 Bryan Kirschner of "Grizzly Customs" Bryan Kirschner, the proprietor of "Grizzly Customs," has reached out to me multiple times over the past three years, requesting my photography services to capture his unique custom creations. Originating from California, Bryan infuses the Wiregrass area with a distinctive West Coast flair through his extraordinary custom bikes, which can be described as true works of art on two wheels. Naturally, I was thrilled when he recently contacted me again. However, this time around, things were different. Grizzly Customs, Bryan's business, is undergoing significant changes. He has made the decision to close down his current establishment and shift away from the realm of basic motorcycle repairs. Instead, he will be dedicating his efforts solely to crafting the art of custom motorcycles. According to Bryan, this particular aspect of the business is where his true inspiration lies, and it is where he intends to concentrate his focus. When he asked me to document the final two motorcycles to be created at the Andrews Avenue location in Ozark, I gladly accepted the opportunity. Without further ado, I present to you a collection of images from my recent session at Grizzly Customs. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!      Here are some images of previous shoots for Grizzly Customs.   
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 The Space Needle as seen from Chihuly Gardens. Vacation is over, back to work. I'm back home from a week in Seattle. It was my first visit to that town, and it was an overall pleasant experience. My wife has a business trip, and my daughter and I tagged along. Of course, I brought my camera. A few impressions of Seattle:  1. Not as crime-ridden and overrun with homeless drug users as the media makes it out to be. I saw a few makeshift tents and the drug users were there, but mostly concentrated in a few spots. Overall, the streets were clean and safe with a strong police presence. Panhandlers weren't any worse than most American cities. In terms of homelessness, Seattle didn't compare to what I saw in California last year. 2. People were generally friendly. Maybe that was because everyone was high - everywhere you go smells like skunk-weed. 3. Everything is expensive. 4. Seattle is an international city. I heard so many different languages. 5. Great food. 6. Great art, and we only scratched the surface. 7. It's a photographer's paradise. I had so much to shoot, and so little time to do it. I could have stayed another week.  The Market.  Gray Whale off the coast of Everett, Washington.  Sunset over the Puget Sound. Gotta go now, check back on my Facebook for more images over the next week.  "Mother and Child On Shore 1" 2019. I'm proud to announce my latest photo galleries are now open. "I Love The Coasts" are three collections of images from America's three coastlines - the Atlantic, the Pacific, and of course, the Gulf Coast. Every photographer knows the shore is a magical place, but the Gulf Coast holds the most magic for me. I consider it as much my home as the Wiregrass. The Gulf Coast possesses a unique beauty that sets it apart from America's oceanic coastlines. Maybe it's the sugar white beaches that line the shores from Pensacola to Mexico Beach. Maybe its the blue-green waters and gentle surf that sparkle like a jewel on a summer day. The Atlantic faces the sunrise, the Pacific faces the sunset, but along the Gulf the sun rises and sets where sand meets the surf. This collection's 33 images were created over seven years, and includes photos from Mobile Bay to Panama City Beach. The great part is I am still adding to it! So sit back, relax, dream of summer and browse the Gulf Coast Gallery. If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places." Autographed paperback copy of "Abandoned Wiregrass"
$24.99
Get "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South’s Lost and Forgotten Places" signed by the author! Welcome to the Wiregrass, a place where abandoned doesn't always mean vacant, and vacant doesn't always mean empty. Nestled between Florida's sugar-white beaches and the agriculturally rich Black Belt, there exists a land of endless peanut fields and high cotton. This is the deepest of the Deep South, Dixie's last stand before accents and culture take on a decidedly Northern flavor along the Gulf Coast and Florida Peninsula. Narrow asphalt ribbons wind through this region's pine forests, passing through small farming communities that are fighting for survival in the global economy. The lingering aftershocks of the 2008 economic crisis and 2018's Hurricane Michael still reverberate here. These pressures, along with an aging and declining population, have created a region where abandoned buildings are commonplace. These forgotten structures speak of dreams lost; from crumbling sharecropper shacks, to desolate main streets, to modern homes where the owners simply moved on. Take a journey with award-winning author and photographer Brian Braden as he chronicles the slow-motion apocalypse of abandoned homes and businesses of the Wiregrass and also discovers a place of hope and transition, where citizens fight to revitalize their hometowns and preserve a rich cultural heritage. Allow 1-2 weeks for delivery. "Chronicles of Fu Xi: Three Book Set" signed by author.
