Ty Milford - News

WE"VE_MOVED!!

2010-12-31T20:31:00.000-08:00

If you've been following us here at this blogspot address I wanted you to know that WE'VE MOVED!! The official new site and blog launch hasn't happened yet - but we are live. The blogspot NEWS will be archived, but going forward the new blog site - "SAY WHAT?" can be visited at:
http://tymilford.com/blog

You can subscribe to the RSS for the new blog HERE - please stay with us!

Come check out the new site (which is still at http://www.tymilford.com) and stay tuned to what is happening in 2011!

Happy_Holidays!

2010-12-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

Wishing you the happiest of Holiday Seasons and a prosperous 2011!

Summer_Training

2010-12-11T12:35:00.001-08:00

Just posted a recently completed video that we shot this past summer in tandem with stills - which were already posted back in August. Watch the video clip HERE.

Editorial

2010-12-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

Some recent spreads from Shape and Women's Running Magazine.

Friendship_Video

2010-12-02T10:11:00.001-08:00

Excited today to share another new video project that we shot here in Portland this past summer. Watch it HERE.

Patagonia_Holiday_2010

2010-11-29T13:18:00.000-08:00

We've had a number of images (including our very first mentioned HERE) published by Patagonia in their amazing catalogs over the years (more than 40 images actually), but were truly honored to be included in the Holiday 2010 catalog that celebrates 30 years of their best photography with some of their most iconic images exhumed from the archives including shots from the Rowell collection and my personal fav of John Sherman downing a beer while crimping at Arapiles. The above shot originally appeared in the Fall 2004 catalog. Location, location, location - it certainly doesn't hurt to have spent 6 Austral Summers working and shooting in Antarctica, but I have to send props out to my buddy Brennen Brunner for being game for making the big splash in 28F water for this 'Polar Plunge' image (and truth be told he did it multiple times).

Moving_Comfort_Fall_Video

2010-11-18T11:02:00.000-08:00

In addition to shooting stills for Moving Comfort's Fall 2011 campaign (shown in the post below this), we also shot a brand video for them this season to be utilized on their soon to be released new site, their blog, Facebook page, You Tube channel, at trade shows and other events, and in sales meetings and presentations. They of course wanted the look and feel of the video to exactly match the visual brand image that we have helped to create in the stills work that we have done - so we were an obvious choice for the project. The feedback thus far has been exceptional - never a problem to have an email come in from your client like this one that I got from the Creative Director upon receiving the initial edit (no font sizes or colors were altered to embellish the sentiment) :

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Watch the video HERE.

Moving_Comfort_Fall_2010

2010-11-10T10:40:00.001-08:00

I'm excited to share one of the the finished print pieces that we worked on for Moving Comfort this fall up in Seattle. A super great crew up there and the project was a ton of fun. We were again on board for the lifestyle as well as all of the studio work shown below. Thanks Liz and Sara for the continued opportunity to be a part of your stellar team.

Happy_Halloween

2010-10-31T21:21:00.001-07:00

Royals

2010-10-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

We were on location for a good chunk of this week with Royal Robbins in and around Portland and Hood River. Couldn't have asked for more perfect autumn weather. Thanks Tracy, Jud and Monica for the opportunity and fun week in the sun. Here are a few of my favs.

Parklane

2010-10-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

We were in the studio most of this week working on a fun and exciting new project with Live Area Labs, an innovative creative firm up in Seattle specializing in optimizing the way a brand's customers experience them through various digital portals. We were primarily shooting video for a series of new animations that will be implemented into the soon to be released site of the Parklane Mattress company based here in Portland. Will make sure to get the links up once they go live - can't wait to see them myself. Thanks so much Mark and Lindsay for bringing me in for this opportunity.

Heathman_Hotel

2010-10-11T13:57:00.001-07:00

We shot a series of new ads for the exclusive Heathman Hotel (rated one of the “World’s Best Places to Stay” by Conde Nast Traveler and one of the “500 Best Hotels in the World” by Travel +Leisure) this weekend in Portland. Thanks to Ron and Stephen for the opportunity and Rachel for the styling and production assistance. These are a few of my favorite frames from the day.

Keen_Summer_2010

2010-10-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

About a week and a half ago we wrapped 5 days of shooting on location with Keen Footwear here in the Portland area. I wanted to give a big thanks to Margret and everyone at Keen for the opportunity to be part of their team and to all the peeps who helped make it happen including Kelsey, Karen, Tsveti, Shay, Katana, Mike, and Kelly for being a trooper and bringing Malia out to the 'wrap party!' Here are a few of my favorite frames from each of the locations:

Seattle_Studio

2010-10-05T22:06:00.001-07:00

A few frames from the studio portion of our shoot last week in Seattle. Will get some of the location work up soon.

