A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Nashville Celebrations event for His Light Workshops. Ricky Skaggs, of bluegrass music fame, is a personal friend of the workshop leader, Bill Fortney. It is traditional for Mr. Skaggs to tag along a little bit each year, but this year he joined us shooting in the field and learning in the classroom for most of the week. He is quite a soft-spoken, tenderhearted man, and he takes his photography very seriously.
He arranged for us to get into some private places around the Nashville area and chimed in during critique sessions on participant’s photos. We had a studio portrait session with him one afternoon too! Staff at a local camera store prepared a studio setting, including lights, flash controls, and fabric background (which I darkened in editing because it was way too busy for my personal taste). Portrait photography is certainly “not my thing,” and I was a nervous wreck when it came to my turn to snap his picture. Isn't he a handsome man? I pretended that he was a bear and I was doing wildlife photography, haha! As part of the workshop, we were also treated to his musical performance with Kentucky Thunder at the classic Ryman Auditorium. It was awesome!
Mr. Skaggs took the time to give me personal encouragement about my photography and the new direction of my life. I am grateful for his wise counsel and feel blessed to know him.
That is awesome, Donna! I've always liked him. This portrait is really good, too! Thinking of him as a bear must have worked!
ReplyDeleteDeanna
Beautiful portrait, Donna. You did a great job. Yes, he is handsome and I have always loved his music.
ReplyDeleteNashville, oh Nashville ~ will I ever see you again? :)
Love to you, this morning and every day.
xoxo
Donna...I am so glad you posted about this. You certainly "did him proud" with this this portrait! Maybe you should throw a few of them in every now and then since you did such a fabulous job! What a neat experience for you...a blessing from God, no doubt :)
ReplyDeleteI can not tell from this wonderful portrait that it is not your thing. "Treated him like a bear" hahahaha... Well only if a bear smiles this dearly and is a gentle man. You captured what you described of him. So glad that you had the opportunity to meet and photograph Mr. Skaggs.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! What a nice man he sounds like! I had to laugh out loud when you said you pretended he was a bear! Nice portrait of that bear!
ReplyDeleteYour portraiture capability is just amazing in this photo Donna - he may want to use it himself in promotional materials!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely entertainer and all around gentle man by sound of it.
I'm so glad that you met him and also enjoyed his concert.
Love, Mary
What a lovely opportunity for you.
ReplyDeletea very involved workshop participant he is!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful opportunity you had! Photo from the "bear" was very good. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
What a great opportunity to have him there. He is a handsome man and your portrait of him is excellent.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great photo Donna! I have always loved his music, unfortunately it is on vinyl.
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice! Of him, and your photography of him is great, too! How fun! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great portrait! You did a fantastic job, dear friend. I'm so glad you got to meet him and had a chance for him to share some encouragement with you.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
What a great opportunity! Your photography is always wonderful! He looks like a handsome and kind gentleman.
ReplyDeleteIt looks Wonderful!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a super job on the edit...a busy background plus that busy shirt would have been too much...busy!
So glad you two got a chance to visit!!
hughugs
What a great portrait. He looks like a really nice man. And what an experience to spend that time with Ricky Scaggs both with the photography and the concert. Take care Donna. Hugs. Pam
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience for you, and that is a wonderful portrait! He is a handsome man, though when I think of him, I still see his young self in my head. Of course, I still see my young self in my head to. Haha!
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful picture, Donna! What a thrill for you to meet, spend time, and be encouraged by Mr. Skaggs! I had to snicker at your pretending that he was a bear. Perhaps you could imagine giving him a big "bear hug"? :)
ReplyDeleteWell just how cool is this? What a wonderful opportunity for you! Very good looking man and you did a fabulous job on this one!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous portrait you have done Donna! He looks like a genuinely kind gentleman! So glad you got to spend some time with him.
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