Featured on "The Glitter & Gore"

I'm ecstatic because I have been published on one of my favorite and one of the top fashion / make-up blogs, the glitter and the gore!!!!! I just found out about it late last year, and Gwynnis Mosby and I made it a goal to get some of our images into this amazing archive of inspiration and beautiful-ness. 


I did a shoot in January with the intent of submitting it to be on there. It seemed like something they would like (but you never know exactly what people are looking for with this stuff).. I submitted 2 images from that shoot, 2 from another from last year and 2 from another from in 2010.. and they picked 2 from a shoot from I did last year I titled Black Diamonds. 


I came home to check this evening, and was so elated to see my photos, there, on the TOP of the page! They have awesome photos and make-up on that site, from all over the world (including the almighty Vogue Italia!) so to even be on the same page as them, and even to be considered in the same realm is very surreal. I took a chance submitting, and then kind of forgot about it. It definitely proves that you need to just take chances sometimes and see what happens! I have no words right now and am just so very, very thankful! Fashion is where my heart is and where I let my creativity run wild and so to be recognized for it is overwhelming!

New website!

Hey everyone! I know it's been a while since I've been on my blog, but that is about to change! I am going to be more active on here, and it all starts with the launch of my new website. Go on over to Megan Dougherty Photography and check it out! I have designed it myself, as I usually do. I love all the new websites out there for photographers, but they are usually quite expensive, and I like for my site to be unique and stand out and not be a cookie cutter copy of a template. This site is laid out to be way more friendly for the Iphone / Ipad and any smart phone.

I'd love to know your thoughts, and hear from you! I will be updating the blog a lot more frequently with my latest shoots, and behind the scenes info on my fun fashion shoots when I do them.

Thanks for your support!

Favorite Photos of 2011

Hey there my friends! I'm sorry I've been MIA for a while, but I have been super busy! Once the holidays were here, it just was like a whirlwind. I was still shooting, but whenever I got a little downtime, I created "projects" to do. Only a few of them got finished, but I love to brainstorm and make new goals and keep myself busy and thinking ahead.

The last couple of years it's become a tradition for me to post my 20 favorite photos from the year. Each year it definitely gets harder! Although looking back at last year's favorite images, there are so many that I still love, and I had such an edge and was more fearless in my shooting. In 2011, I feel like I had pushed, and pushed, and pushed myself so much the year before, and I didn't keep that momentum going. I shot some great headshots, but I didn't experiment as much with fashion or travel like I wanted. I think a lack of inspiration was the main cause (both of my grandparents were not doing well, so I didn't want to be too far away with traveling). The images I took the year before were still fresh! and new! and exciting! and I didn't need to create anything better, YET! Well now we are going into two years later, and I am itching to stretch myself again. 

My goal for 2012 is to start experimenting again, have fun, and be inspired by everything around me. Shoot more for enjoyment, and to remember the memories that make-up my life. Before I had my business, I always had my camera. I shot everyone, everything, and every little celebration, even if it was just friends and I going to the movies (go smile by the AMC sign!). Alright, enough rambling on, let's get on to the photos! As you might know by now, these are just MY personal favorites, the photos that stood out to me during the year. You've probably seen some of them on my flyers / banners, but others I haven't shared before. These are photos that I find myself going back to for one reason or another, either for how the colors work together, the lines and angles, the expressions, or the moments. I can definitely see that I was not near as wild and colorful as I was the year before, but I think these photos have a more simplistic approach, and I could really concentrate on my subjects. I think these really express my style best.  2011 was my busiest year yet, and I have all of you to thank! I truly love what I do and the clients I get to meet!

So here we go, my favorite 20 images of 2011. Some might break all the headshots "rules", but I love them anyway.  It was so, so, hard for me to just choose 20 (and they are in no particular order, although some are from the same sessions). I'd love to hear which ones are your favorites too. 

