For the last couple years, I’ve been adding the commercial side of photography to my repertoire. Wedding photography is my baby. Always will be. But commercial photography has been an absolute blast so far. I get to break out fun lighting, play around with different looks, and meet lots of cool folks.
I recently did a shoot for a local restaurant company featuring the University of Kentucky’s new head coach Joker Phillips. What I love about shoots like this one is that they’re totally opposite of how I normally shoot for weddings. With weddings, all of my time is spent shooting and working with changing variables. With shoots like this one, though, most of the time is spent preparing. I arrived an hour, scoped out the space, picked out two scenes, set up lighting in both of them, and photographed a stand-in (thanks, Steve!) so that I could be 100% dialed in and ready to shoot when Joker arrived.
We started shooting at 10:05AM and were wrapped up with everything by 10:18AM. Not too shabby! That left a few extra minutes for some fun shots of him with the people there, including me.
For the record? He was a super-nice guy. I’m sure he’s had his fair share of photo and video spots recently, but he was so laid back and nice to everyone. I’ll be excited to see Joker in action this fall. Go Cats!
I love this shot! In the final version used for advertising, he’ll have a gift card in his hand. Can’t wait to see it!
Awhhhhh-yeah! Who’s that guy? Note: That’s a design on the t-shirt I’m wearing. Looking at it on screen, though, it kind of looks like I have a mask hanging around my neck. That would be awesome, though. Can you imagine if I rolled up to a photoshoot wearing a super-hero mask? Bwahahaha!
Gosh….Where do I start with this…
Bill is my lifelong friend. By that, I’m referring to the 22 years we’ve known each other, the 20 years that we’ve been like this (I’m crossing my fingers…wish you could see it), and the 60+ years ahead of us. When we were young, we quipped about front porch sittin’ when we’re old men. Looking at our relationship through 30-year-old eyes now, I know that this is a certainty.
Bill is one of the kindest, most genuine people you’ll ever meet. I’ve learned alot from him. And he learned alot from his Granny Jane.
Bill and I spent quite a few summer days on his grandparents’ farm in Bath County. We did a fair bit of underage driving through those fields and on the backroads. We would help out with the tobacco crop some, though looking back, I’m pretty sure we were not terribly helpful. Being from Mt. Sterling, we were clearly city boys. 
I have plenty of history with the Manley family, and as a large component of that, I have a deep respect and affection for Granny Jane. It was because of this that I was more than happy to document Jane’s 80th birthday party. I had fun catching up with everyone.
I hope you enjoy the images and can get a sense from them what a great person Jane is, though I suspect you’d really just have to meet her. Then you, too, would be just as much of a fan as I am.
Jane is a huge Elvis fan. He made a guest appearance at her party. Told you she was cool!
Jane shared some wisdom with us while she had everyone collected.
Here’s Jane with her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Quite a collection, right?
Me and Granny Jane. I love this image.
My favorite.
Bill and Kelly’s son Ben. Rocks are toys, aren’t they?
Carson and Ben hi-fiving for the first time. We’re hoping they’ll grow up and be good friends.
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Awesome bro, Simply fantastic. Love the shot of the letter and, obviously, the first high five.
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love this post. it is so sweet, and i can tell you have a lot of love for the family. I love the one of her outside that you said was your fav, and the one of the letter. You did a great job with this!
I’ve been a busy bee the last couple weeks with some commercial projects, both editorial and advertising-related. I just wanted to share a handful of my faves. Whatcha think?
Here’s Rama Dhuwaraha, Chief Information Officer at LFUCG. He wanted something dramatic for this shot, so I tried to make good use of the perspective and architectural elements.
You know, this job has its perks. Like the day I went to photograph Tricia Clemons at BabyCakes. She sent home with me a couple of cupcakes, strawberry and cookie dough. Katie was quite glad to see me walking in after work with that little pink box. Side note? Tricia is awesome to be around. It’s no wonder that people flock to her for real honest-to-God homemade cupcakes. You can check out her site HERE.
