rileejacksonvisuals

[rileejacksonvisuals]

Tristen & Jeffery at Maymont Park

Hey friends! Today’s blog post is about a lifelong friend of mine and her man, Jeffery!

Back track to about the age of 10, Tristen and I did gymnastics together. At the time, her mom was our coach and we just clicked! She’s like a sister of mine and so the fact that she wanted me to capture her and Jeffery’s goofy, yet true love, I couldn’t say no! 

We ended up deciding on shooting their one hour session at Maymont Park. If you’re a Richmond native, you know of Maymont Park. If you don’t, I highly recommend you check it out! The 100 acre park has walkways, Japanese Gardens, a waterfall, and of course, a beautiful mansion. This is easily my favorite place to shoot in Richmond. There are trees and older buildings, but also huge open fields and rolling hills. It’s literally the perfect spot. Although I’ve shot here numerous times, I’ve never done a shoot here during the fall season. Needless to say, I was SO excited when Tristen and Jeffery agreed to do their session at Maymont. It was 1000% the right location. The leaves had just changed colors, the weather was actually fall-like, and the sunlight was hitting just right. 

These two lovebirds are non-stop goofy, laughing, and just always having a good time so I wanted to capture their silliness! Thanks to a few inside jokes and the overall company, I was able to do just that. 

Want me to shoot you and your boo?! Let’s chat! Email rjacksonvisuals@gmail.com or contact me via social media linked below ♡

Website: rileejacksonvisuals.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rjacksonvisuals/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rjacksonvisuals/

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80s Beach Photoshoot: Jamie & Ryleigh

Ok, WOW, I’m so excited to be writing this blog post! I have wanted to do an 80′s styled photoshoot at the beach for months now (like since April) and we finally got the time to do it and needless to say, I’m so happy with the outcome!

Firstly, the weather was perfect. It was a perfectly cloudy day, but the sun still managed to peek through just enough which allowed for some GREAT and even lighting. It started to sprinkle on our way to the location, but the clouds held it in a bit longer! We started the getting ready process at Jamie’s house (@jamiedunnphotography) where her and Ryleigh (@ryliston) did their makeup and put on their best outfits (aka the ones I bought them from the local DAV). I was actually coming from another shoot (photos and blog to come!) before heading to meet them so I was 100000% flustered and rushing like a crazy person. Oh, I also shot a show in VA Beach the night before so I was exhausted, but EXCITED.

Here’s a little video that shows the mood board, my idea, and the whole shopping spree I went on for this shoot (back in May...lol). 

Once we finally got everything together, we made the trek to the secret location (I really can’t say, I’m so sorry, but it was definitely a beach). Jamie may or may not have missed the turn which caused us to turn around, but we made it and it was wonderful! We had the beach to ourselves which was such a huge plus. We did see a dead horseshoe crab which was sad, but kind of cool because that sucker was huge. 

Here are a few photos we got in the beginning while trying to find our stride: 

At this point, we were getting destroyed by bugs and I personally was getting eaten alive so Jamie ran to her car to see if she had some bug spray and thank the heavens SHE DID! I still got bit a million times, but still she had bug spray. While she ran to her car I went ahead and snapped some photos of Ryleigh who is a model if I've ever seen one and can rock just about anything.

Once Jamie got back, we finally got in the groove of things and were able to get some gems. We shot for about an hour and this is what we got! 

They kindly agreed to get in the water and hit full send on the idea <3 

The shoot overall was so much fun and full of laughs! I’m so so happy with what we got. Which is your favorite? Let me know! :) 

Website: www.rileejacksonvisuals.com 

Instagram: @rjacksonvisuals 

Facebook: @RileeJacksonVisuals 

[rileejacksonvisuals]

That’s a Wrap!  On the Road with FELICITY

I don’t even know where to start and I mean that in the best way. A little over a year ago (June 2016) I was introduced to my final project for school. A final project that I had to build up from scratch over the course of a year. Paperwork (so. much. paperwork.), sleep deprivation, and staring at editing programs for 8-10 hours at a time was basically what my life consisted of this past year. Add in my internship, dealing with the worst of my depression, and working part-time and you got it.

