Rick Ward Photography

melting snow

2010-02-05T07:23:00.003-05:00

Snowfall Jan. 30,2010

2010-01-31T07:59:00.001-05:00

timelapse

2010-01-21T21:13:00.003-05:00

HERE IS A TIME LAPSE DONE WITH A NIKON D300 AND A NIKON 10.5 FISH EYE LENS. WITH THE 180 DEGREE SPREAD OF THE FISH EYE LENS,I WAS ABLE TO GET BOTH THE SUNRISE AND SUNSET IN THE SAME FRAME.

Merry Christmas everyone!

2009-12-22T08:51:00.002-05:00

Winterfest 2009

2009-12-12T12:07:00.004-05:00

It's a bugs world.

2009-11-30T10:34:00.002-05:00

I was attempting to make a time lapse video of a mushroom growing with my D300 and a macro lens. The mushroom did not grow enough to show any difference.........but I did catch a frame with this bug sitting on the mushroom. The white rock on the mushroom beside the bug is a grain of sand.

Christmas at Cameron Village

2009-11-25T14:59:00.001-05:00

Cameron Village in downtown Raleigh celebrates Christmas every year with an open house festival. It is a wonderful event for kids of all ages.

2009-11-22T12:40:00.002-05:00

2009-11-22T11:47:00.002-05:00

Recently my wife and I attended a belly dancing performance. They did not allow flash and the lighting was low. I set my D300 to 3200 ISO for the first time...............I fell in love with my camera all over again.

2009-11-22T11:46:00.001-05:00

More images from the trip to Charlotte

2009-11-22T11:27:00.002-05:00

A trip to Charlotte

2009-11-22T11:08:00.003-05:00

I have an older brother living in Charlotte............and also my parents are in an assisted living facility in Charlotte. For my brother to go on a week long vacation, I volunteered to house and parent sit for the week he would be gone. The images represent my adventures.
I explored South Mountains State park which is only around an hour from Charlotte.
I took my parents to Lazy 5 Farm in Morrisville................you drive through the country side feeding and petting exotic animals from your car........loads of fun.
I also took in Charlotte by way of there transit system.........CATS.

Vacation at RoanMountain

2009-11-22T11:01:00.003-05:00

For the last 25 years, my wife and I along with other family have traveled to Roan Mountain State Park for our vacation. Over the years, with the fall colors and all the scenery the mountains has to offer, my taste in photography is ever changing...............yet I never run out of new images. Here are my favorites from this year.

Mr. Halsey

2009-11-22T10:51:00.005-05:00

On a recent camping trip to the mountains at Shady Shack campground, we were given a special moment. Mr. Halsey, the owner of the campground, would make his daily rounds and collect his money from the campers. On this trip, he decided to join us for a drink and even entertained us with a great story.

2009-11-22T10:43:00.003-05:00

White Deer Park and Nature Center is a new park recently opened in Garner NC.
GR&S general construction is the contractor and commissioned me to make photographs for their web site.
http://georaperandson.blogspot.com/

The theme focuses on an albino deer that lived in the local community and, over time, became a popular fixture. The deceased deer is actually on display at the nature center.

2009-11-22T10:40:00.003-05:00

2009-11-22T10:37:00.002-05:00

2009-08-09T08:59:00.001-04:00

All taken with a Nikon D300 and a 105 macro lens....SB800 flash.........Ray Flash attachment.........all manual............hand held.

2009-08-09T08:56:00.002-04:00

2009-08-02T11:01:00.001-04:00

There is a DVD a good friend(and cat person) turned me on to called Cat Sitter. My cat Annie will watch it as long as it is on...............works!

2009-08-02T10:59:00.003-04:00

2009-08-02T08:22:00.002-04:00

As our Rose of Sharon trees bloom, one made it through the bottom of an old well bucket hanging nearby. Thank you mother nature for another photograph.

2009-08-02T08:21:00.006-04:00

2009-07-26T09:43:00.003-04:00

On July 25,09, the night Sky lite up with a thunderstorm on the horizon.

2009-07-26T09:43:00.002-04:00

2009-07-17T11:43:00.000-04:00

My garden often produces more than just vegetables...........also opportunities for photos.

2009-07-17T11:42:00.004-04:00

Sweet potato blossoms

2009-07-17T11:38:00.003-04:00

Green tree frog resting on an okra leaf.

The value of a hobby

2009-07-13T08:39:00.002-04:00

In my opinion, everyone needs a hobby. To have a creative outlet just for fun and pleasure is the most therapeutic endeavor one can imagine. Photography used to be my hobby. But now, although I still love it, has the baggage of financial responsibility.
Now days, my pure hobby is my garden. Here is a photo essay of my balance in life.

