As a concert photographer, there's nothing quite like the rush of capturing the perfect shot at a live show. From the sweat on the performers' faces to the excitement in the crowd, every moment is a chance to capture the energy and emotion of the performance. And with The Roots and KOKOKO! in concert, there was no shortage of amazing moments to capture.
Read MoreCapturing the Excitement: Highlights from the BAS Golf Tournament
As the official photographer of the BAS Golf Tournament hosted by Iota Tau Alumni of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., I had the honor of capturing all of the exciting moments and memories from the event.
The tournament was held at the beautiful Country Club of Arkansas on a gorgeous Friday afternoon. As the players arrived, you could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air. Golf carts were lined up, clubs were polished and ready to go, and the course was in perfect condition.
Once the tournament began, it was all about the golfers and their skills. From long drives to precise putts, every shot was carefully calculated and executed. As I made my way around the course, I captured the players in action, their intense focus evident in every shot.
But it wasn't just about the golf. The BAS Golf Tournament was also a social event, with old friends reconnecting and new friendships being formed. I snapped photos of the players chatting and laughing as they made their way around the course.
As the day progressed, the competition heated up. The Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive contests had everyone on the edge of their seats. And then there was the Hole-In-One challenge, which had everyone holding their breath in anticipation.
It was an honor to be a part of the BAS Golf Tournament and to capture all of the excitement and memories from the event. The photos I took showcase the fun, camaraderie, and friendly competition that were all a part of this wonderful day. I hope they bring a smile to the faces of everyone who participated, and that they serve as a reminder of the great time we all had.
You can download and purchase your favorite prints directly from the photo gallery by following this link: https://clients.bwatts.photography/gallery/BASGolfTournament
A Kaleidoscope of Colors: Celebrating Life and Love at the Holi Festival
As I walked onto the Momentary Green, I was immediately enveloped in a burst of colors and energy. The Holi Festival, presented in partnership with the Indian Cultural Association of NWA (ICANWA), was in full swing, and I couldn't wait to join in on the joyous celebrations.
It was a privilege to witness this ancient Indian tradition that celebrates the start of spring with vibrant colors, music, and dancing. The festival has been observed for thousands of years and is a testament to the vibrancy of life and the love of Radha Krishna.
As I made my way through the crowd, I was struck by the sense of community and unity. People from all walks of life had gathered to celebrate this beautiful tradition and embrace the spirit of togetherness.
The highlight of the festival was, of course, the Holi pigment powder. Attendees could purchase bags of the colorful powder for a nominal cash fee and revel in the freedom of throwing it around with abandon. It was an incredibly liberating experience to be covered in a rainbow of colors and see everyone else around me doing the same.
The festival was also accompanied by a live DJ, and the rhythmic beats added to the vibrant atmosphere. I was thrilled to capture the sheer joy and enthusiasm of the crowd, as they danced and celebrated the arrival of spring.
As I took in the sights and sounds, I felt a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to document this beautiful event. I wasn't hired to do this, but I felt compelled to capture the essence of the festival and the culture behind it.
In these challenging times, coming together to celebrate life and love felt more important than ever. The Holi Festival was a reminder of the power of community and the importance of embracing diversity and unity.
I am honored to share my gallery of photos with you all, and I hope that they convey the magic and vibrancy of this beautiful event. The Holi Festival was a true celebration of life and love, and I am grateful to have been a part of it.
To download your complimentary social-sized image, please visit: https://clients.bwatts.photography/gallery/holifestival
WHEN B. WATTS MET…
#FANBOYBLOG
Yes, that’s right - fan boy blog. For the longest I’ve been wanting to work with Ashley Little, designer of Ellen Elaine Designs, since I first saw her designs at NWA Fashion Week. Her work was amazing. AMAZING! Check out a few shots that I took of her designs that year:
Photos Taken: March 4, 2017
I remember speaking to one of the NWA fashion week models during an intermission. I told them to please tell Ashley Little I wanted to speak with her, Moments later, I was being introduce to her. I told her how I love her designs and would hope to work with her in the future. Now, lets fast forwarded to December 2, 2018 (a year and 9 months later) I was finally able to work with her. We had our models, Victoria Archer, Nicole Sizemore and Marshall Milligan, and our fabulous makeup artist, Enrique Salamanca. I also invited a good friend of mine, Kai Drachenberg, so that we could have our first big collaboration.
