Playing in the Rockies….

I’ve lived in Denver for about a year and a half now and ever since I moved here I’ve wanted to get some photos of the snow capped Rocky Mountains as a backdrop to a nice skydive.  Since jumping in Colorado isn’t a regular occurrence for me, I finally made it out to the DZ early one Saturday morning in June with Brad and Jenny to snap off a few photos!  I think the shots came out pretty nice, and now I have some ideas for next Spring.  All I have to do now is wait another year 😉  In the mean time, enjoy the Rockies!

American Revolution Boogie at Skydive Dallas

Over the 4th of July weekend Skydive Dallas hosted their Annual American Revolution Boogie in Texas.  SkyVenture Colorado was there selling raffle tickets for a free hour of tunnel time as well as giving away free loads to jumpers there.  Performance Designs was there allowing anyone and everyone to try out some of their demonstration canopies, and Liquid Sky was there measuring folks up for their new suits.

If you’d like to check out the ENTIRE GALLERY ONLINE please visit my events gallery.  Enjoy!

Missing Person: Dave Brown

UPDATE: Dave’s Remains Found

Not photography related, but a very good friend of mine and former teammate (Team Mandrin) has gone missing.  Please spread the word and send good thoughts for his safe return:

Please check out the following press release. If you have any information, contact the entities mentioned below and please do help spread the word.  To see more pictures of Dave & his skydiving team please click here.


David (Dave) Roy Brown was last seen at 2PM Wednesday June 29th in Moab, Utah. A missing persons report has been filed with the Moab Police Department. Dave can be described as a fun and energetic 37 year-old approximately 6’0 tall, 180 pounds with green eyes and dark brown hair. Dave has four tattoos: a black bat on his left shoulder, and a hummingbird, an alien head, and a moustache on his back.

Dave is a popular member of the skydiving community and well-loved by all who know him. Dave’s friends and family are asking everyone to report any information related to the disappearance of our close friend, brother and son.

Dave was last seen in the vicinity of Skydive Moab, a common Utah destination for outdoor adventurists. Moab itself is a small community with a population of about 10,000 people. Those closest to Dave around the time he was last seen are confused as to why such a talented, well-liked extreme athlete would be missing. All of his personal credentials (driver’s license, Canadian passport, US Green Card, credit card, etc.), clothing and belongings, and cash were left behind at his place of residence. Friends and family are very concerned and asking for everyone to be on the lookout.

A local police report has been filed, however, an incredible unofficial search and rescue effort is being launched. Although informal compared to State run operations, this rescue effort is being collaborated and largely driven initially by the incredible connectivity of Facebook. Dave’s roots and family are based in Atlantic Canada yet his friends from all over the United States, as far as California and Hawaii, are communicating in an attempt to find Dave safely. Introductions are being made quickly and all involved are sharing information, resources and ideas on how to best proceed with search and rescue efforts. All informal search and rescue efforts are being coordinated with the Moab Police Department.

Time is of the essence and all help is appreciated. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Dave Brown, please contact the Moab Police Department (435-259-8938). To learn how to contribute to the Facebook-led efforts of coordinating search and rescue efforts on the ground in Moab contact Wendi TeKamp (Dave’s Sister) at 902-444-5430 or mzwendi@gmail.com. All information is greatly appreciated from the friends and family of Dave!


Camera Flyer Skills Camp with SkyVenture Colorado

Every time I go to an event I’m always meeting new jumpers. Some have been in the sport a short time while others have been doing it longer than I have.  Inevitably someone will ask me a question about how I take my pictures.  They are curious about the angle I shoot the big ways or what settings I use for an average skydive. If you’ve ever asked me about any of these things then you’ll know that I love to geek out and chat cameras for as long as time permits.

With that said, I’ve been working with SkyVenture Colorado on several projects this past year and we decided that we would host a Camera Fliers Skills Camp.  Learning the techniques from the Tunnel to the Sky.  200 jump minimum required.  If you’re just starting out filming your friends, work shooting tandems all day long, or want to get better at shooting big ways and filming your team on the side, then you should pay attention!

This is a comprehensive camp including both video and stills, covering everything from setting up the equipment, exits, flying, framing the shot, to landing and post-production / promotion.  If you are just starting out or are looking to take your current product to the next level, then this camp is for you!

Sign up now with SkyVenture Colorado and soak up the knowledge from someone who has been there and gotten the shot!

Where the Hell is Matt? Denver!

Back in 2005 / 2006 I was just about to wrap up a decade of sitting in a cubicle at one of the many big Corporate American Machines I worked at when I stumbled on a video.  It was a guy about my age, from a town right next to the one where I grew up.  He had a website called WhereTheHellIsMatt and was doing his bad white boy dancing.  So what was so unique about his bad dancing that set him apart?  The Youtube video was just a couple minutes long, but it showed short clips of him dancing all spliced together from all over the world.   Take a peak!