From the very beginning I was passionate about this project. I was nervous and anxious, but mostly excited. Out of all the styles of videos we could do, I chose to do a Music Promotional. During the very first lecture on this project, FELICITY came straight to mind. Earlier that week I remember seeing them on Facebook and we interacted in some way so I checked them out and liked their band page. The same night of the lecture, I went home and contacted them via their band page. Within an hour if not less, they got back to me and were all on board. The following week I went over to the band house and gave them the very, very, rough outline of the project. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect either so I winged it as best I could. The guys were super nice and presented a totally “go with the flow, tell us what you need from us and what we need to do” kind of vibe (which honestly, I could not have gotten more lucky on that front).

After I met with them, the first thing I had to do was submit a proposal. The proposal consisted of the kind of video and its duration, the client, the locations, the idea of what the video would convey, and how the video would be distributed. I had to make that proposal and a back-up proposal because, well, shit happens. Both of these proposals had to be approved by my program’s Board of Directors.

Proposal 1 

Fast forward to August and I’m shooting my very first show. FELICITY was playing at The Social; a popular hole-in-the-wall venue in downtown Orlando. For the most part, everything went smoothly. Luckily my sister Holly was visiting me so she was able to be there for me for support in case I freaked out. It was my first show so I just went with the flow and tried my best. It was such a comfortable, happy feeling and a major adrenaline rush! After that night, everything was pretty steady and consistent when it came to working with them. I shot every show they played thereafter and I have never felt happier while doing anything else.

Jump to January of 2017. This was the month where I had to write out an Audio Video Script which again, had to be approved by the Board. Audio Visual scripts are a little different than screenplays. They require scene and shot numbers, dialogue, color coding (for objects, actions, props, locations, etc), and the music/voiceovers that will be used in the video and at what time in the video they would be present. Basically, this was the outline of my video.

Lined Script 

This month had the first actual “shooting day”. It was the interview portion of the video. I had to create lighting diagrams, storyboards (minimum of 30 with a minimum amount of certain shot types), and interview questions. Besides getting establishing shots, this was the only time I really had to plan word for word, visual for visual because it was something I had control over. I had no control of the shows, their lighting, their venue, etcetera. That is probably what I’ve learned that I love most. Although it can be a major pain during post-production, you’re forced to go with what you have and make best of what is presented to you while shooting a concert. Every show is different so it’s always exciting and a challenge which I really enjoy!

The next few months were pretty smooth. I kept shooting their shows and stock piling footage. June is when I was probably the most stressed I’ve ever been while creating this project. First off, this was the first of two classes I had that was strictly about my project (in other words, I learned everything I needed to and it was time to focus on the project only). This month was nothing but paperwork. When I say paperwork I mean more than 100 sheets of paper, easy. I had to do location scoutings/maps, location permits and releases, talent releases, crew member deals, liability contracts (for myself and the school), safety plans, copyright documents for any audio and footage that was being used, casting calls, call sheets, scene breakdowns, shot breakdowns, budgeting sheets, and shooting schedules. I know you probably got lost about halfway into that sentence. Yeah, it was incredibly difficult and stressful simply because of the amount of time I had to do it (3 weeks) and how many people I had to get in contact with. Oh and not to mention, if you didn’t have all necessary contracts, you had to retake the classes the following month. I’m pretty sure I cried about three times during that month out of frustration, worry, and sleep deprivation.

Shot Breakdown Sheet

During July things kept rolling, but the paperwork portion was finished! This was the production month of the project. So it consisted of more shooting and submitting 3-4 minute videos, aka dailies, of footage each week that was going to be used in the final edit. I was pretty nervous about this month mainly because this was the month right before the guy’s began their tour so I didn’t have any recent footage to submit. From what I submitted, my teacher for that month didn’t think I had enough content to move on. I passed that class by the skin of my teeth.

Now, August- my favorite month by far! This month was all about the post-production stage. After getting home from work, I spent an average of 8 hours a day in front of my computer editing in Adobe Premiere. Those 8 hours quickly rolled into the early mornings till about 3am. My sleep schedule was terrible and barely even there, really. For this Post-Production class, I had to submit an edit each week. The first week an assembly edit was due. An assembly edit is the roughest kind of edit one can do. No music, no fancy editing or transitions. You literally place the clips in the order you think you want them in and you’re done. It looks awful. I got a 100 on it. The second week the rough edit was due. This edit is where you added in the music, trimmed the clips to your liking, and added the transitions in. The third edit was the final edit. All color grading and correction needed to be done and the title/introduction of the video needed to be added. Any effects you wanted to add were required as well. Finally, the fine cut was due aka, mother of all edits. Up to this point, everything visually should have been fixed and polished. This edit was where you focused on the audio levels between all dialogue and music. You focused on the audio effects and overall balance of the mix which needed to average around -6dB. I got a 100 on the last edit, too!