Just a bit of background info about Kai and I’s friendship. Kai and I befriended each other when I worked at Bedford Camera and Video. At that time, I knew Kai as more of a street photographer who had a great eye for capturing everyday things around the community. I was, and still am, a portrait photographer, but I wanted to learn from Kai and for him to learn from me. Without the help from Kai, my photography style would have gone in a totally different direction, but yet it is still in my own direction. I would like to think that I did the same for him. Now, Kai has stepped into the videography realm.
As you can imagine, our collaboration turned out to be great! Check out the behind the scenes highlight reel, shot and directed by Kai.
BEHIND THE SCENES HIGHLIGHT REEL
After seeing that amazing video, I’m sure you’re wondering about my part in all of this. I mean, I am the man behind the bulb. Well, wonder no more. Check out these amazing photos captured by yours truly, Brandon Watts. These are shots of Ashley Little’s custom designed bridal dresses.
MODEL: Marshall Milligan
Click on photos to enlarge!!
Model: Nicole Sizemore
Designer: Ashley Little
MakeUp Artist: Enrique Salamanca
1968 Cadillac Convertible: NWA Classic Cars
Photos by Brandon Watts
MUSE: NICOLE SIZEMORE
Click on photos to enlarge!!
Model: Marshall Milligan
Designer: Ashley Little
MakeUp Artist: Enrique Salamanca
1968 Cadillac Convertible: NWA Classic Cars
Photos by: Brandon Watts
MODEL: Victoria Archer
Click on photos to enlarge!!
Designer: Ashley Little
MakeUp Artist: Enrique Salamanca
1968 Cadillac Convertible: NWA Classic Cars
Photos by: Brandon Watts
DON’T FORGET TO
LIKE, COMMENT & SHARE!!!
THE EXPERIENCE
My vision for opening Studio 4seven9 was to create an establishment that is suitable for clients of all needs. Rather they are commercial clients, family clients, glamour clients, or models looking to build their portfolio, there is a place for them all at Studio 4seven9.
I wanted Studio 4seven9 to make our clients feel as though they were being pampered at an all-inclusive resort. I wanted B. Watts Photography and Studio 4seven9 to offer more than just great quality photos, but also an unforgettable experience that they will never forget. By providing our own team of personal hairstylists and makeup artists, we are able to ensure that our clients are looking their very best at all times during their session. To make the experience even better, we offer cold beverages and play music per client’s request to help them feel more at home and pampered; in turn, allowing them to relax, be comfortable, enjoy the photo shoot, and walk away with photos they’re sure to love.
As a photographer, I believe that the photography experience is just as important as the quality of the photos. I want to be able to encourage and build confidence in every client, rather it’s self-confidence or brand confidence. Whatever the reason may be, we will provided a professional experience that will be cherished in your heart and in a frame!
Now, let’s take a look at what it’s like to book B. Watts Photography and shoot at Studio 4seven9.
DESIGNER
Rosie Rose: @rosierosedesigner
HMUA
Karen Rodriguez: @kali_bear426
MODELS
Rochelle: @ro_ontheradio
Jacquetta: @jacquetta_pianalto
Victoria: @victorienka
Geylin: @geylin_castillo
VIDEOGRAPHER
Francisco: @francisco._macias
PHOTOGRAPHER
BRANDON WATTS
B. WATTS PHOTOGRAPHY
“YOUR PHOTOS FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHER”
Doors: An End To Hate!
I had the privilege and pleasure of visiting the Fayetteville Underground Art Gallery last month. Featured artist V.L. Cox’s collection of work “A MURDER OF CROWS: The End Hate collection” commemorated Art and Social Justice for the Month of April. I was left speechless, in fact, taken by her work; how it personally grabbed my attention and emotion. It shows so much of our past, but also the present and future.
The doors. Man, the painted doors with these words (White Only, Colored Only, LGBT Only, Immigrant Only, Homeless Only, Veteran Only, Women Only, and the last door with chains on it Human Beings).
When I saw them, I instantly wanted to utilize my skills and art to create art with hers. I wanted to do an epic photoshoot to further the message of ‘labels’ in our society.
According to dictionary.com, Label is defined as “a slip of paper, cloth, or other material, marked or inscribed, for attachment to something to indicate its manufacturer, nature, ownership, destination, etc.”
