Thursday, January 28, 2010 - Personal
Be true to yourself
I came across this letter today and immediately my mind started racing...
To: Errol Morris
From: Harvey Weinstein
Date: August 23rd, 1988
To: Errol Morris
From: Harvey Weinstein
Date: August 23rd, 1988
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Shocking isn't it?
Hello Errol,
You're boring and you don't understand how to talk to the media.
You need to put your own art in a box and define it accordingly. People love it when everything looks like something else.
Don't share your heart and your mind. Keep it to single sentences that the masses can digest without using their own heart or mind.
If you can't do this, then we'll find someone who can. We'll lie. We'll say it's you and we'll give them nothing. We'll just tell them what they want to hear. They don't care if it's the truth or not. They don't care if it's truly from you, the artist.
Sell, sell, sell. Lie if necessary. Give them what they want. And what they want is... nothing. As long as it goes down easy.
It seems to me a lot of people have received this letter. Or, we've convinced ourselves to abide by these same principles.
Don't do it.
Be true to yourself. You are the only you we've got and we want what you bring to the table. We don't want you to look like someone else. We want to hear from YOU! Tell us the truth. From your heart. We can take it. Don't water it down. We can take it! Don't tell us what you think we want to hear. Tell us what we really want to hear. YOU! Don't pretend to be something you're not. That's boring. We'll figure it out and we'll quit listening. Instead we'll just go to the source - the person that you're trying to be - and we'll listen to them. Because they're being themselves. And you will be forgotten. Unless...
Unless, you are you. We're longing to hear from you. We want to see what you're made of. We want to see the art inside you. You are a poem. A splendid work. And when we experience you - it's exhilarating! Don't let us down.
The Thin Blue Line is regarded as one of the greatest documentaries ever made. It won numerous awards. Even more astounding is that after this film came out, the man who was the subject of the film was exonerated and released from jail. That's powerful.
If you try to pigeonhole a unique creation by defining it as being like something else I believe that it's not too long before you are actually creating your art (or, yourself) to be like something else. Can you imagine if Errol Morris actually went into this film trying to make something 'scarier than Nightmare on Elm Street', 'like a trip to the Twilight Zone', and like 'In Cold Blood with humor'? I imagine he would have lost his unique and powerful voice, the Thin Blue Line would've been a terrible film, and Randall Adams would still be locked away in prison.
Fortunately, this was over 20 years ago and Errol Morris could still speak from his heart. Can the same be said of creatives today?
Can the same be said of you?
Speak up! And tell all your 'Harvey's' to 'go fly a kite'. Even better - tell them what you really think. :)
Hello Errol,
You're boring and you don't understand how to talk to the media.
You need to put your own art in a box and define it accordingly. People love it when everything looks like something else.
Don't share your heart and your mind. Keep it to single sentences that the masses can digest without using their own heart or mind.
If you can't do this, then we'll find someone who can. We'll lie. We'll say it's you and we'll give them nothing. We'll just tell them what they want to hear. They don't care if it's the truth or not. They don't care if it's truly from you, the artist.
Sell, sell, sell. Lie if necessary. Give them what they want. And what they want is... nothing. As long as it goes down easy.
It seems to me a lot of people have received this letter. Or, we've convinced ourselves to abide by these same principles.
Don't do it.
Be true to yourself. You are the only you we've got and we want what you bring to the table. We don't want you to look like someone else. We want to hear from YOU! Tell us the truth. From your heart. We can take it. Don't water it down. We can take it! Don't tell us what you think we want to hear. Tell us what we really want to hear. YOU! Don't pretend to be something you're not. That's boring. We'll figure it out and we'll quit listening. Instead we'll just go to the source - the person that you're trying to be - and we'll listen to them. Because they're being themselves. And you will be forgotten. Unless...
Unless, you are you. We're longing to hear from you. We want to see what you're made of. We want to see the art inside you. You are a poem. A splendid work. And when we experience you - it's exhilarating! Don't let us down.
The Thin Blue Line is regarded as one of the greatest documentaries ever made. It won numerous awards. Even more astounding is that after this film came out, the man who was the subject of the film was exonerated and released from jail. That's powerful.
