Ross Oscar Knight Photography Featured in Sea Settings Magazine

A wedding that I shot last year in Kingstree, South Carolina is featured in the current issue of Sea Settings Magazine. I remember this wedding vividly because we jumped in our cars and out ran the rain to capture some beautiful images of this couple. Damon and Chrishonda will celebrate their 1 year anniversary in just a few short months. I feel honored to have my work recognized by Sea Settings.

- KNIGHT

Ross Oscar Knight Photography Featured in Sea Settings Magazine

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Sound Familiar?

- KNIGHT

Sound Familiar?

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A Rocking Birthday (Re-cap)

Not the best image quality from my iPhone but the birthday went great. After some relaxing spa services we went shopping and then to buy some dvds. She's quite the movie buff you know. Anyways, the staff at Best Buy thought we were having way too much fun playing the Nintendo Wii. The Dr. Mrs. sure let loose on that guitar. If we stayed any longer they would have thrown us out, so I snapped a few quick shots and we left. Music still playing on the video screen and all! Once we got to the mall, we were back on the Wii again. This time playing fitness games. Next year we are both hitting the big 30 so let the partying begin.

- KNIGHT

A Rocking Birthday (Re-cap)

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Happy Birthday to the Dr. Mrs. KNIGHT!

Celebrating birthdays is always my favorite! We hung out with friends last night to let off some steam and enjoy a few laughs. Her big day is actually tomorrow so wish her your best. I always have a surprise planned...she already looks pretty happy to me. Anticipation is the best 8-)




- KNIGHT

Happy Birthday to the Dr. Mrs. KNIGHT!

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Just A Few To View - Yvanka's Bridal Session

I know I'm shooting like crazy for the next two weeks but in between the events and weddings and proposals and engagement sessions and portraits, I had to fit in this post.

Today I had such a wonderful experience during Yvanka's bridal session. We started indoors with some classic shots and then I asked her to grab her shoes and change dresses so we could have some fun outside. The Atlanta heat and smog were in full effect but that didn't slow us down at all. This woman has some serious personality and dare devil tactics. I asked her to walk in the middle of the street during rush hour traffic - no problem. I asked her to dance while a musician played his trumpet on a busy Peachtree Road sidewalk - no problem. I handed her a glass of red wine while she wore a white dress - no problem. I almost think we could have gone bungee jumping with no problem. Word is out that one day she jumped off of a boat into the middle of the ocean with no gear - now that's a problem. Just kidding!

I edited a few shots to give you a sneak peek of the session.

I'm shooting Yvanka's wedding July 19th. She's tapped many top vendors in Atlanta for the weekend festivities so this occasion is sure to be a jaw dropper! Stay tuned...

- KNIGHT

Just A Few To View - Yvanka's Bridal Session

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KNIGHT Wedding feautured in The Atlantan Brides

Most of you know that I got married back in March of this year. Anyways I met with Celeste, the Associate Publisher of The Atlantan Bride, today for lunch and she gave me a few advanced copies of the magazine. She is a real sweetheart. The KNIGHT nuptials are featured in the fall/winter publication on news stands starting July 1st. How cool is that!

- KNIGHT

KNIGHT Wedding feautured in The Atlantan Brides

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16 Days of Non-Stop Shooting...

....starts this Friday. Yep, 16 days straight. At least one shoot every single day. Either I'm crazy or I love what I am doing. Probably both. Keep me in your prayers.

The first picture is probably what I will look like after day four or five. The second picture leads to the third which inevitably leads to the fourth. Always in search of light!

- KNIGHT

16 Days of Non-Stop Shooting...

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Open The Door

I'll be out of pocket for a few days working on some business and will not have time to post. That's why I wanted to leave you with some food for thought.

For those of you that Unlocked The Gift last week. Don't forget to open the door and explore all that's inside. And if the lock and door are not in focus right now, go back and read Count Your Blessings. That was the $1 question of the day about a year ago that I posted. You're rich already. You just don't know it. Well a lot of you do, so just breathe and enjoy living.

Blog ya later...

- KNIGHT

Open The Door

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Your Support System

For me, what's sexier than my wife carrying my camera?

Her actually learning how to use it...

...and us photographing a glass together during breakfast.

I know some of you have to be flipping out right now like...where is he really going with this. He's really lost it this time.

This post gets personal.

As I was sitting in church yesterday my pastor spoke about the father's role in a home and being a man not just a male. What resonated more than anything with me was how he described the strength of marriage. He described the man as the walls of a home and the wife as a vine. See Pslams 128:3. He took the analogy further by describing a fence post that was falling but a vine that had grown strong over the years that was holding the fence up for support. The vine also served as beautification for the ailing fence.

In both cases, the walls of the home and the fence post, there was mutual support.

Five years ago, I prayed that God would take my life in a direction of growth and prosperity and allow me to touch other people with my story in the process. I wanted to buy a house, I needed a car, I had no savings, my debt was out of control, and I was really wondering what in the world was the next step in my life. I was confused with business plans all over my room and lists of ideas I wanted to pursue and dreams I wanted to accomplish. The next part of my journey took me through trials that allowed me to learn how to rid myself of the selfishness in my life. I had to take care of others and put my dreams on hold to learn how to be a man.

