Rebecca & Art - Wedding Day

This is a slide show I put together for the lovely Mr. & Mrs. Davidson.

Rebecca & Art - Wedding Day

My Portfolio

This semester has finally come to an end. It's been very long, but so worth it. With this Portfolio, I'm finally starting to see major progress in my growth with photography. I'm very pleased with how far I've come and can't wait til next semester!

My Portfolio

The Baptista Family - 2016

Please click on the link below to check out their slide show! 

The Baptista Family - 2016

I absolutely love this family!  They are some of the sweetest people I know.  This is the second time I've photographed them in the past couple of years.  I really appreciate them helping me out. Thank you again, and I hope you enjoy the slide show I put together for you.

Engagement Portrait Session - Nikki and Ryan

Nikki and Ryan



I had such an amazing time with this lovely couple!  They are so happy and very excited for their special day and I'm so happy that I got to be a little part of it! Congratulations!

Zachary Davis - High School Senior

Zachary Davis - High School Senior



I can't believe my cousin is finally graduating high school!  I'm so glad I got to be apart of his senior photographs.

Bridal Studio

This is the lovely, Jessica!  This was the first bridal session I've done in a studio, and with lights.  I tried to get inspired by looking on the internet for ideas on how to pose brides in studio, but that really didn't get me anywhere.  So I started just playing around with posing her and found that I really liked the look of this.  She was so cooperative and patient with me.  Her mother also came to watch and help out with the dress fluffing and such.  They were so nice.  I'm so glad I got to work with Jessica and her mother.

Bridal On Location

What a weekend this past weekend was.  Three bridal sessions on location. One in Asheboro, Robbins, and downtown Southern Pines.  It was super busy..  I have to say, what an amazing feeling it is when you get a photograph like this!  I'm so proud of this photograph!  This was one of my favorites from Saturday evening in downtown Southern Pines.  We walked all over the town and took photographs everywhere.  People were waving and telling my bride congratulations.  It was a lot of fun! I had a couple assistants with me and it helped everything go pretty smoothly. Without everyone's help, it wouldn't have been the same. 

Little Plant

It's been a while since I've taken this photograph.  This was early in February 2016 when I took it.  My friend and I decided to go to an abandoned house, and this was from the shoot there.  I love the shallow depth of field!

We were still using our film cameras back in February for school.  I decided to bring along my Nikon D800 for some practice.  I now look back and wish I would've done things differently with this image, but that's one reason I'm in school, to learn what I'm doing.  Even from back in February,  I can see a huge improvement in me, and my work.

It's a Small World

"It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all.."  Every time I thought about this project, I had to sing the "It's a small world" song from Disney World, in my head.  Haha!  I had a super fun time with this!!  This photograph started as a 360 degree panoramic photograph of a landscape sceanry I found this past week.  It was very overcast and about ready to storm, but I got my photograph before it did!  Almost got attacked by the cows in the pasture too!

Did some editing in Photoshop and got my panoramic to look like a little world.  I can't wait to try this again! I'm so glad I know how to now!

Dressed in White

I was so excited for this photo shoot!  This is Jessica, my bride model for the day.  I had a great time with her!  The photos turned out amazingly.  I've been waiting all week to take the photographs and post at least one on my blog for this week.  This image is probably one of my favorite shots I got today!  Thank you, Jessica!  I can't wait to do more bridal portraits!  I have an on location bridal shoot coming up soon!  I cannot wait!  I love being able to capture brides before and on their special day.  Who knows, maybe I will become a full time wedding photographer.

Jocelyn O.

Hi Everyone!  This week I finally got in the portrait studio and did a session that I wanted to do!  These photographs were for a project of mine for my instructor.  I had a great time with Jocelyn!  She was an amazing model!  I hope to be able to work with her again.  Since these were my first open assignment, (where I could pose my subject how I wanted, light them how I wanted, etc..)  I was really pleased how they turned out for my first try!  I can't wait to get back in the studio Friday and do a bridal session!

The Stairs in the Woods

I was on a hike in Lexington, North Carolina at the Daniel Boone Caves when I came upon this adorable stair case.  I fell in love with it and had to take a photograph.  It looks great in black and white.  If you haven't been to the Daniel Boone Caves, I suggest going!  It was a lot of fun.  Great scenery, beautiful caves, and a nice long walk. Though coming back up was a little more challenging.  There were about 200 stairs I had to walk back up. Haha!  I look forward to going back in the future.  I believe I will set up a time in the fall, so I can get some images with the leaves falling off the trees.

