Pensacola Beach Photo Walk - Fort Pickens Winter
Just a day on the beach with my wife and our friends.
Just a day on the beach with my wife and our friends.
Bruce and Rebekah - Pensacola Beach Wedding
Old Hickory Whiskey Bar - Pensacola Photographer
Old Hickory Whiskey Bar, photographed by Steven Gray
Where to begin?
Old Hickory first earned my affection on the strength of the name. I grew up with my grandmother telling me that her side of the family was descended from President Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson, the historical bad@$$ who invaded Spanish Florida twice and generally Honey Badgered his way through into historical record.
Long story short, Pensacola, for its own quirky reasons, reveres Andrew Jackson. There are several sites around town dedicated to his memory and my ears perk up when I hear about a new one.
Two years ago, Old Hickory opened its doors and I was absolutely floored by the atmosphere of the bar, the number of whiskeys in stock and the incredible friendliness of the owners and staff. It's a place that keeps the music low and the cocktails perfect. It invites slow drinks and long conversations with both friends and strangers. And, like any good craft cocktail bar, the signature drinks often involve bursts of flame.
Old Hickory Whiskey Bar
123 S. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL 32501
https://www.facebook.com/OldHickoryWhiskeyBar
Owner: Katie Garrett
Bar Manager: Jeff Knott
Real Estate Photography
I've received a lot of questions on what I do to make listings look good. The real estate sales process almost always begins with buyers browsing online, so good photographs are essential to making a good first impression on potential buyers. If you are a real estate professional or a freelance photographer looking to photograph real estate, I hope you will find this article helpful.
Oltrarno Thoughts
This image is of the Oltrarno ("Beyond the Arno") district in Florence, Italy. This district, the original seat of the Medici, glows like a dream every day at sunset. I took this image on my first trip overseas, when it was just me and my camera in Italy for three weeks. Everything was different then. I was trying to figure out what I wanted my life to be and to represent. I've grown attached to this image and use it on my business card because of what it means to me. To me, it sums up ideals of culture, beauty and discovery--things that excite me a great deal and that I want to promote in my work.
Now, years later, I'm facing a new crossroads in my life and looking at new decisions that I need to make in my career as an image maker and storyteller.
People have said to me recently "I wasn't sure if you were still taking photos."
Oh yes, I most certainly am.
And as this year draws to a close, I am looking ahead to the next one with plans to shoot more, see more and share more amazing stories and images than ever.
I invite you to join me for the ride, because 2015 is going to be glorious.
All the best,
Steven