Seattle

2010-10-03T22:54:00.001-07:00

Just back after a week long shoot up in Seattle with Moving Comfort. Several days of stills and video on location followed by a few more days in the studio. Here's the rowdy cast of characters from the latter. Will work on getting some stills up as I wrap the edit.

New_New_Work

2010-09-24T21:35:00.001-07:00

A few more recent web uses with our work.

Old_Work

2010-09-08T19:26:00.001-07:00

It is pretty standard to always keep your eyes on the horizon, or where you are going, but it can be really nice (and healthy) to look back into the rear view mirror from time to time. I found the opportunity to do this recently when cleaning out an old cabinet and came across this Field Report for Patagonia, which was actually my first published work - I think back in the 1999 Holiday catalog if I remember correctly. The article was an excerpt from a journal that I was keeping the previous Austral Summer while working in Antarctica and some snaps from my Yashica T4. As I remember, it was a time of care free living and adventuring and my life (and work) has changed so much since - all for the good mind you - but it gave me some goose bumps to remember my experiences in this amazing place.

New_Work

2010-09-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

Some recent ads and email blasts with our work.

Sorel_2010

2010-09-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

We shot an incredibly fun project for Sorel back in February that I posted about HERE and today am happy to share a Backstage Pass video from that same project. Thanks to Brian Baldwin who captured all the motion and did a big chunk of the editing on this, to the Sorel team for the opportunity and to the crew who made this come to life. You can watch the video HERE.

Balboa

2010-08-31T13:09:00.001-07:00

Check out the full gallery HERE. Hair and makeup by the insanely fun and talented Tania Russell.

Summer_Training

2010-08-20T10:35:00.001-07:00

Hot_Off_The_Press

2010-08-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

The new Moving Comfort ad in Runner's World this month that we shot down in San Diego!

220 . . . 221_Whatever_It_Takes

2010-08-08T23:23:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or does it seem to anyone else like the days are getting shorter - and I don't mean because we are on the downhill slide toward the winter solstice? Technology is changing so rapidly and there's a lot of pressure to stay on top of it all and to keep growing with it and that just seems to suck up so much time. Seriously! I check in on other photog blogs from time to time and read posts that sound like the shooter is a physics professor at MIT with all the techno updates (I admittedly always had the same feeling though when reading anything from Galen Rowell) - what happened to focusing on making great images???

So I'm not sure if the pressure is self-inflicted or real - I mean technology CAN allow one tools to make images that could possibly be construed a "better" (but we get into having to define so many other elements including 'better' that that is another discussion altogether) - it definitely CAN, but it doesn't necessarily. And sometimes while technology can simplify things, the process of gaining and learning the technology just slows things down (I spent 2 hours one day this week just swapping in a new printer for my old one including updating the software for Snow Leopard, etc. - it all takes time!) Are we spending so much time focusing on technology that we are forgetting about the work?

I love making images and I live for it every day - but technology for me is just a means to an end, not the end itself. If I have the kind of free time that it would take to come up to an engineering level of understanding of the inner workings of my camera - well I can actually think of a lot of other things that I would do with that time - such as work on making better images. As I have shared before, you won't find a new post here every time Apple releases a new product or Canon updates their firmware and I don't share a lot of information on how to become a better photographer - there just isn't time in the day for all of that. While I won't give up my full frame sensor anytime soon and I love the doors now opening with motion capture offered by the 5DII and the like, "CCD Vs. CMOS" (or insert most any other super-photo-technical topic here) is a question that to me is not far off from Michael Keaton's response in Mr. Mom (dating myself) when asked about a home improvement project, "220 . . . 221 - whatever it takes." It just doesn't matter if it gets the job done. Is it the best that Canon/Apple currently offer - great, sign me up. I'd rather be out making newer, better images or, well, just having a pool party with my daughter on a perfect summer afternoon - or better yet, BOTH.

Lets_All_Go_To_The_Drive_In . . .

2010-08-04T12:23:00.001-07:00

There are so many things to love about summer and the Drive In is definitely one of them! View the entire gallery HERE. Big thanks to Katie, Amy, Jessica and Nina for all of your assistance in making this shoot happen and to Brian at the 99W Theater in Newberg, Oregon!

Bike_MS_2010

2010-08-02T13:08:00.001-07:00

Saturday was the date of the 2010 Bike MS event sponsored by the Oregon Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and we once again volunteered our time to capture the "Faces of Bike MS". It was a great day with over 600 riders and raised in excess of $400,000 to support research and find a cure. It isn't too late to donate your time or a financial contribution to the society - click here to find out how.

