Jason Barrett Photography

Dizzy Chase Scene

2011-10-10T22:33:00.001-07:00

It's not every day that a legitimate rock 'n' roll star plops down in your own backyard to perform for a couple hundred college grads, free of charge. But that's exactly what happened recently on the steps of the Grove House at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. The occasion? Each year, the Pitzer College Alumni Association throws a big bash to celebrate those who have gone before and to look forward to yet another class that will soon be joining the alumni ranks. This year was no exception and, as is tradition, the night would not have been complete without some great music to keep the former student body dancing. As advertised, the evening's entertainment was provided for alumni, by alumni. Greg Jackson hosted a full band rock 'n' roll set with his band, 90 Proof. And singer/song-writer Erica Chase kicked off the festivities with some high-energy covers and plenty of soulful originals as well. What the crowd didn't expect was that Erica had brought along some keyboard reinforcement - from none other than Guns N Roses' own Dizzy Reed! It was a real treat to hear this modern rock legend from just a few steps away, and he did a fantastic job in his supporting role. Meanwhile, the real star performer was Erica, and she kept the crowd engaged as she belted out song after song. I was in the right place at the right time to capture Erica and Dizzy's memorable performance.

Rico Rox!

2011-06-07T21:59:00.000-07:00

I love being a photographer. And I love being a musician. And I really love it when these two worlds have a chance to come together. And I rub-a-dub-dub love it when I find other musicians and performers who are looking to have awesome images of themselves looking their best and most rockin'est! (It's a real word, I promise.) My pal Rico Molden plays bass in the amazing local cover band, 90 Proof (of course, so do I...but that's beside the point). He posed for me recently before a gig in Riverside, CA. We only had a few minutes to catch what little ambient light was still in the sky before Rico and the rest of 90 Proof took the stage before a packed Friday night crowd at Lake Alice Trading Co. I mixed the setting sunlight with my speedlite to get some edgy and industrial looking pictures. I even incorporated the headlights of a car into a few shots to enhance the urban feel.

I hope you enjoy these images. Thanks to Rico for the use of his likeness!

As a reminder, I welcome your comments. And if you are a musician, DJ, actor, performing artist, or someone looking to have their musical side portrayed - I am available to create an amazing experience for you! Feel free to get in touch : )

All images copyright Jason Barrett Photography

Ryan & Melissa, Varsity Romance

2011-05-05T01:54:00.000-07:00

It's always a pleasure to help commemorate a special occasion...especially between two good friends. I recently had the pleasure of helping Ryan Laslofy and Melissa Kenst celebrate their engagement with some fun photographs at their alma mater (and mine as well!) in Fullerton, California. Having met while earning their degrees in television and video production, it seemed like the perfect setting to showcase their romance in the place where it all began. Both Ryan and Melissa are big football fans, so we took to the field for some play time, and then I followed and photographed as they interacted lovingly in some of the more charming areas of Fullerton's spacious campus. I hope you enjoy some of my favorite images from the late afternoon session. Congratulations Moose & Mel!

Dreaming in Las Vegas

2011-03-09T22:19:00.000-08:00

Each February brings thousands upon thousands of photographers to Las Vegas. Some hopeful to turn their hobby into a career. Some with successful careers looking for a little extra something. But all of us are there for at least one specific reason - to attend the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) conference. I arrived in Las Vegas on a Wednesday and what would become the first of eight days of learning, networking, shooting, visualizing, dreaming, and playing (hey, it's Vegas after all). This was my fourth year in attendance, and it was far and away the best. It's amazing how much better an experience can become when you feel like you know what you're searching for. For me, I was able to target a few specific courses to attend that I knew I really needed, which left plenty of time for connecting with friends and colleagues - the real blessing and most valuable aspect of a conference such as this. Thanks to amazing friends and fellow pro photographers like Irwin Funes, Misty Enright, and Jacquelynn Buck, we're able to not only learn from the main speakers and seminars, but more importantly, we have the chance to download the ideas we've heard and bounce ideas off of one another. It's this time to process and validate that is where the rubber meets the road. This year, I also had the amazing opportunity to assist Jacquelynn Buck as she made her WPPI speaking debut with a Masters Class - "Real Women: Thinking Outside the Boundaries of Boudoir." Thank you, Jackie!

With a couple extra hours at our disposal over the weekend, Jacquelynn, Misty and I took to the hills - the hills of nearby Red Rock Canyon - for a chilly but scenic fashion shoot with local model Amy Quintana. Amy was a real champ, tolerating the windy and cold conditions at the considerably-higher-than-the-strip altitude of Red Rock. After a quick clothing change, we were off to the all new Aria hotel at City Center for a few more images. My favorites from the day are found below. Hope you enjoy, and that you'll leave a comment to let me know which ones are your favorites!

OC Music Awards - Best Acoustic, Night Six

2011-02-09T02:49:00.000-08:00

Night Six!! Really?! No way, that has to be a mistake...right? The OC Music Awards showcases are already waning, though it seems like they began only yesterday. Night six was yet another great acoustic performance, featuring five up and coming talents - Justin Soileau, Micah Brown, Parker Macy Blues, Danny Maika, and FoxxHound - as they battled ahead to attempt a spot in the Best Live Acoustic Finals, which will take place at the Fullerton Museum on Thursday, February 24th.

I learned a lot this evening, as it happens. First, it's nice to have friends at your side. I was pleased to have company tonight with my friends Rico and Eric. Rico has a brand new camera, and was excited to join me to try his hand at live band photography. I also learned that it is more difficult than it appears to navigate a filled-to-capacity coffee shop in order to get into prime shooting position - helps to have friends in this case, too. After all, there's safety in numbers when you have to shove your way up to the front. Finally, I learned that there are two different Gypsy Dens in Orange County, and if you wanted to see live music on this fine Tuesday, you weren't going to find it back down at the Anti Mall (home to the other Gypsy Den). So after the drive back up from Costa Mesa to Santa Ana, I was a bit tardy arriving tonight and, as a result, missed Justin Soileau's set entirely. I was bummed, but I hope to catch him next time around.

Please enjoy some of my favorite shots from tonight...and be sure to tell your friends who perform live - Jason Barrett Photography is available for hire, and ready to capture their live energy as well!

Micah Brown

Parker Macy Blues

Danny Maika

FoxxHound

The OC Music Awards Showcase continues next Tuesday with the Best Live Bands, night seven, at the Slide Bar in Fullerton, CA. Two of my recent favorites, Echo Echo and Stereofix will be playing. Make plans to check them out, won't you?

Taking the Skipper Out of the Jungle...

