40 Nights Creative

Billboards slowly going up

2012-01-12T11:45:00.000-08:00

The billboard campaign I shot for LCAD is now going up all over Lincoln! This one is on HWY 6 near Waverly. If you see others around town please let me know the locations.

Wiley & Katie

2012-01-10T12:03:00.000-08:00

Wiley and Katie got married on New Year's Eve. Katie was disappointed that there wasn't any snow...however, it did rain for a few minutes. I am so glad I met this two. They make for a perfect couple.

The New Pinterest Site

2011-12-28T09:15:00.000-08:00

If you're planning a wedding and haven't joined Pinterest yet -- you're missing out.

Pinterest is yet another social media site. It lets you quickly browse images of all kinds, including all sorts of wedding pictures, from dresses, to reception decorations, cakes, flowers, and much more.

I'll be posting into those categories and more on my Pinterest page, which you can find here: http://pinterest.com/40nights/.

Happy Pinning and see you on the Web!

Nathan

2011-12-21T07:17:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone -- I put together a 5-minute slideshow of highlights from the past year. It's now on the front page of my web site. If you check it out please let me know what you think!

Just go here: www.40nightscreative.com

LCAD Billboard Project

2011-12-06T07:42:00.001-08:00

I recently finished shooting images for a billboard campaign for LCAD (Lincoln Council on Alcoholism and Drugs). These billboards will begin appearing around the city beginning in January.

The campaign slogan is, "What's Your High?" and features local high school students showing off fun activities that -- obviously -- don't involve substance use.

This was a crazy-fun project, for a number of reasons. For one, LCAD was kind enough to give me a lot of control in terms of creative direction. To that end, I decided to take things to an extreme. We played directly into the idea of combining a trippy (and hopefully attention-grabbing) visual appeal with their chosen non-drug activity.

While the the kids went with drug-free activities, their photographer (me) went Photoshop-less. The the idea is to show that creativity, spontaneity and imagination trump artificiality -- that there is magic to be found in everything we do without resorting to the easiest solution.

So, none of these images features any sort of Photoshop trickery. They're all single, unaltered images straight out of the camera. Exposure times ranged from 20 seconds to nearly 2 minutes.

My thanks (again) to LCAD and all of the students who participated. These images were a lot of work but I think the results were worth the effort.

The following images are outtakes from our sessions. I'll hopefully have access to the actual billboard layouts later and I'll of course share those here and on Facebook.

Kevin, Heather & Drayton

2011-12-03T12:46:00.001-08:00

It was a chilly night (thus the huge coats on Drayton) but we still managed to make some fun pictures. These were taken at a state park down by Fairbury.

GJ & Alita Wedding

2011-12-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

GJ and Alita really, really enjoy each other...and that means that taking pictures of them was a lot of fun for me. Congratulations to them!

GJ is also an author and motivational speaker. You can see some of his work here: http://powerfulwarrior.com/

The Inadvertent Mass Update

2011-11-09T10:12:00.000-08:00

I have been overwhelmed by the amount of shooting in the past month, which is why there have been so few updates. So, with that in mind, I'll upload a few recent favorites.

Bret & Dawn

2011-10-12T10:11:00.001-07:00

Bret and Dawn tied the knot in Nebraska City. I felt very fortunate to be a part of such an amazing event.

Jim & Tadessa

2011-10-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

I am incredibly far behind on posting new pictures. But here's a recent shoot with Jim and Tadessa. Tadessa went for the slinky dress -- I thought it was a great choice for our countryside locations.

James & Sarah

2011-09-14T10:12:00.001-07:00

James and Sarah threw a huge party out in Malcolm after their Lincoln wedding. The entire was a blast...and you can see that they had fun, too.

Spencer and Jeana

2011-09-07T11:40:00.000-07:00

Spencer and Jeana are slated for an October wedding. In the meantime we had a great time with their Lincoln engagement session.