Balance

2010-07-30T12:22:00.001-07:00

Wanted to share some very cool work that we did recently for Carve Designs new movement inspired Balance collection that will be available spring 2011. Click the link below to check out the full gallery:

http://www.tymilford.com/Balance/CarveBalanceCabo.html

Orcas_Island

2010-07-29T00:12:00.001-07:00

Just back from a week long vacation with Kelly and Malia up to Orcas Island in northern Washington. It is so fun how every new experience is an eye opening adventure for a two-year-old!

eCom

2010-07-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

Some recent eBlasts from Carve Designs and SmartWool featuring our work. Shop, shop, shop!!!

Oaks

2010-07-19T09:39:00.001-07:00

'Summer good times' with Kyla and Amber at Oaks Park.

LadyAdie

2010-07-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

LadyAdie spinning at the Crown Room on Wednesday night.

Elizabeth

2010-07-10T16:23:00.001-07:00

Happy_4th_of_July!

2010-07-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

Women's_Running_Magazine

2010-07-04T15:55:00.001-07:00

The July/August issue of Women's Running Magazine is just out with work that we shot of Marni Renison, a Lucy Pro with Sports and Lifestyle Unlimited and her daughter.

Bike_MS

2010-06-25T15:06:00.000-07:00

Here are three of the eight billboards that feature images we shot at the finish of the 2009 Bike MS ride here in Oregon and which will be positioned around the Willamette Valley during the month of July. Go to bikemsoregon.com for details on this year's ride, which takes place Saturday July 31st.

Rainy_Sunday_Morning

2010-06-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Spirituality_&_Health

2010-05-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

Some work of ours on the May/June 10 cover of Spirituality & Health Magazine.

San_Diego

2010-05-14T09:22:00.001-07:00

Goofing around between takes on an outdoor lifestyle shoot in San Diego this week. Pt. Loma is epicly beautiful at sunset!

Carve_Crew

2010-05-09T14:45:00.001-07:00

Whenever your on a project it's not only 'nice' to be surrounded by fun people, but the energy (and success) of the shoot is very much dependent upon it. This is exponentially so when you are HQ'd in a super remote location like the East Cape of Baja in Mexico. Here's the great crew from last week's shoot for Carve Designs in our improved product studio - can you tell which were the models?

Carve_Designs_Spring_11

2010-05-09T14:30:00.001-07:00

A quick collage of some of the work we shot last week for Carve Designs of their Spring 2011 collection on the East Cape of Baja in Mexico. Thanks to Jen and Thayer and everyone at Carve for the opportunity and to Kiley, Casey, & Kelsey for your hard core efforts to make it great. Thanks as well to our rippin' ladies - Kat, Jai, Kelsey and Gina for all the beauty, fun, inspiration, & laughs throughout the wash boarded dirt roads, sunrises, moonrises, lapping waves, endless guac, ice cold Tecate's, fresh tortillas, dawn patrols, jellyfish stings, and me with the incessant camera in your face saying 'one more time.'

Women's_Running_Magazine

2010-05-07T15:40:00.001-07:00

New work from a recent fitness shoot with Women's Running Magazine. Can't emphasize enough how much we love our loyal clients and we've been working with this magazine for a handful of years now. Thanks Melissa and Dawna for keep us in the contributor column for most every issue! Great job to Lauren Elliott in front of the lens from Sports Unlimited.

Art_of_the_Edit

2010-05-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

Still deep in the trenches today on the edit from the recent shoot down in Mexico, but this little gem got my creative juices flowing and I just had to process it out and play for a few minutes. Although a necessary part of the creative process, editing is often just brutal work (meaning, you have to make quick decisions about what is good and what is not while staying focused for hours on end - for every day of shooting there is often a full day back in the 'edit cave' in front of a monitor toiling) . . . . like the creative exploration that proceeds a shoot, the edit on the back end is the 'hard work' of a project. Both are what make you a better photographer. Holding down the shutter release and 'capturing' is the fun part and probably why any photographer got into the game, but it is all the effort on the front end that helps you execute a vision on game day as well as the learning that comes from 'watching the tapes' during the edit that helps you grow. Anyway, more to come once I wrap the edit.

Moving_Comfort_Spring10

2010-05-05T09:07:00.001-07:00

Some tears from the Moving Comfort Spring 2010 catalog. The real life/real action/real emotion type of direction is a perfect fit for me and what I love to do most in my work. Thanks Liz and Sara for yet another great season of work and opportunity. In addition to the lifestyle, we also shot all of the studio on and off model images you see here. We're also in the process of wrapping a video project for them and will have that up sometime soon.

