Hey coolios, here's a little info about a cool new wedding vendor I met a few weeks ago in Nashville. Thought you'd find this interesting. As a music lover, I think this idea is brilliant.

Our Song Forever is a custom songwriting business based out of Nashville. Founded and owned by Casey Meredith, Our Song Forever specializes in writing, as she describes, "the perfect song for your special day." Songs are created for every event/occasion you an possibly think of. She's been asked to write songs not only for weddings and anniversaries, but songs to say "I'm sorry," lullabies for newborn babies, and even music for other businesses and websites.

Between Casey’s songwriting talents and the amazing production/engineering skills of collaborator Santiago Sinisterra, the two have created some great songs, both singing and playing all of the instruments heard on all of their tracks. The two write in most popular genres ranging from pop to country, rock, jazz, R&B, and even a little bit of hip hop. Thanks to Santiago’s Columbian roots, the two also even venture into Spanish lyrics as well.

Casey mentioned that the number one question she gets asked day in and day out is, "How did you get into this?" She answers, "I started writing songs for weddings first- starting with my oldest sister's wedding when I was 15 years old. Then it turned into cousins, friends, and before I knew it, I realized that this was actually what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Seriously...how cool is it that I can give someone something that they'll have for the rest of their life to remember some of the most special moments they'll ever experience?"

Kinda sounds like a musical photograph to me.  8)  See how music and photography go hand-in-hand?

Go check them out at www.OurSongForever.com, and be sure to listen to the samples of their work. Cheers to you all.  ~gregory  

This weekend brought a little sun and blue skies to Nashburg, though still chilly on the back end of winter, and we had a great time hanging with Sasha & Patrick for their engagement session at the historic Traveller's Rest Plantation & Museum. Here's a sneak peek at some favorites from their session. Their June wedding will be a fun one! Cheers.  ~gregory  

A graphic designer friend of mine sent this video recently, and I immediately knew I wanted to share with my blog visitors.

Jay Thatcher of Thatcher Design was invited by AIGA to give a one minute presentation at an AIGA student design conference on the topic of "How the #@&! did you get that job?", and this was his powerful and effective response:

On several occasions lately, I have been asked about getting into full-time photography. In short, my response echoes Jay's sentiments regarding apprenticeship and internship. Thatcher credits Joel Anderson and David Thomas as influential springboards into his successful career, and I credit my friends and photography mentors Allen Clark, Scott Evans, and Erick Anderson for their generous professional jet fuel that launched my career as well.

Hope you enjoy the video. Drop by Thatcher Design at www.thatcherdesign.com to check out more of Jay's great work. Cheers.  ~gregory  

What a fabulous bridal show at The Frist Center for the Visual Arts today sponsored by Perfect Wedding Guide. We had a blast meeting newly engaged couples, brides and bridemaids, and their family and friends as you start planning your big day.

It's your big day! The day you've dreamed about since childhood. The day you deserve super model treatment. You deserve images skillfully created by an award-winning photographer who recognizes your desire to relive your marriage celebration for years to come with beautiful, timeless images.

We're delighted you visited our booth, and invite you all to schedule a free consultation where we can meet together to talk about your plans and develop a photography plan just for you.

Dates are booking fast so schedule your free consultation soon to reserve your date. Cheers to you. ~gregory

Hey gang, I'm excited to share new images from a recent photo shoot of a photographer and his lovely bride. If you're thinking/hoping to see pictures of the overdone and obligatory "photographer with a camera up to his/her face pointing at my camera," you won't find that here. He's not that kind of photographer. Me neither.

Evan Baines is a great friend and an amazing photographer whom I respect highly. We share a favorite "hero" photographer in Richard Avedon, a deep passion for fine wine and gourmet food, a natural aversion to being in front of the camera plus dozens of other mutual interests.

Add a little prop that's appropriate for the subject, in this case a wine glass, and that creates interesting photograph opportunities, and this is a subject worth its own blog post.

Even better, let's add a beautiful wife to the mix, and magic happens. Though not visible in these b&w photos, Amanda has amazing red hair, gorgeous cheek bones, and a warm smile sure to make Kate Winslet green with envy.