Painting with Light

Painting with light was a great experience!! This photograph was from a project we did last semester.  I had to go out and and set my camera on a tripod and keep the shutter open for around 30 seconds as I went and walked my flash around popping it off so I could get some light on my subject.  I had so much fun with it!  It took me at least three times going out at night to get what I wanted.  I was trying to get a photo with a mysterious feel to it, and I think I pulled it off well.  I would like to go out and try again with a different outfit. 

Ranger

So, if you read my earlier blog about my Multimedia class, you would've seen where it said I had to take my cat to the vet.  Well, this is him.  My cat Ranger.  He got super sick and we had to take him yesterday.  I was so worried that he was close to his end in time.  Somehow he made it through though!  I was so happy when I received the call this morning that he was going to be just fine!  He has a few weeks of a couple of different medications, but they think he will be fine.

Multimedia

Ryan H.

 What a week!  My cat has been in the vet,  I've been in class everyday this week, and getting projects left and right.  Busy, busy me!  We started off Multimedia class with a minute long video.  We had to go out and get five pieces of audio, from five different people, and make a video with still images.  The question I decided to ask each person was "If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 15-year-old self?"  I was very nervous and worried I would do the audio wrong, but I got it and made it through! This photograph is one of the images I decided to use from my photo shoot in the video.  I will have to post the video when I get it done!

Portrait Student

So, now that I am officially a second year student, we are able to be in the certain concentrations we’ve picked.  There is a choice of three; Photojournalism, Commercial, or Portrait Management.  The concentration I chose is Portrait Management.  I love taking photographs of people and being able to make them happy and have something they can hold on to dearly for years and years. 


This beautiful lady is Isabel.  She is also a portrait student.  This is one of the first images we took for a project in our studio at Randolph Community College.  I absolutely love how it turned out!  She is a wonderful model!

Lonely..

I've passed by this chair, just sitting in this building that's for sale, for the last couple weeks.  Everyday heading to school I see the chair.  I decided to stop and take a photograph of it today.  The chair is just as lonely as the rest of the building, which is older and falling down.  Just waiting to be sold.

I still have to figured out why I like to photograph abandoned places and things.  I'm so intrigued the way older places look and I like to think about all the history they have hidden away in their walls. 

I hope to stop back by again soon and take another picture.

Odell Hussey

Odell Hussey

This handsome man is Odell Hussey.  He was the Wagon Master of the Farmer's Day Parade in Robbins, North Carolina.  Just this year, he decided to pass the reins to his son, Robert, who will now be the Wagon Master.

Mr. Odell has given kids and adults very happy memories of riding on his wagon during the festive time, which is a three day celebration in the little town of Robbins.  It's held once a year on the first weekend in August.

This was my final portfolio picture of my Summer semester.

I want to thank Odell Hussey for the wonderful 24 years of happiness he has given to all the people of Robbins and the surrounding areas.

I'm Back!

Hi everyone!  I'm back!  I had to take a break after last semester.  It was an amazing learning experience.  I learned so much in that short eight weeks.  I was stressed to no end, but had a wonderful time!  And now, I'm a second year photography student!  I have one more year and then I graduate.  I can not believe I've been at Randolph Community College an entire year!

Anyways, back to my pictures.  This is a photograph I took last semester for my Small-Format Photography class.  We had a project to go out and have a photo shoot with a business that belongs to  the Chamber of Commerce.  We had to look up who we wanted, call and ask permission to take pictures, set a time, and go out to take the photos.

The business I decided to choose is Vanderbilt Minerals, LLC.  They mine pyrophyllite.  A white substance similar to talc.  As younger kids we called it a talc mine.  This is one of the photos I took.  Pictured, is a dryer with a man busy welding it.  It was build a very long time ago and had a couple of holes in it.  I had a great time!  It was very hot, but so worth it!

Bridal Shower

Fruit Bowl

Games being played

Presents from Guests

 

A couple weeks ago, I got invited to my cousins bridal shower and I went.  Of course, while I was there I had to snap some pictures for her!  I had a great time!  Good food, nice people, even got some pictures for my Up-Close and Personal project of people I haven't met before.