Three_Eight

2010-04-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

I celebrated my thirty-eighth birthday today while on a shoot on the beach in Mexico. Missing Kelly and Malia, but things could certainly be worse. The morning began with shooting surfing as the sun rose over the Sea of Cortez and ended with a cold Tecate and lime (thanks again Kiley) back on the beach watching the sun set and the wind in my hair. Life is good.

Lookey'_What_We_Did

2010-04-19T12:28:00.001-07:00

It's not often that client feedback, even when positive, takes the form of a tangible award. Such was the case with some work that we did last year for University of Puget Sound and their viewbook - one of the resources that they use to attract incoming Freshmen. We were brought into the project by Neustadt Creative Marketing and had a great experience shooting for two weeks up on their beautiful campus in Tacoma, Washington. So glad to know that we weren't the only ones who thought it turned out great!

Street_of_Eames

2010-04-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

It was a busy week here week here wrapping up some projects and getting our house ready for the Street of Eames home tour, of which we were one of the locations this year. The Street of Eames is Portland's annual modern home tour which recognizes the best of both mid-century as well as contemporary modern architecture. While the focus is undoubtedly on the spaces, the goal of the tour is actually to raise money for after-shool programs for homeless students at two Portland elementary schools - a very worthy cause. We were excited to take part in this year's tour and let others see how great the work is coming out of PATH Architecture. If you missed the tour you can still stop by the AIA - Portland Center for Architecture throughout the remainder of the month of April to see an exibit of photography and descriptions of all the homes included in the tour this year.

Moving_Comfort

2010-04-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

Next_Generation_of_Runners

2010-04-10T15:37:00.001-07:00

I am still deep in the edit today, but couldn't help but stop and post these beauties from a recent athletic apparel shoot with Moving Comfort down in sunny Orange County, California. Thanks Liz and Sara for an awesome week in the sun (well mostly sun anyway)!

Southern_Cal

2010-04-05T20:28:00.001-07:00

Some very artistic behind the scenes shots from a still and video shoot last week in Southern Cal taken by my assistant Christina. It's always fun to see things after the fact that I don't see because I am 'working' - but even more so when they are unique and interesting. Gotta' love the iPhone and it's always available camera and cool apps. Thanks Christina!

Keen

2010-03-28T21:29:00.000-07:00

We did a fun lifestyle shoot this past week with the crew from Keen Footwear in our backyard (not literally, but almost) here in Portland. Thanks Margret, Linda and Stacy for the opportunity!

Punkrocker

2010-03-16T12:30:00.001-07:00

Rockstar from Ty Milford on Vimeo.

While us guys don't have to deal with finding the right sports bra, I can see from the pile on the floor inside our closet that my wife does. This stop motion was inspired by her and all the women athletes out there searching for the Holy Grail of fit, support and comfort. Will there ever be a solution?

Perfect_Day

2010-03-12T07:45:00.000-08:00

Perfect Day from Ty Milford on Vimeo.

A collaboration between Ty Milford and Sandymontana with Nate Goodman as DP. This short video captures the "perfect day" for a pair of runners in the Pacific Northwest - escaping work, urban life, and the rigors of 'adulthood' for a mini-road trip to a scenic mountain trail. We did this as a test for capturing motion and stills in tandem. Here is the link to the stills.

http://www.tymilford.com/PerfectDay/PerfectDay.html

Women's_Running_Magazine

2010-03-11T12:33:00.000-08:00

Tears from a recent fitness spread we shot for Women's Running Magazine.

Residential_ Architect

2010-03-01T14:14:00.000-08:00

A recent cover we shot of John and Jeff from Holst Architecture here in Portland for Residential Architect Magazine. I love working with most anyone who can keep up a positive attitude while being photographed in a downpour - thanks guys!

Sorel

2010-02-27T21:07:00.000-08:00

From the city to the mountains . . . some recent work for Sorel shot on location in Portland, OR and Summit County, Colorado. Thanks to Katherine and Dan from Sorel for the opportunity and all the crew for pulling it together and doing a terrific job. Mad props to Casey Boyd for the immaculate styling at both locations and to Byron Swezy and his crew at Colorado Bike and Ski Tours for their support in Colorado. Here are links to more work from both locations:

http://www.tymilford.com/SorelPDX/SorelPDX.html
http://www.tymilford.com/SorelCO/SorelCO.html

What_we_cannot_control

2010-02-15T19:00:00.000-08:00

Shooting here in Portland tomorrow - I love any day of work where I don't have to fly to my job - and I just refreshed my weather page (been watching it with some trepidation all week). Can't say I have ever seen a forecast (especially in Oregon in February) quite as mocking as this one. Unfortunately we are moving on to shoot in Colorado the rest of the week and so are pretty much 'stuck' with tomorrow. Fortunately the client makes an all weather product, so we're good, but still . . . . can you believe this?