2011-02-06T14:20:00.000-08:00

I spent 10 amazing years in the Attractions Department at the Happiest Place on Earth. For the overwhelming majority of those years, I was qualified to pilot the Ganges Gal, the Zambezi Miss, the Mekong Maiden, the Orinoco Adventuress, and the Hondo Hatie, or equivalent*, down the exotic rivers of the world. (*And for skippers that were in my class in the mid 90s, pre-governors on the engines, you know that there was no equivalent to the Ganges - that baby could create a wake!) But enough of my glory days speak. I may have thought of myself as pretty hot stuff in my time as a skipper, but I never put myself out there quite like the brave souls that participate regularly in Skipper Standup. This performance "by Skippers, for Skippers and their friends and family" has been happening regularly for the past several years at the local Maverick Theater in Fullerton, CA. For past and current Skippers of Disneyland's World Famous Jungle Cruise, Skipper Standup is an environment for their natural comedic abilities to take center stage, without any pressure from management (after all, even though the setting of the Jungle Cruise is built for comedy - with 40 passengers per boat providing their undivided attention, and humorous antics setting up jokes around every river bend - the skippers who pilot the decorated launches are expected to adhere to a strict spiel, approved by the show-protective executives at the corporate office). This was my first time out to see the show, and though the cast insisted it just wasn't the same without Skipper Standup founder David Marley (the reliable and consistent master of ceremonies and comedian in his own right, who had been admitted to the hospital earlier that day with food poisoning), I laughed out loud several times at the performance of the featured comics.

Please enjoy the highlights from the night's performance below, and be sure to stay connected to the Skipper Standup website for info on the next performance.

Mike Pucher

Chris Ramirez

Paul Stallings

Nik Lillard

Austyn Jeffs

Kaz Liput

Dr Knickerbocker & the Homo - in addition to their scheduled appearance, they graciously agreed to fill in for the sidelined David Marley on MC duties.

The Unsinkable Trevor Kelley

Joey Hurley

OC Music Awards - Best Live Band, Night Number Five

2011-02-02T04:23:00.000-08:00

The time passed quickly last week. It seems like yesterday I was down at The Lab, listening to acoustic rock and getting into minor traffic accidents, courtesy of the teeny, tiny, impossible to negotiate Anti Mall parking lot. But enough about me, it's time to enjoy some more images. This week the OC Music Awards, along with the usual sponsors like KROQ radio, Wahoo's Fish Taco, and Popchips, made it's way down to the Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa. Now, I used to work at the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, but this place is completely different. Flocks of macaws and Bird of Paradise are replaced with Red Bull energy drinks and sweaty fans. But since this week's line-up was decidedly harder edged, featuring such bands as Entice, Railroad to Alaska, Pistolero, and Seedless, the sweatiness was more than appropriate. Please enjoy this round of images, as always.

By the way, if you happen to be in a band and you like what you see here on my blog, feel free to hit me up. I am in business to serve local bands and performers with live concert photos as well as portraits for album art or personal use! Need to update that lousy headshot of yours? Give me a call!

Entice

Railroad to Alaska

Pistolero

Seedless

**My apologies to any fans or members of She Screams Remedy - I was not present for their set**

OC Music Awards - Best Acoustic, Night Four

2011-01-25T01:21:00.000-08:00

Another Tuesday in January, another opportunity to take in some live music. This time, a little softer than last. Night Four of the OC Music Awards showcased some of the best acoustic talent in Orange County, and took place under the stars and adjacent to the heat lamps at The Lab in Costa Mesa (AKA The Anti-Mall). Tonight's line-up featured many crowd favorites, namely The Orange Effect, The Relative Strangers, I Hate You Just Kidding, Case Brothers, and Fast Forward Romance. Even though you can't hear any of these bands here on my blog, I bet you'll still enjoy seeing some of the best images from the night (check 'em out!).

As a footnote to tonight's post, I happened to get to the show early enough to score one of the "first fifty are free" tacos from Wahoo's! Free taco, free acoustic show, rockin' images...I was a happy guy.

The Orange Effect hit the stage first and featured a wide array of acoustic instrumentation.

The Relative Strangers - more than just a clever name. They are comprised of two sets of identical twins.

To my loyal blog followers, I Hate You. Just Kidding.

Case Brothers brought with them a massive pack of supporting fans. And they were loud!

Fast Forward Romance, a dynamic and sweet sounding duo, closed out the evening in style.

Please leave some comments if you are so inclined; your feedback is welcome!

OC Music Awards - Best Live Band, Night Number Three

2011-01-19T02:35:00.000-08:00

The last time I was at the Gypsy Lounge, I was playing a ton of shows with the Friendly Indians on a very regular basis. We'd play alongside such names as Save Ferris, Wonderlove, Devon and Girl On Top. It's amazing to hear how different original indie bands sound today on that same tiny little carpet-covered stage in Lake Forest. But, different as it is, it's a great thing. The music scene is alive and well in Orange County. And now, a decade after my own Friendly Indians participated in the inaugural OC Music Awards, I'm happy to say they're celebrating in their tenth year. And this year especially, there's never been a better time to be a fan of indie music in OC. The OC Music Awards, in partnership with such sponsors as Wahoo's Fish Taco, The World Famous KROQ, and The District, to name a few key, is taking the show on the road. Each Tuesday in the months of January and February, there's music to be heard and fresh new bands to be seen. Many of these performances are all ages, and all are free to get in! Audiences have the opportunity to vote for their favorites, and the top nominees get the chance to compete for top prizes and awards. You can catch the line-up for the next several nights over at the OC Music Awards' website. I took the opportunity to come down to the Gypsy Lounge this evening to catch some of the action from The Gromble, Strange Birds, and May McDonough and Co. Cool bands, every one, and all worth a listen. The camera was at my side, of course, and I caught some cool moments with my "nifty fifty." Check 'em out below. And please drop me a comment if you like what you see!

The Gromble struck first and hit the stage hard

Strange Birds performed next. I found them to be true to their name.

May McDonough and Co. put on a very unique performance, with lots of ambient instrumentation that you never saw coming, like hand bells, metal bars, and bicycle spokes.

Have glitter, will travel.

Paperback Hero - Live at the House of Blues!