2009-07-13T08:35:00.002-04:00

2009-07-06T20:58:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to my lovely wife Liz Miller. Liz is a decorative artist and teaches decorative painting at her studio "Artful Endeavors". She recently had one of her paintings represented as the front cover and article with "The Decorative Painter". This is the official publication for the society of decorative painters.

Liz Miller CDA at Artful Endeavors

2009-06-29T15:11:00.002-04:00

2009-06-29T14:58:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the family Porter James

2009-06-29T07:45:00.003-04:00

My good friend and successful comercial photographer Simon Griffiths hired me as his assistant for a book project called Secrets of Success. General H. Hugh Shelton established the Shelton Leadership Center at N.C. State University and came up with the idea of putting together a book honoring successful people with North Carolina conections. Simon did a fantastic job with the black and white photography.

2009-06-29T07:43:00.002-04:00

Simon Griffiths(in black shirt) discussing his work.

2009-06-29T07:38:00.003-04:00

General H. Hugh Shelton at the book signing of his book along with William C friday and Donna Chavis.

2009-06-28T18:55:00.004-04:00

Anna Shepherd and Kyle Burger were married on May 16, 2009 in Salisbury.

2009-06-28T18:04:00.004-04:00

Mary Kathryn and Mike were married in Charlotte on May 9,2009.

2009-06-27T19:14:00.003-04:00

Wake Medical Hospital salutes their volunteer pets program with a picnic complete with games.

2009-06-27T19:10:00.003-04:00

Wake Medical Hospital honors two employees and hired me for photographs for their internal publication.

2009-06-27T18:45:00.002-04:00

C&K(Cath and Karen) Realtors hired me to photograph a house for promotion to sell. I also took the opportunity to photograph the owner as she was interested in modeling(and she has the look).
www.CathandKaren.com

2009-06-27T15:06:00.004-04:00

Anna Phillips and Tyler Cole were married at Magnolia plantation on April 11,2009.

Anna Shephard's bridal portrait

2009-06-27T13:17:00.004-04:00

Anna Shephard and Kyle Burger will be getting married in Salisbury NC on May 16,2009. This is the old country church she grew up with.

Anna Shephard grew up playing in Dan Nicholas park where she had fond memories of the old trestle bridge.

Tis the season

2009-03-29T09:24:00.002-04:00

Wedding season starts next weekend............but until then, I will practice with the spring season.

2009-03-11T09:03:00.003-04:00

So last week, my wife takes one of our cats to the community animal hospital for a regular visit and the good doctor shows Liz a stray cat looking for a home. It was a no brainer as this cat has charisma to the max. After we brought him home, the first thing he did was go under all our furniture............doing a good job of dusting..........so we called him Dusty.

2009-03-10T17:30:00.002-04:00

Warm weather is here........and one of my favorite pass times is photographing honey bees at work.

Congradulations to Nicole and Jeromy McConnell

2009-03-10T14:02:00.002-04:00

On March 4, 2009 Porter James McConnell was born to Nicole and Jeromy McConnell. Hopefully I will have an opportunity to photograph Porter soon.

March snow fall 2009

2009-03-02T09:39:00.002-05:00

2009-02-21T10:46:00.002-05:00

As commercial photographer Scott Dingman's assistant, occasionally I get to travel. For a native North Carolinian, experiencing 10 below zero and 3 feet of snow was a real treat........but the scenery was fantastic.

2009-02-21T10:43:00.002-05:00

Here is a panorama of Mount Washington and surrounding mountains at sunset.

2009-02-21T10:41:00.002-05:00

Mount Washington has a unique cog rail train that carries people to the top. We visited the maintenance facility.

2009-02-21T10:37:00.002-05:00

Back to work

Snowfall Jan. 2009

2009-02-21T10:29:00.002-05:00

Hunting trip

2009-02-21T10:18:00.002-05:00

My two good friends and commercial photographers Scott and Charlie were given, as my Christmas gift, a hunting trip. We didn't shoot anything.....but it was fun to pretend...........boys will be boys

Sunset Dec. 14, 2008

2009-02-21T10:16:00.001-05:00

Casey and Patrick Johnson Dec.13,2008

2009-02-21T10:14:00.002-05:00

2009-02-21T10:09:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays

2008-12-12T10:57:00.004-05:00

I want to wish happiness and prosperity to all and to give thanks for family and friends as well as the blessings of all the wonderfull people I have met through my work.