Scout_Days

2010-02-10T11:58:00.000-08:00

I love location scouting days, especially the ones where I am on my own time and looking as much for the shots in 'what is happening around me' as for where they will be happening. Getting to see a new space/place or an old familiar one with new eyes focused on a defined finished product. It is the exercise of 'seeing' which I truly wish that I had more time to devote toward - it would undoubtedly make me a better photographer. These were from one such scouting mission yesterday here in Portland for a project happening next week. Can't wait to get the talent styled and into these spaces!

Kati

2010-02-10T00:23:00.001-08:00

Malia

2010-01-25T20:27:00.000-08:00

Malia from Ty Milford on Vimeo.

Some fun stuff in the works here - of which this type of motion capture is definitely a big part. Look for more of this type of work coming down the pike. A list of recent video projects now appears just right of the body of the blog.

Caity

2010-01-24T21:04:00.001-08:00

Backstage_with_Carve_Designs

2010-01-23T15:32:00.000-08:00

Backstage_with_Carve_Designs from Ty Milford on Vimeo.

Here is a little behind the scenes clip of the shoot last week with Carve Designs. Want to watch it in a larger size - go here.

Carve_Designs_Spring_Studio

2010-01-21T19:38:00.001-08:00

We were in the studio most of last week shooting the Spring 2010 line for Carve Designs . . . and as usual no one had any fun. Thanks Jen for the opportunity, Casey for all the styling work, Elizabeth and Lindsay for rockin' it and Bo for keepin' it real!

Women's_Running_Magazine

2010-01-10T12:52:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year - Looking forward to a great 2010 and some upward progress in the economy!

Some tears from a recent fitness shoot that we did with Women's Running Magazine.

Happy_Holidays!

2009-12-23T14:54:00.001-08:00

Wishing everyone a very happy Holiday and wonderful New Year!!

Sierra_Magazine

2009-12-22T11:50:00.001-08:00

On news stands now the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Sierra Magazine with an environmental portrait that we were commissioned to shoot of the City of Portland Sustainability Manager Michael Armstrong riding in the recently established Cycle Track - a bike lane on SW Broadway adjacent to Portland State University in the downtown area where cyclists ride between the curb and a row of parallel parked cars to provide more protection from vehicle traffic. Hopefully in time this pilot project will extend to other major bikeways throughout the city. Get more info here.

Carve_Designs_Autumn_Catalog

2009-12-16T12:46:00.001-08:00

Just got in some tears hot off the press from the autumn catalog we shot for Carve Designs down in Santa Cruz, California. Super fun shoot with lots of captured moments, a great group of people and one of the best surf towns/breaks on the West Coast. Thanks Katie, Jen and Thayer for the opportunity and for Kiley at Nine-Eighty for bringing the work together into this gorgeous finished product.

One_Day

2009-12-09T08:26:00.000-08:00

ParkBOX Time Lapse from Ty Milford on Vimeo.

Playing with a stop motion time lapse sequence in my living room the other day from sunrise to sunset. Guess how many times I got caught walking through the set during the making of this?

Only twice . . . crazy, I know, but both times I had coffee in my hand!

Moving_Comfort_Fall09_Catalog

2009-12-08T13:36:00.000-08:00

A few pages from the Fall catalog from Moving Comfort that we shot up in Seattle in October and which I already posted on here. This was a super fun project to work on due to the 'day in the life' style creative direction coming from the client and it demonstrates a truly ideal fit for the type of 'real moments' work that I love and feel that I excel at. On this we did the lifestyle, product on talent and 'ghosted' product on mannequin shots (essentially all of the photography) and Liz at Moving Comfort had the vision to pull it all together. Thanks Liz, Sara and Jessica for the great opportunity!

Congratulations

2009-12-02T17:19:00.000-08:00

A bit belated, but a big congratulations to PATH Architecture for bringing home two 2009 American Institute of Architects Design Awards for the Park BOX for Built Merit and Craftsmanship. They received a third award, the Mayor's Award for Design Excellence, for Willams Five. You guys are rockin' it!