2011-01-03T18:34:00.001-08:00

Dateline House of Blues, Sunset Strip. In a night that featured talented bands such as Me Vs. Me and Rock Sugar on the bill, I could have easily stepped outside half way through the night for a smoke. But then I would have missed seeing a great performance from pop rockers Paperback Hero as they filled out the middle of the lineup. Not to mention, I would have had to pick up a smoking habit. But I digress. So Cal's Paperback Hero, who is currently playing out in support of their album, "Cautionary Tale," puts on a show that is emotionally charged and visually powerful. The band, comprised of Bryan Hopkins (lead vox), Chris Latham (guitar), Dan Fine (bass), and Pete Burke (drums), are known to play all around the southland, from the Key Club and HOB on Sunset, to the Nokia Plaza in downtown LA. Bryan Hopkins also happens to be a close friend of Ben Carey, and the Lifehouse guitarist has played with Bryan and Paperback Hero on multiple occasions. The band supports and promotes Mark Palmer and Red Chapter Clothing - a line of clothing that features Palmer's stylish and artful ambigram designs. Paperback hero plays live at the new Hard Rock Cafe on Hollywood Blvd. on Thursday, January 13th. You can also catch an acoustic performance featuring Bryan Hopkins and Ben Carey on Friday, January 21st at the Hotel Cafe.

Here are some of my favorite images from the evening. Shot with the amazing Canon 70-200m F2.8L IS USM II.

Pete Burke - in living color

Dan Fine belts out some backup vocals

Lead singer Bryan Hopkins

Guitarist Chris Latham

Portrait/Product Session for iGig Bags

2010-12-28T22:14:00.000-08:00

I was excited to reunite with my friend Bret Robertson at a recent gig of my band, the Friendly Indians. Bret and his Honu Studios business partner, Brian Arizaga, turned out to catch a show, after my band had been on a performance hiatus lasting more than 5 years. I was happy to learn that Bret and Brian were also very interested in all things music, and we briefly discussed future opportunities to partner up. Just such an opportunity arrived earlier this month, as Bret and Brian asked me if I would help provide photography for a product they were to sell at their online storefront - More Than Noise. The resulting images are found below, and I hope you enjoy them. We featured musicians Daniel Burnette and Keren Ryan for the shoot, in a lifestyle session that featured real musicians modeling these fantastic new gig bags. We even had time for some rockin' shots of Daniel and Keren, sans accoutrement.

For more information about purchasing your very own iGig bag for your favorite guitarist or bassist, or to learn more about Honu Studios and More Than Noise, contact Bret and Brian here.

Daniel and Keren, with their stylish and road-worthy iGig bags in the foreground.

Always waiting for the drummer...

It wasn't all about product shots. Daniel and Keren were game for some romantic and rockin' pictures along the way.

To see even more images from this session, click here to be taken to my SmugMug gallery.

Stereofix - A Second Helping

2010-12-11T18:38:00.001-08:00

After catching Stereofix at the House of Blues recently (see the previous post, "Get Your Stereofix"), I connected with the band again in a somewhat more intimate and definitely different setting. The boys were providing entertainment to hundreds of guests, sponsors, vendors, and supporters of breast cancer awareness, at an Orange County event entitled "Eat. Drink. Pink!" I'll have more images to share from the overall event soon, so keep your eyes peeled. For this show, the event built a tiny little stage to showcase the entertainment, which featured Stereofix as well as headliners, Nylon Pink (I'll have more on them later, too). The quarters were cramped, and the scene was very dark (hey, what do you expect in a warehouse that's normally lit totally by terrible flourescents), but I locked on my F1.8, opened it all the way up, and began to fire away. As always, I hope you enjoy the images as much as I enjoy taking them. Stereofix was electrifying as always, and their energy really comes across in their photos!

Anthony Hainsworth, unleashing

Sterofix, hanging with band manager Gabriel Lee

Fall Like You're Flying

2010-12-04T10:26:00.001-08:00

Dateline House of Blues, Sunset Strip - part three in a series. Echo Echo has just released their long-awaited first album. Have you heard it? You really need to. And the band will make it really easy on you - they're so excited about their seven-years-in-the-making effort that they're sharing it with you for free.* Head on over to their free download page and take them up on the offer. Superior to any free download you'll find this week on iTunes, that much is certain.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was fortunate enough to have my camera on hand for a night of amazing music and great performances. Far from the exception, Santa Ana Alt Rockers Echo Echo put on an uplifting and emotional show. Truly, I had to stop shooting many times for not wanting to miss the moments that were happening in front of me with both eyes wide open. Formed back in 2003 as the Steve Carson Band, the nucleus of Echo Echo has remained intact with Steve Carson at the helm (lead vox, guitar, piano), Jameson Burt (guitar, vox), Bruce Yolken (bass), and Darren Carr (drums). A more recent addition to the line-up, Andrew Carter (keyboard, vox, percussion) now adds to their bold, high-energy sound.

Echo Echo dazzled the packed HOB crowd with a memorable and dynamic performance, with songs ranging from the uplifting, like "Good Morning" and "Dove," to the emotional and contemplative, like "Logical" and "Sad to See." As always, I hope you enjoy my images, and I welcome your comments. These were shot with my 50mm f1.8, wide open, at incredibly high iso.

Want to see more Echo Echo? They will be rocking La Cave in Costa Mesa every Tuesday night throughout the month of January as part of a residency. Make plans to hear them frequently!

Steve Carson, putting his heart and soul into his music

drummer Darren Carr lays the smack down

Overcome with the spirit of the music, Steve had to drop to his knees many times throughout the night

Jameson, a masterful minimalist

Bruce Yolken, keeping the rythym moving along nicely

Andrew Carter belts it out

*Free download was available at the time of this post, but not sure how long this offer will last!

Get your Stereo Fix here!

2010-11-28T17:17:00.000-08:00

Dateline House of Blues, Sunset Strip - part two in a series. Having enjoyed a few earlier bands on the night, it was time for a very different band to take the stage. A band with boundless energy. A band with great enthusiasm...a band with more than a little bit of leather to go around. Enter Orange County rockers, Stereofix! Fronted by brothers Ray Alexander (lead vox) and Kamren Alexander (guitars/vox), and held firmly in place by Mark Allan (bass guitar) and Anthony Hainsworth (drums/percussion), Stereofix describes themselves as a rock/pop band reminiscent of 80s and 90s New Wave combined with more modern sounds. They began their recent HOB set with the kind of showmanship that would make you swear U2 was about to launch into "I Will Follow." With the lights totally in blackout, all that could be seen was the illumination of a few strands of string lights, carefully hung around the amplifiers. The first tune began with instrumentation only, and at just the right moment, Ray came dancing onto the stage with a mirror-ball-glass studded megaphone. "The best days of your life...the best days you're out tonight!" And the crowd was into it from the first few notes. These guys have studied their favorite bands, and they understand the finer elements of a strong performance - including what to do while they are playing, as well as what to do while they aren't. And no, the earlier U2 reference was no mistake. The Stereofix sound, and indeed even Ray's vocal characteristics have been compared to the great Irish rock exports U2 and Bono, respectively. And while there is certainly plenty to distinguish these bands from one another, the comparison is a good one for all the best reasons.