Well, this gave me a kick in the pants.  If he can see all of those places so can I! I was already planning in the back of my mind, but this certainly helped things along.  At the end of 2006 I quit my job, sold my house and left the country.  I was unemployed and traveled around the world twice seeing nearly 35 countries along the way over 2007 & 2008.  It was easily the best decision that I have ever made in my entire life!

With all of that said, feel free to look at my Blog Archive on the right back in those years and relive my travels.  In the mean time, Matt is up more traveling.  This year doing a US tour and he stopped off in Denver.   Here are some shots from his visit at where other than the Dancing Aliens!  With very short noticed and creating a Facebook event and Twitter feed, he had a few hundred people there to help him dance in no time!  Enjoy!

Denver’s Pride Fest and Parade

Oh my Gay!  That’s right it’s Pride Fest time.  Both my girlfriend and I have several good friends who are gay.  So this year during Denver’s Annual Pride Fest, we decided to go over a friend’s place and check out the Pride Parade.  Every year it’s put on by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Colorado (The Center) and it’s usually a bit over the top.  Which for a photographer is exactly what we want to hear!  And thankfully for me, this year was no different!  This year’s theme was in support of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network after the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell‘.  Here is a sneak peak of what I was able to capture street side.  If you’d like to see the ENTIRE GALLERY PLEASE VISIT IT HERE.

Again, if you’d like to see the ENTIRE GALLERY PLEASE VISIT IT HERE.

Home Studio is now OPEN for Business!

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s official, Brian Buckland Photography has an up and running home studio to meet all of your photographic needs.  Located in Denver (over in Stapleton), we’re open for business on June 15th!  Whether you’re looking for shots of your dog, professional / corporate shots, family portraits, promotional product images just say the word.  Reach out and contact me in order to line up your Studio Shoot today.  For more details of what’s included please visit my Studio Session Information Page with pricing.

I have also updated my Print Prices.  I have tried to maintain a reasonable cost for prints to my consumers, but after keeping the old price structure in place for 6 years, it’s time for a modest increase.  Consumer based pricing along with information about booking your Studio Session can be found here.  Commercial and Event pricing upon request.  Feel free to contact me at any time to discuss your project.

CarolinaFest 2011

It was another Epic Boogie at CarolinaFest 2011 in Chester, SC this past weekend hosted by none other than Skydive Carolina.  Despite the 97 degree heat and near 100% humidity, skydivers from all over filled the planes and kept the boogie going.  The vibe and the energy alone made you forget about the oppressive heat and just focus on the next jump.  Check out some of the choice shots from the event below, or follow this link to SKIP STRAIGHT TO THE FULL GALLERY.

CarolinaFest was also the sole US stop for the Cypres 20th Anniversary Pink Party!  Everyone got dressed up in their best ‘pink’ outfits, jumped into the Pink Party Photo Booth and the person with the best costume won a free, limited edition, gold plated Cypres 2.  The best group shot won 20 jumps and 20 pack jobs which makes jumping as much as you can on Sunday that much easier!  Here are the winners:

UPT was there offering anyone who dared to use their Intentional Cutaway Rig.  I was lucky enough to join in the fun to witness just how fast the SkyHook RSL works!  Let me tell ya, it’s pretty amazing to see it up close and personal.

The rest of the boogie went off without a hitch.  The jumps were fun, the Cypres Pink Party was amazing (slightly helped along by the 3 margarita machines serving up pink margaritas!)  Here are some of the other shots from around the boogie. If you’d like to SEE THE ENTIRE GALLERY PLEASE CLICK HERE.  Otherwise clicking any image should bring you there as well.  Thanks again to James and Skydive Carolina for putting it all together!  Looking forward to next year!

Studio Shots Gallery…

Take a peak at some of my studio work.  If you’re interested in a session please don’t hesitate to contact me.  Introductory pricing and availability coming in less than 2 weeks!  Target opening is June 15th!

These are some shots from a few sessions I’ve done in the past year.  More to come for sure!  Check out the highlights from my time in the studio since I’ve been in Denver.  I’ll be updating this gallery as I have more people and dogs in the studio.

New Logo / New Rig….

I’ve been working on it for some time, but I finally came up with a new logo as the first step to update my website.  I should say that Niklas Daniel lent a major hand in the initial design as you will probably note some similarities with his.  Regardless, it’s here and it’s now getting posted all over.

I even had some help from Wicked Stitches to digitize my logo and got it slapped on my handy new Vector Micron.  I found my way into my studio this past week and was able to snap off some updated promotional shots.  Here is one of my favorites showing off the new logo.  I’d say I’m ready for summer!



Speaking of my studio, some exciting stuff is happening!  I’ll have a post next week showing off the new space and soon to follow my updated pricing.  Come one, come all, The Doors are Opening for Business!