I’ve always enjoyed shooting with Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) because of the way people respond with open arms to helping “Jerry’s Kids” overcome the ravages of muscle weakening diseases. Harley Davidson has been a long time supporter of MDA , lending their name and time and money to the cause. During a recent photo shoot with MDA, we brought a Harley Sportster into the studio as a prop for promoting the sale of Harley merchandise to benefit MDA. A couple of adults modeled the jackets and t-shirts while some of the kids in the MDA program donned the children’s wear.

The Challenge: I understood that we would be making studio photos of a small group of people who had not met. It was important to create an atmosphere that put people at ease and allowed them to interact naturally so that we could make the best photos possible. We allowed plenty of startup time for the group to mingle with music, cookies & juice for the kid in all of us.

The Solution: By the time we started our session, the kids, their parents, adult models and my client were relaxed and ready to have some fun with this big Harley in the middle of the studio floor. The session with the adult riders progressed from a static standing pose to a dynamic riding position that we stripped into a background. The kids sessions couldn’t be more engaging. It was magical. Could those two boys be the next Blues Brothers?

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is a 16th century Spanish Colonial town on the World Heritage register – a place rich in culture and architectural gems, both traditional and contemporary. While in San Miguel recently, I was called upon to make interior and exterior architectural renderings at Jillita’s home,  that were to be used in a publication.

The Challenge: The photo project came up in an impromptu way while I was traveling with my Canon EOS-1 Ds Mark III and no lighting equipment. My challenge was to produce high quality interior photographs of the home without the use of professional photographic lighting equipment.

The Solution: Utilizing HDR – High Dynamic Range Imaging, I set the camera to record a set of five bracketed exposures, over and under the average exposure, so that the group of images included a range of mid-tone, shadow detail and highlight detail. Because this  range of light is much greater than a single exposure can record, Photoshop’s HDR function was used to merge the image files into one. A group of photographs were produced with a smooth range of detail that might otherwise only be achieved through lighting balance.

The WM Keck Observatory is respected by leading astronomers and scholars world wide. Situated on the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, the twin 10 meter telescopes gather data that is transmitted to the Remote Operations at Headquarters in Waimea. Scientists then interpret and distribute their newest findings about the workings and origins of the universe.

The Challenge: Make inspirational photographic images of the people and facilities at Keck that will motivate others to become involved within the community and inspire financial contributions.

The Result: Fresh Annual Report images that have personality and graphic appeal, complimenting Keck’s slogan: Let the Universe Inspire You.

See Keck Observatory’s new COSMIC MATTERS Blog: http://keckobservatory.org/blog

David Isaac is a classical music composer, an emerging talent – a visionary with an expansive imagination. He contacted me about making photographs for his promotional campaign which included his web site, album art and PR material.  He had precise ideas for photo-illustrative images in advance of our meeting. During our consultation, we formulated a plan to execute these concepts.

The Challenge: Make environmental stylized portraits with a story-telling quality that conveyed the client’s concept.

The Result: Portraits of  the composer that have both a classical and contemporary feel. We produced a variety of images with a lyrical quality that fulfilled the client’s intended usage. Our  collaborative session established a sensitive visual branding for David Issac’s creative endeavors.

Arizona Mail Order Company is a long standing client for whom I shoot women’s shoes and clothing accessories in the studio and on location. AMO is one of the largest mail order companies of its kind and competes on a national level in the sales on medium prices shoes. The art directors come to me for “location” photography to match looks of mountain trails, gardens, beaches, marinas and urban scenes, all of which get constructed just outside my studio in the Southwestern desert.

The Challenge: Create an environment that simulates an Eastern beachside, a resort poolside, a potting shed and a marina with props gathered from around the studio and various suppliers.

The Result: Images of shoes that matched the locations in a convincing way. The art and marketing directors were pleased but the real test is in the sales generated from the pages. Statistically every book we have produced together has shown an increased revenue for my client.

Chris Deverill is a sculptor who is establishing himself in the West with extraordinary work. We had photographed some of his pieces several weeks ago. Chris contacted me about making a portrait for American Artist Magazine and for some of his upcoming shows.

The Challenge: Create an environment that felt like a workplace and gallery and that would convey Chris as a personable artist.

The Result: A portrait of the artist that is engaging and will be published in magazines and press releases. The image will also be printed for gallery displays and literature.

I stood on a platform at the edge of the telescope after a two hour drive up the volcano. Breathing from an oxygen canister at a 13,600 foot elevation, I surveyed my first shot of the morning

The Challenge: Compose and light a cavernous area of hydraulic mirror controllers while showing engineers in a dynamic setting.

The Result: A spread in the Annual Report that delighted the CEO, inspired the investors and gave the marketing department confidence. The funding allowed the scientists to continue their research.

From the board room to the assembly line, on location or in my studio, I envision every possibility to create successful photographic solutions for my clients. Valued collaboration and communication with the client create results within realistic budgets. See the Corporate Photography Online Portfolio.

During a recent photo shoot with Tom Bergeron, host of Dancing With the Stars, Tom confided to me that he was not always so relaxed in front of a still camera. When broadcasting to millions of viewers across America, no problem.  He told me that he started to practice in the mirror. I’ve done that, so I can relate. He rehearsed so he could understood how to generate a variety of facial expressions. We were shooting a public service announcement ad for Muscular Dystrophy Association. The photo session was dynamic. It was a delight working with a true professional like Tom.

In a recent photo session, we made stylized portraits for the clients. Energized, crazy-cool-sexy stuff was the goal. I went free-form with the lighting and propping and the portrait clients added the personality.

A portrait session like this is a progressive event for both the photographer and the subject. It is important to completely involve the client in the process. If I say, “Let’s try this out … it may or may not work, but let’s experiment”, then it becomes OK with the subject to be loose and take a chance – usually resulting in a spontaneous look.

I stood with my camera in front of the store window displaying mannequins wearing costume wigs and wondered what photographic possibility there might be. I had been dragged there by my photographer friend, Abigail, who had the greatest enthusiasm for this jaunt. We were exploring a theme for a photo competition and I had just walked away from my nicely controlled world of commercial photography.

Photography, for me, is a solitary and personal pursuit, and getting myself in gear to make fresh images can be a job. Then along comes Abigail to show me new possibilities. I put my eye to the camera and began to move around that store window, framing and finding juxtapositions I would never have seen outside the lens. Within minutes, I was immersed and excited – and came away with images I would never have imagined when I began.

You may be a great self starter, the Lone Shooter, but I have found that my friends have pointed me into some of my most progressive photo sessions.

Jill could not have been more insistent that the graveyard in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico on the Dia de los Muertos would be a treasure of photographic possibilities. I was going along for the ride. As with any photographic study, I took a bit of time to soak in the atmosphere and warm up to what I was seeing. The people swarmed, the grave sites were brightly decorated and there was a carnival environment. Soon I was seeing the dance, the visual stories to tell, and began to develop my shooting technique.

Jill once told me a story about her good friend, Raul Touzon, a prominent and very creative National Geographic photographer who said that he picks up his camera every day, even if it is to go into the back yard and look for pictures. It is always important for Raul to exercise his creative eye.

I found myself back in the commercial world of annual report photography when Abigail called again to say there’s a car show we must attend and shoot. Rows of hot rods, throngs of people and the Beach Boys singing “She’s real fine, my 409”. Again, I explored and became lost in the details and impressions. Thanks, Abigail – you always open my eyes.

I’m in great appreciation to my tribe who have generously shown me new photographic vistas. Imagine, explore, experiment, but most importantly, get out there and shoot with … or without a little help from your friends.