Fine Cut Edit 

I received my grade and tears came to my eyes. This project has been my baby for the past year and the fact that it’s all finished is very bittersweet. With that being said, I still had to show the guys. A year of shooting and I never showed any of the guys of FELICITY any part of any edits. I wanted it to be a surprised and to be the best it could be! So I went over to the band house during rehearsal and we all watched it together. It was such a great moment. I was smiling the whole time with butterflies in my stomach, slightly nervous because I didn’t know what they would say. Thankfully, they loved it and wanted to watch it over again!

I’ve already had my sappy moment with the guys, but I will never be able to repay them or thank them enough. They did this to me as a favor. I had nothing to give them except a finished product. I was a stranger to them and they let me in with open arms. Without a doubt, they are five of the sweetest, respectful, funniest, easy-going, most talented guys I’ve ever met. I’ve gained a friendship with each of them and will forever cherish this project and them for helping me get started on the path of my career. This past year has been one of the best. I’ve made some great memories, experienced so much, met and worked with awesome people, learned a lot about myself as a videographer and photographer, and have become confident in my work. I’m doing exactly what I’ve wanted to do, exactly what I’m passionate about and it all started with them.

With that being said, they’ve decided they still want me around! I’m going to continue working with them for the rest of this tour and beyond (...or at least until they get tired of me). I am still working at my internship and plan to stay in Orlando once I graduate on September 29th. And if things keep going how they are, I’ll have a big announcement to make soon!

Again, this is such a bittersweet time in my life and I’ve loved every minute of it.  Thank you to my mom and sisters for the continuous support and for watching every edit of this project even when the slightest of changes were made. Thank you to my friends who have understood my passion for what I do and have stuck around even when I can’t see them as often as I’d like to. And thank you to Andrew, Damien, Mike, Tyler, and Cory for trusting me to portray your music and brand to your fans and for just being you. I am grateful for you all. 

-R

[rileejacksonvisuals]

Fall Tour 2017: Stop 2

August 5, 2017- House of Blues @ Orlando, FL 

It’s a couple days later and the post-concert depression has already kicked in. The second stop on the FELICITY tour was a hometown show right here in Orlando. With much anticipation, the guys did not disappoint by any means and it was definitely a night to remember. 

I arrived at Disney Springs at about 3pm to meet up with David, their other photographer/videographer, to get some establishing shots of the venue and such. As soon as I got there, we decided to grab some food instead (pizza to be exact). If you were wondering, it was delish. 

Around 4pm, the guys arrived to unload the trailer and put all the equipment in the back of the venue. I mainly watched the guys unload and just tried to stay out of the way as much as possible. I actually went on an adventure and went upstairs to look at the green rooms. By far HOB has the coolest green rooms I’ve seen. I kinda creeped through the window overlooking the stage as the bands were setting up for their sets. 

After everything was unloaded, I went to go get my photo pass from Will Call, you know, to actually be allowed to shoot and do all the fun things. Once I got that, I was forced against my will (totally kidding, but also kind of not) to help blow up beach balls which were to be thrown out into the crowd during their last song. David cheated and used the air pump while Cory and I had to do everything manually (he was a lot better at blowing....*cue ‘that’s what she said’ joke*). After he finished, he went on to set up the flamingo props for the stage. Which reminds me, if you ever need someone to set up flamingos for you, he’s a great flamingo setter-upper. Not only does he do stage set-ups, he does lawns as well. 

//proof of Cory’s flamingo set up skills

A little later, the guys and I went upstairs to hang out in the green room before the team meeting. During this time, it stormed its ass off (as expected). Like usual, we spent this time goofing around, giving each other different aliases, and throwing candy into each other’s mouths from across the room (this time it was sour patch watermelons). We then went to the team meeting, got everything figured out, and went back upstairs to contemplate the boy’s wardrobe choices. Damien (vocalist) gave us a little fashion show. We finally decided which shirt he should wear; he only had two options and it literally took us 20 minutes. Around 7:30pm, David and I went to get some footage of the line. The doors had just opened and the line was so long, it started to wrap around the building! I got some interviews with fans and some footage of Tyler (drummer) walking out and saying hi to people. It was so cool to see that many people there for them!