Four years ago, I described a dream to my friend (later to become my wife). The dream was about having the freedom to work when I wanted, how I wanted, where I wanted, and doing what I wanted by pursuing a career that used my ability to connect with people. Instead of laughing she smiled, gave me a nod of approval, and then continually lifted me up in prayer. I spoke about graduate school as a means to break free from the corporate life and give me time to sort through my business plans - she supported that direction and lifted me in prayer. A year later my then girlfriend assisted me on a photo shoot one day. Up until that time I felt as if my hobby/business was off limits to her but she asked to come anyways. I noticed her uncanny ability to see what I was seeing, to assist me with equipment before I asked, to relax my clients, to flash an encouraging smile, to organize my rambling thoughts, and to make the experience of shooting so much better. She's now my wife and has become an integral part of my business. A few weeks ago I hurt myself during the first part of a shoot. Since the shoot occurred at two different locations I called her on the way to the second to tell her what had happened. She was ready to leave work and come finish the shoot for me. Better yet, I asked her to pray and I finished the shoot myself with remarkable results. As recently as St. John she could not finish the second half of a shoot herself with me due to some complications so I took both cameras and shot simultaneously by myself for the rest of the wedding. I felt her prayers from across the hall. She's been my biggest fan since the beginning. I get teary eyed just thinking about it. She reminds me to put lotion on in the morning, hydrate before and while I shoot, pack extra equipment for the day, to stick a piece of gum in my mouth, and makes me eat so I can keep going. She corrects the grammar in my blog posts, reviews hundreds if not thousands of images, and packs equipment faster than you can blink. Now she's ventured into shooting on her own sometimes and what a blessing that is. Just check here then click your browser back button to finish reading this post.

So for all of you blog readers out there emailing me about how to start and run a successful photography business....you need to go out and find a wife or a husband that can shoot!

OK, just kidding. What is really important is to build your support system. A group of people that will be honest with you when you are right or wrong. A group of people that will tell you when your images suck and when they are amazing. A group of people that will pray for your life, health, strength, and dreams. You cannot do it alone. You need a person/people that will understand when you are still up at 3 A.M. looking at the same photograph since 9 P.M. You need financial support just in case your hobby makes no money. And please don't forget about the all too important health insurance. With photographers in every city yelling - "I can shoot your wedding with my point and shoot," you have to decide what will differentiate you from the rest. Taking great images is one thing but having a strong network can trample others in your path.

If you are having problems getting people on board with your vision for your life, print this blog entry and send it to them in the mail. Better yet, I give you complete permission to cut and paste into an email or to send them this link. Let them see how a person with a passion can grow from a dream to a career. Tell them how important it is for them to support you in your life. The key is that you must be willing to give the same amount of support also. Then pray for them just as hard as you want them to support you.

One thing that you have to keep in mind is who is the final authority in your life. Suggestions from others are great but your spirit can lead you in a direction when others are telling you different. What to shoot, what to write, how to speak, where to travel, what image to post, what camera to buy, how to market, developing your vision, saving for your dream, investing in your passion, determining your path, acting on faith...

I could have chosen hundreds of images to add to this post. Pictures of vines and houses and fences and such. But my wife carrying my camera for me, then shooting, and that glass of cold water on that hot day is very symbolic of the support and relief she has given me and I thank God for that. Makes me want to yell thank you from the mountain tops! What a blessing it is just to be alive. And thanks to the innocent bystander that I gave a quick 30 second tutorial on how to shoot my camera after I set the settings for him.

note: this post will probably have grammar issues until Mrs. KNIGHT or my sister reads it!

- KNIGHT

Your Support System

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Unexpected but Appreciated - 2008 Power 30 Under 30

Today I received an email that I was selected as a finalist for The 2008 Atlanta Power 30 Under 30! What an honor. This was totally unexpected but appreciated. The awards dinner where the winners will be selected is in two weeks. I'll keep you updated.

- KNIGHT

Unexpected but Appreciated - 2008 Power 30 Under 30

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Stephen + Demetria | Atlanta, GA - The Biltmore

Last weekend I shot the wedding of Stephen and Demetria here in Atlanta. I was very impressed how involved the groom was during the entire wedding planning process. He knew the timing of the day just as well as the wedding planners! From the first click of the shutter I knew this wedding would be a joy to shoot. The wedding party had so much personality which made it easy to connect with them all. Since I shot the couple's engagement session in Washington, D.C. last year both Stephen and Demetria were seasoned pros when it came to relaxing and letting my camera do the rest. I brought a third photographer with me to this wedding so that I could break free and work with some off-camera flash. I was geeked!

Stephen and Demetria, I've enjoyed getting to know you two over the last year. Its hard to believe it has been that long since our afternoon coffee conversation in Midtown. Thanks to you and Dana (Stephen's sister and my Spelman sister) for entrusting me to capture the most memorable day of your lives. Everyone was so beautiful at your wedding I thought it was a requirement to get in. Enjoy your honeymoon and we'll be working hard on the rest of your images.

side note: I had to include the image of the soloist/bridesmaid singing during the ceremony. She totally rocked it! I had to take my face from behind the camera to see if what I was hearing was real. Wow!!

- KNIGHT

Stephen + Demetria | Atlanta, GA - The Biltmore

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