Brian and Jasmine

2011-08-23T11:53:00.001-07:00

Brian and Jasmine got married a couple of weeks ago in Omaha. The weather was perfect and their event went off without a hitch...except for the fact that Brian immediately had to leave town to get back to his job. Hopefully they'll be back together very soon.

GJ & Alita

2011-08-19T09:09:00.001-07:00

GJ and Alita are a very fun couple and they were exceedingly patient with me as I ran around planting lights on the gravel road and in the cornfield. Can't wait to see them again in November for the wedding!

Brian & Jasmine (and Gus and Baxter)

2011-08-11T07:27:00.001-07:00

Brian and Jasmine just got back from the East Coast and are tying the knot this Saturday!

Josh & Alyssa

2011-08-09T11:54:00.001-07:00

Josh and Alyssa stuck out the heat with me to take pictures all over town. Here are a few from their big day.

More Storms

2011-07-29T07:21:00.000-07:00

The oppressive high pressure systems generally aren't lot of fun, as we don't get many thunderstorms out of them. However, a quick storm did blow through earlier this week, and Rebecca and I were out in it.

New Print Wraps

2011-07-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to say that 40 Nights Photography is now offering a new type of print -- print wraps! These are not canvas wraps. Instead, they're printed on photo paper and laminated, and then affixed to a mounting that helps them stand out from the wall.

The overall effect lends a feeling of depth to your favorite image. I've never been a fan of canvas wraps, but these prints wraps are worth a look, and they're more affordable than canvas. Zip me an email if you're interested in pricing!

Ankeny Art Show

2011-07-19T12:59:00.001-07:00

These are the final prints that I presented at the Ankeny Art Center in Iowa. This was a personal project that I presented in tandem with Luke Hubbard, of ArtbyLuka.

Preston & Kim

2011-07-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

This wasn't an engagement shoot. This was an adventure. Preston and Kim were great and I can't wait to shoot their wedding.

Matt & Kaylee

2011-07-13T09:56:00.001-07:00

Matt and Kaylee married in Lincoln -- but Matt is moving out of state to live with Kaylee in Denver. I am very, very jealous that they will be living in the mountains...

Midnight at Noon

2011-07-06T11:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a very long time since I've been able to work on much in the way of personal photography. These were taken in South Dakota and Nebraska in the past week.

Tim & Amanda

2011-06-17T09:11:00.001-07:00

I met up with Tim and Amanda recently in Des Moines. The state fairgrounds were a great place to shoot -- and these two are a ton of fun. I can't wait to see them at their wedding!

Kyle and Regina

2011-06-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

Kyle is a hay farmer (thus the hay cake). Regina is a nurse. They couldn't be more perfect for each other.

Brett & Shamree

2011-06-08T15:02:00.001-07:00

The weather has been awful the past few days. But before the heat set in, I headed out with Brett & Shamree. Here are a few of my favorites.

Greg & Jessica

2011-06-07T17:27:00.000-07:00

A few outtakes from another recent wedding. Greg gave perhaps the shortest and most hilarious speech ever. Congrats to both of them!

Jessica and Bryan

2011-06-06T18:59:00.001-07:00

Photography season is freaky-crazy right now, so I am just trying to post a few recent images. These are from an engagement session in Omaha with Jessica and Bryan, who actually just got married Saturday. Congratulations to them!

Brent & Jody

2011-04-26T06:20:00.001-07:00

Brent and Jody had a very simple, small wedding in Des Moines on a day with perfect spring weather.

Justin & Karly

2011-04-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

Justin and Karly share a love of aviation. Honestly, I haven't met too many couples that seem to fit so well together. Perhaps planes and airports are a recipe for perfect love? In any case, here are few images from their celebration in Omaha.

Opportunity: Points of View web site

2011-04-19T08:58:00.001-07:00

Nebraska Appleseed put together a nice site featuring the photography work I did for them late last year. This is the same project that was on display at the state capitol building in February.

This was a project I volunteered for and it was a great experience. I was fortunate enough to meet some very kind people who are working hard to make their lives better.

You can see the project web site here.

