A Moment in Time...

There is a time during the wedding ceremony when the bride forgets that her dress didn't arrive until just 30 minutes before the ceremony, that her fiancé has been cursing at his untied bow tie, and no one knew where the marriage license was until just a few minutes ago. It is at this time that she becomes blind to the fact she is in one of the most beautiful wedding venues in Southern California, she becomes blind to the endless spance of the Pacific Ocean and the waves crashing just below her feet, and she becomes blind to all the beautiful flowers that adorn the altar she now stands under. As a matter of fact, she cannot even hear the minister delivering his service even though he stands just to her left within arms distance. 

It is at this time she is lost in the gaze of her fiancé's eyes and she realizes she is marrying the love of her life. The moment is surreal and intoxicating, a fleeting moment in time that may be lost to the hectic days that lay ahead of her. A moment in time captured by her wedding photographer, preserved forever through the art of photography. Now she can relive this single moment in time over and over and share it with her new family for generations to come...

My Heroes

When I first received the call from Tony Florez asking me if I could cover an event for him at the Ritz Carlton, my immediate response was, of course, "Yes". As the conversation went on, I learned that it would be an awards banquet and Lt Colonel Oliver North was expected to be in attendance. Unfortunately, most people from my generation only remember him from the Iran Contra hearings during the Reagan Administration. Those dang hearings dominated the television airways and interfered with our regularly scheduled afternoon programming. As I researched the special guest of the upcoming event, I found that he is a true American hero who has served his country proudly since 1968 and hasn't stopped since. But as it turns out, LtCol North wasn't the real hero that night...

The event I was asked to cover, "Salute to Our Heroes Gala" was being hosted by the Freedom Alliance. The Freedom Alliance is a non profit organization that supports our troops and their families at home and abroad, operates a scholarship fund for the children of fallen and injured soldiers, educates high school students through their military leadership academy, and educates the public, policy makers, and the media about UN policies to protect our national sovereignty.

Later on the evening we were treated to an award ceremony for Marine LtCol Christian Ellinger (21 years) and his wife of 17 years, Naval Commander Jennifer Ellinger (19 years) who jointly received the Service to America award for their years of service to our country. But they were not the real heroes that night either...

The real heroes that night were the active and medically discharged soldiers in attendance. These soldiers have voluntarily enlisted and served to protect our country. During the evening, LtCol North told the following accounts of some of the soldiers in attendance. 

One soldier, a Soviet immigrant, enlisted when he was 18 years old. When asked why, he said he wanted to thank the United States for allowing him and his mother to come to America. He deployed to Afghanistan with his unit last year and returned home shortly thereafter, leaving both his legs behind. Two Marine Corp snipers who returned from deployment with just one leg between them. And the Naval EOD (Explosive Ordinance Detail) soldier who returned home minus 3 fingers. He returned to duty, amazing in itself, only to lose a leg on his very next deployment.

I admire LtCol North, LtCol Ellinger, and CDR Ellinger for their accomplishments, but I decided the real heroes were the young men and women in attendance that have gone off to fight for my freedom. Especially the young man who could not shake my hand due to loosing one of his and the young men who had to look up at me to look me in the eye because they left their legs in a foreign country. And when I had to get down on my knees, on the concrete or wet grass, in my dress pants and polished shoes to take their portrait, I suddenly didn't really mind all the aches and pains in my knees I normally feel when I stand up. I now know understand how lucky I am to have those aches and pains!

Please enjoy the images below, and if you know a man or woman who has served in the armed forces for our country please tell them thank you on my behalf.

LtCol North took time to speak with EVERY service member
in attendance and signed dozens of autographs.

Saying the Pledge of Allegiance with
Commander Jennifer Ellinger in the background.

LtCol North as he is preparing to present the American Service Award

LtCol Christian Ellinger, Commander Jennifer Ellinger,
and LtCol Oliver North 

LtCol North is and engaging speaker. At times I was so engrossed
with what he had to say I forgot I was supposed to be taking pictures.

Just a cool pic I wanted to post in honor of my Grandfather, 

Ray S Hamilton, Machinist Mate 2nd class (1922-2010).  

He served aboard the LST 460 which was sank during WWII by 

Japanese Aircraft off the coast of the Philippines on December 21, 1944.

