Alabama moms Sophie Clark and Nicole Davis reunited after welcoming their April babies – June Carter Clark and Johnny Cash Davis, this time for a fun photoshoot with their little ones.

According to photographer Chantel Miller, the moms even took the time to take a road trip from Alabama to Tennessee over the weekend for the photoshoot in Miller’s Knoxville studio.

Miller told “Good Morning America” they had all connected after she, a self-described “huge Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash fan” saw a news story about the two families and left a comment on a social media post about it.

“I was absolutely enamored with the thought of these two babies being photographed together. I had commented on the story about how as a newborn photographer it would be a chance of a lifetime to photograph these babies; and out of thousands of comments Sophie happened to read mine,” Miller said via email.

Clark, Davis and Miller met for the photoshoot on May 4 ,and the resulting photos of baby Johnny and baby June, amid music-themed backdrops and props, were, as Davis put it, “epic!”

Miller said she used two photos of the late married country music superstars in particular as inspiration for the newborn photos.

“Little June was very alert and resisted sleep initially but was very calm and expressive; she is a sweet little girl!” Miller recalled, adding that “Johnny was as cool as a cucumber,” and slept throughout the photoshoot and “was an amazing baby to work with.”

Clark previously told “GMA” that she fell in love with the name June for her daughter and wanted to include her husband’s name, Carter, in their baby’s name. Davis, meanwhile, said she and her husband, Johnny Lee Davis Jr., went back and forth until they decided on Johnny Cash Davis, for their baby boy, whom they plan on calling Cash.

“My heart is definitely full that not only did I get the opportunity to meet these amazing babies and their families; but I am too am now part of this amazing story!” Miller said.

In the intricate dance of running a photography business, finding the right rhythm between creativity and efficient management is crucial. When I discovered 17 Hats, it was like adding a skilled partner to my solo performance. Let’s explore the top five ways 17 Hats revolutionized my business, making the complex waltz of entrepreneurship smoother and more synchronized.

1. Simplicity in complexity: The ease of use factor

Remember the days when software like QuickBooks made you feel like you needed an accounting degree? 17 Hats changed the game. Its user-friendly interface brought simplicity to my complex business needs. Suddenly, managing finances wasn’t a dreaded chore but an integral, manageable part of my daily workflow.

2. Project management: Keeping the focus sharp

As a photographer juggling multiple projects, it’s easy to lose focus. 17 Hats introduced a project management system that was a game-changer. It allowed me to track each project’s progress, ensuring no deadline slipped through the cracks. This feature was like having an assistant reminding me of what needs attention and keeping my business sharp and on point.

3. Customizable workflows: Every photographer’s dream

The beauty of photography lies in its diversity, and so does the beauty of 17 Hats. Whether you’re a wedding photographer, a portrait artist, or a landscape enthusiast, the customizable workflows in 17 Hats adapt to your unique business style. It’s like having a tailor-made suit; it just fits perfectly.

4. Streamlining with automation: The silent assistant

Imagine having a silent assistant who takes care of emails, invoices, and contracts without needing constant supervision. That’s what the automation feature in 17 Hats did for me. This efficiency not only saved time but also minimized human error, ensuring a smoother, more professional client interaction.

5. Financial fluidity: Making money moves easier

Lastly, the ease of handling payments with 17 Hats felt like a breath of fresh air. It streamlined the process of collecting payments and transferring them to my account. This feature not only made my financial transactions seamless but also added a layer of professionalism to my business dealings.

To sum it up, 17 Hats isn’t just a tool; it’s a business partner for photographers who aspire to merge their creative passion with smart business acumen. It’s about working smarter, not harder, and focusing on what we love most – capturing moments through our lenses. So, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, I highly encourage you to consider how a tool like 17 Hats can elevate your photography business to the next level.

This is a guest article from Chicago-based photographer Charlene Sligting. Charlene is a visual storyteller who captures life’s moments in an unforgettable, stunning way. She specializes in product, event, and real estate photography.

