Jeffrey Simms*Photography bio picture

Hi & Welcome to the Jeffrey Simms Photography blog.

My name is Jeffrey Simms and I'm a photographer based in Lake Orion, Michigan but I cover events in Oakland County and Southeast Michigan. To see more examples of my work be sure to check out my portfolio or send me an email for more information.

This blog is informal and will contain both my professional and personal lives, featured images from my latest events, as well as photos and stories from my down time which hopefully gives you some insight into my personality and the guy behind the camera. You can also follow me via Twitter and I've embedded my last 3 tweets below.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog! Feel free to leave a comment because I'd love to hear from you!

    Rock N’ Roll {Simple Sunday}

    This is such a great performance. Dave on drums and Taylor out front rocking out his best Robert Plant voice… not to mention the amazing performances of Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones. I’ll likely be listening to Zeppelin for the rest of the week, thank you guys!




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    Lots of writing and napping happened today. The semester is finally winding down and I’ll be finished at the end of this month! I can’t believe how quickly this semester has passed. Between working, wedding planning, taking 2 intensive classes, and meeting with clients time has come and gone… and I’m excited that the end is within reach.
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    I really enjoyed shooting Oakland University volleyball this week, it was a nice break and kick off to the weekend. I wish I was able to shoot more this past season but with my schedule being so difficult that wasn’t possible. However, I am looking forward to shooting some Oakland basketball, possibly both men and womens.
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    I may be shooting one of the upcoming Pistons home game… and I’ll be sure to let everyone know about that though.
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    I got some new gear in these past weeks that includes: Tamron 28-75 f2.8, Wacom 4×6 Tablet, extra batteries, and a Shootsac. I actually utilized all these in the recent shoots. The wedding I shot 2 weekends ago allowed me to test out the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 lens and I have nothing but positive feedback for it. Price is great, build quality seems good, and 28-75 at f2.8 is pretty much a great walk around lens. The only negative I have is the auto focus is a little slow compared to the Canon 24-75 f2.8 but it’s also 1/4 of the price, so in the end not a bad lens. At the volleyball game I used this lens and was very happy with the end result pictures straight out of the camera. I carried my Canon 5D, 28-75 f2.8, and 85 f1.8 in my new Shootsac. The neoprene material fits snug around your gear and really keeps things within reach. I also used the Wacom 4×6 Tablet to edit the volleyball game. I’m not used to using a pen and tablet but I can see the benefits in this already and I’m looking forward to finishing up Adam and Kellie’s wedding using it. Photo editing should be a blast now…
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    Dr. Drew is coming to Oakland University on Tuesday evening! I’m hoping that I can attend and see what he has to say. I can admit that I think Dr. Drew is awesome without any reservation. From his past years on LoveLine and more current Celebrity Rehab - I really believe he is a talented man with a passion for helping people. I’m planning to bring my camera and get some shoots… so look forward to that (fingers crossed).
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    That’s all! Have a great week and keep it on the positive.

    Oakland Volleyball

    Here’s a few from Oakland University’s victory over Western Illinois. The photo gallery should be up in a few hours or tomorrow morning at the latest on SPMsportspage. Check out the my other volleyball photos here.

    Photo gallery is live on SPMsportspage.

    Adam+Kellie {Sneak Peak}

    On Friday I was privileged to shoot Adam and Kellie’s wedding. I spent the afternoon before the ceremony with the groomsmen to take some relaxed pictures. Here’s two images as a sneak peak to what these guys looked like all dressed up. Adam and his groomsmen were laid back and up to try anything. We managed to get about 30 minutes in before they had to catch the limo and head to the church. Luckily the weather cooperated long enough and didn’t rain until we were on our way to the church.

    Lil’ Update

    As you’ve already noticed I’m sure, I’ve changed some aspects of the blog. The flash rotating banner has changed to full incorporate the 980×250 size of images, logo separating blog posts, and new background and color scheme.

    Last night I shot a wedding with Miranda and Jenn. I’ll post some teaser pictures in the coming days. I also got to meet Miranda’s new puppy, Samson.

    Today I’m being domestic by dong lots and lots of laundry and hanging out at home taking it easy. Tomorrow Megan and I are gonna hang out tomorrow and visit the new Sonic in Flint… I’m excited!

    Engaged Encounter

    A few weekends ago Megan and I went to an Engaged Encounter weekend in Jackson, Michigan. Basically the weekend is designed for engaged couples and help direct discussions around areas of married life that may not have been talked about or even pushed to the side because it’s too far away. I believe Megan and I both learned something new about one another and our relationship. If you want to know more about the weekend ask us and we’ll share our thoughts in depth with you!

    I didn’t take many photos this weekend like I had hoped, however I did get a very interesting one of my fiance. One of the sessions all the guys took a rose to their bride and it was suppose to be an emotional moment (at least from what the leaders described) but we went crazy and took pictures instead!




    Megan managed to snap one of me and her rose…


    Again, the above pictures where edited using the new TRA2 set of actions. I really like the Pool Party, Grandma’s Tap Shoes, POS, and Dirt textures. Check it out right now, what are you waiting for! I’m gonna start posting a little more info regarding the recipes that I use when editing for those that are interested.

    Retro

    As I’m still cleaning out my LightRoom catalog, I came across these two images that I shot for the Detroit Shock game a couple months ago. This guy was full of energy and was pretty much amazing as he ran all around the Palace sporting his red, white, and blue afro. I decided why not play around with more of the TRA2 actions.


    Peace

    BAMF

    TRA2

    I just got Boutwell’s TRA2 this evening and here’s a little sample of experimentation from using some of the goodness. I absolutely love the POS action and used it on almost all the images I edited tonight. There’s so many new actions in TRA2 that I only played around with half of them. I’ll get to use these more this weekend as I’m filling in on a wedding for a friend this Friday.

    This image uses BAMF, POS, Grain, Summer Fade

    POS and Pool Party

    Political Ranting {Hump Day}

    Normally I wouldn’t do this but after reading so many of my friends on facebook and twitter statuses but I felt compelled to comment on the status of the downtrodden.

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    Political Commentary & Rant
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    With the election finally ending and a new President Elect in place… there is nothing like listening and reading all those whose man didn’t win. Americans threatening to leave the United States for another country because their man didn’t win. I say it’s time to call the bluff. Now is your time those who said you would leave America if your man wasn’t in the White House for 4 more years. I encourage all those who said they would leave to start packing and hold up your end of your promise to America. You want to bail then so be it.

    I would rather suggest listening to your man’s concession speech and take what he said, stand behind the AMERICAN President Elect. Barack Obama will be YOUR president too. “Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth,” spoke McCain last evening. Differences exist. Differences will remain. McCain pledged to do whatever it takes help Obama get America through these difficult times, wow! If McCain can move past this then so should his followers. McCain also pleaded with this supporters to get behind their new President, “I urge all Americans who supported me… to offer our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together… to bridge our differences.”

    The biggest impact McCain spoke was, “whatever our differences we are fellow Americans.” To those who want to leave the greatest nation on the earth, go ahead but you go against what your man suggests and more importantly what it means to be American. First we are Americans, second we are democrat or republican.

    View McCain’s concession speech below.

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    Political Commentary & Rant
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    S+M

    As I’m cleaning out LightRoom to make more space for my HD I came across this photo. I’m not sure if I did any editing to it before… but I did a rough edit while watching the Election Coverage (Obama is ahead Obama is projected Winner)!

    Starbucks

    Vote

    I voted. I got my sticker. Exercise your democratic and civic power today.