Me and LtCol Oliver North

http://freedomalliance.org/

http://www.olivernorth.com/

http://www.tonyflorez.com/

http://www.hackworthphotography.com/

Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree

I wanted to take a break in my Egypt series, “What you won’t see in the travel brochures”, to bring you this special story I've entitled, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree". The classic song, originally performed by Tony Orlando and Dawn in 1973, reached #1 on billboard charts for four weeks in a row. The song has origins dating back to the civil war when ladies would wear a yellow ribbon in their hair signifying their devotion to their loved one serving in the US Calvary.

Destiny contacted me some time back and wanted me photograph Austin's homecoming from his deployment. Austin is a Corporal in the United States Marine Corp, assigned to 1st Battalion 1st Marines, and stationed at Camp Pendleton California. Due to security concerns specifics as to his exact return date and time are not divulged till the last minute. Even as late as 9:30 the night before, Destiny was giving me updates as to when he would be home.

The old adage that a picture speaks a thousand words truly applies here. So here are some images I captured as Alpha Company returned home from their 7 month overseas deployment.

Trees throughout the area are decorated with Yellow Ribbons

Destiny awaiting Austin's return

Alpha Company marches in absolute pricision on to the parade deck to their awaiting families

Destiny and Austin reunited

Do you think she will ever let go?

A mom reunites with her son

A young father holds his son for the first time

Brother and girlfriend reunited

Another beautiful couple reunited

And another...

Egypt 2011, What you won't see in the travel brochures...part 2

On yet another day and another adventure on the streets of Egypt, I happened upon two young boys, about 13 or 14 years old, pulling a wooden cart, much like you would imagine hitched to the back of a mule.  As one pulled the cart behind him loaded with watermelons they yelled out “Bateekh Bahteekh!” (Watermelon) Intrigued by this unusual scene, at least by American standards, I stopped the boys to talk to them. Unfortunately they didn't speak English and I don't speak Arabic. So we resorted to hand signs and raising our voices to emphasize our words, as if the increased volume would transcend the language barrier.

I decided to purchase a watermelon from them with no real idea of what I was going to do with it, as anyone who knows me, knows I don't care for watermelon. The older boy, in his striped Calvin Klein shirt, placed a watermelon on one side of the balance scale and then started adding weights to the opposite side until the two sides balanced. He then quoted a price of 20 Egyptian pounds, about 3 dollars American. Not really knowing if I got a good price or not, I paid him his 20 pounds. After all, it was the experience and the interaction with the locals that was most important to me at this point, not the price and especially not the watermelon.

Having set my watermelon aside, protected by the plastic grocery bag he had placed it in, I grabbed my camera and raised my eyebrows as if to ask "can I take your picture?" They both shook their heads in agreement, and again, here is “What you won't see in the travel brochures...”

I hope you have enjoyed the first two installments of "What you won't see in the travel brochures..." My next installment will solve the mystery of the watermelon I really didn't want and who are those other two boys?


For more of my Photography please visit my website at www.HackworthPhotography.com

Egypt 2011, What you won't see in the travel brochures...

For those that have never traveled to Egypt it is definitely a destination you must put on your bucket list. We have all seen the images of foreign countries on TV or in magazines, but I have always been curious how they represent the respective city or country.

During my previous visit to Egypt I had the opportunity to visit some of it's historical sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, The Valley of the Kings, The Cairo Museum, and sailed the Nile River from Aswan to Luxor. However, this time I wanted to see parts of Egypt that were not on a tourists' map or in an article in Wikipedia.  

During our visit we stayed at my mother-in-law's apartment (condo) in Alexandria, just one block from the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. A vast majority of the city is multilevel buildings, some upwards of 20 stories high. Each building has at least one working elevator, no more than about 15 square feet. Many have no door on the car itself and you can literally watch the floors whizzing by as you travel up and down the elevator shaft.

(Now, as I blog about these adventures I do not intend  to paint the city of Alexandria or the country of Egypt with a broad brush. My intention was to seek out what I perceived as extraordinary, but normal and acceptable to the locals.)

The weather at the time of our visit it was a balmy 82 degrees during the day and down to around 72 at night. The humidity topped out around 80% on most days. Keep this in mind as I tell you about the day I walked down the street and around the corner where I meet Rami, a 26 year old butcher working at his family’s butcher shop, just as his father did before him. Rami has been working here for more than 14 years and is quite skilled in his profession.  

