latest work & thoughts from joplin missouri's 9art photography. fun & stylish weddings, families, & commercial work.

Kids are the REAL rock stars (Hunter, session 3)

    Sometimes, I look at the style that has evolved out of my work, and it feels odd that I take pictures of…babies. I mean, I also take pictures of a lot of other very different things. Weddings, food, downtown scenery, bands & 1940s detectives…but it seems like babies would be the last subject on my list when it comes simply to analyzing the sometimes over-the-top epic shooting style that I tend to take on. 

     But why not? Babies & other children in general are much cooler than we are. They’re as honest as honest gets, pure, funny, and of course adorable… so why can’t I take pictures of them in the same way I’d take pictures of a band or a superhero or some other more seemingly ‘epic’ subject?

That being said, I start with the simple shots… the ones that focus on the expressions & chubby cheeks, quiet moments that are captured in a more classic and timeless way. Sometimes, if you add too much ‘style’ to a picture, it takes away from the subject. 

But after that… I like to break out the off-camera-flash, the wide angle lens, and lay on the ground or climb a tree for dramatic angles, to capture kids in a stylized and quirky way. It’s fun feeling to see my work take on a unique look. And even more fun plugging that into a genre of family photography that isn’t always approached in a very fresh light. 

If that came across as egotistical… shoot me.

(And not with a camera).

Enough rambling. Here’s more of the real stars of the show… baby Hunter & big brother Parker. these are some ridiculously cute children. And my camera has NOTHING to do with that fact.

COLD BREWED:: episode 5

*shameless plug begins*

Lance Schaubert and I have been at this ‘Cold Brewed’ thing for awhile, along with our actors who have worked so hard to get this done. If you follow me, you know what it is. If you don’t… well, it’s not too late to get into this crazy, multimedia, black and white, pun-filled ‘coffee noir’ photostory. 

We are looking to get this story ‘out there’ as much as we possibly can. We think we’ve done something different than anyone has ever done. We think we’ve done it well. We’ve worked super hard, without getting paid. I think its’ the best work I’ve put out, and it’s certainly a huge deviation from my normal work that has made me think about new directions I’d like to take as a photographer.

So if you like it… please consider sharing it. It’s already done better than I could have hoped for, and we are getting more followers weekly. The more its’ shared, the bigger it gets. The bigger it gets, the greater the chance of it being published, and of us being able to do more projects like it. And that would be AMAZING.

Thanks guys.

*shameless plug ends* 

From the beginning: episode 1, ‘Hard Water’

Jump right into the current episode: episode 5, ‘Milker’

share & follow behind-the-scenes on facebook: jett cropper

Bethany + Josh:: MARRIED!

I’m starting this post with a little flashback to 2009, when I first began working with the Barringer family. Here’s a shot from Sarah & Doug’s wedding, from all the way back then…

Now, it’s her sister Bethany’s turn…

I’ve known Bethany for a good long time… all the way back to my good ol barista days, when we worked together at Starbucks. She’s made guest appearances at quite a few weddings I’ve shot, and it’s so awesome to finally be able to be there for HER big day. 

Bethany is such a fun spirit, and has found her perfect match in the hilarious Josh Huskey, a man whose goofiness is almost an art form in itself. I’ve been looking forward so much to shooting this wedding because of how much fun I knew it would be… and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Hope you enjoy these. 

   Shot #1: I passed by an open window where the groomsmen were getting ready and told them all to crowd in. 

You’ve got to watch those reflections. you see me?

I know the neighbor across the street from the church will probably never see these images, but on the off chance he does, forever thanks for letting us hang out on your property for pictures.

Josh opening Bethany’s wedding day gift & card. 

the fun socks tie in nicely for me…I often got in trouble for wearing ridiculous socks that weren’t ‘dress code’ back when I worked with Bethany…

(now I wear outrageous socks to every wedding I shoot). 

finishing touches.

snagged some solo shots of the groom while he was waiting to see the bride for the first time.

oh the SUSPENSE!

but seriously, he was pretty nervous.

you can tell her can hardly stand it…

joy.

I was so happy to see such creativity with the bouquet. First time I’ve shot cloth flowers on a wedding day. 

The couple demonstrating the dramatic poses that weren’t really ‘them’.

THIS is ‘them’…

Someone commented that they wondered what I told the wedding party to get these expressions. I don’t remember. But does it matter?

Time for the fellas to have some fun….certainly wasn’t hard to get them to pose a bit.

yeah. that was weird. But when a group such as this finds a random deer head hanging from a tree… well…

the girls were much more reserved.

ok, not really.

this little guy is the son of another talented local photog, Becca Alves. What a cutie!

Remember Sarah & Doug, from back at the beginning of this post? That’s their twins on either side of this shot…

close ups on the decor back inside. The musical references are for Josh, a very musically inclined guy. He kept us all entertained with his piano performances before the events of the day started rolling…

also one of the more unique cakes I’ve seen. Simple but beautiful.

ending it on the ‘walking down the aisle’ shot. Proud dad all over again!

There’s so much more from this big day, but I don’t want to absolutely overwhelm the blog. So if you’d like to see more, head to our facebook page, where we’ll be posting an extended preview album soon!

Alyssa & Garen

  Garen attended Mizzou university in Columbia, MO and is now an engineer. There is a strong superstition at the school. According to legend, anyone who crosses over the clover (shown below) will fall in love with an engineer.

The first time Alyssa hung out w/ Garen after high school (as friends only), he told her about this.

Her response?

To step over the clover defiantly and respond that she would never fall in love with an engineer.

They get married next April. 

Now THAT’S funny.

