Thanks to my wonderful web programmers, www.GregoryByerline.com is now iPhone enabled.

If you're an iPhone user, pop over to my website ... www.GregoryByerline.com ... on your uber-cool mobile device and have a look around. Woo hoo!

Gregory

Hey gang,

This summer, I had great privilege to photograph and design an independent CD project that is now available for your listening pleasure. While focusing primarily on photography for the past few years, from time to time I will take on a graphic design project, and I'm thrilled with how Unchangeable by Shelley Jennings developed.

Shelley Jennings is a singer your ears and heart needs. For years, Shelley has been a background singer in Nashville's Christian music community. In 2006, Shelley released her first solo recording, and Unchangeable marks her third solo release.

If you know anything about Meghann and me, you probably know that we are big time music fans. Folks...this lady can SING! Perhaps best-suited for the Broadway stage or a Disney feature film, Shelley's calling toward encouraged broken people through inspiring and healing music is apparent on Unchangeable, a new recording of beloved worship songs, performed with exceptional vocals that are powerful at times and tender at times. Just the right amount of vocality on gorgeous songs.

Meghann and I were even invited to the recording studio to sing in the live worship choir. What an exciting time to rub shoulders with and blend voices with some of Nashville's finest singers...THEM, not us. 8)

Learn more about Shelley and her music at www.ShelleyJennings.com or at Shelley's profile page at www.IndieHeaven.com.

Have a look and listen. Would love to know what you think. Cheers.

~gregory

Hey gang,

Quick note to let you know about an exciting bridal show this weekend. Click here for a discounted admission coupon.

Hope to see you there. Stop by my booth to say hello. Cheers.

~gregory

Friends & Fellow Dog Lovers,

You are all invited to celebrate our furry friends this Saturday, August 9 at Puptopia, taking place at the uber cool Edgehill Village near Music Row. Details listed below in the event's flyer followed my my latest dog photography promo card. Hope to see you there.

We recently hopped on a tour bus to go on the road with award-winning country band Shenandoah to photograph their performance at SomerBlast 2008 in Somerset, KY.

Fantastic players and pickers! Nothing like the live setting with extended solos and rockin' concert-only cover tunes combined with their string of top country hits. Fun times hearing this great band perform live.

Here's a short slideshow of several selects from the concert:

Opening the event brought Cowboy Crush to the stage. Cowboy Crush is a five-member, all-girl country band sitting high on a rising star. Great songs and killer performances. Check out their pics set to their raucous song, Hillbilly Nation:

Catch them when they're in your area. Check their tour dates at www.myspace.com/shenandoahfans and www.cowboycrush.com. Cheers.

-gregory byerline

This is a must-share. Dog lovers everywhere will fully understand.

Dogs rule. Period. Had a great photo shoot with Douglas Bader Adair, the English Setter this week. Images from that shoot will be posted soon.

Also, mark your calendars for August 9 at Edgehill Village in Nashville where Lucky Pup Boutique & Bath hosts Puptopia. Stay tuned for more info on this doggy event.

And now, here's a sleepy salute to our barking buddies:

A few months ago, I started a structured, 60-week running program to train for the 2009 Music City Marathon and Half Marathon, and the benefits have been welcome additions to my world.

I feel better. My health and fitness has improved. I sleep better. And I've almost reached my original goal pace for the running event (may need to re-establish that goal pace).

So far in the program, my long run has been 7 miles. The thought of running this distance eight weeks ago was quite daunting, but the program steadily increases with end goals in mind. After running the 2005 Music City Half Marathon, I'm mentally accustomed to the distance, but my cardiovascular strength and joint health after over two years of inactivity posed as limiters to reaching this distance.

After this week's 6-mile run at competition pace, the training plan for today called for an easy 2-mile jog for recovery. Two whole miles. "Whoopdidoo" is my general response to short easy runs; however, they are beneficial for overall fitness progress, and, as I was reminded today, for other benefits as well.

After lacing up my shoes, plugging in the iPod, and leashing up our furry girl Sundae for the short, easy run, Sundae and I are heading to the greenway, enjoying the fresh air rinsed clean from overnight rains. Puddles still on the road.

Just over a half-mile in, here comes the rain. Gentle sprinkles at first, so we moved to the tree-covered side of the neighborhood greenway trail. “Another mile and a half, Sundae. Let’s see if we can stay dry or if this rain will blow over quickly.” That was my first reaction. The rain continued and gently increased to a steady rain.

Then, the aforementioned “benefit” occurred to me.

When I was a boy, the opportunity to play in the rain was welcome and seized upon. At what point in my lifetime did I lose that boyhood thrill? Why are we grown-ups so averse to spontaneity? Time to be a boy again. Time to continue running in the rain, away from the tree canopy, out in the open where I would get covered in rain … completely soaked.

I turn 38 in three days. Big deal; I feel 28. Today, covered in rain on my seemingly insignificant 2-mile run, I felt 8. And it was good.

Happy 232nd birthday, America.

Here's a favorite shot from Nashville, TN's downtown fireworks extravaganza.

Four selects from a recent modeling portfolio shoot with Elizabeth are pictured here.

