We've Relocated

Check us out at http://staverweddings.com.

We've Relocated

Follow Barry's "storytelling with a camera" at http://barrystaver.com/blog.

You'll find the corporate and portrait photography website here: http://barrystaver.com

This one's for Hardy and Paige

Two of my colleagues/friends Hardy and Paige, both outstanding photographers, have given me the proverbial kick in the butt: "Stop procrastinating. Start blogging". 

And blog I will. 

Upcoming posts will detail my style of documentary photography, how I partner with clients to insure the success of their photography, offer tips for your own personal photography (helpful as families gather for the holidays), share images from current assignments, plus a few favorites from my personal archives. 

I'll be adding favorite links, perhaps some favorite books, and sharing the incredible things I'm learning as my 8+ year yoga practice takes new turns. 

Stay tuned.

Award Winning Photography!

Here's some cool news: The International Network of Golf (ING) handed out a first place trophy to me for a photo essay that was commissioned by Colorado AvidGolfer magazine. The photo story captured the work being done by the Broadmoor Golf Club maintenance crew in preparation for the 2008 U.S. Senior Open Tournament.
The assignment began at 5 a.m. to document the crew's daily morning meeting where work assignments are handed out. As the sun began to rise, I followed the crew around the course as they mowed fairways, greens, and trimmed commemorative tee markers.
AvidGolfer Editor Jon Rizzi had my photograph taken with the crystal trophy and I believe he's going to publish it in the April issue.
My "storytelling with a camera" style of documentary photography was the perfect fit for this assignment. That golden glow from the early morning light really adds warmth and long shadows across the green grass. You can even see the dew on the green and parts of the fairway.
It was worth the 4 a.m. wake-up call just to be on the quiet, empty golf course that morning photographing the grounds crew. Receiving the award is icing on the cake.

Smoke 'Um If Ya Got 'Um

Never thought I'd end up at a cigar tasting assignment for a golf magazine. Stranger things have happened I suppose. Not only did I learn a lot about the art of cigar smoking (I wasn't even lighting them correctly), but discovered a cool Jazz club and cigar shop rolled into one. Check out Sara and Peter Roth's jems, tucked into Southeast metro Denver, south of Park Meadows Mall.
This was a great assignment as it challenged my lighting skills. Getting smoke to show up in photographs requires back or side lighting. Two remote strobes, the Nikon SB-800's, were set up high on each side of the room and aimed down at the table. A 3rd SB-800 light was used on camera to not only control the remote units, but act as a fill-flash from the camera. This set-up produced nice drama to the top photograph, as Peter lights a cigar. Not only do we see the flame on the cigar's end, but smoke in the background. The backlight was much stronger than the light in front, creating the rim light around both men's faces and highlighting the smoke. The same light ratio provides the richness, texture, and shadowing in the middle and lower photographs.
My art of [Storytelling With A Camera] is evident even in this simple 3 photograph sequence. Wide shot, with a fisheye lens, establishes the scene, includes all 5 cigar tasting participants; tight shot of the table setting provides interesting detail; and the cigar lighting shot has action, further tells the story of the event.

Run For Remembrance

The first annual "Run For Remembrance" was held last Saturday at Clement Park in Littleton, Colorado. According to the newspaper, about 900 participants ran, jogged, or walked the 5K course. Thanks to Columbine High School teacher Mr. Hill for organizing the event and inviting me to photograph it. Okay, Mr. Hill and I are second cousins, which may have had something to do with it, but I consider it an honor and priviledge to be included. Here's a shortened version of the race day photo story.






1st place women's runner and 1st & 2nd place men's runners pictured above.







All photographs ©2006 Barry Staver. All rights reserved. No publication or other use permitted without express written permission.

A Class Act

That Jon Rizzi is one class guy. He's the Editor of Colorado AvidGolfer magazine, pictured above in his monthly "forethoughts" column. My assignments for the magazine began a few years ago and as we've become acquainted we've discovered mutual friends from our days at Time Inc., and he's provided some interesting subjects for me to photograph. Assignments have run the gamut from professional golfers, to stories about equipment, golf course beauty shots, and several cover photographs. I've got some very cool photographs to share soon from a story that will run in the May issue.
Okay, Barry, what's your point? And why is your mugshot in print?
In the Spring issue my photo credit went missing from a couple of images. As the saying goes, sh_ _ happens. In the scheme of life not a big deal, right? Of course in an email to Jon I probably made it sound like the planet revolved around me and it had come to a stop.
Jon went out of his way and gave up precious space in his column to include this photograph and write up about me in the April issue. I'm humbled that he would do that.

B&W with impact

Black & white photography provides strong emphasis, adds drama to static environments, and certainly helped the E-470 Public Highway Authority communicate it's message. Their Investor Report celebrates 15 years of service to the metropolitan Denver driving community and my friends at Christopherson & Company Communications selected me to provide the photography for this report. Dan and Mike joined me in the early morning hours to drive the Tollway looking for images that conveyed the strength and stability of the highway.


I love this type of photographic challenge: using light, shadow, and camera angle among other things bringing vision to reality. It's always a thrill to see the finished product, designed this year by Gretchen at Ray-Creative. Equally cool are kind words from satisfied clients. Here's what Dan said in an email, "Barry, I just viewed your photos. They are fantastic!... Our art director will have a hard time choosing what to use.
That's a 'good' thing, much better than not having enough to choose from, right?