Laura Story Official Photo Shoot for “Blessings” | Album Cover Shoot
I had the privilege of working with one of my favorite labels Fair Trade Services (formerly INO Records) & art directors Dana Salsedo on Laura Story’s “Blessings” album cover and packaging photo shoot. Laura was one the most relaxed and chill artists I’ve shot and made it easy to get awesome photos. It rocked having her hubby Martin there to support and encourage her throughout the day.
We found a vintage house and a cool yard as our location. The cover shot was all natural lighting with Laura’s “story” smiling through… (sorry had to do it.) I may have been making puns all day on the shoot!
One of the highlights of the shoot was telling Laura that we actually played one of her songs “Indescribable” at our wedding several years ago. Her music brings a message of inspiration and hope. Check out more of her tunes at http://laurastorymusic.com/.
Original Album Cover shot.
My 18 favorite photos from our New Years Eve Party
On New Years Eve Tammy, myself and great friends David and Samantha Bean threw one Kick A Party in our shared studio, West Light Studios. (“A” stands for AWESOME)
The four very serious hosts.
This photo of my hawt wife is one of my favorites for obvious reasons…
The girls getting crazy.
I think Jaz Boon is the lead role in this new drama on ABC. Season finale Spoiler alert, Katy Maki doesn’t die in the second episode and will return in season 3 
(Abner does have a clue, and Amanda actually does like his hand on her shoulder.) David Bean gets killed in season 9 too many…
Hotties, Jeremy and Shannon Cowart, Brandi Maclaren and Myrick Cowart posing for mom in this one.
Too much talent and good looks to list in this photo. There’s like 11 “A-list” photographers in this one! (Hint Jeremy Cowart, Myrick Cowart, David Bean,Yours truly, Brandi Maclaren, Samantha Bean, Tammy Molnar and Shannon Cowart)
Here is a sweet photo of Will and Kristen. (Will wouldn’t let me post any of the other goofy ones) Male models are always conscientious. Sheesh!
Holy Dancers! Sam and Tink. Stephanie and Isaac! Literally got the Dance party started when they arrived.
Besties Nick and Tricia. Nick likes to pretend he’s preggo too.
No caption needed to describe this group. Hilarious!
We always want us some “Moore”. Tammy and I with amazing buds, Greg and Abbey Moore. Check out their Music!
Got to snag a goofy shot with the Baumhardts!
Two of our lovely hosts and rockstar photographers David and Samantha Bean!
One of my favorite people in the world. Nick Ray CEO of ModerNash. We started this little company over a cup of coffee in my kitchen and Nick has taken it and run with it! He needs to step up his chess game though
The best next door neighbors and friends anyone could ever ask for! Matt and Hilary Barnett! Hey can I borrow some milk?
Taylor and Lauren Jones! Taylor loves Lauren more than his bourbon. I promise!
GRACE CENTER Folks!!! Love these kids!
And of course I wanted to save the best for last. Jeremy and Shannon were initiated into our club. The Breast Cancer awareness club. Welcome folks!
Help-Portrait is so much more than “taking” portraits | Help-Portrait | Nashville, TN
The idea is simple.
1. Find someone in need
2. Take their portrait
3. Print their portrait
4. Give it to them.
But it’s so much more than that to me…
Saturday over 10,000 of us photographers around the world gave our time, our expertise and a bit of our hearts away to the people we met at Help-Portrait. We were one of over 1000 locations with volunteers giving hugs, loving on people and listening to their stories. All 50 states and 55 additional countries participated in this world changing 3rd annual event this past Saturday.
To me Help-Portrait is:
…the first portrait of a mother and daughter after regaining custody of her 4 year old.
… The humor that some characters live out!
… giving a mother pictures of each of her seven adorable kids.
… sending a portrait to a loved one they haven’t seen in years.
… an amazing SMILE.
… Capturing true friendship.
… Rekindling the twinkle in someone’s eye.
… Taking the time to stop and have fun. (Goofing off with my most hilarious subject)
… A funny test sh0t of Jeremy Cowart the founder himself.
… Serving alongside all these amazing volunteers.
