The first few months of the year are relatively quiet as far as weddings go, so most photographers hole up, regroup and plan for the upcoming year. I also used the time to work on “Compete,” an ongoing personal project focusing on sports. In January I made a quick visit to photograph some local amateur MMA cage fighters.

I had never shot Mixed Martial Arts before and really was just trying to get a feel for shooting the sport on my first visit. There are a few more contests coming up that will hopefully lead to something better.

•••

Next up: The Alamo. Not the real one, the fake one. Which, actually, looks more real than the real one. Confusing?

I was in Brackettville a few weeks ago on assignment for the Houston Chronicle. The small city about 2 hours west of San Antonio is perhaps best known for Alamo Village, the replica built for John Wayne’s movie, “The Alamo” (surprise!). I say it looks more real than the real Alamo because the setting is a bit more authentic to the period in history for which the mission is best know. Namely, this Alamo hasn’t been repaired and isn’t surrounded by tourist traps. It’s the “1836 Alamo.”

The movie set was built for the 1959 movie, consisting of both the Alamo replica as well as the town, and has been since used for more than 100 movies, tv shows, commercials, music videos, etc.

When I first pulled up there was a good number of angus (angi?) hanging out. They took a keen interest in what I was doing. I looked up to find them all steering at me. (Ha! Get it? Steering. Staring. Anyone? No?)

The family that owns the property recently decided to close Alamo Village to the public, so I felt very fortunate to be able to visit and explore. (It’s still available as a movie set.) Rich Curilla, the property’s curator/historian/caretaker was super-nice and very helpful. He loves the place and it shows.

This is Rich showing off the village jail.

Well, that’s it. I have more I could show, but I dont’ want to bore anyone. Now that wedding season is upon us, I’ll have more to share real soon.

Cheers!

So, let me answer a couple of questions you might have:

Why the name change?
I plan on being a wedding photographer for a looong time, but I don’t plan on doing it alone. As nurImages, I’ll be working alongside other photographers with the same passion and attention to detail for wedding photography as I have. As the business grows, the focus will not be on any one individual, but the shared vision and goals of the collective group. Having a business name helps avoid any confusion that might grow out of that.

Why nurImages?
Nur is the arabic word for “light.” To me, it has always meant something more than physical light, but rather something deeper — an attribute we all have within us. It’s our goal to show that light through our photography.

What will happen to Mark Sobhani Photography?
I’m still Mark Sobhani, so I guess Mark Sobhani Photography will always exist in some fashion. I plan on keeping the marksobhani.com website. It’s focus will be my editorial, commercial and corporate work.

I’m so confused.
That’s not a question.

I know, I know. Fiesta is sooo over already. I’ve been a little slow on updating the blog. But, nobody is really looking at this blog, so does it really matter? Didn’t think so.

Anyhoo…I went wandering the Fiesta Flambeau parade. Part of me wanted to take photos. Part of my wanted carnival food. We both left happy.

Steve and Vicki, Downtown San Antonio

These two are getting married in June. We went out last week to celebrate their engagement and make a few photos.

Steve and Vicki are so cool. I’ve kinda (sorta) known them for a while, and they always seemed so serious and business-like. But when we went out on Sunday, they really let their hair down and acted themselves: fun and carefree. It was a fun day for me, I’m sure, as well as for Steve and Vicki.

More from them in a little while.

Sunset

Maui, Hawaii

New Year’s Eve

Downtown San Antonio, 12/31/08

Delisi Araceli

Miss Latina World

Rae

Ronald McDonald House Charities Luncheon and Fashion Show

Model, Actress, Creator of Suzi Suzuki