Meredith and Samuel Nye Oct. 11,2008

2008-12-12T10:46:00.001-05:00

Jennifer and Justin Smith Sept. 27,2008

2008-12-12T10:43:00.002-05:00

Rebecca and Edward McKenzie III Sept.13,2008

2008-12-12T10:30:00.001-05:00

2008-12-12T10:28:00.002-05:00

Blair and Matt McGarry August 16,2008

2008-12-12T09:55:00.002-05:00

Blair and Matt were married at St. Pauls church in Cary. We wish them the best.

Daddy's little girl

2008-09-26T08:52:00.002-04:00

2008-09-26T08:50:00.002-04:00

Katie and Sean

2008-09-23T19:13:00.001-04:00

2008-09-23T19:12:00.002-04:00

2008-09-23T19:10:00.002-04:00

The wedding of Marie and Josh

2008-09-16T13:27:00.001-04:00

2008-09-16T13:24:00.003-04:00

2008-09-16T13:23:00.002-04:00

Happy children

2008-07-25T08:48:00.006-04:00

Wake Medical Hospital has an ongoing article in their publication "Developments" focusing attention on children that have spent time in the hospital. Wake Hospital is doing a fantastic job returning these children to their happy childhood after their medical intervention and I have been given the opportunity to photograph their happiness.............another dream job.

The wedding of Susan and Eddie Cobb

2008-06-23T09:48:00.002-04:00

Susan and Eddie Cobb were married at Duke Chapel and had the reception at university tower on the 17th floor. One of their request was a photo with a view from the 17th floor. The challenge is the dreaded reflection. Any light source(such as my flash) will cause a reflection. There are solutions............The best one is to place your camera on a tripod so it will remain the same..........turn all the lights off in the room and remove all the people at the reception to eliminate any possibility of reflection................take a photograph without the people and only available light(no flash)..........Then take a photo of the couple with the flash. Later, in photoshop, use the available light image as a layer to work from and erase all the reflections from the image with the couple . Since turning the lights off and telling all the guest to leave is obviously out of the question,the other solution is just shoot it and do the best you can later in photoshop......all in a day's work.

2008-06-21T18:03:00.003-04:00

Robin and Ira Knight were married at the horticultural gardens at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst. The gardens created a beautiful setting for the ceremony as well as the bridal portrait. The reception was at the National golf club clubhouse.......also a great backdrop for photography. All went well as the weather was perfect.......the people were wonderful....and most of all........the newly weds were having a great time.

Robin and Ira Knight's wedding

2008-06-21T18:00:00.002-04:00

Blair and Matt's engagement session.

2008-06-15T09:11:00.002-04:00

Blair and Matt are getting married in Raleigh in August but they live in Charlotte. Their request was for a Charlotte cityscape back ground. Fortunate for me, I have a brother that has lived in Charlotte for 30 years and knew of some great locations.

Meredith and Sam's engagement session

2008-06-15T09:02:00.002-04:00

Meredith and Sam are getting married in October. More often than not, when you are photographing a young couple that are so full of love and life, the action between the poses says it all.

Lisa and Jake's engagement session

2008-06-15T08:49:00.002-04:00

Lisa and Jake's wedding date is Sept. 6,2008. Lisa is family as she is my wife's second cousin. This allowed me the privilege to watch Lisa grow up from a cute little girl to an attractive young lady. As the photographer in the family, I photograph our family reunions where Lisa would avoid me at all cost because she hated having her picture taken. Now she is loving every minute of it........and we are friends again.

The wedding of Jessica and Dave Sulzen

2008-05-20T11:15:00.007-04:00

Jessica and Dave were married at the First Presbyterian church downtown Raleigh. This is a beautiful church inside with a wonderful parlor for the girls to get ready as well as a good location for formals. Downtown weddings allows for the opportunity to make photo journal street scenes. They also had the rehearsal dinner at The Big Easy..........also downtown.
Congratulations to Jessica and Dave.

2008-05-20T10:55:00.002-04:00

2008-05-20T10:51:00.002-04:00

2008-05-20T10:49:00.002-04:00

natural versus man made

2008-05-17T13:58:00.003-04:00

On a recent assignment for Wake Medical Hospital, I was given the challenge to photograph a three year old boy having fun. I have attended several courses at the school of hard knocks on how to photograph a three year old and the most valuable lesson I learned........................ NEVER attempt to assert any control whatsoever into the situation. All you will get is a photograph of resistance. Always the first question to ask is............what does he like to do. He likes swings and space to run. Without hesitation we went to a park where there were swings and open spaces.

2008-05-17T13:34:00.002-04:00

2008-05-17T13:28:00.002-04:00

wedding baby

2008-05-17T13:21:00.002-04:00

What happens to wedding photographers when they spot a baby.............they start shooting fast and furious. Babies bring the best out of people with tons of happy faces. At the wedding of Christine and Michael Innerarity, this baby was spotted........and the rest is history.