Hopefully this outrageous photo does this little story some justice… 

Alyssa Stuart is one of those names I’ve seen pop up a million times under the ‘likes’ under photos on the 9art facebook page for the last couple of years. 

    And now, it’s HER turn to be in photos getting liked… :)

   I had so much fun traveling to Columbia, where Alyssa & her fiance Garen live. Self admitted nerds, these two are huge fans of everything that is beautifully geeky… so of course, I loved them. Garen was wearing his ‘thunder cats’ shoes and talked about the Delorean he’s thinking of purchasing. Alyssa talked about Harry Potter characters showing up in her dreams.

The engagement ring was even custom designed by Garen with influences from ‘Dr. Who’ & ‘Lord of the Rings’…. if you’re one of the few getting excited by knowing this, you’ll also be a little ecstatic to know that a tardis is involved in the ceremony next April.

    Had a thoroughly good time on this trip and especially on this shoot. Can’t wait for the wedding in Kansas City next year. 

   Enjoy!

ending w/ my favorite portion of the shoot…

the Spierings

    Zach, Megan, and their kids Levi, Ellie, & Annie are very good friends of mine. After sharing many a cup of coffee & meal together, it was an honor to be able to capture their family!

Sometimes I joke about how I shoot everyone as if they were a band. It shows on some shoots more than others…

The zombie portion of the session.

PHOTOBOOTH:: best of 2012

   As many of you know, I run a photo booth each month at downtown Joplin’s ‘third thursday’ events. Last year, after running the booth for 2 years previously, we got to see the event grown in a huge way. Attendance increased exponentially, to the point that our modest little upstairs studio could no longer handle the traffic.

   We moved the photo booth to a borrowed space on the main strip and watched lines reach out the doors. Tomorrow evening, we begin a new season of photoboothing with our ‘rock stars’ theme. To celebrate, here’s some of our favorite images from last year…

and I’ve including the reasons we love doing this.

because our regulars are never lacking enthusiasm.

because it’s a full family affair for many of you.

BC you were inventive in your ideas.

Because I came away with images I never could have expected. 

Because I got to interact with my clients from my “other” areas of my work in a new context. (pictured are Beth & Nick, whose wedding I shot this January, & Caleb, who is the star of the new series ‘Cold Brewed’).

Because some people really got into it.

Because folks didn’t even have to be born yet to get the picture.

Because you all learned to be caricatures of yourselves.

Because you people are just so damn classy.

 

Because this picture is real weird.

Because I got to see this family have the honor of officially adopting Mr. Truman. Before last year, we could not legally show Truman’s face. It was a huge victory to be able to include him in the galleries… a reminder of this family becoming complete.

Because things got epic.

Because some folks just really looked the part.

And some people happily participated, even when they really didn’t look the part.

Because of the great zombie war.

 

Because ms. Ashley Carter always led the pack when it came to fantastic expressions.

Because good friends of mine made a point to come.

Because the running of the bulls came to the studio.

Because an entire high school show choir led the crowd standing in line, in a rousing chorus of ‘We Are Young’.

Because sometimes, the only prop needed was just a table.

Because sometimes, my clients referenced themselves….
 

Because we took photos that looked like weird album covers.

Because I got to get my old boss from starbucks wear this ridiculous outfit.

 

Because the cool kids came.

Because so many of you were such faithful attenders. Weird, faithful attenders.

Because w/out the help of the DJA (downtown Joplin Alliance), this thing wouldn’t exist.

Because there was so much flippin’ cuteness.

Because great acting was had.

Because, the photo booth became something epic. Thank you all. Here’s to another round in 2013!

Cold Brewed:: episode 2

   Episode 02 in our coffee-noir series, Cold Brewed, is titled ‘Harmless Skinny’. 

 You can view it here.

catch up on episode 01 here.

Caegan: SESSION 3

    Another baby turned toddler; I’ve seen mr. Caegan go from newborn to very expressive, bouncy little man. take in the CUTENESS!

   This is actually the note we started on. Caegan had just woken up and I was a little too close a little too fast…

he warmed up fast.

this is the expression of an unimpressed toddler. take that, perfect family picture. (he had many such expressions).

 

sometimes I have to turn around to snap a picture of what the parent is doing to get the kiddo to smile… 

It’s a good thing nobody is there to turn the camera on ME, bc I’m generally doing some pretty ridiculous things when I’m taking pictures of toddlers.

COLD BREWED :: episode 1 :: TODAY.

(poster design credit goes to Oscar Gonzalez).

Questions I’ve had asked lately:

‘What IS Cold Brewed?’ 

              It’s a story. inspired by film. Told in words and pictures. (no video, to those that                 

              have wondered). It is my pet project with my very good friend, Lance Schaubert.

‘how will you be releasing it?’

              in a series of weekly online ‘episodes’ over the next 3 months. 

‘when do we get to see it?’

              Starting right NOW.

I’d love to present to you, the first episode of Cold Brewed. Please spread the word, tell your friends, hit ‘like’, copy the link, tweet it, facebook it, send a telegram or two…because we are EXCITED about this story we’ve poured our heart into making and want to see it spread across the web.

www.COLD-BREWED.com

Jessica + Caleb

    I took pictures for Jessica’s family a few years ago, and can’t believe that I’m now working out plans to shoot her wedding. It was great to meet her fiancee Caleb, especially when I discovered he is a fellow ‘Batman’ fan and brought the shirt to prove it. 

    So I ran with that….

So yeah, the rest of the session is more romantic than superhero themed… but you know…batman can be romantic too. 

Can’t wait to work with Jessica and Caleb again for their wedding and July!