Janae & Toper

2011-04-15T06:03:00.001-07:00

Janae and Toper had and April Fool's Day wedding at the capitol. The weather forecast looked iffy for that day but it actually turned into a gorgeous afternoon. Fitting, considering how pretty the bride looked.

Eddie and Amanda

2011-04-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

Amanda and Eddie had their ceremony and reception at Wilderness Ridge in Lincoln -- thus, the antlers hanging everywhere in these pictures.

I was very sad that we missed out on some gently falling snowflakes early in the day. But the good weather meant better driving for all of their guests, so things worked out okay in the end.

Here are a few of my favorites from the evening.

Wacky Wedding Stuff

2011-03-31T11:26:00.001-07:00

There's wedding planning, and then there's Wedding Planning...

Here's a bride who ordered a wedding cake that looked exactly like...her.

And then there's the new trend of releasing butterflies after a ceremony, instead of blowing bubbles or throwing rice...

None of this comes cheap, of course. Fortunately, neither of these are necessary for creating great pictures. Trust me!

Gripping Photography from Libya

2011-03-10T14:31:00.000-08:00

I can't being to imagine what it would be like to try and make good pictures in the middle of a war zone.

But that's exactly what Tyler Hicks is doing in Libya. Here's a quick Q&A about how he tries to stay alive on the front lines, along with 20 amazing photographs.

Emancipator in Colorado

2011-03-03T13:34:00.001-08:00

Rebecca and I hit the road last week to catch electronic musician Emancipator in Fort Collins and Boulder.

I was invited by his manager to capture the Ft. Collins show. The performance was great, but the venue (Hodi's Half Note) was painfully dark and cramped. Nevertheless, some of the pictures were worth sharing.

You can see them here.

Journal Star Article On 40 Nights / Appleseed Project

2011-01-31T15:53:00.000-08:00

The Lincoln Journal Star published an article today on the project I shot for Nebraska Appleseed.

You can read the article here.

And you can see the project in person at the state capitol building until Friday afternoon. The capitol is open from 8 to 5 every day.

New Exhibit at State Capitol!

2011-01-24T10:17:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone -- the new year has already been very busy. My new web site is finally up and running, and I'm putting the final touches on a new exhibit that hits the Capitol building on Monday! Details in the press release below...

40 Nights Photography and Nebraska Appleseed will unveil a joint photography project January 31, at the State Capitol Building in Lincoln, NE. The exhibit will be on display on the lower level of the Rotunda until February 4.

Through photographs and written narratives, Opportunity: Points of View documents the perspectives of 10 Nebraskans working to build better lives. These are the stories of low-income individuals striving for economic stability for their families, including their efforts to pursue education, work, and job training.

The exhibit reflects the stories of hardworking Nebraskans who have overcome life obstacles, ranging from a young Mom in Ogallala to a car accident survivor in Lincoln.

Their stories and achievements are impressive, but their points of view are truly inspiring. In spite of struggles, each individual reflects the spirit of hard work and determination that is part of what makes Nebraska great. Each person chose, in the face of obstacles, to leverage the opportunities available to them, such as higher education or child care assistance, and make the most of them to achieve their dreams.

We invite you to come see for yourself. The exhibit will be unveiled in a small event on the first floor of the Nebraska State Capitol, January 31, 2011 at 9:30 am, and will be on display there through February 4, 2011.

The exhibit was created by photographer Nathan Chandler of 40 Nights Photography, author Mary Pipher, and Nebraska Wesleyan University student Meera Bhardwaj. It was produced by Nebraska Appleseed with support from the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, the Nebraska Humanities Council, and the Woods Charitable Fund. Our thanks to everyone who helped make the exhibit happen!

Web site down temporarily

2011-01-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone -- and Happy New Year!

Just a heads up that www.40nightscreative.com is down temporarily this week.

I'm planning a major upgrade to the site and it should go live in the next couple of days.

Until then, you can still reach me at 730-2568.

