Tag Archives: Interviews

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Even when nature doesn’t cooperate, David Martinez finds warmth for his imagery.

After a recent shoot with Lucy Activewear, David Martinez sent along these images and his thoughts on the shoot for us to share with you.

“As a photographer who shoots a lot both in studio and on location, I’ve always loved the inherent conditions each environments brings – the science of shooting in studio and the trials of being at the mercy of weather and nature outdoors. On a recent shoot in Point Reyes for Lucy Activewear, Northern California weather conditions were less than favorable – rain, wind and cold – a veritable ‘wintry mix’.  Our stellar crew and hardy models made the shoot a real success. We smiled the whole way thorough despite the calamity of cold. I think you can feel this warmth in the images – even if nature didn’t provide it to us on those days on location.”

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How does Photography + Missouri Wine = Solar Panels?

Recently, Ron Berg shared with us the story of how being inquisitive and asking the right questions can lead to unexpected surprises.  On a recent shoot for a Missouri wine, Ron learned that photography + wine really can add up to solar panels.

Here is what he had to say about the project:

“Yes, Missouri does have wine. It’s an oxymoron for sure. But, it IS the Missouri grape that saved the French crop in 1872. Look it up.

So I digress…

I’m a very inquisitive kind of person, almost with a kindergarteners enthusiasm. I love to learn about people, their professions, and where they grew up. That’s one of the great things about photographing people and getting to the root of what makes them tick.  I am always intrigued by how is it that their life lead them down the path to where they are today.  Whether I’m in a factory or in a vineyard I am enthralled by this and therefore always try to get to know the people I am photographing in a more personal way.

So it is not surprising that on a shoot in a vineyard with a wine maker, I start asking questions.  The setting is a Fahrmeier Family Vineyards, a Missouri Vineyard where I making photos for their wine label near my boyhood home. As we chat, we remind each other of relationships from our past.  I of course start asking questions and wonder aloud how and why a working farm turned vineyard decides to fill the roof of their barn with solar power.

Brandon Fahrmeier explains to me that “it is free in more ways than one.”  Of course I want to know more.

Brandon says, “As we know the sun’s power is free and so are solar panels.”

My reaction is WHAT?! …with confusion. How in the world could he get all those solar panels for free?  Brandon explains further that there are   Federal Grants for Solar Power to satisfy Federal guideline quotas annually.  That is all he needed to say and I was sold.

Needless to say, we are now proud Missouri wine consumers with our photo handiwork on the bottles, and solar energy gatherers with our 42 new solar panels.  All because I kept the conversation going.

The Power of Being Inquisitive never ceases to amaze me!”

To see more of Ron Berg’s work, please link here.

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Ann Elliott Cutting shares an experience where the reward was inspiration.

Our days are filled with so many to do list items that we rarely get to take the time we want to take to give back.  It is always so rewarding and genuinely uplifting, you would think it would be easier to make happen than it is.   Well, Ann Elliott Cutting made the time and was rewarded handsomely for it.  She spent the week as an Artist in Residence at her alma mater, Westridge School.  When I asked her what the experience was like, here is what she shared:

“It was a whirlwind of a week but well worth it.  The days were non stop and the energy always positive.   I was so impressed with how organized the school was about the process.   I enjoyed joking that I learned more from them that they learned from me!

They kicked off the program with a lecture for the school (grades 4-12) and then followed up each day with a class for me to co-teaching  in art and  photography. Some of the more advanced classes had two 80 minute sessions during the week which allowed us to concept a project during the first meeting and then have a class shoot for the second meeting.  It was all very fun.

I worked with all ages of students.   The  younger students made photograms with sun prints (Cyanotypes developed in water) and shot outside in groups creating letters and numbers with leaves, twigs, shadows, their bodies, or anything they could find on campus. The more advanced students used large format 4×5 cameras for the first time. (We supplied Fuji instant film so they could see their images right away.) One class painted with light and lasers in a dark set with long exposures. Another class used text with imagery. They took quotes from letters, songs, poems, or operas and created an image to illustrate the idea, or to tell a bit more of the story behind the text.  The week ended with a show of the student’s work.

It was a whirlwind of a week. Collaborating with the faculty was wonderful. The students were clever, engaged and good problem solvers. The ideas evolved quickly into images with content and intrigue. Working in teams allowed them to brainstorm and grow their ideas into something visual and “photographic”.  I was impressed and inspired by how quickly they could make good creative decisions about content as well as lighting and composition. Some students already had a “style” and gravitated towards a certain color scheme or lighting style.

This week made we want to play and explore again. Seeing my craft through the eyes of children eager to learn and not contained by the boundaries of every day life was powerful.  I started the week thinking that I would help inspire others but I ended the week being more inspired than ever myself.   For that I am much appreciative.”

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Out and About with David Martinez.