$55.00
Get all three paperback novels signed by the author! Set in the long-forgotten period of ancient history known as "The Younger Dryas," THE CHRONICLES OF FU XI transforms recently re-discovered Black Sea legends, possibly the root of all Eurasian mythology, with ancient Chinese mythology to create an unprecedented epic fantasy series. Allow 1-2 weeks for delivery.  I've always known it to be there for as long as I can remember, but I have no idea when it was constructed, who the builder was, or when it shut down. I have a faint recollection of a time when the roadside market, flea market, or tourist trap was in business, but my memories are vague. Over the years, it appeared to be deteriorating more and more, eventually becoming a dilapidated roadside ruin. It was a point of interest, perhaps only deserving a brief glance from motorists zooming along US 231 in Pike County. Unfortunately, a significant portion of Pike Pioneer Village has now been destroyed, and it's gone forever. On Friday, April 7th, 2023, a massive fire ravaged Pioneer Village, located along US 231 just north of Troy, Alabama. The fire destroyed a substantial portion of the abandoned complex, which consisted of cabins and storefronts designed to resemble a 19th-century pioneer settlement. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.  Image: WFSA News Several years prior to beginning work on my book, "Abandoned Wiregrass," I happened to pass by Pioneer Village on my way home from another location. On a whim, I decided to stop and take some photographs. I snapped a few pictures of the main gate and a firetruck located along the right-of-way. The produce stand situated at the front of the property still had goods on the shelves, giving the impression that it had been in business recently. The grass inside the main gate appeared to have been mowed in the past few weeks (it was a rainy July, and grass in the southern states grows quickly). As the property wasn't marked with any signs or fenced off, I naturally assumed that some of the buildings within the complex may have reopened for business. So, I wandered into the main courtyard, hoping to find somebody around or some of the storefronts renovated with hours of operation displayed. Regrettably, after surveying the area and taking some photos, it became clear that the complex hadn't reopened. With this realization, I climbed back into my truck and continued on my way. Over the years, the Pioneer Village complex deteriorated further and further due to neglect. Despite my intention to return to the site and my attempts to identify the property owner, I was unable to do so. Each time I drove by, I wondered if someone would eventually take on the task of restoring and reopening the place. Pioneer Village was just one of many abandoned locations along the US 231 highway between Troy and Montgomery, reflecting the economic stagnation of this corridor Whenever I drive along the US 231 between Troy and Montgomery, I can't help but notice numerous places that I wish someone would restore and reopen. Despite being a busy four-lane highway, economic development along the Troy-Montgomery corridor appears to have stagnated since 1985, or perhaps even worsened. Several years ago, the State of Alabama made the decision to close down the only rest areas along this 40-mile stretch of highway, and things have only gone downhill from there. Finding a gas station in this area has become increasingly difficult since the turn of the century. Unless you venture closer to either Troy or Montgomery, it's rare to come across any modern development. The Sikes and Kohns outlet store located in Pine Level, roughly halfway between the two cities, seems to be the only exception to the economic stagnation that plagues this corridor. Despite its decline, I believe that Pioneer Village had become a landmark in Pike County. When driving southbound from Montgomery, the ruin signaled the end of the long journey to Troy and the start of the availability of gas stations, restaurants, and restrooms. Sadly, like many abandoned structures I've photographed over the years, Pioneer Village is now gone forever. Another landmark and piece of local heritage have vanished. While it may have been considered an eyesore by some, I can't help feeling a little sad. Pioneer Village once paid homage to Alabama's pioneer history and, as time passed, it became a part of that history. Any potential it once had for restoration will now never be realized, and it is simply another ruin on the long, tedious drive from one place to another. A lost opportunity. On that summer day, I found Pioneer Village hauntingly beautiful, a place with potential that deserved my time and attention. The soft light, sultry air, and humid conditions made for a perfect Alabama summer evening. I'm glad I listened to my gut and took those photos. In the years since, I've published four of the roadside images in my book, "Abandoned Wiregrass," while keeping the rest private until now. Now that much of Pioneer Village has been destroyed, I've decided to share the previously unpublished images as a historical record with the public. If you have memories of when it was open, knowledge of its history, interesting photos to share, or personal experiences about the place, please feel free to share them in the comments. (All images and material Copyright © 2023 Brian L. Braden Photography and Creative Arts. All rights reserved.) If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places." This is my favorite part of spring (or late winter), when its new and raw and can't quite push winter out of the way. The sky still wants to stay angry, but the earth wants to kiss and make up. I like to take candid shots of their conversations. This is Talladega County in Alabama. It's one of the most beautiful counties in my state, and a place I visit often. Enjoy.      If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places."
