The ROK30 - Ross Oscar Knight Turns 30 (and spills the beans...)

Thursday, April 30, 2009


I'm taking the day off today for my 30th! Brandi had a surprise party for me last Friday since I have a wedding this weekend and I need to focus. She had a cake made that was a replica of my Canon 5D camera. What an incredible wife!! I couldn't figure out where to cut first (decided on the lens).

Since photography is also my hobby, don't be shocked if you see me downtown sitting out in the park or on the sidewalk in my wine barrel chair reading a recent photo magazine.


Now on to spilling the beans. Since I never completed that Facebook crazed Top 25 Things, I've decided to list 30 things that you may not know about me.

1. I sleep surrounded by 3 pillows like I've built my own little fort.

2. I was born with blond hair, then it turned red, then it turned brown, then I developed a receding hair line at the age of 13.

3. I am a fierce competitor but I keep it disguised until I have you cornered.

4. I cut hair in the Morehouse College dorms to get through college and I still cut my hair today. I started cutting my own hair when I was young b/c I couldn't get my parents to take me to the barber when I wanted.

5. I fell off of a pull-up bar when I was 11 and almost cracked my head open. It was a really bad sight. I also broke my left arm and continued playing the trombone for a week without a cast.

6. My first car was a Nissan 200SX and the license plate read - KNIGHT Rider. I even had a red LED strobe light just like the car KITT from the show.

7. I keep half of my closet in my car and then empty it every two weeks.

8. I love dried fruit and mostly anything that has a sweet/sour taste.

9. I really want a dog. Like yesterday. When can I get my dog???

10. I can open most electronic devices and figure out how they are wired and then use tools in the basement from my Georgia Tech days to fix them.

11. I've been in a tornado before - Ohio 1999. One of the scariest experiences of my life.

12. I get lost on purpose so that I can learn new and exciting things about a city. It hasn't always turned out in my favor when entering a "protected" area - enough said.

13. I don't like the sound of phones ringing so I keep all my cell phones on vibrate.

14. Walking through IKEA makes me dizzy. If there were no arrows I would be a nervous wreck.


15. I have an obsession with t-shirts and comfortable sneakers. My favorite sneakers are Golas and Pumas.

16. I don't like chain restaurants and after watching Top Chef/Hell's Kitchen for several seasons, I tend to view suspect looking food totally different.

17. I stuttered when I was in grade school then I ended up in a magnet program for middle and high school.

18. I learned to swim while trying to survive drowning twice. Once at a party and the other time in a large creek.

19. I only like to hold children after they can say at least say 4 - 5 words. I guess that will have to change in a few years.

20. I can still communicate with my best friend through a secret language we made up when we were young.

21. I absolutely dislike clutter but I live in it!

22. I ate so much sugar growing up that I lost my taste for desserts.

23. I think I could have my own reality show because I experience the craziest things every day that people would find hilarious.

24. I read manuals to appliances on planes for fun and then figure out how to tweak them on my own!?

25. I love eating on outdoor patios and I have a dream of opening a bistro with an amazing terrace.

26. I used to paint on canvas to express my emotions.

27. I had the same television since high school up until last month!

28. I have never gone skiing and it is one thing that I want to mark off of my list (8 years and counting).

29. I rock back and forth like my dad when I am contemplating decisions.

30. I refuse to let others determine my destiny.

Refelctions...

I know that my life is in God's hands. I've been blessed with 30 unbelievable years to meet thousands of people and to experience this world. When I look at the box that frames me below, I am happy to know that I have only seen that little of what God has in store for my life. This gives me reassurance that waking up every day with praise on my lips and joy in my heart will continue to allow me to grow. Like the arrow in the IKEA pic mentioned above, I pray that God directs my path and keeps me moving forward so I can fulfill my destiny.


Have a good day and hopefully you learned at least one thing you didn't know about me before!

- KNIGHT

Ross Oscar Knight Photography Destination Wedding Photographers

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Everett + Shannon | Atlanta, GA

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Everett and Shannon drove in from South Carolina for their engagement session. I chose to shoot them late in the afternoon for the lighting and to make sure our locations were people-free. Shannon showed up rocking yellow pumps! I thought to myself - "We can work this!" What I enjoyed so much about the session was how genuine this couple really is. They are totally in love and it shows!  I'll shoot their wedding in October and I am looking forward to sharing in on the fun.

- KNIGHT

Ross Oscar Knight Photography Destination Wedding Photographers













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Coming Soon - KNIGHT + Erica Angeline + Wedding Couture

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Yesterday I photographed the new collection of dresses from designer Erica Angeline. I also worked with makeup artist, Keya DeLarge, for the first time. I have two hours worth of photos from shooting so look out for more images after I finish browsing through the rest of my proofs. Learn how these shots were set up and what lenses I used at our June Workshop.