Help-Portrait is a worldwide movement that was started by a good friend of mine, Jeremy Cowart. Jeremy is a celebrity photographer who had a simple idea to give back. I guess it’s working
7 reasons WHY you should get inspired by Jeremy Cowart (on his LifeFinder tour)
Recently, my wife Tammy and I spent a weekend in CA sipping coffee, soaking up inspiration, cracking jokes and staying up late at night viciously competing at Sequence and Monopoly Deal with Jeremy, his wife Shannon and their ridiculously cute kids. We had such an amazing time that I decided to write this blog about how I am inspired by Jeremy Cowart and why you should be too.
Portrait of Jeremy Cowart I took in Malibu, CA.
1. He is a ridiculously AMAZING Photographer.
He has photographed top celebrities and musicians all over the world and made them look way cooler than they should. Treat yourself to some eye candy and visit http://jeremycowart.com/
2. He is changing the world.
Jeremy is the Founder of Help-Portrait which is a global movement of photographers using their time, gear and expertise to give back to those in need. Help-Portrait has given 101,596 portraits to people in need by 10,574 photographers at over a 1000 locations in 54 different countries. You can be a part of Help-Portrait as well on Dec. 10th. More details here: http://help-portrait.com/
3. He is a visionary.
Jeremy fills his Evernote with new ideas about ways he can push the envelope in his personal career or give back to those in need through projects like Voices of Haiti and his Humanitarian work in Africa. Check out this incredible article written by Jeremy about forgiveness in Rwanda featured on CNN.com: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/07/my-take-if-rwandans-can-forgive-killings-we-can-forgive-the-waitress/
4. He is one of the most inspiring people you will ever talk to.
Conversations with Jeremy are somehow spun so that you are inspired to intentionally live and create purposefully. He challenges me with stories and illustrations of people making a difference. He is a continuous stream of inspiration as he never stops looking for fresh inspiration from various places.
5. He is a goofball.
Every time we get together we bring out the cheesiest dad jokes in each other, or should I say the best! His presentations are bound to be laced with cheesy puns & amazing humor.
6. He is the real deal!
I first met Jeremy 5 or 6 years ago assisting him on his shoots. I then spent the next 1.5 years traveling all over with him, cracking cheesy jokes, setting up lights, downloading photos, eating Mexican food and watching him interact with his subjects from Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift to Michael W. Smith. When people ask me about Jeremy Cowart, I tell them he is BRILLIANT. But, that it isn’t about his lighting, composition or technical skills in photoshop. Jeremy Cowart is an IDEAS GUY with a big heart. That is what makes him brilliant. I remember assisting on shoots thinking how the heck is he going to pull something cool off with this person, in this location. Yet, he would never cease to amaze me with his continual dose of awesomeness.
7. What can I say…he took this hotttt photo of me:
And guess what? You too can be personally inspired by Jeremy Cowart by attending one of his LifeFinder Tour dates! It’s only $179 and you get to bring a friend for FREE. You don’t want to miss this opportunity. Find out more info here: http://jeremycowart.com/2011/11/lifefinder-tour/
Upcoming dates:
12.02 - Seattle
12.05 - New York City
12.07 - Chicago
12.13 - Nashville
12.17 - Atlanta
Scenic Malibu Drive on the Pacific Coast Highway
Take a drive up the coast with me and my iPhone…
below: Shot and edited on my iphone. 18 photos stitched together.
the birds were flying almost within reach of my camera… excuse the crappy quality.
Tammy Molnar
Below: View from our friend’s balcony. We had lunch on the table to the left.
Malibu Canyon vineyards
(These were all shot on my iPhone but some of the photos were not edited on my iphone.)
Fashion Shoot | Jonathan Jenkins with Aliegh Shields
he’s sailed across the atlantic. biked across europe. camped in abandoned castles. ran with the bulls in spain. climbed the icy peaks of the alps and patagonia. hitch hiked through central and south america. met the prime minister of iceland. worked in 8 figure real estate development and has started his own company leading people on adventure tours…
but most recently Jonathan Jenkins was giving me his blue steel.
big thanks to my good friend singer/ model Aliegh Shields for coming and looking awesome on our shoot! check out her amazing music HERE.