Tahoe

2009-11-19T08:10:00.000-08:00

I was down in Lake Tahoe this week shooting the fall catalog for an outdoor apparel company. Some early selects from the adventures we had along the way. The day after these shots were taken up at Donner Pass all of this granite was under about 4 inches of snow. Go Yamaha Man!!

Stumptown_Has_It_Goin'_On

2009-11-13T17:00:00.000-08:00

Stumptown, Slabtown, RIP City, PDX . . . . whatever you want to call it, Portland has so much to offer and is a great place to call home. I was out location scouting recently for a client who needed an urban setting for an athletic shoot and snapped these on my iPhone. So much potential here locally - whether downtown, out at the coast, in the Columbia River Gorge, up on Mt. Hood, or across the range in Bend. Shoot in Oregon!!

CCXSSWC

2009-11-09T09:17:00.001-08:00

The Cyclocross Single Speed World Championships (CCXSSWC) were in town this weekend. I recall when I moved to Portland a few years back and started riding cross that on the Cross Crusade schedule there was a notation of the championships for that season being held in Portland and I thought, "Wow, that's got to be like hosting the Super Bowl in your home city." Well, in reality, it's more like combining the Super Bowl (yes, there are super fit riders who take part) with Mardi Gras, a roller derby tournament, Octoberfest, a tatoo convention and a bout of mud wrestling. Actually, that description is pretty right on. The theme of this year's event was "Beyond Thunderdome" and although I haven't seen the movie myself, I am pretty sure that whatever it entails it would be a let down compared to what I witnessed this weekend. The course included the usual display off camber hills, muddy run-ups, barriers to leap, and fast 'all-out' straight away, but also showcased a 40 foot tall geodesic dome with a handful of charachters clad in post-apocolyptic attire hanging from ropes and launching marshmallows at riders coming through. If you don't believe me that any of this really exists - well, there are photos above to prove it or you can check for yourself here. Raleigh has produced a pretty sweet limited edition frameset to commorate the event.

Malia's_Sweet_16_(Months)

2009-11-08T10:50:00.001-08:00

Some fun snaps from around the breakfast table on Saturday morning. She loves her O's!!

I_LOVE_My_Job

2009-11-04T17:43:00.001-08:00

I do feel exceptionally fortunate that I get to do what I do for a living while spending time with good peeps. These are behind the scenes from another day at the 'office' on the Deschutes River in Central Oregon.

Bend

2009-11-04T15:32:00.001-08:00

Some of my quick selects from a shoot out in Central Oregon two weeks ago with the SmartWool brand. Garett, thanks as always for the opportunity and for coming out to enjoy some of the autumn in Oregon. Bo and Lindsay - thanks for keepin' it real and for the good times. Andrea, Sam and Dave - it was a pleasure to work with you all and thanks for your assistance along the way.

Santa_Cruz_Surfer_Girls

2009-11-04T14:32:00.000-08:00

I love short bursts of being crazy busy and experiencing the euphoric sensation in my work life similar to a 'runner's high.' The past two weeks have teetered precariously close to the pinnacle of this with three national editorial assignments and two active lifestyle catalog shoots. These are some early selects from one that was down in Santa Cruz, California for Carve Designs' autumn line. Thanks Jen and Katie for putting it all together and to Claire for her great styling. Bo, as always, thanks for keeping things . . . uneventful while juggling pixels. You guys rock!

Deschutes_River_Aspens

2009-10-22T12:01:00.001-07:00

Out in Central Oregon this week for an outdoor lifestyle catalog shoot. We do everything that we can to prepare - sourcing great talent, location, crew, creative direction, etc. One thing that I can't do very much about is what nature offers up us at the time of the shoot. In this instance we had sunshine, blue sky and perfect golden aspens. I love it when a plan comes together. Should have some images up soon.

Resolution_of_Icing

2009-10-22T09:47:00.001-07:00

Can't say that I've ever had an image printed on a cake before - but this was a recent use by the University of Puget Sound on some work that we did for them last spring. I hope that it tasted good! What's the ideal resolution and color space for printing on cake icing you ask? Good question - I'll have to find out . . .

Moving_Comfort_Fall09

2009-10-15T17:57:00.001-07:00

I posted earlier this week about being on a shoot up in Seattle all last week and after finally making it through the edit I have some of my favorites to share today (BTW - if you are wishing that you had a magnifying glass to see these images, just click on the collage and it will open to full size for you). I have worked with the Moving Comfort brand for a number of years (I think that this was our 10th shoot together??) and always have a good time working on their projects. This season was perhaps the best yet as I was asked to shoot what I love more than anything - 'slice of life' or sometimes called 'day in the life' work. Kind of a mix of the normal staged commercial style with a solid blend of get in there and 'break your nose' documentary angles. Love it. It is the perfect match for my interest in capturing moments more than overly staged and contrived scenarios. We were on location for two days pretty much 'dark to dark' and there were over 5000 images created that got culled down (read . . . coffee) to around 700 final selects. The images are different, but I think that we pretty much nailed the exact look of the 'mood board' put together by their Creative Director Liz.

