Marijani | Corporate Headshots | CovingtonPortraits

Yesterday started out the perfect day. I remember looking out the window in the morning and thinking ‘oh what a perfect day to create headshots!’ Weather.com had predicted a gorgeous day all week and it started out as just that. The corporate headshot session with Marijani was scheduled at 4pm and everything looked great until about 2:45pm. At that point it started raining. Ugh. I like to do a combination of indoor and outdoor shots during a headshot session. There are such incredible backdrops within 200 feet of my studio and I just get excited using them and I love the way the unique backdrops look in the final images. With the rain coming down that was out. Marijani arrived early and it turned out that the rain was actually a blessing. Things always work out the way that they should. Her headshots are strictly for corporate use and we found that a plain background was ideal. We shot on black and white and were able to get so many more variations in the looks because we were focused only on her. The day that almost turned blah ended up being a laughter filled awesome experience ending with hugs and plans for another type of shoot in June. I am very excited about the June shoot as she will bring along some photographs of her parents caught on the street in Cape Town, South Africa. Back in the day, there used to be street photographers who would capture the comings and goings of the people in Cape Town. They would mail the photographs to the people and if they wanted to keep them, they would pay the photographer when they came round. How cool is that? She said she has some incredible images of her parents and one in particular that her mom says ‘brings back the memories and happenings of that day in an instant.’ And that is what I think is so cool about photography. You see an image and you remember the feelings and happenings around that time in your life. This is why I’ve always valued and loved photography. It saves. It preserves. Photos are our personal time capsules to our lives. Lets cherish and value them.

and drum roll please…. The beautiful Marijani.

Duke’s Band, Supermajor & The Lobbyists | Gibson Showroom | CovingtonRock

Gibson Showroom NYC played host to a musical extravaganza this past saturday night with beverages provided by Konig Ludwig beer & El Arco tequila when it let Duke’s Band, Supermajor & The Lobbyist take over a few of the former Hit Factory studios.  The three bands are all “show bands” as they were each born via some sort of theatrical experience.  Duke’s Band from ‘Very Very’, a new Shakespeare Rock Show, Supermajor sprung out of the Brick Theatre and The Lobbyists used to play, literally, the lobby at the Flea Theatre.

The night started with The Lobbyists, a folky indie band with a splash of country backed by beautiful harmonies and creative songwriting.  They had me tapping my foot along as soon as I walked in the door.  They are feel good music, music that warms the heart.

Supermajor amped up the crowd with their pop/alt/rock sound. They have a contagious energy, amazing vocals and an almost comedic while rocking vibe.  They also have a gal who rocks a red keytar, which is always awesome.

Duke’s Band ended the night with its repertoire of songs from Very Very (the Shakespearean Rock Show) along with original music from Jay Leibowitz’s Pedestrian Life and new music from Zac Lasher.  They closed the evening with their theatrical style of rock.  Hard drums and fast guitars with catchy songs that are still running through my head.

Duke’s Band    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dukes-Band/285857428211204

The Lobbyist    https://www.facebook.com/lobbyistsband?fref=ts

 

Supermajor      https://www.facebook.com/supermajor

 

For all the pics CLICK HERE

Big Daddy Love | 6/6/13 | CovingtonRock

Appalachian Rock was brought to the people at Hill Country BBQ with the toe tapping sounds of Big Daddy Love.  You can tell when a band just loves playing music and everyone at the show got to share in that love with the real southern sound.  Just when you think they can’t get any better, they pull out a bluegrassy version of “Sweet Child of Mine.”  Amazing.  A real good homegrown southern rocking sound.  Check them out!!

http://www.aphotogroove.com/img/s9/v95/o587155563/c1/p1539225612-220.mp4

 

For all the pics CLICK HERE

Lady Boi | Drom | 3/29/13 | Covington Rock

I love it when an artist that I have never seen before just blows me away.  That is what happened on 3/29 at Drom when I got to see Lady Boi perform.  The music took me back to my happy place with music.  Upbeat, catchy hooks that reminded me of the sounds of Madonna, Culture Club with a dash of Prince and the soulfulness of George Michael.  I was caught between making photos and just closing my eyes and dancing.   Ladyboi is an engaging front man backed by Jeff Bernett, guitar/vocals and Marty O’Kane, guitar/vocals, together they will grab your attention with the first look and have you hooked by the first note.  At the 3/29 show at Drom they invited the rapper, Notar to join them for a song.