Thanks!
Nathan

Nebraska Appleseed Project on Display Soon

2010-11-29T08:15:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I was contacted by Nebraska Appleseed. They wanted help creating a photography project that showed Nebraska residents using various social services (Head Start, etc.) to overcome challenges and succeed in life.

I traveled the state with Meera Bhardwaj, who composed short written essays about the 10 people we profiled. My job, of course, was to capture fitting portraits of each person.

I'm happy to say that the pictures turned out better than I'd hoped.

What's more, the entire project will be on display at the state capitol building from January 31 to February 4, on the main level near the information booth.

We're eschewing traditional paper prints this time around and going with some thick acrylic prints instead. I've never used this medium before so we're really excited to see how they look. I should add that if these prints turn out well, they'll be available to all of my clients.

After the capitol building event, this project will hit the road at venues around the state. These places haven't been confirmed yet.

More news on this event later.

Autumn Winding Down

2010-11-23T07:43:00.001-08:00

Fall was very, very busy this year. I spent time training for and completing the Pinhoti 100-Mile Endurance Race in Alabama -- I survived the race and finished in just under 30 hours.

The other great part of my autumn was working with a number of fun families. I've been really lucky lately, meeting people who really welcome me into their homes and lives so that I can capture truly personal images. Here are a few sample shots.

Still more recent work

2010-11-02T08:50:00.001-07:00

I have been so busy this fall that it's been hard to keep everything updated. Here are some images from recent shoots.

Cutest Kid Ever!

2010-09-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

Bella (from an Iowa shoot last weekend) might cause the universe to collapse upon itself if she gets any cuter.

40 Nights Receives Award from Governor

2010-08-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled to share some exciting news. The past year has been a lot of work, but it's paying off.

The Nebraska Department of Education has named 40 Nights Photography owner Nathan Chandler a 2010 Entrepreneur of Distinction.

This designation was extended to only four businesspeople in the state.

Governor Dave Heinemen offered his congratulations to each of the four entrepreneurs during an awards ceremony July 14 in Lincoln. The recipients were selected for their recent successes and their continuing efforts to provide quality goods and services in Nebraska.

More Recent Work

2010-07-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

So many shoots, so little time to update the blog. But here are some previews and outtakes from recent gatherings.

Quick Glimpses of Recent Weddings

2010-06-26T13:24:00.001-07:00

I've been shooting like crazy and too busy to update this blog. However, I would like to share a few recent images.

New Products -- Metal Murals and Acrylic Prints

2010-05-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

Metal murals are one of the coolest ways to display your pictures. Each section is 11.7 inches square and made of brushed aluminum. Simple snap rings connect the sections into one big work of art.

Metal murals start as small as 24 inches by 24 inches, or you order one big enough to cover your whole wall! If you don't like the image being split into sections, you can order it as a solid sheet.

Also new -- acrylic prints. You image is printed directly onto a clear, 1/4-inch acrylic base. As a result, the image looks somewhat 3D, and will grab the attention of anyone who sees it.

Below, examples of two metal murals and an acrylic print.

Katie and Phil

2010-05-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

Fun shoot in the rain!

Jessica & Brian

2010-05-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

Another very fun shoot.

Stephanie & Tyler

2010-04-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

Rain was threatening, but the light was phenomenal!

New Referral Program!

2010-04-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

40 Nights Photography is happy to announce a new referral program.

It's simple -- refer a paying client to me, and receive a FREE $50 print credit towards any images you have on file!

This program is just one small token of the appreciation I have for my clients, and for their kind words about my work.

Thanks again to all of you for letting me be a part of your lives. It is always an honor.

Nathan

Engagement Shoot in Memorial Stadium

2010-03-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

For engagement shoots, I ask couples to think about what it is that makes their relationship special. Grant and PJ share a passion for Husker football, so we made plans to shoot at the stadium.

An empty Memorial Stadium, I might add, is quite eerie.

Wedding Insurance

2010-03-02T15:38:00.001-08:00

Ah, wedding insurance. Have you considered it?

