Time is not my friend.

Time, there's only so much of it in a day. Trying to balance family, a full-time job, my military responsibility and my photography business is very challenging. Learning to organize and manage every bit of available time is crucial in anything you do. It has been a struggle for me as I am not an organized person but I have learned to overcome most of my shortcomings. Nothing is impossible if you just focus and prepare for each day as it is a new challenge.

Photo credit to Miriadna.com

Remember 9/11

     I remember where I was and what I was doing like it was yesterday. Sitting at work listening to the radio and when the first report came in I thought it was a joke. I was listening to the Mancow morning show and they often played jokes on their listeners but this was too much. By the time the second plane hit there was no doubt that we were under attack. Many of my co-workers were distraught and our S.O.B. of a boss only wanted us to get back to work. I was just waiting for my phone to ring and hear my First Sargent say "get your gear, were going to war" but that call did not come, at least not that day.

The whole thing was just so surreal, I couldn't believe what I was hearing and all I could think about was how many people are dead and are there any more attacks still to come. I also thought  about my family and wether or not I would have to go off to war and leave them behind. Who would take care of them? Who would protect them now that terrorists had come to our shores? Was that selfish of me when so many thousands of families had lost there loved ones and would never see them again?

I don't know to be quite honest.



The Pentagon



Then I heard that the Pentagon had been hit and that many of my fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines had been killed. At this point anger took over and all I wanted to know was who did this and when are we going after them. I didn't care what race they were or what country they were from. I just wanted to do something, anything instead of feeling so helpless.

I didn't actually get to see any of the video footage until I got home that afternoon and I still wonder why I didn't leave and go home. I guess we were all in shock and disbelief that it had even happened.

How glad I am that we had a great man in the White house when this tragedy occured.

We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.

George W. Bush, Speech after 9/11 attacks

Never Forget, Always remember for if you do not it will happen again.



A Tribute in Light



Cyc wall in a weekend?

        You may ask yourself the same question I did when I was searching for ways to improve my small home studio. What is a cyclorama wall a.k.a cyc wall? I had seen them many times but never knew what they were called. There are tons of tutorials out there on how to build them but basically you get a curved, seamless, ocean of white for your models to pose in front of. This type of background is great for all sorts of photography where you just want the model and maybe some props in the shot.

The folks over at EyeHandy.com have created a sexy and entertaining video (as they always do) that is also very informative. Check out the video below and if you can get past the practically naked model Ashley the information and technique in the video is very well done and useful. You may want to watch the video a couple times to make sure that you haven't missed any of the details.

Check back soon for a review of the Flashpoint 320M studio strobe from Adorama

My experience photographing Knoxville Fashion Week

My experience photographing Knoxville Fashion Week 2012



Model/ Actress: Hanna Belle Baker

Gage Talent Knoxville

I wasn't sure what to expect when I walked in the doors of the old Circuit City building located at 115 N Peters Rd in Knoxville, TN. I have been interested in photography for a little more than 4 years and finally 2 years ago I decided to start my own business. I had never thought about shooting or even attending a fashion show for that matter but when the opportunity presented itself I could not pass it up. I was not prepared for what I experienced.

 Model: Ashley Korte

Gage Talent Knoxville

 The staff from Knoxville Fashion Week were kind and courteous, making sure I got in and found the photographers pit without any trouble. The models and vendors welcomed me into there world as did the other photographers. I was an outsider but they made me feel at home. Once the show started, and the lights went down it was time to go to work. The show was quite impressive with loud music and colorful lighting. The models were wearing the latest designs from locals such as Jenna Colina's amazing swimwear collection and the stunningly beautiful jewelry by Alicia Marie designs. The talent of the local models was quite impressive to me. They were confident, strong as they boldly walked the runway. The men's wear collection from Coachman's clothiers  were worn by members of the Knoxville Ice Bears which was a treat for many in attendance.

Model: Amber Nichol Borzotra

I continue to create new connections and network with other photographers , designers, stylists and models alike. Exchanging ideas and making plans to collaborate on future projects together. It was a strange sequence of events that led me to being involved in this amazing event and I can't wait till the next one. It is sure to be a great time.

For more information on Knoxville Fashion Week and a list of all those who made it happen use the following links.

http://www.knoxvillefashionweek.com/

Need a photographer near Knoxville TN but your on a budget?

Contact Isbill Photography and let me tell you what my wife and I can offer you. We have been married for 16 years but we have been together longer than that. When we got married there wasn't much money for a professional photographer so we did what so many people do and we got a family member who had a camera and asked them to take pictures. They were not bad photos but they were not particularly memorable, nothing you would want to hang on your wall. When I started to get paid for my photography I made a decision that any bride that asked me to photograph there wedding would get the absolute best experience and images possible within their budget. I also vowed to do everything I could to make sure that we could accommodate everyone regardless of how much they could afford.

Give me the chance to sit down with you and discuss what your dreams are for your wedding and how we can capture those moments for you in such a way that you will cherish them for years to come. Don't feel as though you need to spend $5,000 on your wedding photos and don't make the mistake my wife and I did by having uncle Bob take your photos. You will regret not taking the time to sit down with me and find out what your options are before you assume it will be too expensive.

Your Bridal photos and your Wedding day photos may be the only thing you have to remember that day for years to come. Make sure you preserve those moments forever even if you do not choose Isbill-Photography.
Raymond Isbill Photographer

www.isbill-photography.biz

isbill.photography@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/Isbill.Photography

Love Instagram ?

 Wanted to share this information that I found over on http://www.photojojo.com/ titled 10 Totally New Ways to Play with Instagram . I found this information very useful and I hope you will too. Learn how to make everything from stickers to photo books from your instagram adventure. So head on over and check it out.

FREE wedding photography workshop online.

     Creative live has some outstanding training opportunities coming up in 2012. The next scheduled online training will be held Fri, 1/27/2012 - 9am. This is a 3 day training seminar and will last until 4pm each day. The best part about it is that if you register now you can watch it online absolutely free. That's right free, to sit in the comfort of your own home or at your favorite Internet hot spot and enjoy hours of training for wedding photographers of all skill levels.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just trying to find out if wedding photography is right for you then this might just be worth your time to check it out. I mean, what do you have to lose except a few hours in your easy chair.

The first training that I received as a wedding photographer was at my very first wedding and boy was that a huge mistake. I had read several books and watched some YouTube video's and thought that would be enough. Was I ever in for a surprise, trying to manage a wedding shoot is like trying to herd cats through a tuna factory. It didn't go quite as planned as you might imagine. The photos turned out fine and the bride was pleased however my lack of knowledge on the subject caused me to spend many, tedious hours at the computer fixing thing's that I now know to avoid.

I have attended a few of the training sessions offered by Creative Online and I have been more than satisfied with the content of each and every one. I always come away from it with a new lease on my business and new ideas or directions to take it. So come on and join me Fri, 1/27/2012 - 9am on Creativelive.com

 http://www.creativelive.com/courses/wedding-workshop-zach-and-jody-gray

https://www.facebook.com/Isbill.Photography

Home is with you...: To a wonderful year...

Wow! what a great feeling it is to see someone posting one of my photos on their website. Thanks so much Mallorie and we love your headbands. Can't wait to see what you come up with next. Head on over and check out the photo of little miss Zoey and the awesome headband that was hand crafted by Mallorie Owens.

Home is with you...: To a wonderful year...: This year is already off to a wonderful start. Blessings are pouring in and I can't help but take a moment to feel grateful. Dave and I ar...