Stereofix recently walked away from this year's prestigious OCMAs (Orange County Music Awards) with a win for Best Alternative Band, and are being heard on various MTV, VH1, and E! soundtracks including The Hills, The City, and The Real World-Cancun, among others. Check their website, Myspace, or Facebook pages to see where they'll be performing next, and plan to make the trip.

Here are some of my favorite images on the night, taken from the apron, most shot with a Canon 50mm f1.8 lens, wide open at high ISO.

Ray Alexander starts up the crowd with his mirror balled 'phone

Mark Allan, connecting with the fans

Kamren Alexander contemplates his next solo.

Mark grooves with drummer Anthony Hainsworth (not seen, due to crappy drummer-unfriendly sight lines)

I got another chance to hang out with Stereofix at a recent charity event called "Eat. Drink. Pink!," where the band performed to a crowd on hand to promote breast cancer awareness. Got some cool shots of the band that night, as well as many of the supporting vendors and attendees. Look for that in a future post. Hey, I might have even taken a usable shot of the drummer? Until then, I hope you've enjoyed this musical and photographic glimpse. Rock on.

The Steelwells - Live at the House of Blues!

2010-11-21T22:39:00.000-08:00

I was determined to get into a recent show at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip. I heard that there would be six amazing indie bands on the bill, and I badly wanted to hear (and shoot) them all. After exhausting a few contacts and being told that there would be no media passes granted for the evening, I decided to take matters into my own hands. And by taking matters into my own hands, I mean asking one of the bands for a free ticket and taking a chance that the girl at the door wouldn't notice my camera. My plan seemed to work perfectly.

I had an amazing night shooting and watching some memorable performances. Too much to share all at once, so I'm going to space these out in separate posts...please stay tuned and enjoy!

The first band I'd like to present here is Fullerton's own, The Steelwells. These guys are climbing in popularity, and Orange County is taking notice. They walked away from this year's prestigious OCMAs (Orange County Music Awards) with not one, but two wins - one for Best New Artist, and another for Best Song ("El Capitan"). The tune is light, bright, and upbeat, despite it's greedy subject matter. Reminds me of a cross between Guster and the Jellyfish, and made me dance in my chair while listening on YouTube a few days before the show. The OCMAs awarded the band with their own music video for El Capitan, and it is now released. Watch it here!

I had a terrific time photographing these guys from the front row, and I hope you enjoy the images. Mostly, I hope you will become a fan of The Steelwells. They perform on December 2nd at the Fold Silverlake (AKA Silverlake Lounge) in Los Angeles.

Thank you to Andrew from The Steelwells for securing a ticket to the show for me!

Joey Winter

Billy Kim

Andrew Eapen

Jonathan Bradley

Robbie Gullage

The Results: A Stairing Contest

2010-10-28T23:53:00.000-07:00

The suspense has been killing you, yes? You've been waiting long enough, and now, I am happy to announce the contest has come to an end, the votes have been tallied, and the winners are about to be revealed. On behalf of Chris, Jackie, and Rico, I'd like to thank you for your participation! We had over 100 judges out there participating (both on the blog and in-store), which was a much bigger showing than our first competition, and which totally exceeded our expectations. We hope you enjoyed being a part of this contest, and that you'll come back to more of these in the future.

Alright, on to the results. For the second straight competition, I have been bested by my friends. But in an interesting twist, so was Rico. Yes, I'm pleased to announce that the two winners across the five categories in play are Jacquelynn Buck and Chris Uller! Congratulations, my friends.

Here, again, are their winning images in each category:

"Spiral" category:

Spiral C - Jacquelynn Buck

"Black & White" category:

Black & White B - Jacquelynn Buck

"Stairs with a Human Model" category:

Stairs with a Human Model C - Chris Uller

"Interpretive Stairs" category:

Interpretive Stairs D - Jacquelynn Buck

"Iron" category:

Iron C - Jacquelynn Buck

Do you remember which ones you voted for? For a limited time, you can also swing by the Last Drop Cafe in Claremont to get a look at the winning prints, up close and personal. And, conveniently, you can enjoy a sandwich and a cool beverage as long as you're there. Thanks again to Mike and everyone at the Last Drop for hosting our show.

Feel free to drop any comments you wish here on the blog. We'd be interested in any feedback you have about our little contest. Also, please hit me up with any ideas for future contests you'd be interested in seeing.

The Pacific Northwest - Part 1

2010-10-09T10:34:00.001-07:00

Psych had already been green-lighted for season five by the time I inquired with my friend Steve about making a trip to spend time with him on the set of the popular USA Network show. The offer had been made years before, but now the timing seemed right. We'd be able to fly up to Seattle, spend a couple days, maybe get a rental car for the trip into British Columbia, Canada. Then again, we could always fly into Oregon and drive from there - Portland looks fun. Ah, why don't we just do a long road trip and see the Pacific Northwest? Sold! So we ended up taking a 10 day trip, including stops in northern California, Oregon, Washington and Vancouver, B.C. We had a great time and brought back a ton of photos. I think the best way to share them will be in small installments. Here then, is Part 1 of our vacation. Please enjoy.

Here we are starting out in the stretch of northern California just beyond Chico. Erin, being much better traveled than me in this part of the country, promised logging trucks every ten feet. She wasn't far off.

South Weed was much closer, but, let me tell you, it was worth the wait for what Central Weed had to offer.

A very common scene while climbing into southern Oregon - lots of open road and misty, lush greenery.

This is a very small community outside of Portland known as Tobacco Town. Seriously though, this struck me as interesting - not something we see in practically-smoke-free Cali.

Portland, Oregon. I got the impression of a very colorful, unique, and friendly city.

Erin, grinning along the bank of the Willamette River, with the Burnside Bridge and the greenish spires of the Oregon Convention Center in the distance.

We had watched enough of the Travel Channel's Man vs. Food to know that no trip to Portland would be complete without a stop at the original Voodoo Doughnut.

Erin didn't seem so sure of my decision to go with the bacon maple bar.

I had the utmost confidence in my choice, and proceeded to "hang a fang" on the delicious sweet and savory treat.

Voodoo Doughnuts has plenty of eye-catching decorations, lighting fixtures, and stickers.

Delicious!

Erin, seated back in the car, urging us forward on our journey. Next stop, Seattle!

