Steven Gray 10/8/18 Steven Gray 10/8/18

Editorial Photography: Peat and Pearls 2018

To everyone who attended, sponsored, supplied, cooked and poured at Peat and Pearls this weekend, thank you so much. This event sprang from the mind of my friend and brother, T.S. Strickland, and watching it grow into such a beautiful thing has been a privilege. Year two outpaced year one by leaps and bounds, and it’s all thanks to you. Sponsor list coming in hot….

Steven Gray 6/28/18 Steven Gray 6/28/18

Bar Photography: The Kennedy, Pensacola, FL

The Kennedy.

A Mid-Century Cocktail Experience.

Coming soon to Downtown Pensacola.

I have been sitting on these photos for months. From planning to execution, this shoot was such a fun creative process. I love it when I get to shoot cool things with my favorite people, and I’m ecstatic about Katie’s new venture.

Steven Gray 6/27/16 Steven Gray 6/27/16

Engaged in Pensacola: Daniel and Tiffany

The cutest couple on the beach.

Good Lord, they are a cute couple. I used to work with Daniel when we were both fresh out of school and worked at a car dealership. After three years, it's amazing to see about how far we both have come. Daniel and Tiffany's relationship is absolutely amazing; they were so much fun to shoot.

Steven Gray 5/3/16 Steven Gray 5/3/16

Creative Headshots: Jarrin in Downtown Pensacola

Out of the three or four sainted individuals who follow my progress, a few of you might remember some work I did for an online publication called Five Magazine. Five was one of the many projects of this man. Jarrin Stokes. Fashion guru. Serial entrepreneur. Tech expert. He's an incredibly multi-faceted guy and a visible figure in Pensacola's downtown renaissance.

We got together for some headshots at the south end of Palafox Street and for a guy who is used to styling others but rarely steps in front of the lens himself, Jarrin very naturally took ownership of the frame.

Steven Gray 3/22/16 Steven Gray 3/22/16

Pensacola Opera: Backstage at The Merry Widow

The stage is a different world behind the curtain...

Something I haven't publicized enough over the last year is that I have spent this past season as the in-house photographer ("photographer in residence" as my ever-so-patient wife wearily conceded this evening) for Pensacola Opera.

I've never been an opera devotee. I certainly appreciate the talent and training behind the voices and incredible detail and craftsmanship in the costumes and sets, but it's never been a performance genre I followed closely. However, since my wife began working at Pensacola Opera last year, and I became absorbed in by association to assist with media coverage, I have enjoyed getting to know the art and the people behind it immensely.

About a week ago, the Opera wrapped up its spring performance run of The Merry Widow. For those who don't know (myself counted among that number until I actually saw the show), TMW is a welcome respite from the typical opera tropes of mad scenes, death scenes and arias that hang into infinity. The story is hilarious and, thank God in heaven, it's sung in English. The Merry Widow was a joy to watch and to photograph.

I took an extra day during tech week and logged some shots backstage and in the wings. The energy and focus behind the scenes was amazing.

The Merry Widow

Artistic Director: Kyle Marrero

Maestro: Jerome Shannon

Director: Dean Anthony

Lighting Design: Charles Houghton

Costume Design: Glenn Breed, Wardrobe Witchery

Performed at the Saenger Theatre, Pensacola, FL.