We played a few different games (one game pictured above).  In one game we had to look through our purses to find things on a list, and whoever had the most things from the list, in their purse, won.  In another game we had to find rings that were hidden all around certain areas of the house.  Therefore, that's why she has so many rings on in the picture above.

Baseball

Well,  It's about time to say good-bye to the Summer semester.  It's been a super long 8 weeks, but I couldn't be happier with what all I've learned.  Yesterday we finally got to turn in our baseball photos.  We had to take a total of 7 pictures.  One of the pitcher, one Americana, and five action photos.  This was the photo I took with the 300mm lens.  I'm very pleased to say my photo got a spot on the board outside the Photographic Technology Department!  So very happy!  Can't wait until next semester when I go in my Portrait concentration.

Round and Round..

This weekly photo was to capture "Motion." I decided to go to the Asheboro NC Zoo and take a picture on the carousel.  So I got on and asked this very nice lady if I could take a picture of her and her daughter.  She was more than happy to let me.  After I got done shooting this, I stopped her and asked her if she wanted a copy because it was just absolutely ADORABLE!  We started talking more after I got her email and she happened to know one of the 2nd year photography students.  I thought that was pretty interesting! 

Ant on Mushroom

I had such a fun time with this Lensbaby tilt shift lens! This was the first time I've ever used one.  At first, It was a little bit difficult to figure out how to focus it.  After I figured it out though, it was a breeze to use!  This was a weird looking mushroom growing in my yard by a huge tree trunk.  As I was setting up my camera an ant started walking along it.  It was a great add to the photo!  Thank you little ant. I hope to be able to invest in a Lensbaby tilt shift lens very soon.

Frog

 I finally decided to post the picture of a frog I took in my yard a few months ago.  This little guy was just chilling out one day in my backyard and I just happened to notice him while I was taking pictures for a project.  If you look really close, on his back, he has some pollen from the flowers on the plant he is sitting on.  I love green, purple, and yellow-ish triadic color scheme that is playing in this photo!

Wildlife has always been a part of my life, our property is actually a Certified Wildlife Habitat.  So no one can hurt the wildlife around us.

The American Sport - Baseball

So this week, I want to start off with one of my projects for my Small-Format Photography class.  We are suppose to go out and take five different pictures of baseball games.  One picture of the pitcher, three action shots with the ball in the frame, and one Americana.  This is my Americana shot I got at the first game I went to. 

Even though I don't watch baseball much, I've had a great time at the games!  I'm glad I got the chance to do this, or I never would have even tried to take pictures at a baseball game.

Arms of an Angel

When I got home from school today, I turned and looked to the left of the walk way up to my house and I saw the light on this statue of an angel.  It looked as though this would be a great photo to turn in to print.  We will be converting this to a black and white photo in class Monday morning.

I know it's dirty from the rain splattering and dirt covering it.  It shows some age from being out in the weather for the years, but I loved how the light was shining through the trees right on the angels face! 

Coffee Buzz

  
One of my assignments this week was to take some sort of "Product" picture.  I decided on coffee.  I've always wanted to take a picture of coffee beans in a cup and this was my chance to!  

   I had such a fun time on this shoot.  I set up at my grandparents house on their kitchen table.  Got my background ready and had an assistant hold it for me, put the beans in a cup and went for it!  I was really excited, because I just recently got in my wireless remote for my camera.  So I put my camera on my tripod and started taking pictures.  Zero camera shake!
   I can't wait to learn more about product photography and how to light it.

Roy & Little Man

 
 This is Roy Frye and Little Man.  They're from Robbins NC, the town I live in.  I've seen this man and his dog walk around town every day for years.  He walks his dog to the town of Robbins 3 times a day.  I've always been fascinated how regularly he walks Little Man through town.  So dedicated.

   I one day just decided to stop and talk to him.  I asked him his name and we started talking about how he was related to the person who owned "Frye's Department Store." An old clothing store that use to be a huge hit in Robbins.  My mom has told me so many stories of going to Frye's every Summer when she was younger and getting pairs of jeans and overalls. 

   It's so amazing how much you can find out about someone if you just take the time to stop and listen.

