While out early one morning with my guide Roberto, I saw this lake just outside San Miguel and had to alter our plans for a 1/2 hour or so of unexpected / unplanned landscape shooting. Too nice to pass up.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Golden Chords
Mexican guitarist Javier Gitano Estrada was playing at the Instituto Allende in San Miguel. I found these words about him online, "So influenced by Bob Dylan was Mexican guitarist / vocalist Javier Gitano Estrada that he was dubbed the "Mexican Dylan" during the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics." With a bit gypsy persona he is an amazing musician to see up close and personal. I asked if I could follow him home / meet up another time after talking a while. He told me his roof was leaking and that that his house was "in shambles." I never got to go but am certain the backdrop, albeit run down in his eyes, would have been every bit as intriguing as he.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sonrisas (Smiles) in Mexico
Bienvenido a San Miguel. My family and I arrived just days ago in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and will be enjoying a reprieve from Minnesota in a beautiful house we've rented for the next month. I am looking forward to the smiles of my kids as we stumble upon interesting happenings around every corner of this historic city. I originally came here last year for a United Health Care shoot and was surprised at the European feel of cobbled streets and preserved colonial architecture. Some amazingly hospitable people who thrive at a much welcomed slower pace.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Penguins of Pittsburgh
Spent the day photographing Evgeni Malkin and Jordon Stall of the Pittsburgh Penguins for Olson / Nike Bauer. Complete access to every aspect of the game from gearing up in the locker room to on ice practice. Right in line with how I love to shoot. Art direction is minimal "just go with what you see."
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
“Ola”
Test drove the new Canon 5D Mark II I received almost immediately upon Canon's first shipment thanks to Steve at West Photo here in Minneapolis. Put together a quick test shoot with a local model named Ola and took my first stab at mixing video + stills. For how little prep time we put into this, I am quite pleased at what I came away with. The camera is mixing up the playing field at a time when things are more ripe than ever for change. My good friend Damian Petrou of Brave New Media spent an evening with me putting his Final Cut skills to work. I look forward to seeing where this goes as I am feeling pretty psyched.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Martin Williams / Syngenta
A shoot for Syngenta via Martin Williams about an hour from downtown Minneapolis. This model isn’t a farmer, but while shooting he told us about a recent experience “skinning a raccoon” with his son. Yes! Come to Minnesota. We have more theatre’s per capita than New York and our models will enlighten you with their off camera tales of amateur taxidermy and who knows what else…
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Best in show…
Have had my fingers crossed for a while and finally got the word that I was heading out east to shoot Purina’s “National Dog Show,” via Colle + McVoy, in Reading Pennsylvania. Likely one of the most visual things I’ve spent time around. The show will air live on Thanksgiving Day- keep an eye out for the guy on all fours with the lens around his neck…
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Disaster scenario
Shot a series of images this week via Weber Shandwick Worldwide for Optum. Images will be used for a website as well as a public service announcement video. Both will serve as an outreach to people who are faced with natural disaster type scenarios.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Chicago style
Always enjoy travel to Chicago- this time photographing another Target store team via Little & Company for Target's 2009 Diversity Campaign. People love working for Target. I've photographed enough of their employees from executives to cart wranglers to know that regardless of their position they all seem a part of a “team.”
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Memphis’ Target House
Back in Memphis for another shoot at the Target House, which is a free home away from home for children receiving medical treatments from the nearby St. Jude Hospital. This time I am here via Little & Company for Target to photograph a series of volunteers from Target stores across the country. These volunteers have come to help celebrate Halloween and Target House's 10th birthday. Target's "Red" Magazine will feature the image above on its cover and encompass individual portraits of the volunteers shot on a white background. As a witness to the amazing stories of these children, who continue to endure some tough illnesses, I also saw the another side: kids just being kids and enjoying the company of each other alongside their families.
While on location here in Memphis, I once again enjoyed the cuisine and music for which the city is well known. Recommendations- Eats - Rendezvous “world famous bbq” is killer (ate here twice in one day on a previous visit). Music – “Delta Highway” A young band well on their way playing delta blues with more energy and enthusiasm than any other band I’ve found on Beale Street- felt like the real deal.
