The Memphis Comic Expo Returns!!

The third season of The Memphis Comic Expo debuts at The Cannon Center Center in downtown Memphis Oct. 22-23. A weekend filled with comics artists, creators, and cosplay. The brainchild of +Donald Juengling of Comics and Collectibles and author of Bethany`s Song ,his first self published graphic novel which he released in 2014.

Anthony Max, Donald Juengling, Adam Shaw & Jean Holmgren

Junengling pulls out all the stops when putting up an expo strongly based on a comics theme, gathering artist and writers from both major publications (Marvel and DC) as well as independent companies Image, Dark horse, Boom, IDW etc.

Darick Roberson

This years expo will feature a slew of comic legends including George Perez (Incredible Hulk, Teen Titans)  Peter David (Incredible Hulk), Kevin Nowlan (Batman :Sword of Azreal ,Superman vs, Aliens), and hometown artist doing incredibly well like Mike Norton (Battle Pug, Archer &Armstrong) and John Lucas (Deadpool) 

Mike Norton and John Lucas

And you can`t mention hometown and not have "The King" himself Jerry Lawler and not only will he be attending but he will be bringing his batmobile as well.

And since comics can spinoff into other properties there will also be a couple of voice actors as well Animation voice actor Mike McFarland (Master Roshi on Dragon Ball) and Greg Cipes (Beast Boy of Teen Titans, Michelangelo Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

And of course no con/expo is not complete with out the creativity of the people attending and their amazing coaplay

For more information on the expo please visit 

https:www.memphiscomicexpo.com

 
@memphiscomicexp

Mark Parsell :The Man with the finger on the Pulse of Local Memphis Music

My weekend was a pretty productive on in terms of photography. I was able to witness the Brass Blues Note award ceremony and single release of Keith Sykes .

Keith Sykes

+Skyelor Anderson  from +NBC  +The X Factor USA  was down the street playing at +Double J Smokehouse 

Skyelor Anderson

  

As well as being able to photograph a special event held by local radio station  94.1 +The Wolf, as they hosted  Songwriterfest2160 featuring +Shane Minor, +Phil O`Donnell +Shelley Skidmore  , and +Greg Bates as they sat in an open forum and told the stories behind your favorite hits.

All made possible through the help of Mark Parsell the owner of South Main Sounds. A tiny venue he runs where he showcases local talent in the Mid South area,

Mark Parsell and Michelle Bush Shrader

I first met Mark during my first Trolley Night (which is normally the last Friday of the month) In the South Main Arts district in Memphis. Marks was always walking around networking and checking on thing. See when you are on South Main and you are hearing live music and the acts playing. that`s Marks handy  work. Out there keeping the ball rolling. I`d only see him in passing never really speaking, just snapping and posting away.

Shortly after that Mark started his lovechild of local music South Main Sounds

From here not only was there live music to listen to on the streets of South Main, but you could walk into 550 have a seat and listen to local musicians preform in three to four sets of original songs written by the artist themselves. Again with Mark buzzing in and out saying "Are we good Brad" "Are we good?? Okay". Me just taking pictures, learning new talent, and posting online.

Then November 22,2014. I was planning to visit Lafayette`s Music Room in +Overton Square 
 because Brad said a band called American Fiction( +AF BAND ) was having a vinyl release party for their album "Dumb Luck". Brad couldn't  make it due to a prior engagement  and I was going anyway so hey way not. While I`m setting up I notice Mark walk in and pass me, he doesn't speak doesn't say a work. It  doesnt bother me because up until that point we`ve only been introduced once and never had a conversation of any kind. About forty minutes later as I`m walking around looking for angles and taking photos, Mark walks up to me and says "Hey I really appreciate  you coming out and doing this I know the pictures are going to be great, there in really good hands" and I really think nothing more of it. The next day I`m pranking  Brad on line by asking him did he go (which I know he didn`t because I`m the only photographer there). He replies "Frank Chin" didn't and I didn`t go so I take you didnt go either " Then I popped the pic on him.