Elizabeth is a new fashion and modeling client from Cheyenne, WY who drove 34 hours round trip for our half-day shoot. She is an air traffic controller for the Air National Guard in Cheyenne, WY, and she is taking steps to pursue modeling work. First step is a professional photo shoot, and I am honored that she asked me to make her initial images.

Additional selects from Elizabeth's shoot can be seen on my photo blog at Flickr.com

Cheers. -gregory byerline

This week I received a copy of the debut EP from country/pop starlette Ashlee Page (pictured here).

Additional selects from Ashlee's shoot can be seen in the Music gallery of GregoryByerline.com as well as my photo blog at Flickr.com

Learn more about AshleePage.com

Cheers. -gregory byerline

This past Sunday, I participated in a group art show that opened at The Village Chapel in Nashville, TN.

The show theme is "Attributes of Christ" and 14 artists from our community of faith created works for this show. My submission, a 20" x 30" photo illustration on metallic photo paper mounted to a canvas stretcher frame, is pictured here:

(A larger version can be viewed this link)

While pondering the attributes of Christ for this exhibit, my mind rested on God the Son’s relation to and connection with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity. One in three; three in one.

Though a King, God the Son entered the world in humble means. He lived a modest life in humble surroundings working a simple carpenter’s trade, awaiting His divinely appointed day.

Inspired by Christ’s woodworking craft, I selected these humble wooden chairs to depict the Holy Trinity. Three trustworthy, faithful, and steadfast objects equal to each other in every way.

One of the same; one and the same. Yesterday, today, and forever.

The show will run for the next 6-8 weeks with viewings before and after regularly scheduled worship services of 9:00am, 11:00am, and 6:00pm on Sundays and throughout the week during a class or Bible study.

Location is the historic St Bernard Academy building at this address:

The Village Chapel 2021 21st Ave S Nashville, TN 37212 http://www.thevillagechapel.com

I am honored and humbled to be a part of this show with some fantastic pieces submitted by other artists that also attend The Village Chapel. We're fortunate to have a community of faith that supports artists of all media, and I hope you're able to view the pieces in person.

This piece is available for sale; please inquire.

Cheers. ~Gregory Byerline

Hey gang,

Recently, I was contacted about a print sale of a musical hero. After recalling the story behind the images, I thought I'd share the story with the class.

In April 2006, Meghann and I attended MerleFest, one of the nation's premiere acoustic/bluegrass/americana music festivals. At the time, I managed a bluegrass guitar Pat Flynn (of New Grass Revival fame), so we had all access passes, securing our place on the main stage's side wings anytime.

We caught the Jerry Douglas Band performance, and Jerry gave me a 12-second photographic gift that I'll never forget. Jerry Douglas is a world-class dobro player (btw...the dobro is essentially an acoustic guitar with a metal resonator that is played flat with a slide; think blues and twang instead of strumming), and part of the hit band Alison Krauss & Union Station.

For this festival, Jerry's own band, a collection of top acoustic players, performed killer instrumentals to the 82,000+ crowd. Yes, folks, 82,000+ people. During the set, I'm backstage on the stage right wing with my humongo lens pointed at Jerry, waiting for just the right moment to make the capture.

While playing to the huge crowd, Jerry glances over his right shoulder and stares down the barrel of my lens (left side of image above). NOW is the time, and I start firing! He then turns to face me for a photographic gift of a lifetime. For a mere 12-seconds, he played for my lens (middle of image above) and turned back to the crowd with a big rock star grin (right side of image above).

Fun times. Just wanted to share. That was a great show, and a great 12-second photo gift from a master musician. Catch one his shows if he's playing your area.

Cheers. -gregory byerline

Yes, I'll admit to being an American Idol fan ... especially this year when the talent pool was deeper across the board.

Early on, Meghann and I leaned heavily toward David Archuleta. His consistency, his clean and clear voice, his innocence, his humility all rolled into the allusive "IT" factor.

Mid-season, David Cook started to bring it. His rocker personality, his killer voice, his poise, and his professionalism. Meghann stayed with David Archuleta. My loyalty moved to David Cook.

Monday, I started to rethink my stance and concluded that the new American Idol would be decided on the final night of competition. Based on those performances, I conceded that David Archuleta would be crowned the winner.

Much to my shock and awe moments ago, David Cook is the new American Idol. I'm excited for him. I'm also excited for David Archuleta. Both deserve the top spot, yet a resounding 12 million votes separated the two.

While the audition rounds and mockery showcase early on annoy me to no end, I'm an American Idol fan, and a big fan after this season's line-up.

Looking forward to hearing records from David Cook and David Archuleta as well as Brooke White and Jason Castro. What an entertainment phenomenon this series has become.

Did your favorite contestant win? Comment and Lemmeno.

Cheers. -gregory byerline

Next time you're in the mall, pop into Underground Station and look for a 30" x 40" sign that looks a lot like this one.

!

OK, it will look exactly like this one. I had a great time making these location shots at one of Nashville's swankiest night clubs.

Fun times. Cheers. -gregory byerline

Last week, we had the privilege of seeing Jack Stowe and his parents during Jack's newborn shoot that is part of our Baby's First Year package.

Here's a short slideshow of several selects from the session:

Later this summer, we'll post images from Jack's 3-month session. Stay tuned.

-gregory byerline