On a recent trip to Los Angeles, David Martinez saw some of his work out there in the world.  Here is what he had to say about it:

“It’s always great to see your work living out in the world. It’s so easy to forget that the images we make do migrate from the capture station to magazine pages, packages and billboards. While scouting recently in Los Angeles, I saw a familiar friendly face staring back at me on the freeway. It was Alejandro – who I had worked with a month before on a project done in conjunction with the agency Sargent + Berman for UCLA Health System. We saw over 200 talent to find the yogini with the most skillful back bend and the businessman with the perfect smile. If only all faces on the Los Angeles freeway looked so friendly!”

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The power of the One on One connection is evident at the At Edge Face to Face event.

Hunter Freeman recently went to the At Edge Face to Face event in NY.  It was the first one I had missed so I was very interested of course to hear what he had to say.  When he returned, he wrote this for our blog.

“It was really a great time, and I can’t wait to go to the next one. At Edge really delivers on the opportunity to meet so many different influential people in our industry.  There were creative directors, art buyers, agents and photographers and they all were interested in getting to know each other.  The night was filled with great conversation and sharing of ideas.  People were inspiring each other and encouraged by the camaraderie.

I walked away feeling like the trip east was a huge success.  I don’t often get to share my own work and doing so in this environment got me excited to do so more often.  There is nothing like the value of a one on one connection – whether it be with someone who has the potential to hire you or someone who does what you do.   

I believe that down the line, events like this will be one of the most powerful ways that photographers will be able to connect with AB’s/CD’s face to face.  The increase in other “Pay to play” arrangements is proof that both sides of the table are appreciating the opportunities offered by such an arrangement.  I can say with confidence that this is a trend that will continue to grow.”

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Solving Mysteries with Hillary Jackson of Saatchi & Saatchi NYC

When I first met Hillary, it was when she worked at Crispin Porter and Bogusky in Colorado.  I knew we would like each other when she immediately accepted our invitation for dinner at a nearby restaurant; The Kitchen.  I mention the name only because it was fabulous and their own wine was equally as fabulous.  Maybe that is why we had such a great time.  Needless to say, we kept in touch and have enjoyed getting to know each other and working together over the years.  Hillary recently moved to NYC to work as a Senior Art Producer Saatchi & Saatchi and she continues to be one of the “good ones.”  Thank you Hillary for taking the time to answer our questions, reply to our emails, host our portfolio shows and of course making our job more fun!

 

 How do you search for photography nowadays?

I am huge about asking my fellow art producers who they love or have had successful shoots with.  I also like checking with the gang over at the Art Producers Forum and Yahoo and Facebook as they are always there for a quick reference as to who is doing great stuff.  Word of mouth can go way further than a million promos or emails!

 

Where do you find inspiration?

I am a magazine junkie and love seeing great work done in all of the various publications that I subscribe to.  I also look at promos (if they are easy to open and don’t come from the same photographer every other week)!  I love meeting reps and photographers in person so that I can put a name to the face and promo!

 

What are you reading online?

Right now I check out various blogs that are either photography related blogs  (Aphotoeditor) or sometimes a photographer’s own blog that aren’t all advertising focused and more just an interesting read.  I also love myself NYT!

What are photographers doing lately to stand out from their competitors?

I find a lot of photographers making personal calls themselves these days and touching base in a more social atmosphere.  I also find more links to blogs and personal work done outside of advertising which helps to see what a

photographer’s actual interests are!

What does your client value most from a photographer?  Does that differ from what you value?  And, has that changed  over the years?

Recently there has been a lot more pre-production meetings being done over the phone and there is nothing that pleases the team and client more than a photographer who can give “good phone”.  It never hurts to act like you are uber enthusiastic about a project and offer up details on how the shoot is going to go down.  And when the actual shoot does happen it always helps to have a calm, but commanding presence over the whole crew.  The client loves updates and check-ins just as much as the art producer does!


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That in between place as described by David Martinez in his own words.

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I love it when photographers take time for themselves to shoot what has been on their mind.  I love it even more when it is not in their own backyard and they venture out to chase their vision.  David Martinez recently headed east and was thrilled with what he discovered.  Here is what he had to share about it.

“I had wanted to do a personal project on New York City surf culture for some time now. After a little talking around, it seemed like Rockaway Beach was the place –  a beach accessible by subway from Manhattan. My producer and I arrived in New York City on one of the hottest weekends of the year.  As temperatures rise in the city, so do the number of Manhattanites wanting to take the A train out to Rockaway. It was going to be a busy weekend out there.

3 trains, 2 transfers and 6 bottles of water later, we arrived in Rockaway. We had done a little research before the shoot and through a dizzying tangle of personal connections, we found who we had heard was the unofficial mayor of Rockaway Beach. TJ, was a local guy, a lifelong surfer who was kind of enough to meet us at the subway stop and show a couple of us left-coasters around his neighborhood. Among hoards of other city people, we surfed, ate at the local taco shop, and met TJ’s Uncle Rick on the boardwalk (pictured above). Late in the afternoon – blazing sun and humidity turned to torrential downpour- and all 6 of us piled into TJ’s truck to head to the local pub for shelter. I was a little disappointed at first that the weather had turned just when the surf was about to get good.