Evan & Amanda gave me complete creative freedom with one request: b&w film plus digital. These are favorites from the digital batch, and we're excited to see the film captures. Yes, film. Remember that? Though not immediate like digital, film rocks. Period.

I'm a big fan of couples who are into each other. Really into each other, and my two favorites from the digital lot are these two.

Tastefully done yet passionate. Smiley, happy portraits like others shown here are wonderful in their own right, and I'm certainly not knocking them. Images that tell a story take photography to a different level. Meghann and I have a signed print that Evan made of us hanging in our living room, and I'm honored they entrusted their portraits to my eye so I can return the favor.

Big thanks to Amy Lynn Larwig (www.amylynnlarwig.com) for outstanding hair and make-up work too. Cheers, everyone.  ~gregory  

Howdy, friends. I was sent some really cool info that I wanted share with the class. It's called the 3/50 project, and I'll summarize here with complete details at www.the350project.net.

What three independently-owned businesses would you miss if they disappeared? Think about your local dry cleaner or neighborhood coffeeshop/restaurant, pet food store, bakery, music store, ice cream parlor, plumber, printer, etc. Stop in. Say hello. Pick up something that brings a smile. Your purchases are what keeps those businesses around.

If half the working population spent $50 each month in locally-owned businesses it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 of the working population did that.

For every $100 spent in locally-owned businesses, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.

The number of people it takes to start the trend is one ... you.

Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy.

This is some great food for thought, and I am inspired by this challenge. We live in a uber-cool neighborhood with lots of locally-owned businesses, many of whom have become fast friends who know our "usual" when we walk in the door. We know their kids, we know their story, and we love their product with is better than their national competitor anyway.

Here's a real-life example from our world: I love coffee. I really love good coffee. When I'm in Nashville, I always choose our local coffeeshops over a national coffee chain. First, I like the locally-roasted small batch coffee better, but also because I enjoy supporting small businesses. While traveling and in want of a quick coffee fix, that's when I'll grab some joe a national chain like Starbucks or Joe Muggs or Dunkin Donuts or similar. Even then, I'll wish I had a bit more time seek out the local roaster.

So, how does this 3/50 Project idea resonate with you? I'd love hear your thoughts and comments. Maybe try it for a few days and share your experience? Cheers to you. ~gregory  

Time lapse photography video of bridal show booth setup for Gregory Byerline Photography, including surprise visits with several colleagues: Dior Whittaker of Face To Face with Dior, Erin & Audrey of Dove Wedding Photography, Krista Chapman of Nashville City Club, Angie Commons and Anna Ferguson of Jacob Marketing, and Donette of Designs in Paper.

We had a great time meeting wonderful brides and couples to talk about capturing your memories in photographs. Dates for 2010 and 2011 are booking quickly. To reserve your day, the next step is to schedule a free consultation so we can talk about your specific dreams and create a plan that's best for your wishes.

Schedule a consultation by calling 615.498.6296. Cheers to you.

If you know me even slightly, you'll soon discover that music is a major part of my world. I don't/can't play or sing anymore, but the inner musician still lives. I am sponge, and music is water. It soaks straight to my soul. Regardless of style or content (for the most part....it still has to be MUSIC), music moves me.

Add to that a longing and forelornness of unrequited or unattainable love, and I'm deeply moved. Here's a song that gets me every time. I just listened to two different versions of this song ten times in a row, and I'm sure I'll go back to the well a few more times this afternoon.

And the loneliest sound of all
Is the sound of love through a stranger's wall
And when their laughter fades
And there are no more words
The silence breaks me most of all

Also check out the version by Jerry Douglas (dobro) and Maura O'Connell from Lookout For Hope. Have a listen and share your thoughts. Cheers.  ~gregory    

FOOTSTEPS FALL
Written by Boo Hewerdine & Annette Bjergfeldt

I'm in a new place now
They don't know me next door
But I can hear their footsteps fall
And every night around this time
Does he take her in his arms
They'll be Django-playing as they waltz across the floor

And the loneliest sound of all
Is the sound of love through a stranger's wall
And when their laughter fades
And there are no more words
The silence breaks me most of all

And the loneliest sound of all
Is the sound of love through a stranger's wall

I'm in a new place now
They don't know me next door
I wonder where your footsteps fall

Howdy, folks. If you've been at a networking event with me, you've heard my elevator pitch introduction as an "award-winning sharp-shooter focusing on People, Products, and Pups" and I'm excited to reveal some recent product photography for Effusions, a complete line of couture bath products. 