After delivering the edit yesterday this was the very sweet note that I found in my inbox this morning.

Normal_Day

2009-10-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

A friend here in Portland recently accused me of only posting on the 'fun parts of my job,' saying that I was always in amazing places with beautiful people. It got me thinking that perhaps yes, I did post too frequently on the fun and interesting things that I was doing, but that more often my time is spent in front of a monitor editing all of that work. Truth be told, there are 3-4 days in the office for every day of shooting. If I am not editing, processing, or retouching work, I am working to get new work, thanking clients for giving me work, or contemplating what type of new work I want to be working on for myself and then producing that work. It's definitely a lot of work. I'm thankful for good coffee.

Pumpkin_Patch

2009-10-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

My favorite season is autumn without doubt. I love the shorter days, the leaf rustling wind, the changing colors in the trees, the time to reflect on an active summer, cooler mornings, richer foods and darker beers. I love everything about the fall and even more so now getting to share it with my daughter. Today we took Malia out to a local farm to pick out her first real (ie - cognizant) set of pumpkins. She's still not too sure about the goats and cows, but she loved the wheelbarrow ride.

Can_Lady

2009-10-10T13:45:00.000-07:00

We were on a super fun shoot up in Seattle this past week and after a morning session out at Discovery Park in Magnolia we came across this sweet old woman in a huge-boat-of-a-barely-still-running 1970's era Plymouth crushing aluminum cans in an empty parking lot. One of those times that you are happy to have the camera in the car with you. She said that the cans paid for the gas, but by the looks of the car I'd say that after forward and reversing over the cans a couple dozen times to flatten them it was probably a wash. Will post some images from the shoot sometime this next week.

Kumara

2009-10-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

For lifestyle photography, talent who have personality and are able to let it shine in front of the camera are worth their weight in gold. This is probably a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at how often I am trying to pull personality out of my subjects. This past week I shot some new personal work with Kumara Kelley, a Burton sponsored snowboarder and all around vivacious woman. In the course of a few hours we created a huge variety of images ranging studio to location - primarily because she was just comfortable being herself. Thanks Anna as always for great styling and to the team at Sports Unlimited for making the connection with Kumara.

Bend

2009-10-02T21:18:00.001-07:00

I was out in Central Oregon this past week doing some location scouting for a project coming up later this month. Any excuse to get over the hills to the Bend area is good in my book. Perfect late summer weather with just a hint of color in the aspens.

Suvie_Island_Summer

2009-09-28T08:16:00.001-07:00

It may sound like someplace exotic and far away, but we didn't go to the South Pacific for this one. Out on a super cool old houseboat with tons of character on the Willamette River last week to catch a few more of the sun's rays before the fall weather pattern takes over here in Oregon. Props to Chloe for 'bringing it' and to Sarah for a great job with all of the styling.

Skater_Girls

2009-09-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

Some images from a skater girl shoot here in Portland last week. Thanks Anna for doing a great job on the styling!

PATH_Architecture

2009-09-19T09:29:00.001-07:00

A couple of new exteriors that we shot this week for PATH Architecture here in Portland. If you are into modern design, clean lines, great detail - everything these guys do is eye candy!

How_Fit_Are_You?

2009-09-18T01:26:00.000-07:00

Some fun shots from last week here in Portland. Great job Chloe and Lindsay.

The_Birds

2009-09-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

So after noting that Sauvie Island concerts are one of my favorite things about summer in Portland, I have to follow that up with one of the special, if not overtly quirky, things that autumn brings each year for the past dozen or more years - the return of the Vaux's Swifts to Chapman Elementary School in NW Portland. For about a month and a half each autumn, up to 40k birds roost each night in the tall boiler chimney at Chapman School and on any clear evening (and some drizzly) several hundred Portlanders show up with kids, families, dogs, picnics, cameras, and plenty of cardboard to ride the grassy hillside as they anticipate the arrival of the swifts. Just after dusk the cloud of birds appear and nervously scope the chimney entrance for signs of lurking bird of prey. As the coast is deemed clear a spiraling funnel forms and the birds begin to descend into the chimney where they cling to the brick walls during the night. At times a hawk or falcon will swoop in and try to make a grab - to which the swifts respond by mounting an attack of mass number chasing the predator away, which always gets an 'ohh-ing and ahh-ing' tennis match-esqe response from the crowd. We used to live right across the street from this spectacle for several years and it was truly a hightlight of autumn. If you don't believe a word of what I am saying click here.