Amongst the running and laughter and cursing the rain as we piled into TJ’s truck, a beautiful thing happened that always makes for the most interesting and dynamic images. We all just let go. We stopped trying to get on the perfect wave, get the perfect angle, the sun in just the right place.   It happens that most of my favorite images from the trip were created in this way.

Moments between moments.

When the veracity of feeling replaces orchestration. All of these images were made in this space in between….”

To see more of David Martinez’s work, please link here.

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Dandelions are not just for salads and wishes.

© Kevin Twomey – http://www.kevintwomey.com

In his own words, Kevin Twomey shares his obsession with all things dandelion.

“Last month while at a restaurant in Brooklyn, I saw that they were offering a Dandelion Salad as an appetizer.  After spending countless hours photographing them, I could not pass up the opportunity to experience the plant in another way beyond sight.

I wonder why we spend so much energy trying to eradicate them when right out on our lawns is a nutritious salad just waiting to be harvested? And what about the medicinal uses, not to mention the ever so important relationship it has with the bees?

For me, my obsession with the dandelion lies after the flower blooms and turns into that white fluffy ball, so fragile, just waiting for a subtle breeze to release the seed-bearing parachutes. ….and so many wishes.”

Kevin has a wide collection of ‘organic’ imagery that he showcases on his website.

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What do Elliott Erwitt and Hunter’s Freeman’s wife have in common?

When I asked Hunter Freeman to consider the questions, “Who is your hero?” for our blog series, I wasn’t surprised by his answers one bit.

Here is what he had to say:

“This is difficult to narrow down to one person.  Photographically, the closest I can get to one “hero” would be Elliott Erwitt.  He is to me the epitome of a joy-filled photographer.  He’s able to see so much love and joy and fun in our world, which can be an enormous challenge, considering all the tragedy that confronts us on a daily basis.

I feel that he would rather show us the love that is in the world than the hate, show us things that will uplift us, rather than depress us.  To help explain what I mean, for example, there are many reasons that soldiers make jokes in the midst of tremendously awful situations (which can often seem macabre to any civilian, including me), but with so much “awfulness”, I conclude that what they, and by extension, all of us, most need, is not for that awfulness to be constantly pointed out, but for something funny, or ridiculous, or just outrageously incongruous to spotlighted.

It allows us to relax, to feel at ease, not under pressure, not filled with the cares of this world.   Elliott Erwitt has persistently focussed on that which is funny, or charming, or goofy, or just simply lovely.  With so much crap out there bombarding us all, that persistence is heroic, in my book (or iPad).

My real hero, though, is my wife.  She is Love personified.  Except when she’s not, which is very rare indeed.”
To see more of Hunter’s work check out his website and his blog.  You can see first hand how his heroes have influenced his photography.
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Jim Smithson wonders, “What would Ansel do?”

On a recent shoot in the back woods of Georgia, Jim Smithson had an experience he had never had on a shoot before.  When he shared it with us, we thought it was a perfect story to post on the blog.

Here is what he had to say.

“As a photographer, I’ve always felt that a camera in the hand (or tripod) was a magnet for attention. Some good, some bad. Some of that bad came my way recently shooting deep in the woods of Georgia.

Starting in Clearwater, Florida, I rented a car and proceeded to canvas the southeast states of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas looking to capture natural elements that would be comped together in post to construct a “Nature Train” for the freight company CSX and Mullen.

On day 4, I had made it all the way up to the northern reaches of Georgia. Pulling into a state park that will remain nameless, I parked my rental car off to the side of the road, grabbed my shooter and headed for the hills. I meandered freely (or so I thought) through the stands of georgia pines capturing the needed material for the gig. As I emerged from the forest towards my car I was approached by this imposing figure dressed in camo gear, dark sunglasses and packing a firearm. Instantly, scenes from the movie Deliverance started haunting my mind. I was slightly shaking inside. I could see he was obviously agitated as he proceeded to ask me what I was doing parked on his “property” and walking around his “backyard”. I explained to him that I was a photographer on assignment taking pictures of trees, rocks, streams, blah blah blah.

It wasn’t until he informed me that he was a park ranger (albeit off-duty) that the banjo music in my head finally subsided. He asked to see some identification, and since he was packing heat, I respectfully obliged. Upon seeing my Washington state drivers license, he immediately became even more perturbed with my rental car having Florida plates and expired tabs. Yeah, Hertz really cheesed me on that one. He called for back-up and informed me that I was not allowed to leave until I faced further questioning from the Head Ranger. So at this point I truly think he thought he had uncovered a terrorist plot to create some kind of mayhem in a small rural park in the remote hills of Georgia.

I’m not sure what he told the Head Ranger about me, but in the extremely cautious way he approached, I think he was more scared of me than I was of him. He ran me through the same battery of questions then took my ID and disappeared for 45 minutes, surely checking all the bad boy lists. Well, after all that it turns out I wasn’t a bad ass terrorist as suspected and I was free to go.

As I drove away, stirred and slightly shaken, a thought occurred to me, “I wonder if Ansel Adams ever had days like this?”

To see what else Jim Smithson has been up to lately, link here.

And, a quick thank you to Mullen, John Rosato, Justin Mace and of course Taylor James for the amazing opportunity!