James Nix Multimedia

North Carolina Photos of the Year award

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:28:38 +0000

I was honored to have one of my images place in the North Carolina Press Photographer’s Association annual Photos of the Year competition last weekend. My photo of a Central Cabarrus basketball player getting tripped up while driving to the basket was awarded third place in the Sports Action category.

A lot of wonderful work form various shooters in the state was recognized so take the time to check out the winners.

Some Favorites from 2011: Weddings

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:28:08 +0000

As we enter 2012 I wanted to take a minute and look back a few of my favorite wedding images last year. I’ve had the good fortune to work with and learn from the extremely awesome Jason Miczek as well as shoot a few on my own. Thank you to all the incredible brides and grooms who let me share their most memorable day. I’m looking forward to growing the wedding side of my photography in 2012.

Click on the photo above to see a full gallery or check out a few more images on the jump.

The Nutcracker

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:31:52 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

It’s not Christmas without “The Nutcracker.” At least that’s how Rebecca and Daniel Wiley feel. Each year the husband and wife dance teachers take a group of students and volunteers (ages 4 to 40+) and put on a production of the classic holiday ballet that seems to rival professional dance companies. I joined them for a dress rehearsal of the ballet last weekend and put together a short video. I had the nice problem of having too much stuff to jam into the 3 minutes and looking back there is even more I could have explored if I spent more time with them. Rebecca and Daniel were a joy to meet and hang out with for an afternoon and who knows, maybe next year I can spend more time documenting this wonderful production (They start rehearsals in September)

There are more photos on the jump …

Daniel Wiley, center, performs during a rehearsal of the Piedmont Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Sunday afternoon at the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center. (photo by James Nix) (James Nix)

Rebecca Paul, and other dancers warm up prior to a rehearsal of the Piedmont Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker Sunday afternoon at the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center. (photo by James Nix) (James Nix)

“Playoffs! Are you kidding me, I just hope we can win a game … “

admin — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:19:30 +0000

Kannapolis takes the field prior to a game against Weddington during the second round of the NCHSAA 3AA playoffs Friday night at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium. The Wonders defeated Weddington 41-20 to advance to the quarterfinals where they will meet Charlotte Catholic. (Photo by James Nix)

Each year as November comes around, there’s one question my girlfriend always asks me … “is football over yet?” She is referring to the one thing that keeps my Friday nights tied up from August through sometime in November or December. I’ve covered three playoff games in the last two weeks. As of this post, there are still two teams in my newspaper’s coverage area left in the hunt. Both Concord and Kannapolis have tough matchup this weekend, but in the playoffs anything can happen.

A few of my favorites from the first couple of weeks on the jump.

Concord quarterback B.J. Beecher gets around Northwest Cabarrus defenders for a goal line touchdown Friday night during the first round of the NCHSAA 3A playoffs. The Spiders won the game 20-6 to advance. (Photo by James Nix)

A Concord fan dressed as a robot cheers for the Spiders against Northwest Cabarrus Friday night during the first round of the NCHSAA 3A playoffs. The Spiders won the game 20-6 to advance. (Photo by James Nix)

Kannapolis's Damien Washing evades a tackle by Weddington's Billy Ryan and stays on his feet on his way to the end zone during the second round of the NCHSAA 3AA playoffs Friday night at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium. The Wonders defeated Weddington 41-20 to advance to the quarterfinals where they will meet Charlotte Catholic. (Photo by James Nix)

Weddington's Jake Yurek catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against Kannapolis during the second round of the NCHSAA 3AA playoffs Friday night at Kannapolis Memorial Stadium. The Wonders defeated Weddington 41-20 to advance to the quarterfinals where they will meet Charlotte Catholic. (Photo by James Nix)

Concord's De'Andre Gilliard celebrates a safety scored by the Spiders against Rockingham County during the second round of the NCHSAA 3A playoffs Friday night. The Spinders defeated Rockingham County 30-8 to advance to the quarterfinals where they will meet West Rowan. (Photo by James Nix)

A ride on the Yankee Lady

admin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:00:13 +0000

When ever someone ask you “want to ride on a B-17,” the answer is yes. I tired out my new D7000 DSLR video camera on a trip over Cabarrus County in a World War II-era bomber. Outside of some modern updates in the flight deck, this thing transported you back in time. Tall guys like me would not have worked out very well on long missions and I’m still I was able to squeeze through some of the tight spots on it.