If you're going all out and spending a ton of money on your wedding -- and I know an awful lot of you are -- tacking on a nominal fee for insurance might be a good idea.

You can see a great post here that shows why wedding insurance might be a solid investment. Some excerpts below:

Here are a few scenarios that could be protected by insuring a wedding:

- Sudden severe weather prevents your celebration, or causes many of your guests to cancel.

- The charming restaurant you chose to host your rehearsal dinner has gone out of business, but not before they cashed your deposit check.

- One of your vendors or service providers fails to show, but keeps your deposit.

- A sudden illness or withdrawal of military leave makes it impossible for certain family members to attend.

Kansas City Wedding Meetings

2010-01-30T12:54:00.001-08:00

For those of you in the Kansas City area, I'll be working there next weekend (Feb. 6-7).

If you'd like to get together for a cup of coffee, give me a call and we'll set up a time to discuss any questions you might have regarding my wedding or special event photography services.

Although I live a ways from KC (Lincoln, NE, to be exact), I charge almost nothing for travel. That's because I love working out of town and because I spend a lot of time in KC, anyway. Same goes for destinations all over the Midwest.

I know other photographers who charge anywhere from $.50 to $2.00 per mile for destinations outside the Lincoln area. Those folks apparently don't enjoy road trips as much as I do. :)

Nathan

Jumping Wolf Photographer Shot Down!

2010-01-21T12:48:00.000-08:00

At first I was excited when I saw the headline -- I thought some ingenious person had trained a wolf to take pictures.

Alas, it's just about a photographer who paid for a wildlife model, in spite of the rules that clearly state "amateur models only." Hee.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8470962.stm

Bridal Show Debacle

2010-01-19T10:41:00.000-08:00

For the heck of it, we attended the bridal show at the Qwest Center in Omaha on Sunday.

We were appalled, and I mean appalled, at the way other companies pawn off their photography services. In some cases, it was really like being at a used car lot.

I never, ever give people the hard sell. I don't manipulate my packages using questionable numbers, or press for short-term sales as a substitute for developing actual relationships with the people who trust me to make pictures for them. That trust is hard to gain, and once it's gone...it's gone.

At the show, it felt like the photographers and their helpers were simply pushing products (a la As-Seen-On-TV sales pitches), not sharing a creative vision.

I view each event as a potential art project. I don't view myself as just the guy with the camera who drops by to take some pictures.

Crassly commercialized photography for once-in-a-lifetime event? Yuck.

Artful visions? Perceptive images of vital, fleeting moments? Yes.

How Photographers Make Great Prints

2010-01-14T16:43:00.000-08:00

I really, really enjoy great prints. When I put a lot of work into making a picture for 40 Nights Photography, I feel a lot of gratification in holding a print that features perfect color and sharpness.

Many of my clients are excited when I tell them my packages come with a CD of high-resolution images and a copyright release that lets them make their own prints. Price-conscious shoppers who have Target's photo department bookmarked on their computers love this benefit.

However, there's more to making properly colored prints than some people realize. Often, you can't just drop off your CD at Walmart, Walgreens, or other discount print service shop and expect your prints to look their best.

Here's why.

- Prints look best when a specific computer monitor is calibrated to a specific printing system. Everyone has printed a color document at home or work and witnessed how the printed colors look different than those on the screen. Every monitor is different, and every printer is, too.

- Your monitor displays bright, illuminated images. Prints, on the other hand, aren't backlit. Colors and details look very different on dead-tree paper than they do on a glowing, electricity-driven computer monitor -- these are very different display mediums. Thus, in order to translate your computer's digital images into great analog prints, you have to adjust for contrast, color, and brightness depending on the printer or service you're using.

There's a lot of technical mumbo jumbo that goes into these processes, but you can see how things get complicated in a hurry.

Photographers like me, who want to consistently create really nice prints, calibrate their equipment and use only the best vendors who guarantee high-quality photos.

Do handcrafted prints cost more? Yup.

