AWOL?? Not so much!

Finally. After months of preparations, I can finally breath a a deep sigh of relief. Inhale. Hold. Exhale. Repeat. Well… basically. This summer is already in f u l l swing and the chaos, stress, and (most importantly) FUN is already underway! But just in time, my big project that you’ve all been hearing about has been completed. What’s that? I haven’t TOLD you what the project was?? In that case…

WE HAVE A NEW COMPANY NAME/LOGO/WEBSITE/BLOG/FACEBOOK/YOU GET THE IDEA!!

BTO Photography is now officially NAMNGUYEN PHOTOGRAPHY and I can’t be any more excited! As of earlier this morning… when you visit the BTO website you’ll be greeted with a new splash page that redirects you to the brand new look of NAMNGUYEN PHOTOGRAPHY. Here’s a quick screen shot:

What does all of this mean? For starters, it’s the SAME great photography and services. But a new website means bigger pictures and better function. A new portfolio means more images to showcase exactly what we can do for you. A new brand signifies the next great step for everyone as we continue to reinvent ways to serve YOU better! The new blog also boasts bigger pictures, and now, resources for you to find exactly what you need… whether it’s photography related or not. Catering? Coordinators? Music? Invitations? It’s all coming soon on the new blog!

And lastly, they new Facebook page! Did you like your experience with BTO Photography? Or maybe you’re just a fan of fun and fresh photography? Do you want to spread the love and great photography services to others around you? Well then become a fan of our Facebook page!

There are TONS of new things to come in ‘09 so continue to stay tuned!!

Meet Christie and James!  I had the pleasure of hanging out with this awesome couple a few weeks ago in Atlanta… and let me just say that it was a hilarious time!  We basically just laughed for 2 hours straight.  It’s a good thing I remembered to take pictures along the way. 

They’ll be getting married in Cordele, GA with a reception following at the Lake Blackshear Resort.

Congrats again guys and I can’t wait to shoot your wedding in a couple of weeks!

After another quick test shoot this weekend, I was planning on posting a few pictures to show you all what this new lens can do.  But as I was going through some of the shots I couldn’t help feeling as though this post needed to be about something more.  So instead I want to give a shout-out to my wife, Courtney. 

Without my amazing wife, I literally wouldn’t be here today.  Well, here in this very place.  Since moving to GA in the fall of ‘04, Courtney has been the #1 encouragement behind me working as a photographer.  She’s humored me as I’ve dabbled in various ‘regular’ or ‘normal’ jobs… only to remind me that my true passion is in photography.  She has put up with years of sweat and tears as we’ve forged through trying to establish a solid business.  And she’s even done it with a smile on her face!  I could go on for days… but I’m pretty sure you get the idea.

So thank you, Courtney.  I am forever indebted to you and I can’t wait to spend each day finding new ways to pay you back.  I love you.

With the several changes being made in ‘09, I’m extremely excited to annouce that some of my camera equipment is being upgraded as well.  One said piece of equipent came in yesterday via the friendly folks in brown.  For those of you familiar with photography jargon… It’s my first dabble with prime lenses, so I figured I’d just go ahead and get the monster 50mm f/1.2L.  For those who don’t know the lingo… it’s a milky sweet, ridiculously awesome lens that I’m (and my clients, too) going to LOVE!

I didn’t have much time this morning to play around with the lens (that will be tomorrow’s agenda)… but I did manage to grab this shot of my dog, Baylor, laying under my office desk.  She basically keeps my feet warm all day. 

[ WIDE OPEN at f/1.2, 1/100th, ISO 100 ]

Continue to stay tuned for the BIG PROJECT REVEAL!!

OK, I’m just going to lay it out there.  I am not a fabulous blogger.  Some say the worst… and I’m almost willing to agree with them now!  It’s been a whopping month and a half since my last post, but rest assured.  BTO is alive and well… almost too well.

My only saving grace for excuses about my blog performance is the fact that whenever things get extremely busy with work… I tend to focus wholly on my immediate tasks at hand (shooting, editing, meetings, albums, etc.).  With that said, the blog unfortunately goes without.  But no more!   After the holiday madness, moving, revamping the site and portfolio, shooting and more meetings than I can possibly count… the BTO blog is back in action!  And my 2009 hope is to blog at least twice (2x) a week, so everyone make sure to keep me accountable, OK?

Here is a quick snap shot of a couple of engagement shoots I’ve done recently.  A teaser, if you will.  (and I know you will!)  More to come later!

And make sure to stay tuned for the unveiling of the most exciting BTO project of all!!

What a crazy year! Crazy years deserve crazy blog posts. And who am I to disappoint? No one. That’s who. In the midst of photography work, home improvements, moving, marriage and holidays I somehow managed to come across this musician’s website.

Emily Elbert

Pure eartastic amazement… and she’s only nineteen (19) !! Here are a few videos from her site. The first is her take on an old classic. The second is an Emily original. (I had to embed each video in a separate post below… the code went all wonky on me!)

And lastly, since this is most likely my last post of the year…

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!