 The house rested downslope from a rural Alabama state road on a rather steep piece of property. I pulled over, looked at it from a few angles, and then almost didn't take any images. From a photography perspective the structure was uninteresting. Maybe it would get better at the Golden Hour, but probably not. In my opinion, there is nothing notable about these images. The light is summertime high noon. If it conjures any feelings, it's those of Alabama heat and discomfort. I couldn't get any closer than the roadside (these are at full 300mm zoom), so the angles are rather mundane. Meh.
I took the images anyway, and then resumed my journey. I edited them that night, and then forgot about them. I've never displayed these photographs before. Looking back, I think these are notable images just for the subject matter alone. From the outside, it's a good house. It is heavily overgrown, but mostly fast-growing vines. It's been perhaps two or three seasons since the neglect began. Yet, it is apparently salvageable. The roof looks good. A satellite dish adorns each corner, giving clues to when it was inhabited. There is a story here. If you recognize this house, please don't leave a comment about who it belongs to or the story behind it or where it is because these stories are seldom happy. None of that is really important. What matters is that it is empty, and there are so many like it, and no one seems to be paying attention. There are way too many houses like this, fairly modern and functional homes, along the South's backroads and rural highways. They are everywhere. Everywhere. I see more and more each year. This is why these mundane images of an abandoned house in the middle of deep rural South Alabama are so important. This isn't right and it hasn't always been this way. Start paying attention and you'll see them, too. Modern homes. Good homes. All abandoned, all in plain sight. Then you won't be able to stop seeing them.  If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places."
I met Adam Kamerer at a book signing last year, and later discovered his poetry. I'm not an expert on poetry, but I recognize talent when I read it. While I was browsing Adam's poetry website, I came across this poem. "Feraling" conjured images and feelings from my visit to the Aracata Forest in Northern California a few years ago. I asked Adam if I could combine his poetry with my images, and he graciously agreed. I hope you enjoy this poem as much as I did. Please click over and visit Adam's website for more poetry. Feraling.
I hope you enjoyed Adam's work. I want to highlight other local artists and writers in the coming year. If you are a Wiregrass area author, artist or photographer and would like to collaborate or have your work showcased on The Illusion Exotic, please contact me.  If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books.
 Go Wildcats! I bet you thought I had stopped doing Photo Phridays. You were right, I had. But now it's back. I'm taking fewer photos than I did a year ago. It's not intentional, its simply a matter of time and opportunity. One such time and opportunity was last fall's Enterprise High School football season. I brought along my little T5 Rebel and the kit 300mm lens just for fun to a few games (and to take pics of my daughter in band!) I've got to say upfront, I'm not a sports photographer. Not even close. I don't have the right gear, the right experience or the right access. However, I thought my little Rebel did pretty good capturing what action I could see from the cheap seats. What lessons did I learn from the experience? Its a good idea to have a good low-light camera. Mine isn't. If you are jacking up the ISO and have a digital zoom, you're going to have grainy images. This matters, too, for shutter speed. I struggled to keep it above 1/200s, but with a cropped sensor, that was difficult. Anything below that and I ran the risk of blurring. 400mm zoom or better is a must with a pole mount if you're serious (I'm not). Sideline access is better, but there was something to be said about the perspective from the stands. If you are going to be high up, sit somewhere so people ahead of you don't block your view. Lessons aside, taking these was fun. If you're one of my local friends, then you are familiar with the excellent sports and music program at Enterprise High School. Its one of the best in the state! Here's some shots of the 2022-23 Enterprise Alabama Wildcats Football and Big Blue Marching Band season. Enjoy! #enterprisealabama #wildcats #bigbluemarchingband #EHS #enterprisehighschool #sportsphotography #highschoolfootball #fridaynightlights  If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places."