But when you think about the importance of the images, and the length of time you'll have them, they're worth every last penny.

Wedding Photography Tips

2010-01-11T08:47:00.000-08:00

Creative wedding photography is challenging no matter how perfect the weather and light might be.

Once you book with 40 Nights Photography, you can help me capture the best possible photos by following a few tips.

I can't stress these tips enough. But perhaps the most important tip is simply to plan, plan, plan for your photography. And how exactly do you plan for photography?

You simply set aside enough time.

Every photographer will tell you this -- the longer he or she shoots a particular subject in certain lighting conditions, the better the photos become. If you only set aside 15 minutes for your photographer to work with, you're hurrying along a creative process that can't be rushed.

So, that said, be sure to read the tips document.

News Photos of the Decade

2010-01-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

Reuters complied a somewhat lengthy list of the best news photos of the past decade.

It's basically a rundown of many of the top headlines of the past 10 years. But I hadn't seen most of these pictures. There are some pretty heartbreaking images, but thankfully there are some happy moments, too.

Highly recommended...

Photo Essay in Alabama

2009-12-31T14:41:00.001-08:00

The LA Times just posted an amazing photo essay from Alabama. It's a bit gut-wrenching to think about kids living in this kind of environment.

The photos speak for themselves.

How To Organize A Redneck Wedding

2009-12-30T13:33:00.000-08:00

Oh, you can find just about anything -- and I mean anything -- on the Internet. Even a how-to guide for couples who want to plan the perfect redneck wedding.

Some choice excerpts from this article:

"Decide what the bride will be wearing. Consider tight blue jeans and a tank top. Don’t forget to have a barbecue or chewing tobacco stain on the front and a wrench in your back pocket."

and...

"Instead of a wedding cake, you can use cupcakes or serve individual fried pies (a favorite of many rednecks). You can even set up a table of Twinkies or Ding Dongs."

and...

"Decide on a menu for your reception--“road kill” is an excellent option. Squirrel, opossum and turtle (all cooked according to redneck recipes) would be great choices for the main course."

I would totally love to take pictures of a squirrel BBQ at a wedding reception. Seriously.

My grandma (who lives in Arkansas) makes a killer turtle soup. I could go for some of that on this cold Nebraska Wednesday...

Winter Portraits

2009-12-28T11:22:00.000-08:00

Not even blizzards can stop us! Here are a couple of outtakes from a recent outdoor portrait session. Piper is the cutest thing ever.

Wedding Package Pricing (and Xmas portraits)

2009-12-20T09:28:00.000-08:00

I've recently updated my wedding packages. I have been loading my packages with a lot of extras that most photographers just don't offer, and I added even more goodies this time around.

If you've booked with me already (or even just emailed), no worries, the older packages still apply!

Looks like we are in for a very nice Christmas week. If you're looking for a last-minute gift, some adventure portraits in the snow are a great idea! I offer quick turnaround on portrait shoots, so you can still have prints before Friday.

Nathan

-5 Degrees Outside = Wicked Frost

2009-12-10T17:47:00.000-08:00

My new apartment has weird windows that generate all sorts of moisture-related phenomena. Here are some macro shots of frost I found today.

Commissioned Project

2009-12-05T14:20:00.001-08:00

I was hired recently to capture some photos out at an old corn crib in Defiance, Iowa. We dragged out the generator and lights and hung around after sunset. It was a great night to be out.

Tough Little Camera

2009-11-20T08:30:00.000-08:00

Five years ago there were no little cameras that you could bash around on a hike and then expect to get decent pictures with at the summit.

But I'm happy to report that Casio is working to make cameras more rugged. Older Olympus models were okay with some dust, water, and minor falls. But this Casio takes things to a new level. It's shockproof, totally submersible, and handles extreme temperatures (down to 14 degrees) with no problem.

Of course, my old 20D suffered through plenty of single digit temps without shedding so much as a tear, so it would be nice to to see Casio take this concept further.

