The Talented Mr. Burr

Adam took this photograph. I posted it because I love it. He's been shooting a lot of slide film lately. The quality and colors are so awesome. I like how the sky is kind of soft/natural and then you have the contrast of the neon lights. Also thought it was interesting how flat the composition would be without the diner. Since you can't see any detail in the dark foreground areas it feels flat but then the lines from the neon lights add perspective. Talented guy :)

Ms. Lizette!

Model: Ms. Lizette

Hair & Make Up: Alexandra Jackson

Model: Ms. Lizette
Hair & Make Up: Alexandra Jackson

Getting ready for Ms. Lizette

Alex applying Lizette's make up.

I had my doubts when Lizette and I first put together the fabric choices for this shoot. The patterns and color choices were quite out there, at least for my taste. I usually don't set anything up before the day of the shoot but felt it necessary for this one. Once we hung up the backdrop and nailed down the floor fabric, my doubts disappeared quickly.

This shoot was a true team effort. Lizette approached me a while back to see if I was interested in doing a "pin up" inspired shoot. I first wasn't totally sure because bright colors/crazy patterns and generally flatter lighting is not really my thing. But it's good to challenge yourself to do different things and we ended up making this a trade. Lizette is a very talented illustrator (she's a concept artist at Blue Sky Studios) so I told her I'll do a shoot for her if she in return would make me an original piece of art work. Over the next months we were in constant contact talking about things that might work and finding props and fabrics (Ebay was a big contributor)... Lizette really did pretty much all of the prep work on this shoot. She found some awesome stuff (like the record player, phone, table......).

Alex working on fake tattoos.

If you know Lizette in person, you know that she is not like the bad ass rockabilly chick in the image which made the shoot so much more amusing to me. For one she doesn't have any tattoos and she usually does not wear much make up. I can't describe the amount of make up that was applied for this shoot, it must have been a nightmare washing it off. It was great working with someone like her who is willing to come out of her shell a bit. Alex as always did an awesome job with hair and make up.

Something different.

Saturday I got to check out some exhibits in the city. I was so inspired that I spent the next 24 hours drawing. I miss drawing. This is the first drawing I have done on paper in about 2 years which is crazy. I used to draw all the time but now-a-days it's hard finding the time and for me, if I don't keep up with drawing I get real rusty. This was done on water color paper with India Ink and Micron Pens.

Courting Condi

I would like to share the accomplishment of my good/old friend Robert Morris. He was the VFX Supervisor and Co-Producer on the film "Courting Condi" which has been nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Performance at the 2008 Orlando Film Festival. I'm super happy for Robert. I've always admired his ambition and talent and it's nice to see that he's getting recognition for his work (not that this is the first time). I like that Robert is not one of those people who just talks about doing something he actually follows through on things which I find is kind of a rare quality these days.

Anyway, check out the trailer...... www.courtingcondi.com and then go check out the movie, I believe it's coming out next week. Congrats Robert.

Monkeys, Tequila & Cigarettes

Model: The Amazing Ms. Jane
Hair & Make Up: Alexandra Jackson

Jane, Jane, Jane........ I love photographing Jane. From talking to other photographers I have found that everyone has one person they particularly enjoy photographing. A muse of some sorts, someone that not only clicks well with you but also fits your style. Jane is that for me. She fits my style perfectly, gets my directions and again, I'm always amazed at how different she looks once I bring her into my world. Alex did a great job with hair and make up she created exactly what I had in my mind.

The day started off as a bit of a disaster. I wanted those pointe ballet shoes and the plan was to go buy a used pair while Alex was doing Janes hair. I jumped in a cab only to get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic with no way to cross over to the westside do to a damn parade. Seriously it's like whenever i'm in a major rush there's a parade...... Anyway, I got out and ran over to the store only to find it was closed for construction. I ended up finding point shoes at another place but it was a hassle. When I got back I still had to staple on the ribons and spray paint them black because they only come in pink.

Anyway...... monkeys, tequila and cigarettes...... I believe that sums up this last shoot.

Jane Part Deux

Model: Jane
Hair & Make Up: Alexandra Jackson

This was shot in the elevator in Harlem. The elevator is normally locked up. When I saw it was open I knew I wanted to take a few shots in there. Jane was a tad nervous about getting in that old, rattly elevator but was a good sport as always. Lighting was a bit of a challenge because it is rather dark in that hallway and I only had a very limited amount of space. After a few tests I decided to stick with the lens flare effect.