What first caught my eye was the carcass of what I later found out was a lamb, hanging from a chain as Rami and his partner took turns removing the precious meat. Tied up next to the hanging meat was another lamb, alive and well, watching as Rami wielded his razor sharp knife, obviously completely oblivious to his destiny.

The table they practice their trade on is a waist high wooden bench much like the one my dad built in our garage when I was a kid for his workbench. The bench sits right out on the sidewalk and under a canopy hanging above the roll up door of their "store front" shop. Surprisingly, there are no foul odors or swarms of flies attacking me as I ventured closer. Over a cup of tea we chatted about him and his business as well as me and my visit to Egypt. I asked to shoot some pictures of him and his storefront and he was more than willing to allow me to capture this unique scene.

Rami (Blue and White shirt) works at the table as an unsuspecting sheep lingers beneath the recent kill.

Rami sharpening his knife as his Uncle trims the meat.

"The Butcher Shop" with Rami and some of the locals. 

Everyone was real friendly (and attracted to the American with a camera)

Did you enjoy this post? Be sure to look for more in the near future as we visit with some local boys playing soccer in the street, the watermelon vendor, corn on the cob on the corner, and more.

Also be sure to visit my webpage for my Portrait and Wedding Photography.

www.HackworthPhotography.com

A new venture...

Late last year I was asked to shoot a magazine launch party in Orange County. Long story short, it turned out to be a charity event I was covering for the magazine. Red carpet, celebrities, expensive cars, the whole kit and kaboodle. During the event I met an amazing photographer (and person), Carla Rhea. You can view her work at www.iwanabnpix.com

Since that night we have kept in touch and have worked together on several occasions. Carla is a true professional in our field. She has an extensive portfolio of event photography, celebrities, and children's head shots for acting and print work.

Due to an increase in business and a need to bring these different genres of photography together, she has created " The Foto Agency" (www.TheFotoAgency.com). As of today I am proud to share with you that I will be a fundamental part of this amazing organization.

So please take a moment and take a look at our website and keep us in mind for all your photography needs.

Carla Rhea 

Kevin Hackworth

How to hire a photographer

I recently attended a wedding show in Orange County just to see what other photographers are doing. (Side note, I shopped around as a consumer, not a photographer, nor did I ever disclose that I was a photographer.) Guess what I found? Nothing. They all basically provide the same service; 2 photographers on your wedding day, images on CD, a wedding album, and a set timeframe for photographing your wedding. 

They all had the same great looking images in the same albums (at least as far as a bride would know). So why should I consider photographer A vs. photographer B? Which photographer would I hire for my event? After some contemplation I chose one. Which one you ask? It doesn't really matter. What matters is how I came to my conclusion.

Two features or characteristics stuck out. First was personality. The photographer I chose connected with me. He was outgoing and found a way to be my friend and help me open up. You could say we instantly "hit it off". Think about this for a moment, whether it is your wedding, or any other photographed event, you want the photographer to capture the "real you". If you are uncomfortable with your photographer, you will have your guard up all day. But if you feel comfortable with your photographer, like you do with a close friend, he/she will be able to bring out the real you and capture those special moments just as you intended them to be.

Secondly, I found that each photographer had different packages. For this package it will cost this much and for that package it will cost that much. Doesn't a bride already have enough decisions to make? Does she really know what she wants from her photographer? Maybe she does, but for this reason I liked the photographer that offered just one package. I found this to be an easy decision, this is what he offers and this is what he will charge. Checkmark on photographer, let's talk to the caterers now. Shouldn't we, as the professionals in our industry, know basically what a bride wants and create a package for her and make this choice an easy one for her? Sure, we can have add-ons and extra services, but we can talk about that later.

Don't get me wrong. There are some important questions to ask; how many weddings have you shot? Do you have a second photographer with you? Do you have back up equipment? The list could go on forever. Do your research, know what is important to you and be sure to ask.

When all was said and done, here is what I came away with; 
- Feel comfortable with your choice of photographers, or any vendor you choose. 
- As a photographer, less can be more. Design a package that covers your bride's needs and put a price on it. Don't confuse her with half a dozen different packages to choose from. She may just gravitate towards the easier choice. 
-And for the brides/clients out there, know what you want and ask for it.

What are your thoughts? I would love to hear what you think on this topic. And please be sure to click the FaceBook share button at the top right.