Awesome T-Shirts for Photographers

2009-11-19T09:18:00.000-08:00

My favorite photography-related T-shirt is still "I shoot people with my Canon." But here's a great list of some other camera-freak T-shirts. I am partial to #7.

Seal Adopts Photograher in Antarctica

2009-11-18T11:45:00.001-08:00

You'll have to see this video to believe it.

A National Geographic photographer goes diving with a 12-foot seal -- and the seal offers a freshly killed penguin to him.

Marc & Kay

2009-11-16T17:32:00.000-08:00

Marc is from the Bronx. Kay is from Bloomfield, Nebraska. Let the clash of the Yankees and Big Red fans begin!

Rachael & Shawn

2009-11-06T13:25:00.000-08:00

I'll be working with Rachael and Shawn on their wedding day next year. In the meantime, we ran out last weekend for their engagement shoot. It was great to have some sunshine there to help us out.

Hailey

2009-11-05T07:47:00.001-08:00

Hailey has blonde hair and brownish eyes. We played at Holmes Park last night and I snapped these after she wore herself out a little.

The Gerace Family

2009-11-04T12:01:00.000-08:00

The Geraces (Jenn, Andy, Madeline, and Sidney) had a short shoot in the cool autumn air down by the Old Market in Omaha. Here are some of their fun images.

Jim and Tadessa

2009-09-29T07:46:00.000-07:00

Jim and Tadessa will tie the knot in May. We shot their engagement photos Sunday in Scribner and had way more fun than we probably should have.

Sarah

2009-09-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

Sarah is from Ankeny, Iowa. She and her best friend Katie were a ton of fun during our shoot.

Go West, Young Woman

2009-09-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

Lindsey is a senior who's graduating in May.

She's hoping to attend college somewhere in Southern California. I suspect she'll fit right in because she's got a bit of the surfer girl look to her already.

New (Improved!) Picture Packages

2009-09-02T18:15:00.000-07:00

Simplicity is golden.

Why do so many photographers confound clients with bizarre pricing schemes?

In an effort to keep things simple, I have drastically changed my wedding and portrait packages. I'm now offering prints, too!

I now have one portrait package that suits a multitude of needs, from family pictures to senior portraits. And instead of three wedding packages, there are two (if you booked your event before this blog posting, no worries -- we'll go with the package you previously selected).

And although some photographers veil their prices until they meet you, I'm very open about how this works:

- Weddings (Package 1 is $1200; Package 2 is $900)
- Portraits ($159 for the first hour and $50/hr thereafter)

Of course, I add a lot of value to all of these packages to make them exciting for new couples and families that need pictures. You can see all of the details in the Information section of the Weddings & Portraits site: www.4onightsphotography.com

Nathan

Portrait Session - Denise and Doris

2009-08-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

I had fun with Denise and Doris at our top-secret outdoor shoot. The on-again, off-again fall weather is making for some great picture opportunities.

Crescent City Art Project

2009-08-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

When I was volunteering with Hands On Network in New Orleans I was lucky enough to meet D. Banfield, an extremely talented artist and all-around fun guy.

As Hands On morphed into new and different projects, D. decided to contribute his artist eye in an effort to brighten school environments all over the city. It's the Crescent City Art Project, one of the coolest art project ideas I've ever seen.

You can see a video of the concept here.

Bayne Family Portraits

2009-08-09T16:46:00.001-07:00

The Bayne family was nice enough request an outdoors shoot. Although the good light came and went (and came again) we did manage some good pictures. Here are a few outtakes.

The Camera

2009-08-05T18:46:00.001-07:00

I don't spend a lot of time messing with my camera equipment. But it's good stuff and I couldn't get by very well with my older SLR. Currently I'm using a Canon 5D Mark II, and if you follow that link you'll see how it fared during extensive testing by the skeptics. I also shoot with L-series lenses.

All those things really mean in layman terms is that your pictures are sharper and clearer. And if you wanted to, you could blow them up to the size of billboad pictures.

And speaking of prints, there's some exciting news coming soon regarding that topic.