Street Photography

Off Sunset Dr. Asheboro NC

  For this week,  my assignment was to go out and shoot "Street Photography" with somebody in the picture I didn't know.  It was challenging, but not as hard as my first assignment where I had to walk up to someone I didn't know and ask permission to take a picture. 

   I investigated the area, and found the spot where I wanted my photo taken at.  I decided to wait.  I knew if I did, I might have a chance at getting the picture I had in mind.  I framed the shot and waited.

   As the time went on, people started opening up their businesses, and walking around on the street.  Finally, the moment came and this man walked around the corner.  I'm so glad I waited!  It was well worth it to capture this moment.

Window Portrait

T.D. Burgess Sr.

   This portrait was taken at the end of my last semester.  I absolutely love how this turned out!  My grandfather is an amazing man!  96 years young and still as spunky as ever.  When I told him I wanted to take his picture, he was so excited! 

   A few days before the photo shoot, I told him I wanted him to wear a nice suit, and as you can see, he did!  I show up to the house, my grandmother answers the door and he's behind her, in his suit, just smiling away.  We go into the living room where I had in-visioned him sitting.  I got the chair where I wanted it and had him sit down.  I snapped a few photos and it wasn't working for me, so I had my grandmother find one of his cigars and had him hold it in his mouth.  This was it!  I took a few more shots and got it. 

   I told my grandfather I wanted to get it printed professionally and he wasn't allowed to see it until I got it back from the printers.  I ordered him a canvas and had it sent to my house.  What a long wait, I was so impatient..  This was my first professional quality print I've ordered.  So I was excited!  The day came that I finally got it,  I opened it up and it took my breath away.  It was one the most beautiful things I'd ever seen! 

   I asked my teachers if it was okay to present the portrait to my grandfather at the portfolio party we had for the spring semester of 2016 and they said it was fine.  So the day of the party, after my grandparents showed up and looked around at mine and my classmates work, I told him I had a surprise to show him.  I walked him around to the other side of the studio and presented my portrait of him.  He lit up and started smiling from ear to ear, I've never seen him so happy before.  He carried the portrait out like a baby and started showing people he didn't even know. "Look what my granddaughter did for me," he would say.  I'm so glad I got to make him happy! That's my job as a photographer.  I love it!

It's in the eyes

Photo Taken: Southern Pines, NC

   I can't believe it, already my second week in my summer classes and we have 4 or so projects due.  This was my first assignment, what a difficult one!  You would never believe this would be a hard picture to capture, until you figure out it has to be someone you don't know, a total stranger.

   When my instructor told us it was a stranger assignment, I thought "I got this."  I wasn't nervous at all! Then I went out to start looking, and it began.. I was so nervous.  I didn't know what to say or how to act, but I knew what I was looking for;  someone who had character.
 
   I'd found a couple people who I took a picture of, but not THE person.  I was about to give up.. Then he rode up on his motorcycle, and I knew I wanted a picture of him.  I walked up all nervous and asked if I could take a picture, and then why I wanted one and where I was from.  Totally backwards from what my instructor had told me to do.  He was very friendly and said it was fine.  So then I snapped the shot.

Introduction

     My name is Eden Holt.  I am currently a student at Randolph Community College for Photographic Technology.  I wanted to make this blog for other people and photographers to see my work, as I move forward in my career to becoming a professional photographer.

     A little more about myself:  I'm 19 years old.  I live in Robbins, North Carolina.  I was home schooled up until I graduated high school in 2015.  I've been interested in photography since I was around 12 years old.  I would go out and take pictures on my little point and shoot camera,  I loved it!  As I got older, I decided to take some Christmas and birthday money I saved up and bought myself my first DSLR.  A Nikon D3000.  I taught myself from video tutorials and trial and error.  I was getting by, but wanted to learn more! 

     I was mostly taking pictures of nature and wildlife until I decided to try taking photographs of a person.  I was so nervous, but made it through and figured out that was something I wanted to keep doing.  After the first couple of sessions, I started charging to make myself a little more money than I was making as a waitress. 

     When I graduated high school, I decided to go straight from that and come right into the photography program.  I went out and got another Nikon camera, a D800 and some other equipment to get me through, quit my job as a waitress, and started college.

     It has been the best decision of my life so far, and can't wait to see where it takes me.