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Southern Exposures The Bay House

Posted on by Allora Studios in Alabama, Nature, photography, portraits, Vlogs

I have a lot to catch you up on.

It is true that I have been very quiet on the content lately.

It is a lie to say that I haven’t been shooting.

So consider this an apology for it taking so long. But I am finally inspired to share everything I’ve been doing to keep myself sane in this hiatus of posts.

This week, I am breaking down one of the projects that broke me out of my temporary forced creative solutide. I had the pleasure of spending Independence Day Weekend, July 4th for my non-American followers, at a very nice luxury stay in Fairhope, Alabama.

Now, was I expecting a stay in the my neighboring state to be the spark that ignited my creative flame once more? Absolutely not. But sometimes that’s the exact place where greatness begins right? Where you least expect it?

After a rainy drive down from my lovely homebase of Atlanta, the small town of Fairhope greeted me with a beautiful overcast sky. In July, this is a blessing.

I knew it was still misty but I really wanted to fly the drone!

We went fishing after my friends got back to the house. It’s truly one of the most relaxing places to be. The private dock made for the kind of getaway you dream of during your grind.


After a day full of sporatic rain showers, the sky was primed for my favorite type of sunset. Next time there is a rainy day, make a mental note to watch for the sunset. If it rains until right before time for the sun to set, you’re in for the sunset of your life.

New year, new photos and merch

Posted on by Allora Studios in Animals, Atlanta, GA, Gatlinburg, Macro Photos, Nature, photography, portraits, Street Photography, The U.S.

It’s been a long 2 years dealing with the pandemic and really waking up to a lot of realities and widening perspectives of the world. With that in mind, I want to try to do more.

In 2022, I want to do more with my photos. I have made videos and offered prints for a while now. And I love that.

But I want to continue to evolve how I am able to express my creativity! So I decided to do that with my current newest collection. So here begins the newest chapter. I can’t promise consistency of release. But I can promise I will always be back eventually. I love you all. Please check out the store!

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Hopping MARTA’s Blue Line with a 35mm Lens

Posted on by Allora Studios in Atlanta, GA, Street Photography, The U.S., Vlogs

This week, I decided to do some train hopping! Well… sort of. I rode the Blue line of the MARTA Train in Atlanta, hopping on and off at various stops along the way to take pictures!

This week, like last week, I wanted to challenge myself. So again, I set out with one lens, but this week? I used a 35mm f/1.8 This lens is an awesome lens that acts on my crop-sensor camera like you would expect a 50mm to act on a full-frame camera.

Along the way this week, I may have dropped a lesson or two. Thanks for watching. I can’t wait to share my pictures with you again next week!

All of these photos are available for prints!

Exploring the Zero Mile Post | The Remnants of the Mighty Train Industry of Atlanta

Posted on by Allora Studios in Atlanta, GA, photography, Street Photography, The U.S., Vlogs

Another video finally. Let’s get back on track, shall we? This week, I’m sharing a collection of photos I captured while exploring what’s left of Atlanta’s history as a major train depot! Check out the video for a narration of my exploration. I got a few around the downtown area after that!

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First Photo Walk of 2021

Posted on by Allora Studios in Atlanta, GA, The U.S., Vlogs

For the first photo walk (that didn’t end in sickness), I decided to try something new! I heard that some folks go for meditative walks in lieu of traditional meditation, and that sounds right up my alley! So, I set out with a goal, and got to walking and shooting!

All of these photos are available for prints!

Shooting Aubrey Lake

Posted on by Allora Studios in Atlanta, GA, Nature, photography, The U.S., Vlogs

This week, I found a quaint lake literally right beside the interstate on my way home. I am always looking for shots, but this day in particular, I happened to have the time to actually search for the perfect place to take my shot!

This lake, which I’ve found to be named Aubrey Lake, has mostly private access points. I show you in the video, but as it happens most times, I did not pick the right access point originally.

After finding a “No Trespassing” sign at the end of the first road to the lake, I got busy looking at Google Maps to find another way in. Fortunately, there was a brewery that had an access road to the other side of the lake. So away I drove to find the way in.

After stashing my car beside some utility buildings and climbing the rugged hills, I finally made it to the banks of Aubrey Lake. It was well worth my time. These pictures came out awesome.

All of these photos are available for prints. Use this to make a request.

Shooting Blue and Golden Hour in a Day

Posted on by Allora Studios in Animals, Atlanta, GA, Macro Photos, Nature, photography, The U.S., Vlogs

Welcome to another week! This week, I’m technically sharing 2 collections with you. The first is what I shot in the video. Essentially I wanted to get some amazing fall shots of Kennesaw Mountain before the sun came up, Blue Hour, and as the sun was setting, Golden Hour, in the same day.

So not being a morning person made this a little… difficult. But I managed even without morning coffee. Unfortunately the weather was not on my side, and I was fighting the mist not only on my lenses, but also on the rocks and slick terrain I was climbing.

Fortunately, we can count this excursion in the “No Serious Injury” column. As always, this collection is available for prints! And here is another that are available!

March 2020 Moment a Day

Posted on by Allora Studios in Travel Blog

March 2020 coronavirus

A “Moment a Day” video for March 2020 took an eerie turn as the world began to deal with COVID-19 as a global pandemic.

A simple project by Photographer/Videographer Samuel Presley turns into an eerie testament to the times as the global community collectively shuts down due to the March 2020 Coronavirus pandemic.

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Destination Do-Over | New Orleans, USA Episode 4 – City Park

Posted on by Allora Studios in Destination Do-Over | New Orleans, USA, The U.S., Vlogs

Today on Destination Do-Over | New Orleans, USA, Samuel and Amanda explore one of the most peaceful parts of the whole city: City Park. This park is a great way to spend a more relaxed day with your family or travel partners!

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Destination Do-Over | New Orleans, USA Episode 3 – The French Quarter

Posted on by Allora Studios in Destination Do-Over | New Orleans, USA, The U.S., Vlogs

On the 3rd episode of Destination Do-Over | New Orleans, USA, it’s finally time for the exploration of the most historic part of New Orleans, the French Quarter. We also take a walk down the river to see all the statues and monuments that you might overlook!

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Botanies with Buddies

Posted on by Allora Studios in Animals, Atlanta, GA, Macro Photos, Nature, The U.S., Vlogs

What’s better than seeing the blooming buds at the botanical gardens with your best buddies? Absolutely nothing. Actually I ended up doing the Botanical Gardens so many times in 2022. It was truly a blessing for my friend Micah to have a year pass and want to share it with me.

I don’t have a lot to say about this colleciton. I love doing macro nature photos. Getting up close and personal with the flowers and other plants is something that makes me immensely happy.

But what is one to do with so many picures and nothing much to say about them? Well, the full collection is available for prints! And you can find them here. Just contact me through this website and we can get a custom order started!

Exploring Rome… GA

Posted on by Allora Studios in photography, Rome, GA, Street Photography, The U.S., Vlogs

You know, I don’t go back to my hometown area often. As a matter of fact, when I set foot in downtown Rome back in July, it had been years since the last time I had been there.

I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s the time I’ve spent away from the places I grew up. Maybe it’s the amount of distance I’ve been borderline desperate to put so far in the back of my mind that I never had to think about it. They say time heals all wounds.

I think I still disagree.

But regardless, spending a few hours occassionally when I can photograph amazing views like the ones I can find looking out over the city.

After climbing, perhaps naively, to the top of City Cemetery… I was exhausted. For those who don’t know, City Cemetery in Rome, GA is a cemetery on a hillside. But when I say hill side… what I mean is it’s literally terraced into the closest thing you’ve ever seen to a cliff that isn’t truly a cliff.

So obviously I took my camera and my drone up there and went nuts.

A Nature Experience at the Bay House

Posted on by Allora Studios in Alabama, Animals, photography, The U.S., Vlogs

This week, I present the third and final piece of my experience with the nature at the Bay House in Fairhope, Alabama.

Again, I woke up at my usual 5 am to beat the sun in starting the day. It is quite a marvel to hear the first birds cawing from that gorgeous private dock.

As the sun came up, I decided to fly my drone. And the pictures I got were simply incredible.

After a while, the waves began to grow and all of the birds, fish, and other creatures were out and about.

Eventually I got up close and personal with a heron when he literally sat on the deck right in front of me. I was sitting on the couch, minding my business when he lands on the lower deck. It was incredible.

After that amazing experience, I finally got to meet the most insane visitors of Weeks Bay. The dolphins finally showed their beautiful selves. And it was right beside my dock.

Photographing them from above the water wasn’t the easiest thing to pull off, so I highly recommend you check out the video linked at the top, where I was filming when they surprised me.

The Bay House on Independence Day

Posted on by Allora Studios in Alabama, Animals, Nature, The U.S., Vlogs

Again from The Bay House in Fairhope, Alabama, this week I show you my entire day of shooting photography on a private dock on the gorgeous Weeks Bay.

First things first on a full day of shooting. I woke up at 5 am to get these shots. Worth it.

The only issue I had was getting my gear acclimated to the weather. I had originally kept it inside with me. Well, the temperature inside The Bay House was very cool. It was perfect for the amount of cold I need to sleep on a summer evening, but it was more than the glass on my devices could handle quickly.

I ended up fighting not only with my camera lenses, but my drone lens as well! Even the GoPro was covered in condensation and fog. I was annoying to deal with, but it created this cool haze on some of these pictures that I just can’t ignore.

After the birds had stretched their wings and come out to begin their morning flight routines, I couldn’t help but snap away at my personal airshow. I was up and taking pictures before the fish were swimming and the birds were flying. And it felt amazing to welcome them to the day.

Eventually, dark clouds rolled over the bay and rain poured for a few hours. I huddled up under the shelter on the dock and watched all the nature activities unfolding in front of me. The birds were bathing in their natural showers. And the waves of heavy and light rain patterns made the waters edge dance with beautiful curves and elaborate designs.

It’s always such an honor to experience and capture nature doing what nature has and will always do.

After the rain, it was time to fly the drone again! I have loved getting to view the world from a different perspective. If you were ever thinking of getting a drone for your photography, please go for it. I haven’t regretted mine for a moment.

And what good is a drone if you don’t use it to take aerial pictures of fireworks?

Where Photography and Mental Health Intersect

Posted on by Allora Studios in Nature, photography, The U.S., Vlogs

It’s no secret that I have struggled with my mental health for most of my life. I have spent a lot of time suffering in silence. But a few years ago, something changed in me. And since that change, I have made it my life’s mission to make sure that everyone that can hear my voice hears this message.

There is absolutely no shame in talking about your mental health and wellbeing.

Whether it’s to a friend, a stranger, a professional, or even your pet, talk about how you feel.

This week, the theme is mental health and how I handle my bad days with photography.

Hi, youtube. It’s been a couple of months. Thanks for being patient with me while I work through some things. I love making videos and taking pictures. And I love sharing my experiences with y’all. But sometimes that isn’t enough. Sometimes I don’t have any motivation. Sometimes I feel so intensely numb that I can barely function. Fortunately the anxiety I have about finances mostly keep me working and running. But what keeps me going when I feel incapable of feeling good? What happens when photography isn’t enough? What do you do when your interests aren’t interesting enough for you. I explored this a lot in my couple months away. And ultimately I did the only thing that I know to do when my brain treats me this way is to find a way to keep trying. Even if I don’t shoot, I still go for a walk. I still take my camera. I still look for shots. Even if I don’t take them, they’re in my own mental gallery. It’s no secret that life has been hard for a lot of us the last 18 months. But as things begin to hopefully move in a more positive direction with the global pandemic, we can begin the true time of healing and self-discovery. So this week, my video to you is what I’ve done to keep going when I feel like I can’t.

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MLK Memorial Park with Just a 12mm Lens

Posted on by Allora Studios in Atlanta, GA, Street Photography, The U.S., Vlogs

This week, I had a little bit of spare time before meeting a client for a photoshoot in Atlanta. We were shooting near the Martin Luther King Jr. National Park. So naturally with time and being around one of my favorite places in all of Atlanta, I had to run around and get some shots. This time, as I’ve been doing a lot recently, I decided that one lens would be fun. So I took the Rokinon 12mm f/2.8, my old reliable, out for a spin.

I love using this lens mostly because of the ridiculous amount of stuff I can fit in the image. I love capturing these huge compositions. I like how vast it makes reality feel to me. Tell me what you think!

All of these photos are available for prints. Use this contact form so I can write up and create your order!

Atlanta Neighborhoods with Just a 35mm Lens

Posted on by Allora Studios in Travel Blog

This is the last week of videos and photos of my time exploring Atlanta armed only with a 35mm lens. I love my 35mm. Shooting with it has been where I’ve historically felt the most comfortable. On the crop sensor camera, the Nikon D5600, a 35mm acts like a 50mm. And if you know anything about photography, you might have already heard of the nifty fifty!

Last week, I had pretty much gotten a little lost. I was going for the Oakland Cemetery entrance from the MARTA station. When I should have turned left, I turned right. I ended up walking the entire perimeter, but I finally made it into the perimeter and fired a couple of dope shots.

After the cemetery, I decided to walk the local neighborhood between the cemetery and the Grant Park/Atlanta Zoo area. I was so fortunate to find some gorgeous trees blooming very vibrantly in the park and in front of someone’s home!

The last thing I shot was this gorgeous bike that was parked on the street. I actually ended up staying there for a minute shooting the bike. It was so pretty despite being covered in pollen! But I suppose that’s the tradeoff for an Atlanta spring!

Finally, I hopped back on the MARTA and rode back to my car. Before I got off the train, as it was arriving at my station, I snapped this picture. I love the look of a train, especially in black and white.

All of these photos are available for prints!

Atlanta Street Photography with a 35mm Lens

Posted on by Allora Studios in Atlanta, GA, photography, Street Photography, The U.S.

This week is part 2 of a series I shot in April about shooting Atlanta with a 35mm lens. I love this city, and this part of the series has some of my favorite pictures of the day!

Last week, we left off at the Mercedez-Benz Stadium, looking for access to a MARTA station. Unfortunately, there wasn’t one open in the parking decks that I was exploring. There was a closed one, though! So, I made my way back to the MARTA stop I had gotten off of originally. Along the way, because I take a different route obviously, there are amazing panoramic views of the Stadium and of course, I cannot resist!

After snapping this picture, I finally made it back to the MARTA station.

At the next stop, I find an amazing, skyline shot of the city. So of course, I stopped to shoot another panorama!

After exiting the station, I made a wrong turn to try to make my way to Oakland Cemetery. I ended up going the long way around… But I followed the tracks and got these shots!

Atlanta has a lot of these small street overpasses. The most famous of these is the Krog street bridge. This one is actually on Boulevard. Finding the best locations for shooting is all about exploring away from where the crowds go. So naturally, this bridge just a few streets away from the famed Krog Street tunnel gave me much more ease of access for shooting!

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All of these photos are available for prints!