A View From The Flagstand - Gresham Motorsports Park

What an exciting weekend we had! We were contracted to cover the grand opening weekend of the Gresham Motorsports Park with the World Crown 300 race in Jefferson, Georgia. The totally refurbished track welcomed the sunny skies and huge crowds. The new asphalt on the track saw record speeds and grew much praise from the drivers. From the restrooms to the media rooms everything was new. One of the nicest tracks that I have worked.

Friday was a practice day for the Late Model car division . I have photographed quite a few NASCAR races but it takes a few frames to get in sync with the cars and shutterspeeds. What I find odd is that I am usually one of the few wearing earplugs.

Throughout the weekend there was also a drift demonstration from Drift Emporium which thrilled the fans.

As I arrived early Sunday morning, I saw most of the trackside parking filled with campers and cars and trucks. Smoke from the grills and the smell of hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken filled the air. It was going to be a good day for racing.

When the green flag waved, the record crowd rose to their feet to cheer.

The highlight of the weekend came when I secured permission to shoot from the flagstand from flagman Timmy Hutson. Wow, what a view and man can Timmy work the flags!

There is something about doing something that you really love that give you this enduring energy. It wasn't until Monday morning that I realized how tired I was from the three days of shooting. I have to say the flagstand shooting is in the top 20 most exciting photographic experiences for me. Thanks to the Greshams', Track Manager Dan Elliott, PR Manager John Close, and Flagman Timmy Hutson for an unforgetable weekend! Best of all - I have pictures!

Randy

A Fall Portrait Weekend in Georgia

With our slate full with portrait sessions this past weekend, we could not have asked for better weather! I am an outdoor person. I love all of the seasons and if I am inside, Lisa can tell you that I have to be by a window and thinking of being outside. So, after one of the wettest Octobers in history, I welcomed the clear, dry days of last week.

On Friday, we met the Joneses at the state park for a portrait session with their three children. Moving around the park, we used the stone work, rocks, and trees. The kids climbed all around and were very cooperative, but I think it all came together when we went to the lake area.

Saturday morning found me in Hampton, Ga. shooting fall baseball teams. It was fun to shoot some local teams. I love photographing sports and these little guys are always happy and full of energy.

Later on Saturday, I met Douglas on the square for his senior shoot. This young man impressed me. He knew what he wanted in a portrait session. In talking with him, everything about him exuded in confidence. We started the session on some park benches in the square area. Then we found an old loading dock where the weren't many distractions and let Douglas' true character shine through.

Sunday afternoon, we had a family portrait session with the Pugh family in Piedmont Park in Atlanta. The great weather brought the city dwellers to the park! I counted eight other photographers working there, also. At one time we all were vying for the same ivy covered wall. Quite humerous that we were all in a few yards of each other in the huge park.

As I compose this blog entry I think of the all the nice people I met and photographed this past week. Also, I think about the challenges of clear skies and how to use the sunlight to light the portraits during the different times day. I welcome challenges in photography for they hold the lessons. Never stop learning and growing whatever your occupation.

As I peer out my window, I can see the rain gauge overfilled. Five inches of rain from a tropical storm in the last two days, but, oh, what a wonderful weekend in Georgia we had!

Randy