If you try to pigeonhole a unique creation by defining it as being like something else I believe that it's not too long before you are actually creating your art (or, yourself) to be like something else. Can you imagine if Errol Morris actually went into this film trying to make something 'scarier than Nightmare on Elm Street', 'like a trip to the Twilight Zone', and like 'In Cold Blood with humor'? I imagine he would have lost his unique and powerful voice, the Thin Blue Line would've been a terrible film, and Randall Adams would still be locked away in prison.
Fortunately, this was over 20 years ago and Errol Morris could still speak from his heart. Can the same be said of creatives today?
Can the same be said of you?
Speak up! And tell all your 'Harvey's' to 'go fly a kite'. Even better - tell them what you really think. :)
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010 - Photography
Photography Q&A
I
had a GREAT photography question come in from a friend last night. I'd love to share my answer with all of you!
Here's what Joseph wrote:
How much to get 20-30min of coaching from you?
I remember you told me that 90 minutes before sunset or after sunrise is best for outdoor photos. Recently our photos in the sunlight are problematic:
1. When the sun is behind our subject, we can expose best for the face...but then it's a white sky at best.
2. When our subject is facing the sun it's too harsh of a light and uncomfortable for the subject.
3. Every other angle has super-dramatic/contrasty shadows. Half the face is glowing, half is totally dark.
Is it the winter sun? Ignorance? I got your instructions wrong the first time?
We're happier with our results with cloud cover, shade, or the sun already set. There ain't a lot of clouds or shade out here where we are.
Would you be willing to give me some advice here? How do you get great portraits outdoors? Angles, flashes, reflectors...I'm open to whatever. We're in a rut.
And here's my response:
First of all I want you to know that this is a very exciting message!
Your note here tells me that you guys have reached 'the next level' of photography. These are some of the 'deeper' levels of questions that photographers begin to ask themselves when they've reached a certain level of professionalism and I want to congratulate you for having 'arrived'!!
Q: 90 minutes before sunset or after sunrise is best for outdoor photos
A: ALL of my engagement sessions over the years, except for 2, have happened 90 minutes before Sunset. ALL OF THEM!
Q: When the sun is behind our subject, we can expose best for the face...but then it's a white sky at best.
A: Yep! This is just the way it is! If you MUST have a colorful sky, you gotta use a flash (or reflector, which I pull out only during Senior sessions (also ALL 90 mins before sunset by the way!) The light on the subject is FAR more important than background. Sometimes I'll block the sun with their bodies. I'm partial to the 'faded' look and this situation is very conducive to that!
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Sun at the back is also how you get great 'flare' shots like these...
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And what's wrong with a white sky? Nothing.
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Q: When our subject is facing the sun it's too harsh of a light and uncomfortable for the subject.
A: Too harsh? That depends on time of day, and yes, time of year as well. But I know what you mean. Have them look at each other instead!
(Notice the heavy shadow?)
A: Too harsh? That depends on time of day, and yes, time of year as well. But I know what you mean. Have them look at each other instead!
(Notice the heavy shadow?)
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Or 'off into the distance' (not directly into the sun).
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And another trick I do when necessary is I get people in place, have them look where I want them and then have them relax and close their eyes.
Then I tell them I'm going to count to 3, and on '4' they are to open their eyes and look as normal as possible for as long as possible (1/2 a second!).
I rattle of a few and then do it again to make sure that I got at least one that will work. Sounds crazy, but it works!
Then I tell them I'm going to count to 3, and on '4' they are to open their eyes and look as normal as possible for as long as possible (1/2 a second!).
I rattle of a few and then do it again to make sure that I got at least one that will work. Sounds crazy, but it works!
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Q: Every other angle has super-dramatic/contrasty shadows. Half the face is glowing, half is totally dark.
A: Um, yeah. Never do this. :) (of course, rules are made to be broken...)
A: Um, yeah. Never do this. :) (of course, rules are made to be broken...)
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Q: Is it the CA winter sun?
A: Maybe. The light here in Denver in November and December was so awful, even before sunset, that I just flat out did not want to go outside and shoot. These last couple of weeks I can tell that the light is better....
Q: We're happier with the results with cloud cover, shade, or the sun already set.
A: Fluffy cottonball clouds are my favorite. Overcast is the absolute WORST in my opinion. Shade is fantastic. Most of what I do is in the shade.