Lady Boi – https://www.facebook.com/iamladyboi

To see all the pics from the show CLICK HERE

Very Very | Shakespearean Rock Show | Covington Rock

A couple of weeks ago I got to see Very Very which is a brand new Shakespearean Rock Show created by Jay Leibowitz, Zac Lasher, and Jason King Jones during the final dress rehearsal at The Gibson – Baldwin Showroom.   I found myself laughing and being pulled into the story that was told with rocking songs while I set out to capture that magic that is live performance.   Big thanks to Jay & Zac & Vin & Dan (CB Peeps RULE!) for having me out for the fun.   Also…Gibson Showroom – WOW!  That place is AWESOME.  The studios are gorgeous and to think of all the incredible talents that pass through those hallways and all the memories from the days of The Hit Factory.  Good vibe in a space.

from the press release

“Brooklyn artists Jay Leibowitz (STNJ, TAC, Shakespeare’s Who’s on First), and Zac Lasher (U-Melt, Brooklyn Sound Lab, Bebe Buell Band), will take the stage with their company of 18 professional performers and musicians in two live concert readings of VERY VERY – an exciting new vision of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, re-imagined as a contemporary rock concert, on March 4, 2013. The show, which will get its world premiere in NYC later in 2013, will be presented at TheGibson-Baldwin Showroom and is sponsored by Gibson NYC. Jason King Jones (Olney Theatre, STNJ, TAC), will stage the exclusive event.

Created by Lasher, Leibowitz, and Jones, VERY VERY features 28 original songs adapted from Shakespeare’s text in this sexy reinvention of a classic comedy of rebellion, love, freedom, and redemption.”

To see all the pics from the show CLICK HERE

Elspeth’s Testimonial | A Boudoir Review | Ashly Covington Photography

“I spent a wonderful Saturday afternoon at Ashly Covington’s Studio. Ashly is a warm, funny, and down to earth photographer. This was my first time modeling and I was nervous . But Ashly made me feel right at home. She has a contagious energy and  with the help of 80′s  music playing in the background l began to feel right at home. While Ashly photographed she gave direction with encouraging words that were easy to follow. Her enthusiasm helped me to relax and respond the way needed to capture the pose and pictures. I  enjoyed myself immensely and was amazed and delighted at the pictures she took of me. She is a extremely talented photographer.”
-Elspeth

People’s Blues of Richmond | Live Music | CovingtonRock

People’s Blues of Richmond rocked their way to NYC to master their new album “Good Time Suicide” with Dan Miller at Engine Room Audio.  Dan, who has a Gold record for Trey Songz’s “Heart Attack”, along with his assistant Nate Osborne, put the final touches on PBR’s album and then let the boys loose on the streets of Manhattan where they took Pianos by storm with their electrifyingly ruthless sound.

PBR plays straight up vintage rock and roll.  Their sound is raw and real.  A PBR show gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like to be at a Cream or Hendrix show.  Tim Beavers II, vocals & guitar; Matthew Volkes, bass; Nikoro Williams, drums; and Tommy Booker, keys, took the Pianos crowd on a psychedelic bluesy rock and roll trip.

People’s Blues of Richmond

The Lonely Teardrops | Banditos | Covington Rock

I love when my path in life brings me to great music, truth be told, I plan my path based on good music.  A Sunday night in Richmond, VA found my path headed to Banditos to catch The Lonely Teardrops set.  “The Lonely Teardrops are a LOW-Fi BIG SOUND combo heavily steeped in early 1960′s Mod-era Girl Garage Groups, Soul, Blues, and Surf Music.”   They rock.  Katie, singer guitar, and Crash, drums, are a bad ass two person rampaging machine.   They take control of the room and don’t ever let go.

 

Check out all the pics from the show HERE

 

V’s Beauty Shoot | Portraits | Ashly Covington Photography

Sometimes things happen for a reason, a really good reason, and for my portrait shoot with the fabulous V, that ‘thing’ was my poor makeup artist getting the flu 2 days before our shoot.  I was in a bit of a panic as I had exhausted my list of MUA for a replacement and then my dear friend, Jackie Poplar (an incredible actress and screen writer) put me in contact with Sarah Wood.  I exchanged a few emails with her and checked out her work and knew she would rock this shoot.  What I didn’t realize then was that Sarah would keep on rocking shoots with me.  I adored her the minute she rolled her bag into my studio.  I knew she was good at makeup, I’d seen her portfolio, but now I knew how good she was at being AWESOME.   And I like AWESOME people in my studio.

As soon as V came in, Sarah made her feel comfortable and in good hands as she prepped her face for the air brush makeup.  V is a beautiful strong lady and Sarah gave her several different looks that showed off just that!!  GORGEOUS!  This was my 2nd time shooting with V and I’ve got to admit here that I pretty much adore her.  She is such a loving and giving person.  Always ready with a fabulous smile and a kind word.  LUV LUV LUV.

 

Kristin’s Testimony | A Boudoir Review | Ashly Covington Photography

“When I shot with Ashly I felt, for the first time, like I could completely be myself in front of the camera. She knows how to make you feel comfortable, even with most of your clothes off. I felt sexy and alive. I had an absolute blast!

I suppose what I appreciate most about people in general is someone who loves what they do. Ashly is one of those people. She makes you have fun because it’s obvious that SHE is having fun.

I would take my clothes off for her again anytime!”

- Kristin