Here’s the video I produced.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Battle of the Bell 2011

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:44:42 +0000

A.L. Brown

One of my favorite assignments of the year in the annual Battle of the Bell football game between A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis and Concord High School. I’ve heard that it is the oldest continuously-played rivalry in North Carolina, but I’m not sure if that is accurate. The one thing I do know is the rivalry is intense and as is atmosphere at game time.

The Wonders jumped out to an early lead and held of the surging Spiders to keep the bell in Kannapolis.

Escape to the Renaissance Festival

admin — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:57:53 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

It’s easy to forget how much fun a Renaissance Festival can be. A couple weeks back, my colleague and friend Michael Knox approached me about working on a video project about the festival the the local actors who bring it to life. The three actors we met up with put a tremendous amount of time and research into their characters. Sure they can be silly and make you laugh, but these guys do an incredible job of transporting you into their fantasy world, no matter how old you are.

Check out Michael’s story here.

More photos on the jump…

Drew Nowlin, of Pineville, performs as the Almost Great Gadolpho with his dragon puppet at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. (photo by James Nix)

Carol Salloum, of Harrisburg, performs as Mistress Couture at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. (photo by James Nix)

Matt McDowell performs as Captain Wayne Williams at the Carolina Renaissance Festival.

Hipstamatic App on the Georgia Coast

admin — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 01:00:40 +0000

My girlfriend Meaghan and I just got back from a week-long trip along coastal Georgia. While the bulk of our trip was to St. Simons Island (where I used to live while shooting for The Brunswick News), we also visited Savannah, Jekyll Island and the Cumberland Island National Seashore. I did carry my other cameras, but found myself having fun shooting with my iPhone and the Hipstamatic app. Here are a few images from the trip. (I’ve done nothing after the images were made, all toning was done automatically by the app)

Race Weeks 2011

admin — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 03:14:23 +0000

NASCAR fans tour pit row prior to the Sprint All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Saturday, May 21.

For the past four year, Memorial Day Weekend and May have meant NASCAR to me. Concord (and Charlotte) are in the heart of NASCAR county and the area is invaded every year about this time for two of NASCAR’s signature events … the Sprint All Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. came very close to winning this year’s 600 mile race. I know many race fans were hoping for a Jr. win, but he ran out of gas on the last lap allowing Kevin Harvick to win.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. after his qualifying run during Windstream Pole Night at Charlotte Motor Speedway Thursday night. (Photo by James Nix)

Carl Edwards won the Sprint All Star Race.

Carl Edwards after his qualifying run during Windstream Pole Night at Charlotte Motor Speedway Thursday night. (Photo by James Nix)

Matt Kenseth won the Top Gear 300.

Matt Kenseth celebrates after winning Top Gear 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Saturday afternoon at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Photo by James Nix).

I spent a good deal of the race shooting from the roof of the speedway and was able to get a couple frames of drivers hitting the grass in the infield.

2010 Hugh Morton Photographer of the Year

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 01:53:56 +0000

I was completely shocked and humbled last week when the North Carolina Press Association named me as the 2010 Hugh Morton Photographer of the Year for their community division. (The NCPA breaks all the newspapers in the state into two categories, daily and community. My friend Andrew Craft was named the daily POY.)

It was a nice honor and I don’t think it’s completely set in yet. The Independent Tribune has been tremendous in supporting my photography career.

Instead of turning this into an “I’m thankful for” list, here is the winning portfolio I submitted to the NCPA.