 Vince Gill in concert at the Dothan Civic Center. Goodbye 2022. It's been a blessed year for me, both in the photography and writing fronts. I did a decent amount of both writing and photography, but not enough to satisfy me. My day job and family obligations took precedent, as they should. I also started a new journey into taking care of my body (down 15 pounds so far). In fact, I really ought to be at the gym right now but find myself drinking coffee in my pajamas in front of the computer. I'll talk about my writing in a future blog post, but on this New Year's Eve, I'll recap 2022 from the photography perspective. If I could sum up 2022, I'd say it was the year I started to find my brand. It's the first year I began selling prints, it's the first year I won any serious awards for my work, and it's the first year I began to think of myself as a fine art photographer. Giving myself an artistic label doesn't mean limiting myself to only one creative area, it just means that I have a lens to focus my efforts. Having a focus is good, as it allows me to concentrate effort, build depth and increase my skills. These are my favorite images from 2022, presented in generic categories. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I did taking them. My Favorite 2022 Images Taken for next photography bookIn 2022 I started work on my next photography book. I didn't get as far as I wanted, but I made a good start. For this project, I have as much research to accomplish as I do actual photography. I also have a lot of Photoshop work ahead of me, as this project will involve digital art as well. I might even have to hire a model or two. It's a big project, but one I truly believe is worthy of the effort it will require. The project is related to Abandoned Wiregrass, but far more ambitious and more history-based. This project also marks the first time I've changed how I conduct my field work - much of it is now done using a motorcycle instead of my truck (its just more fun). I put 5000 miles on my Harley in 2022, most of it working on this book. This project also saw me reverting to using my cropped-sensor camera more often then my full-frame Canon. Hopefully, 2023 will see the book's completion. I'm keeping its details under wraps until I can pitch it to a publisher. Here's a sneak peak at the first draft images. My Favorite 2022 Fine Art PhotographyThese fine art images are not associated with any specific project. They are either images that presented themselves, or me simply trying to perfect my art. 2022 was a year I took fewer images, but tried to push my personal limits on composition and light. Another change from 2022 from previous years was more use of my old cropped-sensor Rebel as opposed to my more capable 6D. I find in bright or medium light, especially outdoors, the little Rebel is just more practical. It's lighter, fits in smaller spaces, can take punishment, and I don't worry about breaking it. It can also use my high-ed glass with it. The more comfortable I get with my style and gear, the more I can "squeeze out" of less capable equipment. In fact, several of these images are IPhone shots. While I try to always have my DSLR camera with me, this year I got caught a few times without it. That's no excuse for not getting the shot, so I pulled out my IPhone more often in 2022. When using a phone, one must rely heavily on skill, and that means leveraging light and composition to the maximum extent possible. If you want to have fun, try to guess which images were taken with my phone, which were with my little Canon Rebel, and which were taken with the full-frame Canon 6D. It is my hope in 2023 to open an online store to sell my fine art photography. I need to get smart on it first. More to follow. My Favorite 2022 Client Images2022 marked the fewest portrait clients I've had since I started photography. Most of these were repeat customers, family or close friends. I didn't actively seek new clients in 2022 because most of my efforts centered on fine art photography. As I said before, this is where I am starting to find my niche. However, I still love portraiture, and will still do it on a case-by-case basis. Going into 2023, my goal is to deliberately move toward a more fine art style of portraiture when the opportunity presents itself. I think these 2022 images show the direction I'm moving. I want to evoke feelings and reflect how the client wants to see themselves.I want to boldly use light and setting to accomplish this. Simply put, in 2023 I want to forge my own unique artistic path, not necessarily a commercially-oriented one. I'm looking for clients who would like to be a part of this journey; those who won't shy away from trying new things and have fun creating memorable photography experiences. If you're interested in a fine-art portrait session in 2023, personal or commercial, please take a look at these images below, or at my broader portfolio, and contact me. My Favorite 2022 Music ImagesIf you know me, you know I love music photography! Starting in 2016, I cut my chops taking live performance photos. 