Google has officially announced the release of the Pixel 8a, the latest addition to its smartphone lineup. Powered by the new Google Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a inherits prominent features from its siblings, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, setting a new benchmark in the mid-range smartphone market.

Design and Display Enhancements

The Pixel 8a showcases an enhanced A-Series design with smooth rounded edges and a matte back secured in an aluminum frame for improved durability. It is designed to withstand everyday mishaps including slips and spills. Moreover, the new Actua display on the Pixel 8a is 40% brighter than its predecessor and offers a smoother user experience with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Color options have expanded with the introduction of Aloe and Bay, alongside the standard Obsidian and Porcelain. The phone also comes with a higher storage capacity option of 256 GB.

At-a-Glance

• Google Tensor G3 Chip: The latest and most advanced Google processor, designed for high efficiency and performance, especially in AI-powered tasks.
• Durability: Features a refined design with rounded edges, a matte back, and an aluminum frame. It is the most durable A-Series phone, resistant to slips, spills, and dust.
• Actua Display: A new display technology that is 40% brighter than the Pixel 7a, with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling.
• Camera System:
  • Dual Rear Cameras: 64-megapixel main lens and a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens.
  • Front Camera: 13-megapixel with a wide field-of-view.
  • Photography Features: Includes AI-powered tools like Best Take, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser. Also supports Super Res Zoom up to 8x, Magic Eraser, Night Sight, and Photo Unblur.
• Colors and Design: Available in new A-series colors Aloe and Bay, along with neutral options Obsidian and Porcelain.
• Storage Options: Offers a larger storage capacity with a 256 GB option.
• Audio Features: Includes new Audio Emoji for expressive phone calls, and the Audio Magic Eraser for removing background noise in videos.
• Security: Powered by the Titan M2 security chip and includes a built-in VPN, ensuring robust protection against threats.
• Software Support: Promises seven years of software updates, including security updates and Android OS upgrades.
• AI Features: Built-in AI features such as Gemini for on-the-go assistance, and Circle to Search for easy information access without app switching.
• Family Features: Improved setup for families with parental controls and privacy settings through Family Link.

Exceptional Camera Features

Google continues to push the envelope in mobile photography with the Pixel 8a. The phone features a dual rear camera system consisting of a 64-megapixel main and a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens, complemented by a 13-megapixel front-facing camera. The integration of the Google Tensor G3 chip enables advanced AI functionalities such as Best Take, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser, enhancing both photo and video quality.

Innovative features like Super Res Zoom up to 8x, Night Sight, and Photo Unblur are also included, alongside Real Tone, which ensures accurate skin tone representation.

Streamlined AI Tools

The Google Tensor G3 chip empowers the Pixel 8a with various AI tools designed to simplify daily tasks. The introduction of Gemini, an advanced AI assistant, supports multifunctional capabilities from composing emails to planning trips. Circle to Search and various Pixel Call Assist features streamline interactions by integrating more functionalities directly into your mobile experience.

Additionally, the new Audio Emoji feature adds an expressive layer to phone calls, allowing users to send audio reactions and visual effects during conversations.

Family-Friendly Setup and Enhanced Security

Setting up a new Pixel 8a for family members is easier than ever. Improved initial setup processes paired with the Family Link app facilitate the establishment of digital boundaries and monitoring. On the security front, Google maintains its commitment to user safety with the integration of the Titan M2 security chip and a built-in VPN, ensuring robust protection against potential threats.

Long-Term Support and Availability

The Pixel 8a promises extensive software support with seven years of scheduled updates, ensuring users benefit from the latest security patches and Android features. Starting at $499, the Pixel 8a offers superb value with top-tier features accessible to a broader audience.

Expanded Pixel Family

In addition to the smartphone, the Pixel Tablet is now also available in new markets, coming with features that enhance productivity and entertainment. The tablet, available for pre-order, emphasizes Google’s commitment to providing a cohesive and powerful user experience across devices.

Both the Google Pixel 8a and Pixel Tablet are available for pre-order and will hit shelves starting May 14.