Marketing in Nebraska

2009-08-05T18:22:00.000-07:00

Carol Blood, from U R P R, is a business marketing whiz from Bellevue, Nebraska.

From advertising strategies to public relations, Carol has dozens of ideas for tackling each of the problems small business owners face.

She's been helping me work my way through all of the obstacles and opportunities that I've encountered, and I'm grateful for her help.

Keith Carter -- Poet Photographer Extraordinaire

2009-07-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

I just returned from Santa Fe, where I was fortunate enough to attend a photography workshop taught by Keith Carter.

http://www.keithcarterphotographs.com/

Keith is a laid back dude from East Texas. He is also a kind and generous human being. What's more, his photography is amazing. And to top it off, he is a fabulous teacher.

For anyone who's curious about his teaching style, it focuses heavily on the relationship that photographers have with their chosen subjects. It's not about how pretty the picture is -- it's about the picture's significance. Combine significance with lovely light and skilled composition and you may wind up with something of lasting value.

The Interview Process

2009-06-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

Your life is a story. The photographs that capture your story should reach the level of art.

One of the problems I see with so much photography (family and special event photography in particular) in Nebraska is that it's become a business transaction. You give a photographer a load of cash; he or she takes a bunch of pictures that look like the pictures he or she took for the last family. Then you part ways with your prints.

I don't want to do that.

Creating great pictures means I have to work to create a connection with my subjects. And that's exactly what it is -- work. It means taking the time to get to know people as human beings and not just clients.

I'm developing a new interview process that I will be using with future customers. It will be fun, interactive, and relatively painless, and it will open our eyes to the real possibilities of what family photography can mean.

It WON'T mean, "Hey there are flowers blooming the Sunken Gardens. We should take your family there for pictures."

Everyone in Lincoln has pictures taken there. It's beautiful, for sure -- but does that garden really play some sort of special role in your life? And if it doesn't, why not pick a better, more meaningful location?

More details soon.

Super Surreal Images

2009-06-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

It is hard not to appreciate this kind of work. I love this highway image the best, but there are some other surreal photos on Erik Johansson's web site. Be sure to check them out.

Lincoln Action Program Shoot

2009-06-15T20:26:00.000-07:00

I helped Lincoln Action Program with a few photos last week. They do great work around the community and are heavily involved with numerous social assistance programs.

I love volunteer work and will always donate my time to worthwhile causes.

Here are a few quick shots from those sessions.

Happy Birthday, Megan!

2009-06-10T09:42:00.001-07:00

I was privileged to shoot the surprise party that Dr. Jeff Johnson threw for his wife, Megan, last Friday. The backyard was a miniature version of Disneyland.

Early Summer Specials

2009-06-02T12:46:00.000-07:00

40 Nights Photography
www.40nightscreative.com
---------------------------

EARLY SUMMER SPECIAL!

Book your wedding or senior pictures shoot before July 1 and receive 20% discount off your total invoice.

As part of your package, you'll receive:

- Unique images taken in any outdoor location that suit your personality; NOT boring, traditional studio images.
- A CD full of edited images and full rights to print as many images as you want, whenever you want.
- Attentive, friendly customer service.

Please visit our web site for portfolio images, pricing, and contact information.

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40 Nights Photography
www.40nightscreative.com
Specializing in natural light environmental portraits throughout the Midwest!

About Writing Samples

2009-05-04T15:36:00.001-07:00

Copyright restrictions are a funny thing. Libraries have copy machines--but they're all emblazoned with signs saying DO NOT COPY COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS. Yet most of the stuff on library shelves is indeed copyrighted.

Of course, publishers have similar rules for the Web. They happily pay writers like me for crisply-written stories, but they don't want the same writers posting those stories to their personal resume Web sites.

I'll honor those restrictions.

So if you'd like to see any of my previous writing, just contact me and I'll send you a .DOC or .PDF file so you can see what I do.

For the record, I'm working mostly on digital photography related stories right now, as well as Web content to help business owners improve their sites.