIGHT RISES

5- APOCALYPTO

TNGphoto.com
Where to take family photos in Las Vegas

July 31, 2014 admin
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It’s almost August which means it’s almost time for families to prepare for the new school year, end their vacations and start up the typical daily grind that is soon to follow. With fall and winter just a hop, skip and a jump away, I am preparing myself for the influx of family portraits that is sure to come soon. I am currently planning my annual family portrait weekend in Zion National Park (always excited about this) and also readying myself for local family photos as well.

I thought it would be a good idea, in the meantime, to talk a little bit about where oh where do families get their portraits made here in Las Vegas. After all, isn’t the desert an ugly place? There’s nowhere to take pretty pictures here, right? Wrong. While I wish I could take family photos in the redwood forests or always near waterfalls in Oregon or on beaches of Hawaii on a consistent basis, I have consistently made stunningly beautiful portraits of families and individuals in our “ugly” desert. Here are a few ideas for where we can consider taking your next family portrait in Las Vegas.

1) Your home.

“My home? Why would I want to do that?”

Think about it for a moment. Lots of people get family photos done outside but rarely get a well done portrait in their home. They are missing out on a perfect opportunity to have a portrait that NO ONE else has! Are families lining up to have a photo in your living room? My guess is probably not unless you are charging $5 a person. 🙂

With proper care, lighting and environmental arrangement, your own home can be a the perfect (and comfortable) location for your family portraits whether the family is big or small. Here are a few examples from past families:

2) Your Home, part II: The Revenge!

Not only can the inside of your home be the ideal choice for a location but sometimes the outside of the home is a great option as well.

3) Red Rock / Calico Basin

I never recommend this area in the summer time because of the heat but it can be beautiful when the weather is more enjoyable. These are nice areas that are unlike most outside of our state so they make for a very unique setting for a family portrait. What I always tell my clients is this: if we go all the way out to Red Rock or Calico Basin, I will be showcasing the family with the landscape. There’s no point in going to a beautiful scenic area and zooming in on faces…

4) A Nearby Park

Parks are everywhere and well maintained here. You can expect a fantastic outdoor family portrait to look great at a nearby park in your neighborhood, community or even the larger public parks.

5) Anywhere, really…

With my skills and experience, I have learned that the location of the portrait is less important than you might think to get a quality family portrait. Oftentimes there is a beautiful and flattering background hiding in plain sight and you might think there is no way I could get a great family portrait in a certain place but the final image looks stunning! I do feel that if the location has special significance to you and your family than that is all the better but oftentimes families can’t think of any particular location that is extremely special to the whole family unless it’s a cabin, their boat at the lake or at a sports stadium, etc. When you call me (and you will call me, right? 🙂 (702)809-9763) to get plan your new family portrait I will go over all the specifics with you to help make your portrait as special as it can be and custom to you and your family.

CALL (702)809-9763 BEFORE AUGUST 10TH, 2014 AND GET $50 OFF YOUR SESSION
Fun People! And #3

July 9, 2014 admin
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I had the privilege of photographing a great set of siblings and their mother. I often say that one of my favorite aspects of the photography profession is definitely the people I meet. I can’t think of many other professions that would allow me as much of an outlet to get to know entire families and their personalities and interests, etc.

Maybe a private investigator would be a less personable way of getting to know people but that wouldn’t be nearly as fun for me!

These are the kinds of people who you can just open up to when you first meet them. I don’t know how some people do that. I could liken it to how I will pour my feelings, life story and then-some when I sit down to get my haircut:

“Hi. I’m good, how are you? Yes, I like it short on the sides and a little longer on top. Maybe a 3 on top and a 1 on the sides and then chop off the sideburns. Thanks………………………………………………………………………..so my wife is pregnant with #3 and my back has been killing me….”

What is it about some people that makes that so easy? I am quite a personable man and social but I acknowledge that it takes a little effort for me at first to get a stranger to open up. I still am trying to identify what it is that certain people have that makes others seem to require no effort at all. Maybe if I was shorter and didn’t have such a round face? Or maybe if whenever I met someone, I handed them a $20 bill? Maybe I’ll never know.

Anyway, you get it! These guys are great! Enjoy the portraits!

BY THE WAY, DID YOU SPOT THE ANNOUNCEMENT???

– Nate