Jeffrey Rease Photography: Blog

Baristas of Birmingham Project

Sat, 11 May 2019 01:57:51 GMT

Last summer I had an idea to shoot portraits of baristas in the Birmingham area. Lesa and I had been visiting various coffee houses and chatting with baristas and getting to know them. We found that they all were very helpful and kind to answer our questions. I just had to present the idea to B-Metro Magazine, for which I had created a few other photo stories, and they gave me the go-ahead on it. Here are some images I made for it. Thanks to Seeds Coffee, Domestique Satellite, Woodlawn Cycle Cafe, Sweet Jon's Cafe, Revelator Coffee, O'Henry's, Red Cat Cafe, Innova Coffee and Caveat.

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Familiar Places: Oak Alley

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 21:46:48 GMT

There's a place dear to mine and Lesa's hearts—Oak Alley Plantation—where we got married in 2014, and we try to go by there once a year when we are in Louisiana to see family. It is a popular tourist site. It is right off the Mississippi River, so river boats usually stop there to let passengers browse the plantation home and grounds. They also have cute cottages that visitors can stay in. On a few visits we have been there before sunrise. At that time, there is no one around except for a groundskeeper, perhaps. And there will often be a bit of a misty fog low over the grass. It's the best time to see it, in my opinion. You'll have to wait until the office opens before you can go inside the house, but for just walking the grounds it is so quiet and beautiful. Here are some of my favorite photos I have taken there.

Story Teller

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 22:51:18 GMT

My friend Don Keith co-wrote a novel called Firing Point, a thriller about an American submarine captain thrust into a potential war situation against Russia after a coup in that country. The book was picked up for a movie release and after several years in the works, it will be released in October under the name Hunter Killer. The blockbuster will star Gerard Butler, Gary Oldman and Common. I did a story for B-Metro Magazine on Don and the upcoming movie. That was such a fun opportunity. Don is one of the coolest men I know and was my boss for a while and is a good friend. I can't wait to see the movie. The book is an excellent read, too!

Nashville with Kaitlin Walker

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 17:43:36 GMT

My wife and I recently went to Nashville to enjoy some time away and of course, some music. We went to The Ryman Auditorium (a bucket list item for me) to see Amy Grant and Vince Gill do their Christmas show. And we saw Rory Feek perform at his farm. We stayed at the Opryland Hotel. And I got to shoot some new photos for my friend, singer Kaitlin Walker. I have shot with her a few times in the past decade and I always enjoy the fun times we have trying spots all around the city. Here are a few pics from the day:

John and Jessica

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 17:36:42 GMT

This wonderful, beautiful couple got married. Again. Well...sort of. They were already married, but had not been able to celebrate it with family and friends like they wanted and they decided to do it later. Life is like that sometimes. And I think the results of our photo session here were great. We had a good time shooting some photos in a relaxed, care-free manner. My friends at The Barn at Shady Lane were so nice to let us shoot at their beautiful wedding and event venue. Here are a few favorite images.

She's a Bama Grad!

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 16:52:23 GMT

I know, I am slow to get around to posting this on my blog. I did on Facebook, but I think it should go on my blog, too, as I DO shoot graduation portraits among all of the other types of portraits I do. This one is super special, as it is my DAUGHTER. I'm so proud of her for completing her degree at The University of Alabama! And it was super fun running around the campus shooting some beautiful portraits of this amazing girl. Congratulations, Kaitlin!

Autumn at Devils Den Falls

Mon, 11 Dec 2017 01:59:11 GMT

I try to get out to Mount Cheaha, Alabama each fall and photograph the autumn colors and just be out in the beautiful hills and enjoy some cool weather. One of my favorite places in the area is Devils Den Falls just a bit outside the state park near Lake Chinnabee and off of the Chinnabee Silent Trail. It is a series of small cascading waterfalls and the rocks and trees are beautiful just about any time of the year, but I love the Fall colors the best. My buddy Robin Taylor had never been there, so I wanted to show it off to him. Here are a few photos from the day trip.

The last photo is by Robin Taylor of me posing looking at the falls.

Utah and Colorado Road Trip

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 21:38:33 GMT

My good friend Robin Taylor asked me if I'd like to go with him to Utah to shoot some landscape photography. I eagerly said "heck, yeah!" I had not taken a road trip like that in five years, so it was a great getaway to just go and shoot. We planned to go to Moab, Utah and spend our time at Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park. I suggested on our way back to take a little time in Rocky Mountain National Park and also Great Sand Dunes National Park. And off we went! I had never been to Utah, and it really blew me away with its beauty and grandeur. Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip.

Maui, Hawaii

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 03:42:14 GMT

My wife and I just returned home from a fantastic vacation getaway to Maui, Hawaii. It was just what we needed and we had a great time! We stayed at the Grand Wailea Resort on the west side of Maui, so we enjoyed beautiful sunsets every night. We played on the beaches and the pool, ate some great food, explored the island such as driving the Road to Hana, got up early to view the sunrise above the clouds from atop the 10,000'+ Mt. Haleakala volcano, rappelled down tall waterfalls in the rain forest, shopped in local stores, watched hula dancing at a luau, and met many nice interesting people from around the world. I want to go back!!

Senior Photos for Victoria

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 18:51:38 GMT

I recently photographed our friend's daughter, beautiful Victoria, a senior at Homewood High School. It was also my first time to shoot at our new home where I have my studio. Well, for this the whole house and yard is our studio sometimes. What an honor to be able to shoot with Victoria and see the many different looks we could get! It was certainly fun!

Also, this is a new blog opportunity for me. I just changed my website over to a new host and a new look. And the blog is starting from scratch—I had not been keeping up to date on the old blog. I can do every update now in one place. That's why you don't see many blog posts here. It's all brand new! If you'd like to see the old blog, here is a link.

Kim and Christian

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 02:14:14 GMT

A few days ago Lesa and I met up with Kim, whom I had shot with a year or so ago when she needed some new professional headshots and casual shots to promote her business and a new book she was writing. We became friends from that, as usually happens with clients I work with. She soon moved to Paris, planning to stay for about six months. Not a bad place to take off to for awhile, right? Well, she is back home for a bit and needed some new photos. And she introduced us to Christian, visiting from Paris and we ended up shooting more photos of them together than expected. But, it was so much fun! And I always enjoy shooting at my friend Cheryl's converted warehouse loft in downtown. It is so open and has great light! Thanks again Cheryl!! And merci beaucoup, Kim and Christian for spending some time in front of my camera! Here are just a few of the images from that session.