So why, as a society, do we place labels on people? How can we begin to label a person when labels cannot even fathom the depth of a human being? Can you believe in 2017 we still fighting oppression, racism, sexism, etc.?
And with this perceived notion of labels, it leads people to have prejudice against us. The notions take away from who we really are and our personality. In a lot of ways, we are alike, but different. We are alike because we are all human beings and should be treated as such. We are different because that’s what makes us great!
I asked a couple models for this shoot how they felt after seeing the exhibit, standing in front of the doors. Here are a few responses:
“Going into the shoot, I was excited to be ‘representing’ women. But when we started to take the photos, I became somewhat uncomfortable... Even though it was just an art installation, I actually felt like I wasn’t allowed to step in front of the doors with categories I didn’t fit in. Which is crazy! It’s just words painted on a door!! I feel like it goes to show that when you classify someone by something as general as their gender, skin color, sexual orientation, or where they came, it has a lot of power to influence. But at the end of the day, you’re causing a social divide that really has no basis to be there.”
“Seeing the exhibit was difficult, shocking, and inspiring all in the same experience. As a white kid born in 1994, I can very easily say I have not been exposed to the atrocities that took place in the days of the civil rights movement. This being the case, it is all too easy to not feel impacted by the history at any point in my life.”
Not to make this blog an exhausting read, let me move into the photos that I hope is an eye opener to the blind, a breath of fresh air to the oppressed, and break barriers in the hearts and souls of everyone. Please share!
Thank you Fayetteville Underground Art Gallery, especially to Joëlle Strt, for allowing this photoshoot to happen. Also, thank you to the models who took time out to help bring this photoshoot to life and special thank you V. L. Cox for creating this powerful message.
To learn more about V.L. Cox and her art work please visit her website at http://www.greatfineart.com/
Kelan & Dani Proposal
OMG OMG OMG...This has to be one of my favorite photo shoots that I had the privilege of taking. When Kelan placed his trust in my photography to capture this once in a lifetime moment, I was honored. I knew this was something not to be taken for granted. It was magical, it was beautiful and filled with emotions. The look on Dani's face was priceless. Let's take a moment to Oooooh and Ahhhhh at this proposal/engagement shoot.
To Kelan & Dani, congrats again on the engagement and letting me share this moment with the both of you. Thank you for choosing "Your Photo's Favorite Photographer."
COSPLAY.............. ~MAD MOXXI~
As kids, we all loved to play some form of dress-up or 'pretending'. We all know for ladies, it was not only that, but also playing in makeup! For people like Alex (in the scrolling pic), old habits don't die hard. Huh? What? You may ask, "hold up, why is she painting her face white?" Well my friends, you're about to embark on an incredible transformation. The only difference between what we did as kids and what Alex does is, now, as adults, there's a fancier word for it: ..................................................................COSPLAY!
Introducing..........*drum roll*...........MAD MOXXI!!! For those who don't know, in another realm, Mad Moxxi is the host/MC of colosseum-style matches of what's called "The Underdome". Little is known about her other than she is, in fact, an unapologetic sadist and created The Underdome to keep herself occupied until she finds a new husband. The amount of fun I had with this shoot...............man, we tried so many different things. First we started with some shots in the studio.
Then, we headed to one of my favorite sites for some real fun. Check it out!
“When I was in 6th grade, I fell in love with anime and comic culture. I waited until high-school to wear my first costume & it was one of the best experiences I’d ever had. Putting on these costumes give me an extreme amount of confidence in myself. I decided last year to make my first costume, as opposed to buying one. Mad Moxxi is the second costume I’ve made from scratch. She was a challenge because I’m not a seamstress, so the jacket took a lot of trial and error. I’ve wanted to gain the level of confidence necessary to put on the makeup and the costume. I plan to continue to grow and make more and more costumes. Cosplay has truly become my favorite pastime and passion.”
#ROWWeek2k16 KAPPA SIG PresentS...French Montana
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, it's that time of year again. #RowWeek2k16 Sorority girls, frat boys and your speckles of non-greeks.
There are plenty more photos than what's scrolling below. If you can conjure up a memory of getting a photo taken of you, click "Contact Me" below to send a message. I will try to find you.
This year, with a partner, I had the pleasure of photographing the Crawfish Boil & French Montana concert events hosted by University of Arkansas' Kappa Sig Fraternity. Check out the video from the concert!