Sneak Peek // Kerys

Here's a sneak peek from a great shoot with Kerys last week (we did 2 very different looks, I promise it's the same person). This was just a fun shoot that I had wanted to do. I love to explore my creativity, and work with a team and see what we come up with. This is what I love and live to do, CREATE! I love to make that fantasy world that I see through the viewfinder.

I love both of these looks, I really can't decide which one I like more, because I like them for such different reasons. I'll have the full post up later this week, it was a fun way to start 2012!

Model: Kerys
Make-Up / Styling: Gwynnis Mosby
Photographer / Styling: Megan Dougherty

2012

Wishing you a great, happy & successful 2012! Here's a cute one from a creative shoot earlier this week (and also the new main image on my site). All of this was done in camera except the border and slight texture.

Last year was a great year for my business and creativity, but personally it was one of the worst that I can remember. This year I really hope to get published, get out there more, and push my limits and boundaries creatively. Also, I want to get more into blogging, and get this blog rollin' and orghanized (right now I know it's a mixed bag of posts) What are your goals for this year?

Anne Harper // Musician

When Anne contacted me and wanted a headshot and some promotional shots for her music, I was really excited, then I was even more excited when she sent me examples of photos she liked. She wanted some shots to sign at shows and for promotions. I love it when my clients are prepared and know what they are looking for. As usual, Anne is a more quiet woman and very nice and soft spoken, but once I listened to her album I was so blown away! She has such a beautiful voice and the melodies in her songs are just stunning, I can truly say I love her album (which is available on Itunes)! It's always the quiet ones you need to keep an eye on, I have seen clients in their plays and commercials and it amazes me how they come out of their shell and just own what they are doing (but I am the same with my photography).

Once we got the headshots out of the way, we went onto the promotional photos. We were on a bit of a tighter time schedule, but we managed to get everything covered. The first set was shot in studio with a cool background I set up, and the ivy setting is literally about 20 feet in the backyard of the studio. You don't always need a lot of space to create the images you want. I just had her standing next to a tree and shot from different angles that made it look much more lush and tropical than it really is, and so that the green was always behind her. The chair was a last minute addition, and I only shot about 6 images with it, but I am so glad I did. I love how the black and white really pop against the green. Because we were shooting a little later than I usually do, we had some gorgeous sunlight coming through - another testament to how things always work out for the best.

Get Connected Atlanta // Interview

 

As you know, Atlanta is a big player in the acting scene. There are tons of actors, models, producers, execs and etc all coming to Atlanta to shoot the latest TV series and even movies. A few months ago I found out about unbelievable get together called Get Connected. It is for anyone in the entertainment industry and is just bursting with creativity and energy! I loved it, and felt like it was so me, and I am sooo happy there is something like this here! I really am thankful for the opportunities it provides for everyone to "connect"!

Last month (July 28) I was a featured vendor and was interviewed for their TV show that will be shown on their website and Facebook pages to a few thousand (yes...thousand!) people. Talk about nerves building up! I was one of the last interviews and it was close to midnight, but I think it turned out pretty well. I was supposed to be interviewed by myself, but I spotted my dear friend and make-up artist Gwynnis Mosby and chatted with her and then asked if she would like to go on with me. I think it turned out much better than if it was just me, it really proves what a great combination make-up and photography are, and how it really can give you the best finished product.

I'll admit, it is a weird emotion and feeling seeing yourself on film. At first I could not believe how thick my accent is, how my lipstick had faded, oh, did I really just say that? and of course I can could go and on...You know, everyone is their own worst critic, so I am working really hard to just enjoy these opportunities I have been given to meet people, and to get my business out there to such a wide audience! After 4 years, I feel like I am so in control, and am so happy to be where I am today. Not a day goes by that I am not so incredibly thankful to my  family, friends and clients who allow me the opportunities and the support to do what I love! Thanks for watching (and please excuse the mis-spelling of our names)!

Courtney // Swimwear

Here's a sneak peek at today's shoot with Courtney! I just wanted to try to shoot some different shots, experiment & I knew I wanted to shoot around water. She's such a great girl to work with and we had so much fun! We started with a very natural look and then pumped it up, which I loved because she has amazing eyes!