Sugary Sweet - Rock Sugar at the House of Blues

2010-10-03T12:02:00.000-07:00

"While you may be able to at last take the metal band off the deserted island, apparently you can’t take 20 years of exposure to 80’s pop out of the metal band. Prepare to have the line between pop and metal blown to smithereens and pour yourself a shot of Rock Sugar." - quoted from the Rock Sugar Story

Sound familiar? It really shouldn't. This story is anything but common, and Rock Sugar is anything but your common rock band. These guys put on a show that must be seen to be believed...and even then, you may have to rub your eyes. Rock Sugar, who was headlining the House of Blues Sunset when I caught their show, is known for their unique mashup of 80s pop and heavy metal songs. They bring with them all the things you'd expect from an 80s glam metal band - from the wild hair, flowing scarves, and leather attire, to the jewel encrusted guitars, tatoos and chains. They even have their girlfriends up on stage with them, dancing along in the wings! But they also bring a few surprises, like their take on 80s pop songs that rarely have any business at a rock and roll show. And when was the last time you saw a band that ordered pizza delivery during the show - not only for themselves, but for the whole crowd in attendance!? You can throw all the rules out the window when these hard rockers take the stage.

Jess Harnell effortlessly belts out the vocals

The talented Chuck Duran nailed every riff, and made each song come to life

Johnny Five - Still alive, and featured on bass and vocals

Alex Track, rockin' in the cool blue light

Band wives? Girlfriends? Groupies? Who cares!? They're hot chicks up on the stage!

It was pizza night, and everyone in the audience was invited up to the stage for a slice!

Johnny and Chuck, pouring some sugar on the Hollywood crowd

Let's Have a Stairing Contest

2010-09-28T20:21:00.000-07:00

Some of you may recall that back in January, my friend, bandmate and fellow photographer, Rico Molden, and I tried our hand at a friendly photographic competition. Some of you may have even helped with the voting and subsequent crowning of Rico as the champion! Well, he and I are at it again. But this time, as with any sequel, the stakes have changed, the details have become more complicated, and (unlike most sequels, actually) the whole thing is going to be much more fun!

First off, we have a couple more photographers who wanted in on the action.

Christopher Uller is a recent graduate of UC Berkeley with a major in English. In addition to creative writing, he enjoys a variety of activities including tennis, hiking, guitar and photography!

Jacquelynn Buck is a nationally recognized portrait photographer located in Valdosta, Georgia. Her trademark Real Women art was shown this month in the Color of Energy Gallery in Dayton, Ohio. On the heels of having her work recently published in Rangefinder Magazine, Jacquelynn will be teaching a Master's class in February at the Wedding and Portrait Photographer's International (WPPI) convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rico and I are very happy to have Chris and Jackie joining us this time around! The number of players and images has doubled! How's that for word of mouth?

As with last time, the contest will be handled with voting here on my blog. But, in another awesome twist, we are happy to announce that you can also view these images live and in print at The Last Drop Cafe in Claremont, CA (located in The Village at 119 Harvard Ave., (909) 482-1870). They have graciously agreed to display our work in the brick and mortar world, and have even let us set up a ballot right there in the store. So come on out to see the photos in print (hard to miss, they're up on the wall as you enter), cast your vote, and stay for a fine cup of coffee or milk tea. Go now!

Chris Uller, standing proudly near the print display at The Last Drop Cafe

The contest itself consists of our four unique perspectives when it comes to Stairs. Yep, you heard me, those things you walk up and down on all day long have become artwork. So, after hours of shooting, selecting and editing...the entries are in and once again, the polls are officially open! You are invited to help judge this competition, by choosing your favorite photo in each of the five categories: Iron, Black and White, Stairs with a Human Model, Spiral, and Interpretive Stairs. The images are presented below, with the copyright identity masked by a random and annonymous presentation. Hope you enjoy playing photographic judge for a day! Remember to make your selections by leaving a comment below (simply type the category and choose "A," "B," "C," or "D" for each). Remember, it's all in fun, so try not to over-think it. Thanks for playing!

"Spiral" entries:

Spiral A

Spiral B

Spiral C

Spiral D

"Black & White" entries:

Black & White A

Black & White B

Black & White C

Black & White D

"Stairs with a Human Model" entries:

Stairs with a Human Model A

Stairs with a Human Model B

Stairs with a Human Model C

Stairs with a Human Model D

"Interpretive Stairs" entries:

Interpretive Stairs A

Interpretive Stairs B

Interpretive Stairs C

Interpretive Stairs D

"Iron" entries:

Iron A

Iron B

Iron C

Iron D

Please post your comments here or make your selections in store by Friday, October 15th; the results will be posted shortly thereafter. By the way - the photog with the most overall "wins" in our last competition got to have his image displayed in the loser's house for a couple weeks. What should the stakes be this time around? Let us know what you think. I think "loser buys a round of coffee" sounds like a good place to start.

ME vs. ME at House of Blues on the Sunset Strip

2010-09-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

Not even President Barack Obama could prevent the rock and roll from happening recently in Hollywood. Not that he didn't try. His visit to Hancock Park on August 16th for a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser barricaded the whole south side of the city, actually, and practically cost high desert alt rockers, ME vs. ME their highly anticipated time slot at the famed House of Blues on the Sunset Strip. But not to worry, the boys made it with just enough time to tear the place up for those fortunate few who were able to make it through the chaotic traffic to see the opening set of the night.

Some of you may recall from an earlier post, I caught up with ME vs. Me at a much more intimate show in Claremont, CA. I liked what I heard quite a bit, and when I found out they were going to be coming to the HOB, I knew I had to make plans to hear them (and shoot them, of course) again. This time, I was determined to get a better look and to produce more varied images than what I was able to get just in passing before. Thanks to the band, I was able to score an all access press pass, and had free reign of the venue for the whole night. I used a Canon 70-200mm f2.8L for most of the show, and shot wide-open to take full advantage of the fast glass. The band was really feeling the extra energy from the fans that turned out to show their support, and it came through in their performance. Here are some of my favorites from the Me vs. Me set. I'll also share images from the other bands on the bill in future posts.

Singer/Guitarist Sean Espinoza and drummer Trevor Clemente

Josh Mejia connects with the fans

An explosion of energy from Trevor

Can't. Stop. The Rock.

The view from the wings

Artist pass only? No problem here.

The band receives notes from Sean Amato and Lifehouse's own Ben Carey

ME Vs. ME, enjoying the moment

I welcome your thoughts here on the blog if you care to comment on anything you see. Whether or not you like what you see, I'd love to hear what you have to say. Can't get enough Me vs. Me shots? There are lots more images from the evening over on my Flickr page. Please check them out!

Something New - And Delicious!