Effusions' owner and product developer contacted me to create new images for her online store and catalog. The previous images were 2-3 years old on a plain, light-colored background. While this is a common setting for product shots, which I also updated on solid white during this shoot, I recommended that her product line be photographed in a "lifestyle" format to show the bath products in actual bathroom settings for a real-life flair.

Special thanks to my colleague Anne Jackovich and the team at Kenny & Co, an exclusive showroom for distinctive kitchen and bath products, for the beautiful high-end sets, props, and scenes for this product shoot. Until next time.... ~gregory 

I read this recently in an article. So true:

"The real camera exists in the mind's eye. A great stove does not make a great meal!"

Another analogy I use is "Eric Clapton's Guitar." Put that thing in my hands, and I won't (or rather, "can't") make the same kind of music. Or any kind of music for that matter. But in the hands of the master, true art and inspiration is made.

Cheers to you.

Howdy friends. I recently had the privilege of making pictures for a local model for a new comp card (short for "composite card" and also called a zed card). Essentially, a comp card is a leave-behind promotional piece used by models to showcase their various looks for prospective creative directors casting for modeling jobs.

Nashville's business market is home to several/many ... well, a ton, actually ... of corporations providing products or services to families and "Middle America" audiences including health care services, "typical" families and parents, insurance providers, book publishers, and the "soccer mom" represents a large demographic category for these products and services. The client will need to see that a model can play this particular role, and it's tough for many of them to make the jump from a high, European fashion style look to a soccer most, so it's best to show them an example.

The Professional

Similarly, these same corporations also create internal projects for their sales and marketing teams (called "industrials") including training videos and brochures that show models and actors in professional attire. This is not the time to show a sexy swimsuit photo if you're trying to land a modeling job for a large insurance or financial firm.

The Swimsuit

There is, however, a time and place for the swimsuit shot. In this case, Kim is a fitness trainer also interested in landing work as a fitness model for yoga/aerobics videos or activewear lines or running magazines or the like. Swimsuit shots serve two purposes: first to showcase a model's physical appearance and, even more important in my book, to showcase a model's presence and poise in "nothing at all" (while still clothed). For example, I recently shot for a tanning company so swimsuits were a main part of their wardrobe requirements. Being able to submit models' swimsuit photos to show their physique and fitness so the ad agency and client could make their selections was a must. In Kim's case, we selected a shot of her in a fitness pose that accentuates the results of her exercise diligence. If she were planning to work for other companies (say, Hooter's or Frederick's of Hollywood or Fruit of the Loom, for example), the pose and "feel" of her swimsuit image would be completely different.

The Clubber

When considering Nashville's music video crews and area nightclubs in tourist areas, there's a need for this style of look, and The Block Agency regularly fills those needs. For this image, lighting totally changed to replicate dramatic lighting and shadows of nightclubs, and we cranked some dance music at the studio to set the mood. If I were casting for a job like this, I would be more interesting in knowing the model can play the fun-loving role without a deer-in-the-headlight facial expression, so it's more of a "feel" and personality thing than what the model looks like. Although, in this case, the model looks pretty great, of course. She brought it and nailed the image.

One person, five different looks. These clearly defined objectives laid the groundwork for how I would approach the proper lighting for each look as well as the right stylists to have on board to achieve each look. Big cheers to Lisa Proctor for her great make-up work and Amber Wilburn for diverse hair styles and on-set cutting and trimming. For wardrobe, Kim brought several options for each look, and final outfits were discussed and selected by everyone on set. 

That's a pretty great way to make a living, if I may say so myself. I had a blast getting to know Kim during this shoot. Until next time....  ~gregory