American Fiction

He`s really thankful and says I know Mark`s thankful and that he`s going to look out for me and I`m like "Awe man its no big deal" and he replies "No man you don`t know how big of a deal it is"

Jump ahead December 28,2014. I walk in and check my +Facebook and there a message from Mark
"Hey do you have any plans for New Years? The Madison Hotel is having a New Years Eve Party and are looking for a photographer. do you think you would be interested?"Next thing I know I`m working The Madison hotel

Mark has brought in a lot of incredible talent over the past year including Nashville artists +Karen Waldrup who`s video Classy Trashed the Party stayed in the top 3 on +CMT   video countdown for weeks.

Karen Waldrup

+Jordan Allena  and +Ashley McBryde  who both have EP`s releasing this year

Jordan Allena

Ashley Mcbryde

As well as artist who have recently received national attention like +Angie Keilhauer  and  Chris Johnson who are and have been on +The Voice  and +American Idol respectfully

Angie Keilhauer

Chris CJ Johnson

And I would never had the chance to capture such amazing talent in such a pivotal time if it weren't for the man with his finger on the pulse if local music. So many thanks to you Mark Parsell. It`s kind of funny because every now and again at the end of a show as I`m leaving he will say "Thanks for all you do" as if its no big deal and now I`m the one thinking "You don't know how big of a deal it is".

Chris Johnson from American Fiction to Idol Reality

I first met Chis Johnson on November 22, 2014 as he and his band  American Fiction  ( +AF BAND ) were having an album release party at  Lafayette`s Music Room on +Overton Square  in Memphis Tennessee. A friend of mine was suppose to do it but a previous engagement  and the time they were suppose to perform prevented him from attending. I pretended I didn`t  make it then surprised him with a photo, he said he was very grateful and I told him it was no big deal to with he replied "No dude you don't know how big of a deal this really is". I had no idea how right he was.

I`ve seen "CJ" perform in several stages besides Lafayette`s over the past few years but no bigger stage than that of the fans of +Fox Network  +American Idol as a contestant of the shows final season

 

Chris made it to the top 25. But was sent home with a new fan base, great exposure , and the opportunity many never have....A chance to live his dream....

Follow Chris on is +Twitter   and +Instagram at @cjsingsforyou and @thisisAfiction

Happy New Year

Soooo hello and New Years wishes to everyone!!! I hope you had a nice 2015 and that this new one be just as wonderful. So far I can`t complain about my first week of the new year considering I received and email from +Pinup Alternative informing me that I (or a couple of my photos) are featured in the "Mid Century" issue of their magazine

 

If you would like a copy please visit www.createspace.com/5984025  and should be available on +Amazon.com  next week.

Mary Owens: A Treasure the Should be Discovered!!!!!

If you do not have heard of or listened to "Sweet Soul" from  Mary Owens which is on her website   ( http://maryowensmusic.com ) Please take a moment stop be itunes or +Spotify   and take a listen. I`ve had the pleasure of hearing her live twice both with a band and acoustically which totally sold me over to get her cd which by far is the most enjoyable CD which I have heard in a long time.

The songs carry with much  pride and an old time-y R&B feel.You know, that feel you get  when you`er listening to on flashback station and you say "Man they don`t make music like that anymore".

I know now they do ( I mean when was the last time you head a song with horn sections or an organ? (Listen to Made to be Mine.. it triggers me back to thoughts of the first Blues Brothers movie and we all know what that music like).

 So if you want to hear something "Fresh" with a "Classy soulful feel to it  "Sweet  Soul" is for you

Model of the Day (M.o.t.d)

Check out Charlie Kristine in today`s Model of the Day (M.o.t.d) section

Saturday Shot : Charlie

Last weekend I had the honor of shooting  Ms.Charlie Kristine a traveling model. I used assistance of +Libertine Images who allowed me use of their studio. The camera used was my +Nikon USA  D3000    and +Nikon USA  35-135mm lens   .  The flashed used

is a Yonguno 560II which was placed in the freezer on a remote trigger.