2010-08-15T12:30:00.001-07:00

Today's entry was penned by my lovely wife, Erin E. Barrett. (That's her with the pretty face and the gorgeous sandwich.) She is a brilliant writer and, I was sure, would do much better with today's subject than I could. Take it away, Erin!

Something New
by Erin Barrett

I love food. I know what I like, so I don’t need to try new things very often, and I’m comfortable with that. As a confirmed worrywart, there are certain places I do not enjoy going, and there are certain places in which I am afraid to dine. But this weekend marked an occasion in the Barrett house: I tried something new!

It has taken months of subtle suggesting, hopefully requesting and outright begging on my husband’s part to get me to venture to Los Angeles to try the famed Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant “world famous pastrami.” And at last, just yesterday, I agreed. Admittedly, I am ridiculous, and I despise most of LA with a fearful passion. The thought of heading into a gritty area without the aid of pepper spray causes me some concern, but the siren song of the pastrami sandwich was too great.

Jason assured me as we hopped into the car that the deli was located in a business district, because it caters to the professional crowd during the week. It might cater to the suit-and-tie characters in the area, but the stuff about location was a lie. The deli itself is located at the corner of 7th and Alvarado. The parking lot is about a block away, so after idling in the middle of a side street, waiting for a spot to open up, you get to walk through a lovely area of downtown, complete with suspect store fronts, graffiti-covered buildings, dark alleyways and illegal sidewalk sales, some sections of which smell faintly of urine. Delightful.

When we reached the restaurant, there was a line out the door—promising. We put our name in with the hostess who was sprinting around the sidewalk, and waited. It didn’t take long before we were seated in a small booth in the front section of the restaurant. The place was packed, and the corned beef and pastrami was flying out of the little kitchen, located behind a small counter, so you could see everything.

Our waiter—a nice gentleman in a black bow-tie—took our order. We both got pastrami sandwiches, JB the pastrami and coleslaw with Russian dressing, me the Langer’s Deli most popular sandwich, the #19, a pastrami on rye with Russian dressing, coleslaw and Swiss cheese. The only difference between the two sandwiches was about seventy-five cents.

The sandwiches arrived at our table no more than five minutes after placing our order, and we began to mow. While everyone else chatted contentedly with loved ones, enjoyed the ambiance that only a good deli can offer, and savored their meals, Jason and I sat in silence, greedily devouring the pastrami sandwiches like we had a time limit.

Now, I am not a food critic, nor am I a professional blogger on the topic of food, but I will do my best to describe the experience. I am not a huge fan of the cured meats (bacon excluded), but for this particular sandwich, I will make an exception. In the past, I have had pastrami that was too fatty, too dry, and just too much. But this was a special brand of pastrami, my friends. The meat itself was a gorgeous red wine color, with a dark, almost black crust on the outside. The chefs were generous, but there wasn’t too much meat, as so often is the case with pastrami sandwiches. On top of the hot pastrami rested the coleslaw (just juicy enough), the dressing, and the cheese. All of these ingredients were piled high, but well contained in the most perfect rye bread I have ever eaten. The crusts were perfectly crisp, but the center of the bread remained soft and pliable, so that when you picked up the sandwich, the bread seemed to form around the ingredients inside, creating a kind of bread cage for all the goodness within.

Ok, let’s get back to the meat. Each slice of pastrami was about one quarter inch thick, and could have easily been sliced from the slab with a butter knife. What fat was still attached to the trim cut of meat simply melted away when it touched the tongue, and the pastrami itself barely required chewing. And the flavor was amazing. Just salty enough, with a melody of flavors like no other pastrami I have ever had. The deli offered various sizes of pastrami platters, containing just the meat and a few pickles or something, and now I know why. It’s good enough to be eaten entirely on it’s own. It was unbelievably tender, cooked to absolute pastrami perfection, and it made me question what kind of witchcraft was going on in the kitchen to produce such scrumptious results from a slab of farm animal.

As soon as I took my first bite, conversation ceased. I’m sure many of you out there will agree that when there is awesome food involved, there is no room for anything but eating. Sorry dining companions, that’s the rule. And the sandwiches in this place seemed to have a calming effect on everyone inside. Each patron was smiling, enjoying themselves, and one lady in a booth nearby even smiled and laughed when Jason started taking pictures of me chowing down.

Friendly service, quaint surroundings, and a sandwich that countless times made me call out to a higher power, makes this place the home of my now favorite pastrami sandwich. The walk back to the car past shouting LA residents and that guy talking to himself on the corner even seemed more pleasant. Just a few miles away from the deli, we came upon the promised business district. It was shiny and well-kempt, and I even caught myself looking at condominium buildings and thinking how cool it would be to live there. Yes, the pastrami is that good.
Now, of course, my husband is walking around our house with a satisfied grin on his face, because he got me to a restaurant I didn’t want to go to, and it didn’t kill me, and I want to go back. All the time. Maybe one day he’ll get me to that little Indian restaurant down the street. But probably not. EB

The exterior of Langer's Delicatessen-Restaurant, on the corner of 7th and Alvarado Streets.

Behold, the Langer's #19. Almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.

The other half of Erin's #19 proved too much to bite off in one sitting. But it made the safe trip home in a doggy bag for my later consumption.

Erin giving me an "ok, put the camera away before you get mugged" look. The landmark Library Tower (aka US Bank building) can be seen looming in the distance.

Rock Night at the Hip Kitty

2010-08-08T14:44:00.000-07:00

The Hip Kitty is a restaurant and bar in Claremont, CA which is known more as a jazz venue with tasty fondue than a loud rock and roll club. But Thursday nights seem to be the time when they deviate from the norm and feature local indie and rock bands from all around. I was there on a recent Thursday to catch my friend Greg Jackson sitting in with Sean Amato (Fiction Alley, Podgiegaloop) and his band. They kept the mostly young crowd entertained with tracks from the Podgiegaloop release as well as new original roots rock tunes.

The featured band on that particular night was the alt rock band, ME vs. ME. Hailing from Hesperia, CA, this local indie favorite is comprised of Sean Espinoza (guitar/lead vocals), Trevor Clemente (drums), and Josh Mejia (bass/vocals). They drew an exceptionally large crowd to see their high energy show, considering the week night Claremont crowd isn't known for staying awake much past 10 o'clock. The boys gave the locals a reason to stay up and hang out with their catchy songs and tight performance. This band is definitely hot, with big shows recently played at the Dragonfly and Viper Room, and a big upcoming date supporting Rock Sugar at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip. Their success may have something to do with their association with Sean Amato as well as Ben Carey from Lifehouse, who have been offering guidance and opportunity to the young trio. Watch for big news from ME vs. ME.

