Jesse Irish: for Wave Riding Vehicles

A couple weeks ago I got a phone call from my homie Charles Harmon over at Wave Riding Vehicles. Apparently, he had seen a photo of mine that I had shot of WRV's team rider Jesse Irish and wanted to purchase it for an upcoming ad. I've never promoted my skateboard photography, it mainly sits in a folder on my Facebook profile for my homies to enjoy after a session. I have to assume he saw it on Facebook because that is the only place I had posted it. I should have asked but I was on my way out the door and Charles needed the photo sent on the fly. 

Anyway, we went over the usage fees and rates quickly, I dropped the file and was out the door. Now normally I would be a lot more detail oriented when it comes to working with a client however I've known Charles for some 25 odd years or so. He's family. Not to mention Charles is one of the people in the early stages of my career who influenced and inspired me with his exceptional photography and graphic design skills. He's respected and trusted. 

That said, there are two points I want to make here that can be applied to both photography and life. First, shoot (or do) what you love, what you're passionate about, what moves you. In this case, skateboarding and photography. This particular photo of Jesse was made on a road trip while up in Richmond for a session at the Lost Bowl. I wasn't shooting for money, I wasn't shooting with an ad campaign in mind, I wasn't shooting for stock, I was simply shooting for the mere pleasure of making photos of something I love. In the end, I made a profit from just doing what I do and this isn't the first time. 

The second point that I definitely think is worth mentioning is the value of relationships. I honestly believe that everything in life is developed, shaped and founded in the dichotomy of the relationship. I believe that  relationships define and shape your business and personal life. It is in the quality of these relationships that one prospers or falls short. In this case, the longterm relationship I've had with Charles, skateboarding and photography reaped what I sowed. 

Ok, I'll get off my soap box now. Besides I have work to do and then off to session tonight with the homies. Get some! 

The Atypical, Unpredictable BISON: for Distinction Magazine

One of the things that I'm most grateful about in regards to being a photographer - besides being able to earn my living as one - is being introduced to the unknown. 

On almost every assignment, I'm introduced to a new issue, subject, insight or experience that inevitably will shape or define me. There isn't a science or method to any of this serendipitous unfolding, it simply is what it is. 

That said, one day I could be in the cockpit of a race car making pictures at 135 mph, or covering a jet crash off the shores of the Atlantic,  then a portrait of a same-sex couple, or sadly enough photographing the parents of a slain child, or even something as light as an advertisement for a roller derby league. No matter the case I love this facet of my job. 

I have two offices, the one where my desktop sits and the other is wherever I might be shooting that day. 

Not too long ago, Distinction Magazine commissioned me to work on an upcoming story that would feature the recently signed band Bison. To be honest, I had never heard of them prior to the shoot, or so I thought. I did my research which started with downloading their album from iTunes. As soon as track one started to play I realized I had heard their music on NPR many times. 

"Ding, the light bulb went on in my head, oh okay - I know who they are now!"

I did a little more poking around and found out more about the band's background. They have a quite fascinating story which you can read about in detail in this issue of Distinction. 

Do yourself a favor and check out  their music too, you might be pleasantly pleased....


I recommend clicking on any image to view larger. Thanks for stopping by!

Coming to America: An Intrinsic Need

Coming to America: On September 29, 2011 I had severed my three years of time in the Middle East working for an English language paper. My time was up; I was homeward bound. All that kept me from my beloved country was a short 24 hour flight. From the moment I stepped onto American soil at Chicago O'Hare airport I started incessantly documenting my own personal coming to America. Visually, there was just so much that I had missed about the States. This series, Coming to America was born out of an intrinsic need to record my Americana.  The work is in its infancy and although I can pinpoint where it began, I don't know where it will end nor where it will take me. Come along for the ride. 

Click on any photograph to view in a slideshow format. Also, you can view my daily posts at my Instagram account @facun. Images made from April 25-May 5, 2012

How to Turn a Trick in less than 24 Hours: Dominion Derby Ad Campaign

Yesterday I was at the office neglecting some of my daily duties when the wife popped in after taking our baby girl for her regular health check up. She smiled and asked tenderly,

"Do you want to do the shoot today?"

Being the happy grump that I am I replied...

"Argh," with a slight tone of honey I love you. "I thought we were putting it off for another day?"

At that point, I looked up and saw her looking oh-too-glamorous and being a sucker for a pretty face, I agreed to her request.

Let me back up for a moment. Earlier in the week I had reluctantly committed to shooting the art for the Dominion Derby Girls' next bout poster. My wife convinced me after several gentle talks that we could pull it off with her as the model, me as the shooter and our house as the backdrop--what could go wrong?

That said, my only true reservation was that I didn't think our kitchen was vintage enough to complement the idea "Speed Stick," an All Star jammer + designer for the DDG, had suggested. The last thing I wanted was to end up with a photo that looked like some photo-geek hack was trying to make something out of nothing and failed epically--that would be dreadful.

Anyway, once I got over myself, I moved forward and then forgot about it, until yesterday that is. I knew Speed Stick needed art and fast so Jasmine and I made it happen. 

After a road trip to Rhode Island for a bout with Providence Roller Derby last weekend, Speed Stick and Jasmine had plenty of time to brainstorm the concept and plan. This actually lent itself to the success of the shoot. (I can't emphasize enough the importance of planning and defining a clear concept and how it benefits the outcome and efficiency of a shoot. Art Directors, photo editors, etc, take note.)

During their conversation Speed Stick expressed that she wanted to pursue a vintage theme, something Fifties-ish. From there, they found an old VW Beetle ad and were inspired by a line in the copy of the ad: "Women are soft and gentle, but they hit things." That line carried over into the final bout poster. 

               

When Jasmine told me more about the general concept, I suggested we have her holding a big rolling pin. Thankfully, my mom has a collection of, well everything, so Jasmine ran over and picked through mama's goods. Low and behold, the perfect utensil for our shoot. A big ol' rollin pin with a red handle.

Now that we had most of what we needed, besides a budget to work with, I got my gear together. Jasmine staged our kitchen, threw on an old dress she's had since high school, cleaned the floors, put the dog out and set our kids up with things to keep them occupied for as long as possible. Thankfully, she's a vintage enthusiast so she scoured our house, picking up various pieces for background props.

For reference and inspiration we looked at advertisements in a LIFE magazine from 1953. We also liked an old tin RC ad, and I spent some time studying the poses, body language and lighting of a vintage catalog an old friend of mine had given me.

                   

               

We shot for about 20 minutes and edited as we worked. Jasmine found a few frames that she felt fit her vision and that would coincide with Speed Stick's design and initial idea. 

Before sending the final file Jasmine and I tweaked the image in Photoshop to give it a slightly painterly presence. We wanted the viewer to look at the photo closely and question whether or not it was a photograph or a painting, much like the hand painted black and white ads from the Fifties.  The effect is fairly subtle. 

   

Once everything was said and done we sent the art off to Speed Stick. I also shot a little sneak peak of the photo and posted it on Instgram and Facebook to see what kind of response I'd get. (I was still a little hesitant as to whether or not we pulled off the shoot.) The numbers were positive, phew!

This morning we received the design for the DDG's poster. I think it works! Thanks to my lovely wife Jasmine and DDG's Speed Stick for getting me involved in the project. All shot + designed in less than 24 hours.