Thw wedding of Jennie and Thomas Fuller

2008-04-20T17:07:00.002-04:00

This last weekend's wedding was at a fantastic wedding venue. Magnolia Manor Plantation Bed and Breakfast is located near Warrenton, N.C.
www.magnoliamanorbnb.com
The restored 1800's house along with a beautiful backyard featuring the 6th largest oak tree in the country, creates a feel of timelessness. Larry and Sheila Carver are wonderful host and are energetic contributors to the festive atmosphere.

2008-04-20T17:04:00.002-04:00

2008-04-20T17:02:00.002-04:00

The wedding of Anne and Palmer Seeley

2008-04-10T07:32:00.002-04:00

Anne and Palmer Seeley were married on April6,2008 at Duke gardens. We all wish them all the happiness as they begin there new life together.

2008-04-10T07:17:00.002-04:00

2008-04-10T07:10:00.002-04:00

Spring

2008-04-02T13:15:00.003-04:00

Spring is here................wedding season begins............the yard needs mowing............TAXES!

It's also the simple pleasures...............such as a walk in the yard. My wife and I have been living in a piece of country for 23 years and I never grow tired of how our yard comes to life this time of year.

staying in touch

2008-02-24T13:57:00.003-05:00

After so many years of being a professional photographer, we all run the risk of becoming a slave to the business.......and briefly loose touch with the whole reason we endeavored into this profession.............we love making photographs. The remedy is a self assignment. My dear friend and exceptional commercial photographer Charles Brown and I took a trip to an old abandon cotton mill just to have fun with possibilities. The light and subject matter may never make us money but the flow of creative juices is priceless.

Richard Petty

2007-12-07T18:04:00.000-05:00

Along with being a wedding photographer, I also work as a professional commercial photographer assistant. On the job site, I am the commercial photographer's helper where I set up lights, change lens,keep track of memory cards, and often serve as a second set of eyes.

Recently, I worked with Scott Montgomery, out of Los Angeles. The subject was Richard Petty.

Maddy's first Thanksgiving

2007-11-25T11:05:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving with the family was greatly enhanced by the introduction of Maddy.....born Sept. 11, 2007 to Terry and Chad McConnell(my nephew).With a simple smile, Maddy reminded us all just how much there is to be thankful for. She also taught everyone in the family how to make funny faces and silly sounds..........Thanks Maddy!

The beach wedding

2007-11-14T15:51:00.000-05:00

Recently I worked another wedding at the beach. I have a great deal of respect for the young couple that wants to get married at the beach. If anyone would take the time to consider how many things could go wrong .......most are scared away from the prospect. On the other hand, for those who consider how incredible a beach wedding could be if all went right...............This young couple is full of life and ready to live it to the fullest. Rewards are not without risks and these risk taking newlyweds have a bright future. By the way, their wedding was perfect.

photography workshop

2007-11-02T18:14:00.000-04:00

Last month I, and two good friends(and gifted photographers) went to the Virginia mountains to rejuvenate our creative juices. I found a secluded cabin and the rest came naturally. The cabin itself is a 100 year old renovated cabin and became a good subject. The star image was taken by Clark Finch and the stars were every bit that abundant. We all got an A for having fun.

vacation

2007-11-02T18:00:00.003-04:00

Every October for the last 23 years, My wife and I take a vacation to Roan Mountain State park.Our aniversery is Oct. 6 and this is how we celebrate. We stay in a cabin without a T.V. or phone and are in an area where my cell phone does not work. I am forced to relax and return to enjoying photography as my theraputic hobby.........the fall colors were very nice this year.....enjoy!

Hero

2007-08-25T11:49:00.000-04:00

I was recently in the Virginia mountains for a wedding weekend when...........I met a hero.

On Saturday morning....4 hours and 12 miles from the wedding, my truck breaks down. A cashier at a local grocery tells me I need to see "Tooter". The directions landed me at a trailer with a garage. I introduced myself to Tooter as a professional photographer from Raleigh and "I am in a bit of a pickle". Tooters response was,"You aint in a pickle if your here." Not only did Tooter fix my truck, he let me borrow his truck so I could return to my job. The wedding went well and I made a nice batch of images. On Sunday morning I returned to Tooters and was greeted with a very modest bill and generious hospitality. Even though Tooter probably saved me from a career buster, to him it was all in a days work. In case you are wondering, according to Tooters grandpa, Tooters first words as a baby were toot...toot...toot...because he liked trains.