A Time For Collaboration

In the last 6 months I have been a part of more collaboration than I have in my entire career. It's not that I've been opposed to it I guess I just rarely thought about it. In 2013 myself and three other artists Paul Branton, Brian Golden and Darno Demby created 4OfAKind, an art collective that has allowed us to collaborate both thematically as well as on actual works of art. While we all have our individual practices, these instances where we come together have been magical. 

With these passing months I have truly come to appreciate the power of collaboration. The grace, open mindedness, and communication required to do a large scale four man collaborative piece have pushed me a step further in both my growth as an artist and as a human being. We continue to mine each other for inspiration. 

Professional Artist Magazine Contest Entry

This piece is an abstract representation with my relationship with both the materials I use as well as my personal identity as it regards to my work. My personal experience is a large part of the work I create. The creation of work that transcends the personal to the universal can sometimes prove challenging with regard to the mainstream.  My work often broaches the subject of marginalized identities and points of view. As a professional  artist I create works that speak to my personal experience while realizing the universality inherent in it as a part of the human experience.

Precious Fragments

In life things often get broken. We generally discard them when that happens but sometimes there are pieces worth saving. Worthy of a little time and energy to make something beautiful of them

Polychromed Pit Fired Stoneware

Polychromed Pit Fired Stoneware

Been a Long time! / Life gets in the way!

It seems like it has been forever. Well, I guess it has bee quite a while since my last post and I'm sure most of the people who were paying attention before have stopped lol. 

Life got in the way. Some of you know me personally and some of you know and love the work I do and some of you somehow randomly stumbled across this because I added the right keyword or tag to the post that put it in front of you.

We're 8 months into 2012 and it seems like this year is just flying by. I decided today that I would look back at what the first frame was that I shot for the year. I got a great laugh when I discovered this.....

seriously this was my first shot for  2012

Yup thats right a big ole' blank nothing. I could look at this two ways. I think I'm deciding to see it as an empty space ready to be filled with the potential creativity and energy I have instead of seeing a big black hole sucking my life away.

So what have I been up to since then.......

The Value of Memories (me on my soap box again)

As a photographer my work is in capturing the fleeting moment and making it last forever. Most of the moments I capture will never happen again. Wether it is a family portrait session on the lakefront, a young mans 13th birthday, a young woman's quinceañera or cotillion, senior photos, an engagement, wedding, anniversary or just a day someone wants to remember, those moments only come once. When I look through the camera I anticipate and wait for them to happen, I stage them, create them, push and pull them out of people to capture something that will live forever.

I shoot all types of events and moments. From time to time during a consultation or just a side conversation I will get asked the ever popular question. Why are photographers so expensive? I have the heart of a teacher so I do my best in these moments to find the opportunity to educate a friend, acquaintance client or perfect stranger who could easily become one of the other three. Photography is a combination of artistry and technical skill. Some of my fellow photographers cringe when I make my plumber analogy but it makes the most sense to people. Pretty much anybody can turn a wrench and measure the length of a pipe and put together the pieces of a simple puzzle. For those simple jobs it's always very possible to do the work yourself. You can probably muster your way through changing your shower head or putting new knobs on the faucet. Now imagine if you will a new bathroom jacuzzi tub, steam shower, lovely fixtures and all. You want it done right so who do you call, the plumber. Why, because they have the expertise needed to get the job done right. 

Now imagine its your wedding every moment that happens only happens once. There is only one chance to catch the look on his face as you walk down the aisle, the moment you place the rings on each others fingers, that first kiss the first time you dance together as husband and wife that silly moment when he (even though you both swore you wouldn't) rubs the cake in your face. Ten, twenty, thirty years from now where will you go to reminisce about the moments. The food is gone, the decorations are gone, ......... oh wait the photo album, or maybe the wedding video. Thats where we go to relive those special moments. Surprisingly the very most lasting record of this once in a lifetime event is the one thing that so many people leave to chance. 

Guess what we are only in the place and stage of life were in for the moment. It is ever changing. Like a dandelion in the wind we are always moving off to a new adventure. So stop take a moment and capture what you can and if its really important get someone who can beautifully capture what you want to keep forever.

Before you know it your precious little peekaboo baby will be graduating high school, off to college, in love and engaged to be married. Life happens fast. Make the memories lat forever and make them beautiful. Understand the value of those memories and the ability to look back on them as an investment in the life you cherish so dearly :)

Ok enough of my soap box. Live your life and love it .

New Sample Book Of Portrait Work

Click here to view this photo book larger

So You Want Great Headshots (5 pointers to think about)

1)Choose wisely. 

First things first choose your photographer wisely. I have so often in conversation had people ask me to take pictures for them before they have even seen my work. Of course I would never make it a habit to turn down work but I always advise potential clients to take a moment to look through my work. It is truly important that you see the work of the photographer you choose to create your headshots. There is no real right or wrong way to do it but thier style should fit witht the way you want to represent yourself. See if your photographerpecializes in a specific type of portrait or if they are more versatile.

2)Personality is important.

Remember that you are getting your headshots done with the intent of aquiring work using these images. As a model or actor it is important to have your individual personality shine through. There are many aproaches to this but most importantly remember that the photographer can only work with what you bring to the table. If you are incredibly dull and lifeless that will show in the images just as strongly as if you are vibrant and energetic. What type of message do you want your headshots to communicate.

 

3)What kind of work do you want.

Keep in mind what kind of work you are trying to get. Do you want to do theater, film, or commercial work? Are you comedic, dramatic, universal. Are you a specific type of charachter or are you an open pallete. These things have the potential to affect the way that you want to be seen. If you are a comedic actor you would want your headshots to have an air of levity. A dramatic portrait would not necessarily be the best choice for you.

4)It's all about the eyes.

Of course your smile is important, too, but the eyes can make or break your picture. They are refered to as the windows to the soul for a reason.Your eyes give you the opportunity to show the layers in your personality. Rather than thinking about the viewer looking at your picture, think about you looking at the viewer. A direct and intentional look into the lens is like making direct eye contact with whoever views your headshot, and we all know the power of direct eye contact.

5)Keep it simple.

Clothing, makeup, hair, and even expression are generally best when simple. The more complex something is in a composition the more it draws atention away from the focal point. If the essence of you is the focal point the last ting you want to do is draw your viewers attention away from is you. You want to draw them in!