2022 took me in new and exciting directions. Summer 2022 saw an extraordinary opportunity drop into my lap. I was hired to photograph country music legend Vince Gill I think I did a good job despite the "handcuffs" the venue places on photography. I was thankful for the chance to work the event. I love working under pressure, and this event challenged me. I'm really proud of my work on this one. Helping make an album cover was another first for me in 2022. It was my honor to assist rising country music performer Bryson Storey create his first album, Bellwood Road. This was LOT of fun and I learned a how to format an album cover. If you love country music, checkout his music! Thankfully I was able to hit Harlow's in Ozark, Alabama at least once in 2022 to catch Temple Monarc once again. I'm hoping 2023 will afford me and my camera more opportunities to visit Harlow's (my favorite music venue) and catch some of the best performers in the area. Music photography is my favorite, and that means all aspects of music photography! If you are a performer or band and you need high quality imagery, browse my portfolio here and on Facebook give me a shout. Just For Fun in 2022I took these photos in 2022 just for fun! I took these on vacation, at motorcycle events and at the beach. I simply liked them, maybe you will too! Thank You...For those who have visited this blog and supported my art and literature in 2022, THANK YOU! I'm hoping 2023 leads to exciting new possibilities in both my writing and photography. I'm still having fun, and I hope you are, too. If you're new to my blog and work, you can find out my books here and here. Thank you and Happy New Year!  If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places."
 I like pushing my personal boundaries as a photographer. Last week's portrait sessions at Harley Davidson of Dothan was one of those times. A friend asked me to donate my services for charity in support of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. For a few bucks, someone could get a portrait with with their motorcycle. All proceeds went to CMA's faith-based community work. A huge Thank You to Falon and all the people at Harley Davidson of Dothan/Holland Motorsports for all the help getting the space to do the photoshoot. Thanks to CMA for helping with set-up, tear-down, moving and wiping down bikes.  The set-up ended up being a significant challenge. An outdoor shoot would have been out of the question. It was HOT, and there wasn't a really good location outside where backdrop and light came together. Holland Motorsports graciously allowed us to use their storage bay, and with a few modifications, it all worked out.
Essentially, I had to set up a temporary photo studio on-site. I'd done this before on a smaller scale, but nothing on this big. The backdrop had to be large enough for person and motorcycle. It took me about an hour for set up, and I was surprised how well it turned out, but I had three significant challenges: Light, floor and backdrop. I only had limited control over light, but I was pleased with the results. We couldn't turn off all the lights, and there was some "warm light" leakage from skylights, but overall it worked out well. Really well, actually. However, the floor presented more of a problem, and opportunity, in this area than I had expected.  The bright blue floor, complete with paintings of sea-life, presented a challenge for both light and safety. I had brought black floor cloths to cover the floor, but they proved to be too slippery on the smooth surface and had to be initially abandoned. Fortuneatly, CMA brougt in black floor mats that held my drop cloths in place. However, in a few shots I actually used the blue floor to reflect light to accentuate blue motorcycle paint on a few bikes. That worked out well. I needed a wider backdrop, which forced me to stay tight on the motorcycles. This wasn't a big deal, as it just forced me into a different photography style, which actually worked better than my original concept. I quickly realized the motorcycle shouldn't' be the focus, the riders should be the focus. The bike is an extension of the rider, not the other way around. One of my dreams is to design a mobile photo studio, and this event went a long way in testing some of those concepts.
I learned a lot of lessons at this photoshoot, and had a great time. If you're interested in a portrait session with your motorcycle or vehicle (or any portrait session), contact me to schedule a mini-session.  If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places."
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