//Tyler and Cory aka Diego Casablanca and Vladimir Casablanca 

A few hours later it was show time. The guys went on stage at 10pm and it was honestly one of the best performances and crowds I’ve ever seen at one of their shows! It was so packed, I was running into people every time I changed my shooting spots. The crowd had such great energy that the guys fed off of which just made the show that much better. Once I got to a spot to shoot, I would listen to the song and watch them through my lens. I was dripping in sweat from running around and their performance still managed to give me chills during at least three songs. That is so rare and such an awesome feeling! At one point, I had to hold back tears of joy and continue shooting; it was hard. 

It was also Andrew’s (guitarist) birthday, so the crowd sang Happy Birthday to him and it was beautiful. During their last song, they threw the beach balls into the crowd. It was the end, but they were still giving 120% and so was the crowd. After the last word was sung, Damien took a moment to just look out into the crowd of fans cheering, clapping, smiling, just having a great time. In that moment, you could tell just how overwhelmed he was by how many people were there to support. 

//Damien wondering if he made the right wardrobe choice

As the guys got off stage, I ran from the crowd (where I was shooting) to backstage to congratulate them on how awesome they did. They were so happy! Hugs were given and smiles were everywhere you turned. It was such a great feeling and such a great atmosphere. 

Minutes after their set, they all went to the merch table which was swarmed with people waiting to get pictures with them, autographs, and of course to buy merch. These guys seriously spent almost two hours posing for pictures, talking with people, and signing shirts, cd’s, beach balls, and even a nipple (yes, a nipple; a boy’s nipple to be exact). When this happens, I again stay out of the way. This whole night made my heart happy, but this portion of the night, when people waited to talk with them and understand they’re something special and worth paying attention to, that’s what I loved most. And even though I’m with them at every show and know them personally, I still act like a fan girl and get pictures with them every once in a while. 

//fan-girling with 3/5 of the band

The whole night was one for the books, the other bands also agree! It was one of the best shows they’ve played in a while. I get to do what I love while watching them do what they love. My heart is so full and I can’t wait to do it all again next weekend. 

Tour dates: 

Until next show! 

-R

[rileejacksonvisuals]

Fall Tour 2017: Stop 1

July 29, 2017- Kelsey Theater @ Lake Park, FL

Yay for tours! Yay for blogs! Yay for tours for giving me content to blog about!

So FELICITY, Orlando based pop-punk band, has just begun their Fall tour! This time around, they’re going to be touring all over Florida from July until November. My personal project for school is coming to an end in September; however, the guys are nice enough to let me be a part of this with them which makes me super stoked! How this tour is going work is (almost) every weekend from now until November, the guys of FELICITY will be travelling to cities like Jacksonville, Fort Meyers, Tallahassee, and many more (Florida is overwhelmingly enormous).

Their first stop took place at The Kelsey Theater in Lake Park, FL (West Palm Beach). I drove separate and got a hotel all by lonesome. Surprisingly there wasn’t any traffic, but it was also a Saturday early afternoon so it makes sense.

This was my first time going to The Kelsey Theater, let alone West Palm. When I got there, I retrieved my photo pass and went on to look at the stage. Unlike most venues the guys play, this stage was bigger than usual which is great especially when you have seven people running around during the set. Not to mention, the lighting was beautiful which made shooting much easier. The entire show began a little after 5pm. FELICITY didn’t play until about 9:45 so we had a good few hours to spare. Those few hours were spent by being indecisive about what we all wanted to eat, finally deciding where we all wanted to eat, a photoshoot in the back parking lot, and really just hanging around in the green room eating a bunch of sour gummy worms (Cory’s goal was to eat the entire king size bag of gummy worms by the end of the show...goal accomplished).

//David, Tyler, and Cory talking about the set list. 

Around 9:30pm the guys started to set up the stage for their set. I was on the sidelines taking photos and videos while they were doing sound-check. Fifteen minutes later, they took the stage and performed their new songs for the first time. Now, I may be a little biased because I know them personally, but they did awesome and the crowd thought so, too! They were so interactive with those in the crowd which made their stage presence even more impressive. That’s another thing; their stage presence, no matter how many people they’re playing for, is always the same. Each show they play, the passion and overall joy is consistent and very noticeable. I’ve seen them play numerous times and no matter the crowd, no matter the venue, they always give one-hundred and ten percent.  

//Photoshoot amongst the murals behind the venue.

During their one hour set, I was running around doing both video and taking photos. Their other photographer/videographer, David, was doing the same as well. Like always, we were running around, behind stage, on stage, trying not to block people’s view or ruin the other’s shot in the process.

