Shane Thomas Photography Blog

Sunset Wedding FTW!

codejoy — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 23:13:57 +0000

I was honored by being able to photograph Amanda and Roy’s wedding this last weekend. It was a sunset ceremony and the whole ceremony was absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous sunset, great weather, what more could one ask for?

1 year photo shoot!

codejoy — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:36:14 +0000

Photographing kids is always the greatest of challenges, with the greatest of rewards. You never know whats going to happen, and unfortunately mom, dad, photographer, siblings are always on the kids time. Makes for sometimes a longer session, but when you get images like these it makes it worth it! This little guy was easy going and a complete blast to photograph. I can recommend one thing to parents, bring the kiddos favorite toys and props! Makes the photographs that much more about them and the images reflect that.

The Annie factor.

codejoy — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:03:16 +0000

I ran across some good behind the scenes looks at Annie Leibovitz’s work. If you want to see constant high quality photography. She does a lot of work for vanity fair and my favorite covers shes done are:

April 2007
June 2007
and Feb 2008
(Covers available here: http://www.vanityfair.com/magazine)

Though the following video, is an insight as to how much post processing can be done, even with a photography guru such as Annie:

There is something uncomfortable to me about heavy post processing. I guess for marketing its needed sometimes, but for like oh say Wedding Photography? I dunno, I think that should be more about the decisive moment than any post processing. Maybe thats just me.

Summer in the Desert

codejoy — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:56:24 +0000

This is my favorite time of year. It is bloody hot (and that I cannot handle) but some evenings, most during the monsoons we are treated to daily afternoon thundershowers. Which has several effects of cooling off the outside, providing some spectacular light shows and making the desert smell fresh and renewed. My summer hobby/passtime is capturing these storms and their light shows. Yesterday was the first one of the season. Not only was I treated to one kind of lightning light show, but the clouds broke in such a way that I was fortunate enough to get some lovely sunset colors as well.

I hope there are many more like this…

State of Wedding Photography

codejoy — Wed, 19 May 2010 22:34:18 +0000

I just ran across this rant by the one of the most well known names in the Wedding Photography business. Gary Fong has wrote a lengthy rant about what is wrong with wedding photography today. He basically is slamming on the “Rock Star” photographers that have used the internet to great success to build their “brand”. What I enjoyed bout the semi-angry rant was his caution of the over use of Photoshop. In the digital age, it is pretty tempting to just shoot and fix later in the camera, without regard for the moment. Everyone wants to look fantastic in a photo. Every photographer wants to create fantastic photos. I think though so many today are not learning the fundamentals of photography and just relying too much on photoshop to save them. I am actually quite lazy when it comes to photoshopping my images. I would say 90% of my images are unedited except for the black and white conversion here, or the push of some colors there to make them pop a little more. In fact rarely do I even crop in photoshop. I say it like that because I do crop, in camera. I like getting a great image straight out of the camera that was shot during the event, during the moments. That way I don’t have to go back through and drudge through 2000+ images after the thrill of the party has worn off. It is just my style I guess…to each their own.

Heavy Hands.com

codejoy — Sun, 16 May 2010 19:51:12 +0000

So I was contacted to do a photoshoot for a website called “Heavy Hands.com” out of Albuquerque. They sell some awesome MMA/UFC themed clothing and they have a “knockout girl of the month”. I was fortunate enough to be the photographer for May’s knockout girl! I wanted to share some highlights from an awesome photoshoot with the model Katelyn. It was a good time, lots of great conversation and awesome photos. Thanks Katelyn and Heavyhands!

What a great weekend!

codejoy — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:28:13 +0000

My best friend was back visiting Las Cruces and I got to do a couple photographs of their new kiddo! It was great seeing them and the new edition again!

So just wanted to share some highlights from the quick photoshoot of the new full family!

Firing up the Studio

codejoy — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:16:55 +0000

The latest studio shoot! What a great way to spend a Monday evening! A nice kick off to spring too!

Social Networking Special!

codejoy — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:59:02 +0000

Picacho Country Club

codejoy — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:45:48 +0000

There are some nice venues in Las Cruces for weddings and receptions. I was fortunate enough to photograph the reception of Joni & Shawn at the Picacho Hills Country Club. I was worried at first though cause I had brought along my “travel studio” which includes a light, background and some other accessories. It is quite bulky and takes up space which wasn’t readily available until some helpful staff members let me take over an entire unused room and the studio was up and running! Alls well that ends well!