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Riding in the back seat of a car can be boring. Riding in the back of a NASA aircraft is exhilarating, especially for photographers capturing NASA’s story.

Jim Ross, photo lead at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif., was awarded first place for an image he took while flying upside down in a two-seat T-34C research aircraft.

In the photo, which was announced as the NASA Photo of the Year 2023 in the People category on April 15, 2024, Ross captures NASA research pilot Nils Larson in full flight gear, while the aircraft is doing aerobatic maneuvers. Most of us would struggle to keep our bearings, let alone operate a camera and frame a perfectly balanced image. NASA Armstrong photographers do this every flight day.

“When we fly proficiency flights, my mind is always thinking about what kind of photo I can take that will share what I am experiencing in the aircraft,” Ross said. “This photo was one that I feel is able to tell that story.” It’s telling the story that makes Ross’s work so important to NASA. Much of what NASA works on can only be witnessed by researchers and scientists, but having it capture in photo and video allows us to share the images with the world.

Ross began his aviation photography career in 1989 when he joined the photography staff at NASA’s Armstrong (then Dryden) Flight Research Center, now known as NASA Armstrong. He became the photo lead in 1997, a title he retains. In his 30 years of flying, he has flown on more than 900 missions and has about 1,100 flight hours in aircraft including T-33, T-34, T-38, F-15, F-16, F-18, KC-10, KC-135, C-12, C-20A, Boeing 747SP, and helicopters.

NASA previously recognized Ross for his work with the agency’s Public Service Medal and the Exceptional Public Achievement Medal. NASA also made a photo book of his work titled, “NASA Photo One,” which highlights 100 photos of his career. He also won the Best of the Best award from the Aviation Week & Space Technology photo contest in 2001. His work has appeared in many publications, including Aviation Week & Space Technology, National Geographic, and Air & Space Smithsonian.

Sixty years ago, the world was gripped by an unrivaled cultural phenomenon that came to be known as ‘Beatlemania.’

As The Beatles captured the hearts of millions, Paul McCartney captured the frenzy of their early sixties fame on his Pentax 35mm film camera, and these rarely seen images are now open for public viewing. 

Following a successful run at the National Portrait Gallery in London, the exhibition has now moved to the Brooklyn Museum in New York, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, and will remain on view until August 18, 2024. 

Film cameras have been making a steady comeback in recent years, and the dreamy and evocative images captured in ‘Paul McCartney Photographs 1963 – 1964: Eyes of the Storm’, make it easy to see why.

For the first time, more than 250 of McCartney’s photographs of this whirlwind time will be on display for people to look at and reminisce, or to try and comprehend the madness of Beatlemania. 

A unique glimpse into a period in recent history of unparalleled cultural importance, McCartney’s photographs capture the energy of The Beatles’ first visit to New York and the excitement of their American fans.

The band’s 1964 televised performance on The Ed Sullivan Show was viewed by approximately 73 million people. 

McCartney’s photographs also capture the excitement and emotions of the band as they navigate those unchartered waters of their intense fame.  

“Through [his] lens, we feel the intensity of being at the center of such extraordinary events,” says Catherine Futter, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Senior Curator of Decorative Arts. 

Not simply limited to photographs of sixties New York, the multimedia installation includes photography, video clips, and archival material tracing the period when The Beatles toured concert halls in Liverpool, London, then on to Paris, and the U.S. 

Demonstrating a lifelong commitment to visual and performing arts, McCartney’s range of work from portraiture and landscape photographs to documentary images highlights his awareness of formal styles of early 1960s photography. Evidence of New Wave documentary filmmaking and photojournalism can be found across the exhibition. 

This is a unique opportunity to view McCartney’s intimate photo album which not only serves a historical purpose, but also captures the lives of these four young men at a time when their lives were changing forever.

If you’re interested in getting your hands on a Pentax camera check out our guide to the best ones here. Or take a look at our guide to the best film cameras here, and our best retro models here.