Awkward Christmas Portraits? Yes, please.

Every now and then we all just need to kick back and have a good time...and that we did! This combination looked like good friends, great food, red wine, and awesome-awkward-family photos for Christmas cards. Some may call it silly, I think of it as a dang good time...Enjoy!

Party Nashvegas Style.

Ever wondered where Taylor Swift parties after winning Country Music's 2009 Entertainer of the Year award? Well here's a little sneak peak.

Whenever you start planning your next big throwdown, make sure you get ahold of a few of my friends: Randi at Randi Events is Nashville's premier hospitality consultant, and don't forget my boy Nate at G.I. Inc. Not only is he a swell guy, but he's a production and design genius too.

Seasons.

Well friends, I just wanted to say 'Hi.' Fall is my favorite time of year and I think it always will be...the weather, the colors, the symbolism, the fondness of friends and family, the constant desire to hold a warm beverage...Everything. This year is proving no different, and I can't tell you how thankful I am for seasons, both in creation and in life.

Seasons can be (and quite often are) hard to understand and embrace, especially when it seems everything is dying off. But alas, time takes it course, and life is richer. Take hope. Much love, J

AJ & Heather @ The Red House

Here's a quick peek at the wedding I shot this past weekend in downtown Franklin at a relatively new (and quite amazing) venue, The Red House. It was a wonderfully eclectic little mix of Chicago mobsters meets Southern Belles. (OK not really...but AJ ::groom:: and his family are from Chicago and Heather ::bride:: is born and raised in Franklin, TN...so close enough, right?) Anyways, the venue was quaint, vibey and perfect. Match that with a nice fall chill in the air and a bunch of people that knew how to have some FUN...you get one rockin' wedding! Big kudos to Suzanne at The Red House for coordinating and keeping after the details, a smashing job indeed.

Maybe next time they'll cater with some Chicago deep dish...but until then, enjoy a few shots!

Another epic story I got to be a part of...thank you AJ & Heather...and congratulations!

Kerstin & Matt's Horse Farm Wedding!

Every now and then, the canvas of Earth just happens to be on your side...and such was the case last weekend! Before we take a look at their beautiful wedding though, allow me to introduce you to the ever wonderful Kerstin & Matt. Kerstin is a wonderful woman who is originally from German and is the owner and manager of the Old Hillsboro Manor Equestrian Center in Franklin. Matt is an outside the box music producer in Brentwood, TN specializing in non-Nashville music at WilderSide Productions. At first sound...it wouldn't seem like they are your typical match...and it's because they aren't typical - which is what makes them so great for each other!

Anyways...the wedding ceremony and reception were both held on the farm's property, and as you can imagine...it was nothing short of gorgeous. Throw in some farm dog's, a horse & buggy, a '59 Rolls Royce and a kick-a sunset...and you've got yourself one heck of a night...see for yourself!

All for the picture!

Let's ride off into the sunset shall we?

1959 Rolls Royce.

This is ONE of their dogs Kiki...always the center of attention!

And the grand exit...

All the coordinating, decorating, catering and greatness you see was done by Monica & team at Clean Plate Club of Nashville. She/they are AWESOME!

Congrats again to Matt & Kerstin...another epic day in the books!

Emery Jayne Frazier

Well, this post doesn't need much introduction... As of 6:38 pm on September 29, 2009 I am an official Dad, and there are absolutely no words to describe the feeling. So, instead of me rambling on about how proud I am of Lindsey and how beautiful and breath-taking it is to stare into your childs eyes for the first time...I'll just let you enjoy a few pics from the big day - thanks to everyone for the prayers and encouragement...I can't wait for you all to meet her!

This was Lindsey's first picture with her straight out of the womb...notice the tear :)

Daddy's first picture.

First Bath!

Hello world!

Aubrey's Senior Shoot

First it was engagement pictures for her sister Rachel, then it was advertising for her Dad, then family portraits, then some more advertising for Dad, then Rachel's wedding rolled around...and finally it was Aubrey's time to shine - and boy did she! Aubrey is a senior this year and she decided some time ago she just wan't going to settle for the typical studio senior pics...This is where I come in - 100% on location.

Walking into this shoot was great as everyone was already real comfortable and casual since I've done a fair amount of work for the family in the past. This allowed for some great moments as we shot in and around downtown Franklin. Since that location is pretty well used up, I tried to find some different spots to keep things fresh - hence the wall of foliage :) Nonetheless, it was a great little session...enjoy.