I shot both bands using the available light in the room, fast shutter speeds and high ISO. I definitely could have benefitted from a little bit of front light, but the hanging lamps on the stage threw off some interesting highlight and shadow patterns nonetheless.

Sean Amato feeling the Hip Kitty energy

The Hip Kitty features all kinds of cool artwork, including these lighted paintings.

Guitarist Greg Jackson got a chance to take the lead on a cover of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "Mary Jane's Last Dance."

Josh Mejia, playing on an awesome Gibson Les Paul bass.

Singer/Guitarist Sean Espinoza charged up the relaxed dinner crowd.

Trevor Clemente aims for the floor.

My Approach: Slightly More Focused

2010-07-24T10:56:00.000-07:00

photo courtesy Photography by Jacquelynn Buck

It's been a while since I've written. Truth is, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. Thinking about the photos I've made in the past, and about what I'd like to be shooting in the future, both as an amateur and professional. I believe I've found something worth focusing on, and for those who know me well, I don't suppose it should be all that surprising. I've reworked the look of jasonbarrettphoto.com, reworked the look of this blog, and have been spending as much time as possible working on my updated style of photography, which has really been a part of me all along. But now it's become more focused for me. I still plan to utilize this blog to bring you the latest, whether posting my work as a professional photographer, or sharing sights and scenes from my routine observations and travels, and I hope you will continue to follow along and enjoy it all!

Here then, is a passage I wrote which will give you a taste of the approach I've been alluding to. If you have any thoughts you'd like to share about this, I welcome comments below.

Right up front, let me reveal this:

I am music.

Let me explain. I am music because I have a soundtrack to my life. It influences my appearance and shapes the way I interact. It defines my lifestyle. Music drives the choices I make, how I live, how I love. It drives me.

Why does this matter? Because what if? What if you are music too? What if a soundtrack also drives you? And what if I understand? What if you had a chance to have your musical side recorded with images, by a photographer that knows why it matters - would you want to take it?

Suppose you’re a musician or artist with an upcoming performance. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have someone there to capture your energy and emotions as you take the stage? Someone who is also a musician himself, and who knows what highlights of a performance to watch for?

Perhaps you’re not a bona fide performer, but you just love taking center stage. When was the last time you had a portrait sitting that made you look and feel like a rock star? Something a little edgier, a little grittier, than the average image? Something a bit more musical, a bit more…you.

If you’re introverted by nature, but have a desire to let your closet extrovert out to play for a while, I can put you at ease and make it fun. Whether you’re a little bit country or have hard-rock coursing through your veins, I can be there to direct your energy into the focal plane of my camera. Let’s play your songs, and tell your story the way it was meant to be told.

Is this approach to photography a little unusual? Yes. Is it different? Sure is. And it’s what I love to do. Let’s make it happen today! Let’s rock!!

Happy Earth Day 2010

2010-04-19T20:22:00.001-07:00

April 22 brings us Earth Day 2010, and some of my co-workers thought it would be a nice idea to organize a photo contest based on Earth Day; more specifically, around an "Ocean" theme. It seemed appropriate enough, since Disneynature is marking the occasion by releasing another in its series of nature films, Oceans. Given my recent history when it comes to photo contests, I don't know if I should hold my breath, but I wanted to share a few of the images I selected to enter in the competition. Check out the sampling below, and please see the link at the bottom to see more. There are anywhere from a few to 50 co-workers competing, and the winning three images are going to adorn our office walls. I think that'll be pretty cool. But I don't suppose it does much to help the environment...oh well, I'll continue to do my part with reusable bags and coffee mugs in the meantime.

Sunset in Newport Beach, CA

Little Corona Del Mar, CA

Dolphin-safe!

Gulls and seaweed, Pismo Beach, CA

An eerie fog in Avila Beach, CA

See more ocean images over on my Flickr page. And please leave me a comment, if you're so inclined. Happy Earth Day!

Hey, I thought you were a people photographer?

2010-03-02T22:25:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's true. Jason Barrett Photography, by and large, is most interested in shooting portraits, weddings, the occasional rock band. You know, people. But there are other fun things to do with photography as well. Architecture is interesting and challenging. Landscapes can be downright breathtaking. And vintage clothing? Hey, that's a no-brainer!

My cousin's handmade goods store, Queen De Luxe, had a need for help with some product shots to showcase their wares online, and I was more than happy to accept the challenge. We must have gone through a million different outfits and other vintage items. I picked a location that made good use of natural northern light coming in through a large window, and shot away for a few hours. Here are a few favorites from this rare product session. And feel free to get in touch with Bronwen at Queen De Luxe if you are looking to get your hands on some cool vintage clothing or other handmade products. Tell her Jason Barrett, product photographer, sent you!

Members Only! - Yeah, you heard me.

I may just buy this one for myself.

What goes better with chili than a cold one!?

Creepy. But, to each his own.

Dogs are a clown figurine's best friend.

I have a full album of these over on Facebook, if you'd like to see more. Please feel free to drop a comment if you love or hate these. Thanks!

Winter is coming to an end, great times are just beginning!

2010-02-27T23:13:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great month. My beautiful wife and I celebrated Valentine’s Day this year with breakfast in bed. Romantic, huh?

Yeah, okay, so that’s not exactly the truth.

Actually, we had breakfast for dinner. But it was awesome! Hearty sausage, scrambled eggs, flaky little croissants, fresh coffee. Lately, our schedules have both been pretty demanding, and a simple breakfast, er, dinner at home made for a special evening indeed. Some of us mark the occasion of Valentine’s Day with a simple card or an extra smooch for our significant other, but there are also those who take full advantage of the romance of the day. Chances are good that we all have a friend who drew upon the romantic energy to take their relationship to a higher level and proposed to that special someone on Valentine’s Day. Or, perhaps you know someone who has gotten engaged in the past few months, and is hard at work beginning the blissful process of planning their perfect wedding.

With this in mind, we are running a promotion for the remaining days of winter only. When you refer a newly engaged couple for a wedding experience, you will receive a special gift from us – a 50% discount on a portrait collection for yourself when they sign up with us. They’ll get a great photographic experience on their wedding day, with pictures to remember it all by, and you’ll finally have an excuse to have a nice portrait made of you and your family; you have been putting it off, haven’t you? Spring begins March 20th, so step on it!

So remember, if you have a newly engaged friend or family member who values fun, relaxing, casual images, and is planning a beautiful stress-free wedding celebration, send ‘em our way. We’ll capture the details and give them something to remember the fantasy by!

