Back from the Grind 3: Detroit (More than Glamorous)

Well, I had an absolute blast in Detroit, Michigan leading The Grind3: Detroit workshop. Our class was amazing and our models were fantastic. We did two days of intensive photography and photoshop work, and folks got a lot out of it.

Special thanks to Julie Lowry of Chanterelle Photography in Montgomery, AL who once again came through as my assistant for this workshop and she co-lead some of the breakout shoots.

Next weekend we head out to Portland to conduct the No Limits: Portland two-day workshop with Mike Long. There are still seats available, so join us if you can.

Here are a few images from Day 2 of the event. When I get the Day 1 (engagement couples) done, I'll post some of those as well.

Working with Leighann in Some New Space

I had the opportunity Saturday to shoot in some new Studio Space down in the Old City in Knoxville. Leighann Nitzband was gracious enough to be my guineau pig. Here are some of the results.

Classic Beauty/Modern Flavor

Sometimes I like to try to mix and match classic lighting, posing, and sets with a modern style of presentation. This photograph of model, Amelia Steele is an example of that.

The soft faux window light, the reclined pose, and the chaise lounge smack of classic feminine portraiture. However, the modern textured post-processing and presentation created with designhouse give the overall image a very unique feel and flavor.

More from my latest session...

Heather Levitt (the model in these pics) has been one of my best friends for ten years or so now. We always have fun when we shoot a session.

Getting a Little Funkified...

The crazy wig was Heather's idea. The crazy post work was my idea. We shot these with a ringlight and just a plain old hotel wall. What fun.

A few fashion glamour videos...

Glamour & Boudoir images are becoming popular gifts

It's no secret that men love photographs of beautiful women, but what you may not know is that more and more women are creating a special gift for their significant others.

Glamour/Boudoir photography is the gift for your man that just keeps on giving, and it's easier than you think. Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and ages. I've photographed women in their 20's and their late 40's. I've photographed women who were size 0 and women who were size 15. All of them were beautiful, and their husbands absolutely loved the special gifts they received.

The key to getting great glamour/boudoir photos is finding flattering light and apparel for your figure, and then working with me to find the best pose for your body. I recently shot a session with a woman who describes herself as a "heavier person." She was uncomfortable with how her legs looked, so we hid them and not only did SHE love her photos, she knows her husband will fall over when he gets his Christmas gift this year.

There are lots of options with glamour/boudoir photos. You can find more information about my glamour/boudoir sessions here: http://www.andyarmstrongphoto.com/pricing-glamour.htm

When good models go bad!

Of course I'm kidding. Sometimes you just have to let off a little steam during a shoot! This is Miss Leighann hamming it up for my camera at The Grind: Remix in Nashville.

I like to have a lot of fun at my fashion/glamour shoots. I find that laughter helps put people at ease, and it causes models to loosen up and have a great time. The more comfortable you are in front of the camera, the better my images will be.

Thanks for being a ham, Leighann.

Back from the NoBS Inferno in Nashville!

I'm back from the NoBS Inferno in Nashville where I conducted The Grind and The Grind:Remix (pre/post glamour workshops for photographers) and was a featured presenter during the NoBS Inferno.

I must say that we had a blast, and I have to give a shout of thanks to all the participants and a few folks especially.

First and foremost, thanks to everyone who participated in The Grind and The Grind: Remix. We had two outstanding groups of photographers and three great models: Chisa Meador, Leighann Nitzband, and Kaitlin Walker.

Second, let me thank Rob Provencher and James Hodgins of NoBS Photosuccess. These guys put on a great seminar and provided me a stage to present to their membership. I can't thank them enough for their encouragement, direction, and hospitality. If you haven't checked out NoBS Photosuccess, then you should.

I'd also like to give a major thanks to my assistant (and sanity keeper) for the week, Julie Lowry of Chanterelle Photography . Julie is an incredible source of knowledge on how to build a photogrpahy business and how to market that business. Her Monkey Business mini-sessions during the workshops were full of great information for all who participated. So, thank you, Julie. I truly appreciate your time, energy, and support.

Here's a group shot.



And me getting goofy during The Grind. Special thanks to Josh Carter of Carthage, Missouri for providing this pic to me (and using some killer designhouse effects to make it kick some butt).



That's me competing as a digital retoucher during the Inferno Shootout!




Here's some model shots from the workshops!

More fun with Leighann Nitzband "Okay!!!!!!!!" (with apologies to Jeff Dunham's Peanut)

Crazy, sexy, beautiful...and funny as hell. That's the only way I can describe the real Leighann. That and the fact that Mr. Nitzband (Leighann's husband) is a lucky, lucky man.

Leighann and I shot again last Monday, and she brought her cousin, Brittany on location to help us out (thanks for holding the reflector, Brittany). I don't mind telling you that I've developed an "old man" crush on this model. It's beyond me how anyone can be that fun, that tiny, and that sexy all at the same time.

From goofing off with "Peanut" sayings from Jeff Dunham to jumping on the bed and geese in the esophagus, wow - this session was just too fun. Thank you again, Leighann. I'm so glad you're coming to Nashville to help with the fashion/glamour workshops I'm leading the first week of November. We're going to have a blast... and if you thought the hotel room we shot in was nice - wait til you see the Hotel Preston.

