Grad Session Details...For the Parents

The pictures look fun, the poses have style, the locations are endless and the memories are forever, but what exactly does the Lucid Musings student Grad Sessions involve and what do they cost? Now in it's sophomore year, LM's student photography has begun to catch on locally and is making inroads throughout the area, offering the student a unique, hip and personal view, giving the entire family a document to this, probably the biggest moment in their lives so far.

The Beginnings: Modeled after the "Senior's Portrait", a driving force and right of passage South of the border, the concept is is not something new those who attended high school in the US, but it is something that students and parents in the Perth/Huron and Middlesex areas probably have never seen. With the push to expand this year, this will not be the case for long:-)

The Pre-Shoot: The "Stepping Out" Session begins with a consultation to determine the "feel" of how each sitting will play out, as it is not only my goal to show the grad in the best and most glamorous way, but also to paint in interests and personality to give a full and individual finished canvas.

Time Investment: Each session lasts roughly 1 1/2 to 2 hours and can be compressed multi-location affairs, studio/location blends, or distance travel shoots, the options can be as personal as your graduate.

Dress Code: Clothing (up to 3 outfits) and props add flare and detail, bringing in things like musical instruments, sporting equipment, hats, sunglasses...the list goes on:-)

The Post-Shoot: Online gallery included and options from individual "Rock Video" slide shows to beautiful book bound memory albums are all offered to give you the perfect package.

Financial Investment: Until May 15 all pre-bookings receive a base-rate $100.00 session fee. After May 15, the rate returns to $145.00 plus tax.

Questions? Love it and want to book a consultation? 519-284-0858
toll free 1-866-680-0858

If you've got someone who is "Stepping Out" this year, give them a thrill and make it a LM moment for them...and for you. :-)

The Drive By Truckers Come To Town

The story of the Drive By Truckers is as road wearied and oil stained as their name suggests. Almost 15 years of heavy touring, heavy drinking, marital break-ups in the Fleetwood Mac model, and the loss of an integral member have blew a few tires, but the core duo of Mike "Stroker Ace Cooley and Patterson Hood have powered on with a ferocity of artistic energy and mind blowing rock shows almost unmatched by any other bands out there at this moment.
My story of the DBT began as the clouds began to part after a downpour at the sophomore 2003 Bonnaroo. Stumbling along on a cloud after a stellar "Crazy Game of Poker" OAR set in "That Tent" and lost in the moment before G.Love took the 4 o'clock slot on "Which Stage", the beginning rough and ready notes of "Ronnie and Neil" caught my peripheral attention. I had in my late teens and early 20's been somewhat obsessive compulsive about Lynyrd Skynyrd, buying all their albums in the span of a year, digesting every sound and every lyric. The parallels of the song and the parallels of the DBT hit me like a bottle of Jack Daniels in the face. After another song, they really hit there stride with their signature piece Let There Be Rock....

Watching newly inducted Shonna Tucker and Jason Isbell rip apart the stage left while Mike Cooley etched his guitar stage right, cigarette dangling from his mouth and Brad Morgan hit the drum skins looking like a character straight out of some eastern Kentucky psycho-thriller. What totally gripped me, though was Patterson Hood's presence center stage spitting and sweating every word of this song about growing up in the 70's and 80's in the age of arena rock. Within a month I bought all of their CD's and became the biggest promoter of their salt-of-the-earth message.
I have been lucky enough to see their full show 5 times since, always front-of stage and every time leaving as shell shocked as the time before. In 2005 I got to meet Mike Cooley back stage at Bonnaroo, in 2007 I met Jason Isbell at The Phoenix in Toronto and their personal demeanor matches there pure, true and simple on stage persona. The Truckers are the real thing and they showed it again last Tuesday and Wednesday in Toronto, there is no glitter, there is no glam, no video screens with naked chicks, no flashing neon, no dry ice and no pot-flashes, there is no need. There are 3 singers, 6 musicians, 1 case of beer and 1 bottle of Jack Daniels. If Rock n' Roll is an old slang for a good screw, then the DBT hit the nail right on the head, leaving you rode hard and put away wet.
I had to stop and talk to a young lady standing glazed outside the show after Tuesday night's performance. Holding every album the DBT ever produced, all in the classic vinyl format, sealed and waiting for their virgin rotation, I said I was somewhat overcome by the shear size of her purchase. Like a teen defending her delinquent boyfriend, lost in the moment of shear physical attraction, her come back was straight and to the point "Why wouldn't I buy them all...they are the greatest band in the World". Welcome to Rock n' Roll show,lady, welcome to the Rock n' Roll show!