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.

Creative Headshots: David in Downtown Pensacola

David is a good buddy with whom I share a solid bromance. Marketing manager at Olive Baptist Church, he asked me for some headshots for his new website and personal branding, and we had a great time kicking around downtown on a Sunday afternoon.

Perdido Key Photo Walk: Big Lagoon State Park

Winter is just so beautiful in this area. The drier air yields incredible visibility to the landscape.

I took the opportunity to step away from my usual "meat and potatoes" approach of doing as much as possible in-camera and practiced shooting for HDR processing.

Engaged in Pensacola, FL: Christina and Landis

Can you tell they're in love?

Some couples make even my cynical heart happy when I go back through the photos and see the affection in their faces.

Christina has been a long-time collaborator on photo projects, lending her expressive face and creative posing to my creative projects since 2011. I met her fiance, Landis, back when they were "just friends" earlier this year. Even then, Annie and I could tell that there was a spark.

With a couple this photogenic and fun, I shot their engagement as if it were a styled/editorial shoot, with some more creative angles and focuses to impart the idea of story. They love the result, so I can rest in a job well done. I hope you enjoy them as well.

Together in Pensacola, FL: The Edwards Family

Cooler weather in Pensacola means family portrait season. And one of my favorite families to capture is the Edwards/Tipton/(soon to be) Coker clan. Long-term followers of my progress will recognize Karena as a multi-trip compatriot in trips to India, and her daughter and son-in-law Brittney and Brandon from their beautiful beach wedding that I photographed two years ago, as well as their daughter Piper, whom I photographed last Christmas.

When discussing what they might want to do for their family portraits this year, Annie threw out the idea of a paint fight. With a slight alteration to colored chalk, we stuck with that idea and ended up with some incredibly fun shots. This is how you do it, folks. Matching outfits on the beach will get the job done, but if you plan to block out an afternoon to get the whole family together for photos, do something unique!

AND

Courtesy of my lovely wife, a behind the scenes video of the shoot in progress.