Martin Photography

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Aurora Theatre Staff 2018

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Aurora Theatre Staff Pictures 2018

For a number of years now I’ve been invited by the wonderful folks at Lawrenceville’s Aurora Theatre to photograph their staff and other events. The staff group is always a fun picture that we make on the set of their fall production. We make one of all the staff including the Apprentice Company as well as one of the regular full-time staff. Mixed in we usually make some other groups and fun pics as well. For me it’s pure joy to get another chance to hang with the storytellers who call The Aurora their home.

I think it was 3rd grade when I first took the stage at Lake Park Elementary in Albany – I was cast as Santa Claus and I loved the experience. Another year I played the Wizard in a production of The Wizard of Oz. In deep south Georgia when I was a kid my opportunities were a bit limited but I did take the stage at church & high school and even a few productions through Albany’s community theatre. I even have a trophy packed up somewhere for a region win at interpretive reading. When I got to college I spent some time in class at the Georgia State drama department– I put that to work in my ministry years in the pulpit as well as directing some. So – why all this in my photography blog? Well, when I make these pics I get to go on stage at The Aurora and all the lights are on; there’s a great set; there are lots of artsy theatre types surrounding me; it even smells drama – I like it! And then, I even get to create great pictures. Kid in a candy shoppe kind of experience for this guy!

So when Ann Carol, Tony and the crew at the Aurora call…… I grab the camera and run toward downtown Lawrenceville. I am in awe of all the folks in these pictures. Here you see talented story tellers – but they wear so many more hats to assure the great experience of professional theatre in our community: these folks sell tickets, build sets, sew, clean, beg, develop superb marketing plans, design costumes, teach classes for folks of all ages and way more! There is an unbelievable amount of talent, dedication and service packed into these group pictures.

Thanks Aurora Theatre – it’s my joy to volunteer. Call on me again please!

OH – be sure you have tickets – just click:  The Aurora Theatre

It’s a Billboard

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It’s A Billboard Now!   Where will my portraits turn up next?

Back in the spring I had the joy of capturing a great promotional image for Terri and Laura – a mother & daughter real estate sales team. A house that they had totally renewed was a super setting for their portrait. They’ve used in several places – like Gwinnett Magazine’s “Best Of Gwinnett” issue – and recently the image went up over PIB on a billboard.

I stopped Saturday as I passed that way to grab a picture of the picture. It’s always fun seeing where my corporate image portraits might turn up next.


Give me a call if you have a need for a great image for your business publicity. I’m just as “at home” working at your location as I am in our studio. The portable lighting sets allow me to use great lighting appropriate to each situation.

Lawrenceville, Snellville, Suwanee – anywhere in Gwinnett or even the world – I’m ready to go! Business portraits, headshots and editorial portraits are my specialty.

Best of Gwinnett – A Celebration Special

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We’re still celebrating our selection as Best Of Gwinnett in the Photographer category by Gwinnett Magazine.  For our Head Shot clients we are giving a second pose retouched at no additional charge (a $39 value) as a part of the celebration.

Our Head Shot sessions are really popular here in our Lawrenceville portrait studio.  We usually schedule these for morning sessions so folks look their very best in their portrait.  Quite often folks will book an early session and stop by the studio on their way to work.  We’re convenient to downtown Lawrenceville, Hwy 29, Sugarloaf Parkway and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd with quick access back to I-85 and 316.

Our Executive Head Shot Session takes 15-20 minutes total.  We’ll make certain you look you best for the session, make 20+ poses on an appropriate background, and then sit down together to view your poses on our 50-inch monitor to select your favorites.  Once you’ve made your selections your are off and headed for work or play.  Usually within 24 hours we send you a link to download your completed digital files for your Head Shot.  We completely retouch  your selected poses to remove blemishes, soften lines and make certain you look your very best.  From each retouched pose you receive 2 files – one is sized for printing & reproduction while another is sized and optimized for web use.  The free second pose gives you a great chance to have a little different look available – maybe a bigger smile, a different angle, or a different coat.