A: Maybe. The light here in Denver in November and December was so awful, even before sunset, that I just flat out did not want to go outside and shoot. These last couple of weeks I can tell that the light is better....
Q: We're happier with the results with cloud cover, shade, or the sun already set.
A: Fluffy cottonball clouds are my favorite. Overcast is the absolute WORST in my opinion. Shade is fantastic. Most of what I do is in the shade.
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Even better if you can get the subject in the shade with light at their back to create a 'rim-light' around their shoulders and head to separate them from the background. Like this...
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Sun already set is nice, you can do some creative things. Shining your flash on people looks gross in my opinion. But yeah, there are things you can do for sure!
(Video Light)
(Video Light)
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(Single flash multiple frame)
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(Silhouette)
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'MAGICAL' light is rare and pretty special when you find it...
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A professional photographer knows how to take what light you do or don't have, and do something 'MAGICAL' with it.
Sounds like you're just about there! Congrats!
Sounds like you're just about there! Congrats!
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Friday, January 22, 2010 - Weddings & Clients
Wedding at Cafe Brauer in Chicago, Illinois | Katherine and Adam
I
'm just going to come right out and say it - I love these wedding photos!
Katherine and Adam's wedding in Chicago at Cafe Brauer was so much fun to shoot. They had so much style and then add to that the urban landscape of Chicago and the classic look of Cafe Brauer and... voila! A photo feast for the eyes.
Katherine's 'something borrowed': Her mother's earrings.
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She was also wearing these Christian Louboutin shoes with dazzling heels, and a dress by San Francisco designer Amy Kuschel.
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The window light in their apartment was so soft and perfect. I love this photo of Katherine.
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The first look.
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We took a few portraits at their Chicago apartment before leaving for Cafe Brauer. Follow this link to see a few more of their Chicago apartment bridal portraits.
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The staircase outside was a great spot for a few with the entire wedding party.
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And then we all hopped on a Chicago trolley.
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One of the groomsmen suggested that this photograph looked very 'Untouchables'-ish.
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And here are the ladies. It was just above 30 degrees on this January day in Chicago. I was told we were very fortunate to have such warm weather. Well, at least we could go outside and if you hugged someone real tight you could almost bear it. :)
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Adam said he passes this sign just about ever day, but had never noticed it before.
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My second photographer for the day was Kevin Von Qualen who shot this next one. I love having 2 photographers for multiple angles!
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Katherine had seen a shot like this somewhere and cut it out to show me because she wanted one for her very own. I think Katherine's is even better!
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Then it was time to get married!
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A big shout out to Kara Superfine of Bliss Weddings and Events for helping to make Cafe Brauer look even more amazing than it already does!
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Kevin's photo... You can just see me there at the bottom with the 70-200.
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Congratulations to you both! It was so great to travel out there to your 'neck of the woods' and to be a part of your wedding!
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - Weddings & Clients
Chicago Wedding Photos | Sneak Peek
T
his last weekend, in a little break from 'the norm', I had the great privilege of photographing Katherine and Adam's wedding in Chicago, Illinois. I'll be blogging a lot more photos in the coming days, but I wanted to throw out a quick 'sneak peek' to whet your appetite.
Katherine and Adam opted for a 'first look' so we'd have time for some great photos before dark. These portraits were taken at their Chicago apartment a couple of hours before the ceremony.
Cheers!
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - Personal
Son of a Photographer
A
s I was setting up my lights and backdrops in preparation for Corrinn and Ankur's portrait session I needed a model to test out everything. As it so happens, I have three "willing" models at home and so I grabbed our newest one.
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Our little guy looks beautiful in front of the camera.
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But soon he starts to act just like our other two resident models when they get stuck in front of the camera for more than 4 minutes.
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This is his "Are we done yet?" face.
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"Yes, buddy. Almost done."
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Love this little guy and his crocodile tear.
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treasure this day forever
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Monday, January 11, 2010 - Portraits
Thornton Baby Portraits | Baby Jolly
I
n September of 2007 I photographed Corrinn and Ankur Jolly's wonderful wedding at Lionsgate. Fast forward to this last weekend and I was able to catch up with them again for some photos. But this time they brought along this little guy...