Isabella

2009-09-16T00:01:00.001-07:00

Just getting around to posting these now, but they are from a shoot two weeks or so ago with Isabella Barna here in Beaverton at the Northwest Fencing Center. This girl seriously rocks - she is a Junior Olympian in both Fencing and Nordic Skiing and it was super fun to meet and get to shoot with her for a few hours. Thanks to Rebecca Bauer for styling the shoot.

Puget_Sound

2009-09-15T23:23:00.001-07:00

We just got a bunch of the finished work back from a couple of shoots last fall and this spring at Puget Sound (aka - the University of). It was a super fun project - they've got a gorgeous campus up there and Point Defiance Park has some pretty good trail running to boot. Thanks again to BethAnne from Neustadt Creative Marketing in Baltimore for the opportunity.

Stable_Day

2009-09-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

Some selects from last Friday's shoot up in Brush Prairie, Washington on location at both Silver Buckle Youth Equestrian Center and Si-Ellen stables. Thanks to Paige from Ryan Artists and Sam from Option Model Management as well as Peggi Jeung from Art Mix Beauty for her styling and Terri from Blush Premier Makeup for her hair and makeup artistry for making it a super successful shoot.

Arancibia_Residence

2009-09-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

I spent last Thursday morning with Don, Jen and Vega Arancibia in their super swank pad filled with light, color and amazing design in SE Portland.

Athlete_Portraits

2009-09-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of having two high-profile athletes in front of my camera this past week. Tao Berman, heralded as 'the most extreme whitewater kayaker of all time' and who holds the world record for longest vertical drop in a kayak (a 98 foot fall in Canada's Banff National Park) showed me around his stomping grounds out in White Salmon, WA on Thursday afternoon. Then on Friday I spent a few hours with Erik Tonkin, an elite cyclocross racer and Kona Factory Team rider, and his crew at his bike shop Sellwood Cycle Repair just outside of Portland. While both are incredibly talented and accomplished, the most notable fact that I came away with in each case is that they are incredibly nice guys. More pics are up in my portfolio site in the MUG SHOTS category.

Sauvie_Island_Concerts

2009-08-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about summer in the Pacific Northwest is all the fun outdoor community events, with the summer concert series at Kruger's Farm out at Sauvie Island probably being the highlight. Fresh corn on the cob, organic ales, you-pick-it berries, and of course live music are what the adults love, but in all honesty the kids steal the show frolicking in the farm's sprinklers, dancing until way past bedtime and best of all falling asleep on the car ride home.

Summer_Lake

2009-08-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

Some images from a personal project last week at a gorgeous lake just outside of Portland. Thanks to Cholee at Ryan Artists for connecting me with Lindsay, Ali, Natalya, Rob, and Grant. Wardrobe styling by Sarah Van Raden and hari and makeup by Anna Webber.

HOTEL_Steamboat

2009-08-26T09:21:00.001-07:00

Our digs for the week in Colorado. Towels were a bit scratchy, but the comforters were nice. If you are reading this post and wondering what the deal is - click here.

Rocky_Mountain_High

2009-08-26T08:41:00.001-07:00

Some of the cast of characters from the SmartWool shoot in Steamboat last week. Thanks Garett for the opportunity, Byron & Cat from Colorado Bike and Ski Tours for the great production support, and Lauren for the superb styling. As always, Bo, Lisa and Dave - you kept me laughing the whole time - even when I thought the sun was going to catch my skin on fire.

Steamboat_Springs

2009-08-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

In Steamboat Springs this week for a shoot. After location scouting for most of the day, tonight we hit a great little hot spring outside of town to relax a bit before we hit the ground running at 0500 tomorrow.

Beach_Road_Trip

2009-08-17T23:08:00.000-07:00

Some randoms from our recent road trip out to the beach. Malia took her first steps this weekend!

PDX_Creativity

2009-08-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

In addition to sharing NEWS about what is going on here, I also like to post on what inspires. A friend here in Portland recently shared this little gem and it definitely provides a glimpse as to how creative the energy here in Portland is. Not sure who these people are, if they work in the creative field for their bread and butter, or if this was just an afternoon summer project - but it is pretty sweet. Kind of a Flight of the Conchords meets the Ronde. Who is it slagging? I think that it does a pretty good job of elbowing both the Dura Ace crowd as well as the fixie crew (of which I admittedly aspire to both!) Go Stumptown!