Here's some of the pics from our session and here's the link to the full slideshow: http://www.andyarmstrongphoto.com/leighann1020/index.html

Oh, Miss Ashleigh!

What can I say? It's Miss Ashleigh - one of my favorite models, and it's been way, way too long since we had a shoot together (over a year).

Last monday, we got together at in a hotel room setting and shot a wonderful, quirky, crazy, fun session. Here are some of the results. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Short and Sweet

Well, last Friday was fun, and I don't mean just fun - I mean F-U-N, fun!

I had the pleasure of shooting in the studio with the absolutely tiny (4'11 to be exact) but incredibly lovely, Leighann. Not only is she gorgeous, Leighann has a sense of humor that just killed me. From singing "Scotty doesn't know to making goofy faces" - we just had fun.

Thanks so much for coming out to shoot with me, Leighann. I really do look forward to the next time we work together - and especially at my workshops in Nashville in November.

And, oh, we got some killer images too. Have a look. I think you'll agree.

Ah, it's Brittany... finally

About two years ago, I was lucky enough to be asked to be a judge for dance team tryouts for the Knoxville Ice Bears. I say I was lucky, because that's the very first time that Brittany Rinehart and I crossed paths. During those two days of tryouts, I remember thinking to myself, 'Wow, this young lady is beautiful. I've got to do a shoot with her.'

She made the dance team, and it wasn't long after that, that I asked Brittany to shoot with me - and while she didn't say no, she didn't say yes either.

Well, finally - two years later - she agreed to shoot with me. And, just as I thought - her images came out beautiful. Here are a few from our session at The Cove in Farragutt. Thank you, Brittany for shooting with me, and thanks for bringing your buddy with you to help me out.

Portfolio Session with Jeni D. Sanabria

Ok, so I was up at the buttcrack o' dawn this morning (4:45am) to get ready and out to a sunrise portfolio shoot with model, Jeni D. We shot at the lake.

First off, Jeni D. was awesome. Sweet, cute, kind, respectful - couldn't have asked for more from her. Secondly - my hope was to do strobe shots with the sunrise.


It was gorgeous when we arrived. Golden orange sun and clouds. I set up the equipment and got through about 20 frames or so, when it started to ran a little. Luckily, Jeni brought another "Andy" with her, and he helped me rush the electrical equipment back to the car.

Who says you can't shoot outdoors in the rain?

We were not deterred. I grabbed two golf umbrellas and had the other Andy hold them over himself and me while I continued to shoot through the rain... Special thanks to the other "Andy" at the shoot for holding umbrellas and toting equipment. I appreciate it.

I was using my new 70-200 L IS and my new 34 1.4 L - and yes, I was petrified I was going to get them wet.

Here are some of my favorites, followed by a slideshow link to all the whole set.

http://andyarmstrongphoto.com/jenid08/index.html

A "Cyn" Full Session

So, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and shooting fellow photogapher, Cyn (or Cynthia, but don't call her that yet, she might just kick your butt) last Monday. We had so much fun in the studio that it almost didn't seem like a photo shoot.

I was looking for someone who could do a little "punk glam" for me in the studio, but we got way more than that. Thanks, Cyn. I look forward to the next time.

If you'd like to see the slideshow of the whole shoot, go here: http://www.andyarmstrongphoto.com/cyn200806/index.html

Big News from WPPI in Las Vegas!

I found out yesterday that my 16x20 print, "Don't tell me" (below) placed third overall in the Premier Image category at the WPPI Convention. The top three images from each category will by published in Rangefinder magazine.

"Don't tell me"

Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) recognizes my work!

WPPI held it's annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada last week. Besides the excellent trade show and wonderful classes, WPPI held their annual 16x20 print competition, and photographers from arround the world, including Andy Armstrong submitted prints for competition.

Prints that received Accolades of Excellence were hung in show at the convention in Las Vegas. I am pleased to tell you that WPPI gave three of the four prints Accolades of Excellence and three photos got to hang in show at the convention.

Here are the three prints that received awards:

"Dominion"

"Don't Tell Me" - Third Place Overall - Premier Category

"TVMA"

Knoxville Tennessee Photographer Andy Armstrong - Glamour, Fashion, Portrait, Wedding and Commercial Samples

Andy Armstrong is an international portrait photographer based in Knoxville, Tennessee. He specializes in portraiture, but also covers event photography, wedding photography, commercial photography, fashion photography, glamour photography, and family portrait photography. His style is mainly photojournalism, and he believes that his photojournalistic style is the key to good storytelling in his work. Andy Armstrong Photography is based in Knoxville, TN, but also serves, Maryville, Oak Ridge, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and surrounding Tennessee counties. He has covered weddings and events nationally and internationally, including, Boston, Denver, and as far north as Canada.

Knoxville TN Photographer Family and Senior Portrait Sampler at GoFish

Knoxville TN Photographer Wedding Photo Sampler at GoFish

Knoxville TN Photographer Glamour, Boudoir, and Fashion Sampler at GoFish

Knoxville TN Photographer Wedding Photographs Sampler at MySpace TV

Knoxville TN Photographer Family and Senior Portrait Samples at MySpace TV