Just Having Fun

Sometimes it's just fun to pull out your camera and take photo's for no reason at all but to have fun. I recently photographed my girlfriend with my Sony A900 and then took a few images of us together. This was how I first started taking pictures and the images remind me of my first moments with a camera in my hand. The lighting is daylight through the window and I'm using an 85mm lens wide open at 1.4 for the single shot. I love shooting with this lens wide open as its very flattering and soft. The second image is taken with a 35mm lens at 2.2 and it's my standard lens. The 50mm lens is considered a standard lens by most but I the 35 is more a standard everyday lens for me.

I love black and white as it has always had a timeless quality to me. To convert my digital images to b&w I use Nik Software as it seems to be the best I've found so far.

Okay, back to work!

Always Dream Big and remember why you first started making photographs.

Focus

"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus".

Mark Twain

When I read this quote it seemed like it was geared to photographers. For photographers true creativity starts with a keen imagination and a focused vision. I'm proud to help other find their creative vision in my final seminar coming up in Dallas on October 18th. Often we need help to see our images the way other view our work. Finding your creative vision is not easy and can rarely be done by yourself but with the help of mentors, friends and those we trust are eyes can open to see our true potential as artists.

I'm excited for the final seminar in Dallas as I have so much to share in regard to finding and using creative vision. I've recently shot several stories and after showing my agent the edited images he contacted me over the weekend with an idea to make one of my stories stronger. I had the images right in front of me but I couldn't see them. Sometimes it takes a different eye to see what we take for granted. Thanks Lewis, you are an amazing agent!

Always Dream Big and come to Dallas, Texas on October 18th and we can all dream big together!

Register: DALLAS PHOTO SEMINAR

October 18th, 2010

Oil and Water

Steven Meisel has long been one of my favorite fashion photographers. His images in Italian Vogue have had a lasting impression on me long after the magazine is off the stands. Very often his stores comes from the news headlines and this month is no exception. His shocking story titled Oil and Water in Italian Vogue is hard to look at but it brings the biggest oil spill in U.S. history in focus by replacing birds and other sea creatures with models. It's another powerful story with Steven pushing the envelope once again. What are your thoughts on this story?

Why Photographers Fail

Today I saw a friends post on FB and thought how important this topic is to discuss. My friends comment was in regard to failing to make powerful images, but many photographers are failing in their business as the photography business becomes harder and harder. Some argue that the photo industry is saturated with more photographers as cameras become easier to use. Yes cameras are getting easier to use but I see that as a plus. Success in photography has never been about the camera and it never will be. True success in photograph comes from much more than just having the latest greatest camera, its about relationships and managing business. The photographers who make the most may not be the absolute best photographers but they are aware of what it takes to become and stay successful in business. Success is about growth and consistently learning to sharpen your skills in all areas. On October 18th I am teaching an intensive photo seminar in Dallas, Texas. The goal is to teach those who have a desire for success the secrets to a fulfilling career in photography.

To answer the question "why do photographers fail"? I believe photographer fail when they are not aware of everything it takes to become and stay successful. My seminar will give you the knowledge needed for success in good and bad times. Come meet us in Dallas, Texas for the "Creative Experience Photo Seminar".

Blog Readers Special: Receive 20% off if you register Thursday or Friday (9/23-9/24)

20% Discount Code: PIKS

Thursday & Friday ONLY

Register: Your Creative Experience Photo Seminar

For those who have come to the other seminar's please be aware that our "special project" is due by November so remember what you've learned!

Always Dream BIG

Door Prizes include:

Sony A550 Camera package

5- x-rite colorchecker passports

1 year subscription to PPA

Full Registration to Imaging USA 2011

Last Days for Early Bird Registration

It's fashion week in New York City and the city seems to have more energy than usual. After shooting Monday and Tuesday I've been having meetings with clients and future clients. It feels good to hit the streets and do the things I did early in my career. So many people are hurting at this time, but we can't sit still during this time we must work harder to get our work out to the masses.

I want to share all my knowledge and help as many photographers as possible but it's hard to do that and work at the same time. My last seminar is coming up in Dallas this October and it may be the last chance you have to learn how to propel your career to the next level. I will share all the secrets I've learn to not only make it through bad times but to excel in bad times. The last day to sign up for early bird registration is tomorrow, September 18th.

