"Ola 2" is the recently edited second short of the video test produced back in December using Canon’s 5D Mark II. Some creatives at Colle McVoy recommended that I talk with Ben Cohen for the part II edit. Ben’s an up-and-coming video editor from Minneapolis who specializes in digital media production. He has produced, directed, and edited videos for many top agencies. Aside from working on award winning, integrated ad campaigns, he has also created original content including: music videos with exclusive Mtv premieres, multiple features in some of the web's biggest blogs and much more.

Thanks Ben for your suggestions and creative insight as I learn. Also, thanks to Ola Betiku our model and Adam Hester who assisted me on this project with “ideas” more than setting up stands. I am pleased to say collaborations such as this are becoming more frequent and I’ve never been more excited about the possibilities around the corner. I have no plans to become a full time film or video based shooter- rather find opportunities to capture segments of video to pair and cut together with my still work. It’s all about the web. What keeps me interested and psyched to be in this line of work is partnering with those who are at the top of their game in joint creative ventures.

Stay tuned…

Was drawn in by the first image of this guy amid the architecture of Venice Beach.  Turned into a little tripdich...

"There is a road in the hearts of all of us, hidden and seldom traveled, which leads to an unknown, secret place." - Chief Luther Standing Bear

The launch of invoko is near - a new collaborative side venture jointly marketing the talents of: sound designer Dave Schroeder--PilotVibe, graphic designer Nathan Strandberg--EightHourDay, and myself--Jonathan Chapman Photography. While the three of us have independently teamed up for a variety of projects in the past, invoko's nascent voyage took us to Seattle, Washington. With a local, Seattle based, producer at the helm, our efforts yielded an array of content from the city itself and the surrounding environs. I am pleased to share the first preview of imagery we came away with--surfers from the Olympic Peninsula, and look forward to highlighting other segments of the Seattle journey. In the near future I will be announcing the debut of the full collective multimedia experience - invoko.

I shot this week for Barron’s – a financial magazine from the publisher of the Wall Street Journal. It was my first shoot for them and I am pleased to say it was a direct result of an e-mail promotion that left my computer last week.
It had been a while since I’d shot in downtown St. Paul, and I was a bit leery of what we’d discover in terms of locations. The subject was William B. Frels, a great name indeed, who works with Mairs and Power Inc. - Minnesota's oldest, continually owned and managed investment firm.

The editor noted a historical backdrop might make sense since the company's website features some vintage imagery. My assistant and I scouted a few blocks adjacent to William’s office and decided to take our subject on a little walk. We began shooting a few selected spots – starting with more standard locales leading up to the more unconventional. Our final stop was an old loading dock cut into the side of a building from around the 1920’s I’d guess. It looked like somewhat of an unsavory place for an executive to spend time, however, the lighting was amazing and despite the darkness and dirt, it was nice of William to humor me as I asked him to follow my lead. We spent about 10 minutes and William’s only comment was “you’re the expert- I trust your judgement.”

All came together quite nicely.

Assignment work this week led me to Stillwater, MN via Bicycling Magazine where I photographed Oliver; avid bicyclist and mastermind behind the innovative bakery and bike shop under one roof--The Bikery. Originally from Belgium, Oliver worked as a restauranteur in Bellingham, WA before moving to MN. The Bikery features European inspired pastries, as well as fresh roasted coffee, both prepared daily on site. It comes as no surprise when I learned of the overwhelmingly positive support from bicyclists and cafe patrons alike. The Bikery is a must see if you are ever in Stillwater.

I found myself down in Memphis last Thursday and Friday shooting at the Target House for Target via Little & Company. Another great shoot here - kids finger painting on a white seamless (a recipe for some pretty engaging imagery). After shooting, my assistant and I strolled to a couple of famous places: Sun Studio where Johnny Cash and many other greats got their start. Johnny walked in as an appliance repairman, by day, who was looking to record an album. The second location down the road was the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968. Both locations tell quite a story- one the starting point, the other the ending point. Both greats live on and Memphis offers a tribute to both which I'd recommend checking out.

My camera took me out to The Carrot Agency yesterday - taking shots of a couple of their latest recruits for their website. Out strolls David Byrne or at least a younger stunt double. Actually it was Daryl Kluskowski – a former VP / Creative Director at BBDO as well as owner of SkullBoy Worldwide – check it out if you haven’t already. Darry had a bit more in mind than your typical head and shoulders portrait. All he needed was a pistol in each hand and he would have been one part Yosemite Sam, one part, Elvis, and well, final part - Mr. Byrne.

I was in Toronto and Boston the week of February 23rd shooting another round of images for Bauer via Olson. I have to say these shoots and the access we get provides a pretty fine backdrop for shooting. From locker room to ice, I followed Vesa Toskala and Luke Schenn in Toronto and Tim Thomas in Boston. We mounted a couple of cameras this time (one above and over the goal, and the other on the glass) to snag a few new / different angles. Images are now signed, sealed, and delivered to Olson and above are a few that I thought pair well together highlighting the Toronto leg of the trip. Love the work: especially crew and athletes who always have time for that extra “try this angle,” shot.