Tutti Performs at Tork Bar & Grill

After a few lazy days of festivities filled with family, eating, relaxation, and (did I say eating?) generally being somewhat unproductive, it was nice getting back to work in a scene I am still very much a part of--live music. Having all the history that I do with live performance, shooting bands is still one of my favorite things to do. The day after Christmas proved to be one of the coolest live shows I've ever seen.

Tutti, a local indie band from El Paso, and longtime personal friends, had a rocking show on Friday night. It was great being so near my element again, albeit off the stage as opposed to on it, but having a camera in my hands made the whole thing that much sweeter. The band not only sounded great, playing an eclectic mix of '80s and '90s pop, Spanish rock, and some techno beats, but also gave me some excellent photo opportunities. The typical darkened stage with tungsten stage and mood lighting would have been a lighting and high ISO noise nightmare to anyone, but I'm quite impressed by my Canon DSLR and the new "Nifty Fifty," the Canon 50mm f/1.8. Low-light shots were amazing, the lens being as fast as it is, and the sharpness at even the widest aperture impressed me. This was the first time I've ever put the Fifty through its paces.

The photo gallery should be up pretty soon, for those of you who would like to see photos from the evening. Also, I'm pretty sure the band would appreciate some web traffic on their MySpace page. Just go to www.myspace.com/tuttis for more info on the band. Please check my website for photos of the band, and I'll post a link to the gallery as soon as it becomes public (waiting on permission from the band first).

As always, all of us would greatly appreciate any comments.

EDIT: The band's photo gallery is now public and available for viewing online, in the new "Music" section on Elysian-Productions.com.

Specialty Print Products from Elysian

First of all, let me take a moment to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas, and a wonderful holiday season. What better time than the holidays to get in touch with friends and family, and reconnect with our loved ones. There are not very many better ways to share those holiday greetings and wishes than with a thoughtful, unique, personalized gift. Elysian Productions is now offering greeting cards with personalized photos and messages. Perfect for sending your warmest wishes to your friends and family, wherever they may be.

Also, for the remainder of the holidays, we are offering our Christmas and holiday greeting card package to military families who are separated from loved ones by distance or deployment for half price. That's right, half price. What better way to send a special holiday gift to your soldier overseas. If you are a soldier, airman, sailor or Marine stationed on or near Fort Bliss or Holloman AFB, this is also the perfect way to keep in touch with your loved ones back home.

Since the holidays are quick to come and go, we are also pleased to announce that along with our greeting cards, we are debuting our line of personalized birth announcements.

All our specialty custom print product packages include the photo session, retouching, and photo CD with portraits from the session. For more information, please contact the studio.

We look forward to hearing from any and all of you out there, and may everyone have a wonderful Christmas season.

By the way, a very special thanks to Matt and Marie Shutt for their gracious permission to feature their Christmas card.

Attention all Bands and Musicians

Greetings all,

I was up late last night recovering from a day of work with my other job, a military training contractor, and had a marvelous epiphany. I realized I had no money, and our economy sucks. Then I realized, well, most of my clients don't either. SOOOOO. . . . .


For a limited time, I am offering photo sessions/packages to bands and musicians FOR FREE. Yes, you heard it, for free. The session can be a composed (set up) standard band portrait, at whatever location you choose, or it can be photos of a concert or performance doing what you do best. The photos are yours to do with what you will.


Please, don't feel excluded if you're not a band or in one. I am extending this offer to any musician, so if you are a classical performer doing recitals, chamber ensembles, or whatever, the same applies to you all. If you ARE a band, I'll take any genre or style, also. Praise & Worship bands, this means you, too.


So, if you or someone you know fits the category, please let me know when you'd like your free photo session. Spread the word, because even those of you that don't directly fit the bill, sure as heck know someone who does.


Any questions about anything, feel free to contact me here or at fern@elysian-productions.com

-Fern