Museum Photography: Kennedy Space Center - Visitor Complex

Umbris Photography was recently commissioned to photograph two outstanding exhibits at the Kennedy Space Center: Early Space Exploration and Eye on the Universe: The Hubble Space Telescope.






This assignment was very challenging to photograph, due to the large number of reflective surfaces, complex lighting and high contrast environment. During most of the shoot, the exhibits were open to the public, so it required an abundance of patience while I waited for visitors to experience the exhibits and then move on. The photography required careful use of supplemental lighting, color balancing and exposure management. The results speak for themselves: clear, colorful photographs that immerse the viewer into the exciting environment of space exploration.

Toronto Architects Commission Umbris Photography for Major Project

I just completed a major architectural photography project for Toronto based architecture firm, Forrec Ltd. The project consisted of producing images at The Villages, a prestigious retirement community located near Leesburg, Florida.

I created lifestyle type images as well as conventional architectural images of the two major activity centers: Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter Landing. Forrec designed a major portion of this vast community, and wanted to capture not only the structures and landscape, but also to tell a story of how people enjoy interacting in this space.

True to The Villages' motto of being “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown,” I really enjoyed shooting this project and meeting many wonderful and inspiring people. Even as I was perched on rooftops photographing the town square at Lake Sumter Landing, I received friendly shouts and waves from many of the residents and visitors to this quaint community.

We're on Our Way

I was fortunate to be able to provide event photography for Greyhound Lines this month. Greyhound organized a wonderful awards banquet at Morton's Steak House in Orlando. Umbris Photography was selected to capture the moment when each award recipient received their awards for various merits. The entire Southeast division of Greyhound was represented at this banquet.

Greyhound is another in a list of satisfied corporate customers. Timothy Stokes of Greyhound Internal Communications summed it up succinctly by saying, "They Look Great."

adidas-Ashworth Golf

For the second year in a row I had the honor and pleasure of photographing the adidas-Ashworth Golf booth at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. Their both was imense i size, and actually represented three brands under one umbrella: adidas, Ashworth Golf and Sunice.

The booth, which occupied 5000 square feet of floor space at the Orange County Convention Center, was impeccably constructed, with no detail left undone.

HCL Global Meet

Umbris Photography was delighted to be selected to photograph exhibits for the HCL Global Meet in Orlando. We also shot their "Bollywood" event at EPCOT center.
The conference had an overall green theme. At the end of the conference, former vice president Al Gore lead a discussion via videoconferencing from Japan on green technology and global warming.

Honeywell - First Alert Security

This November, I photographed an awards banquet for Honeywell's First Alert Security division. The elegant event was held at the Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando. I also photographed some of the distributors of First Alert Security's product line. One of these portraits appear on the front cover of SDM Magazine.

Your Best Face

We just completed product photography for Your Best Face Skincare. Your Best Face introduced a new lip treatment product called quench. Darrell Owens, co-founder and principal formulator of the Your Best Face Skincare line, commented that the photos from this product shoot were "amazing."

Polycom Exhibit - Polycom Users Group

I recently received an afternoon call from a client needing photography the next morning at Disney's Contemporary Resort. That's a pretty short time frame, but I was able to scramble and get some great shots of Polycom's new trade show display created by a company called MC² (as in E=).

Senor Vice President Charlene Soelter of MC² in San Francisco commented, "Thanks for doing such a great job! These are wonderful!" As always, I'm pleased to get feedback from a satisfied client.

Exhibit Photography - International Esthetics, Cosmetics and Spa Conference

I had the unique pleasure of being the photographer of choice for Virginia based Nomadic Display this weekend. Nomadic Display, producer of high-quality portable and modular trade show displays, provided this exhibit booth for C3 Spa - Matis Paris at the 2008 International Esthetics, Cosmetics and Spa Conference at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

Orlando Style Spread

No, it's not something chic that you put on a Ritz...

I had the privilege of photographing a feature spread for the October issue of Orlando Style Magazine. The subject was the quintessentially stunning Shayla Pert, fiancée of MLB relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, Kyle Farnsworth.

The feature is called in her closet, and yes, we really were in her closet with camera, studio lights and one of the most breathtaking collection of womens shoes that you could imagine.

The shoot took place at Shayla's and Kyle's home in Celebration. The stylist, Melanie Pace, did an amazing job of bringing the clothes, jewelry and other elements together to make the shoot a total success.

Be sure to check out the October issue of Orlando Style to see more photos from this shoot. You can also view outtakes from the Shayla Pert - In Her Closet feature.

SODO Super Target - South of Downtown Orlando

Waking up at 5:00 in the morning to shoot a retail storefront is not necessarily my favorite activity, but the opportunity to capture a unique architectural product was irresistible. The Williams Company, a prominent Orlando based Commercial Construction company retained this photographer to create images of the new SODO (South of Downtown Orlando) Super Target.

The store features rooftop parking, an escalator and pleasing uplighting on the unique facade.

Clan of Xymox Performs in Orlando

Clan of Xymox performed at the Independent Bar in Orlando, Florida. Umbris Photography was delighted to be able to photograph the concert, while enjoying the brooding melodies of this incredibly talented band from Leipzig, Germany. Visit the official Clan of Xymox web site.

Stock Photos Now Available

A selection of commercial stock and rights managed images are now available at Alamy, the web's largest stock photo site. Umbris will offer lifestyle, editorial and Orlando tourism images for our clients.

HP Hood PR Photography

Umbris Photography was retained to photograph a recent press event for HP Hood, producers of Simply Smart milk. HP Hood donated several thousand cartons of Simply Smart milk to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

HNR Custom Homes

Umbris Photography completed an extensive architectural photography assignment for HNR Custom Homes. The project consisted of photographing three recently completed luxury homes in the Clarice Estates subdivision in Windermere.

Doubletree Guest Suites - Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina

Toward the end of August, I was retained by a prominent commercial real estate marketing firm to produce a series of interior and exterior architectural photographs of the Doubletree Guest Suites in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina. The project was challenging and exciting, and involved a hike around a lake, standing on a treadmill with a tripod and camera, and climbing up to the roof of this seven story hotel.

After the project deliverables were, well, delivered, my client Amanda wrote, "Thank you sooooo much!!! They really look great! I will let you know if we need anything else. And I will put you on our list of photographers we use. Thanks again!!!"

I blushed a little.

University of South Florida - Marshall Student Center

Umbris Photography completed an architectural photography assignment featuring the new University of South Florida - Marshall Student Center. The project was consigned by Southwest Progressive Enterprises (SPE). Their product, Thermocromex, was used in the construction of the student center. The project was featured in SPE's Award Winning Installation of the Month.


Heather Shade, the coordinator of the project at SPE said, "I want to thank you again for all the work you have done. We are very pleased with your work and we will definitely consider you for our next photo shoot."

FBI Building

I completed an interior and exterior photography assignment for Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment. The architectural photography project consisted of photographing the FBI building. No, not the J. Edgar Hoover building; the Florida Business Interiors building in Lake Mary, Florida.



Queenie Berriz of Marcus & Millichap lavished praise upon the photographer after the project was finished. She said, "Doug and I just wanted to extend our sincerest thanks for the excellent service you provided us in photographing the Florida Business Interiors Building. You did an outstanding job, and we look forward to working with you in the future (and sending some referrals your way)."

I am always delighted when a customer is happy with my work.

Robb & Stucky Orlando Millenia

The Williams Company, a leading Orlando based Commercial Construction company retained Umbris Photography to create images of the new Robb & Stucky Orlando Millenia store.

A 36" x 24" print of this photo adorns the lobby of the Williams Company.