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He's 6 months old and so adorable!
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What a blessing it is for me to celebrate all of these special moments with people. Wow! I am so lucky!
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Just for fun I went and found a couple of photos from my blog post after their wedding. I found this one (back when I did more 'textures') that I ended up using in a full page magazine advertisement.
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And here's another one from that day. Who could've imagined that not even 2 years after this moment...
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There would be this little guy who could so fully fill up their hearts?
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This is what miracles are made of.
treasure this day forever
treasure this day forever
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Friday, January 8, 2010 - Weddings & Clients
Colorado Wedding Photography | 2009 Wedding Portraits
twenty-four
In 2009 I photographed 5 weddings in the Colorado Mountains. I photographed 6 weddings in downtown Denver. 9 more weddings around Colorado. 3 weddings in Mexico. And 1 in Delaware.
That's 24. What a year!
Someone recently asked me if all the weddings start blurring together and if it starts to become 'old hat'. Without hesitation I answered 'No'. Each wedding is so very special. Each couple unique. No day is ever the same. Everyone has their own story and everyone's story culminates on the wedding day in it's own, unique, extraordinary way.
It's kind of like these next few photographs. I can't call them, any of them, my 'favorites'. Each is its own and dear to my heart. They speak to me in different ways. Some for the moment they capture. Some for the light. Some for color. Lines. Symmetry. Some reflect the entire day, and others a split second glance that will never happen again but will always be treasured in the depths of one's heart.
Here are 24 images. 24 stories of 24 weddings from 2009.
Alicia and Hilario. Wedding at the Westin Beaver Creek
In 2009 I photographed 5 weddings in the Colorado Mountains. I photographed 6 weddings in downtown Denver. 9 more weddings around Colorado. 3 weddings in Mexico. And 1 in Delaware.
That's 24. What a year!
Someone recently asked me if all the weddings start blurring together and if it starts to become 'old hat'. Without hesitation I answered 'No'. Each wedding is so very special. Each couple unique. No day is ever the same. Everyone has their own story and everyone's story culminates on the wedding day in it's own, unique, extraordinary way.
It's kind of like these next few photographs. I can't call them, any of them, my 'favorites'. Each is its own and dear to my heart. They speak to me in different ways. Some for the moment they capture. Some for the light. Some for color. Lines. Symmetry. Some reflect the entire day, and others a split second glance that will never happen again but will always be treasured in the depths of one's heart.
Here are 24 images. 24 stories of 24 weddings from 2009.
Alicia and Hilario. Wedding at the Westin Beaver Creek
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Celsey and Morgan. Wedding at Mile High Station.
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Elena and AJ. Wedding at El Careyes in Mexico.
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Dani and Michael. Wedding at the Magnolia Hotel.
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Lynora and Matt. Wedding in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Xcaret.
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Tiffany and Ted. Wedding at Lionsgate Dove house.
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Michelle and Jamison. Wedding at Red Rocks.
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Missy and Clint. Wedding at the Cielo at Castle Pines.
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Erin and Ted. Wedding at St Andrews School. Middletown, Delaware.
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Laura and Jon. Wedding at Wash Park.
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Kate and Drew. Wedding in Boulder, Colorado.
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Vanessa and Craig. Wedding at Lionsgate Gatehouse.
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Katrina and Jesse. Wedding at the Cielo at Castle Pines.
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Aimee and Shawn. Wedding at the Hyatt DTC.
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Jill and Adam. Wedding at the Westin Westminster.
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Alissa and Matt. Wedding at the Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center.
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Laurie and Patrick. Wedding in Steamboat Springs.
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Jen and Tim. Wedding at the Maroon Bells in Aspen, Colorado.
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Lauren and Sean. Wedding in South Fork, Colorado.
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Alexis and Sean. Wedding at Devils Thumb Ranch.
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Carrie and Jeff. Wedding at Ten Mile Station in Breckenridge, Colorado.
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Adrienne and Ryan. Wedding at Grant Humphreys Mansion.
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Jennifer and Scott. Wedding at Pinehurst Country Club.
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Reagan and Chris. Wedding at the Four Seasons, Punta Mita, Mexico.
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What stories wait to be told in 2010?
treasure this day forever
treasure this day forever
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