Shower for Baby Natalie

2010-01-17T16:12:00.001-08:00

I had an opportunity to spend a couple hours at the beautiful Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace this weekend on the occasion of a baby shower thrown for friends MyLinh and Jeremiah Joson. My-Ann, Linh's sister, put together a fantastic party, including great food & desserts, activities for all ages, and an opportunity for friends and family to shower MyLinh and Jeremiah with gifts for their daughter, Natalie (coming soon!).

Not an exact likeness, but very cute nonetheless.

Activities for kids included onesie decorating at the Kids Kraft Korner.

Jeremiah, goofing around with mom.

Linh, getting some practice time

Linh and Jeremiah received many gifts from loved ones and had a wonderful time

More photos can be seen over at facebook.

And the Winner is...

2010-01-09T12:46:00.001-08:00

Saturday has arrived, and so has the end of the debut photo contest between Rico Molden and myself. The competition was fierce, the perspectives similar yet unique, but in the end, the judges would have the final say. Thanks to everyone that participated and voted for your favorites! We hope you enjoyed being a part of this contest, and that you'll come back to more of these in the future.

I had hoped to have better news to report for myself, but I'm afraid I must be a good sport and announce that the clear winner in every category was Rico Molden! Congratulations, my friend.

Here, again, are his winning images in each category:

Perspective of a Window

Between

Landscape

Portrait

Close up
(This one was a shut-out)

There you have it! Rico has bested me in the first round, but I'll be looking forward to swirling around some water in my mouth, spitting it into a bucket, and coming out swinging in the next one. That is, after I shamefully hang one of Rico's pics in my home.

The Competition

2010-01-02T23:44:00.001-08:00

Rico Molden is a friend, bandmate, and fellow photographer. He and I spend much of our downtime talking about the various photographic adventures we've been on separately. It was inevitable that we would decide to stage a friendly little competition, and put each other's skills to the test. Walking together, we took pictures in a vacant home and then throughout Claremont’s Downtown district (the Village). After hours of selecting and editing…the entries are in and the voting polls are now open! You are invited to help judge this competition, by choosing your favorite photo in each of the five categories: Perspective of a Window, Between, Landscape, Portrait, and Close-up. The images are presented below, with the copyright identity masked by a random and annonymous presentation. Suffice to say, one photo from each category belongs to Rico, and the other belongs to Jason.

Category #1 - Perspective of a Window

Perspective of a Window (A)

Perspective of a Window (B)

Category #2 - "Between"

Between (A)

Between (B)

Category #3 - Landscape

Landscape (A)

Landscape (B)

Category #4 - Portrait

Portrait (A)

Portrait (B)

Category #5 - Close-up

Close-up (A)

Close-up (B)

Hope you enjoy playing photographic judge for a day! Remember to make your selections by leaving a comment below (simply type the category and choose "A" or "B" for each). Remember, it's all in fun, so try not to over-think it. Thanks for playing! Please post your comments by Friday, January 8th; winner will be posted on Saturday the 9th. By the way - the photog with the most overall "wins" will have his best photograph proudly on printed display in the "losers" home for a month. How's that for a reward?

I Have My Own Built-in Sweater, Thank You.

2010-01-02T19:19:00.001-08:00

What happens when you decide it would be a fun idea to dress your labradoodle up in a red sweater for a family Christmas card photo? Well, for one possible outcome, take a look at what Bev and Bry recently experienced with their wooly companion, Max. For them, it started out well enough. We managed to get a few good shots to choose from, and Max seemed relatively agreeable.

For this shot, Max even appears to smile a little. Clearly, he fancies his new attire.

Thinking we might get some fun candids of a playful Max romping around in his new digs, we turned him loose to run around a bit. We figured we'd get him, and his owners, in a more playful spirit, and that the best images would emerge as a result.

After only a couple laps, Max decided he was through with his new wardrobe, and took great delight in tearing it away from his body in a very fussy and growly sort of way.

Once rid of his red nemesis, Max was once again quite obedient, and acted as though the incident never happened. Lesson learned: dogs of this size and shape will not appreciate the gesture of a pretty new sweater, so it's truly best to get all the formals done up front.

My thanks to Bev, Bry, and Max for their good humor.

Blues Traveler at WPPI

2009-12-23T12:20:00.001-08:00

I had an awesome opportunity to enjoy a performance from Blues Traveler, front and center at the MGM Grand Arena in fabulous Las Vegas. The concert came as part of the annual convention put on by Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI). Not only were we treated to an awesome show, but since I had made friends that week with photographer Jacquelynn Buck, I also received early admission and a complimentary cocktail hour. Fancy stuff! She had won the early-bird prize that day and invited me along. Thank you, Jackie : ) I hope you'll check out her work, too. Based in Southern Georgia, she is a 'photographer on a journey,' as she puts it, and specializes in truly unique portrait work.

Here's a few favorites from the show. Please head on over and become a fan of Jason Barrett Photography on Facebook to see more!

Bassist Tad Kinchla got most of my attention, as he was both incredibly awesome and incredibly close.

Jon Popper belts out the vocal, with guitarist Chan Kinchla in the background and drummer Brendan Hill on the video wall.

View from the front row - being that this was a photography convention, seemingly everyone became a rock photographer for a night!

The definition of Rock and Roll.

Dr. Edward Zeliff headshots

2009-12-20T11:11:00.000-08:00

Dr. Edward Zeliff is a composer and professor in composition at Claremont Graduate University. He keeps a busy schedule between teaching and preparing full length piano recitals, among a myriad of other musical activity. I had the pleasure of helping Dr. Zeliff update his headshots recently, just in time for these images to promote a recital and dinner benefitting the La Habra United Methodist Church. We used the church conservatory for the shoot, and took advantage of the natural light that found its way in through the many bright windows. Dr. Zeliff was a very patient subject, as we worked through a number of different poses to get just the right look. Here are a few favorites...hope you enjoy!

Greg and Mel

2009-12-12T16:42:00.000-08:00

Recently, I had the opportunity to take some friends out on a fun portrait shoot in nearby Claremont, California. I've had the pleasure of being friends with Greg and Melissa for many years, and I was honored to be a part of their beautiful wedding in June Lake, California, high in the Sierras. They've been married for a few years now, but I thought it would be fun to shoot them engagement-session style, and take advantage of the beautiful grounds of the Claremont Colleges. Greg and Mel is a tale of a long-term friendship that gradually grew into romance and love. Here are a few favorites from our session!

Thanks, you two! You look great!!

Welcome to the Jason Barrett Photography blog!

2009-11-28T17:10:00.000-08:00

Just getting things started. Much more to come! This blog will showcase my favorite images, tales from my photographic travels, thoughts about my favorite people & places, and much more. I'm a fan of simplicity, relaxation, and fun! Thanks for checking in and visiting with me!