  )
Many thanks again to +Libertine Images and Charlie Kristine ( www.charliekristine.com ) for their help.

Musicans for LeBonheur

If you are looking for something to do and help a worthwhile cause in the process. Check out Vanessa Winter and +Frankie Hollie  at +Musicians for Le Bonheur  at Neils Music Room  in Memphis. Saturday`s (11/14/15) show starts at 7pm and Sunday`s (11/15/15) starts a 5pm...

For more info and to help the wonderful kids at  Lebonheur visit http://www.musiciansforlebonheur.com  and https://www.facebook.com/MusiciansForLeBonheur

Saturday`s Shot

Saturday`s shot is Zombie Girl which was done be +AG Howard  (of  Howard Art Studios https://www.facebook.com/A.G.HowardHorrorHOWARDARTstudios/?fref=ts ) Check out his works at +Spooky Nights  at Shelby Farms (http://shelbyfarmspark.org/spookynights )

Wordpress blog up and running!!!!

Hello and sorry I haven't posted in a while. Have a new blog up and running which is on +Wordpress

So when you have a chance stop by , have a look and please leave comments and suggestion!!

Thanks www.harvtography.wordpress.com

 

Amy Burcham: Looking to share traditional music to a new generation

 At the end of one of  the monthly local music events I attend, a lady I was holding the door for asked me whom was I working for? I told her I wasn`t working for anyone and this was just a freelance thing that I do on my own. She told me that she was doing something at the new +Whole Foods Market and would I be interested in stopping by and taking pictures of her and I said sure not a problem. She gave me her card and told me her performance would began at noon.

 Well the lady is Amy Burcham and the card  reads West Tn Choro which is a non-profit organization started by Ms. Burcham to raise awareness of Choro( pronounced as SHOH-roh) which is a form of 19th century Brazilian music featuring clarinet, saxophone, trumpet,  trombone, and her instrument of choice the day the mandolin

 

"It is very difficult to interest local musicians in playing something different - people are busy, and learning a new skill is intimidating -it has just been hard to get anybody's attention about choro up to now."

"A big focus of our organization's efforts will be to establish ways to encourage participation by local musicians of all ages - from young students to older amateurs who play an acoustic instrument.  "

"Far too often, those of us who devote ourselves to music in these formative years find ourselves putting the instrument under the bed as we graduate and go off into our working lives. Choro - the study of choro as a group activity, and the nature of this particular repertoire - provides classically trained students a perfect sweet spot between playing "on the page" and improvisation. it is, more importantly, a way to collaborate with others musically in the closest thing to recreational chamber music I've ever personally seen. I am passionate about choro primarily as a result of having been given workshop and seminar opportunities that allowed me - one of these adults who "used to play" - a new chance at music, a feeling of extended family connection, and endless creative and intellectual challenge through a rich and generous musical culture."

For more information on the West Tn Choro visit their web site http://westtnchoro.org  or visit their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/westtnchoro

 All photos taken with my  +Nikon USA D40 and my +Nikon USA  35-135mm lens

First Published Work!!!!

I have a few photo is in the current issue(9) of www.blackpinups.net . A paper print is $13.00 digital 5.00
If interested please visit http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/946561

"Getaway" to Itunes

On June 12th Karen Waldrup made a stop in Memphis Tennessee and played at The Hard Rock Cafe. I was able to catch her with my Nikon D40.  Her new single "Getaway" became available in itunes August 4th 2015. You can download it here (  http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1024810345?ls=1&app=itunes      ), visit here site here (  www.karenwaldrup.com    ) and see my pics of here here ( www.flickr.com/photos/95748450@N04/sets/72157654374953418      )