Once the show was over, the guys tore down the stage and went out to their merch table to hang out with some fans. After about an hour, we started packing up the trailer to head out. Well, the guys started packing the trailer, I really just stood there to look pretty (really though, I just don’t want to risk breaking their equipment so I don’t even bother to touch it).

The night came to an end after a great first show to kick off tour. Next weekend (8/05), the guys play a home show at House of Blues in Disney Springs. If you’re local and are interested, just email the guys at felicitytickets@gmail.com for free tickets to the show! Also, here’s the tour dates announced so far: 

Until next show!

-R

[rileejacksonvisuals]

FELICITY takes on St. Pete

I’ve been working with this band, FELICITY, for about six months now and this was the first time I got to travel outside of Orlando! And let me tell you, what an experience it was. 

First and foremost, the two hour drive from Orlando to St. Pete was a toss up with traffic especially during the 4pm-7pm timeframe on I-4 aka the interstate that never fails to have an accident, construction, or both. Once finally arriving to the venue, State Theatre, I met up with the guys behind the venue to find them unloading the trailer as quickly as they could since we all arrived a little later than originally planned. I went in the venue and watched the other acts perform and scoped out the places where it’d be best to take pictures in order to get an idea of what shots I wanted to capture. What I’ve learned, to make it easier on myself, is to find out what places I can go to. For example, I look for all the entrances to the stage and ensure I have access to using them during FELICITY’s set. I also go to each corner in the back of the venue to look at what shots I can potentially capture where the audience is involved just as much as the band. 

After the first few acts, I went back to the merch table and hung out with the other photographers and the guys before they had to go set up the stage. It’s never a dull moment with these guys. With that being said, this is when I found out that their trailer got towed within an hour of parking behind the venue. But, that’s a whole other story for another time. Because the lighting is always different for each venue, I always play around with my camera and try different settings before they go on. So what I’ll do is set my camera up to what I think will work best and then shoot a little of the other musicians on stage. Last night I shot some of Orlando's own, Raising Cadence (their lead singer’s voice blew me away). Always, always, always make sure your camera is prepared before shooting. That’s common sense, but with concert photography it’s crucial because of the drastic lighting changes which mostly consist of low light. 

//Raising Cadence 

About 10:10pm the guys took the stage and I began rushing around like a mad woman. If you ever want to break into a good sweat, just photograph a punk rock band and you’ll be good within the first 10 minutes. At first I started with my 75mm-300mm lens. At this show I wanted to get more single portraits of each member since I haven’t gotten a lot of them yet. With this lens, I didn’t have to be right on top of them on stage or all up in their face. I was able to stand behind the crowd and still see every detail on whatever I was shooting. About three songs in, I changed lenses to my standard 18mm-55mm. This enabled me to get wide shots of the band and I was able to incorporate the crowd as well. This was when I started going on the sides of the stage to get side shots of Cory (guitarist), Drew (guitarist), and Mike (bass). During a lot of the songs they all head bang so I wanted to get shot of that from a different angle. About a song and a half later I got on stage to get pictures of Tyler (drummer). To this day, I hate getting on stage. I feel like I’m in the way, but the guys always tell me “Rilee, get in our face, be on stage, literally do whatever you want,” so I listen to them even though I hate it. However, I end up with some of my favorite photos by being on stage. 

//view from the crowd

One challenge I’ve faced is finding new ways to capture the drummer. It’s a little more difficult because he’s the most stationary out of everyone on stage. He has an entire drum kit in front of him which results in very little movement. One piece of advice I see every photographer I admire say is do not forget about the drummer! It’s so easy to, but more important not to. Among many things, that is constantly running through my mind every time I’m shooting a show. 

After the final act, Nevertel, performed Damien (lead singer), Drew, a few friends and I were talking very passionately about food and other random things while waiting for Cory and Tyler to come back with the trailer. We had all the merchandise and tables ready to go, but no where to put them. Needless to say, we didn’t end up leaving the venue until about 2am which we then went to the Waffle House down the street for some post-show breakfast to close out the night. It was definitely one for the books. 

Until next show!

-R

Want to watch the the whole night? Head on over to WeAreFELICITY on YouTube or go to their Facebook page to watch their FELICITY Files, a new series where they post weekly blogs every Friday about what they’ve been up to!

[rileejacksonvisuals]

My first cinemagraph! 

[rileejacksonvisuals]