Matt and Wes at Lift Fitness & Wellness
This has to be hands-down, one of my fave images so far this year. I was at Al’s Bar during Geeks Night Out, shooting the cover image for an upcoming issue of BG Magazine. When we were done shooting, I suggested to them that, just for fun, we should do this shot. I don’t think it will make the cover, but I think it’s pretty dang awesome.
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These are awesome! I especially love the first one. BTW, I saw that Lift photo somewhere recently, and thought it was cool. I should have known it was yours.
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Loving the last pic…I mean, not just because I am in it. LOL!. In all seriousness, amazing creative photography and so much fun!
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incredible shots. i can’t get over the last supper shot.
If you know me or read the blog often, you probably already know that my other full-time job is in real estate. I’m prone to boredom and thrive on challenges, so it does my soul good to have the variety. Often, the two worlds overlap. Like when my wedding couples go to buy their first house. Or when families I’ve sold houses to end up having life events they want documented. I love my clients, so it’s fun for me to put on the other hat and help them.
I met Hanna at a photography workshop. She’s a GREAT photographer who hasn’t been in the area long, but who is making quite an impact already. You can check out her work HERE. Hanna and her husband Dustin picked me as their realtor during the winter. They’re my kind of people. We had a lot of fun through the process, and they are now proud owners of their first house, a super-cute craftsmen style home in old south Lexington.
I brought my camera to their new house. Hanna busted out a dance move. Dustin did not. I love them.
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Ha. So typical, I’m the dork and Dustin’s the cool one. I like it that way! Thanks again for being SO FLIPPIN GREAT!
Carson and I tried on some hats at Joseph-Beth in Lexington a few weeks ago. Whatcha think? He’s in for a life time of embarrassment with me as his daddy. It’s funny now, but you just wait ’til he brings home his first girlfriend one day. Oh, it’s gonna be on like donkey-kong.
Let me be honest. I’m not exactly Sporty Spice. I’ve been trying to pay attention to UK men’s basketball for the last several years, but I just couldn’t get into it. This season however? Haven’t missed watching a game. It’s a perfect storm of positive energy. The talent, the coaching, the fanfare, the story—it’s hard not to stare.
UK’s PR department asked me to come out and document in my own style the events surrounding the record-breaking live broadcast of ESPN’s College GameDay. I knew it was going to be a cool gig, but I had no idea what I was in for.
Completely ovewhelming. Electric. For 4 hours, I raced around trying my best to capture the spirit of the events. I hope you’ll love looking at these images, but trust me—You just had to be there. Thanks, Kelley B!
When Coach Cal talks, everybody listens. Love that guy!
Awhhh, yeah! Who’s that guy?! Thanks to Paul Hooper for grabbing this crazy shot of me.
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LOVE them!!! Thanks again for the PR Gal photo with Jodie!!!
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Nothing compares to the spirit of the Big Blue Nation! These photos make me sad that I had to miss it:(
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Love it! I’m so excited we made it on your blog!
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Oh, I LOVE it!!! Great captures and lucky you!!
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I love these pictures! This day was one of the best days EVER! Your pictures capture the energy so well!
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Great pictures! You will remember that day for the rest of your life.
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Love it! Shaun - glad to see the sport bug bite! I knew it was in you, bro!!! Great shots - as always - and it is indeed an electric year!
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LOVE THESE! I was so excited when I saw you on the court that day; I knew something amazing was about to happen! Man, I was right. I love the Shaun take on UK basketball. You have managed to take, like, a zillion years of history and give it a fresh spin. YOU ROCK!
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Very cool shots, Mr. Ring. Looks like you embraced the openness of the assignment. Found my way to your site through John Rice and enjoy your stuff.
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How can I get one of these? I am in the 4th one!
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Love, love these pics! Great job!
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Too cool! You’re one lucky guy. I feel like I was there.
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That is awesome! You really captured the event. I got chills again just looking through your photos. Love the one of Cal talking and holding the ESPN guy in rapt attention.
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Love these!
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hey shaun i just found your website your pics are great!!! i really love the game day pics!! great job
March 17th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
I’m loving UK basketball season (I’ve gone a little crazy), but I’m so excited for a new football season too!