Just recently I threw down some heavy dough on three new lens. Must-have, can’t live without, why aren’t I made of money lens.  With the purchase of any new gear, I develop an instant fascination with photographing mundane objects around my house…the cat, the remote control, my mini bird shaped salt and pepper shakers. But that gets old quick so I packed my gear and headed to the annual Lane Family Mardi Gras Extravaganza. Most years I join the Tutlefoot Band on the RMA float and my alter ego, heady with power, teases hordes of bead hungry spectators before tossing it to one lucky soul in the way way back. My alter ego doesn’t throw like a girl. But this year, I had a much more diabolical plan in mind.

My friend and fellow FBFG photographer, Robert Hill is a Lane by marriage, so we decided to use the party as a creative opportunity to convince women to give us their engagement rings.

Muahahahahahahaha {rubs hands together; makes evil face}

Ok, not really. We just borrowed them so we could play with my pretty new macro lens. But I am super stoked with the results. A few weeks ago, I used one of Melia’s toys to shoot through because I like the soft dreamy effect it has on the image. So I did it again with my plastic beads and I have to say, the effect is freakin awesome. Now when I show up to your wedding with tacky mardi gras beads, you’ll be like “Heck, Yeah! Here’s my ring. Bring on the Bling!”

I used lamps for these backgrounds. The ring on the right is hanging upside down. Mad skilz.

We stuck this ring in some crazy huge vines. Check out the baby sun flare in the diamond! 

I found this teapot in the kitchen. It was short and stout.

Robert found this rusty piece of wrought iron fence which looked a-ma-zing!

And then we channeled Marceliano Muñoz through Roberts Ray Ban’s.

Oooooooh, more sun flare!

Ring Bling – my favorite shot of the day!

Robert saved this pumpkin from a gaggle of children that were going to smash it into a gazzillion pieces and cover us all in pumpkin guts.

This is what we looked like the entire day. That’s Robert on the left. The picture on the right is a self portrait. Nice, huh?