Register today: Dallas, Texas- September 18, 2010

The Box and Four Wheels

Perception is a funny thing, but how we are perceived as photographers can make a big difference in our bottom line. What makes one photographer stand out from the rest? Lets think about what makes one car stand out from the rest. In the beginning of the automobile industry a car was just basic transportation, a box with four wheels. When the Ford Model T was introduced there was no such thing as a safe car, or economic car, luxury, sports, etc., but now when we think of a safe car we think Volvo, or for luxury we think Mercedes, Lexes, BMW. These perceptions are all based on how car companies have branded their "box" in the consumers mind. As photographer we have to do the same with our work. How do you stand out? What is the perception of your photography?

If you're interested in learning how to become a better photographer and turn your Yugo into a luxury car check out the video tutorials available here. These video's will help you in all area's of photography from lighting to creativity and much more.

Instructional Video's: CLICK HERE

Always Dream Big

Happy Labor Day

This Labor day weekend while many people were off enjoying the last days of summer I was putting final touches on an assignment I have coming up this week. I hired a location scout to find three location for an advertising assignment but after three days of scouting and looking through all the many images and archives in his files I was only happy with two. My family very badly wanted to get away on a road trip but I had to stay behind and ease my mind on the one location that had me vexed. Thank goodness my lady is very understanding so as they left early Saturday morning I also left to scout for other locations. I thought I could find the perfect location if I spent all day searching but by Saturday night I still had not found what I was looking for.

Sunday morning I'd planned to be in church giving thanks for this assignment and for all the lessons I've learned in this recession. However, I was up at 6:00 a.m. to look for more locations. Even though I couldn't go to church I still had my own personal conversation with my God thanking him as I traveled to start scouting. The morning was great. All of the sudden I found three locations that were all better in my estimation for the assignment than the selected one. I took photographs and documented each location. The problem now is getting in contact to speak with each location. Luckily one of the locations happened to have the owner in as I was passing by so I spoke with him and told him I'd have my producer contact him to speak about using his location. It was a good day! After scouting I met my producer and we went over every aspect of the assignment and discussed the pre production booklet. Now I just have to talk my clients into the new location and tell them why I think its better than the selected location.

Advertising is always fun for me because you have so many obstacles to overcome on every assignment. The most important part of advertising is production and working through any problems or potential problems. This assignment calls for many models of all ages ranging from infants to grandfathers. With so many pieces going into three ad's there is a lot to juggle but it's also the part that makes me love this business and makes me feel alive.

As we were about to confirm all the model talent, we found out that we could not confirm one of the main models because another high end client wanted to book him for a higher paying assignment. We were in a holding pattern to see if the other client would confirm or not and then over the weekend we learn that the model has altered his look so now we are back to looking for one more model. Labor Day is a time of relaxing normally away from work but my mind this labor day is fixed on completing the puzzle and finding one more model and getting the right locations.

Have a great Labor Day everyone!

Always Dream Big!

Doing What You Love

The beauty of doing what you love means no matter how hard you work, or how many hours you put in it is still enjoyable. I love photography and nothing feels better than being able to do what you love.

This week has been full steam ahead with pre-production on an advertising assignment that shoots next week. We've been working from 6:00 a.m. until midnight on some nights preparing for the assignment but I love it!

This October I will share many of the lesson's I've learned to help other photographers become and stay successful. Come join me in Dallas this October and learn the secrets to success in photography.

Early registration ends September 18th!

Register now: CLICK HERE

Undercovers - September 22nd

This month my good friend Boris Kodjoe's new show starts. I recently went to the set to watch him work and meet the rest of the cast. I've watched Boris's career and life change in so many ways over the years. From his modeling days to marriage and kids it has been great to see him take off. Check out the new show starting on September 22nd.

Muhammad Ali Museum

Today I learned that a poster is going into the Muhammad Ali Museum in Louisville, Ky. I am elated to hear this. The poster features the work of three Damoso Reyes, Howard L. Bingham and me. Thank you to Kodak and Howard Bingham!

Always Dream Big