Here's a sneak peek!

- KNIGHT

Ross Oscar Knight Photography Destination Wedding Photographers




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Coming Soon - KNIGHT + Keyshia Cole + Monica + Chris Robinson

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

In early April I shot behind the scenes for Interscope Records at the Keyshia Cole and Monica video shoot. The director was Chris Robinson. I enjoyed working with both R&B artists and the director was simply brilliant!

This shoot put my photojournalism skills to the test as I was like a fly on a wall. These type of shoots keep my skills sharp and also allow me to interact with talented people that I admire for their accomplishments and gifts.

More pics to come soon after the official video debut...

- KNIGHT

Ross Oscar Knight Photography Destination Wedding Photographers


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Faisal + Durreshahwar | Atlanta, GA

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Last month I photographed the 4-day Pakistani wedding of Faisal and Durre. Talk about stamina! My new workout and diet have really helped to keep me energized during the start of this wedding season. One important aspect of my business is that I pride myself on being a very diverse and culturally aware photographer. This was my second Pakistani wedding (1st wedding here) in four months and I look forward to photographing many more. The experience of the first wedding as well as my research from last year helped me to be in all the right places at the right time.

Durre looked stunning and Faisal was certainly official! The food and dancing were incredible. I'm still excited because Durre's uncle has promised me a traditional set of clothes soon so I can wear them to my next wedding.

Here's a few pictures from the wedding below.

- KNIGHT

Ross Oscar Knight Photography Destination Wedding Photographers



















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Ross Oscar Knight Photography - Daily Candy and The Posh Spot

Sunday, April 12, 2009


When two of my very good friends invited me to dinner last Summer along with my wife I had no clue we would be discussing their idea of opening an ultra hip spa in Vinings Atlanta. We talked lighting, mood, atmosphere, clientele and exchanged business ideas. Finally, after so much planning and sacrifice The Posh Spot opened in March 2009. Last week I stopped by to photograph the place and I was super impressed with the staff and the services offered!

The Posh Spot and one of my photos were featured on the Daily Candy.



- KNIGHT

Ross Oscar Knight Destination Wedding Photographers

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On Location With KNIGHT!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

I'm back!!!

Random fact: Before every location research trip my face looks serious, exactly like it is pictured below.

(self portraits by KNIGHT - elapsed 10 second timer - 4/8/2009 6:30 PM)

If you come out with me on one of these trips you'll definitely get the KNIGHT stare a time or two. Some people around me actually think I'm upset with them or I've had my bike stolen by a neighbor. Others think that I forgot to eat breakfast or lunch (high probability) and I'm wondering when I'll partake in my next meal. Maybe them!

That's where Brandi typically comes in handy if she's with me. She continues to look like a normal person (smiling and waving) while I go about planning where and how I'm going to shoot for the day. I really can't help it since I'm an artist. When I initially contemplate a composition and scan an area for the best lighting I zone out. I've been called a walking zombie. If you ask me a question during my research time I'll either have to write it down or ask you 10 times what you said. I don't feel my phone vibrate, I don't hear loud noises, and I don't observe posted signs that I really should. Within minutes I usually have my game plan together and like clockwork I snap out of my daze and its back to nice cordial KNIGHT.

For me, its good to get my research out of the way before the client arrives. I like to make several trips if possible to observe different lighting situations. When this isn't possible, I just make sure to arrive early and predict as best I can where the light will fall/move based on my mental compass.

Today I went on a location research trip for an engagement session I am shooting tomorrow (uhh, later today). I don't always document my trips but since the new workshop is coming up in June I thought I'd add more new material to the presentation. That paragraph above was a freebie!

Even though the economy is slow, there are still lots of construction projects in Atlanta with no end in sight. I stumbled upon this awesome area (hard hat please):

And this one too!

My client's favorite color is orange so this will be perfecto!

I hung out for about 30 minutes to watch the sunset. Slowly the intensity of the sun decreased as it dipped below the trees and then sank below the horizon. The side of the building had boarded windows that I hid with the angle of of my camera. As soon as the contrast of the orange wall lessened, I took this shot to reveal the slight tint of blue on the window frames.



This shoot tomorrow is going to be awesome! Blog you later...

- KNIGHT

Ross Oscar Knight Photography Destination Wedding Photographers

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2009 Experience KNIGHT Summer Workshop Announced!

Friday, April 3, 2009








- KNIGHT

Ross Oscar Knight Photography Destination Wedding Photographers

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