For those that need multiple outfits, head & shoulder poses as well as 3/4 length, and more we have larger packages for more time and poses.  It’s always a matter of picking what’s right for your needs.

Give us a call today to schedule your session.  We’re convenient to Suwanee, Snellville, Norcross, Duluth – really, all of Gwinnett.  The free second pose offer ends May 31 but don’t put this off any longer when you know you’ve needed a new Head Shot for a long time!

Remember, all studio visits should be by appointment so that we can be certain to be able to give you our full attention.  And, since we also offer Head Shots and Executive Portraits at your office or other location we also want to be certain we’re in the studio for your appointment.

 

A Portrait of my Pastor

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There’s nothing as fun as photographing a friend – and in this case it was my pastor and long-time friend Dr. Burch.   Any time is a great time to update a business portrait but Bill has a move coming in June and he needed to be able to send a current portrait over to the new church.  He also writes a blog and an updated casual picture would be great there too.   So we took care of it all in one morning.

In the studio we can quickly change backgrounds for different looks or just switch from a head & shoulder to a ¾ style pose for variety.   With just 2 outfits we were able to come up with several different portraits for Bill to use in a variety of situations.

Including the outfit change and lots of conversation, this session took only about 20 minutes to complete.  We had a lot of choices for Bill and he narrowed it down to these 4 for retouching.   I tell folks that my retouching “takes a few miles off” and most understand exactly what I mean.   Sure, we do believe in an accurate representation in a business portrait but a little help never hurt anyone.  All our portraits receive careful retouching to smooth and enhance for a great look.  Our business portrait packages include digital files for print and electronic use.

Give me a call today to update your look.

Family Portrait

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This past fall I had the joy of creating a family portrait for the Young family at Suwanee’s Sims Lake Park.  We had a blast – and we came away with some great family portraits.

Whenever I work with a family, whether it’s in our Lawrenceville portrait studio or out at a beautiful location like this, we always make several different poses of the whole family as well as individual and small group portraits.   While we have everyone together and dressed nicely it’s a good thing to do.

My portraits are planned!   I carefully select portrait locations for backgrounds as well as for proper lighting to flatter the subjects.   While many photographers today are using just sunlight and calling it “natural light”, my lighting style is “light that looks natural”.  I carry studio lights, battery packs, reflectors and other photographer “toys” to create light that totally flatters the folks in the portrait as well as blending with the environment.   Good lighting doesn’t just happen – it has to be planned an shaped to totally flatter the subjects in a portrait.

We pose!  Seldom to people just naturally fall into a flattering pose for a portrait – they just need a little coaching.  We turn, tilt, hug, squeeze and love on each other to get a great look.  We work toward creating a wall portrait that shows off your good-looking family as well as the relationships and individuals that make up your special bunch.  It takes a little effort – but it’s always worth the work!

Our family portrait packages include the session, a beautiful canvas wall portrait, and desk sized prints too.  Printing and displaying is the best way to enjoy a family portrait – but we’ll include digital files for social media too!

Call today to schedule a family portrait in the studio or a local park!  Do it today – you’ll be glad you did.

Business Portrait

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Recently the Rev. Bruce Petty of Today’s Chaplain was in the studio for business portraits.  Bruce had won a free session that we gave away at a Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event and was really excited to come in for his business headshot session in our Lawrenceville studio.   Bruce is an experienced pastor who has begun a ministry to businesses and their employees as a visiting chaplain.  It’s an exciting venture and I’m totally intrigued by this wonderful point of service he has to offer.

Bruce brought in a couple of different outfits that were comfortable and really made him feel good.  We wanted to create portraits that conveyed the experience and skill Bruce brings to his work, but also wanted to have a casual and approachable look to them as well.  I think we hit the mark with these and Bruce was totally pleased.

I’d love to work with you to create a business headshot that tells your story too.  If you need a business portrait in Gwinnett our Lawrenceville portrait studio is convenient or we can come to you if that’s better plan.  So whether you need a business portrait in Suwannee, Snellville or Norcross I do hope you will call on me.

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