Gray's Workshop

Last weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to hang out with and learn from fellow photogs and friends Zach and Jody Gray of Gray Photography. If you haven't heard their name, then you have probably been living under a rock as they are premier wedding+ photographer's in Nashville.

Anyways, as a result of their style and success, request after request poured in (from other photographers) for them to share their tips and secrets and well...they just couldn't help but to give in! The result? Gray's In-Camera Workshops. If you ever get the chance, do yourself a favor and GO, you won't regret it.

So last week was their Shooting & Post workshop that I got to attend and hopefully next week (barring my wife giving birth!) I'll be hitting up their Light workshop (Zach is one of Westcott's Top Endorsed Pro's). One of the best parts about their workshops is that there is always hands-on time after the classroom session so you can really get a feel for what they are talking about. Below you'll find just a few sample shots from the day...thanks to models Lindsey and Elly for doing what they do best.

**UPDATE** (Check out this awesome promo video they had put together from the workshop! Kudos to 2Duce2 for the sweet camera work.)

Thanks to Zach & Jody for putting together a great day!

Help-Portrait

Friends...it's been a quiet August, but this post is worth far more than any 'hey look at me and what I do' kind of stuff. Local Nashville photog Jeremy Cowart had a dream, and it's becoming reality, and I can't wait to be part of such an amazing occasion. Please take the time to watch this video and if you are moved like I was, let's join the story together. All the best - J. Fraz

To find out more information you can go to Help-Portrait's website to be put on the mailing list, and you can also follow the movement on Twitter at: @help_portrait.

I did something abnormal.

The other day, I did something completely out of the ordinary (for me)...and I'm pretty happy about the change of heart.

The first thing that didn't fit my mold was that I took a nature-esque picture. It's not that I don't like nature or beautiful landscapes or the animals that inhabit them...in fact I'm fascinated by all of the above, its just never been my photographic forte.

The next part that was weird is that I never set out to take this picture, in fact I was on my way home from a different shoot. Cruising right along, and I see these great creations hanging out together...so peaceful I thought. As I drove by I was like, "Wait a sec - I'm thinking about how cool a picture that is, and I have my camera in the car - why don't I just stop and shoot it?"

So I did. I threw my car in reverse on a major road (Not recommended by the way :) backed into a church parking lot (I was going in reverse after all) threw it in park, grabbed the camera and off I ran...

So here is my abnormal result. I hope you enjoy.

Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk

This past weekend was a WORLDwide success! It was absolutely incredible the steam this event gained as the day drew near - over 32,000 photographers all coming together and snapping away. For those of you that aren't familiar with Scott Kelby's worldwide photowalk, USA Today ran a great article that you can find here. (Which was a big help in the final push for numbers!)

By the time I actually found out about the walk, Nashville was already filled up (where I live), so I ended up shooting downtown Franklin which was really cool. I used to live only a mile from 5 points (main intersection in downtown Franklin) so I thought I had seen it all before, but man was I wrong! I found so many nooks and crannies that I just can't wait to go back and shoot again! One neat aspect was that we shot from 7:00 - 9:00 am, and there's very few things open at that time, so we really had a clean look at things.

Well, I really tried to bring a different perspective to the day with my style, so don't hold your breath if you are looking for 'great shots to represent Franklin.' :) Nonetheless, here's a few I didn't throw out:

(4th Street parking garage)

(Main street roofs)

(5 Points)

Don Moen Company

This post is both nerve-racking and exciting, because....

...To date, I would consider this my favorite shoot. There are many reasons for that statement, most of which I will not bore you with on here. Basically though, the concept for this shoot was more or less what I sometimes daydream about, and when it was presented to me, I wondered if someone crawled inside my head and offered me my thoughts. Kind of weird. Kind of awesome.

The bare bones is this: Don Moen (Platinum recording Christian music artist, and former President of Integrity Media) went out on his own last year to start The Don Moen Company as well as non-profit Worship2Action. The DMC's headquarters is here in Nashville, and this shoot was specifically designed and conceptualized to design their space. Hope you enjoy:

Thanks to G.I. Inc for the the gig and the killer space. You guys rock.

Baby Abram.

Babies, babies, babies. My life is encircled by babies these days! And to think my world is about to be completely rocked with my own baby. Unbelievable...

...sorry, I just drifted off here at my kitchen table thinking about it. For those of you who have never experienced the anxiousness of your first child, your first step/leap/fall into parenthood...it's completely overwhelming in an incredibly not-so-normal kind of way.

Anyways, this little guy is special because he is family! His name is Abram, and he's pretty awesome. Check him out: