Hot Hot Heat

Well, I did it. I successfully neglected my blog for the entire month of August. *high five*

For some reason, most of the weddings I've photographed this summer ended up being on the hottest days of the week. I like cooler weather. So, needless to say, it's a challenge for me to throw on a suit and stand out there with a camera when it's 104 degrees outside.

I'm not entirely sure why I'm telling you all of this. Just absorb the information and we'll move on...

Ms. Chelsea Tavis was kind enough to revamp lancasterphoto.net last week. The layout is similar, but much fancier and much more well-presented. Not to mention it's also more social-media-friendly. Check it out!

Now for some photos. August took me to Napa, Livermore, St. Helena, Moraga, and Marshall.  Here is some of what you may have missed lately:

Sheila & Trevor at Hacienda de las Flores in Moraga, CA

Kathleen & Nate at V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, CA

Nick & Barbie at the Corinthean Ballroom (and park) in San Jose, CA

Jessica and Kody at Garre Winery (Martinelli Center) in Livermore, CA

Tanya & Ryan at Walker Creek Ranch in Marshall, CA

And super-assistant George (with a newly healed and functional foot) scaling the rafters of a barn last night during the reception. The groomsmen hoisted him up onto the first tier, and George climbed his way to the ceiling for some photos.

Got lots of editing to catch up on now! Thankfully September is a low-key month this year.

Weddings, Promos, Bands - Let's Catch Up.

Hi. How are you? 

'Tis wedding season, which means I've been busier than normal (i.e. now I work 3 days a month!). 

Let's see... I guess I'll start with some wedding shoots and personal-ish news: If I've done photos for your wedding, you've probably met George. He's been my "consistent assistant" for most of them. That is, until a pallet took a wrong turn coming off the loading dock at his day job and crushed his foot, breaking 4 toes.

He's almost back to normal now, and the trooper has hobbled his way through weddings this month like a champ. That even includes an almost 10-hour wedding shoot a few weeks ago. In 95 degree heat. Wearing a plastic boot from the doctor that prevents him from bending his foot.

Suffice to say, my assistant is more badass than your assistant.

Here's the big guy in the ER right after it happened. I spent 3 hours with him, and drove him around to get lunch, medications, etc.

There have been a bunch of fantastic weddings lately. I'm honestly very lucky in the sense that I get to work with some great couples. Couples that will even lovingly call me an asshole during the wedding, because they get my sense of humor. Not to mention that 2012 is apparently the year of TIPS (hint hint). Here are a few of my favorite shots:

Thank you indeed. That's me with the signs.

Brides, if you're stressed out... take notes from Sarah here.

Photo by Clay Lancaster. www.lancasterphoto.net

Probably the happiest groomsmen I've come across.

Then I shaved. I've had a beard for months and months, so it's a little weird looking so young now:

I also did a promo shoot for the very talented Lisa Marie Johnston. It was highly entertaining to have the metal band Testament walk through this particular shot as I was working.

Lisa Marie Johnston. Oakland, CA.

Since we're on the topic of musicians... last week I joined JC of theFIVE10.com for an interview with the band Carolina Liar, and shot their set (currently touring with Kelly Clarkson).

Carolina Liar. Concord Pavilion. Touring with Kelly Clarkson.

Also, I was (I think for the first time ever) a model. My very dear friend Chelsea wanted to have me sit for her for a project she's working on. She runs Glam Rock Magazine, which I highly suggest you go take a look at.

My brother Keith is currently in Paris studying fashion photography, and someone took a great photo of him. So we did this one to compete (brothers... we always compete).

Clay Lancaster (left) taken by Chelsea, and Keith Lancaster (right).

Oh, and I helped one of my besties Jen (of Calibree Photography) on her shoot with the band Smash Mouth in San Jose, CA. I didn't shoot, but I helped with lighting, and I drank on their tour bus. So I did my part...

Clay Lancaster with Smash Mouth shooting a music video in the background

And on a personal note: you may have seen my posts about our house burning down last November. This photo is courtesy of my step brother (who I'm very close to), which shows the empty lot after it's been bulldozed. Flowers are already starting to grow. It's kind of peaceful, actually.

Where our house used to be. Reno, NV. Pioneer Dr.

That should cover most of it for now. I hope everyone is well. If you've already booked me, get ready for some fun stuff! If you haven't yet... what's the matter with you? :)

-Clay

Dallas - Over the Edge, and a Return to Rock N Roll

It just clicked into my head right now that I am apparently horrible at marketing and publicity sometimes. Why? Because I've totally slacked on promoting the band Dallas.

Dallas, the brainchild of San Francisco Bay Area Bryan Dallas, has been a best-kept secret for years until last month. The EP Over the Edge hit iTunes for public ears.

Keep in mind, this is for fans of straight up rock n' roll. Wailing vocals, soaring guitars, and larger-than-life songs. The way it used to be done, and the future release of this indie rut we've been stuck in for way too long.

Since I started my new life as a self-employed creator, I've been so fortunate to meet no one but talented, inspiring, and kind people. One of them happened to be Bryan Dallas.

I had heard pieces of what was to become Dallas through the grapevine, and this guy agreed to meet with me about media. We met up at a bar, which turned into drinks and talking until 5am back at the studio. For the next year, we bounced ideas back and forth and created numerous drafts of various things.

This spring it was apparent that the EP release was imminent. With some deadlines set by his management, we jumped into a 10-12 hour-per-day routine at Dallas Ranch... which involved basically notepads, cameras, laptops, and booze. And the occasional bonfire with other photographers and musicians.

There's a lot coming your way, and I'm proud to be a part of it. Keep an eye out, because Europe has already acknowledged what we're about to show you. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Here's one of the tracks with a simple lyric video that we put together:

Enjoy, and you'll be hearing from Dallas very soon.

Thrice - Farewell Tour 2012 - San Francisco

After 13 years as a band, Thrice are in the midst of their final few shows before taking an indefinite hiatus. They were gracious enough to stop and spend some time with us at theFIVE10.com before their sold out show last night at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco. 

Here are a few photos!

Thrice performs one of their last shows in San Francisco. Photo by Clay Lancaster

JC talks with Ed and Teppei of Thrice on theFIVE10.com

Thrice's Teppei Teranishi performs one of their last shows in San Francisco. Photo by Clay Lancaster

Thrice performs one of their last shows in San Francisco. Photo by Clay Lancaster

Thrice's Ed Breckenridge performs one of their last shows in San Francisco. Photo by Clay Lancaster

Solar Eclipse 2012

Photo of the solar eclipse of 2012, as viewed from the San Francisco Bay Area. Photo by Clay Lancaster.

Mare Island Wedding - Andrew & Emily

I'm just going to pretend that you asked about it...

In the days of Yore (before I was a photographer for a living), I used to be a manager for a very large and well-known retail chain.

The company had created a new position, and I was assigned to get it off the ground... and I needed a team to help me do it. So thrown into the mix was this guy Andrew, whom with I had semi been acquainted as he already worked in a different area of our store. We quickly hit it off with similar interests (went to the same University even), and Andrew quickly became one of my best friends as well as one of my best employees. When I got more serious about photography Andrew's band was one of the local groups that would help me hone my craft, and he was always supportive of me hopefully taking photos for a living.

Andrew & me in a previous life.

As Andrew was still working on finishing his Bachelor's degree, he needed to take a leave of absence from my team at work when classes started up again. In his place, I took this girl named Emily that Andrew had recently begun dating.

Over the years, Andrew and Emily continued to date (eventually moving in together, and after that moved to Las Vegas). I eventually left my job to do photography full-time, and we've maintained contact ever since. I even went to Las Vegas and spent some time with them there.

Last Saturday (May 12th) Andrew and Emily got married at Mare Island in Vallejo, CA. They are also expecting a baby boy. Not only did I have the privilege of being one of Andrew's groomsmen, but I was also the photographer.

Yes, it can be done.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Smith. Congratulations on the new family. And congratulations on being the only Indian guy I know named Smith.

Here are some photos.

lacing shoes is hard for Andrew

Groomsmen. That's me, 2nd from left.

...and here I am sitting on a rocket. Yes, that's a rocket.

Andrew & Clay, present day

baby Silus is in there somewhere!

being supportive

Photo Shoot with The Memorials

I got a call a month or two ago from Thomas Pridgen (world-renowned drummer and formerly of the Mars Volta) that started off with him saying “I need you.” Not a bad gesture. His current band,The Memorials, needed some promo photos done for their new record Delirium (June 5th on iTunes).

After discussing some crazy ideas, we settled on a nighttime shoot in Berkeley, CA where we actually set up his drum kit outside on a dock in the marina. I brought my fellow photog Jen Cash with me to assist with lighting, and it was surely an interesting experience for us: setting up photo equipment in the cold, in the dark, on a dock, while the drummer of Mars Volta wails away on his kit for an audience of 6 or 7 onlookers who happened to be passing by.

Was a ton of fun, regardless. Thanks to everyone involved for putting up with the complications and making it happen!

Viveca Hawkins, Clay Lancaster, and Thomas Pridgen

The Memorials 2012. Photo by Clay Lancaster