Red Bluff Cycling Event

I had the pleasure to work with Bo Bourne on the Red Bluff cycling event in Monticello, Mississippi this past weekend. Red Bluff is a benefit for the Lawrence County Voluntary Fire Association. The event began on Friday in Brookhaven where cyclists registered and got to know one another. Professional cyclist Phil Gaimon, Frankie Andreu and Lauren Hall participated in the event. Phil Gaimon is a retired former seven-year professional cyclist and 2018 and 2019 Hillclimb World Champion. Frankie Andreu is a former nine-time Tour de France veteran and two time Olympian. Lauren Hall was a member of the USA Cycling National team for five years, raced in four different world championships and won three national titles in track cycling. She also was a member of the winning Giro Rosa team, the most prestigious women’s race in the world.

The Grand Fondo took place Saturday in Monticello, Mississippi on a challenging course of 103.5 miles and 5000 feet of climbing. The most difficult thing about photographing cycling is the fact that it covers over 100 miles. It takes some planning to stay ahead of the pack and capture them at the best places for photography. The roads were some of the oldest and most historic roads in Mississippi. The route offered some great opportunities for photography. I enjoyed being a part of this event and I want to congratulate everyone that completed the course. Images from Friday, Saturday and Sunday can be viewed by clicking on the links below:

https://markhinklephotography.shootproof.com/gallery/11727467

https://markhinklephotography.shootproof.com/gallery/11727531

Katie (Senior Portrait)

I enjoyed working with Katie and getting to know her family. The images above are being shown as examples of photographs that work together as a set. It is always a good idea when having your portrait taken to consider how images will work together. It is important to expect variety from your photographer. It is not necessary to smile and look at the camera in every image. Sure, you will want some photographs with a nice smile but most people have other nice features as well. In the close-up above, I was trying to draw attention to her eyes and not her smile. I always plan on creating some images looking right, left and down to compliment other photographs. The two images on the outside are examples of what I am talking about.

I also had the good fortune to meet Katie’s father Jon at his canoe shop. This was an amazing place with some beautiful hand-crafted wooden canoes. Jon operates Pearl River Canoe and teaches classes on the art of building canoes. His class was taking place in the old Morris Ice building in downtown Jackson. You can view more images on his website at pearlrivercanoe.com.

Mayflower Cafe

The Mayflower Cafe opened its doors in 1935. It is the oldest operating restaurant in Jackson, Mississippi. Mayflower Cafe is a downtown landmark and often featured in the works of area artists. We have a print of the Mayflower created by local artist Mark Millet hanging in our home.  The restaurant was featured in the movies Ghost of Mississippi and The Help. Their salad dressing was called the nation’s number one condiment by Maxim magazine. It was also featured on Food Networks “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.”

This year Mississippi had to deal with some major flooding because of all the rain. In an attempt to turn a negative into a positive, I decided to use the rain and create an image of a Jackson landmark. Sometimes we just have to embrace whatever comes our way.